Selene and Juris bolted forward, determination etched into their expressions as Yourupt's eyes gleamed with malevolent intent. At his command, the shadow dragons reared their massive heads, dark energy crackling ominously within their throats. In a synchronized movement, they unleashed a barrage of shadowy blasts that seared the air with an otherworldly chill.
Selene: “Darius, create cover, now!”. Selene's voice rang clear over the chaos, a command that brooked no hesitation.
Darius: “Rûn'Darak'Thol!” Darius roared, slamming his fists into the ground. Two immense walls of earth erupted from the battlefield, forming an imposing barrier that shielded Selene and Juris from the onslaught. The blasts struck the walls with a ferocious impact, sending cracks spidering across the surface, but the barriers held firm.
Darius: “Go,” Darius panted, beads of sweat forming on his brow as he strained to maintain the defense.
Selene nodded, her eyes narrowing as she turned to Juris.
Selene: “Take care of our people. I’ll handle this bastard.”.
Juris hesitated for the briefest moment, his golden eyes flicking to the twisted figures of their fallen kin, now spectral soldiers enslaved to Yourupt’s will.
Juris: “Understood. Stay alive, lightbud.”. he said, his voice laced with both hope and urgency.
Without sparing another second, Selene launched herself into the air, wings slicing through the wind with powerful strokes. The distance between her and Yourupt closed in an instant. Shadows twisted and churned around him, but before he could command them to retaliate, Selene's fist, blazing with thunderous lighthing, collided with his arms as he blocked the attack. The force of the blow sent Yourupt crashing into the jagged stone wall at the far edge of the arena, dust and rock exploding outward in a cloud of debris.
Yourupt’s body embedded into the rock, cracks radiating from the impact like a spider’s web. For a heartbeat, silence reigned, the world holding its breath as the dust settled. Then, a low, guttural chuckle cut through the quiet, growing into a full-throated laugh.
Dark Yourupt: “Is that all you have, child?”. Yourupt sneered, eyes glinting with dark amusement as he extricated himself from the stone, his legendary daggers materializing in each hand, black as night and shimmering with an eerie glow.
Selene’s heart clenched, but she stood her ground, her fists tightening.
Selene: “I’ll free them, Yourupt. No matter what it takes.”.
As Selene charged at Yourupt, he felt a sudden shift in the energy between them. Her fierce determination and sheer willpower pierced through the dense mana he projected, a feat that caught him off guard. For the first time, a glimmer of genuine intrigue cross Yourupt’s features. He thought to himself,
Yourupt: “So, she’s breaking past her limits. Perhaps there’s more potential here than I anticipated. Maybe today, I’ll gain more than just the power I seek.”.
Selene's body radiates an aura unlike anything seen before, a tempest of raw emotion and ancient power swirling around her. The strain was evident; her muscles trembled, her eyes glistened with a mix of fury and desperation. Yet, she pressed on, fueled by the pain of seeing her fallen kin turned into puppets of war.
Yourupt’s eyes narrowed, a wicked smile playing on his lips as he tightened his grip on his legendary daggers. He steadied himself, preparing to face this newfound challenge. The battlefield quaked under their combined power, shadows clashing with light as Selene hurtled towards him with relentless speed.
The battle intensified as Yourupt’s mocking voice echoed through the chaos.
Yourupt: “Show me your rage, you hideous beast,”. he taunted, a cruel smirk twisting his face. That insult was the spark that ignited Selene's fury.
Her power surged, breaking through Yourupt's oppressive mana as she propelled herself forward, faster than ever. In a flash, she landed a gut-punch that sent Yourupt stumbling, but Selene was relentless. With a swift lash of her tail, she smashed him into the jagged stone wall, then dragged his face along the surface, leaving deep, raw gouges in the roc, as she drag Yourupt all the way to the upper parts of the arena. Finishing off the assault by throwing him in the air.
As she ascended into the air, her eyes blazed with determination.
