As the power of Wendy's Tempest Fist reverberated through her, she felt the immense strain it put on her body. It had granted her a glimpse of her untapped potential, but she had not yet mastered the technique, and the toll it exacted was considerable.

As the ethereal replicas of her strikes dissipated, Wendy's legs wavered beneath her, and her breathing became labored. Purgus, aware of her condition, swiftly moved to catch her before she collapsed.

"Easy now, Wendy. You gave it everything you had. Take a moment to catch your breath."

He gently supported her, his arm wrapped securely around her waist, providing both physical and emotional support. The battle continued around them, but for that brief moment, Purgus focused solely on Wendy's well-being.

Wendy, leaning against Purgus for support, nodded weakly, her face etched with exhaustion. "I... I tried my best, Purgus. But I'm…just not strong enough yet."

Purgus smiled reassuringly, his eyes filled with unwavering determination." And that's okay, Wendy. You're growing stronger with each battle, pushing your limits further than before. We'll get through this."

He gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face, his touch comforting and tender.

As Purgus continued to support Wendy, she managed a weak smile, despite her exhaustion. "You know, Purgus, you were right ... I did it get her! But look at me now, I'm too tired to breathe properly. So, this is all your fault."

Purgus chuckled softly, his heartwarming laugh bringing a sense of comfort to Wendy even in her weakened state. "Oh, of course, it's all my fault," he replied with mock guilt. "I guess I shouldn't have pushed you to unleash your ultimate technique. Who knew saving the world from a Demon, not only just a Demon but the Demon of Malice would be such hard work?"

Wendy playfully swatted his arm, mustering just enough strength to do so.

"You're the one who said I could do it! And now look at me, barely able to stand!"

Purgus feigned innocence, putting on an exaggerated expression of surprise. "Me? I would never say such a thing. I'm just a humble and supportive ally, after all," he teased, his eyes glinting with mischief.

Wendy rolls her eyes, but a fondness shone in them as she looked at Purgus. "Well, 'humble and supportive ally NOT named Purgus', thank you for believing in me. Even if I'm like this and my legs feel like jelly. I couldn't have done it without you by my side.

As Wendy and Purgus stood together, basking in their moment of triumph, Maylithe rose from the ground, her body shrouded in a dark smokescreen. Maylithe, the Demon of Malice, stood there, Her usual confident expression was replaced temporarily with a flicker of surprise, her eyes widening as she assessed the damage inflicted by Wendy's powerful strike. Slow, sarcastic clapping filled the air, the sound echoing through the battlefield.

"Well, well, well, it seems you managed to muster up a little bit of resistance," Maylithe said, her voice laced with derision as a smile comes back to her face. "But, let's not get ahead of ourselves. I must admit, I underestimated your resourcefulness, Wendy. You were able to scrape together a pitiful display of power, and I hate to burst your little 'happy' bubble, but you're going to need to do a lot more than that!"

Wendy, her voice strained and barely above a whisper, nodded weakly "I... I can't go on, Purgus. My energy is completely drained... You... you have to stop her..."

Purgus gently lowered Wendy to the ground, ensuring she was in a safe spot away from the immediate danger. "Rest now, Wendy. I'll continue the fight while you recover. And when you're ready, we'll face Maylithe together, stronger than ever."

Wendy managed a small smile, grateful for Purgus' support and understanding. She closed her eyes, focusing on regaining her energy and summoning her inner strength.

Purgus turned his attention back to Maylithe, he could sense her growing impatience. Maylithe sneered, clearly relishing in Wendy's weakened state.

"How touching, your little partner is spent! You're all alone now, Purgus. But don't think what she did will make a difference. I'll enjoy breaking you."

Purgus's eyes narrowed as Maylithe's words struck a chord within him. The memories of his battles against Howl, his long-standing nemesis, resurfaced in his mind. Howl, a powerful Celeston and a member of the ruling family, had been a constant obstacle on his path to freeing this world from the rule of the Celeston's. Purgus had faced countless fights alone, enduring hardships and setbacks, but each time, he had found the strength to rise again, and this time, he will overcome.

"You speak as if facing adversaries alone is something new to me, Maylithe. I've battled against the strongest Celestons, enduring their dumb decisions, their petty rule and their Bullshit wrath. In each fight that I survived, I have emerged stronger. You will be no different. I will Survive this battle!"

