The radiant figure descended with an aura that made the air around them shimmer with golden light. Their spear glowed with divine power, casting long, sharp shadows over the fractured battlefield. Maki and Scathach stood side by side, their weapons at the ready. This was no ordinary foe—they could feel the weight of divinity bearing down on them.
"You have defied the sanctity of this realm," the figure declared, their voice both commanding and serene. "I am Vael, Warden of the Eternal Forge. Your actions threaten the balance of this Singularity. I shall not allow you to proceed further."
Maki wiped the sweat from her brow, flashing her usual confident grin. "Another overpowered lackey? This day just keeps getting better."
Scathach's piercing gaze never left Vael. Her voice was calm yet laced with urgency. "This is no mere fragment like before, Maki. Vael is a true manifestation of divine will. Be cautious."
Maki twirled her spear, the flames of battle igniting in her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, 'don't die.' I've got it."
Vael moved faster than either of them anticipated. With a single thrust of their spear, the ground beneath Maki shattered, sending debris flying. She managed to leap back just in time, narrowly avoiding being impaled.
Scathach struck back, her spear darting in with precision aimed at Vael's neck. The divine figure parried effortlessly, their movements smooth and calculated.
The exchange of blows was like a dance—each strike met with an equal or greater counter. Maki joined the fray, her cursed energy amplifying her attacks as she sought to break through Vael's defenses. But the golden spear deflected her strikes with ease.
"They're reading our movements," Scathach said, retreating momentarily to reassess. "Their technique is flawless."
"So what do we do?" Maki asked, dodging another blindingly fast strike. "Just keep hitting them until something gives?"
Scathach's lips curved into a faint smile. "Precisely."
The battlefield erupted into chaos as the three combatants clashed. Vael's spear radiated energy with every swing, sending shockwaves through the air. Maki and Scathach worked in perfect harmony, their movements synchronized as if they shared one mind.
Maki aimed low, targeting Vael's legs, while Scathach focused on pressuring their upper body. The divine being was forced to divide their attention, yet they remained unyielding, their golden spear carving arcs of light through the battlefield.
"You fight well," Vael admitted, their tone devoid of mockery. "But your mortal strength will never surpass divine authority."
Maki spat on the ground, her grin never faltering. "We'll see about that, shiny pants."
She surged forward with renewed ferocity, her cursed energy flaring. Her strikes became faster, more erratic, testing Vael's reactions. Meanwhile, Scathach circled to the side, gathering mana into her spear until it glowed with runic light.
As the battle wore on, Maki noticed something peculiar. Vael's movements, while nearly perfect, had a faint hesitation whenever their spear clashed with Scathach's runic energy. It was subtle—an almost imperceptible delay—but it was there.
"They're weak to your magic," Maki said, dodging another strike. "Let me keep them busy. You go all in with your fancy spells."
Scathach nodded. "Do not overextend yourself, Maki. Divine beings are not so easily distracted."
"Yeah, yeah, I've got it."
Maki lunged at Vael with reckless abandon, her spear striking with a wild fury. Vael blocked and parried, but the onslaught kept them on the defensive. Maki's cursed energy surged, creating shockwaves with each strike.
"You're persistent," Vael said, their voice tinged with annoyance.
"You have no idea," Maki shot back, a feral grin on her face.
While Vael was occupied with Maki, Scathach finished her preparations. Her spear radiated an intense crimson light, the runes along its shaft glowing brighter than ever.
"Vael," Scathach called, her voice carrying an uncharacteristic sharpness. "Look to your end."
Vael turned just as Scathach unleashed her strike. The spear shot forward like a comet, its power ripping through the air. Vael raised their weapon to block, but the runic energy overwhelmed them, shattering their golden spear.
The divine figure staggered, a glowing wound across their chest. Maki didn't hesitate. With a fierce cry, she drove her spear into the exposed core of Vael's being, twisting it for good measure.
Vael let out a guttural roar as their form began to dissolve into golden particles. "You... defy even the gods themselves..."
As the last of Vael's essence faded, the battlefield fell silent. Maki slumped to the ground, breathing heavily, while Scathach approached her with measured steps.
"You did well," Scathach said, offering Maki a hand.
Maki grinned, taking the offered hand. "Told you I had it."
As they caught their breath, the portal in the distance began to pulse with unstable energy. The Singularity wasn't done with them yet.
"We're not out of the woods," Scathach said, her gaze fixed on the swirling vortex. "The core of the distortion still lies ahead."
Maki stood, twirling her spear as if she hadn't just faced a godlike opponent. "Good. I was starting to think this was gonna be too easy."
Scathach chuckled softly. "You're insatiable, Maki Zenin. Let us hope your recklessness does not lead to our undoing."
Together, they advanced toward the portal, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them on the other side.