Alaric and Kimpa Vita stood face-to-face with Gobinot at the top of the guild tower, the wind howling around them, sweeping dust and debris into the air. Gobinot's transformation, triggered by the demonic pill, had radically changed the atmosphere. His body had grown larger, his skin had become rough and blackened, as if scorched by an infernal fire. Red, glowing veins ran along his arms and neck, and his eyes shone with a malevolent light.
A dark aura emanated from him, swirling around his body in waves of tangible energy. Alaric felt a chill run down his spine. This was a power he had never felt before.
"You have no idea who you're dealing with," Gobinot growled, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. "I'll show you what it means to challenge true power."
With a sudden gesture, he extended his hand, and shadows began to twist and grow around him. In an instant, these shadows took form, transforming into demonic creatures with sharp claws and eyes that glowed with a sinister light. The creatures immediately lunged at Alaric and Vita, who braced themselves for the fight.
Spectral Swiftness. Alaric dodged the first attack with agility, his movements becoming a barely perceptible blur. Vita, meanwhile, raised her staff, divine energy concentrating at its tip. Holy Tempest. She spun around, creating a spiral of luminous energy that pushed the creatures back, temporarily scattering them.
"These creatures are stronger than the ones we fought earlier," Vita murmured. "And Gobinot... he has something different."
Alaric nodded, his eyes never leaving Gobinot. "He must have gained demonic powers in addition to his physical transformation. We need to stay on our guard."
Gobinot sneered, his voice twisting with malice. "You really think you can defeat me? I'm much more than a mere human now."
He raised his arms, and shadowy chains burst from the ground, twisting like serpents. They rushed toward Alaric and Vita, seeking to bind them. Alaric dodged them with a quick leap, while Vita, with a fluid motion, used Leap of Light to teleport out of range, striking a demonic creature that got too close.
The entire room seemed to bend to Gobinot's will. Hidden traps suddenly opened in the floor, flames shot from the walls, and mirrors embedded in the stone began to cast illusions of themselves, making it difficult to distinguish reality from traps.
As Alaric avoided a hidden trap, he glanced at Vita, who was fighting fiercely against the creatures. An expression of intense concentration was etched on her face. For a split second, he saw an image overlaid on her: Vita, in royal attire, a crown adorned with precious stones on her head.
He blinked, and the image vanished. What...? he thought.
Gobinot's relentless attacks gave them no respite. Alaric had to keep his senses sharp to avoid the illusions and traps. However, with every move Gobinot made, the entire room seemed to respond, amplifying his demonic power.
Divine Double Strike Ray. Vita fired two beams of sacred light at Gobinot. The rays struck directly, but only caused him to stumble back a few steps. His rapid regeneration healed his wounds almost instantly.
"You can't stop me that easily, little witch," he growled, his eyes glowing with malice. "I've become invincible."
Vita showed no fear. Instead, she gripped her staff more firmly and murmured, "I will never give up."
As she prepared to launch another attack, a painful memory flooded her mind.
The warm sun of Mbanza bathed the royal palace. Vita, dressed in her ceremonial attire, watched the courtyard preparing for the wedding. Flowers adorned the marble columns, and the soft music of drums and harps filled the air. But despite the splendor of the day, a palpable tension hung in the air. Members of her community whispered, disapprovingly.
"She's marrying a foreigner," an elderly woman murmured. "A man who is not of our tribe. It's an outrage."
Vita couldn't ignore the whispers, but she remained resolute. Luther, a man with pale skin and soft, dreamy eyes, stood beside her, holding her hand. He smiled at her, a smile that eased all her fears.
"Don't worry about them, Vita," he said softly. "Our love is stronger than their prejudice."
But on that day, armed men suddenly entered the hall. "Luther!" they shouted. "You are under arrest for high treason against your country."
Vita was horrified. "This is impossible! Luther has done nothing wrong!" But the men took him away, and she was unable to stop them. From that day on, she never stopped searching for answers. Her investigations had finally led her to Gobinot.
The flashback abruptly faded, bringing Vita back to reality. Gobinot's words still echoed in her head: "You know nothing of what you face."
She straightened, her gaze burning with renewed determination. "Alaric, we need to make him talk. He knows something."
Alaric nodded, sensing the gravity of the situation. "Okay. But first, we need to weaken his defenses."
With a battle cry, they launched themselves back into the fight. Vita used Celestial Strike Flash to attack from a distance, creating openings in Gobinot's defenses, while Alaric closed in with Silverleaf Blade, striking with precision.
Sensing the pressure, Gobinot took a slight step back, a twisted smile on his lips. "You really think this will be enough? You're as naive as you look."
He raised his hands, and the shadows around him condensed, forming an impenetrable barrier. Demonic laughter echoed through the room, and the temperature dropped sharply. "Perhaps I should show you what I know," he murmured with a malevolent smile.
Alaric and Vita exchanged looks, their resolve unshaken. "Whatever you're hiding, we'll uncover it," Alaric declared firmly.
As the tension mounted, Gobinot's words took on a more serious tone. "Alokta is not just a name. It's an empire, a scourge that has devastated far more than you can imagine. And you, Alaric, are far more connected to them than you think."
Alaric's eyes widened in surprise and confusion. "What are you talking about?"
But Gobinot burst into laughter. "You'll understand soon enough, if you survive long enough."
The shadows around him began to move faster, preparing for another assault. Alaric and Vita braced themselves for the next wave, muscles tense and ready to strike. They knew this battle was not just for their survival...