Flora opened the treeline shield, revealing a narrow passage just wide enough for them to squeeze through. The fairies filed out one by one, and Flora quickly sealed the entrance behind them.

'We'll make contact in a few moments,' Lira announced. 'Lys, locate Ryznith. Caly, freeze anything that moves. Amiraha, take care of the flying minions. Lorienya, keep the minions out. Cirnyx, make the deepest pit you can. Elysia, lead them into the pit.*"

Lira stood at the front, her fists clenched. *"Alright, Guardians. Let's give them a show they won't forget. *"

Aria zipped through the chaos, blurring between the minions, her eyes sharp as she tried to locate Ryznith. "**Come out, come out, wherever you are!" she taunted. But with every sweep, the enemy was elusive. "**Aarthel! No sign of her yet!", she reported Lira Via her Bracon.

Lira "Keep looking!"

Meanwhile, Nia, standing on her icy platform, waved her arms gracefully. "Time for a deep freeze!" she shouted. A chilling wave of frost expanded from her, freezing the feet of the minions. They were stuck in place, unable to move. "That's it, stay chilly!"

"**Nice one, Caly!"** Tara called from across the field. With a flick of her wrist, she conjured an illusion that made it look like the ground ahead was flat and safe. The minions, clueless, ran straight into Mira’s massive pit.

“Right into the hole,” Mira grinned, clapping her hands as the pit filled with confused and trapped minions. "Looks like I’ve got the biggest pit party ever!"

Zara hovered above, summoning a net from thin air. She hurled it at the flying minions, capturing a swarm of them in one swift move. "Gotcha!"

From her post near the treeline-shield, Flora’s eyes narrowed at the few minions that managed to slip through the chaos. With a simple gesture, massive vines erupted from the earth, coiling around the invaders and holding them in place. "No one gets inside," Flora said, her voice calm but filled with authority. "You're all staying outside where you belong."

For a while, the fairies had the upper hand. Minions were frozen, trapped, and thrown into pits. The strategy was working—until more and more minions began flooding in.

"**Uh, Aarthel,"** Aria said as she zipped past another wave. "These filths are multiplying like crazy!"

Nia froze another line of attackers, but even she was beginning to look concerned. "We’re running out of space! I can’t keep freezing them all."

Zara swooped down, her face serious. "The flying ones are endless. I can't trap them all!"

Lira glanced at the pit and cursed under her breath. It was filling up fast with thrashing minions, some of them starting to climb out. "Cirnyx! The pit’s almost full! We can't hold them much longer."

Mira, her hands glowing with power, struggled to expand the pit even deeper, but even she had limits. "I'm trying, Aarthel! But it’s too many!"

Flora’s vines lashed out, wrapping around another wave of minions, but she, too, was starting to tire. "I can’t keep them out forever!"

Lira’s sharp mind processed the situation in seconds. "Retreat! We have to pull back into the castle! We need a new plan!"

Aria zipped back over to Lira, her face serious. "I still can’t find Ryznith. She’s hiding too well."

Lira clenched her fists. "We'll have to deal with that later. Everyone, fall back!"

The fairies quickly retreated toward the castle, moving as a unit. Flora opened the treeline shield just long enough for them to pass through before sealing it tightly behind them.

The minions howled and screeched from outside, pounding on the treeline, but they couldn’t break through the barrier—at least, not yet.

Inside, Lira, her strong arms on sides. "Alright, that was close."

Aria flopped onto the ground dramatically. "Too close! I thought we were doing great until they just kept coming. What is with these guys? Do they get paid overtime for this or something?"

Nia shook her head, worry crossing her face. "We can’t keep fighting like that. We need a new strategy."

Lira looked around at the others, her mind already spinning with ideas. "Agreed. We’ll have to figure out a way to outsmart Ryznith. Fighting like this won’t last forever."

The fairies nodded in agreement, their eyes steely and determined. Even though the battle was far from over, they knew they wouldn’t let anything harm the ones they loved. Now, it was time to think—and to fight smarter.

Soon the minions continued to crawl inside the castle wall, the sound of their eerie screeches echoed through the walls and bastions. The fairies were on high alert, each of them trying to keep their cool in the midst of the chaos.

Aria "Aarthel… this is bad. We need to act now."

Mira used her powers lifting the castle walls higher and reinforcing them with every ounce of her strength, shouted, “If we don’t act fast, they’ll breach everything! We can’t hold them much longer.”

Zara hovered in mid-air, trapping the flying minions with her power, but even she was starting to struggle. "Kanthia… we need a new plan, fast. Your orders?"

Lira, taking a moment to process the gravity of the situation, clenched her fists and made a quick decision. "Everyone, fall back to the castle. Ryznith wants Ethan—she’ll show up for him sooner or later. We’ll trap her there. Go!"

Without wasting another second, the fairies retreated, closing every door and window behind them, sealing themselves inside the castle.

