"I fought, I protected, I saved. But what is the reward for it? Eternal imprisonment." - Valoran
Destruction. Pure chaos reigned in the temple. Aiden knelt on the ground, shocked. His body refused to move. The pillar of light slowly dissolved as a figure became visible within it. Faster than anyone would have liked, the figure took its first step out of the pillar. A man emerged. As soon as his feet touched solid ground, he began to stretch and loosen his body. The cracking of his bones revealed how long the man had been sealed away.
"Goddamn, that feels good..."
When he finished stretching, he raised his arms into the air. His long, golden hair gave the otherwise dangerous-looking man an almost holy aura. "It's been so long… I can hardly remember what it feels like to stand." As the man turned around, he caught sight of Aiden and the others. His white-and-gold cloak billowed in the wind. "Well, well, what do my eyes see here? Other humans?"
Aiden's face turned as pale as chalk. He couldn't move his body. In the brief moment it took him to blink, Valoran was already standing in front of him. He crouched down and stared directly into the young man's eyes. "Come on, tell me, how has life been without me? It must have been so much better, now that this monster was sealed away, right?" Aiden could see the rage burning in the man's eyes. Sweat streamed down his face, dripping from his chin. Despite opening his mouth, the young man couldn't utter a single word.
"No answer... I knew it..."
Valoran stood up and climbed onto a rock. "You humans are all the same... First, I save and protect you from a great calamity, and then you turn against me, sealing me away... For what you've done to me, you all deserve..." With a single motion of his hand, Valoran obliterated the entire ceiling of the ruins.
"...death."
Episode 16 - Temple Runner (Part 2)
Valoran raised a hand, and the air around him began to tremble. The ground beneath the fighters' feet quaked as cracks spread through the walls of the seal's ruins, like the web of a spider. Dust trickled from the ceiling, and the remnants of Morvan's domain dissolved into pitch-black mist that wrapped around Valoran like a cloak.
"Run," Mikko whispered through clenched teeth as he grabbed Aiden and pulled him to his feet. "He'll turn this place to rubble in minutes."
Aiden was still staring in shock at Valoran, whose aura radiated pure destruction. "He... he was here this whole time? How is that possible?" His voice trembled with disbelief.
"We don't have time for questions!" Mikko shouted as he glanced around. He wrapped an arm around Aiden and dragged him along. "Elara, get ready! We're going to need a barrier when this place collapses."
Elara, her hands trembling with tension, nodded quickly. She raised her staff, and a bluish glow began to form around the group. "[Arcane Shield]! I can protect us, but not for long. Hurry up!"
Ash and Yuichiro fought their way through the collapsing chamber, while Valoran leapt from one rock to the next, each movement accompanied by a thunderous echo.
"Why are we running?" Ash asked, a mischievous grin on his face despite the danger. "We could just—"
"Shut up and run!" Yuichiro cut him off sharply, grabbing his arm and pulling him along. "This isn't a battle we can win. Not yet."
Valoran now stood in the center of the room, the remnants of the once-mighty sealing platform at his feet. With a mocking grin, he raised both arms into the air, unleashing a massive surge of energy that shattered the remaining walls and brought the ceiling crashing down for good.
"You're running? Is that all you have to offer?" His voice thundered through the ruins like a storm. "You won't escape. Not this time."
Suddenly, a massive boulder broke free from the ceiling, narrowly missing the group. Mikko hoisted Aiden onto his shoulder and grabbed Elara by the wrist, while Ash and Yuichiro ran behind them, gasping for breath.
"I see the exit!" Mikko shouted as he barreled through the tightening maze of debris. "Keep going!"
But before they could reach the safety of open air, Valoran tilted his head and raised a hand. A black energy blast shot toward them, faster than they could react. Elara screamed as the shield around them buckled under the impact, cracks splintering through the glowing barrier.
"Don't give up!" Mikko yelled. "Just a few more steps!"
With one final push, they reached the exit, just as the ruins collapsed behind them with a deafening crash. They stumbled into the open, the light of the setting sun blinding their eyes as a cloud of dust enveloped them. Gasping for air, they collapsed to the ground.
