The energies started intensifying, and I felt each trace of it. They seemed to draw some energy from their bodies, but I sensed especially the use of their souls and mental power to cast these spells and dark magic. It was as if they were drawing energy from the earth and nature's elements. This was different from how sorcerers wielded magic, but I was certain there were overlaps.
I observed each trace of energy, their movements, and the elements they used, along with their unique language and intonation. As time passed, I could sense that the runes and energy in their hands seemed to form vortices. Discreetly, my eyes glowed, charged with Qi and mental power, allowing me to see that what they were doing was beginning to drain the life energy and souls of the others. Indeed, it was dark and cruel magic, even draining innocent lives.
I sighed silently and decided to intervene.
"Excuse me, but I have to stop your actions."
As soon as I spoke, they were clearly startled, but I didn't give them any time. I raised a hand in each direction.
"Ice Make: Eagles."
Supposedly, two ice eagles would fly toward them, but the magic circle didn't form, even though I was channeling internal energy.
"Ah, someone has deceived us... could he be a sorcerer? Or a wizard?" one of the women said, eyeing me with genuine curiosity. The other glared at me, angry at my interference.
"Doesn't matter—eliminate him."
As she spoke, she formed different symbols, releasing red energy. I moved my fingers, trying to create a shield for defense, but it didn't work, and I had to leap aside to dodge the attack.
"Why can't I…" I muttered, bewildered, and the talkative one responded.
"Can't use your magic? We're in a witch's domain; with our runes here, no one can wield magic," she explained while continuing to fire red-violet energy at me.
Upon hearing this, I frowned, gathering wind around my arm and launching it as a counterattack. This time, it worked.
"It seems even though my magic and internal energy follow different laws… I can't use magic in this supposed witch's space." However, I could still use physical power, and from the small sparks of fire earlier, I knew I could also use soul and mental abilities. Though, I had felt suppression on my mental and soul energy before, which was likely why.
"A strong natural element... you must be blessed with a natural power—fascinating!" said the impatient and angry witch. This time, I saw her hands move differently. Sensing that letting her continue would be unwise, I created a dense, pure wind arrow in my left hand and shot it at her. The other witch, however, destroyed my attack with her magic.
Seeing the situation, and worried that others might get hurt, I used my power to take to the skies. The playful witch, upon seeing my actions, cast two spells that allowed both of them to fly and join me in the air. They flew with magical energy gathered around their bodies.
"They can fly…" I muttered irritably, making a second attempt to prevent the spell from being cast. I felt the energy growing stronger, and being hit by it wouldn't be good. This time, I drew more power from within and gathered the wind, sending out waves of sharp, destructive wind. One of them shielded herself with energy, but the first witch, who was thrown against a tree and injured, wasn't as fortunate. However, it was too late; the spell she had been casting activated, and a red energy entered my body.
I felt myself weakening, my senses and physical energy beginning to fail. It was a loathsome feeling, one I'd never experienced before; even when facing Loki, I hadn't felt my body deteriorate like this. Quickly, I formed a barrier of wind around me and used my Haki to track the energy. Identifying it, I drew upon my ancient divine flame power and focused it on the concentrated energy. The energy was red and violet, clearly dangerous, attempting to hide within my body and affect everything, including my internal energy. My soul flames took the shape of a small dragon, elegantly yet tyrannically consuming the energy. Though it tried to resist, the flame from the ancient dragon god was far too powerful.
As the energy burned away, I caught confusing glimpses—scenes of women, men, elderly people, even children, dying. They begged for mercy, pleaded for rescue, but in the end, each part of their being was collected, drained, and absorbed. When the energy was fully destroyed and my body purified from its effects, I noticed the witch who had cast the curse seemed affected. She spat blood, and the whole scene occurred within just a second or two.
"Melissa?"
"Ana! Leave quickly! He broke my curse, and judging by that fiery aura, it's a power way beyond what we can handle right now—quickly!"
Melissa cried out in shock, but I wouldn't let either of them escape. The runes might limit my mental, soul, and magical powers. But… there's one rule in this world, especially in one like this: power conquers all.
I communicated first with the divine beast and the crown in my mental sea.
"Maximum potency."
As I issued the command, before either of them could try anything to escape, a field of mental dominance extended from my body, encompassing the entire area. Massive waves surged from my mental sea, and a divine being's roar echoed through.
"GRRRRRRRR!!"
The terrifying roar, laden with power, froze and terrified the two. Their fear only intensified when a crown projection appeared above my head, emanating an aura of dominance, prestige, and oppression that weighed down on their bodies.
Their bodies collapsed at my feet as I descended slowly to stand near the two of them.
My eyes and Haki detected that their fingers seemed to be moving magic and channeling mental power, likely attempting to cast spells to either affect me or escape. However, I wasn't about to give them the chance. This time, I decided to settle everything for good. If there's one thing I've learned in life, even if I haven't faced it directly yet in this lifetime, it's that witches, wizards, and sorcerers are cunning and adaptable—I can't let them get any opportunity.
My gaze remained fixed on them, and my Haki and mental power encased every inch of their beings.
"Who are you… and what do you plan to do?"
"Read your memories and eliminate you. Stay still and accept it."
My voice was cold and lethal; I knew all too well what those visions had shown me… the image of even children… begging…
In my right and left hands, orange flames with streaks of powerful red, sourced from the most destructive power, appeared. With masterful control, I released them, unleashing an immense spiritual pressure from my body—my spirit pressure based an ancient dragon god and the noble lineage of the Phantom Clan.
Previously, they could resist, moving their fingers to try casting something despite the oppressive energy, but now their souls were defenseless, unable to move at all.
The flames I released formed two dragons in the air, soaring at incredible speed yet with a beauty and elegance, like noble oriental dragons that seemed to display their majesty and power, even if only briefly. The dragons coiled around the witches, inflicting burns not only on their bodies but even on their souls, sealing their ability to channel magic through sheer force.
The sound of my footsteps filled the air, and with each step, even under the oppressive runes, the two witches felt a fear more terrifying than if death itself had appeared before them. The heat I emanated began to melt the ground, frightening spirits, and even seemed to warp the fabric of the world itself. Today, I held nothing back.