The chamber shook with each step Morticon took, the towering brute radiating raw power and menace. His dark, spiked armor seemed impenetrable, and his massive axe rested on his shoulder like a toy despite its size. The eerie glow of his eyes pierced through the gloom as he regarded Tai Lung and Isabella with contempt.
"You think you can challenge me?" Morticon rumbled, his deep voice reverberating like a distant thunderstorm. "I am the enforcer of Octomus's will, the destroyer of armies. You are nothing but pests to be crushed."
Tai Lung cracked his knuckles, a carefree grin spreading across his face. "Big words for a guy who hasn't even swung that thing yet. Let's see if you're all talk or just show."
Isabella smirked, her hands glowing faintly with barrier energy. "Careful, Tai Lung. If he steps on you, I'm not picking up the pieces."
Morticon's growl was low and menacing as he hefted his massive axe. "You'll regret your insolence."
Morticon moved first, swinging his axe with terrifying speed and force. The weapon cleaved through the air, creating a shockwave that cracked the stone floor and sent debris flying. Tai Lung darted to the side, his movements a blur as he narrowly avoided the devastating strike.
"You missed!" Tai Lung taunted, vaulting off a nearby wall and delivering a swift kick to Morticon's armored shoulder. The impact made the Terror flinch but didn't leave a mark.
Morticon turned with surprising speed, swinging his axe in a wide arc. Tai Lung ducked, rolling out of the way as the blade carved a deep groove into the ground. "Okay, you're not slow," Tai Lung admitted, leaping back to avoid another attack. "But you're predictable."
From behind, Isabella raised her hands, summoning a shimmering golden barrier. "Over here, big guy!" she called, launching the barrier at Morticon like a battering ram.
The barrier slammed into Morticon's chest, forcing him back a step. He snarled, swinging his axe toward Isabella, but she conjured another barrier just in time to block the attack. The force of the blow sent ripples through the golden shield, but it held firm.
"Nice try," Isabella said, smirking as she lowered the barrier. "But you'll have to hit harder than that."
Morticon roared, raising his axe for another swing, but Tai Lung took advantage of the opening, delivering a flurry of rapid strikes to Morticon's exposed joints. Each punch and kick was precise, targeting weak points in the Terror's armor.
Morticon growled in frustration, swinging wildly in an attempt to catch Tai Lung. "You're good," he admitted, his voice laced with menace. "But only being good won't save you."
"Keep him distracted!" Isabella shouted, summoning another barrier around Morticon's legs. The golden energy constricted him, slowing his movements.
"On it!" Tai Lung called, leaping onto Morticon's back. He delivered a powerful kick to the Terror's neck, forcing him to stumble forward.
Morticon bellowed in rage, shrugging Tai Lung off with a burst of brute strength. The warrior flipped gracefully in mid-air, landing lightly on his feet. "You're stronger than you look," Tai Lung said, his grin undeterred. "This might actually be fun."
"Fun for you," Isabella quipped, her voice tinged with mock exasperation. She launched another barrier, this time striking Morticon in the chest and forcing him to his knees. "I'm the one doing all the work here."
Tai Lung laughed, darting forward to deliver a series of rapid punches to Morticon's face. "Come on, you love it. Admit it."
"Maybe," Isabella admitted, slamming another barrier into Morticon's side. "But if you screw this up, I'm blaming you."
Morticon roared, his strength surging as he broke free of the barriers constricting him. He swung his axe in a massive arc, forcing both fighters to retreat.
"You're pests!" Morticon snarled. "Annoying, insignificant pests!"
Morticon planted his axe in the ground, creating a shockwave that sent Isabella and Tai Lung tumbling back. He charged at Isabella, his armored body like a battering ram. She conjured a barrier just in time, but the impact sent her skidding across the floor.
"Not bad," Isabella muttered, pushing herself up. "But I've had worse."
Tai Lung used the distraction to leap onto Morticon's back again, this time driving his claws into the seams of the Terror's armor. "Found a weak spot!" he called out, prying at the armor with all his strength.
Morticon roared, flailing wildly as he tried to dislodge Tai Lung. "Get off me, you vermin!"
Isabella grinned, summoning another barrier and slamming it into Morticon's chest. "You're not looking so tough now," she taunted, her tone laced with sarcasm.
Morticon finally threw Tai Lung off, but not before the martial artist managed to rip a piece of armor from his back. The exposed area revealed glowing, molten veins—clearly a weak point.
"Isabella!" Tai Lung shouted, pointing to the exposed area. "There! Aim for that!"
"Got it!" she replied, her hands glowing as she summoned a concentrated barrier of energy.
Morticon, realizing his vulnerability, roared and charged at Isabella, swinging his axe with terrifying force. She rolled to the side, her barrier deflecting the edge of the weapon just enough to avoid a fatal blow.
Tai Lung moved in from the other side, delivering a powerful roundhouse kick to Morticon's exposed back. The Terror stumbled, his movements slowing as the damage began to take its toll.
"Let's finish this," Isabella said, her voice firm.
She summoned a massive barrier, its golden light illuminating the chamber. Tai Lung darted forward, landing a final series of precise strikes on Morticon's weak point.
The Terror let out a deafening roar as Isabella launched her barrier, the glowing energy slamming into Morticon and shattering the remaining armor. The force of the attack sent the towering brute crashing to the ground, his body crumbling into ash.
Tai Lung stood over the remains, dusting off his hands. "Well, that was fun. You okay, Commander?"
Isabella rolled her eyes, her hands on her hips. "I'm fine. And don't call me Commander."
Tai Lung smirked. "Come on, you've got the whole 'leader barking orders' thing down. It suits you."
She shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Let's just get moving. Riser's probably waiting."
