Chapter 11
Attention, all readers! This chapter is NOT for the faint of heart. Over 4000 words of intense action. Your fingers might get tired from scrolling.
The frozen wasteland stretched before them, endless and oppressive. The biting cold gnawed at their bones as they ventured deeper into Endless Ice, leaving the remnants of Starlux and the giant behind. Yet, the sense of unease only grew stronger. This land, once known as Solaria Cold Side, now felt like a graveyard, haunted by the echoes of battles long past. Caelan, Elden, Zaimond, Richard, and Velldora Rul pushed on, knowing that their mission was far from over.
As they passed through the ruins of an ancient gate, Caelan couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The snow swirled around them in violent gusts, and shadows moved at the edges of his vision. Zaimond, who had finished his meal of bread, walked beside him, his usual carefree attitude faltering under the growing tension. Even Rul, usually nonchalant, had narrowed his eyes, scanning the horizon.
Richard, always the most observant, broke the silence. "We're not alone."
As if on cue, from the thick fog of the blizzard, figures began to emerge—Dark Ice Men, twisted creatures made of solid ice, their forms humanoid but with sharp, jagged features. Their eyes glowed a deep, malevolent blue, and their movements were unnervingly synchronized. They were everywhere—dozens, maybe hundreds.
Zaimond smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Looks like we've got some party crashers."
Caelan gripped his sword, the blade humming with light as it reacted to the dark energy around them. "These things don't look like they're here to talk."
Elden raised his sword, his left eye still scarred from the last battle but his stance unwavering. "Let's clear a path."
Without another word, the battle erupted.
The Dark Ice Men swarmed, their icy bodies cutting through the wind as they charged. Caelan darted forward, his sword blazing with light, cutting through the first wave with swift, precise strikes. Each time his blade connected, the creatures shattered into icy fragments, but for every one he destroyed, two more took its place.
"Damn, they just keep coming!" Caelan shouted, spinning to block an attack from behind.
Zaimond was laughing as he unleashed a wave of fire, melting the nearest enemies with ease. "They may have numbers, but they're weak. We'll burn through them in no time."
But despite their confidence, the sheer volume of enemies became overwhelming. The ice men fought with no fear, no hesitation, their numbers seemingly endless. Richard stayed back, providing cover with ranged attacks, his crossbow bolts finding their marks as he shouted orders and strategies. "Don't get surrounded! They'll swarm us if we're not careful!"
Velldora Rul, still calm and unshaken, stood at the rear. His eyes scanned the battlefield, calculating, waiting. He hadn't drawn his weapon yet, but his presence alone seemed to deter the creatures from attacking him directly. Rul was saving his strength, as always, for when the situation truly called for his intervention.
Elden moved with precision, dispatching the enemies with clean, efficient strikes, but even he knew this wasn't the real threat. Something darker loomed ahead. The snowstorm intensified, and suddenly, the air itself felt heavy, as if time slowed.
It was then that he appeared.
From the heart of the blizzard, a figure descended, floating just above the ground, bathed in an eerie, pale light. His wings were massive, but twisted, corrupted, with feathers blackened and cracked as if burned by some unholy fire. His face was serene, almost beautiful, with a smile that would have been comforting if not for the madness behind his eyes.
Vinseno Delvin.
The fallen angel landed gracefully, his movements unnaturally smooth, his gaze fixed on Caelan and his group. His smile widened as he took in the sight of them, his eyes twinkling with cruel amusement.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" His voice was soft, almost kind, but there was an edge to it—dangerous, manipulative, and utterly psychotic. "A group of brave little soldiers, wandering into my domain?"
Caelan stepped forward, gripping his sword tighter. "You must be Vinseno."
Vinseno's smile grew. "Ah, so you've heard of me. I'm flattered." He glanced around at the dark ice men, now standing still as if waiting for his command. "But I must say… I'm a bit disappointed. You've caused quite the ruckus, tearing through my lovely pets like they were nothing."
