The night erupted in chaos as the Eclipse Order closed in. Kai's heart hammered in his chest, adrenaline coursing through his veins. The air around them crackled with dark energy, the power of the Order's magic thickening the atmosphere. His grip tightened around his sword, muscles coiled for the inevitable clash.
Lyra stepped forward, her hands raised. The blue light around her hands flared brighter, casting an ethereal glow over the clearing. "Step back, Kai," she ordered, her voice firm.
"Don't have to tell me twice," Kai muttered, backing away as Lyra conjured a barrier of shimmering light between them and the oncoming attackers.
The leader of the Eclipse Order, the man with silver hair, waved his hand, and his followers charged forward. A dozen of them, each wielding dark magic or weapons imbued with arcane energy, moved with deadly precision.
Kai's sword flashed in the moonlight as he met the first of them head-on, his movements swift and practiced. The clang of steel echoed through the air as he parried a heavy strike, then twisted his sword, knocking the attacker's weapon aside. Without hesitation, he followed through, cutting down the man in one smooth motion.
Behind him, Aria stirred again, her eyes wide with confusion and fear. She was still in Kai's arms, but she was slowly becoming more aware of the battle raging around them.
"What's happening?" she gasped, her voice weak.
"Stay down," Kai said, his voice grim. "I'll protect you."
But his mind raced. Lyra was doing her best to hold off the Order with her magic, but they were being overwhelmed. The barrier shimmered with each strike from the enemies, but it wouldn't hold for long. He could see the weariness in Lyra's eyes, the strain of keeping it intact.
"I need to do something," Kai muttered to himself.
Without waiting for an answer, he pushed forward, cutting through the chaos to reach the silver-haired leader. This man—this leader of the Eclipse Order—was the key. If he could take him down, perhaps they could turn the tide of the battle.
The leader's cold eyes glinted as he noticed Kai approaching, and he raised his hand, summoning a wave of dark energy that sent a shockwave through the air. Kai barely had time to react as the blast hit him, throwing him backward and into the ground.
For a moment, everything went black.
When his vision cleared, he could see the silver-haired man advancing on him, a wicked grin on his face. "You're not the hero you think you are," he sneered, stepping closer.
Kai's muscles screamed as he pushed himself up, his sword still clutched tightly in his hand. He wasn't going down that easily.
"Then show me what you've got," Kai growled, lunging at the man with all his remaining strength.
The battle was far from over, and every second counted.