Dark Yourupt's monstrous speed turned the battlefield into chaos. Before either Juris or Darius could properly react, Dark Yourupt had closed the distance. The chains from his draggers lashed out like serpents, wrapping tightly around Juris’s neck. With a cruel yank, Yourupt hurled Juris through the air, his body slamming against the ground and ricocheting at breakneck speeds.
Darius barely had time to shift his focus before a blur of shadow struck him like a freight train. Dark Yourupt’s fist collided with Darius’s stomach, driving the wind out of him in an instant. The impact was so powerful it sent shockwaves rippling across the ground. Staggering, Darius reached for his molten core, but before he could counterattack, Dark Yourupt seized him by the hair with a savage grin.
Dark Yourupt: "You’ll join your friend soon enough.".
Dark Yourupt sneered, spinning Darius like a rag doll before hurling him across the arena. Darius’s body skidded across the cracked battlefield, leaving deep furrows in the scorched earth.
Juris coughed and gasped, his neck still wrapped in the suffocating chains. Struggling to his knees, he tried to summon his Law Magic, the golden aura flickering dimly around him. Yourupt’s speed, however, was unrelenting. He appeared behind Juris in a blink, slamming a knee into his back and forcing him face-first into the ground.
Dark Yourupt: "Is this really the best the future of the great Sky Knights have to offer?".
Dark Yourupt mocked, his voice dripping with malice.
Dark Yourupt: "Pathetic."
The air itself seemed to tremble under the sheer intensity of his mana, warping the arena further. Darius pushed himself up, wiping blood from his lips. His molten energy flickered dangerously as he steadied himself, locking eyes with Juris. Despite their battered states, there was no mistaking the fire of determination in their gazes.
Darius: “Juris,” Darius growled through clenched teeth, summoning a torrent of molten lava to swirl around his fists.
Dark Yourupt: “We need to combine our strength. He’s faster than either of us can handle alone.”.
Juris nodded weakly, forcing himself upright as the chains dissolved into golden sparks under the faint resurgence of his Law Magic.
Juris: “Agreed. We can’t let him control the flow of this fight.”.
Dark Yourupt smirked, standing tall as his draggers crackled with dark energy.
Dark Yourupt: “By all means, try. But I’ll show you just how futile it is.”.
Juris staggered back toward Darius, his chest heaving as he worked to suppress the lingering effects of the chains. The faint glow of his Law Magic began to flicker back to life, though it was dim compared to the oppressive aura radiating from Dark Yourupt.
Meanwhile, Dark Yourupt’s chains slithered across the ground, glowing with dark energy as they reformed and extended. The mana coursing through his draggers pulsed like a heartbeat, the weapons growing more menacing with every second. He sneered, holding his weapons aloft as the dark energy flared violently.
Dark Yourupt: "So," Dark Yourupt said, his voice carrying an almost mocking curiosity, "you can use Law Magic. Why not put a law on me to erase me from existence? Go on, it wouldn't be the first time someone's tried.".
Juris froze at those words, his mind racing. The very suggestion chilled him, as if Dark Yourupt’s voice carried some deeper knowledge of powers beyond mortal comprehension. Darius, still braced beside Juris, shared the same troubled thought but stayed silent, keeping his molten energy swirling protectively around his arms.
Unable to hold back his curiosity, Darius spoke in his mind, directing the thought toward Juris.
Darius: "Why can’t you use your magic on him? Isn’t that what Law Magic is for?".
Juris didn’t hesitate to reply, his mental voice tense.
Juris: "I can’t impose laws on him from this distance, and even if I got closer, his mana acts as a shield. It’s like his very essence rejects the structure of my magic. There’s something else too… the angrier he gets, the stronger those daggers become. It’s feeding off his rage.".
Before Juris could finish, a new voice echoed in both their minds, Dark Yourupt’s voice, dripping with malevolent amusement.
Dark Yourupt: "You are correct," he said with an almost casual tone, his grin widening as he spoke telepathically. "These draggers feed off the chaos
I create, off the destruction I bring and the pain I feel. The more you fight, the more power I have. So go ahead, struggle all you like.".
Both Juris and Darius froze at the intrusion. Dark Yourupt had spoken directly into their minds as if their thoughts were an open book. Darius clenched his fists tighter, molten energy surging more fiercely around him.
Darius: "He can read us," Darius muttered aloud.
Juris: "He’s hearing everything we think.".
Dark Yourupt: "Not just hearing," Dark Yourupt said aloud, his voice carrying a sinister edge. "I’m part of your thoughts now. Your strategies, your plans, your fears. All of it, they all belong to me.".
Juris’s face darkened, his golden aura flaring brighter for a moment.
Darius: "Then we’ll just have to act without thinking," he said, gritting his teeth. "Darius, get ready."