A fire ignited within Purgus, fueled by his determination to dismantle the oppressive rule of the Celeston Family. He refused to let Maylithe's taunts weaken his resolve. The weight of his past battles and the memories of those who had fallen pushed him forward, instilling in him an unyielding spirit.

Purgus advanced towards Maylithe, his fists ablaze with celestial flames, his every movement exuded a potent combination of skill, determination, and unwavering purpose.

Purgus fought fiercely against Maylithe, but he found himself reaching the limits of his strength. Despite his determination and skill, he couldn't effectively land any damaging blows on the Demon of Malice. With each passing moment, his movements grew slower and slower, and his attacks lost their former intensity.

Maylithe, her eyes glinting with sadistic pleasure, observed Purgus's weakening state and seized the opportunity. In a blur of motion, she unleashed a high-speed combo, striking Purgus with a relentless barrage of blows. Each hit landed with precision and force, sending Purgus staggering backward, his body unable to keep up with the onslaught.

As the ferocious combo continued, Purgus fought to defend himself, his reflexes and skill barely holding off Maylithe's relentless assault. But with each passing moment, the pain intensified, and his vision blurred, his body growing heavier with exhaustion.

Finally, Maylithe delivered a devastating final strike, a powerful blow to the guy that sent Purgus crashing to the ground. He grunted in pain, feeling his consciousness waver as he struggled to stay awake. The world around him seemed to spin, and he gasped for breath, trying to regain his bearings.

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Wendy, witnessing her friend's plight, felt a surge of anger and desperation.

"Purgus!" she cried out, her voice filled with worry.

Purgus's mind raced with thoughts of frustration. If only he had 100% of his neos energy restored, he believed he could turn the tide of the battle. The limitations imposed upon him by his reduced power left him vulnerable and unable to reach his full potential.

Gasping for breath, Purgus managed to push himself up to a kneeling position. Despite the pain coursing through his body, he refused to surrender. With a grim determination in his eyes, he muttered to himself, his voice filled with longing and a burning desire for more power.

Maylithe smirks

"It seems I've had my fun playing with you two. Now, it's time to end this little charade of hope you thought you had. Prepare yourselves…. for the Soul Absorption Scorpion!"

Maylithe prepared to unleash her devastating technique, Soul Absorption Scorpion, Purgus knew that their situation had become dire just hearing that name alone. The battle had taken its toll on both him and Wendy, leaving them weakened and vulnerable to Maylithe's demonic energy.

The atmosphere crackled with an ominous blue aura as Maylithe summoned the power of her sinister technique. The air seemed to thicken, and Purgus could feel an invisible force pulling at his weakened body. He glanced at Wendy, who was also caught in the grasp of the Soul Absorption Scorpion.

Their only chance of survival lay in holding on to something, anything, to anchor themselves against the powerful force threatening to consume their souls. Purgus gritted his teeth, his muscles straining as he searched for a solid grip amidst the chaos.

As the technique is being used, Dr.Kozaky finds herself being pulled to her suprise towards the Soul absorption Scorpion.

"What? No, this can't be happening! I'm being pulled towards it too!"

Rederra Grins as she grabs a hold of Dr.Kozaky's waist "Don't worry, Dr. Kozaky. I'll hold onto you tightly. We wouldn't want you to become a tasty treat for our demonic friend, now would we?"

Dr. Kozaky sighs "You know, as creepy as you are, Rederra, I appreciate the help this time. Just make sure you don't get any funny ideas."

Rederra giggles "Oh, don't worry, Dr. Kozaky. I promise to keep my funny ideas to myself... for now. "

As the Soul Absorption Scorpion's pull intensified, Rederra's grip on Dr. Kozaky tightened involuntarily. She chuckled sheepishly as Dr. Kozaky shot her a warning look.

"Hey, Rederra, ease up a bit. I appreciate the help, but not so tight," Dr. Kozaky said, trying to maintain her composure.

"Oh, my apologies," Rederra replied with an innocent smile, relaxing her hold slightly. "I wouldn't want to squeeze the 'soul' out of you, now would I?"

Dr. Kozaky lowers her eyes "As if that would ever happen. Just be careful, okay? I'm fragile!"

