"Everyone, create distance!" shouted Zero, his voice cutting through the tense air like a blade.
The assassins responded instantly, lunging backward in perfect synchronization, giving themselves space as the mages began to split. The room was a blur of motion as five of the mages darted off in different directions, moving with unnatural speed to search for Ragra.
The remaining seven mages stayed behind, their expressions calm yet menacing, ready to hold their ground and keep the assassins occupied.
Keito didn't hesitate. "There's 17 of us," he barked. "Each of us Cinqa will take on a mage one-on-one. Malo, you're on your own for one as well."
Malo gave a crooked grin, cracking his knuckles. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
Keito nodded sharply, his tone firm but confident. "The rest of you—there are 12 of you left. Handle the remaining seven. Keep them busy. I don't care how—just don't let them slip away."
Zero's voice rang out with finality. "You have your orders. Disperse!"
Like shadows dissolving into the night, the assassins vanished in all directions, each focused on their target. The air was thick with tension, every step and breath laced with danger. This wasn't just a fight for survival—it was a battle to protect their home.
Keito's eyes locked on Ember, whose purple flames blazed brighter with each passing second. "I'll take this one," he muttered under his breath, as he moved forward. Ember, sensing his approach, smirked wickedly, raising his fiery hand in a mocking salute.
Meanwhile, Zero sprinted through the hallways, his focus razor-sharp as he chased after a second mage. The clash between assassins and mages had begun, and the stakes had never been higher.
Zero intercepted the mage, stepping into his path with calm, measured determination. The mage halted abruptly, his brow furrowing as he regarded Zero with a mix of irritation and amusement.
"You made a terrible decision, attacking our HQ," Zero said, his tone cold and authoritative.
The mage sneered. "And you made a worse one coming after me alone. You think one assassin can stop me?"
Zero's gaze hardened. "It's not about stopping you. None of you are leaving here alive. Not after what you've done."
The mage tilted his head, his confidence unshaken. "Bold words. You have no idea who you're dealing with, do you?"
"I don't need to," Zero replied, his voice unyielding. "All I need to know is how to kill you."
The mage's smirk faded, replaced by a look of pure focus. The air between them grew heavy, the tension palpable. A single heartbeat passed, and then, without warning, the clash began.
The mage raised his hands, golden energy swirling between them, forming a searing orb of radiant power. Without hesitation, he hurled it toward Zero with devastating force.
Zero's expression remained calm as he raised his hand, conjuring a sturdy ice shield in front of him. The radiant orb slammed into the shield with a deafening crash, heat and steam erupting as the energy struggled against the frozen barrier. The shield cracked but held firm, dispersing the attack in a burst of light and vapor.
The mage frowned, narrowing his eyes. "Interesting. Most would have been incinerated by that."
Zero dissolved the shield with a subtle motion and replied, "You'll find I'm not like most."
The mage extended his arms, releasing a relentless volley of smaller energy bolts. They streaked through the air, scorching the ground and walls around Zero. Moving with precision, Zero conjured an ice sword in his hand, batting away the incoming blasts with calculated swings. Each strike sent a brief spray of frost into the air as the glowing projectiles dissipated.
The mage's frustration grew, his movements becoming sharper as he summoned a concentrated sphere of energy, its glow intensifying. "Let's see you handle this."
He thrust his hand forward, releasing a wide, radiant wave that roared toward Zero like a fiery tsunami. In response, Zero conjured another ice shield, planting it firmly in front of him. The radiant wave crashed against the icy barrier, the heat sizzling and cracking the shield's surface. Zero leaned into the force, holding steady as the energy subsided.
The instant the mage's attack waned, Zero dissolved the shield and summoned a sleek ice dagger in his free hand. Without missing a beat, he hurled the dagger with pinpoint accuracy. The mage barely raised an energy barrier in time, the icy blade shattering against it in a sharp crack.
Seizing the opening, Zero closed the distance, his ice sword swinging in a precise arc. The mage reinforced his barrier just in time to block the attack, but the force sent him skidding backward, cracks forming in the glowing shield.
The mage snarled, releasing a sudden burst of light that illuminated the entire corridor. Zero squinted but stood his ground, conjuring an ice axe to replace his sword. "Brute force won't save you," the mage growled, forming another radiant whip in his hand.
"No," Zero said coldly, gripping his weapon tightly. "Skill will."
The two clashed again, the ice axe and radiant whip colliding in bursts of frost and heat. Sparks and vapor filled the air as they exchanged blows, each strike more fierce than the last. The mage lashed out with his whip, but Zero twisted his weapon mid-motion, parrying the attack and forcing the mage to retreat.
Finally, Zero saw his chance. With a sharp flick of his wrist, he dissolved the axe and summoned a long ice spear. As the mage gathered his strength for another attack, Zero lunged forward, his weapon aimed straight at his opponent's chest.
The mage sidestepped, unleashing another whip of radiant energy, but Zero anticipated the move, spinning his spear to deflect the strike. The radiant whip dissipated as Zero pressed the advantage, driving the mage further back with a series of relentless thrusts.
The mage stumbled, his energy faltering as he attempted to conjure one last attack. Before he could complete the motion, Zero's ice spear struck true into his chest, shattering the mage's focus and forcing him to collapse to his knees.
Zero stood over him, dissolving the spear into mist. "You shouldn't have come here," he said, his voice as cold as the ice he wielded.