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Scene: The Village of Valendar, Moments Before the Clash
The air was thick with tension as Mordryn stood motionless, his eyes still fixed on the massive figure of Vlord, descending from the mountain like a harbinger of destruction. The villagers scattered, trying to take cover wherever they could, but deep down, they knew there was nowhere to run.
Mordryn clenched his fist, preparing to charge, but something gnawed at him. He glanced back at Valora, who had been trembling behind him this whole time. Her eyes were wide with fear, not for herself, but for him.
Mordryn:
gruffly
"Why shouldn't I face him alone? I've fought enemies far worse than this before."
Valora's face turned pale, her eyes pleading as she stepped forward.
Valora:
frantic
"You don't understand! Vlord isn't just powerful, he's—he's... a force beyond anything you've faced before! You can't fight him alone! He's not just my brother, he's consumed by something... darker."
Mordryn's gaze hardened. He wasn't afraid of Vlord, not for a second, but the desperation in Valora's voice made him pause. Something was different about this fight.
Mordryn:
serious
"What do you mean? What happened to him?"
Valora's eyes brimmed with tears as she looked down, her voice barely a whisper.
Valora:
softly
"He's not himself anymore. He... he wanted to rule everything—humans, dragons, gods. But something twisted him, something ancient and evil. Now, he's more monster than dragon."
Mordryn's mind raced as Valora continued, her voice trembling.
Valora:
"I fought him before, a long time ago... but I couldn't stop him. He's grown even stronger since then. His power... it corrupts everything around him. Even if you survive, you'll be fighting something far worse than death."
Before Mordryn could respond, the earth trembled beneath their feet as Vlord suddenly roared, his massive wings spreading out like an endless shadow. The dragon had spotted the village, and without warning, he surged forward, his colossal form diving toward the heart of Valendar.
The speed at which he moved was terrifying—faster than anyone could react.
Villagers:
screaming, terrified
"He's coming! Run! RUN!"
Mordryn's eyes widened. He could feel the surge of raw energy barreling toward them, unstoppable like an avalanche. He tensed, preparing to block or counter, but before he could even make a move, something incredible happened.
Kang Wo Hu darted in front of them, her eyes glowing with determination. She extended her hands forward, and a shimmering barrier of light erupted between the village and Vlord's impending attack.
Kang Wo Hu:
shouting
"Stay back!!"
The dragon's massive claws collided with the barrier, creating an earth-shattering impact that sent shockwaves through the village. The force of the attack shook the ground, and for a moment, it looked like the barrier wouldn't hold. But Kang Wo Hu gritted her teeth, pouring every last ounce of her energy into keeping it up.
Mordryn:
shocked
"Wo Hu! Stop! You'll—"
But it was too late. The sheer pressure from Vlord's attack drained Kang Wo Hu completely, her face pale as her knees buckled. The barrier flickered, holding just long enough to deflect Vlord's strike. As the last of her energy faded, Kang Wo Hu collapsed, unconscious, her body limp on the ground.
Kang Wo Hu:
barely a whisper as she falls
"I... did it..."
The barrier shattered like glass as soon as she hit the ground, and the impact of her collapse sent a wave of silence through the battlefield. Mordryn knelt by her side instantly, checking her pulse. She was alive but utterly drained. Seeing her like this, so vulnerable, ignited something deep within him.
Mordryn:
growling, voice low
"You..."
He stood slowly, his eyes narrowing, his muscles tense. The atmosphere around him shifted. The villagers felt it—the rising pressure, the oppressive weight in the air. It was like the very sky was being pressed down on them. Mordryn's rage was palpable, thick enough to choke on.
Valora took a step back, her heart pounding. She had never felt such an overwhelming force before—not even from Vlord. The ground beneath them began to tremble, cracks forming in the dirt as Mordryn's fury manifested into raw energy.
Mordryn:
furious, voice like thunder
"You dare... harm her?"
Vlord, hovering in the air above them, let out a guttural snarl, clearly unfazed by Mordryn's sudden surge of power. The dragon's crimson eyes narrowed as he regarded the mortal below him, but even Vlord could sense that something had changed. The power Mordryn was emitting wasn't just anger—it was ancient, deep, and more terrifying than any mortal energy.
Vlord:
snarling
"You think you can stand against me, human? I am a god."
Mordryn's expression darkened as he stepped forward, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. The ground beneath him cracked with every step, the pressure growing so intense that even Valora, standing nearby, struggled to breathe.
Mordryn:
dangerous, his voice low and filled with rage
"I'm no human."
With a flash, Mordryn leapt into the air, his sword drawn, ready to meet Vlord head-on. The villagers, who had been cowering in fear, watched in awe as the two titans prepared for battle.
Valora stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest as she whispered to herself.
Valora:
murmuring
"This can't be happening..."
But it was happening. The ancient force that had lain dormant inside Mordryn was awakening, and it was about to collide with the dark, twisted power of Vlord.
Vlord roared, his wings unfurling as he prepared to strike. But Mordryn didn't flinch. The tension in the air was unbearable as the two forces stood face to face, the weight of their power pressing down on everything around them.
And then, with one final roar, Vlord lunged toward Mordryn, claws outstretched, ready to tear him apart.
Mordryn raised his sword, his eyes blazing with fury as he charged forward to meet Vlord's attack head-on.
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End of Chapter 24