Selene: “Lûm Kaal'Zhor Zei,”. she roared, and her tail crackled with wild, raw energy. The lightning coursed through her body before bursting from her tail in a violent, swift surge, crashing directly into Yourupt’s head. The blast sent shockwaves through the arena, but Yourupt stood his ground, snarling in frustration.
Selene: "I ain’t finished yet, monster!". Selene’s voice rang out, fierce and determined. She turned to Darius, who was still grounded .
Selene: "Darius, keep him in one place for just a few seconds!".
Yourupt, sensing the intensity of Selene’s power, knew she was about to unleash a devastating attack. As expected, a bolt of lightning shot towards him. With swift reflexes, he caught it in his hands, feeling the electric charge course through him. But something felt off. The bolt wasn’t just a direct attack; it was a distraction.
As Yourupt held the lightning in his grasp, he quickly realized Selene was making her move. From behind, he felt her presence nearing, ready to strike. In a moment of quick thinking, Yourupt shouted,
Yourupt: “Vrax’Korath’Morth!” His voice echoed as shadows surged from the ground, enveloping Selene in a consuming darkness. The force of the
spell swallowed her whole, negating sight and dulling the senses, leaving her trapped in a void.
Yourupt, confident that he had stopped her, turned his attention to the lightning bolt still crackling in his hand. But when he looked up, he froze. The figure of Selene, seemingly caught by his magic, remained in the darkness. However, the moment was fleeting. To his shock, the form of Selene that he had just ensnared was only a clone, an illusion created by her lightning magic.
Selene, in her true dragon form, was not where he expected. The clone had been nothing more than a decoy to mislead him. And as the realization dawned, Yourupt knew he had been outmaneuvered, trapped by his own attention and the cleverness of his opponent.
It seemed like Yourupt had won the fight so easily, the darkness swallowing Selene whole. But when he checked again, he saw the lightning bolt still in his hand, its energy sparking faintly. He glanced up, only to find that Selene was no longer the form he'd ensnared.
In a heartbeat, the true Selene, now in her massive dragon form, surged from behind and wrapped her powerful tail around Yourupt’s body. The sudden force left him no room to move, trapping him securely in her grip.
Selene: “You ain’t getting off this easy,” she growled, her tail tightening, causing a surge of pain in Yourupt’s chest as she flung him through the air, sending him crashing toward Darius.
Darius, already ready for the final move, raised his arms to the sky with authority.
Darius: “Ruun Kaal'Krosh Thal'krak Ruuk, Ruun Shaer'Khorr, Zurak Dar'Jarak Kaal'Ruuk Lok Ruun, Kaal'Ruuk Lok Ruun!”.
Translation: "By the earth's bound strength and the flames of the dragon’s spirit, I call upon you, ancient titan, to bind this soul in stone and fire, Great Lava Golem Seal".
The earth itself seemed to tremble in response. From the ground, a massive figure emerged, an enormous Lava Golem made of molten rock and earth, its fiery form glowing with intense heat. The golem’s massive hands reached out, moving with terrifying speed as they closed around Yourupt, trapping him with their molten grip. The heat of the lava scorched his skin, while the crushing weight of the stone tightened around him, leaving him
no room to escape.
With his arms bound and his body trapped in the Golem's grasp, Yourupt struggled but was helpless. The fiery prison that held him was unyielding, and his movements were useless against the immense power of the Lava Golem. Selene and Darius stood victorious, their combined strength ensuring that Yourupt’s reign of terror had come to an end. The battlefield quieted, the air heavy with the weight of their triumph as the Lava Golem
held the defeated enemy in its searing grip.
The battle between Selene and Yourupt reaches a boiling point as she faces off against the monster who's kept her and her allies on edge for far too long. Trapped in the massive hands of Darius's Lava Golem, Yourupt is momentarily held in place, but Selene knows she can't waste time with her usual attacks. None of them have worked so far. She reflects on her options.
Selene: "I can't keep using the same techniques. They don't seem to be hurting him. I didn't want to rely on any of the sacred 13 Ultimate Techniques just yet... not when I don't even know what he can do when he gets serious. But I have no choice now. I need to end this. Once and for all.".