Aiden, still trembling, slowly sat up. "That was..." He trailed off, struggling to find the words. "That was Valoran."
Mikko stood, his grip tightening on the hilt of his massive sword as he stared back at the ruins. "That was a monster. And we barely escaped it."
Elara sat down beside him, her breathing heavy. "He said he once saved humanity. Do you think that's true?"
Mikko shook his head. "Does it matter now? What matters is that he has the power to destroy us all. And if we don't stop him, he will."
Yuichiro closed his eyes, his fists clenched tightly. "We weren't ready for him. But we have to find a way to defeat him. He won't stop until everything is destroyed."
Ash grinned despite everything and placed a hand on Aiden's shoulder. "That was a close one, huh? But hey, we're still alive. And as long as we're alive, we can fight."
Mikko turned to the group, his expression resolute. "We need to regroup, make plans. Valoran is free, and that means the real fight has just begun."
Behind them, smoke rose from the ruins, and in the distance, Valoran's laughter echoed across the land—deep and menacing.
From the sea of rubble that was once the sealed ruins, Leviathan emerged. Its shimmering, water-like form was no longer cloaked in black slime; instead, it now reflected a pure, tranquil strength. The powerful being looked down at the group, its piercing eyes glinting with a mix of wisdom and determination.
Aiden, still reeling from the events, stepped forward hesitantly. "Leviathan... You're free?"
The water entity gave a small nod, and a wave of calm seemed to ripple through the area. Leviathan leaned down, forming a glimmering platform of water with its body.
"He wants us to climb on," Mikko said, his massive sword still held tightly in his hand. "This is our chance to get out of here."
"Better than running on foot," Ash added with a faint grin, though his usually carefree demeanor was tinged with an uncharacteristic seriousness.
The group cautiously stepped onto the platform, Elara clutching her staff tightly while Yuichiro scanned their surroundings as if ensuring Valoran wasn't already pursuing them. Leviathan rose gently into the air, its body moving like a calm stream as it lifted them upward. The rubble of the sealed ruins slowly disappeared from view as they ascended into the sky.
"Where is he taking us?" Elara asked softly, her eyes scanning the landscape below.
Aiden glanced at Leviathan, as if the answer was already in his heart. "Neathris," he murmured at last. "The first village I ever visited. It's not far from here."
Mikko nodded. "A smart choice. We can rest there and figure out our next move."
Leviathan glided silently through the sky, its presence almost surreal against the reddish glow of the setting sun. Yet the closer they came to Neathris, the more uneasy Aiden's expression grew. A strange darkness hung over the horizon, flickering ominously in the wind.
When they finally arrived above the village, Aiden's breath caught in his throat.
Neathris, the once peaceful and quaint village, was gone. All that remained were charred remnants, smoke rising from the blackened ruins, and the acrid stench of ash. The fields, once green and thriving, were now nothing more than scorched earth. No signs of life. No sound. Nothing.
"No..." Aiden whispered, his voice heavy with pain.
Leviathan landed gently amidst the ruins, its water platform dissolving softly as the group stepped onto the ground. Aiden fell to his knees, reaching for a piece of charred wood that had once been part of a home. Memories of the villagers—their kindness, their hope—rushed through his mind, overwhelming him.
Ash tried to say something lighthearted, but even he couldn't dismiss the sight before them. "This… this is cruel. Even for someone like Valoran."
Elara stepped beside Aiden, her hand trembling slightly as she placed it on his shoulder. "We have to find out who did this. And why."
Aiden looked up, his eyes glistening with sorrow but also burning with determination. "This wasn't random. He knew I was here. That I found a new beginning in this place."
"And he wanted to make sure you'd never find it again," Mikko said, straightening up as he surveyed the charred remains with a grim expression.
Leviathan, still and silent at the edge of the village, gazed into the distance. A gentle, calming wave rolled across the scorched ground, as if he were trying to ease the pain left behind by the destruction.
"We can't stay here," Yuichiro said at last. "This is a warning. If we don't move fast, there'll be more places like this."