Without waiting for confirmation, Juris leapt forward, his Law Magic surging as he forced himself closer to Dark Yourupt. Every step was a gamble, but he knew they couldn’t win if they stayed defensive. Darius, trusting his comrade, followed close behind, molten energy coiling like a serpent as he prepared to strike.
Yourupt watched them advance, his grin unwavering.
Dark Yourupt: "Fools," he muttered, raising his draggers. "You think brute force will work when your minds are open books? Let me teach you why that’s a mistake.".
Hundreds of clones resembling Juris erupted from the ground as Darius commanded,
Darius: "Drak’Zoryn Ruc!".
The battlefield was now teeming with identical figures, their presence obscuring the real Juris's location. Hiding among his clones, Juris awaited the perfect moment to strike, his focus unwavering. Dark Yourupt, frustrated, struggled to pinpoint Juris’s presence even though his keen senses were confounded by the overwhelming magical aura of the clones.
The clones swarmed Dark Yourupt, attacking relentlessly, but his overwhelming power made short work of them. Frustrated, Darius realized he needed to buy Juris more time. Raising his hand, he roared,
Darius: "Kaal'Ruuk Lok Ruun!" From the ground, a colossal lava golem emerged, its molten form radiating destructive energy. The golem lumbered forward, its mighty fists aiming to create an opening.
Dark Yourupt smirked at the challenge, blocking the golem’s assault with a single hand. His dark mana blasted away the remaining clones with ease. Before Dark Yourupt could shatter the golem entirely, however, Juris saw his chance and rushed in for the attack. But as he moved, Dark Yourupt’s sharp eyes caught him. With devastating speed, Dark Yourupt prepared to counter, his dagger chains crackling with dark energy.
Suddenly, the golem's massive right hand split open, revealing Darius hidden inside. With a burst of speed, Darius launched himself directly toward Dark Yourupt, placing himself in harm’s way. In a desperate telepathic shout, Darius urged Juris,
Darius: “HIT HIM NOW!”.
Darius collided with Dark Yourupt, taking a fatal blow, a dark chain pierced through his chest, and he collapsed with a faint, pained smile. Seeing his
friend fall, Juris felt an uncontrollable rage ignite within him. The mana around him surged violently as his anger fueled his power. Even Dark Yourupt seemed thrilled by the intensity of Juris’s fury, his excitement growing with the promise of a worthy opponent.
Through gritted teeth, Juris roared,
Juris: “Kryon'Vash Ruc!”.
Channeling every ounce of his power into the law of absolute erasure, he unleashed an attack that consumed everything in its path. Dark Yourupt’s form was obliterated, reduced to nothingness, as the law erased him from existence. But the destructive spell didn’t stop there, Darius’s body was also caught in the magical annihilation, his sacrifice burned into the fabric of the attack.
As the dust settled, Juris fell to his knees, drained beyond recognition. The immense toll of using Kryon'Vash Ruc had robbed him of most of his magical abilities. Though he had triumphed, his victory was bittersweet. Dark Yourupt was gone, but so was Darius, the closest friend he had ever known. Juris clenched his fists, tears streaming down his face, vowing that their sacrifice would not be in vain.
Before Juris could even process what had happened, Dark Yourupt appeared behind him, faster than his eyes could track. Weakened and drained of his magic, Juris was powerless to stop him. With a wave of his hand, Dark Yourupt summoned tendrils of water that coiled around Juris, forming chains that lifted him off the ground. The once-proud warrior hung helplessly, suspended by the unrelenting magic.
Gritting his teeth, Juris muttered,
Juris: “How are you using water magic?”.
Dark Yourupt smirked, his expression a mixture of amusement and triumph.
Dark Yourupt: “There's no point hiding it from you now.” He paced slowly, his voice calm but laced with malice. “I have the power to absorb the souls of those I have killed. By doing, I gain their memories, their skills, their powers, and their abilities. Oh this water magic? It belonged to Doctor Liraen.”.
Juris’s eyes narrowed, anger flickering in his otherwise exhausted expression.
Juris: “You bastard If that’s true… how did you survive being erased completely? No one has ever…”.
Dark Yourupt interrupted with a dry laugh, shaking his head.
Dark Yourupt: “Ah, you noticed. I’ve mentioned it before, haven’t I? This isn’t my first time surviving erasure. But even I admit…” He leaned closer, his chains tightening around Juris.
Dark Yourupt: “…surviving your law magic was unexpected. I suppose you deserve an explanation, given the end is near for you.”
Juris glared at him, his voice strained but defiant.
Juris: “So, how is it even possible? My law magic should surpass any barrier. Laws don’t just fail.”.
Dark Yourupt tilted his head, pondering his response.
Dark Yourupt: “There are two reasons. First, your law magic is not strong enough to erase me. In fact, no law affects me not entirely. I exist outside their boundaries, beyond their reach.”
He smirked again, relishing Juris’s disbelief.
Dark Yourupt: “And second,” Yourupt continued, glancing at his own hand as if studying himself, “even if they could affect me… my body has a strange property. It adapts. No matter the attack. Magic, physical, or otherwise. It changes itself to endure. I don’t fully understand it myself. It just happens.”.