----------------------------------------

Inside the lab, Ethan worked tirelessly, mixing chemicals and finalizing his gas cloud formula. Varmora’s light glowed nearby, watching Ethan with curiosity and concern.

Varmora: "What exactly are you doing, Ethan?"

Ethan, focused but determined, held up the vial of violet liquid. "I’m making a gas cloud of this formula. If we release it, we can reverse the transformation and turn the minions back into fairies."

Varmora’s light brightened slightly, a sign of her amazement. "What? That’s incredible!"

Elara, standing close to Ethan, smiled softly. "He’s still a genius, Phinix. He worked out that this fluid can reverse the transformation. We just need to deploy it."

Varmora: "That’s wonderful news. But…"

Ethan, already anticipating her concern, added, "The reversed fairies don’t have their light. They come back lifeless. Tara mentioned that a Philight can enter a lightless body and restore it, but… you’re the only Philight, Varmora."

Varmora hummed thoughtfully. "You’re right, Ethan, and that’s a clever observation. But there might be another way—"

Before Varmora could finish, the door to the lab burst open, and Zara rushed in with a worried expression.

Zara: "We’re outnumbered. Minions have broken through. They’re inside the castle now. We need to be prepared for anything."

Sylph’s fists clenched tightly, the heat of her anger simmering beneath her skin. "Did you find Ryznith?" Her voice trembled with rage.

Zara shook her head, her tone urgent. "Not yet. But—"

Sylph, unable to hold back any longer, began to step forward, her fiery aura growing. "Then I’m going to find her myself and—"

Luna quickly grabbed Sylph’s arm, pulling her back. "Sylph, no! We need you here with Ethan. If anyone can protect him from Ryznith, it’s you."

Ethan, standing on the floor, looked up at Sylph, concern in his eyes. "Sylph!" he called, his small voice full of trust.

Sylph turned to him, her fiery demeanor softening as she saw him. She knelt down, her hands resting on his shoulders. "You will be safe, sweetie. I’ll protect you with everything I have."

Ethan, his face serious but full of love, leaned up and kissed her cheek. "I know, Sylph. I believe in you. But you need to control your anger. If you let it consume you, it’ll take over everything. Promise me."

Sylph's fiery rage melted as she wrapped Ethan in her arms, holding him close. "Oh, my Ethan… thank you. Thank you for believing in me." Her voice trembled with emotion as she kissed the top of his head. "I promise. I’ll keep my anger in check. But you have to promise me something too."

Ethan smiled warmly, looking up at her. "What is it?"

Sylph smiled back, her eyes softening. "Promise me you’ll be strong and stay with us, no matter what happens."

Ethan’s grin widened, and he nodded. "I promise."

----------------------------------------

The door of the castle burst open, exploding into shattered fragments. A tall, seductive yet monstrous figure stepped through the wreckage. It was Ryznith, her crimson form oozing malevolent power. Her smile was twisted with satisfaction, relishing the fairies' predicament.

Ryznith: "Well, well, well... Look who's hiding. The poor fairies. Awww... How sad. I’ve found you." Her voice dripped with mockery.

Lira stood tall, her muscular frame unmoving, eyes locked with Ryznith’s. There was no trace of fear in her voice.

Lira: "You’ve made a mistake coming here, Ryznith. You may have found us, but you’re about to find a fight unlike any you’ve ever faced."

Ryznith feigned terror, placing a hand on her chest with exaggerated horror. "Oh no! The mighty Aarthel Kanthia is threatening me! I'm so scared! ……Oh, Where are my manners? Should I kneel down in respect? Never…..After what you did with me…" She laughed, a cruel, throaty sound.

Nia stepped forward, her hand glowing with icy power, ready to unleash it at any moment. Her voice was steady but brimming with fury. "Why are you here, you betraying Dihodos?!"

Ryznith's eyes gleamed with dark amusement as she sauntered forward, her movements slow, calculated. "Oh, Caly... you know exactly why I'm here. I’ve come to see and kiss your little vermin."

Aria’s body tensed with rage the moment Ryznith insulted Ethan. Her fists clenched tightly, ready to strike. "How dare you—"

Before Aria could move, Lira lifted a hand, stopping her by pushing her by her chest. Her gaze remained fixed on Ryznith. "There’s nothing here for you, Ryznith. All you’ll find here are my fists."

Ryznith chuckled, circling the fairies like a predator. "Oh, come on, Kanthia. Always so eager to throw punches. If that little creature isn’t here, why are you all standing guard like this?"

Flora stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "Because we are not like you. We won’t betray our kind by turning them into Neshis’ Dihodos like you did."

Ryznith's eyes narrowed as she tilted her head, her smile widening. "Ah, Lorienya. Still so loving, so nurturing. Let me guess… You’re the one who feeds that small creature, aren’t you?"

Mira’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and resolute. "We’ve already told you, Ryznith. There’s nothing here for you. You can either leave with your minions or face us."

Ryznith cackled, clearly amused. "Cir—wait, what was your name again? I always forget it. Ahh! Cirnyx, right? Tell me, Cirnyx, why go through the trouble of making that big pit outside? Why not just crush my loyal minions under your boulders?"