Aiden slowly rose to his feet, his grip tightening around the charred piece of wood. "This isn't over," he whispered, more to himself than to the others. "We'll make sure he pays for this…"
Leviathan tilted his head slightly, as if sensing Aiden's resolve. With one final look at the ruins of Neathris, they climbed onto his back once more. The village that had once been a beacon of hope slowly faded from view as Leviathan carried them onward, away from the ashes and toward their next destination.
Leviathan had barely lifted into the air when a presence, cold and suffocating, washed over the group like an icy wave. Aiden felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. Slowly, he turned—and there he was.
Valoran.
He stood calmly on a raised, charred platform in the middle of the ruins of Neathris. His golden hair shimmered in the moonlight, and his white-and-gold cloak billowed behind him in the wind. His eyes locked onto Aiden and the others with a mixture of superiority and amusement.
"So, you survived," Valoran began, his voice calm but imbued with a deep power. "Impressive. But your journey doesn't end here—not yet."
Aiden leapt down from Leviathan, his hands clenched into fists, his eyes blazing with fury. "Valoran!" he shouted. "Why? Why all of this? Why do you destroy everything people hold dear?"
Valoran gave a faint, almost pitying smile. "Destroy? No, Aiden. You don't understand. I'm renewing. This world is a decayed, poisoned land, where people like you exploit the weak to achieve their own ends. I will heal this world—in my own way."
"Heal?" Yuichiro stepped forward, his sword drawn. "You destroy everything that could bring hope! You kill the very people you claim to want to save!"
Valoran nodded, as though thoughtfully considering the words. "Sacrifices are necessary. You cannot comprehend it—not with your limited perspective. But soon, you will see." He raised his hand, and the ground beneath them began to tremble slightly.
"What are you doing?!" Elara shouted, her staff beginning to glow.
"I am initiating the rebirth of this world," Valoran said, his gaze unyielding. "My skill [Terraform] will reshape the corrupted land, wipe out the fragile life that clings to it, and make way for something better."
Suddenly, he lowered his hand, and a thunderous presence filled the air. A deafening roar echoed across the ruins as the Celestial Dragon, now masterless, descended from the sky. Its silver-blue scales glinted ominously in the light, and its piercing eyes locked onto the group.
"I'll leave you a little gift," Valoran said with a cold smile. "Perhaps you'll survive it, perhaps not. But it doesn't matter. You're irrelevant now."
Without another word, he turned, leaping effortlessly into the air and disappearing in a blinding beam of light, as the Celestial Dragon descended upon the group.
"Take cover!" Mikko shouted as the dragon lunged at them with a powerful swipe of its claws. The group scattered, while Leviathan moved protectively in front of them to absorb the first attack.
"This dragon is out of control!" Yuichiro yelled, taking a battle stance. "It'll destroy us all!"
"We have to defeat it!" Aiden shouted, his eyes blazing with determination even as fear gripped his heart. "If we die here, Valoran wins!"
"Then let's take it down together!" Mikko roared, raising his sword high. "Elara, give us everything you've got!"
The group regrouped, preparing for the battle as the Celestial Dragon let out another earth-shaking roar. The ground quaked beneath their feet, and the fight began. Yet, far from the ruins, Valoran had already started reshaping the world in his image. The earth trembled, marking the first phase of his plan.
The dragon's overwhelming presence continued to dominate the battlefield as Valoran, far away yet eerily present, turned his attention back to Aiden one last time. His cool, piercing gaze fell on the distant hillside, where a small villa stood—surprisingly untouched by the flames that had consumed the rest of Neathris.
"Before I leave, Aiden," Valoran said, his voice calm yet laced with mocking undertones, "I want to show you something. Do you see that estate up there?"
Aiden, his gaze barely able to leave the raging battle between the Celestial Dragon and Leviathan, slowly turned his head. When his eyes landed on the villa, a strange tug pulled at his chest—an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
"What about it?" he asked, his voice tense.
Valoran smiled thinly. "That is where your parents lived. Before they attacked me. Before they sacrificed their lives to protect you."