Richard was the first to speak up, his voice serious. "Vinseno Delvin, cursed angel. Brought back by Varus K 10. I've heard the stories. You manipulate time, make yourself impossible to kill, and anything you touch turns to dust."
Vinseno chuckled, an eerie, melodic sound. "Ah, Richard. Always so well-informed. But even with all your knowledge, you stand no chance. You see… time bends to my will. You're already too late."
Without warning, Vinseno's form flickered, and suddenly he was standing directly in front of Richard, his hand outstretched toward him.
BOOM!
Richard barely managed to dodge as the spot where he stood exploded into dust, the ground disintegrating under Vinseno's touch.
"Too slow," Vinseno taunted, his eyes gleaming with malice. "You can't outrun time."
Zaimond, who had been watching, immediately shot forward, fists blazing with fire as he aimed a punch directly at Vinseno's face. But Vinseno vanished, reappearing a few feet away, his movements impossibly fast.
"Oh, dear. You're quite feisty," Vinseno mused, his smile never wavering. "But you're not fast enough."
Zaimond's fist connected with thin air as Vinseno reappeared behind him. With a flick of his wrist, Vinseno unleashed a wave of dark energy, sending Zaimond crashing into the snow with a grunt.
Caelan and Elden rushed forward, both attacking from opposite sides, but Vinseno's form shimmered and blurred. One moment he was slow, his movements deliberate, almost lazy. The next, he was faster than light, dodging their every strike with ease.
Elden's sword cut through the air where Vinseno's neck had been just a second ago, but before he could react, Vinseno appeared beside him, his hand glowing with destructive energy.
"Elden, watch out!" Caelan yelled, but it was too late.
Vinseno's hand shot forward, aiming for Elden's chest. But at the last second, Elden twisted his body, the blast grazing his side and disintegrating part of his armor, but sparing his life.
Elden gritted his teeth and swung again, but Vinseno was already gone, reappearing across the battlefield with a playful laugh. "Oh, this is fun! You're all so… lively!"
Caelan cursed under his breath. This wasn't just a fight—it was a game to Vinseno. And they were his toys.
"Damn it! He's too fast!" Caelan muttered, frustration boiling inside him. "We can't keep up with him."
Richard, now back on his feet, spoke quickly. "Vinseno's speed isn't consistent. Sometimes he's faster than light, but other times he's slower. We need to catch him when he's vulnerable."
Zaimond groaned as he pushed himself up from the snow, wiping blood from his lip. "Easier said than done, Richard. The guy's a freakin' psycho."
Elden, still standing tall despite the blow he'd taken, looked at Vinseno with steely resolve. "We'll have to outlast him. He's playing with us. But if we can force him to fight seriously, he'll make a mistake."
Rul, who had been watching from the sidelines, finally spoke. His voice was calm but laced with a hidden intensity. "This isn't his game. It's ours. Remember that."
Vinseno, overhearing their conversation, tilted his head, his smile widening even further. "Oh? Planning something, are we?"
Caelan met Vinseno's gaze, his resolve hardening. "Yeah. Planning on kicking your ass."
With a roar, Caelan charged forward, sword blazing with light, while the others followed suit. Vinseno's smile faltered for the first time as the group coordinated their attacks, moving as one.
This time, Vinseno wouldn't get away so easily.
---
The blizzard whipped through the air, growing fiercer with every passing second. The battle with Vinseno Delvin had reached a critical point. His speed, faster than light itself, made him untouchable as he darted around the battlefield, attacking without mercy. Each time Caelan or Elden tried to land a blow, Vinseno had already moved, leaving only an afterimage in his place.
Caelan wiped the sweat from his brow, his chest heaving as he barely managed to block another devastating strike. "Damn it! He's too fast. How are we supposed to hit something we can't even see?"
Elden, his armor scorched and battered, growled in frustration. "We need to slow him down, somehow. This is impossible at this rate."