Juris stared at him in shock, the weight of Dark Yourupt’s words sinking in. This wasn’t just an ordinary opponent. Dark Yourupt was something entirely different, a force beyond comprehension. Juris clenched his fists weakly, the chains preventing any real movement.
Dark Yourupt grinned at Juris’s expression, savoring the despair.
Dark Yourupt: “But don’t feel too bad, Juris. Many have tried to destroy me before. You’re just the latest to fail.”.
Yourupt smirked darkly, his left hand igniting in roaring flames as he stepped closer to the bound and battered Juris. His voice was cold, devoid of mercy.
Dark Yourupt: "Is there anything else you want to ask me before I send you to join your friend on the other side?".
Despite the searing pain and his dire situation, Juris managed a defiant glare. Blood trickled from his mouth, and his voice, though weak, carried venom.
Juris: "Fuck you." He spat a wad of blood onto Dark Yourupt's face, sneering. "And your wife deserved to die.".
Time seemed to pause for a moment. Dark Yourupt stood motionless, his expression unreadable, as Juris's words echoed in the silence. Slowly, he wiped the blood from his face, his smirk replaced by a chillingly blank stare. The air around him grew heavier, suffused with a palpable, menacing energy.
Dark Yourupt: "You…" Yourupt said, his voice barely a whisper, trembling not with weakness but with rage that threatened to erupt. "You will regret those words."
The flames in his hand flared brighter, their intensity illuminating his twisted expression. He leaned in close, his voice low but laced with an unholy promise.
Dark Yourupt: "I'm going to make every inch of your body scream.".
The battlefield was a graveyard of hope. Selene lay motionless on the ground, her strength spent. Doctor Liraen and Darius both had been consumed, their very essences now enslaved in Dark Yourupt’s shadow army. All that remained was Juris, battered and barely recognizable, teetering on the edge of death.
Dark Yourupt’s power was monstrous, feeding hungrily on the pain and fury saturating the air. With every strike, he grew stronger, his rage an unstoppable force that fueled his unholy strength.
He loomed over Juris, who could do nothing but bleed and endure. The once-proud warrior was now a broken mess of bruises and shattered bones. Dark Yourupt crouched, his smirk as cold as death itself.
Dark Yourupt: "You're still breathing? Good.". he sneered, summoning water magic with a flick of his hand. A glowing stream enveloped Juris, knitting his broken body just enough to keep him alive.
The brief respite was only a cruel illusion. Without hesitation, Dark Yourupt’s fist came crashing down again, this time coated in molten lava, a twisted mockery of Darius’s magic. The blow landed with a sickening crack, sending shockwaves through Juris’s mangled body.
Dark Yourupt: "Harder, isn’t it?" Dark Yourupt taunted, his voice dripping with malice. "Every time I hit you, I feel stronger. Every punch takes more of you away. And you " He grabbed Juris by the collar, hoisting him up like a ragdoll. "You just keep giving me more to take.".
Juris could barely open his swollen eyes. His mind was a haze of pain, his breaths shallow and labored. The fight was no longer a battle, it was a nightmare, and the nightmare showed no signs of ending.
Dark Yourupt laughed darkly, his voice echoing across the desolate arena. He raised his lava-clad fist again, ready to strike.
Dark Yourupt: "Let’s see how long I can keep you alive this time, shall we?".
While Dark Yourupt mercilessly beat Juris to the brink of death, the sound of each sickening blow reverberated in the void of Selene’s consciousness. Trapped in her own mind, she could hear everything: the screams, the taunts, the agony of her friends but her broken body refused to respond. She was paralyzed, her strength gone, her will faltering.
For the first time in her life, Selene felt truly powerless, and the despair of it began to consume her.
Her mind replayed every failure, every missed opportunity to protect her friends. The crushing realization that she could do nothing to save them bore down on her like an unrelenting storm. Her breath quickened, though only within her fractured mind, as tears of frustration and grief seemed to stream down a face she could no longer feel.
Selene: “I can’t move... I can’t do anything...”.
Just as she teetered on the edge of surrender, the voices of her friends anguished and fading overwhelmed her. The memories of their laughter, their camaraderie, their trust in her all crashed down upon her. And then the screams. Screams of pain. Screams of betrayal. The sound of everything she had fought for slipping away.
A spark ignited within her.
Anger replaced despair, a righteous fury at her own weakness and at the monstrosity tearing her world apart. The anger roared, growing into a firestorm within her soul. Suddenly, her mind, body, and spirit reached their breaking points. As if responding to the storm inside, something deep within her began to stir.
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Her soul.
A surge of energy pulsed through her essence, weaving through the shattered remnants of her consciousness. It was raw, untamed, but still insufficient to bridge the gap between her will and her body. The energy flickered, threatening to fade.