Aiden froze, his fists clenching tightly. "What… what are you talking about?" he stammered, struggling to comprehend the words.
Valoran took a step closer, his white-and-gold cloak fluttering slightly in the breeze. "Your parents weren't as ordinary as you might have thought. They were warriors—exceptionally strong and brave. But even they were no match for me. They knew they stood no chance and chose to hide you—in the world of the ordinary."
Aiden swallowed hard, the words echoing in his mind. "You're lying…"
"Believe what you want," Valoran said coldly. "But it's the truth. That villa up there was their home. Go and see for yourself. Perhaps you'll find the answers you're looking for."
Before Aiden could respond, Valoran turned away, a triumphant smile on his lips. With a simple motion of his hand, he vanished in a dazzling beam of light that pierced the sky. All that remained was the Celestial Dragon, its deafening roar echoing as it unleashed another devastating attack.
"We'll handle the dragon!" Ash shouted, stepping up beside Yuichiro, both ready for battle. "Aiden, go with Mikko and Elara! Find out what's in that villa!"
Yuichiro nodded firmly. "Hurry. We'll hold it off as long as we can."
Aiden hesitated, his hands trembling. But Mikko stepped beside him and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Come on, Aiden. If this is the truth, we need to know. Your parents would have wanted you to find out."
Elara also stepped forward, her voice gentle but firm. "We're with you. Let's go."
Aiden finally nodded, the resolve returning to his eyes. "Alright. Let's go."
While Ash and Yuichiro threw themselves into the battle, facing the mighty creature that threatened to overwhelm them, Aiden turned away with Mikko and Elara. Together, they hurried up the hill toward the villa, which loomed in the distance like a silent sentinel overlooking the burning ruins of Neathris.
When they finally reached the villa, an eerie silence hung in the air, broken only by the distant roar of the Celestial Dragon and the crackling of flames below. Aiden cautiously stepped through the door, which hung loosely on its hinges, and entered the foyer.
The villa was old but surprisingly well-preserved. Dust coated the furniture, and cobwebs draped the corners, yet the place exuded a peaceful, almost nostalgic aura.
"This was their home?" Aiden murmured as he looked around, his fingers brushing over an old wooden dresser. "My parents… lived here?"
Mikko nodded, his eyes scanning the room. "It seems so. But why did Valoran send us here? What does he want us to find?"
Elara approached a shelf where a small box rested. Carefully, she opened it and pulled out a yellowed photograph. Holding it up to the light, she studied it for a moment before Aiden stepped closer to see.
The photo depicted a young couple, smiling warmly at each other—and between them stood a small, familiar figure.
"That... that's me," Aiden whispered, staring at the photo. "Those are my parents."
Tears welled up in his eyes, but before he could say more, the ground beneath them began to tremble faintly. Elara turned abruptly, her expression alarmed. "Something's here..."
The villa shook again, and Aiden knew this was just the beginning. Whatever Valoran had planned, it was far from over.
The library was ancient and shadowy, the air thick with the scent of old paper and dust. Tall shelves loomed like silent sentinels of a forgotten era, filled with books that seemed long abandoned. While Mikko kept a wary eye on their surroundings and Elara sifted through the shelves, Aiden's attention was drawn to a single book resting on a wooden reading stand.
The book was bound in deep green, weathered leather that radiated an inexplicable energy. Its cover bore only a single word etched in golden letters: "Gaia."
Aiden stepped closer, his heart pounding in his chest. "Gaia...?" he murmured, his fingers trembling as he opened the book. The pages were yellowed with age, yet the handwriting was immaculate, elegant, and easy to read.
"What did you find?" Elara asked, stepping closer when she noticed Aiden's hesitation.
"A book... about Gaia," Aiden said softly, his voice barely a whisper. "I don't know what it means, but... I feel like it's important."
Elara nodded, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Then we shouldn't waste any time." She raised her free hand, and a gentle, golden light began to gather at her fingertips.
"[Haste]," she said calmly. With a fluid motion, the spell washed over Aiden, and he immediately felt his body become lighter, his movements quicker and more agile.
