The battlefield was a cacophony of clashing energies, with the sky above swirling in chaotic patterns, reflecting the immense power being unleashed below. Athos, the feared monster, stood amidst the maelstrom, facing off against Rowena Lomius, the current strongest mage in the world of Eldan. The ground beneath them was scorched and cracked, the air thick with the scent of ozone and the residue of powerful spells.
Athos, his dark aura pulsating, launched wave after wave of dark magic at Rowena. His attacks were swift and deadly, but Rowena met each one with a calm, steady response. Her magic was a dazzling display of elemental mastery, weaving water, fire, earth, and air into a harmonious yet deadly. Her presence was imposing, her brown hair flowing behind her like a banner of power.
Grizz, a beastfolk warrior, and Kelly, an eldoan mage and disciple of Rowena, watched the battle from a safe distance. Grizz's eyes were wide with awe and a hint of relief as he observed the fight. He muttered under his breath, "Looks like I overestimated that monster's power. Rowena is even more of a monster than he is!"
Kelly, her eyes shining with admiration, turned to Grizz and said with pride, "I told you my teacher is strong." Her voice was filled with confidence and a hint of reverence, as she watched Rowena effortlessly counter each of Athos' attacks.
Athos, gritting his teeth, felt the impact of Rowena's magic like hammer blows against his defenses. His once confident stance wavered as he struggled to keep up with her relentless assault. He had not expected her to be this powerful, her spells not just countering but overwhelming his dark magic.
The battlefield, a once orderly expanse now ravaged by magical warfare, trembled under the forces at play. Athos, drenched in sweat and bleeding from various injuries, faced Rowena Lomius, the Eldan's most formidable mage. The ground beneath them had been reduced to smoldering ash, and the sky was painted with streaks of chaotic energy. Every inch of the landscape bore witness to their fierce confrontation.
Athos' mind raced with a mixture of frustration and desperation. He recognized the gap between his own dark magic and Rowena's overpowering might. His thoughts were a swirl of panic: "Tsk, I need to escape and become even stronger. It looks like my power is not enough to defeat Rowena Lomius yet." he mused, his eyes darting around for any potential escape route. If he stayed, he faced imminent defeat or capture.
"Let's finish this!!" she declared, her voice echoing across the battlefield. The ground beneath them trembled in response to the sheer force of her magic. Above her, a massive circle of ethereal light formed, its intricate runes glowing fiercely. The spell took shape with an elegance and speed that seemed almost beyond their comprehension.
The air around her grew increasingly hot as she chanted the spell's incantation so quickly it was almost impossible to follow. "Incantationem Infernum Ignis, Adversarios Consuma!" she murmured rapidly. The spell, translating to "Spell of Hell's Fire, Consume the Enemies!" was a potent and ancient incantation known for its destructive power.
Athos' eyes widened in horror as he saw the true nature of Rowena's attack. "This power she's unleashing... it's not just fire; it's magma!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with dread.
The fiery spell transformed into a massive flow of molten lava, rushing towards him with intense heat and speed. The lava crackled and roared as it surged, its glowing orange and red hues making it clear that it was far more dangerous than ordinary flames.
As the magma neared, Athos could feel the intense heat searing his skin and the sheer force of the molten flow. He knew he had to act quickly or be overwhelmed by the relentless, burning onslaught.
Unable to fully evade the incoming attack, Athos was struck by the full force of the spell. A deafening roar of agony escaped his lips as the magma engulfed him, searing through his defenses and causing him immense pain. "Aurgh!!!" he screamed, the sound echoing across the battlefield.
In a final, desperate bid for survival, Athos gathered the remnants of his strength and unleashed a colossal wave of dark energy.The dark magic surged forth, clashing with the magma and creating a blinding explosion of energy. The ground shook violently as the two opposing forces collided, sending shockwaves through the battlefield.
Debris and shattered earth were flung into the air, creating a storm of destruction around them. The shockwave sent Rowena staggering momentarily, but she quickly regained her composure, her gaze fixed on the now chaotic scene. She prepared to respond, her focus unyielding.
Amidst the chaos, Athos seized the opportunity to retreat. The dark energy he had unleashed provided a temporary shield, obscuring his form from Rowena's view. As the dust settled and the flames began to die down, Athos used the cover of the explosion to escape, vanishing into the distance.
Rowena, her eyes narrowing, watched as Athos disappeared like a shadow that vanish. She lowered her hands, the remnants of her spell dissipating into the air. "Tsk he escape," she said, her voice calm but with a hint of irritation. "But this isn't over."
Grizz and Kelly, who had been watching from their point of view, approached Rowena with expressions of awe and concern. Kelly, still catching her breath from the recent ordeal, said, "Master, you were incredible!"
Rowena nodded, her gaze still fixed on the horizon where Athos had vanished. "He's a dangerous foe, but he won't escape justice forever. We will meet again, and next time, I'll make sure he doesn't get away."
Rowena's eyes blazed with a mixture of fury and determination as she turned towards Grizz, the beastfolk warrior. With a swift motion of her hand, she cast a spell that caused the earth beneath Grizz to shift and rise, binding his legs and rooting him in place. The ground hardened around his feet, forming a makeshift prison of stone and dirt.
"Now, beastfolk, talk!" Rowena commanded, her voice cold and unyielding.
Kelly, her eyes wide with shock, stepped forward, pleading, "Master, he didn't cause this! He saved me!"