Just as Vinseno prepared another attack, his form blurring, Caelan felt a strange warmth radiating from his pocket. He reached in and pulled out a small, glowing shard—the Life Stone fragment he had picked up in Rul's cave without much thought. Its soft, pulsating glow seemed to respond to the energy around them.
"Wait..." Caelan muttered, his mind racing. "This stone..."
Vinseno, having noticed the sudden shift in Caelan's attention, raised an eyebrow. "Ah, what do we have here? A trinket to play with?"
Caelan, ignoring the taunt, clutched the Life Stone tightly in his hand. As he did, a shockwave of energy rippled through the air, and Vinseno's movements suddenly slowed. Not entirely, but enough to make a difference. The once-untouchable fallen angel now moved with the speed of an old man, his smirk faltering as he realized what had happened.
"W-What is this?" Vinseno stammered, his cocky demeanor slipping for the first time. "How...?"
Richard, always quick to assess the situation, shouted, "It's the Life Stone! It's reacting to his manipulation of time! Caelan, keep that stone close!"
Zaimond, his fists crackling with fire, grinned widely. "Looks like you're not so fast now, old man!"
Vinseno, visibly angered, narrowed his eyes. "I don't need speed to destroy you fools. Watch closely, for I shall show you the true extent of my power!"
With a wicked grin, Vinseno slammed his hand into the ground, sending a shockwave of dark energy through the frozen earth beneath their feet. The ground began to tremble violently, cracks forming as the ice split apart. Before any of them could react, the ground beneath them erupted, sending the entire group flying into the air as chunks of earth and ice were blasted skyward.
Caelan barely managed to right himself in midair, his heart pounding as he was hurled into the sky. "Whoa, whoa, whoa!"
Elden spun through the air, his sword glowing as he steadied himself. "Everyone, brace for impact!"
The group was scattered across the sky, hurtling through the storm as debris rained down around them. Vinseno, still hovering on the ground, looked up with a malevolent smile, his hand still raised, ready to detonate the earth beneath them again.
Rul, watching from the distance, stood perfectly still, observing with a faint smile on his face. Despite the chaos, he remained unperturbed, as though this was all part of the plan.
Zaimond, ever the daredevil, somersaulted in the air before igniting his fists with a burst of fire. "Alright, this is getting fun!" He launched himself downward, propelling himself toward Vinseno with reckless abandon.
Caelan, trying to gather his bearings, saw the Life Stone still glowing in his hand. The warmth of it seemed to pulse in sync with his heartbeat. "This thing... It's got to be the key."
He looked over at Richard, who was managing to land on a large chunk of debris. "Richard! Can this stone stop him for good?"
Richard, still calculating, shouted back, "It's reacting to Vinseno's time manipulation, but we need to get closer. The further you are, the less it affects him!"
Caelan nodded, determination filling his eyes. "Alright then, let's get up close and personal."
But Vinseno wasn't going to make it easy. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned dark tendrils of energy from the ground, reaching out like the claws of a beast, aiming to grab hold of Caelan and the others. The dark energy pulsed, its cold, deathly presence filling the air.
Elden, now stabilized on a chunk of floating ice, locked eyes with Vinseno. His blade gleamed with power as he prepared to make his move. "Enough games, Vinseno."
With a roar, Elden lunged forward, his speed blurring as he closed the distance between himself and the fallen angel. His blade, shimmering with light magic, clashed against Vinseno's dark aura, sending shockwaves through the battlefield.
CLANG!
The clash was deafening, the two forces—light and darkness—colliding in an explosion of power. Vinseno, gritting his teeth, blocked Elden's attack, but the force of it sent him sliding backward. "You... You're stronger than I expected."
Elden, his expression unyielding, pressed forward with a series of quick, deadly strikes. "You underestimated us. That's your mistake."
Vinseno smirked despite the pressure. "Perhaps. But you still haven't seen the full scope of my abilities."
