The ground trembled violently as Kael and Mareth approached the unstable Pillar of Winds and the Earthen Vault. These were the last two anchors, their immense energy colliding in a chaotic storm of wind and stone.
Boulders hurled themselves into the sky as cyclonic winds ripped them apart mid-air. Sharp shards of rock rained down, and the howling winds carried a dangerous intensity that made it hard to breathe.
Kael wiped dust from his face, his eyes narrowing at the two opposing forces. "The anchors are fighting each other."
"No kidding," Mareth said, dodging a flying piece of debris. "And let me guess this isn't how they're supposed to work?"
Kael shook his head grimly. "They're out of balance. Each anchor is trying to dominate the other."
In the heart of the battlefield, massive elementals emerged one of stone and earth, towering with an unyielding presence, and the other of swirling wind, its form an ever-shifting vortex.
The stone guardian moved with deliberate force, smashing its massive fists into the ground and creating seismic shockwaves. The wind guardian was faster, its body twisting unpredictably as it unleashed gusts that tore through the rocky terrain.
Mareth's grip tightened on his sword. "So, two of the biggest, nastiest guardians we've faced so far. Fantastic."
Kael nodded. "This is the last stand. If we don't find a way to stop them, the entire Divide will collapse."
The earth elemental bellowed, charging toward the wind guardian. Each step sent tremors through the ground, shaking Kael and Mareth to their knees.
The wind elemental retaliated, unleashing a cyclone that slammed into its foe. The earth guardian dug its feet into the ground, holding firm as the winds whipped around it.
The collision of forces sent shockwaves outward, knocking Kael and Mareth off their feet.
Kael scrambled to stand, shouting over the chaos. "We can't let them keep fighting! The more unstable they become, the worse the Divide will get!"
"And what do you suggest?" Mareth yelled back. "Ask them nicely to stop?"
Kael ignored the sarcasm, his mind racing. "We need to disrupt their focus. Draw their attention to us instead of each other."
Mareth gave him a dubious look. "You want us to fight both of them? That's not a plan it's a death wish."
"It's the only way," Kael said firmly. "We've fought guardians before. We can handle this."
"Yeah, but not two at once!" Mareth protested.
Kael grabbed Mareth by the arm, pulling him up. "We don't have a choice. Come on!"
The duo charged into the fray, dodging falling rocks and gale-force winds as they closed the distance to the battling guardians.
Kael focused on the earth guardian, his sword glinting in the dim light as he slashed at its massive leg. The blade cut deep into the rocky surface, sending shards flying.
The guardian roared, turning its attention to Kael. Its massive hand swung down in a crushing blow, but Kael rolled aside just in time.
Mareth, meanwhile, faced the wind guardian. He swung his blade in a wide arc, the air crackling as his attack disrupted the creature's swirling form.
The wind elemental recoiled, its cyclone body twisting erratically. It countered with a powerful gust, lifting Mareth off his feet and slamming him into a jagged rock.
Mareth groaned, struggling to rise. "I hate this plan."
The earth guardian stomped toward Kael, each step sending tremors through the ground. Kael ducked and weaved, his sword striking again and again at its joints.
"Kael!" Mareth called out, barely dodging another strike from the wind guardian. "I don't think we're winning this!"
"We don't have to win!" Kael shouted back. "We just need to survive long enough to find a solution!"
The guardians turned their attention back to each other, their massive forms colliding once again.
The ground cracked and heaved beneath the force of their battle, sending Kael and Mareth sprawling.
"We can't keep this up," Mareth said, panting as he climbed to his feet.
Kael wiped blood from a cut on his forehead, his mind racing. "The anchors are still unstable. If we can't stop them, maybe we can redirect their energy."
"And how do we do that?" Mareth asked, dodging another gust of wind.
Kael didn't answer immediately, his eyes fixed on the chaotic swirl of elemental energy around the anchors.
Suddenly, a pulse of energy erupted from the wind anchor, sending a shockwave through the battlefield.
The earth anchor responded with its own surge, the conflicting energies creating a visible rift in the air.
Kael's eyes widened. "They're reaching a breaking point. If this keeps up, they'll destroy each other and us along with them."
Mareth groaned. "You've got to think of something, Kael. Fast."
Kael took a deep breath, his mind working furiously. "If we can lead one of the guardians closer to its anchor, it might stabilize enough to stop fighting."
"And the other one?" Mareth asked.
"We'll worry about that later," Kael said. "For now, focus on splitting them up!"
The duo split up, each targeting one of the guardians.
Kael lured the earth guardian toward the rocky terrain near its anchor, using its slower speed to his advantage.
Mareth, meanwhile, kept the wind guardian occupied, his quick reflexes allowing him to evade its unpredictable attacks.
The plan worked partially. The earth guardian began to retreat toward its anchor, its movements less erratic as it drew closer.
But the wind guardian refused to follow suit, its chaotic form growing even more unstable.
Kael cursed under his breath. "It's not enough. The anchors are still too volatile."
As the guardians continued their destructive battle, another pulse of energy erupted from the earth anchor.
This time, it was different.
The ground beneath the anchor shifted, glowing faintly as the energy within it began to stabilize.
Mareth's eyes widened. "Did we... do that?"
Kael shook his head. "No. The anchor's reacting on its own."
The wind anchor pulsed in response, its energy growing even more unstable.
Kael's heart sank. "One's stabilizing... but the other's breaking apart."
Mareth looked at him, panic in his eyes. "What happens if it breaks?"
Kael didn't answer. He didn't have to.
The sky above them began to darken, and the air grew thick with tension.
The battle was far from over.