Aiden and Vale reached their destination, eyes fixed on the man standing below them. The clouds from the explosion had covered the sun, plunging the day into a dismal night. An unpleasant, acrid smell permeated the air, adding to the sense of foreboding.

"So, there you are, Vale," the man said without turning around, his voice a deep, sinister rumble that sent shivers down Aiden’s spine. "I expected you to be here."

The man finally turned, his presence overwhelming. His red eyes glowed menacingly, his black and red suit gleamed in the dim light, and his towering six-foot frame seemed almost inhuman, as if covered in metal. The atmosphere grew heavier with his every movement.

"Aiden, listen to me," Vale communicated through telepathy, his tone urgent. "I'll engage him in combat. You need to conceal your presence and strike from behind. Don’t reply, just do it."

With a swift movement, Vale launched himself at the man, aiming a powerful kick. But the man, Ravan, stopped it effortlessly with his bare hand and flung Vale aside as if he weighed nothing.

"Still as sharp as ever, Ravan," Vale said, his voice strained but filled with determination.

Aiden watched the intense battle, his mind racing. "How am I supposed to attack him? Should I use a weapon or rely on physical strength? Damn it, stop overthinking and just do it!" he thought, inching closer to Ravan. Just as he was about to strike, Ravan turned with a murderous glare, his red eyes boring into Aiden’s soul.

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

"Not in a thousand years, brat," Ravan growled, grabbing Aiden by the neck and lifting him off the ground effortlessly. "You think you can just land a hit on me that easily?"

As Ravan held Aiden, Vale seized the opportunity and rushed to attack. However, Ravan threw Aiden aside and caught Vale mid-air, hurling him in the opposite direction with brute force.

"Damn! That was our chance," Vale thought, frustration and pain etched on his face.

"What are you thinking, man?" Ravan appeared right in front of Vale, his face inches away. "Chance? You make me laugh with your pathetic attempts." He grabbed Vale by the neck and slammed him into the ground with a thunderous impact.

"Release him!" Aiden shouted, rushing toward Ravan to help Vale.

"Oh, so now I have to fight with an ant like you, brat." Ravan sneered, effortlessly withstanding Aiden's blows. "An ant is nothing but something to be crushed under my feet."

Aiden groaned in pain, "Is it even possible to defeat this guy? He’s just toying with us," he said, looking over at Vale, who was also struggling to get up.

"Aiden," Vale’s telepathic voice was urgent, "using just our bare hands and without proper planning, it’s impossible to defeat him. He’s twice as powerful as me. We just have to force him to retreat for now; that’s the only thing we can do."

"Summon a sword, Aiden. Just command it; nothing special will do for now."

"Okay," Aiden called for a sword, and a fire elemental weapon materialized in his hand, its blade glowing with intense heat.

Meanwhile, Vale and Ravan were engaged in a brutal hand-to-hand combat. Aiden tried to sneak in for an attack, but Ravan noticed him, grabbing Vale to use as a shield.

"Ant, if you want to hurt me," Ravan said, his grip on Vale tightening with brutal force, "you’ll have to hurt this man in front of your eyes."

"Do it," Vale communicated through telepathy, his voice strained yet resolute.