In a sudden twist, Vinseno's eyes glowed with a deep, sinister light. He raised his hand, and with a quick snap of his fingers, the ground beneath Elden exploded in a burst of dark energy. Elden leaped back just in time, but the force of the explosion sent him tumbling through the air, landing heavily on a nearby ice platform.
"Damn," Elden muttered, quickly regaining his footing. "This guy's a nightmare."
Caelan, still clutching the Life Stone, landed beside Elden. "We've got to get closer. This stone can slow him down, but it won't be enough if we don't work together."
Elden nodded, wiping the blood from his mouth. "I'll handle the offensive. You focus on using that stone."
Without another word, Elden charged again, his blade glowing brighter than ever as he attacked Vinseno with renewed ferocity. Meanwhile, Caelan positioned himself behind Elden, the Life Stone radiating light as it continued to disrupt Vinseno's control over time.
Vinseno, now visibly struggling to maintain his composure, lashed out with dark energy, but his movements were noticeably slower. His attacks, though still powerful, lacked the blinding speed that had made him so untouchable before.
"You think this stone will save you?" Vinseno growled, his voice filled with venom. "I am immortal! You can't stop me!"
Caelan's eyes narrowed. "We'll see about that."
With a surge of determination, Caelan and Elden pushed forward, their combined strength forcing Vinseno onto the defensive. The once-arrogant angel now found himself on the back foot, struggling to keep up with the relentless onslaught.
Zaimond, still laughing, joined the fray, his fists ablaze as he targeted Vinseno from the side. "Let's see how you handle this!"
The battlefield erupted into chaos as the group closed in on Vinseno, their attacks coordinated and fierce. Vinseno, for all his power, could feel the tide turning. The Life Stone had slowed him down just enough to give Caelan and the others a fighting chance.
But even so, Vinseno had one last trick up his sleeve.
With a roar of fury, Vinseno slammed his fist into the ground once more, summoning an enormous surge of dark energy. The ground beneath them exploded again, sending shockwaves through the battlefield and scattering the group into the air.
But this time, they were ready.
Caelan, his eyes blazing with determination, gripped the Life Stone tightly as he soared through the air. "This ends now!"
As they hurtled toward the ground, Caelan felt the power of the Life Stone pulse through him, filling him with newfound strength. The light from the stone grew brighter, illuminating the battlefield in a blinding flash.
Vinseno, his eyes wide with shock, could only watch as Caelan, Elden, and Zaimond descended upon him with unstoppable force.
---
The tension in the air was palpable as the final clash loomed, setting the stage for the decisive battle in the next part. The fate of the group—and the very fabric of time itself—hung in the balance.
As the blinding light from the Life Stone dimmed, Caelan watched in awe as Vinseno's form shimmered, adapting to the attacks they had thrown at him. His twisted grin returned, and his body began to absorb the energy in the air, his dark wings spreading wide, as if to taunt them further.
"Guess you thought you had me," Vinseno sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "But I've adapted. That little trick won't work anymore."
Caelan groaned from the ground, rubbing his head. "Man, this guy is like a bad video game boss, always evolving. Seriously, can we not catch a break?"
Elden, standing nearby with his one eye bandaged from the earlier battle, tightened his grip on his sword. His voice was stern, still unshaken. "We have to keep pushing. No matter how much he adapts, he can be beaten."
Up in the air, Zaimond smirked, flames swirling around his hands. "Pfft, that's what you think, stiff. I've got this." He cracked his knuckles and unleashed an explosion of energy, drawing upon his mastery of all seven advanced elements: fire, water, earth, wind, lightning, light, and darkness. The sky erupted with elemental chaos as Zaimond's magic clashed with Vinseno's.
Caelan whistled, clearly impressed. "Now that's what I'm talking about. Show him what's up, Zaimond!"
Vinseno's eyes widened as the elements smashed into his shield of dark energy. "This... This is too much!" he hissed. But even as he spoke, his body adjusted, and the dark aura around him thickened, warping in response to the elemental onslaught.
