The battle had reached its peak. Zarathiss, battered and scorched from the relentless fight, staggered backward as Tai prepared to deliver the final blow. Victory seemed certain, but Zarathiss began to laugh, his voice echoing across the battlefield like a twisted melody of triumph. "My son and his master," Zarathiss sneered, his jagged teeth glinting in the fiery light. "They thought they could stop me."
Shi's expression hardened as his instincts screamed danger. "Tai, run!" he shouted, his voice carrying an urgency Tai had never heard before.
Tai hesitated, his sword wavering. "Master, he's lying," Tai replied, his voice trembling with doubt.
But Zarathiss struck with the speed of a viper. His massive tail lashed out, coiling around Tai's neck like an iron vice. Tai gasped, his weapon slipping from his grip as he clawed at the tail, struggling for air.
"Leave him alone!" Shi roared, stepping forward despite the pain in his injured leg.
Zarathiss turned his piercing gaze toward Shi, his expression dark and cruel. "He's, my son. Why should I?" he hissed, tightening his grip on Tai. Tai's face turned pale, his breaths becoming shallow gasps as he coughed desperately.
Before Zarathiss could deliver another mocking line, a wave of intense heat surged through the battlefield. Flames erupted out of nowhere, consuming the ground, the air, and everything in between. The searing fire illuminated the scene, casting long shadows and dancing wildly as though alive. Zarathiss froze, his reptilian eyes narrowing in confusion.
Through the inferno, a figure emerged—Sai. His presence was commanding, his body radiating an aura of pure rage. Sai's flames surged higher, encircling the area like a fiery prison. Zarathiss shifted uncomfortably, his grip on Tai loosening slightly as the flames grew closer.
"Release him!" Sai's voice thundered, carrying the weight of his fury.
Zarathiss's eyes darted around. The flames stirred something deep within him, a memory buried but never forgotten—his own death. Fear clawed at his mind as he recalled the moment he had fallen, the flames that had consumed him then and seemed to rise again now. The mighty beast's confidence wavered, replaced by dread.
"What are you?" Zarathiss muttered, his voice shaking as he took a step back. But his fear turned to desperation, and he lashed out. With a savage swing of his tail, he struck Shi's leg, a sickening crack echoing as the limb gave way. Shi collapsed, his cry of pain lost amidst the roaring flames.
Sai's eyes were closed, and for a moment, it seemed as though he was trembling. Zarathiss squinted through the fire, and his gaze landed on Sai's face. His expression froze.
Sai was crying. His tears, despite the heat of the flames, streaked down his face, glistening like molten silver.
The sight unsettled Zarathiss further. The flames began to press closer, and for the first time, Zarathiss realized he was not facing a mere opponent but a force he couldn't comprehend—a force that embodied both fury and sorrow. His grip on Tai slackened. The tides of battle were shifting, and Zarathiss could feel it slipping away from him.