Rederra nodded her head

"Don't worry, Dr. Kozaky. I promise not to squeeze you too tightly again… unless you ask me to," Rederra quipped with a mischievous smirk across her face

Dr. Kozaky blushed and stammered, "I-I would never ask for that!"

Dr. Kozaky, with Rederra clinging onto her waist, managed to maintain her position, resisting the pull of the Soul Absorption Scorpion. Though slightly unnerved by Rederra's creepy demeanor, she understood the gravity of the situation.

Purgus grits his teeth "We won't let you take our souls so easily, Maylithe!!"

Maylithe mocks them" Oh, how valiant. But your weakened state has left you helpless against my power. You will become nothing more than nourishment for my demonic energy."

Wendy's breathing heavily, but she states "Hold on, Purgus! We've come too far to let our souls be devoured by her!"

Purgus growled "If only we had our full power... We could stand against you and triumph. But we won't falter. We'll find a way to resist your grasp!"

Wendy Replied "Together, Purgus! We'll find the strength to hold on. We won't let her do this! We'll fight until the very end!"

A Wicked Grin forms on Maylithe's face "Struggle all you want, but resistance is futile. The pull of the Soul Absorption Scorpion grows stronger with each passing moment. Soon, your souls will belong to me."

Purgus defiantly shouts "Not if we have anything to say about it! We'll defy your darkness with our unwavering determination!"

Wendy's voice strained out "Hold on, Purgus! We can't let go no matter what!"

The Soul Absorption Scorpion exerted its powerful force. Purgus and Wendy fought against the pull, their bodies trembling under the strain. Their eyes met, having determination and fear reflected in their gaze. They knew that their very essence was at stake, and they would not succumb without a fight.

Their grip tightened, their knuckles turning pale as they desperately clung to whatever they could find.

Wendy struggles to speak, but manages to get her words out,"Purgus... I... I need to tell you something. I've been feeling lost... ever since my family, the Celestons, turned their backs on me... and the reason I ended up in this prison is because of them."

"Wendy, now's not the time for this... You need to focus on hanging on!"

"No, listen... I felt so alone, like there was no one I could trust. But then... then you showed up, and Dr. Kozaky, and Rederra, and even the other prisoners. You all believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself."

Her voice trembled as she continued, the weight of her emotions almost overwhelming her.

"I remember that moment when I hesitated, unsure if I could fight back against my family... and you, Purgus, you told me to be strong, to not let them control me. You believed in me when no one else did. And I... I want to thank you for everything."

Purgus grit his teeth "Wendy, you're welcome... But we can't let this be the end! Hold on, I'll--."

"Purgus... I'm sorry... I can't... hold on any longer..."Wendy interrupted.

Her grip weakens, and her body begins to slip from a grasp Purgus Gains on it. The exhaustion has taken its toll, and her consciousness fades away. Yet, even in her vulnerable state, she manages to utter one last sentiment.

Wendy: (whispering) "Purgus... I... I think... I love you..."

Wendy's body slipped from Purgus's grasp, panic and despair threatened to consume him. He refused to accept her fate, not after everything they had been through together. With a surge of adrenaline and desperation, he reached out, his fingers stretching to their limit, trying to reclaim her, to pull her back from the clutches of the Soul Absorption Scorpion.

"Wendy, no! Don't give up! Not like this! No!" Purgus shouted, his voice raw with emotion. But it seemed futile. Wendy's body was already being pulled deeper into the ominous blue aura of the technique. He strained to save her, memories of their time together flashed before Purgus's eyes – the battles they fought side by side, the moments of laughter, pain, struggles, their growing feelings and the unspoken bond that had grown between them. In that moment, he knew what he had been feeling for Wendy all along, It was buried very deep within his heart and he himself let it become a closed thought.

The realization hit him like a tidal wave, and a rush of conflicting emotions washed over him. Fear for Wendy's safety, anger at their dire situation, and an overwhelming sense of love and longing that he could no longer suppress.

Purgus's eyes widen, his heart skipping a beat as her words continue to hang in the air. He watches helplessly as Wendy is pulled closer to the Soul Absorption Scorpion, the darkness threatening to swallow her completely. Although it seemed pointless, he reaches out his hand , as if trying to use his own neos energy to grab her, but there was no way he knew of for him to do such a thing

Purgus's scream tears through the battlefield, a raw and desperate cry that echoes with anguish

"No…..NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"