"Oh, come on!" Zaimond shouted. "This guy is like a cheat code!"
Caelan scrambled to his feet, clutching the Life Stone tightly. "Zaimond! Catch!" He hurled the stone into the air, knowing it would amplify Zaimond's power just like it had with Elden.
Zaimond caught it mid-air, his eyes lighting up. "Now we're talking!" The Life Stone pulsed, and the elements he controlled flared with even greater intensity, his body glowing with raw magic. He threw a barrage of elemental blasts at Vinseno, each hit shaking the entire battlefield. Fire, lightning, and wind tore through the air as massive waves of power clashed above.
The force of the battle sent Caelan tumbling backward, barely managing to regain his footing. He watched the epic battle unfold, the sky filled with explosions of elemental energy as Zaimond pushed Vinseno to his limits.
Elden, meanwhile, knelt on the ground as Richard finished bandaging his lost eye. Richard glanced up at the carnage above them, muttering under his breath. "And here I thought I was going to get a break. These guys never stop."
Elden stood, his face grim as ever. "We need to regroup. This battle is far from over."
Just as Elden finished speaking, a slow, rhythmic clap echoed through the air. Everyone froze, their heads snapping toward the source. From the shadows emerged a figure none of them had seen before.
A man with a laid-back, almost mischievous grin, wearing a long black coat, stepped into view. His presence radiated a bizarre calm in the midst of all the chaos.
"Name's Arizon," the newcomer said casually, rolling his shoulders. "I've heard about this party, and I figured I'd crash it."
Zaimond, still battling in the air, glanced down with narrowed eyes. "Who the hell are you?"
Arizon grinned wider, clapping his hands together. And with that single motion, the battlefield shifted. Massive chunks of debris, ice, and even people vanished in an instant, only to reappear in random places.
"What the—?!" Caelan found himself suddenly standing on a floating chunk of ice far above the others, nearly losing his balance. "Yo! What just happened?!"
Richard, now standing upside down on a broken ice pillar, blinked in confusion. "Okay, this is new."
Elden's expression darkened as he watched Arizon stroll across the battlefield like it was nothing. "That's not teleportation... He's manipulating space."
Arizon waved lazily at the group. "Don't mind me, just thought I'd throw in some chaos. Gotta keep things interesting, right?"
Vinseno, still locked in his battle with Zaimond, looked down in irritation. "Arizon! What are you doing here? This is my fight!"
Arizon shrugged. "I dunno, thought I'd lend a hand. Or, you know, just mess around. Haven't decided yet."
Zaimond growled, his fists crackling with energy. "I don't care who you are. If you get in my way, I'll roast you both!"
Arizon grinned, clearly unfazed. "Oh, I'd love to see you try."
Before Zaimond could respond, Arizon clapped his hands again, and the space around them warped, shifting Zaimond and Vinseno to opposite sides of the battlefield. Vinseno, disoriented for a moment, regained his composure and immediately launched a counterattack, sending dark energy spiraling toward Zaimond.
"Damn it!" Zaimond cursed, narrowly avoiding the blast. "This guy is seriously messing with my flow!"
Caelan, still stranded on his ice platform, stared down at the chaos below. "Great... Now there's two of them. Just what we needed."
But as he watched, something clicked in Caelan's mind. Arizon's power, though chaotic, seemed to have a rhythm. He was controlling space, moving objects and people at will, but his actions weren't entirely random.
"If we can figure out his pattern..." Caelan muttered, thinking quickly.
Before he could act on his idea, however, Vinseno, now having fully adapted to Zaimond's elemental barrage, unleashed a devastating dark ice attack. Massive spikes of dark ice shot up from the ground, aiming to impale Zaimond from all directions.
Zaimond, still wielding the power of the Life Stone, countered with a fiery explosion, melting the dark ice in mid-air. But even as he destroyed the ice, Vinseno's grin widened.