Then, amidst the swirling chaos of light and shadow, a figure emerged, a radiant being composed entirely of light. The figure was neither man nor woman, its features indistinct yet undeniably powerful. Its presence washed over Selene like a calming tide, though its very existence radiated intensity.
The being extended a hand toward her, its voice resonating in her mind, deep and soothing yet commanding.
The Being made of light: “Touch my hand, child. Let your mana awaken.”.
Selene’s anger and determination crystallized into resolve. With every ounce of strength she could muster, she reached out. The moment her fingers brushed the being’s hand, a searing light consumed everything around her. The void, the pain, the despair it all dissolved into a brilliant, blinding
white.
Back in the physical realm, Selene's seemingly lifeless body erupted in a storm of mana, an explosion so immense that it sent shockwaves across the arena. The air grew thick with power, swirling with the clash of elemental forces. Thunder cracked, and the ground trembled under the weight of her awakened energy.
Dark Yourupt halted mid-punch, his fist hovering above Juris's broken body. His attention was now wholly captured by the spectacle before him.
A slow grin spread across his face as he muttered,
Dark Yourupt: "Now this... you don't see every day.".
Selene’s battered form began to rise from the ground, her movements slow but deliberate. Bolts of raw energy sparked across her body, her mana blazing with such intensity that it began to encroach upon Dark Yourupt’s own, consuming parts of it in its radiance. The clash between their energies sent fissures snaking through the arena, and the entire realm seemed to quake under the collision.
Dark Yourupt stood firm amidst the chaos, his confidence unshaken.
Dark Yourupt: "It took a while," he said, his voice filled with mocking admiration, "but you’ve done it. Unlocking your mana... and then your mana burst? Impressive. I have to give you that. Of course, it only costs you everything: your magic, your friends and your soul.".
He chuckled darkly before continuing.
Dark Yourupt: "But don’t mistake this for your victory. All you’ve done is give me more power to take. Once I’ve killed you, I’ll claim your strength as my own and use it to raze this realm to the ground. But before that? Your king is next on the chopping board.".
Selene’s voice was steady, a quiet fury underlying her words as she took her first step forward.
Selene: "You won’t leave this arena alive. Not before I’ve avenged every soul you’ve slaughtered... every life you’ve twisted and stolen for your sick ambitions.".
Dark Yourupt’s laughter echoed through the crumbling arena.
Dark Yourupt: "Didn’t you say something like that before? Tell me did all that lightning short-circuit your brain, or were you always this stupid?".
Selene smirked through the crackling energy surrounding her, her eyes glowing with pure determination.
Selene: "Maybe," she said, her voice a mix of defiance and deadly intent. "But you’ll never live long enough to find out. Not before I paint your guts across these walls.".
Dark Yourupt’s smile widened into a feral grin as the arena grew darker, the tension between them reaching its breaking point. Their powers surged, filling the space with an overwhelming storm of light and shadow, fire and lightning.
Dark Yourupt smirked darkly, his voice dripping with mockery.
Dark Yourupt: "Is that so?".
Before Selene could respond, a cold shiver raced down her spine, an instinct she hadn’t had before. With her awakened mana, she could now sense the presence behind her. She spun around and struck instantly, her lightning-charged fist connecting with her target.
But as she caught a full glimpse of who it was, her eyes widened in shock. It wasn’t just another shadow construct, it was Darius, or rather, a dark avatar of him, forged from Dark Yourupt’s shadows. His twisted form retained his old stance but radiated malevolence, his once familiar features now warped into something unrecognizable.
The shadowy Darius lunged forward, his massive fist hurtling toward Selene. She reacted on instinct, dodging the blow with a graceful leap. Twisting in midair, she planted her hands on his outstretched arm, using it as leverage to deliver a powerful kick to his chest that sent him stumbling back.
But before she could catch her breath, Dark Yourupt appeared in her blind spot. His speed was almost inhuman, but Selene had anticipated his move. Using her momentum from the kick, she spun in the air and twisted around his outstretched arm, locking it and using her weight to force him to the ground.
Her victory was short-lived. Shadow Darius came at her again, his movements faster and more precise this time. Selene narrowly dodged his strike and retaliated with a high kick, her foot crackling with lightning. But Darius blocked the attack with surprising ease, catching her leg mid-swing.
Selene smirked, unfazed. Using his hold to her advantage, she hooked her leg around his arm and twisted her body mid-air, generating enough
torque to rip him off balance and hurl him across the arena with a concussive blast of mana.
She landed gracefully, her eyes darting toward Dark Yourupt just in time to see him dissolving into shadows, slipping out of her pin. Within seconds, he reappeared, lunging at her with terrifying speed. Selene braced herself, her fists glowing with energy as she met him head-on.
Their fists collided with earth-shattering force, the clash creating a massive shockwave that tore through the arena, sending debris flying. Both combatants were thrown back, skidding to a halt a few paces away from each other.