Rowena's gaze flickered briefly towards Kelly, but her expression remained stern. "Enough, Kelly. These monsters have killed our people, our loved ones. Remember that!"
Grizz, despite being bound, began to laugh—a deep, bitter sound that echoed across the battlefield.
Rowena's eyes narrowed, and she snapped, "What's so funny?"
Grizz's laughter subsided, replaced by a grim expression. "You talk as if you're the only ones who've lost something. As if you're the only ones who've suffered."
Rowena's face contorted in confusion and anger. "What are you saying?"
Grizz's voice was steady, but filled with pain. "You Eldoans... you killed my family. My wife, my child—you killed them all! Every one of you!"
Rowena's eyes widened in shock, her grip on her magic momentarily faltering. The wind seemed to still around them, the battlefield falling silent as the weight of Grizz's words hung in the air.
"You speak of justice and retribution," Grizz continued, his voice now laced with sorrow. "But where was justice for my family? Where was retribution for the beastfolk who lost everything?"
Rowena, momentarily taken aback, struggled to find words. Her mind raced, the certainty of her convictions wavering under the weight of Grizz's accusation. Kelly watched, her own heart torn between her loyalty to her master and the stark truth in Grizz's words.
The air was thick with tension, the earth beneath them holding its breath, as the reality of the conflict between Eldoans and beastfolk came into sharp, painful focus. The lines between right and wrong blurred, and the true cost of their war became undeniable.
.....
Meanwhile, Athos, a creature with both Eldoan and monster-like features, had found refuge in a small, dark cave hidden from view. The cave walls were damp and covered with glowing moss, giving off a faint, eerie light.
Athos sat against the rough, cold stone wall, his breath ragged and labored. His form, though resembling an Eldoan, bore distinct signs of something otherworldly: his face had a hint of octopus-like features, with small, subtle tentacles near his jawline, and his hands ended in sharp, claw-like fingers.
As Athos sat in the dark cavern, the deep burns from Rowena Lomius's flames started to heal. His once raw and scorched skin began to mend, thanks to the dark magic and his body constitution that he have. The pain gradually faded as the dark energy worked to repair his wounds, slowly restoring his damaged flesh.
Clutching his wounds, which slowly knitted back together under the influence of dark energy, Athos spoke to himself in a low, menacing tone. "It's not over, Rowena Lomius... It's not over yet." His voice echoed softly in the cavern, filled with a mixture of pain and simmering rage. "By the time we meet again, that will be the day of your end, Rowena Lomius and then, I will absorb your power. When that day comes no one can defeat me anymore!!"
Athos's thoughts turned inward as he planned his next move, vowing to grow stronger and more powerful. The taste of defeat only fueled his desire for vengeance, and he knew that his journey was far from over. In the silence of the cavern, Athos's resolve hardened, preparing himself for the inevitable confrontation with Rowena Lomius, the monster within him embraced the darkness fully, preparing for the day when he would confront the strongest mage in the world once more.
..........
Meanwhile on the beastfolk Camp
Inside the bustling beastfolk camp, the atmosphere was tense as the various tribes prepared for the next stage of the ongoing war. The large, canvas tent designated for military strategy and reports served as a crucial hub for communication and decision-making.
The first vassal, Lee of the tiger tribe, was seated at a table cluttered with scrolls and maps. Renowned for his unparalleled martial arts and leadership mind, Lee was deeply engrossed in reading reports of the recent battles. His brow was furrowed in concentration, the weight of the conflict evident in his serious demeanor.
Falo, the third vassal from the eagle tribe, burst into the tent, her usually calm and composed demeanor now replaced with visible distress. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she struggled to catch her breath, the urgency of her message evident.
Lee looked up from the reports, his eyes narrowing with concern. "What's going on?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with worry.
Falo took a moment to steady herself, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and urgency. "G-Grizz got cap—captured!" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lee's eyes widened in shock. He quickly set aside the reports, rising from his seat. "Wh-what... what happened? Explain it to me!"
Falo nodded, her breaths still uneven. "When I arrived on the battlefield, I saw Grizz trapped by some powerful earth magic. It was unlike anything I've seen before."
Lee's face darkened with confusion and disbelief. "That's impossible. Grizz is a Bear and his abilities are formidable. He's one of King Regulus's vassals. How could he be captured by some mere Eldoans?"
Falo shook her head, her expression grave. "No, Lee. He wasn't captured by just any Eldoans..."
Lee's confusion grew. "Then who is it?"
Falo took a deep breath, her eyes locking onto Lee's with a look of dread. "It's Rowena Lomius."
Lee's eyes widened in disbelief, his mouth falling open. "What!!!!!"
The name struck Lee like a thunderclap. Rowena Lomius, the most formidable mage of the Eldoan faction, was not just another opponent; she was a living legend known for her incredible magical prowess. The very mention of her name brought a chilling realization to the camp.
Lee's expression was grim as he processed the gravity of the situation. He stood in the dim light of the tent, the weight of his responsibility evident in the lines of worry etched across his face. His usually composed demeanor had shifted to one of steely determination.
Lee then clenched his fists, his mind racing with the implications. "This... this changes everything. Rowena Lomius is no ordinary foe. We need to reassess our strategy immediately."
Falo nodded, her expression somber.
As the weight of the situation sank in, the camp's atmosphere shifted from tense anticipation to urgent mobilization. Lee and Falo exchanged determined glances, knowing that the battle ahead would be more challenging and critical than ever before.
To be continue