"You think you can stop me? I'll keep adapting, no matter what you throw at me!"
Zaimond gritted his teeth, the pressure of the battle starting to wear on him. "I've had enough of this freak!"
Arizon, still grinning, clapped his hands again, shifting Vinseno's position just as Zaimond's next attack landed. The blast missed entirely, hitting empty air instead.
"That's it!" Caelan shouted from above. "He's moving you around, Zaimond! Watch his hands! Every time he claps, he's shifting space!"
Zaimond's eyes widened in realization. "That bastard... So that's your game, huh?"
He refocused, watching Arizon closely as he prepared his next move. The next time Arizon clapped his hands, Zaimond was ready. He surged forward, anticipating the spatial shift, and launched a powerful lightning-infused punch directly at Vinseno's chest.
The impact sent Vinseno flying backward, crashing into the frozen ground with a thunderous explosion. For the first time, Vinseno coughed up blood, his body trembling from the force of the hit.
"You... You...!" Vinseno's voice was laced with fury as he struggled to stand.
Zaimond grinned, his fists still crackling with lightning. "Yeah, that's right. You're not untouchable, pal."
Arizon, watching from the sidelines, chuckled softly. "Well, well... Looks like things just got interesting."
---
---
The battle continues with Zaimond gaining the upper hand, but with Arizon now in the mix, the stakes have never been higher.
Zaimond stood panting, his chest heaving from the intensity of the battle. The smoke from the lightning strike still clung to the air, swirling in the frosty winds. He glared at Vinseno, who lay crumpled on the frozen ground, seemingly defeated.
But something wasn't right.
Vinseno slowly rose, his body shaking. His face was twisted in a grotesque grin, eyes glowing with dark energy. "You... really think you've won?" His voice dripped with malice. "I am the curse. Pain is nothing to me."
Zaimond's eyes narrowed. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Before he could process what was happening, Arizon clapped his hands again with a casual smirk, and in a flash, Vinseno disappeared from the battlefield, only to reappear directly behind Zaimond. A sharp, menacing voice whispered in Zaimond's ear.
"Surprise."
Zaimond barely had time to react before Vinseno's hand pierced through his chest, not physically, but in a way that was far worse. Dark lightning coursed through Vinseno's arm, his hand clutching at Zaimond's very soul. A surge of black electricity erupted from the point of contact, illuminating the battlefield in a sinister glow.
Zaimond's breath caught in his throat. His body went numb. He knew instantly-this was it. There was no coming back from this. His vision blurred as Vinseno's malevolent laughter echoed in his ears.
"This is the end, Zaimond," Vinseno sneered, his voice filled with cruel satisfaction. "Nothing can save you now."
As his consciousness began to fade, a single thought pierced through Zaimond's mind-a memory. Richard... the card. The Reverse Card.
With a final burst of strength, Zaimond reached into his pocket, fingers trembling as he grasped the card Richard had given him earlier. "You... forgot something, you smug bastard."
Zaimond pulled out the Reverse Card and held it up weakly. The moment the card was revealed, the dark lightning around Vinseno's hand faltered. A shockwave of energy rippled through the air, and in an instant, the effects of the attack reversed.
Vinseno's grin vanished, replaced by a look of sheer confusion and horror. "What... What have you done?!"
The dark lightning that had been coursing through Zaimond suddenly surged back toward Vinseno. The curse he had inflicted was now turned against him, and the black energy enveloped his body in a violent storm. Vinseno's screams echoed as the lightning ripped through him, his own attack now consuming him.
Zaimond, freed from the grip of death, staggered backward, gasping for air. He watched as Vinseno writhed in agony, the curse tearing at his very essence.
Arizon stood nearby, his usual calm demeanor replaced by stunned silence. For once, he had no snarky comment. "...What?"
Vinseno fell to his knees, the lightning still ravaging his form. His eyes locked onto Zaimond's, filled with disbelief and fury ' You tricked me..."