Selene’s breathing was steady, her eyes locked on Dark Yourupt, whose grin never faltered. He dusted himself off, his shadowy aura writhing around him like living tendrils.
Dark Yourupt: "Not bad," he said with a wicked chuckle. "But if that’s all you’ve got, this fight won’t last much longer."
Selene clenched her fists, her mana surging anew as bolts of lightning danced across her body. Her gaze shifted momentarily toward the shadowy figure of Darius, now recovering from her attack, before snapping back to Yourupt.
Selene: "I’m just getting started," she said, her voice resolute. "And I’m taking you both down."
Dark Yourupt’s smile widened into a feral grin as the arena grew darker, the flickering light casting jagged shadows across his sharp features. The
tension between him and Selene reached its breaking point, their powers surging like a storm on the verge of eruption. The air around them warped under the clash of light and shadow, fire and lightning swirling into a chaotic tempest.
Dark Yourupt: “But I’d like to enjoy this battle, so I’ll have to bring Darius back to the shadows.”
With a snap of his fingers, the dark avatar of Darius dissolved, retreating into the roiling shadows that coiled around Yourupt like a living cloak. Selene’s expression remained unyielding, but her voice carried a sharp edge of challenge.
Selene: “Not going to use your daggers? What’s wrong, afraid to get serious?”
Dark Yourupt chuckled darkly, his tone mocking.
Dark Yourupt: “You’re not using that sword of yours either. No, I just wanted to see how your hand-to-hand combat measures up. After all, I’ve been trained by the best fighters in creation. Karate, boxing, Taekwondo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The list goes on. But your style? It’s different... interesting. I’ll learn it soon enough.”
As he spoke, Dark Yourupt shifted into his fighting stance. His right leg slid forward, his left arm rested low at his hip, and his right arm extended outward with only two fingers pointing ahead, the rest curled tightly into his palm. His stance exuded confidence, a predator preparing to strike.
Selene’s sharp gaze followed his every movement, her mind racing as she pieced together his strategy.
Dark Yourupt’s thoughts echoed with smug certainty as he studied her.
Dark Yourupt: “She’s using a modified version of Draco’s Aelar Drak’Ruc Draco. Grappling techniques for quick takedowns and speed to overwhelm makes sense given her smaller stature in human form. But earlier, she wasn’t fighting like this. She’s switching between techniques to throw me off.”.
He flexed his fingers, feeling the latent power coursing through his stolen body.
Dark Yourupt: “It’s only been a few days since I took this body. I haven’t fully adjusted, but this battle will help me shape a new style, one that suits
me perfectly.”.
Dark Yourupt’s smirk deepened as he snapped into motion. He closed the distance between them in a blur, his movements fluid and deadly. Selene met him head-on, her speed matching his. She ducked under his initial strike, pivoting to aim a sweeping kick at his legs. Yourupt leapt over the attack effortlessly, twisting midair to counter with a spinning backhand.
Selene raised her forearm, deflecting the blow with a crackle of mana-infused energy. She pressed the advantage, stepping into his space with a barrage of quick jabs aimed at his torso. Yourupt weaved through the strikes with calculated precision, his eyes glinting with amusement.
Dark Yourupt: “Not bad, Storm Queen. You’re fast, I’ll give you that.”
Selene didn’t respond, her focus unwavering. She fainted left, drawing him into overextending, and then swept low, aiming to unbalance him. Dark
Yourupt caught her intent at the last second, twisting his body to counter with a sharp elbow strike.
Their blows collided, the impact sending a shockwave rippling outward. Selene skidded back, her feet digging into the ground as she stabilized. Dark Yourupt stood tall, brushing dust from his shoulder with an infuriatingly casual air.
Selene: “You talk too much.”
Without waiting for a reply, she surged forward, her lightning-charged fist glowing brightly. Dark Yourupt braced himself, his stance shifting slightly as he prepared for the incoming attack.
Their collision lit up the arena with a blinding flash, the raw force of their powers tearing through the space around them. Both fighters were thrown back, yet neither faltered.
Selene steadied herself, her breath coming in controlled bursts, her eyes locked onto Dark Yourupt’s dark form as he straightened with an almost leisurely grace.
Dark Yourupt shifted into his fighting stance. His right leg slid forward, his left arm rested low at his hip, and his right arm extended outward with only two fingers pointing ahead, the rest curled tightly into his palm. His stance exuded confidence, a predator preparing to strike.
Selene’s sharp gaze followed his every movement, her mind racing as she pieced together his strategy.
Dark Yourupt’s thoughts echoed with smug certainty as he studied her.
Dark Yourupt: “She’s using a modified version of Draco’s Aelar Drak’Ruc Draco. Grappling techniques for quick takedowns and speed to overwhelm makes sense given her smaller stature in human form. But earlier, she wasn’t fighting like this. She’s switching between techniques to throw me off.”.
He flexed his fingers, feeling the latent power coursing through his stolen body.
