The heat was unbearable. Each breath Evelyn took burned her lungs, and the very air around them seemed to sizzle. Kai's relentless assault pushed them back, his movements a blur of raw power and fury. His blade cut through the air, forcing Evelyn, Khalid, and Darius to scramble out of the way. They were doing everything they could just to survive his onslaught.
Evelyn parried another of Kai's wild swings, her arms trembling under the force of his blow. She could feel her strength waning, the weight of exhaustion settling in. "We can't keep this up much longer!" she shouted, barely dodging another strike. "Khalid, we need to find a way to slow him down!"
Khalid gritted his teeth, his axe raised in defense. "He's too strong," he said, frustration and anger mixing in his voice. "Every time I get close, he just bats me away like a fly!"
Kai laughed, a deep, menacing sound that echoed across the battlefield. "Is this all the great commanders of Frozenfang can do? Pathetic!" He raised his sword, ready to bring it down on Evelyn when a sudden flash of movement caught his eye.
Kenshin, silent as a shadow, had slipped behind Kai. With a swift motion, he lunged, his blade slicing through the air, aiming directly at Kai's exposed back. Kai barely managed to twist away, but the strike landed a glancing blow, cutting a deep gash across his shoulder. Kai roared in pain and anger, spinning around to face Kenshin.
"Little blind mouse!" Kai spat, his eyes narrowing with fury. "You dare strike me from behind?"
Kenshin didn't flinch. He stood his ground, sensing Kai's presence through the heat and sound. "Your fire doesn't scare me," Kenshin said calmly, his grip tightening on his blade. "I may be blind, but I see more clearly than you ever will."
Kai snarled, lunging at Kenshin, but Khalid intercepted, swinging his axe with all his might. The clash of their weapons sent a shockwave through the air. Kenshin joined in, the two of them working together to keep Kai at bay. Their coordination was seamless—Kenshin using his agility to evade Kai's powerful strikes, and Khalid meeting strength with strength.
Meanwhile, Evelyn saw her chance. "Darius, now!" she called out. They broke away from the fight, leaving Khalid and Kenshin to deal with Kai. Their goal was clear: capture the flag and end this once and for all. Evelyn's eyes locked onto the enemy flag, still guarded but within reach. The chaos of the battle had left an opening, and she intended to take it.
But just as they made their move, a shadow loomed from the side. Lysander, covered in dirt and blood from escaping the pit trap, emerged. His eyes were filled with cunning and malice as he intercepted Evelyn and Darius. With a swift motion, Lysander's blade lashed out, striking Darius across the side. Darius stumbled back, blood seeping from the wound, his face pale with pain.
"Darius!" Evelyn cried out, turning to defend him. But Lysander was quick, his sword flashing again. He knocked Evelyn off balance, sending her crashing to the ground.
"Did you really think it would be that easy?" Lysander sneered, standing over Evelyn. "You should have kept your eyes on the prize, Evelyn."
Ignoring the pain, Evelyn rolled away from Lysander's blade, getting back on her feet. She looked over at Darius, who was struggling to stay upright. "Darius, go for the flag!" she yelled. "I'll handle him!"
Darius nodded, clutching his side as he staggered towards Lysander's flag. Every step was agony, but he pushed through, determination etched on his face. Lysander saw him and moved to stop him, but Evelyn blocked his path, her sword meeting his in a shower of sparks.
Lysander laughed, pushing her back. "Do you really think you can beat me, Evelyn? You're outnumbered and outmatched. You don't stand a chance."
"Maybe not," Evelyn said, gritting her teeth as she parried another strike. "But I won't let you win either."
The two clashed, their blades ringing out in the cold air, each strike echoing with the weight of their determination. As they fought, Darius continued his slow, painful march towards the flag. Blood dripped from his wound, leaving a trail in the snow. He knew he didn't have much time before his strength gave out, but he had to try. He had to reach the flag.
The tension in the battlefield was palpable, every movement a test of will and strength. Kai's roars of fury mixed with the clash of swords, and the air seemed to vibrate with the energy of the fight. Victory was within reach for both sides, but so was defeat. As the final moments of the battle approached, each fighter's resolve was tested, pushing them to their limits and beyond.