Mira’s expression remained stoic. "We’re not killers like you."

Ryznith laughed harder, the sound echoing through the castle. "Killers? Oh, you poor fairies have no idea what you're really fighting against, do you?" Her voice dropped to a chilling whisper. "Let me tell you something. Those minions? They were fairies once, just like you. Zovrath turned them into what they are now." She burst into laughter again, savouring the unease that rippled through the room.

The fairies didn’t move an inch, holding back their rage, refusing to give her the reaction she sought.

Ryznith’s voice sharpened, full of venom. "You’re the real killers here. Not me. Not Zovrath. You! You killed your own kind!"

Tara, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward, her eyes blazing with fury. "Enough of your shit, Ryznith! You know why they chose Emberis over you? Because Emberis knows what it means to trust someone. She knows what loyalty means, something you threw away the moment you sided with Neshis!"

Ryznith pretended to be wounded, her voice dripping with mock hurt. "Oh, Elysia, you wound me! I trusted you all, and now you throw it in my face!" Her voice quickly turned sharp, almost a hiss. "Now, You will hand over that little vermin, or I'll make you regret it."

Lira took a step forward, her voice steady and commanding. "If you think we’ll hand him over, you truly don’t know what you’re dealing with. You’ll have to go through all of us first."

The tension in the air thickened, both sides ready for whatever came next.

Ryznith smirked darkly, her voice oozing with twisted delight. "Well, if that's how you want it... so be it. I'll make sure you get plenty of joy watching your own kind suffer." With a lazy wave of her hand, she commanded the minions forward. They swarmed from every direction, like a tide of darkness descending upon the fairies.

Lira’s voice boomed through the chaos, steady and commanding. "Don’t kill them! Just protect yourselves!" She dodged the strikes of a minion with fluid grace, using her strength to throw them off balance without harming them.

The other fairies sprang into action, each using their powers to fend off the onslaught.

Flora summoned thick, intertwining branches from the ground, forming an impenetrable barrier around her. The wood groaned as the minions clawed at it, unable to break through. "I'm sorry, my poor dears... this isn't your fault," she whispered softly, her heart heavy as she focused on defence rather than harm.

Zara's hands glowed as she manipulated the air around her at an atomic level, creating a shimmering shield that distorted the space around her. "I can’t believe how many there are!" Zara grunted, reinforcing her barrier as minion slammed into it, its claws sparking against the atomic force. "But we’ll find a way, just hang in there!"

Tara stood inside a swirling sphere of arcane magic, her lips moving silently as she strengthened the protective ward around her. "This is madness, Ryznith!" she called out. "These were once our friends, our kind. And you've turned them into this!" Her eyes flashed dangerously, but she stayed true to Lira's command, not letting her magic turn offensive.

Mira slammed her foot down, summoning massive boulders that encircled her like a fortress. The minions threw themselves at the stones, their bodies crashing against the rock but unable to get through. She looked toward the others. "These poor lights… if only they knew who they once were."

Nia, encased in a translucent dome of ice, watched as the minions clawed at her shield, their sharp limbs cracking the surface. Her breath fogged the air as she reinforced the ice. "I hate seeing them like this," she murmured, her voice trembling with a mixture of sorrow and determination. "But we have to stay strong. They need us to save them!"

A minion smashed into Aria, trying to grab her legs, but she moved faster than the eye could track, darting through the air with a trail of light behind her. "You’re not getting me, ugly!" she shouted, laughing despite the dire situation. "You’re going to have to do better than that if you think you can catch me!"

Ryznith stood at the door, watching the chaos unfold with a sinister grin. "Look at you, fairies. So noble, so weak. all you’re doing is delaying the inevitable." She spread her arms wide. "You think you can save them, but they belong to Zovrath now!"

Lira turned toward her, her muscles tensed with restrained power. "We won’t break, Ryznith. You don’t know the strength of what we fight for." She deflected another minion's attack and stood firm, her eyes blazing. "And when time comes, you’ll see just how wrong you are."

Ryznith laughed, her voice echoing ominously. "Oh, I look forward to it, Kanthia. I look forward to watching your hope crumble."

As the battle raged on, the fairies fought not with violence, but with love, compassion, and an unwavering belief that they could save their fallen kin. Time was running short, but so was Ryznith’s patience. The showdown was only beginning.

As Ryznith glided through the chaotic battlefield, her smile widened, clearly enjoying the sight of the fairies struggling to fend off the hordes of minions without harming them. She took in the scene like a spectator at a show, savoring every moment.

Ryznith (mockingly): "Well, well, I must say, this is quite the performance! Watching you all try so hard not to hurt my little minions—so noble, so futile." She laughed to herself, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "But alas, duty calls. I have a little vermin to find... Now, where could he be? Hmm... There? No... Maybe there?" She turned her head, feigning confusion. "Oh, don’t mind me! You all seem a bit... occupied. I'll find him myself."