Dark Yourupt: “It’s only been a few days since I took this form. I haven’t fully adjusted, but this battle will help me shape a new style, one that suits me perfectly”.
Dark Yourupt’s smirk deepened as he snapped into motion. He closed the distance between them in a blur, his movements fluid and deadly. Selene met him head-on, her speed matching his. She ducked under his initial strike, pivoting to aim a sweeping kick at his legs. Yourupt leapt over the attack effortlessly, twisting midair to counter with a spinning backhand.
Selene raised her forearm, deflecting the blow with a crackle of mana-infused energy. She pressed the advantage, stepping into his space with a barrage of quick jabs aimed at his torso. Yourupt weaved through the strikes with calculated precision, his eyes glinting with amusement.
Dark Yourupt: “Not bad, Storm Queen. You’re a lot faster than before, I’ll give you that.”.
Selene didn’t respond, her focus unwavering. She fainted left, drawing him into overextending, and then swept low, aiming to unbalance him. Yourupt caught her intent at the last second, twisting his body to counter with a sharp elbow strike.
Their blows collided, the impact sending a shockwave rippling outward. Selene skidded back, her feet digging into the ground as she stabilized. Yourupt stood tall, brushing dust from his shoulder with an infuriatingly casual air.
Selene: “You talk too much.”.
Without waiting for a reply, she surged forward, her lightning-charged fist glowing brightly. Dark Yourupt braced himself, his stance shifting slightly as he prepared for the incoming attack.
Their collision lit up the arena with a blinding flash, the raw force of their powers tearing through the space around them. Both fighters were thrown back, yet neither faltered.
Selene steadied herself, her breath coming in controlled bursts, her eyes locked onto Dark Yourupt’s dark form as he straightened with an almost leisurely grace.
Dark Yourupt: “Impressive. But we’re just getting started.”.
The clash of their powers echoed through the arena as Dark Yourupt and Selene charged at each other with unrelenting speed. Their movements were a blur, each step bringing them closer until their high kicks collided midair, the force creating a resounding crack that reverberated through the darkened space.
Without hesitation, Dark Yourupt followed up with a straight right hand aimed at Selene's face. She reacted instantly, swiping his strike aside with her forearm, her body coiling for a counter. A sharp left elbow shot toward Dark Yourupt’s jaw, but he raised both arms to block the strike, his movements
fluid and precise. With a twist of his wrist, he deflected her arm, forcing her momentum away.
Selene was undeterred. She stepped in close, pivoting on her lead foot to launch a swift low kick aimed at his legs. Dark Yourupt anticipated the move, shifting backward just enough to evade her strike, the hem of her foot grazing the air before him.
Their eyes locked for the briefest moment, the unspoken challenge clear between them. Selene leapt into the air, spinning with breathtaking agility as she unleashed a 540-degree kick, her leg cutting through the air like a blade.
Dark Yourupt raised his forearm, bracing for the impact. Her kick slammed into his guard with incredible force, the shock traveling down his arm as he skidded back slightly, his boots scraping against the ground.
Dark Yourupt smirked as he steadied himself, shaking out his arm from the impact.
Dark Yourupt: “Impressive. But you’ll have to do better than that.”.
Selene landed gracefully, her stance already reset as she eyed him with unwavering determination.
Selene: “Don’t worry, I plan to.”.
The storm of light and shadow around them intensified, their battle escalating into a dazzling display of skill and power.
The battle raged on with ferocity, the arena trembling under the weight of their immense powers. Dark Yourupt, no longer content with holding back, shifted into a more aggressive stance. With a savage grin stretching across his face, he launched himself at Selene with blistering speed, his movements almost a blur. He closed the distance in seconds, his foot twisting in midair to deliver a devastating 540-degree spinning kick. The strike landed squarely against Selene, sending her crashing to the ground with bone-rattling force.
Before she could recover, Dark Yourupt descended upon her, but to his surprise, Selene was no longer in her human form. In a flash, she transformed, her body erupting in a burst of draconic power. Lightning arced from her mouth, crackling in the air like a storm unleashed.
Dark Yourupt, sensing the danger, darted to the side with incredible reflexes, narrowly avoiding the blast.
He sneered, raising both hands to summon his next assault.
Dark Yourupt: "Ruin Spheres," he muttered, summoning multiple dark blue orbs that swirled around him before darting toward Selene. Each sphere hummed with malevolent energy, intent on overwhelming her.
But Selene was ready. She retaliated with a powerful lightning burst, obliterating the spheres in a flash of electric fury. The moment the last orb disintegrated, she shot toward Dark Yourupt, her dragon form partially transforming into a more hybrid state. Her voice rang out, the power behind it unmistakable.
Selene: "Vrax’Korath’Thal!".
