The oppressive weight of the armored figure's presence bore down on Maki and Scathach. The battlefield felt warped, as if reality itself bent under the figure's aura. Their weapon—a massive, jagged sword that seemed to drip with darkness—gleamed menacingly in the orange glow of Fuyuki's burning sky.
"Mortal and demigod," the figure intoned, their hollow voice reverberating through the air. "You face Karna's Shadow. A phantom born of this corrupted Singularity. Will you fight to claim your foolish defiance, or bow before me to live a moment longer?"
Maki grinned, spinning her spear in a show of confidence. "Bow? Yeah, that's not happening. I've faced worse than you in my sleep."
Beside her, Scathach's lips curled into a subtle smile. "Do not underestimate him, Maki. He carries remnants of the hero Karna's power. This will not be an easy battle."
The figure raised its sword high, and the air around them thickened with mana. "Then you have chosen destruction," it declared, its eyes glowing an unholy red.
The clash was immediate and fierce. Karna's Shadow swung its massive sword, the strike carving a jagged fissure in the earth. Maki darted to the side, her speed and reflexes honed by years of training and combat. She countered with a thrust aimed at the figure's chest, but the spear glanced off the thick black armor.
"It's tough," Maki muttered, leaping back to avoid another devastating swing.
"A being of pure mana," Scathach said, her voice calm but commanding. "It doesn't feel pain, nor does it tire. We must target its core."
The Shadow roared, slamming its sword into the ground. Dark energy erupted from the impact point, sending jagged tendrils of destruction racing toward the pair. Maki vaulted over them with ease, while Scathach stepped through the gaps with a dancer's precision.
Scathach's spear lashed out in a flurry of strikes, each aimed at weak points in the Shadow's armor. Sparks flew as the blows landed, but the creature retaliated with a spinning slash that forced her to retreat.
"This thing's got range and power," Maki growled. "But it's slow. If we can keep up the pressure, we can wear it down."
As the battle dragged on, Maki and Scathach began to adapt to the Shadow's movements. Maki's relentless offense forced it to divide its attention, while Scathach's precision strikes chipped away at its defenses. Their coordination was flawless, a testament to their growing bond.
"Now!" Scathach commanded as she pierced the Shadow's shoulder with her spear. The creature staggered, and Maki seized the opportunity, driving her weapon into the exposed joint. A crack appeared in the armor, and the Shadow howled in rage.
But it wasn't done yet.
Dark flames erupted from its body, forcing the two warriors to retreat. The Shadow's form began to shift, its sword splitting into two smaller blades that it wielded with terrifying speed.
"It's evolving," Scathach observed. "Be careful, Maki. This is where it becomes truly dangerous."
Maki grinned, the thrill of the fight lighting up her eyes. "Good. I was starting to get bored."
The Shadow's speed was now on par with theirs, and its dual blades struck with precision and power. Maki found herself pushed to her limits, her every movement calculated to evade or counter. Her cursed energy flared, amplifying her strikes, but even that wasn't enough to deal significant damage.
"We need to end this," Scathach said, her tone urgent. "The longer we drag this out, the more unstable the Singularity becomes."
Maki nodded, determination blazing in her eyes. "I'll distract it. You go for the core."
Scathach hesitated for a moment, then gave a single nod. "Don't overextend, Maki."
With a battle cry, Maki charged the Shadow head-on, her spear spinning in a whirlwind of attacks. The Shadow focused its attention on her, its blades clashing against her weapon in a series of thunderous impacts.
Meanwhile, Scathach moved like a phantom, her steps silent and precise. She circled around the creature, her spear glowing with runic energy as she prepared to deliver the decisive blow.
Maki feinted to the left, drawing the Shadow's attention, then spun to the right, landing a powerful strike on its already cracked armor. The impact caused the creature to falter, and in that moment, Scathach struck.
Her spear pierced the Shadow's chest, straight through its core. The creature let out a final, guttural roar before collapsing, its form dissolving into black mist.
As the dust settled, Maki leaned on her spear, catching her breath. "That was tougher than I expected."
Scathach stepped beside her, her gaze fixed on the dissipating mist. "This was just a fragment of the Singularity's power. The true source lies deeper within."
Before Maki could respond, the ground beneath them began to tremble. The portal shimmered, and a new wave of energy swept through the air.
"What now?" Maki muttered, readying her weapon.
Scathach's expression darkened. "The Singularity is reacting. We've drawn the attention of something greater."
From the swirling portal emerged a figure cloaked in golden light, their presence even more overwhelming than the Shadow's. They carried a spear of their own, its tip radiating divine energy.
"Intruders," the figure said, their voice echoing with authority. "You have overstepped your bounds. Prepare to face judgment."
Maki tightened her grip on her spear, a grin spreading across her face despite the danger. "Looks like round two's starting."
Scathach stepped forward, her eyes narrowing. "Be ready, Maki. This opponent will test everything you've learned so far."
The golden figure raised their spear, and the battlefield erupted into chaos once more.