With that, she strutted away from the hall, her footsteps eerily calm as she entered the long corridor that led directly to Ethan’s makeshift lab. Her fingers brushed against the walls, her dark energy crackling faintly, as if tainting everything she touched.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Inside the lab, Sylph, Luna, and Elara stood on high alert, forming a protective wall around Ethan. Sylph’s red-hot fists clenched tight, small flickers of fire beginning to dance along her arms. Elara held Ethan in her arms, his wide eyes watching the door with nervous intensity. Luna stood tall, her hand resting on the hilt of a glowing moonlight sword, her gaze fixed firmly on the entrance.

The door creaked open slowly, revealing Ryznith, her wicked grin growing wider as she laid eyes on Ethan.

Ryznith: "Ah, there you are. Found you."

Sylph’s eyes blazed with fury as flames ignited around her body. Her voice was low and dangerous, almost a growl.

Sylph: "You’ve just signed your own death sentence, Ryznith. I'll burn you down to the last ember, and when I’m done, not even ashes will remain."

Luna stepped forward, her voice steely and calm but laced with warning.

Luna: "Leave now, Ryznith. You don’t want to cross me today. You might find out just how fast your nightmares can become real."

Ryznith chuckled, clearly unbothered by the threat. She leaned forward playfully, peering around the fairies as if looking for Ethan.

Ryznith: "Come on. I’m not here to fight—well, not yet." She smiled innocently. "I’m just here to have a chat with that little savior. Where is he, hmm? Oh wait—" She stood on her toes, leaning slightly to the side as if to catch a glimpse of Ethan behind them. "There?" she cooed mockingly.

Sylph’s fire exploded around her, burning so hot that the air itself seemed to sizzle. Her voice was a thunderous roar of rage.

Sylph: "You take one step closer, and I’ll tear the heart out of your chest and feed it to the flames!"

Ryznith raised an eyebrow, her expression smug as she leaned against the doorframe.

Ryznith: "Still holding a grudge, Emberis? How can you be so mad at me? After all, you’re the one who was chosen. You should be grateful."

The mention of Sylph’s past made her flames flare even higher, her entire body vibrating with barely-contained fury.

Sylph: "Don’t you dare speak of that again! I swear, if you remind me of that day, there will be no mercy. I’ll reduce you to cinders where you stand."

Luna, too, was ready, her moonlit sword glowing brighter as she pointed it toward Ryznith.

Luna: "And if you think her flames are a problem, you haven’t met my blades. I’ll carve your name into the stars, Ryznith. One swing, and you’ll be nothing but a memory."

Ryznith tilted her head, unfazed by their threats, her voice dripping with mock amusement.

Ryznith: "Oh, how exciting! Emberis and Mislyra, standing shoulder to shoulder, ready to fight to the death for their precious little human." She let out a soft laugh. "Well then, let’s not waste any more time. I’m here, you’re here—let’s do this."

With that, the room seemed to fill with tension, the air thick with anticipation. Sylph’s flames grew hotter, and Luna’s sword shimmered with deadly intent. Elara cradled Ethan closer, ready to shield him.

Ryznith stepped forward, her eyes locked on them, her lips curling into a sinister smile.

The air crackled with tension as Ryznith’s monstrous red form loomed over the lab, her spear—a jagged weapon of pure darkness, glowing ominously with crimson energy—pulsing in her grip. Her skin, now a deep, infernal red, seemed to ripple with power, shadows swirling around her body like a storm ready to be unleashed.

Without warning, Ryznith made her move. She lunged forward, her spear of dark energy thrusting ahead like a lightning-fast viper. Sylph’s reflexes kicked in, her body igniting into an inferno, flames scorching the walls as she barely deflected the attack with a blazing shield of fire.

Sylph: "You should’ve stayed in the shadows, Ryznith!" Her voice was filled with rage as her flames flickered brighter, reflecting the unyielding defiance in her eyes.

Luna was already in motion, moving in perfect sync with Sylph. Her light-blades shimmered like lightning as they sliced through the air, each arc aimed with deadly precision at Ryznith’s exposed side. But Ryznith was faster than they anticipated. She spun, her spear casting an arc of red and black energy that deflected both of Luna’s strikes, the sheer force sending shockwaves through the room, shattering stone and cracking the walls.

Ryznith: "Pathetic, light-blade. You’ve gotten slower!" she sneered, her voice dripping with cruel amusement.

With a flick of her spear, a shockwave of dark energy slammed into Luna, hurling her across the room like a ragdoll. She crashed into the stone wall with a thunderous impact, the entire structure shaking as dust and debris rained down. Luna‘s body rattled but not broken. She staggered to her feet, determination burning in her eyes despite the blood trickling down her temple.

Seeing Luna fall, Sylph roared, her flames erupting into a swirling vortex of fire that roared like a dragon. The heat became unbearable as the inferno spiralled larger and larger, threatening to consume everything in its path.

Sylph: "Burn, Ryznith! BURN!"

