The battlefield roared with energy as Kai and Veyrin faced each other, their auras colliding like two storms battling for dominance. The golden dragon of flame coiled protectively around Kai, while the abyssal beast behind Veyrin pulsed with an eerie, suffocating darkness.
For a moment, time seemed to hold still.
Then, the world exploded into motion.
Kai struck first, his sword blazing as he charged forward. The energy dragon mirrored his movement, lunging at Veyrin with a deafening roar. Flames carved a molten path through the earth, reducing everything in their wake to ash.
Veyrin's expression remained unreadable. At the last moment, he flicked his wrist. Shadows surged upward, forming a jagged black shield. The dragon's attack slammed into it, sending a shockwave through the air, but Veyrin didn't so much as flinch.
Then, with a sharp exhale, he countered.
The abyssal beast behind him moved, opening its massive maw. A surge of dark energy erupted from its mouth, a writhing, chaotic mass of destruction. The black flames crashed against Kai's golden fire, and the sky above them split apart, caught between two opposing forces.
Kai gritted his teeth as the impact sent tremors through his body. He forced himself to push forward, slicing through the darkness with his burning blade. "You won't win, Veyrin!"
Veyrin merely chuckled. "Won't I?"
With a single step, he vanished.
Kai's eyes widened. He's fast!
Before he could react, a cold pressure wrapped around his throat. Veyrin had reappeared behind him, his hand gripping Kai's neck like an iron vice. "You have power, boy," he whispered, his voice almost amused. "But you lack precision. Control. Experience."
With terrifying ease, he lifted Kai off the ground and threw him.
Kai crashed into the earth with a violent boom, the impact kicking up a massive dust cloud. His vision blurred, pain pulsing through his body. He tried to stand, but Veyrin was already on him.
A black tendril slammed into his stomach, pinning him down.
Kai gasped, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.
"You are not ready," Veyrin said coldly. "And that is why you will lose."
He raised his sword, its blade now a swirling mass of shadow and blood-red lightning.
Kai struggled against the tendril, but his body refused to move. He had used too much power too quickly. The artifact was strong—but he hadn't yet mastered it.
Was this really how it ended?
"No," a voice called. "You're not losing here."
Light surged forward.
A golden spear of pure radiance shot through the darkness, striking Veyrin's blade before it could descend. The impact forced him back, giving Kai just enough time to break free.
Kai gasped for breath and looked up—Solis stood before him, his entire body glowing like a second sun. His golden armor was cracked, his face bloodied, but his stance was unwavering.
"I won't let you die, Kai," Solis declared, his energy pulsing. "We fight together."
Beside him, Lyra rushed forward, her hands glowing with healing magic. "You're not alone in this."
Kai's vision steadied. His pain faded as Lyra's magic flowed through him, reigniting the energy within. His heartbeat steadied.
Veyrin exhaled in annoyance. "More interruptions," he muttered. "Fine. I'll destroy you all."
The abyssal beast behind him roared, its body expanding, its form growing more monstrous. The sky above darkened further, and the battlefield trembled beneath its presence.
Kai pushed himself to his feet, gripping his sword tightly. He could still feel the artifact's energy within him, but now, it wasn't wild. It wasn't uncontrollable.
He took a deep breath, locking eyes with his friends.
They weren't giving up.
And neither would he.
He clenched his fist, and the golden dragon around him flared brighter than ever. "Then we end this. Together."
Veyrin smirked. "Come then, heroes. Show me what you're truly capable of."
With a roar, the final battle resumed.