Her mind racing, Selene gathers all of her power, pushing herself to the limit. She draws on every ounce of lightning coursing through her veins, preparing a mighty attack. With a defiant shout to the heavens above, she calls out the name of her first technique:
Selene: "Lûm Vrah’Kraal’Zhor!".
A continuous arc of lightning bursts from her body, expanding in every direction. The raw energy surges outward, breaking past her normal limits and flooding the battlefield with a brilliant, crackling storm. The power is overwhelming, an unstoppable torrent of destruction.
Selene: This is enough,* she thinks, *Enough to finally take him down.
But that wasn't all. With a fierce glare, Selene turns to face Yourupt, her eyes burning with the fury of everything he's put her through. She grits her teeth, letting the storm settle for a moment before shouting again.
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Selene: "This time I'm going to say this in a language you can understand, monster. You will be the first person I get to use this on. NOW BEHOLD MY RAGE. Lûm Vrax’Korath’Thal!".
Her voice echoes through the skies, infused with the energy of a thousand storms. In an instant, a blinding bolt of lightning courses through her fist, charging with divine power, the Fist of the Thunder God's Wrath. Her body surges with the intense energy of the storm as she dives straight at Yourupt.
As Selene descends, the sheer force of her attack splits the air, cracking the earth beneath her. The top half of the surrounding area is obliterated as she crashes into the Lava Golem, shattering its molten form and slamming face-first into Yourupt. He seems to expect the blow, his hands raised to create a barrier just in time to absorb the force.
Yourupt: "You think I wasn't prepared for anything you beasts can throw at me?". Yourupt sneers, his confidence unshaken as the barrier glows with an intense, dark aura.
But Selene isn't done yet. With a cold, calculating look in her eyes, she taunts him.
Selene: "You didn't prepare for your wife's death.".
The comment strikes a nerve. Yourupt’s expression falters, anger flooding his features. His rage nearly overwhelms him but it’s already too late. Before he can strike back, Selene steps forward and shouts her next attack.
Selene: "And you didn’t prepare for this either!".
With a final burst of energy, Selene breaks through the barrier with sheer might, unleashing a relentless flurry of punches. Each blow lands with the force of a storm crashing down on the earth, battering Yourupt into the ground. Her fists are unyielding, each strike charged with the energy of the
storm itself.
As the last punch lands, Selene steps back, her power barely holding together. But there’s one final blow left. She whispers the final name under her breath, the storm within her surging to its peak.
Selene: "Lûm Vrax’Rhen’Khor!".
A massive, energy-charged blast erupts from her arm, arcing towards Yourupt with unstoppable force. The attack, amplified by the sheer fury of everything she’s been through, obliterates everything it touches. The explosion is cataclysmic, causing the ground to tremble and the skies to crack.
The massive blast strikes Yourupt, sending him flying backward, the impact shaking the entire landscape. But as the smoke clears, Selene stumbles, exhausted. Her body is drained from the sheer intensity of her assault. Her knees give way, and she falls to the ground, drained of all energy.
The battle is over, at least for now. Both Selene and Yourupt are battered and broken, but the storm she’s unleashed may have finally turned the tide in their war.
Selene, now kneeling on the scorched battlefield, felt the weight of her exhaustion pressing heavily on her shoulders. Her magic reserves were entirely depleted, leaving her vulnerable to any attack that might follow. She clutched her knees for support and whispered,
Selene: "It’s finally done." A faint smile crossed her lips, the relief of victory washing over her despite her battered state.
Moments later, Juris descended gracefully to the ground, his wings folding behind him as he approached Selene. His expression was a mix of concern and relief, but Selene’s sharp eyes immediately noticed the charred marks on his right arm. Her face tensed as she asked,
Selene: "What happened to your arm?".
Juris, ever the stoic, waved her concern away with a smirk.
Juris: "Forget about my arm," he said, trying to sound nonchalant.
Juris:"Look at yourself. You’re badly hurt, and you’ve completely drained your magic reserves.".