The cyclone of fire exploded forward, twisting violently as it surged toward Ryznith. But Ryznith raised her spear, and a vortex of darkness formed around her, swallowing the inferno whole. The clash of fire and darkness shook the ground, sending tremors through the walls and causing cracks to splinter along the floor. But Ryznith’s power began to overwhelm the firestorm.

Ryznith: "Your fire may be strong, Emberis, but my darkness devours everything!"

With a cruel twist of her spear, Ryznith sent the remnants of Sylph’s flames crashing back into her, a shockwave of red-black energy that blasted Sylph off her feet. She tumbled across the ground, flames sputtering from her body as she collided with shattered equipment, her fiery light dimming.

Luna, undeterred, charged again, her body a blur of motion as her moonlit blades slashed through the air. Her movements were like a dance, every strike faster, more violent, more precise. She dodged Ryznith’s spear thrusts with an almost supernatural grace, her twin glowing weapons clashing with the dark spear in a symphony of destruction.

Sparks flew as Luna’s blades met Ryznith’s spear, each strike sending ripples of energy tearing through the room. The walls groaned under the strain, chunks of stone crumbling under the relentless onslaught. Luna’s speed was breathtaking, her weapons a whirlwind of moonlight and fury. She parried Ryznith’s strikes with pinpoint accuracy, ducking under her spear and slicing across Ryznith’s arm, leaving a deep gash. Black blood spilled from the wound, sizzling as it hit the ground.

Luna: "You’re not invincible, Ryznith!" she growled, her voice low and lethal.

Ryznith’s eyes flashed with rage. She twirled her spear, the crimson glow intensifying as she thrust it toward Luna’s chest, but Luna was too quick, dodging the lethal blow and landing another cut along Ryznith’s thigh. The villainess howled in fury, her dark energy flaring wildly.

Sylph, stood up, her flames reigniting with renewed vigour. With a fiery burst, she launched herself at Ryznith, flames trailing behind her like a comet. Ryznith dodged the first fiery strike, but Sylph wasn’t done. She spun in mid-air, sending a barrage of fireballs raining down on Ryznith, each one exploding on impact, scorching the ground around her.

Ryznith: "ENOUGH!" She roared, her spear glowing brighter as she thrust it forward, the tip grazing Sylph’s side. Sylph gasped in pain, feeling the searing cold of dark energy burn through her as she staggered back, clutching her wound.

But Luna saw her opening. While Ryznith was focused on Sylph, Luna moved like lightning. She dashed forward, her glowing swords in perfect alignment. With a scream of fury, Luna struck, driving her blades deep into Ryznith’s side. The force of the blow sent Ryznith staggering back, black blood spilling onto the stone floor.

Ryznith let out a blood-curdling scream, her dark energy faltering for a moment as she clutched her side. The room shook violently as her power spiralled out of control, cracks spreading across the ground and ceiling, debris falling from above.

Sylph, despite the pain, gathered her strength. She summoned a pillar of fire beneath Ryznith, flames shooting up and engulfing her. Luna, with one final strike, slashed across Ryznith’s chest, the light from her light-blades searing through the darkness.

Ryznith let out a final, ear-piercing shriek as her dark energy collapsed in on itself, the power swirling violently before exploding outward, sending a shockwave that ripped through the room, knocking both Sylph and Luna back.

When the dust settled, Ryznith lay on the ground, her monstrous body broken, dark energy dissipating into nothingness. She struggled to rise, her spear flickering weakly in her hand, but her power was fading.

Ryznith: "This... isn't over..." she rasped, but even she knew the battle was lost.

Sylph and Luna, battered and bloodied, stood victorious, their breaths ragged but triumphant as they watched the once-powerful sorceress collapse into unconsciousness.

As Ryznith lay on the ground, breathing heavily from the last barrage of attacks, her spear, once dimming, began to pulse with an eerie red light. A dark aura surged around her, coiling like a serpent ready to strike. Slowly, she closed her eyes, gripping her spear tightly. The crimson glow intensified, spreading like molten veins throughout her monstrous red body. Her form began to shift—bones cracked, muscles swelled. Her already towering figure grew even larger, more grotesque, as her flesh bubbled and twisted into a nightmarish new shape.

Ryznith stood, now a towering beast of malice, her eyes blazing with hellish red fire. She let out a guttural roar that shook the walls of Ethan's lab, her spear now radiating malevolent energy, dripping with dark power. The air grew thick, suffocating, as her presence warped the very space around them.

Luna, despite the crushing force emanating from Ryznith’s transformation, smirked as she wiped the blood from her lip. “Really, Ryznith? Another makeover? You’d think with all that power you’d be more...original.”

Sylph’s flames flared up, her body igniting once again. Her fiery hands unfurled, casting an intense light over the darkened room as she shot Luna a sidelong glance. "Enough jokes, Mislyra. She can change into whatever monster she wants." Her voice lowered, eyes narrowing dangerously as her flames burned hotter, hotter than ever before. "I'll burn her to ashes, no matter the form."