"Let's move," Elara said firmly. "Whatever Valoran left here, we're going to find it—and stop it."
"This should help you read faster," Elara said with a small smile. "Use the time wisely."
Aiden nodded gratefully and began flipping through the pages. The words seemed to pull him in, as if they held a hidden truth he was compelled to understand. The further he read, the wider his eyes grew. His breathing quickened, and his fingers tightened around the edges of the book.
Suddenly, he slammed the book shut and stepped back, his face pale and his eyes wide with shock. Mikko, who had been observing from nearby, quickly moved closer. "Aiden? What's wrong? What does the book say?"
But Aiden didn't respond. His breathing was heavy, and he stared at the book as if it might consume him. His hands trembled, and he slowly shook his head.
"Aiden," Elara said, her voice filled with concern as she stepped beside him. "What did you read? What did you see?"
Aiden opened his mouth, but no words came out. Finally, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath before speaking softly, "I… I don't know. But… it changes everything."
The silence that followed was oppressive. Elara and Mikko exchanged worried glances, their faces marked by concern and confusion, while Aiden remained frozen in place, staring at the book that still rested on the reading stand, as if waiting for the next person to unravel its secrets.
Aiden took another deep breath and slowly opened his eyes. His voice trembled as he began to speak, but there was a hint of resolve in his tone—and a profound reverence for what he had just learned.
"The book tells… a story. Not just any story, but the story of this world—and all worlds." His fingers rested shakily on the cover of Gaia. "It says that once, there were six beings who created everything. They weren't gods—not in the way we understand gods. They were… something greater. Something incomprehensible."
Elara and Mikko listened intently, their expressions serious, as Aiden continued. "These six beings created the world. But they had different visions of what it should be. It seems the Titans and Olympians were the ones who threw everything out of balance. Their greed for resources left the world starving. It ended in chaos… and ultimately, one person destroyed it all."
His voice grew softer, almost melancholic. "The six beings were disappointed with their creation—and with each other. They split apart, each carrying a different vision, and… they created new worlds. Worlds where magic exists in different forms."
Aiden looked up, his eyes glinting with thoughtfulness. "In one of those worlds, magic is tied to the soul. In another, it comes from a singularity—a point of infinite energy. In yet another, it is pure energy that flows through life itself. There is a world where gemstones are the source of magic. One where spirits and the unknown dictate all. And then… there is Gaia."
He placed a hand on the book, as if to protect it. "Gaia is different. Here, magic doesn't come from an abstract place, not from the soul, not from gemstones. Here… the Earth itself is the source. Everything we do, everything we are, is tied to Gaia. To the ground beneath our feet. To the forests, the rivers, the mountains."
His voice broke slightly as he stepped back. "This is our world. And it means that we… are part of it. Everything that happens here, everything we do… is rooted in the essence of this world."
Mikko frowned, his brow furrowing deeply. "That's… a lot to take in. If magic here comes from the Earth… what does that mean for us?"
Aiden shook his head slowly, his thoughts caught in a whirlwind of doubt and revelation. "I don't know. But I think… Valoran knows. And that makes him even more dangerous than we imagined."
Meanwhile, Ash spun around, his daggers gleaming in the flickering light of the flames rising from the destroyed village. The Celestial Dragon stared them down, its scaled wings spread wide as if to claim the entire sky. Its silver-blue body shimmered in the moonlight, its eyes glowing ominously as they fixed on the two fighters.
"Now that's a beast!" Ash called out with a grin, though it barely masked his nervousness. "So, Yuichiro, what's the plan? Or are you just gonna stare it down until it dies of intimidation?"
Yuichiro shot him an annoyed glare, his grip tightening around the hilt of his sword. "Stop talking and focus, Ash. This isn't a game."
Ash shrugged, narrowly dodging a massive swipe of the dragon's tail. "Sure, sure. But I figured you, the great serious warrior, might have a brilliant plan. You know, other than 'don't get too close to me, Ash.'"