Selene attempted to rise, her legs trembling under her weight. She stumbled, and Juris quickly moved to steady her. Grateful but still defiant, she muttered as he helped her up, "It’s fine. As long as that monster is gone, that’s what matters right now."
Juris glanced around at the devastation left behind by her clash with Yourupt.
Juris: "Yeah, but you sure did a number on most of the area.".
Finally, standing on shaky legs, Selene turned her gaze to the surrounding destruction. The ground was scorched and broken, smoke still rising from craters, and the faint crackle of lingering lightning filled the air. The scale of the damage made her chest tighten, but she quickly pushed the thought aside. She shifted her focus to Juris and asked,
Selene: "Okay, then. What happened with your fight with the guards?".
Juris crossed his arms and gave her a measured look before answering.
Juris: "While you were fighting Yourupt, I managed to defeat most of the guards and undo the effects of his dark magic. They’re resting in the stands now.".
Selene narrowed her eyes. Something in his tone made her press further.
Selene: "What do you mean, 'mostly'?".
Juris hesitated, his expression darkening slightly.
Juris: "I was only able to rescue three out of the four guards," he admitted reluctantly.
Juris: "The fourth one escaped before you finished off Yourupt.".
Selene let out a frustrated sigh, her fatigue amplifying her irritation. She clenched her fists but quickly relaxed them, knowing her anger wouldn’t help.
Selene: "It’s fine," she said after a moment.
Juris: "We’ll send out a party to track down the last guard later. Right now, we need to report everything that happened here to the Sky Knights.".
Juris nodded in agreement, silently impressed by her composure despite her visible exhaustion. Supporting her as they began to walk, he muttered,
Juris: "Let’s hope they’re ready to hear about all this chaos. And you’d better let someone tend to those wounds.".
Selene gave him a faint smirk, a flicker of her usual spirit returning.
Selene: "You first," she replied, glancing meaningfully at his injured arm.
Together, they left the ruins of the battlefield, the echoes of their battle fading into the distance as they prepared for what lay ahead.
Darius and Doctor Liraen arrived not long after. With the fighting finally over and no trace of Yourupt's body or mana remaining, the tension in the air began to dissipate. The battlefield, though scarred, now served as a reminder of their victory. As the injured were being tended to and order was restored, it seemed, for a moment, as if the world was at peace.
Juris stood near Darius, engaged in a lively conversation.
Juris: "You’ve got to tell me how you managed that lava golem. Sealing Yourupt like that was genius.".
Darius chuckled, his stoic demeanor softening slightly.
Darius: "Years of practice. But I wouldn’t have pulled it off without everyone’s help keeping him distracted.".
Meanwhile, Doctor Liraen knelt beside Selene, carefully treating her wounds. His hands moved with precision, the faint glow of healing magic soothing her battered body. Selene winced but managed to ask,
Selene: "Doctor, do you think what Yourupt said about the king killing his wife and students was true?".
Doctor Liraen paused briefly, his expression unreadable as he considered her question. Finally, he spoke, his tone calm but firm. "True or not, it doesn’t excuse his actions. Attacking our realm and justifying his pain by destroying millions of lives to get back at the king is unforgivable. That kind of hatred... It's a horrible thing to carry. Still, for everyone’s sake, let’s hope our king didn’t actually do it.".
Juris, overhearing the conversation, chimed in with a reassuring grin.
Juris: "Selene, you don’t need to worry. There’s no body, and we can’t sense his mana anymore. He’s long gone, thanks to Darius’s amazing lava golem.". He patted Darius on the shoulder, earning a faint nod of acknowledgment.
Doctor Liraen placed a steadying hand on Selene’s shoulder, offering a small smile.
Doctor Liraen: "You did good work today,niece. Rest easy knowing that.".
Selene let out a tired laugh, shaking her head.
Selene: "It just sucks that the tournament is going to be delayed because of all this.".
Doctor Liraen chuckled softly, standing as he finished tending to her injuries.
Doctor Liraen:"True, but think about it this way. Your folks would have been proud that you took down a royal guard. That’s no small feat.".