Without hesitation, Ryznith lunged forward with terrifying speed, her spear cutting through the air like a comet. The ground trembled with each step she took, stone and metal ripping apart beneath her monstrous weight. Luna and Sylph moved in perfect unison, dodging her attack with the grace of two seasoned warriors. Luna spun on her heel, summoning twin blades of glowing moonlight, the edges sharp enough to slice through stone. She deflected the spear with her weapons, sparks flying as the dark energy clashed with moonlight.

Sylph circled around, her hands burning with an inferno as she unleashed a torrent of fire, engulfing Ryznith in a swirling vortex of flames. The room erupted into a blazing furnace, the intense heat warping the air, melting the nearby machinery into molten slag. But Ryznith roared, shattering the flames with a violent swipe of her spear, sending waves of dark energy crashing into Sylph. Sylph narrowly dodged, her hair singed at the edges, but the force sent her skidding back.

Luna seized the moment, charging forward with lightning speed. Her movements were a blur as she swung her glowing blades in a relentless assault, aiming for Ryznith's vital points. Ryznith parried with her spear, but Luna's speed was too much. In a series of expertly timed strikes, Luna managed to slash Ryznith's arm, dark, viscous blood spilling out as the beast snarled in pain.

"Looks like you're not as invincible as you think," Luna taunted, dodging another deadly swing of the spear.

But Ryznith wasn’t slowing down. With a furious roar, she slammed the butt of her spear into the ground, sending out a shockwave of pure darkness that cracked the floor and sent debris flying. Luna jumped, using her power to propel herself into the air, avoiding the blast just in time. Sylph, however, wasn’t so lucky—the wave hit her squarely, sending her crashing into a nearby wall, the impact leaving a crater in the stone.

Grimacing in pain, Sylph dragged herself up, her body bruised but far from defeated. Her flames reignited with a vengeance, her eyes now glowing with pure fury. “That all you’ve got, Ryznith?” She spat, flames dancing around her fists as she conjured a fireball the size of a boulder. "Let’s turn up the heat!"

She hurled it with devastating force. The fireball blazed through the air, igniting everything in its path. Ryznith, eyes wide with surprise, barely had time to react. The fireball exploded against her chest, sending her staggering back, smoke and flame consuming her monstrous form.

But Ryznith wasn’t done. Her monstrous figure emerged from the inferno, body scorched but still standing. With a growl, she swung her spear, sending dark tendrils snaking toward Sylph, wrapping around her body like venomous serpents. They constricted her, burning with dark energy as they squeezed tighter and tighter. Sylph gasped for air, her flames flickering weakly as the darkness began to suffocate her.

Luna, seeing Sylph in danger, sprang into action. She rushed toward Ryznith with a battle cry, her twin blades spinning in a deadly dance. Ryznith barely had time to turn before Luna slashed her across the face, the moonlight blade leaving a deep gash. Ryznith howled in rage, her red eyes blazing even brighter.

“ENOUGH!” Ryznith bellowed, raising her spear high above her head. It pulsed with dark energy before she slammed it into the ground, the floor cracking as a massive shockwave of darkness erupted, shaking the entire room. The walls trembled, and the ceiling began to crumble. Sylph was thrown free from the tendrils, and Luna was sent flying across the room, her back slamming into a pillar with a sickening thud.

As the dust settled, Ryznith stood tall, her monstrous form radiating unrelenting power. Both Luna and Sylph lay battered on the ground, struggling to rise. But even in their weakened state, they weren’t ready to give up.

Sylph, her flames dim but still burning, dragged herself to her feet, wiping blood from her mouth. “You’re going down, Ryznith.” Her voice was a growl, raw and filled with defiance.

Luna, staggering but standing tall, her moonlight blades shimmering weakly, looked at Ryznith with narrowed eyes. "You may be strong, but you’ll never break us." She spat, determination etched into every word.

They glanced at each other, sharing a silent understanding. It wasn’t over yet.

Together, they charged once more—Sylph a blazing inferno of fury, Luna a streak of moonlight and precision. Ryznith roared, her spear crackling with dark energy, ready to meet them head-on. The impact was cataclysmic—the floor shattered beneath them, the walls crumbling as the entire room shook from the force of their clash.

This time, however, the battle was different. Luna’s blades found their mark, slicing through Ryznith’s defenses as Sylph’s flames consumed her from the other side. Ryznith screamed, her monstrous form weakening under their combined assault. Dark blood poured from her wounds, sizzling against Sylph's flames as Luna struck again, this time cutting deep into Ryznith’s side.

But just as victory seemed within reach, Ryznith unleashed one final, desperate surge of dark power. Her spear glowed brighter than ever before, pulsing with the raw essence of darkness. She swung it wildly, catching both Luna and Sylph off guard.

The dark energy exploded outward, knocking both of them to the ground once again. Sylph gasped as the breath was forced from her lungs, and Luna’s body slammed into the ground with a sickening crack.

