Ethan gritted his teeth as Arthur's flames roared higher, threatening to engulf Taylor despite her defiant stand. The storm around them seemed to falter, shadows shrinking back as Taylor's energy began to waver.
"Where is Alex?" Liam growled, his claws digging into the charred earth. "We can't hold this without him."
Ethan's jaw tightened, his icy gaze never leaving the battlefield. "He's not coming," he muttered.
"What do you mean he's not coming?" Liam snapped, his voice sharp with frustration.
Ethan hesitated, his usual composure cracking for a moment. "He went after Arthur's lieutenants. The ones summoning reinforcements. He said he'd handle it."
Liam let out a bitter snarl. "Typical Alex. Always taking matters into his own hands."
"He's buying us time," Ethan shot back, his voice edged with frost. "If he doesn't stop them, this will be over before it begins."
Liam huffed but said nothing more, focusing his attention on the fight ahead.
---
Meanwhile, deeper in the forest, Alexander Thaddeus moved with lethal precision. His feline form darted between the towering trees, claws gleaming in the dim light. He could smell them—the lieutenants of Arthur, their dark energy saturating the air like poison.
"Three of them," Alex muttered, his lips curling into a feral grin. "Easy."
The first lieutenant didn't even see him coming. Alex struck from the shadows, his claws tearing through the demon's defenses with ruthless efficiency. The creature let out a strangled cry before crumbling into ash.
The second was more prepared. It lashed out with tendrils of fire, forcing Alex to leap back, his movements fluid and precise. He dodged, weaving through the onslaught with a predator's grace, before closing the distance and delivering a fatal blow.
The third lieutenant, however, was different. It stood waiting, its form shrouded in a swirling vortex of shadows. As Alex approached, the creature let out a low, rumbling laugh.
"You cannot stop us, little Duke," it sneered, its voice like nails on glass. "Arthur will crush your friends, and the girl will be his."
Alex's grin widened, though his eyes glinted with sharp intensity. "Funny," he drawled. "You demons always talk too much."
With a flick of his wrist, Alex summoned a wave of shadowy energy, his unique vampiric gift manifesting in sharp, whip-like tendrils. They lashed out, slicing through the lieutenant's defenses with devastating speed. The creature howled, its form unraveling under Alex's relentless assault.
---
Back on the battlefield, Taylor stumbled, her strength nearly spent. Ethan and Liam moved to her side, their combined powers forming a protective barrier as Arthur advanced.
"Taylor, hold on!" Ethan urged, his ice flaring brighter.
Liam growled, positioning himself in front of Taylor. "If Alex doesn't finish soon, we're done for."
As if on cue, a sudden surge of shadowy energy rippled through the air. Arthur paused, his crimson eyes narrowing as he glanced toward the forest.
Ethan smirked, recognizing the signature of Alex's power. "Right on time."
From the treeline, Alex emerged, his usually cocky expression now grim. His coat was singed, his movements slower than usual, but his golden eyes burned with determination.
"Miss me?" Alex called, his voice light despite the tension.
"About time," Liam muttered, though his posture relaxed slightly.
Alex strode toward them, his hands crackling with dark energy. "Lieutenants are gone. Reinforcements cut off. Now we focus on the big guy."
Arthur snarled, his flames flaring in anger. "You think that will stop me? I am the Demon King!"
Alex rolled his shoulders, his grin returning. "And I'm Alexander Thaddeus. Let's see who breaks first."
The three vampires stood united before Taylor, their combined strength a wall of defiance against Arthur's wrath. As the storm raged on, the battlefield fell into a tense silence as Taylor's declaration hung in the air. Even Arthur seemed to hesitate, his flames flickering as the massive shadow beast advanced. For the first time, the Demon King regarded the child not with contempt but with wary interest.
"You are full of surprises, little storm," Arthur said, his tone measured, almost amused. "But power without control is destruction. Allow me to teach you."
With a wave of his hand, Arthur unleashed a torrent of black flames, hotter and more ferocious than anything they had encountered before. The shadow beast lunged forward to intercept, its massive form absorbing the brunt of the attack. The ground shook as their energies collided, a deafening roar splitting the air.
Ethan seized the moment, his frost aura flaring to its limit. "Liam, we'll cover her. Alex, where the hell are you?"
A sudden laugh echoed through the battlefield. "Took you long enough to miss me."
From the treetops above, Alex leaped into the fray, his feline agility unmatched. He landed behind Arthur, his claws glowing with crimson energy. "Someone has to clean up your mess," Alex quipped, his smirk sharp.
Arthur turned slightly, his expression darkening. "Ah, the rogue duke. I wondered when you'd show your face."
Alex lunged, his movements a blur of deadly precision. While Ethan and Liam focused on shielding Taylor, Alex took advantage of Arthur's split attention. His strikes were sharp and calculated, targeting the weak points in Arthur's defense.
Meanwhile, Taylor remained at the center of the storm, her glowing eyes reflecting both determination and exhaustion. She reached out with her powers, weaving the shadows into a barrier that shielded her companions. The effort was draining, but she refused to let them fall.
"Hold the line!" Ethan shouted as another wave of Arthur's forces swarmed the battlefield. The frost prince conjured a glacial wall, its surface gleaming with runes of ancient magic. "We'll end this together."
Liam growled in agreement, his wolf form tearing through the attackers with renewed ferocity. Alex darted between shadows, his strikes precise and lethal.
But Arthur's power was unrelenting. The Demon King absorbed the energy of the battlefield, his flames growing darker, hungrier. "You cannot win," he bellowed, his voice resonating with ancient authority. "This world belongs to me!"
Taylor's hands trembled as she struggled to maintain her control. "No," she whispered, her voice steady despite the chaos. "It belongs to us."
With a final surge of energy, Taylor raised her arms, drawing on the storm's power. The shadows around her coalesced into a radiant burst of light and darkness, a force so potent it seemed to stop time itself.
"Now!" Ethan shouted, sensing the opening. He and Liam charged forward, their combined strength aimed directly at Arthur. Alex followed, his claws crackling with energy.
The battlefield erupted in a dazzling display of light, shadow, and raw power. Arthur roared in defiance as the combined might of his enemies bore down on him. For a moment, it seemed as though victory was within reach.
But as the dust settled, Arthur emerged from the chaos, battered but unbroken. His gaze locked onto Taylor, a predatory smile curling his lips. "You've grown strong, little storm," he said, his voice calm despite his injuries. "But strength alone is not enough."
Ethan stepped forward, his icy aura still crackling. "Then we'll keep fighting until it is."
Arthur's laughter echoed through the battlefield as he began to retreat into the shadows. "Very well. I look forward to our next encounter."
As the storm finally began to subside, the group regrouped around Taylor. She was pale and trembling, but her eyes still burned with resolve.
"You did well," Ethan said softly, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder.
Taylor looked up at him, her expression determined. "This isn't over."
"No," Liam agreed, his golden eyes gleaming. "It's just beginning."