Selene leaned back slightly, a mix of exhaustion and pride washing over her. The road ahead would undoubtedly be challenging, but for now, she allowed herself a moment to breathe, surrounded by allies who had proven their strength and loyalty.
Doctor Liraen had just finished speaking, his voice heavy with emotion.
Doctor Liraen: "Especially since my sist... your mother passed.". His words lingered in the air as Selene, her eyes softening for a moment, replied,
Doctor Liraen: "It’s really been that long since she passed, hasn’t it, unl...".
Before she could finish, an ominous, chilling voice tore through the atmosphere.
Unknown Voice: "And you two will join her soon enough.".
The world seemed to slow as a dark, shadowy figure materialized behind Liraen. In an instant, its fist plunged through his chest, creating a gaping hole that spilled blood onto the ground. Liraen gasped, his eyes wide with shock as his knees buckled. The figure pulled its bloodied arm free, letting Liraen’s body collapse lifelessly.
Selene froze, her heart dropping.
Selene: "Uncle Liraen!". she screamed, her voice breaking as she stumbled forward, only to be held back by Juris, who was equally stunned.
Standing over Liraen’s crumpled form was a figure bathed in a malevolent aura. Cloaked in darkness, its twisted grin glinted with malice, and its faint, eerie glow cast an unsettling light. Everyone knew who it was without question. The mana radiating from the figure left no doubt.
Yourupt was alive.
He was no longer playing games. His expression twisted with fury, he bellowed,
Dark Yourupt: "I ain’t holding back anymore. Time to show you all what a real monster looks like.".
Selene’s heart-wrenching scream tore through the battlefield.
Selene: “Noooooo!!!”. She clawed at the ground, desperately trying to rise, her body trembling with the effort. But before she could make another attempt, Juris scooped her up, leaping away with Darius at his side.
Yourupt's mana was suffocating like never before, warping reality itself as the air around them shimmered and twisted. His dark voice echoed mockingly.
Yourupt: “What’s wrong, Selene? Too scared to face me now?”.
Selene thrashed in Juris’s grip, her voice filled with fury.
Selene: “Let me go! I don’t care if I have no magic. I’ll kill that bastard even if I have to drag myself to him!
Juris’s tone was firm, his grip unrelenting.
Juris: “Selene, you can’t fight him right now. You’ve exhausted all your magic.”.
Darius chimed in, his voice steady but edged with urgency.
Darius: “We can’t afford to lose you. Rest until your magic returns. You’re no good to us like this.”.
But Selene’s fiery determination refused to waver.
Selene: “No! I won’t let you two die!”.
Juris’s expression softened as he locked eyes with her.
Juris: “Please, Selene... you need to trust us, like we trust you. Don’t worry. We won’t be long.”.
Before she could protest further, Juris tapped a pressure point, and Selene slumped unconscious in his arms. He carefully handed her to a recovering healer nearby, his gaze lingering for a moment before he turned back to Darius.
The two stood side by side, dwarfed by the towering power of Yourupt. His dark form seemed to grow even more imposing, his presence suffocating
as the ground trembled beneath them.
Darius, breaking the tense silence, glanced at Juris with a small, dry chuckle.
Darius: “This is really it, huh?”.
Juris clenched his fists, his thoughts a whirlwind of fear and resolve. “Well, we fight hard now... or we face death even harder.”.
Darius smirked, raising his hand for a fist bump. “Guess we’re the lucky ones who get to face death itself head-on.”.
Juris mirrored the gesture, their fists colliding in a solemn pact.
Juris: “Likewise, brother.”.
As their hands dropped, the two tapped into their semi-forms. Darius’s body crackled with molten energy, his form exuding the primal heat of his Lava Golem. Juris’s aura shimmered with a golden hue, his Law Magic radiating calm, disciplined power.
Together, they stepped forward, standing as the final line between Yourupt and everything they sought to protect. The air grew still for a moment, heavy with anticipation, before erupting into chaos as they launched themselves into battle, ready to challenge the last Royal Guard.