For a moment, the room fell silent. Ryznith, bloodied and battered, stood over them, her monstrous form casting a shadow over their fallen bodies.

“You...” Ryznith growled, her voice ragged but victorious. “You thought... you could win...”

Luna and Sylph lay on the ground, gasping for breath, the weight of Ryznith’s dark power pressing them down.

Then, Ryznith moved through the devastated lab, her eyes gleamed with malicious anticipation. Her footsteps echoed ominously against the stone walls, each one bringing her closer to her prize. Elara stood unwavering, her eyes locked on Ryznith with a determined resolve.

Ryznith: "Rynous. Should I kneel before you?" she taunted with a smirk, her voice dripping with mockery.

Elara: "You won't get what you are looking for, Ryznith." Her calm demeanour masked the rising tension as she focused on keeping Ethan invisible.

Ryznith's tilted her head, amusement dancing in her eyes.

Ryznith: "Oh. I know that. But you know, you fairies are so obsessed with... what do you call it... ah, love. I can't understand why you’re hiding the truth from him if you love him more than anything." She was trying to unsettle Elara, a cruel smirk playing on her lips.

Elara: "Because we know when the time is right, everything will sort out. And you, Ryznith, are about to get sorted out now." Her voice was steady, despite the mounting pressure.

Ryznith: (laughing) "Oh Mystraylara, still so optimistic. I like that. But why you are still trying to save that little human. He failed to save our civilization. Why didn’t you let him die?"

Elara: "It doesn’t matter to you. You’ll never understand what love is. After you turned into this.”

Ryznith's smile faltered for a moment, a shadow of hurt crossing her face before it hardened again.

Ryznith: "You made me become this. It wasn’t my choice. It was your old fairies’ council, who turned me into this monster."

Elara: "And yet you still can't see the harm you’re causing. Can you?"

Ryznith: "Oh, no no no. Rynous. I see it more clearly now. Clear enough to see through your little trick." With a sudden, fluid motion, Ryznith’s hand swept through the air. Her dark power surged, unravelling Elara’s invisibility spell.

In an instant, Ethan’s form became visible, suspended in the air as Ryznith’s dark energy wrapped around him. Elara's eyes widened in horror as Ryznith’s hand closed around Ethan’s neck, lifting him effortlessly.

Elara: "No!" she cried out, her voice filled with despair. Before Elara could do anything, Ryznith's monstrous hand punched Elara away.

Ryznith: "Well, well, what a surprise. Ethan, all alone. Weak, small." Her voice was a sinister purr as she held Ethan up, the boy’s eyes wide with terror.

Ethan: "No... No... Leave me... Leave me!" He struggled weakly, but Ryznith’s grip was unyielding.

Ryznith: "Oh, but how can I refuse such an opportunity? Afterall you are the reason behind all of this…" She looked down at Ethan with a cold, calculating gaze, her power crackling ominously around her.

Elara: "Ethan!" she shouted, trying to push herself up despite her injuries.

Ryznith: "Oh...Poor Ethan. Are you the same 'The Savior'. Look at you....So small....like always...Ok. Tell me, what did you see in Emberis. Huh? Why her…not me? …….Doesn’t matter because now you are about to end…"

Elara: "Ethan, you know what to do..."

Ethan, clinging to hope despite the terror, looked at Elara with pleading eyes. He reached out, trying to reach her despite Ryznith’s grip.

Ethan: "Noo...leave me you monster...."

Ethan’s desperate cries echoed through the lab, his voice a piercing plea that cut through the chaos. His struggles intensified as Ryznith’s grip tightened around his throat.

Ethan: “Leave me, you monster! Leave me! Sylph....EMBERIS..” His voice was choked and strained, a mixture of fear and anger.

Sylph, barely conscious from her previous fight, heard Ethan’s cries cut through the haze of her pain. Despite her injuries, something within her ignited—a primal force of love and fury. Her body trembled, and a deep, guttural growl escaped her lips as she pushed through the agony, driven by the sight of Ethan in mortal danger.

Her transformation began with an eruption of blue flames that roared to life, engulfing her in an inferno of pure, unrestrained power. Her once warm and vibrant flames turned cold and deadly, the blue flames flickering with an intensity that seemed to distort reality itself. Her eyes glowed with a fierce, laser-like red, cutting through the darkness like twin beams of destruction.

Sylph: “Ryznith… I...will... burn.... you…” Her voice was no longer soft or playful but a fierce, unrelenting force that resonated through the lab.

She levitated into the air, her aura pulsating with an almost cosmic power. The lab seemed to tremble under the weight of her true form as she flew towards Ryznith, her eyes locking onto her nemesis with a glare that could sear through steel.

As she approached, the very air around her seemed to shimmer and bend under the intensity of her flames. The blue fire cascaded from her body, consuming the space around her with an unearthly cold. Her gaze locked onto Ryznith’s, her laser-red eyes burning through Ryznith’s defenses, melting away the dark energy shielding her.