Zaimond wiped the blood from his mouth, managing a weak grin. "Nah, you just forgot that even curses can backfire."
Vinseno's body convulsed as the final surge of black lightning erupted from him, sending him crashing to the ground. His once-proud form lay motionless, steam rising from his scorched skin.
Zaimond stumbled, nearly collapsing, but somehow managed to stay on his feet. "Damn... I really need a break."
Arizon slowly clapped again, this time in genuine amusement. "Well, well... I didn't see that coming." His eyes gleamed with interest as he looked at Zaimond. "Guess you're full of surprises after all."
Zaimond shot him a glare, too exhausted to muster a full retort. "Yeah, well... don't get too comfortable. You're next."
Arizon chuckled, clearly unfazed. "We'll see about that."
Caelan, having watched the entire exchange from his position on the ice platform, broke the silence with a shout. "Yo, Zaimond! That was insane! You just Uno reverse-carded his ass!" He laughed, impressed and relieved all at once.
Zaimond waved him off, still catching his breath. "Yeah, yeah. Don't make a big deal out of it."
Elden, who had been observing the entire fight while Richard finished bandaging his wounds, finally spoke up. His voice was calm but firm. "We need to regroup. This isn't over yet."
Caelan hopped down from the ice platform and jogged over to Zaimond, slapping him on the back. "Man, you really pulled through! But... I gotta say, Richard's card? Genius."
Zaimond smirked tiredly. "Yeah, the guy's weird, but he's got his moments."
As they exchanged banter, Richard appeared, hands in his pockets and a sly grin on his face. "What did I tell ya? Always good to have a backup plan."
Zaimond shot him a grateful look. "Thanks for the save, Richard. You really came through."
Richard shrugged, clearly enjoying the praise. "Don't mention it. Now, are we done with these idiots, or is there another psycho waiting to jump out at us?"
Before anyone could respond, the ground beneath them rumbled again, sending ice and snow tumbling down the mountainside. Caelan groaned. "Oh, you had to say it, didn't you?"
--
The group regains some hope, but with Arizon still in play and the battle far from over, what challenges lie ahead for Caelan and his companions?
--
Vinseno, still engulfed in the swirling dark lightning, began to rise again. His face twisted into a horrifying grin, his body crackling with immense power. "Did you really think that was enough to kill me? I've only just begun!" His voice boomed, the sheer force of his presence sending shivers down the spines of Caelan and his friends.
His eyes burned with determination as he entered his Last Breath Mode, the peak of his power. Dark energy spiraled around him, warping the air, and his speed exploded to the speed of light once more. Even in this state, Vinseno's movements were calculated, predatory, and impossibly fast.
Elden stood at the ready, his single eye locked onto Vinseno. He knew this would be the most dangerous part of the battle yet, and as quick as Vinseno was, he was still faster. But his body ached, his strength was faltering, and he knew his companions were barely hanging on.
"Stay sharp!" Elden barked, his eyes darting toward the others. Zaimond was already swaying on his feet, clearly drained from his last stand. Richard was still catching his breath after patching up Elden's eye. Rul remained unfazed, watching with that infuriating calm, while Caelan stood off to the side, visibly frustrated and ashamed.
Caelan clenched his fists, his heart pounding with guilt. I haven't done anything useful… The thought stabbed at him, and he bit his lip. Everyone had fought, bled, and suffered, while he… he felt like he was just watching from the sidelines.
As Vinseno's energy surged, Caelan made his decision. He would fight. Even if he was no match for Vinseno, even if the dark angel's power eclipsed his own by miles, he had to step in. His friends had carried the burden long enough.
Vinseno's voice echoed across the frozen battlefield. "No more talking… No more games!" With a flicker, he vanished and reappeared directly in front of Elden, aiming a lethal blow. But Elden was ready, narrowly dodging the strike and retaliating with a flurry of attacks. Despite his fatigue, Elden's precision was unmatched. His blade moved like lightning, striking at Vinseno's weak spots.