In an instant, Selene unleashed her ultimate fist technique once again, the blade glowing with the intensity of her mana and magical energy. The shockwave of the strike tore through the air like a storm, ripping the arena apart as it surged toward Dark Yourupt. But to Selene’s shock, Dark Yourupt didn’t even flinch. With a roar, he plowed through the attack, sustaining damage but pushing forward with relentless resolve. His form was signed and scorched, but he remained standing, his smirk unchanged.
Dark Yourupt: "You actually made me feel some pain.". Dark Yourupt taunted, his voice dripping with amusement as he lunged forward.
Selene barely had time to brace herself as Dark Yourupt delivered a straight right punch, a brutal strike that sent her flying through the air. Her body crashed into the ground with a sickening thud, but she pushed herself back to her feet, determination flashing in her eyes. She wasn’t done yet.
Before Dark Yourupt could press his advantage, Selene vanished in a blur of speed, her form flickering as she teleported, reappearing in multiple flashes around him. Her voice rang out with the power of a battle cry.
Selene: "Drah’Zharum Faelghru!".
With a sudden surge of mana, she channeled everything she had into her blade. The sword pulsed with an overwhelming amount of manal energy as she drew it in a flash of blinding light. In an instant, she was upon Dark Yourupt, slashing with immense speed and power. Each strike was a bolt of thunder and lightning, obliterating everything in its path. The air crackled with the force of the blows, and the ground beneath them trembled as the lightning licked the edges of the arena.
But Dark Yourupt was prepared. Despite the overwhelming speed of Selene’s attack, his own reflexes were just as sharp. His eyes glinted with dark satisfaction as he parried every strike with unearthly precision, each clash ringing out like the sound of a thunderclap. The force of the attacks caused the air to vibrate, but he managed to block each blow with flawless technique.
Selene, undeterred, gathered the last of her strength for her final move. Her aura flared with brilliance, the intensity of her mana reaching a peak that shook the very air.
Selene: "Thal’Raen’Vel’Ultim!". she shouted, her sword cutting through the air in a graceful arc that was filled with destructive intent.
The blade collided with Dark Yourupt’s defenses, sending shockwaves throughout the arena. The explosion of mana was so intense it seemed to tear the very fabric of reality, leaving a vast crater where the impact had occurred. The air was filled with blinding light, the power so overwhelming that even the ground trembled.
Dark Yourupt, with sheer grit and strength, raised his arms to block the blow, but the immense power of the strike still sent him hurtling backward. The force of the explosion rattled his limbs, and the damage to his arms was evident as the dark aura around him flickered. He landed hard, his body skidding back across the ground, but he quickly regained his stance, grinning through the pain.
Dark Yourupt: "Impressive," he said, his voice hoarse from the exertion, though the smirk never left his face. "But not enough.".
Dark Yourupt gritted his teeth, the damage to his arms apparent but fading as water magic coursed through his veins. The fluid wrapped around his wounds like a healing salve, speeding up his recovery with unnatural efficiency. As the pain subsided, his mana surged, and with a flick of his hands, he summoned his weapons Adrenaline Enrage Daggers: Shadowy Wrath.
The twin daggers gleamed ominously. One radiated the oppressive chill of the Primordial Shadow, its blade a void-like black that seemed to devour light itself. The other pulsed with the volatile fury of his rage, a molten-red edge that burned brighter as his anger deepened. The chain connecting them crackled with raw mana, an extension of his indomitable will and unyielding fury.
A wicked grin spread across Dark Yourupt’s face.
Dark Yourupt: “You’ve only made me stronger,” he growled, his voice low and dripping with malice.
In a burst of speed, Dark Yourupt charged back into the fray, his movements a blur. Each swing of the daggers unleashed arcs of destructive energy, shadows and fire intertwining in lethal harmony. The chain whipped through the air like a living serpent, striking with the precision of a predator.
Selene barely had time to react as his strikes rained down with unrelenting force. Lightning surged through her body as she parried the attacks, their clash shaking the arena. Sparks and shadow flames erupted with every collision, the battlefield consumed by their escalating powers.
The daggers glowed brighter with every blow, feeding on Yourupt’s escalating rage.
Dark Yourupt swung his daggers with ruthless precision, not giving Selene any space to strike back. Before she could react, he sent shadowy daggers hurtling toward her, but Selene quickly dodged, realizing too late that she wasn’t the target. The dagger returned with a chunk of earth embedded in it, smashing into her back and sending her flying toward Dark Yourupt.
Seizing the opportunity, Yourupt unleashed his powerful technique for the first time.
Dark Yourupt: “Desolation Revolve!”.
His spinning tornado kick connected with Selene’s head with devastating force. From his shadows, a clone materialized, locking Selene in place with an uppercut, ensuring she couldn’t escape as Yourupt followed up with a brutal liver-targeting roundhouse. The clone held her arms, preventing her from moving, while Dark Yourupt unleashed a relentless barrage of punches, each strike overwhelming her defenses.
