Chapter 16: The Demon's Curse
The dark creature towered before Nathan and Scarlet, a monstrous blend of shadows and razor-sharp claws. Its eyes blazed with an unnatural red glow, and the very air around it seemed to vibrate with malevolent magic. It wasn't just a beast—it was an abomination, conjured from the depths of the Demon King's cursed sorcery.
Nathan's grip on his sword tightened, the weight of the creature's presence pressing down on him. His Blessings of Nature stirred beneath his skin, but the force of the creature's aura seemed to resist him, like a crushing weight in the air. The earth trembled beneath him, yet it felt... diminished, as if the creature's darkness sapped the strength from the very ground.
"Stay back," Nathan ordered, his voice firm despite the tension tightening his chest. He could feel the burn of his magic rising, but it was strained—this creature was no ordinary foe.
Scarlet stood beside him, flames flickering at her fingertips. She didn't need words. Her fiery aura made her readiness clear. Together, they were ready to face the darkness.
"I'll deal with the creature. You handle Rhea," Nathan said, his gaze locking onto the dark sorceress.
Scarlet nodded, determination hardening her features. "Right. Let's end this."
***
A Battle of Wills
Without warning, the creature lunged, claws slashing with terrifying speed. Nathan reacted just in time, his sword meeting the creature's attack in a clash of steel and dark magic. The blow landed, but the creature's hide was thick—unyielding. It snarled in rage, retaliating with a swipe that knocked Nathan off balance.
The ground beneath him responded as he summoned his Blessings of Nature, vines bursting from the earth to ensnare the creature. But it was futile—the creature tore through the vines effortlessly, its sheer strength overwhelming.
Nathan gritted his teeth, tapping deeper into the flow of his magic. "I won't let you win."
With a surge of energy, the ground beneath him shifted again, and the vines thickened, sharpened into thorn-like tendrils. They shot forward, wrapping around the creature's limbs, and this time, it struggled—desperately—but couldn't break free.
Nathan's heart pounded as he surged forward, sword raised high. His Blessings of Nature pushed him beyond his limits, and in one swift motion, he brought his blade down with all his strength, slicing through the creature's dark flesh.
The monster howled, a spine-chilling sound that echoed across the mountains, but it was too late. The vines tightened their grip, and the creature's body twisted before it crumpled to the ground, its eyes fading to a dim, lifeless glow.
Nathan stood over the fallen creature, panting heavily. The victory felt hollow—though the battle was won, the threat still lingered.
He turned to face Scarlet, finding her locked in combat with Rhea. The dark sorceress was at the center of a swirling vortex of magic, her hands raised in defiance. The air around her seemed to distort, warping in response to her power. Her gaze, cold and calculating, never left Scarlet.
"You're stronger than I thought, Nathan," Rhea said, her voice smooth with mockery. "But not nearly enough."
With a casual flick of her wrist, Rhea's magic collided with Scarlet's flames. The fire she had summoned flared, burning hotter, but Rhea's magic devoured the flames as if they were nothing. With another flick of her fingers, the fire began to dissipate.
"You can't stop me," Rhea sneered. "You're nothing but children playing at heroes. Do you even understand what you're up against?"
Scarlet's eyes narrowed, her resolve hardening. "We know enough."
She thrust her hand forward, sending a torrent of fire spiraling toward Rhea. But this time, the flames were different—wild, untamed. Scarlet wasn't just conjuring fire; she was commanding it, shaping it with raw, unbridled power.
The fire roared, growing in intensity, encircling Rhea in a deadly inferno. But just as the flames seemed poised to consume the sorceress, Rhea summoned a burst of dark energy, pushing the fire away with a violent shockwave. The force sent Scarlet flying backward, her body sizzling with the residual heat.
She quickly regained her footing, determination burning in her eyes. "That's it," she muttered, her voice low. "I'm done holding back."
With a violent surge of energy, Scarlet's flames erupted to their full potential. The fire she summoned became a tornado of heat, swirling faster, hotter, brighter. The very air crackled with energy as she let loose a torrent of flame, consuming everything in its path. Her eyes glowed with fierce determination, and the flames roared like a wild beast on the hunt.
Rhea's expression faltered, a flicker of surprise crossing her features. She had clearly underestimated Scarlet's power.
"You think this will stop me?" Rhea sneered, but even her voice wavered.
The dark sorceress lifted both hands, summoning a massive wave of dark energy to clash with Scarlet's fire. The two forces collided in a violent explosion of light and shadow, filling the clearing with blinding light. For a moment, everything went white.
When the smoke cleared, the battlefield was silent. Nathan and Scarlet stood, breathing heavily, but the creature and Rhea were gone.
***
Aftermath
The battle had taken its toll. Nathan and Scarlet were drained, their bodies aching from the immense strain. The caravan, though unharmed, stared at them in stunned disbelief, unable to comprehend the power they had just witnessed.
Nathan wiped the sweat from his brow, chest heaving as he glanced at Scarlet. The fire still flickered in her hands, but her expression was weary, though unwavering.
"We did it," she said, her voice soft but resolute. "But Rhea... she's not gone for good."
Nathan nodded, his gaze distant. "No. This was only the beginning. We have to stay vigilant. If the Demon King's followers are this strong, we've barely scratched the surface."
Darius, the caravan leader, approached cautiously, his face pale. "You two are... incredible. I've never seen anything like it. I don't know how to repay you."
Nathan glanced at Scarlet, his voice firm. "Just keep your promises and stay safe. There's more danger out there than you realize."
Scarlet smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "We've got our own battles to fight."
As the caravan resumed its journey, Nathan and Scarlet lingered at the edge, watching the horizon. They had survived this fight, but the road ahead was far from certain. The Demon King's influence was spreading, and they would need every ounce of strength they could muster to face the growing darkness.
The world was changing, and their journey had only just begun.