Yuichiro snorted, leaping gracefully into the air to deliver a swift strike to the dragon's scales. His blade, however, glanced off as if striking solid metal. "We need to stop getting in each other's way. Your quips aren't helping!"
"Oh, sorry for having fun while not getting eaten!" Ash shouted back as he ducked beneath a claw swipe and leapt onto the dragon's back. "Maybe you should take a page from my book for once. Could be a nice change!"
The Celestial Dragon let out a low, menacing growl and shook its massive body, trying to throw Ash off. Yuichiro attacked from below, aiming for the softer underside of the beast, but even this strike was deflected by the dragon's unyielding scales.
"This thing's armor is impenetrable!" Yuichiro growled, landing back on his feet and glancing up at Ash. "Stop messing around and find a weak spot!"
Ash clung to the dragon's back as it thrashed, grinning despite the danger. "Weak spot? Oh, sure, I'll just ask him nicely to point it out. I'm sure he'll cooperate!"
"Stop climbing around like a monkey!" Yuichiro shouted, ducking under another swipe of the dragon's tail. "You're putting both of us in danger!"
"And you're just a terrible team player!" Ash yelled back, struggling to maintain his grip on the dragon's scales as it lifted into the air. "If you weren't so boring, we'd have finished this beast already!"
Before either could say more, the Celestial Dragon took a deep breath. A brilliant light began to gather in its maw, and a deafening roar filled the air. A massive energy beam erupted from the dragon's mouth, aimed directly at the two warriors.
"GET DOWN!" Yuichiro bellowed, and both of them dove to the sides. The beam tore through the ground where they had just been standing, sending dust and debris flying in every direction. The shockwave from the attack hurled Ash and Yuichiro several meters away, slamming them hard into the ground.
"Ugh… that was a close one," Ash groaned, staggering to his feet and brushing the dust off his clothes.
"Maybe it wouldn't have been if you'd stopped risking your neck running your mouth," Yuichiro snarled, pushing himself upright with a pained grimace as he tightened his grip on his sword.
The Celestial Dragon loomed over them, its menacing silhouette framed against the flickering sky. Another roar shook the earth, signaling that the fight was far from over.
With a mighty flap of its wings, the dragon stirred the air into a violent gust, sending Ash and Yuichiro flying. They scrambled to dodge, but the beast's massive claw struck them before they could react. The force of the blow flung them through the air, and they crashed into the ground with bone-jarring impact as a massive cloud of dust enveloped the scene.
The earth still trembled from the dragon's power as it perched above the battlefield, its ominous roar echoing across the barren landscape. For a moment, all was silent—until the dust began to settle, revealing the aftermath of the devastating attack.
Two figures emerged from the swirling dust. Ash and Yuichiro stood side by side, their silhouettes outlined by the glow of flames behind them. Despite their injuries, their faces were marked by determination, their gazes locked firmly on the dragon before them.
Ash wiped the blood from his forehead and turned to Yuichiro, a wide, almost mischievous grin on his face. "Okay, I'll admit it—maybe I'm not taking this seriously enough."
Yuichiro snorted, but a faint smile crept onto his lips. "And maybe I'm a bit too stiff sometimes. But… that's what makes us who we are, doesn't it?"
Ash nodded, his daggers glinting as he readied them once more. "Maybe it's time we combined the best of both worlds. I'll stop cracking jokes if you stop taking everything so damn seriously."
Yuichiro drew his sword and stepped forward, his stance more relaxed than before. "Deal. But let's take down this beast before we start philosophizing."
Ash winked, and they shared a brief, wordless understanding. Then, together, they charged at the Celestial Dragon. This time, they moved as one, each attack perfectly synchronized, every step complementing the other.
Yuichiro drew the dragon's attention with precise strikes, forcing it to shift in one direction, while Ash slipped like a shadow through the opening, launching lightning-fast attacks at the dragon's more vulnerable points. The dragon roared in fury and pain, but the two gave it no opportunity to retaliate.
"Left, Yuichiro!" Ash called, diverting one of the dragon's massive claws. Yuichiro seized the moment, swinging his sword with all his strength at an exposed scale on the dragon's flank. The strike landed with a loud crack, sending a ripple of force through the air.
