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"You think you can stand against me?" Noah's voice echoed through the shattered remains of Ribbiton, a twisted smile playing on his lips. He hovered above the swamp, arms crossed as wind swirled around him, like a tempest barely kept in check.
Azazel staggered forward, clutching his sword, blood trickling from his brow. "I'm not done yet," he spat out, his voice raw but unwavering.
Noah raised an eyebrow, his amusement growing. "Not done? Oh, do tell, what more could you possibly do? You're broken, boy. Face it."
Azazel clenched his fists, feeling the last dregs of strength slipping through his grasp. But then, Kaela's voice rang out from behind him, fierce and full of determination. "Azazel, if there's anything left, now's the time! We're with you!"
Shadow limped to his side, teeth bared, ready to fight even if it meant the end. Croaksalot, trembling but standing strong, croaked out, "Show him, Azazel! Show him who you are!"
Azazel closed his eyes, his mind swirling with memories of his journey, the friends he'd made, the sacrifices they'd all faced. His chest burned, and he focused on that feeling. "Sky Serpent..." he murmured, his voice rising in desperation, "hear me!"
Noah's smirk faltered, his interest piqued. "What nonsense are you—"
Suddenly, the air crackled with energy. The sky above darkened, swirling with storm clouds. A burst of lightning split the heavens, and a serpentine form emerged from the storm, coiling and twisting in a dance of pure, electric fury.
The Sky Serpent.
Noah's eyes widened for a split second before narrowing, an amused chuckle slipping past his lips. "So, you actually managed to summon it. How quaint."
Azazel's eyes glowed with newfound power as the Sky Serpent descended, its ethereal form wrapping around him, filling him with unimaginable strength. He raised his sword, now crackling with the energy of the storm. "You're not invincible," he roared, "and I won't let you win!"
Noah hovered lower, his smile now replaced with a look of intrigued annoyance. "Fine, then. Impress me."
Azazel lunged, the Sky Serpent's energy surging through his blade. He clashed with Noah, lightning meeting wind, a storm within a storm. The ground shook, and Ribbiton's frogs scattered, watching in awe and terror.
Noah's winds met Azazel's lightning head-on. The sky lit up with each clash, and the swamp churned like a restless sea. Azazel's voice echoed, carrying Kaela's hope, Croaksalot's courage, Shadow's loyalty. Each swing of his sword was infused with the will to protect, to overcome.
Noah, however, remained unfazed. He moved like a phantom, each gust of wind pushing Azazel back, each counterstrike more devastating than the last. "You're persistent, I'll give you that," he mused, deflecting a strike with a casual flick of his wrist. "But persistence means little against a god."
Azazel gritted his teeth, the Sky Serpent roaring beside him. "I won't fall!" he shouted, launching another attack, a wave of lightning crashing toward Noah.
Noah sighed, raising a hand. The winds shifted, turning into a barrier that swallowed the lightning. "You're not listening, boy," he said, and with a flick of his fingers, the wind blasted forward, slamming into Azazel.
Azazel was thrown back, his body crashing into the swampy ground. The Sky Serpent flickered, its form starting to waver. "No..." Azazel gasped, struggling to stand.
Kaela screamed, "Azazel! Get up!"
Shadow growled, trying to rush forward, but Noah's wind pushed him back effortlessly. Croaksalot croaked in desperation, "Don't give up!"
Noah descended, landing gracefully on the swamp floor. He walked slowly toward Azazel, every step deliberate. "This is your limit," he declared. "Face reality."
Azazel's vision blurred, pain coursing through every inch of his body. The Sky Serpent shimmered, its strength fading. "I... can't..." he whispered, his hand slipping from his sword.
Noah stopped in front of him, looking down with mild interest. "You're interesting, I'll admit," he said. "I haven't had this much fun in ages. But you're still not worthy."
Azazel's heart sank. He had given everything, and still... it wasn't enough.
Noah turned his gaze toward the frogs of Ribbiton, who watched in terrified silence. "Remember this day," he announced, his voice carrying across the swamp. "I will return in three months. Make sure you have what I demand. Or else..." He left the threat hanging, letting the wind carry his words.
He turned back to Azazel, a twisted grin on his lips. "Survive until then," he said softly. "I'd like to see if you can grow stronger. Maybe next time, you'll entertain me even more."
With that, Noah's form dissolved into a swirl of wind, vanishing into the sky. The storm calmed, and silence fell over Ribbiton.
Kaela rushed to Azazel's side, tears streaming down her face. "Azazel! Please, wake up!"
Azazel's eyes fluttered open, pain evident in his expression. "I... failed," he murmured.
Kaela shook her head fiercely. "No, you didn't. We're still here. We're still fighting."
Shadow nudged Azazel's hand, whining softly. Croaksalot hopped over, his voice shaky but full of determination. "We... we'll get through this," he said. "Together."
Azazel managed a weak smile, looking at his friends. "Together..." he whispered.
Kaela held his hand, her eyes blazing with resolve. "We'll get stronger. We'll be ready next time."
Azazel's gaze met hers, and he nodded slowly. "Yeah... next time."