"And just like that," Noah sneered, "you see what happens when you defy the master of the storm."
He lifted his arms, and a fierce gust of wind erupted from his fingertips, ripping through Ribbiton like a hurricane. Trees splintered and fell, water sprayed from the swamp in chaotic waves, and the frogs screamed as the tempest tore through their kingdom. Ten frogs were caught in the maelstrom, thrown like ragdolls before falling lifeless to the ground. Panic spread like wildfire as families scrambled to protect each other.
"Stop it!" Kaela shouted, her voice breaking. She raised her hands, summoning fire to shield the crowd, but the flames flickered and struggled against the unrelenting wind. She stumbled, her legs buckling as the force of Noah's power slammed into her, knocking her to the ground. "Please... no more," she whispered, clutching her side where a jagged piece of debris had grazed her.
Azazel's eyes widened in horror as he saw Kaela fall. "Kaela!" he cried, his voice raw with fear. He tried to run to her, but Noah's wind lashed at him, pushing him back. He fell to his knees, his sword slipping from his grasp as he struggled to stay upright. His entire body ached from the relentless assault, his vision blurring as blood trickled from a gash on his forehead.
Noah hovered in the air, his expression one of cold amusement. "You thought you could challenge me?" he mocked. "Look at you, groveling in the mud. Pathetic."
Azazel clenched his fists, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He tried to summon the power of the Sky Serpent, but his body refused to obey. Shadow growled, lunging at Noah with bared fangs, but even the loyal wolf was thrown back by a gust of wind, landing hard on the ground.
"Enough!" Grand Croak croaked desperately, stepping forward with tears streaming down his wrinkled face. "Lord Noah, please! Have mercy on us!"
Noah looked down at the elder frog, his eyes narrowing. "Mercy?" he repeated, as if tasting the word and finding it bitter. "Why should I show mercy to those who defy me?"
Croaksalot, trembling with fear and grief, crawled over to where Kaela lay. He gently cradled her, his voice breaking. "Azazel... you have to get up," he pleaded. "We need you."
Azazel struggled to his feet, every muscle in his body screaming in pain. He picked up his sword, his hands shaking. "I'm... not done," he said, his voice hoarse but determined. He forced himself to stand, his knees threatening to give out. "You... won't break me."
Noah's eyes flashed with irritation. "Stubborn little fool," he said. "Do you really think you can stop me? Look at your precious Ribbiton. Look at your friends. You've failed them."
Azazel's heart clenched as he saw the destruction, the injured frogs, the broken homes. Tears stung his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. He took a shaky step forward, his grip tightening on his sword. "I haven't... failed," he said through gritted teeth. "As long as I'm still standing... there's hope."
Kaela's eyes fluttered open, and she reached out weakly. "Azazel," she whispered, her voice filled with pain but also with an unbreakable spirit. "You can do this. We believe in you."
Azazel felt a surge of warmth in his chest, a spark of determination reigniting. He looked at Kaela, at Croaksalot, at the frightened frogs of Ribbiton. He couldn't give up. He wouldn't give up.
Noah rolled his eyes, bored of the defiance. "Fine," he said, raising his hands once more. "Let's finish this."
The wind swirled around him, gathering power, and Azazel braced himself. Shadow limped to his side, growling through the pain, and Kaela tried to summon one last spell, even as her vision swam.
Azazel closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the bond between him and his friends, the strength that came from their unity. He opened his eyes, a fierce light burning in them.
"Bring it on," he whispered.
And the storm raged on.