The Celestial Dragon recoiled, its roar reverberating like thunder, but Ash and Yuichiro pressed their advantage, their newfound synergy turning the tide of the battle.
"Ash, up top!" Yuichiro called, and Ash used his agility to leap over the dragon's back, driving a dagger into the sensitive gap between two of its scales.
For the first time in the battle, Ash and Yuichiro fought like a well-practiced team. Their coordination was flawless, their movements flowing together seamlessly. Together, they pressed the Celestial Dragon harder, its enraged roars gradually taking on a tone of desperation.
Ash grinned as he landed another precise strike. "You know, Yuichiro, I didn't think I'd actually enjoy fighting with you."
Yuichiro snorted, but there was a glimmer of fire in his eyes. "Don't get too comfortable, Ash. I'm still not letting you win."
And so, they continued, united in their determination to bring down the Celestial Dragon together.
With each strike, leap, and dodge, their movements grew smoother, more synchronized. It was as if they were performing a dance—a deadly dance in which the Celestial Dragon was forced to listen to one melody: the sound of its impending defeat.
Ash spun around the dragon's massive claws with playful ease, while Yuichiro delivered precise sword strikes aimed at the beast's most vulnerable spots. The two fighters moved like clockwork, their coordination as perfect as gears in a finely tuned mechanism.
"Lower left, Yuichiro!" Ash called, delivering a swift slash to the dragon's right claw to unbalance it.
Yuichiro responded instantly. "Got it!" With a single, powerful swing, he cleaved through one of the dragon's tougher scales, eliciting a thunderous roar of pain.
The Celestial Dragon, now visibly weakened, staggered, its once-intimidating presence diminishing as Ash and Yuichiro maintained their relentless assault. The tide of the battle was turning.
The Celestial Dragon lashed out with its tail, but Ash leapt over it effortlessly. "Hey, Yuichiro! I don't think he likes us very much."
"That's oddly comforting," Yuichiro replied dryly, countering the dragon's tail with a precise strike to force it back.
Ash grinned, taking advantage of Yuichiro's move to climb up one of the dragon's scales and land on its back. There, he unleashed a rapid series of dagger strikes, driving the dragon down to the ground. "Your turn, partner!"
Yuichiro surged forward, his sword flashing through the air as he delivered a powerful strike to the dragon's flank. The beast let out a pained roar, struggling to rise, but Ash and Yuichiro gave it no chance. Every attack was intercepted, every motion countered with masterful precision.
Ash vaulted off the dragon's shoulder, landing beside Yuichiro with his daggers poised. "Ready for the big finale?"
Yuichiro nodded, his gaze steady and resolute. "Let's finish this."
The two moved into position, locking eyes briefly in silent understanding. Without another word, they charged in unison. Ash darted across the ground like a shadow, targeting the dragon's chest, while Yuichiro leapt with immense force, his sword aimed at the vulnerable throat of the beast.
"Now!" Ash shouted.
In perfect synchronization, they struck. Ash's daggers plunged deep into the dragon's chest, and Yuichiro's sword came down with crushing power onto its throat. A brilliant flash of light illuminated the battlefield as the combined force of their attacks overwhelmed the Celestial Dragon.
The dragon let out a final, earth-shaking roar before its massive body collapsed to the ground. The earth trembled under its weight, and then an eerie silence settled over the scene.
Ash and Yuichiro stood side by side, both breathing heavily. In their eyes, there was a spark of pride and mutual respect.
Ash broke into a wide grin, clapping Yuichiro on the shoulder. "Not bad for someone who never laughs."
Yuichiro allowed himself a small smile and shook his head. "Not bad for someone who never takes anything seriously."
They both looked at the fallen Celestial Dragon, its colossal form now motionless. Together, they had achieved the impossible—proving that even opposites can create the perfect team.
Valoran has officially returned. Aiden has finally uncovered the truth about this world and its skills. Now, all that remains is to defeat Valoran once and for all! Read on in Episode 17 - The Eighth Friend (Part 1)!
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