As they turned to leave, isabella glanced at him. "Hey, admit it. We make a good team."
tai lung sighed, but his smirk betrayed his amusement. "Fine. Just don't let it go to your head."
--
"Well, well," Imperious sneered, his voice smooth and mocking. "The traitor returns, and he's brought a little girl to do his dirty work. How quaint."
Koragg's grip tightened on his sword, his voice low and steady. "Your treachery won't be forgiven, Imperious. Today, you pay for your betrayal."
Yubellena rolled her eyes, summoning a glowing sphere of magic into her palm. "Save the speeches for later. Let's shut him up already."
Imperious chuckled, raising his staff. "Bold words. But you'll soon learn the futility of your defiance."
Imperious struck first, slamming his staff into the ground and unleashing a shockwave of dark energy that surged toward them. Koragg planted his shield firmly in front of him, the dark magic colliding with the barrier and dissipating in a burst of sparks.
"Stay behind me!" Koragg barked, stepping forward to draw Imperious's attention.
"Not my style," Yubellena replied, leaping to the side and launching a volley of lightning bolts at Imperious. The projectiles struck his magical shield, shattering it and forcing the dark mage to retreat a step.
Imperious snarled, retaliating with a barrage of dark energy blasts from his staff. The attacks streaked toward Yubellena, but Koragg moved swiftly, his shield absorbing the onslaught.
"You'll need more than tricks to defeat me," Koragg growled, charging forward. His sword glowed with dark energy as he swung it at Imperious.
Imperious deflected the strike with his staff, the clash of weapons creating a thunderous boom. "You've grown no stronger, Koragg," Imperious taunted. "Still the same loyal dog, barking for scraps."
While Koragg engaged Imperious in close combat, Yubellena positioned herself at the edge of the battlefield, her hands weaving intricate patterns in the air as she prepared her spells.
"Keep him busy!" she shouted.
Koragg obliged, launching a relentless series of strikes with his sword. Imperious matched him blow for blow, their weapons clashing in bursts of energy. The dark mage's movements were fluid, his mastery of both magic and melee evident as he sidestepped Koragg's attacks and countered with precision.
But Koragg was unyielding, using his shield to block Imperious's counters and pressing the offensive with calculated strikes.
"Is that all you've got?" Koragg roared, his sword slamming into Imperious's staff and forcing the mage to stumble back.
"I'm just getting started," Imperious hissed, summoning a wave of dark tendrils that lashed out at Koragg.
"Not today!" Yubellena called, launching a burst of wind magic that cut through the tendrils and knocked Imperious off balance. She followed up with a massive fireball, the explosion forcing Imperious to retreat further.
"Impressive," Imperious admitted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But two against one? Hardly fair."
He raised his staff, summoning a group of shadowy minions to aid him.
The minions charged toward Yubellena, but Koragg intercepted them, his shield and sword cutting through the shadows with brutal efficiency. "Focus on him!" Koragg shouted.
Yubellena smirked. "Way ahead of you."
She conjured a glowing sigil in the air, releasing a barrage of energy beams that rained down on Imperious. The dark mage raised his staff, creating a shield of dark magic to block the assault, but the relentless barrage forced him to his knees.
Koragg seized the opportunity, closing the distance and delivering a devastating shield bash that sent Imperious sprawling.
"You've grown sloppy, Imperious," Koragg said, his voice cold.
Imperious snarled, his eyes glowing with fury. "You dare lecture me?!"
He unleashed a massive wave of dark energy, throwing both Koragg and Yubellena back. The chamber shook from the force of the attack, debris raining down from the ceiling.
Koragg rose first, his shield battered but intact. "You'll have to do better than that," he said, stepping forward to face Imperious again.
Yubellena stood as well, her expression sharp. "I think it's time we ended this."
She raised her hands, channeling a powerful spell. Glowing chains of energy erupted from the ground, wrapping around Imperious and binding him in place.
"Koragg!" Yubellena shouted. "Finish it!"
Koragg didn't hesitate. He charged forward, his sword glowing with dark energy. Imperious struggled against the chains, his staff flaring as he attempted to break free, but Koragg's strike was swift and decisive.
The blade pierced through Imperious's chest, shattering his staff and silencing his magic. Imperious let out a final, guttural scream before collapsing to the ground, his body dissipating into shadow.
Koragg lowered his sword, his breathing heavy as he surveyed the battlefield. "It's done."
Yubellena approached, her hands glowing faintly as she dispelled the remaining chains. "Not bad, knight. You might actually be useful."
Koragg gave her a sidelong glance. "And you're more than just a mouthy mage."
Yubellena smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment."
--
Necrolai darted through the chamber, her movements swift and unpredictable as she manipulated the shadows to her advantage.
"You can't catch me, devil," she taunted, her voice echoing.
Riser smirked, raising his hand and releasing a massive fireball into the air. The flames illuminated the entire chamber, banishing the shadows and forcing Necrolai into the open.
"You were saying?" Riser replied, his tone cool.
Necrolai hissed, teleporting behind him and slashing with her claws. Riser spun, flames igniting along his legs as he used his martial arts to block and counter her strikes.
She attempted to flee again, but Riser propelled himself forward with bursts of fire from his feet, closing the distance in an instant.
"Running won't save you," he said, cornering her against a wall of flame.
Necrolai snarled, her desperation evident as she unleashed a flurry of dark magic. Riser countered with his Nova ability, the heat around him intensifying until the air shimmered with fire.
Necrolai faltered, the overwhelming heat forcing her to drop her attack. "Wait!" she cried, raising her hands in surrender. "I yield! Don't kill me!"
Riser's flames dimmed slightly, though his golden eyes remained sharp. "Smart choice. Now stay out of my way."