Selene tried to counter, twisting around to deliver a spinning back kick, but the clone kept her trapped, leaving her vulnerable to Dark Yourupt’s onslaught. Finally, the clone threw her into the air, and Yourupt prepared his ultimate technique. He summoned the shadow dagger back to his clone, who flew toward Selene, chaining her up in mid-air.
Dark Yourupt: “This is over, Duality of Wrath,” Dark Yourupt declared as he and his clone aligned their daggers. The chains tightened, and they struck in perfect unison, cutting Selene apart with explosive force. The final blow erupted in a massive burst of mana, obliterating the battlefield in a blinding explosion of power, leaving nothing behind but the devastation of their combined wrath.
The battle rages on as Dark Yourupt decisively defeats Juris, ending his suffering by snapping his neck and absorbing his soul. With this action, he gains Juris' memories and the immense powers that come with them, pushing his strength to new and terrifying heights. As the fight concludes, Selene, battered and broken from the relentless barrage of attacks, is left unable to speak. Her throat shattered, she lies on the ground, struggling for breath, unable to defend herself any longer.
Dark Yourupt, surveying the damage, approaches Selene slowly, his steps purposeful, the weight of his victory settling in. He examines her, confirming that her soul still lingers within her weakened body. Despite the chaos, a strange sensation stirs within him. A flicker of something deeper, something good, threatening to break free. Selene, too, feels it, a strange tugging at her soul, sensing that a new and even more dangerous force resides within Dark Yourupt now. Before she can attempt to reach out to him, a voice interrupts the moment.
Dark Yourupt, with a cruel grin, steps forward.
Dark Yourupt: “I’ll be taking this now.” His hand wraps around Selene’s katana, ready to end her life in a single, final strike. He turns his focus back
to Selene, preparing to stab her with her own weapon.
Dark Yourupt: At least I will know how strong you truly are,” he sneers, the sword raised high, ready to deliver the fatal blow”,
But just as the sword plunges down toward Selene, a green flash of light streaks through the air. The blade is deflected, and Dark Yourupt is sent flying backward by the force of a powerful kick. The light dims to reveal King Zephyros, his wings spread wide, his aura crackling with the energy of the heavens. Behind him, Arytho and the full squad of Sky Knights stand, poised for battle.
King Zephyros’ voice echoes across the battlefield, his tone firm and commanding.
King Zephros: “Royal Guard Yourupt, you have violated the Creation Code placed by The True Writer himself. Any threat that attempts to invade another realm, whether alone or with an army, is allowed to be killed or captured by the invaded realm with no consequences. And we all know what option I’m picking.”
The Sky Knights, with their weapons raised, begin to form a tight circle around Yourupt, ready to subdue him for his crimes. Yet, Yourupt is unfazed. His eyes gleam with anticipation, the rush of battle already coursing through him.
Dark Yourupt: “This is a good opportunity to try out my new weapon,” he mutters under his breath, his hand tightening around his daggers as he prepares for the next confrontation.
King Zephros, standing tall in the face of the growing chaos, turned to face Shadow Yourupt with a hardened expression. His voice was calm but laced with an undeniable edge.
King Zephros: “But as you were a close friend to my father, I'll give you one chance to stand down.”.
Shadow Yourupt’s expression twisted with rage. His eyes glowed with the intensity of cursed mana swirling around him, a storm building within. He let out a derisive laugh, the sound echoing through the air like a mocking melody.
Dark Yourupt: “You think that offering me a choice will matter? You think that after everything I've endured, after killing my wife and those students just doing their duty to protect creation that I’ll relent to your meaningless words?!”
His hands clenched, a surge of raw power radiating from him, distorting the very air. A burst of mana shot from his body, crackling with destructive intent.
Dark Yourupt: “Do you really believe this is it, Zephros? This is just the beginning,” Yourupt sneered, his voice rising with madness. “I’m going to destroy everything you’ve ever cared about, everything you’ve fought for. If I have to slaughter more of your people to make you understand so be it. I’ll do whatever it takes, even if it costs me my life. So come on, you bastard! I will kill every single one of you with my bare hands, and once I’m done, I’ll turn my attention to your family. No one is safe, not even the children. I will make sure the world knows who started this war!”. His laugh was maniacal, full of madness and rage.
King Zephros’ gaze never wavered, but his voice dropped to a low, unwavering tone.
King Zephros: “Then you’ve made your choice, Yourupt.”
Turning to his remaining guard, Zephros’ command was clear and final.
King Zephros: “Men, take out the last royal guard.”.
As the words left his mouth, the final battle was set in motion.
The tension in the air is palpable as both sides prepare for the inevitable clash. Selene, still struggling to hold onto consciousness, watches with a mixture of exhaustion and awe, wondering what the next moments will bring.
Will Yourupt continue his ruthless onslaught, or will the combined strength of the Sky Knights be enough to halt him? The air crackles with energy as the stage is set for the coming battle, and the chapter ends with the uncertainty of what will happen next. The future of this realm hangs in the balance, and only time will reveal who will emerge victorious.