The battlefield was a living inferno, the air thick with the acrid tang of smoke and ash. Mike hovered in the air, his levitation spell humming with raw power. Below him, the dragon roared, its jaws unhinging to unleash a torrent of fire. Mike's blade sang through the air, slicing the fiery breath in two before it could touch him. Sparks scattered like dying stars.
"Is that all you've got?" Mike taunted, his voice rough but steady.
The dragon's golden eyes narrowed, its pride stung. With a thunderous beat of its massive wings, it surged upward, claws outstretched and fangs glinting in the fiery light.
Mike surged forward to meet the beast head-on. Their collision was seismic....man and dragon locked in a brutal, airborne duel. The clang of metal against scale echoed through the night. The dragon lashed out with its spiked tail, but Mike twisted midair, narrowly dodging.
In the distance, the cave loomed dark and foreboding, a grim reminder of what was at stake. Inside, Giselle's breathing grew shallower, her body shivering uncontrollably. Lyria knelt beside her, sweat dripping down her pale face. The poison coursing through her veins made her movements sluggish, but she fought to keep Giselle alive.
"Come on, Giselle, don't you dare leave me," Lyria whispered hoarsely, clutching her sister's hand. Her vision blurred as the venom spread, a sinister ache gnawing at her strength. She coughed violently, blood staining her lips.
Outside, the battle raged on. The dragon lunged at Mike with a deafening roar, its claws tearing through the air. Mike gritted his teeth and parried, his blade sparking against the beast's scales. The sheer force of the blow sent him spiraling backward, but he steadied himself, his eyes blazing with determination.
The dragon growled low. "You've changed, human. The last time we fought, you were a mere ant. Now….... now you're a thorn in my side."
"And you're about to lose that side," Mike shot back.
With a burst of speed, he shot upward, weaving through the dragon's flames. Closing the gap, he slashed at its wing. The beast screeched, the sound echoing like a thunderclap. Blood sprayed through the air as Mike's blade cut deep, severing the dragon's wing cleanly.
The dragon flailed, its massive body writhing as it plummeted from the sky. Mike hovered above, watching as the beast crashed into the earth below. Dust and fire engulfed the impact site, the ground trembling beneath the weight of its fall.
Mike descended cautiously, landing amidst the debris. The dragon lay broken, one wing shredded and blood pooling around it. It struggled to lift its head, its golden eyes dimming with defeat.
"Finish it," the dragon rasped, its voice heavy with resignation. "A warrior's end is all I ask. Don't leave me to wallow in shame."
Mike hesitated, his sword trembling in his grip. "You don't have to die," he said quietly.
"There is no life for me in defeat," the dragon replied. "You have proven yourself stronger. Show me mercy… or cruelty. Either will suffice."
Time was slipping away, and Mike knew it. He raised his blade, his expression torn. "Forgive me," he muttered.
With a swift strike, he ended the dragon's life. Its body went still, and its golden eyes closed one final time. "Goodbye.....… warrior," it whispered, before silence claimed it.
Mike stood there for a moment, his chest heaving. He wiped the blood from his blade, then turned his gaze toward the cave. "Hold on, Lyria…..... Giselle," he murmured.
Using his levitation, he soared toward the cave. Inside, the scene was grim. Giselle lay deathly still, her chest barely rising. Lyria, collapsed beside her, clutched her sister's hand even in her weakened state.
"Mike....…" Lyria's voice was faint, barely a whisper, but it reached him. He landed beside her, tears welling in his eyes. "I'm sorry," he choked out, pulling the precious leaf from his pouch.
He crushed it quickly, releasing its potent essence. As he leaned forward to place it in Lyria's mouth, she grasped his arm weakly. "Mike…...." she murmured again, her eyes glistening with tears.
"Don't speak," Mike said, his voice trembling. "You'll be fine. Just take this."
He placed the crushed leaf in her mouth, watching as its magic began to take effect. Lyria's pallor faded, her strength returning as the venom retreated from her system. She gasped as life surged back into her body, her hands trembling.
Without hesitation, she crawled toward Giselle. "Hold on, sis," she whispered, pressing her lips to Giselle's. The transfer was immediate, the medicinal essence flowing between them. Giselle's wounds began to heal, her breathing growing steadier.
Lyria's strength faltered as the effort drained her. She slumped, but Mike caught her before she could hit the ground. "I've got you," he said softly, holding her close.
Their eyes met, and a weak smile spread across Lyria's lips. "Thanks…... for not giving up," she said.
"Thanks for not dying," Mike replied, his voice thick with emotion.
Giselle stirred faintly, still unconscious but no longer on the brink of death. Relief flooded the cave as the oppressive weight of despair lifted.
Lyria sighed, her body leaning heavily against Mike. "She'll be fine now," she murmured.
"And you?" Mike asked, his voice gentle.
"I'll survive," Lyria replied, managing a tired grin.
Mike cradled her as they both looked at Giselle, her chest rising and falling steadily. The battle had been won, but the scars would linger. For now, though, they had each other...and that was enough.