Sylph’s power was not just a physical force; it was a vortex of primal rage and protective instinct. The blue flames surged forward, siphoning the heat from Ryznith’s body and causing her to convulse in pain. Ryznith’s screeches filled the lab, a haunting melody of agony as Sylph’s flames wrapped around her.

Luna, recognizing the dire situation, acted with swift precision. Her blade flashed through the air, slicing through Ryznith’s grip with a clean cut. Ethan tumbled free, and Luna caught him in her arms, her face a mask of determination and relief.

Sylph, now fully engulfed in her rage-fuelled true form, soared closer. Her blue flames consumed the entire area, burning hotter and more intensely as she focused on Ryznith. The flames crackled and roared, each burst of fire a testament to Sylph’s unyielding will to protect.

Sylph: “Burn! I won't let you destroy my family again. Burn! BURN!!” she chanted, her voice echoing with a ferocity that seemed to shake the very foundations of the castle.

Ryznith’s monstrous form struggled against the flames, but the intensity of Sylph’s power was overwhelming. Her dark energy evaporated under the relentless assault of the blue flames, her cries growing more frantic. Her body contorted and writhed as the heat sapped her strength, turning her into nothing more than a shadow against the burning inferno.

With one final, earth-shattering scream, Ryznith’s form was consumed entirely by Sylph’s flames. The lab was filled with blinding light as Ryznith’s body disintegrated, leaving only ash and smoke in her wake.

Sylph’s blue flames roared with a destructive intensity, her true form an uncontrollable tempest of fury. As Ryznith’s remains scattered to the wind, Sylph’s rage spiraled into a wild, destructive frenzy. Her flames threatened to consume everything in their path.

In the chaos, Luna held Ethan, his small, limp body cradled in her arms. Her tears flowed freely as she whispered desperate pleas.

Luna: “Ethan... Ethan... wake up... don’t go... please... wake up, wake up... stay with me... stay with me...” Her voice cracked with anguish as she gently shook him, her fear palpable.

Sylph, caught in the throes of her uncontrollable true form, began to drift towards Elara. The heat from her flames scorched the air around her, and her eyes blazed with a dangerous light.

Elara, sensing Sylph’s internal struggle, called out to her with both urgency and compassion.

Elara: “Emberis... Stop... You killed Ryznith... stop now... I know you’re in there... Control your anger... remember what Ethan said...” Her voice trembled as she tried to reach the real Sylph beneath the inferno.

Sylph’s true form grappled with itself, the raging flames flickering and wavering. Her focus wavered, and she seized Elara’s arm with an almost mindless fury. The heat was unbearable, and Elara’s scream pierced the air.

Elara: “Emberis,...It’s me...Mystraylra... (scream) Emberis... stop yourself... You saved Ethan. He is fine... You promised... you promised him to control it...”

Sylph’s flames began to subside as the words penetrated the fog of her rage. Her true form, though still fierce, struggled to retract, its grip loosening on Elara’s arm. The flames receded, leaving Elara’s arm scorched but still intact.

Sylph’s form slowly returned to her, her body trembling as she fought to regain control. She looked at Elara with wide, fearful eyes.

Elara: “Emberis... is it you?”

Sylph, panting heavily, looked around in confusion.

Sylph: “What was that? Where’s Ryznith... where’s Ethan??” Her voice was laced with worry. “And what happened to you... No... did I do that?” Her gaze fell on Elara’s burnt arm with horror.

Elara: “No... it’s just... Ethan’s right there. Go.” Her voice was strained but firm, pushing Sylph to focus on what truly mattered.

Sylph rushed towards Luna, her heart pounding in her chest as she saw Ethan limp in Luna's arms. Luna was desperately trying to wake him, tears streaming down her face as if her whole world had crumbled.

Luna (sobbing): “Ethan… please… wake up… don’t leave us… please, stay with me…” Her voice trembled with raw desperation, her hands gently shaking him, but Ethan remained still, his small body lifeless.

Sylph collapsed to her knees before Luna, her own tears blurring her vision. Her hands trembled as she reached out to touch him, her fingers brushing his bruised neck, the marks from Ryznith's grip still fresh on his delicate skin.

Sylph (choking on her sobs): “Ethan… Ethan, Ethan,..… no, no, no… please, please, Ethan…” Her voice cracked as the reality of the moment hit her like a tidal wave, her heart shattering into a thousand pieces. She had fought for him, she had given everything, and now… now he lay so still, so quiet.

She gently took Ethan from Luna’s arms, holding him close to her chest, her body shaking with grief. She rocked him back and forth as if somehow the motion would bring him back to her.

Sylph (sobbing uncontrollably): “Please… please, Ethan… I can’t… I can’t lose you too… not you, you are my only family…Ethan… please wake up… I’m begging you…” Her tears fell onto his face, her voice trembling with helplessness and fear. She was broken, her heart completely shattering as she held him. She couldn’t feel him breathe, couldn’t see any sign of life in his small body, and the agony of it tore her apart.