The shock reverberated through her, momentarily distracting her from the impending threat. Scylla, seizing the opportunity, began gathering a swirling mass of black and green energy in her gaping maw, preparing a devastating attack.
But just as the spell was about to be unleashed, Mavislin closed her eyes, letting the darkness cloak her. When she opened them again, her gaze had shifted to a striking gradient of purple to pink.
The unexpected change in her eyes stopped Scylla in her tracks, the monster's spell faltering as she stared, captivated and bewildered by the mesmerizing hues of Mavislin's eyes.
The dragoness blinked once more, her eyes shifting back to their blood-red hue as she landed gracefully on the grassy field. Scylla remained frozen, her monstrous form rigid with fear as her tentacles began to turn to stone, succumbing to the effects of Mavislin's spell.
Desperate to regain control, the monster unleashed a thick, swirling mist of green and black poison, hoping to counteract the petrifying magic that had ensnared her.
The noxious cloud billowed around the battlefield, obscuring vision and threatening to nullify Mavislin's advantage.
Yet, the Shadow of the Syndicate had anticipated this move. With a burst of agility and the subtle support of her Guardian, Mavislin deftly maneuvered through the poison-laden fog.
Her movements were swift and precise, her small, agile frame allowing her to evade the deadly mist while she circled Scylla, preparing for her next decisive strike.
"I never thought I'd try this but it's worth the shot…" murmured Mavislin as she tried her best to control her breath so she wouldn't get poisoned again.
But then, Mavislin realized a crucial point: for her Alter form to perform at its peak, the Gorgon within her thrived on the poison. However, her current form requires clean air to function effectively. And she lacked the time to turn into her Alter form.
She needed to find a balance between these conflicting needs. Perhaps there was a way to harmonize the poison's benefits with her need for clarity, creating a strategy that could use both to her advantage.
"By her stare, turn flesh to stone… With eyes of dread, bind flesh and bone. Allow none to pass our stone-cold stare…" chanted the dragoness as she felt the poison seeping into her body.
As if responding to her silent plea, the Guardian within Mavislin began to transform the swirling poison into a steady flow of mana, preparing for her next spell.
The dragoness murmured a quiet thanks to the Monster of the Shapeless Isle, feeling a surge of gratitude. With the poison now turned to energy, she turned her full attention to the impending battle, readying herself for the next move.
"Arcane Sight: Petrify The Flesh, Quad Fold!" shouted the dragoness as she went right at Scylla's face.
Two radiant, purple circles materialized in Mavislin's eyes, merging into powerful beams of violet and black that shot directly into Scylla's eyes.
The monster let out a tormented shriek as the searing beams inflicted excruciating agony, turning every vein in her grotesque form into cold, unyielding stone.
As the poison cloud dissipated, the battlefield cleared, leaving only the remnants of the defeated creature. With a determined smile, Mavislin spun her scythe with practiced elegance, the weapon glinting ominously in the dim light.
She readied herself for the final, decisive strike, poised to bring an end to the copy of Scylla with a flourish of her lethal grace.
"You want chaos, Zenos? I'll give it to you!" yelled Mavislin, gripping her scythe with a huge smile on her face.
The Viceroy, who had been watching from the shadows, flinched as Mavislin uttered his name. Her knowing smirk was a clear sign that she had ensnared his full attention.
With a flick of her wrist and a surge of determination, she unleashed a relentless barrage of strikes upon the faltering Scylla.
Each attack was a masterful display of her skill, weaving through the chaos with an almost dance-like grace, turning the tide of battle as she relentlessly exploited the monster's every weakness.
It almost looked like a fireworks display, with each wound exploding in colors of purple and black and with Mavislin zipping around the monster. The Shadow of the Syndicate ended the assault by stabbing Scylla's chest, causing her foe to crumble into dust.
Scylla's wails echoed throughout the rooftop. The dragoness then landed back onto the cobblestone floor with a gentle tap of her boots, facing away from the collapsing enemy and towards the Viceroy with fierce eyes.
Pivoting her scythe around her form, Mavislin then pointed her scythe towards Zenos, awaiting his words.
"You have proven to be as intriguing as I anticipated. You've exceeded my expectations, and as such, you've earned the duel you sought," announced the Viceroy as he pulled out his own scythe.