However, Vinseno's speed was unlike anything they'd encountered. Each of Elden's attacks was met with an equally swift counter, and it became clear that this was no ordinary battle—this was a duel between two titans of power and skill.
Caelan's heart raced as he watched the clash unfold. Elden was holding his own, but the cracks were starting to show. He was fast, but Vinseno's Last Breath Mode was relentless, and the tide was shifting.
Caelan gritted his teeth and, without thinking, charged forward. He had to help.
"Caelan, no!" Zaimond shouted, but his voice was lost in the chaos. Vinseno saw Caelan's approach and sneered, his form blurring as he sidestepped Elden and set his sights on the young warrior.
With a swipe of his hand, Vinseno sent a blast of dark energy hurtling toward Caelan, its sheer force enough to turn him into dust. In that moment, Caelan's world slowed to a crawl. The searing energy closed in, inches from his body. His instincts screamed at him to run, but he couldn't—he wouldn't. Not this time.
Suddenly, a flash of light exploded from within Caelan. Light Magic – Stage 7: Light Flash. The ancient technique, the final form of his light-based magic, surged from the depths of his soul. Pure, radiant energy erupted from Caelan's body, blinding everyone on the battlefield.
Vinseno's eyes widened in shock. "What…?"
The light enveloped Vinseno before he could react, completely overwhelming him. He let out a scream of pain as the light tore through his dark energy, consuming him in a blinding explosion. The sheer force of the attack disintegrated everything in its path—the frozen ground, the sky itself seemed to tremble.
In the midst of the chaos, Arizon, who had been silently observing the battle from a distance, found himself caught in the blast. His eyes widened in horror as the destructive light closed in on him. "No… not like this!" He barely had time to react before the wave of light swept him away, reducing his form to dust along with Vinseno.
As the light faded, silence fell over the battlefield.
The massive explosion had wiped away everything in its radius. Snow, ice, even the towering remnants of the dark ice castle that once stood behind Vinseno were gone—reduced to nothing but particles floating in the cold air. The sky above was clear, the oppressive weight of Vinseno's presence completely lifted.
Caelan stumbled, gasping for air. His entire body ached, and his vision blurred. He collapsed to his knees, overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of the magic he had unleashed. Did I… do it?
Zaimond rushed over to him, grinning despite the chaos they had just survived. "Dude, that was insane! You really went all out with that light show!" He slapped Caelan's back, his usual humor returning despite the situation.
Caelan chuckled weakly, still trying to catch his breath. "Yeah… I kinda didn't have a choice…"
Richard, standing over the battlefield and looking at the devastation, simply whistled. "Well, I'll be damned. Kid really pulled through."
Elden approached, his one eye still stern, though there was a hint of approval in his gaze. "You did well, Caelan. But don't get cocky. That was reckless."
Caelan gave a tired smile. "Wouldn't be me if I wasn't a little reckless, right?"
Despite his words, Caelan couldn't shake the feeling of relief that washed over him. For the first time in the battle, he had made a difference. He wasn't just a bystander anymore. He had fought, and he had won.
Rul, who had been silent throughout the entire ordeal, finally spoke up, a small, amused smile on his face. "Not bad, kid. Not bad at all."
Caelan gave him a look. "You… you knew I could handle it, didn't you?"
Rul simply shrugged, his grin never faltering. "I had a feeling. You needed the push."
Caelan let out a soft laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. "Yeah, well… thanks for nothing, Rul."
The group gathered themselves, still reeling from the battle's intensity. But as they looked out at the wasteland left in the wake of Caelan's light magic, they knew this was just the beginning. Vinseno had been a formidable foe, but the road ahead would only grow more dangerous.
For now, though, they had won. And Caelan, despite his exhaustion, stood taller than ever before.
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To Be Continued...
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With Vinseno defeated and Caelan emerging as the unexpected hero of the battle, what challenges await the group in their journey through the treacherous cold?