The spiders awakened from their death in the midst of zombies and skeletons, and threw themselves at Zamioculcas, forcing him to recall his skeletons to protect him. While they fought the arachnids, he took the opportunity to use his potions - a toxic fog burst from the old man's lungs, which Machronus had to repel with a Desert Wind of Chikachika. The skeletons, however, had taken advantage of the fog to bring the trunk of the Vampire to the middle of the battlefield; with a smile, Zamioculcas pronounced the syllable that unsealed the lock, and the liquid vampire's tentacles of blood began to ravage the ranks of Machronus.
Machronus’ retaliation consisted of a long incantation, which Zamioculcas recognized as being Linara's Lunar Ray. From the majestic crescent of the moon, a beam of white light burst through the clearing, annihilating everything in its way. Zamioculcas did not have time to protect the chest but managed to conjure a creature of darkness whose shadow completely covered the moon and interrupted the spell of his opponent. He hesitated for a moment, realizing the consequences that would have after the battle, but shrugged; it was a necessary evil.
A minute passed, then five, then ten, then twenty before the two wizards began to slow down their assault. Zamioculcas threw aside his Petrifying Staff, which he had emptied of his power to slow down the otherworldly horrors conjured by Machronus and grabbed his grimoire one last time. There were still more than a hundred zombies in the clearing, but their masters were at the end of the road. Zamioculcas, however, did not feel at the advantage - Machronus was gifted, inventive and prepared, and the older wizard felt like he was resorting to his last tricks.
"A real duel would have let us prepare properly," Zamioculcas scowled, knowing that only Sentinel and the demon could hear it. "To pretend it was a duel by the rules – young fool, even now you remain as hypocritical as ever. Demon!”
“Yes Master ?” the imp asked in neutral yet perfectly audible tone despite the deafening roar of the battle.
“I offer you ten years of life that I stole from these peasants. In exchange, offer me a temporary distraction. I want to have Machronus in my field of vision for a single moment, just the time to cast a spell."
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The devil did not open his book this time, and merely stared at Zamioculcas. The necromancer suddenly felt very uncomfortable - he thought he had grown accustomed to the stare of the small creature.
"Are you sure, master?”
“I am. But be quick."
The demon's small hand touched the dark wizard's for a second, and suddenly he felt like something precious and essential had been taken from him. He winced but kept silent - he would worry about fixing his soul later.
"I sent the request. Temporary reinforcements will arrive before long, Master.”
“I do not have all day!” Zamioculcas yelled, glaring at one of the extradimensional horrors commanded by his opponent. “Tell them to hurry! When do they arrive? "
A fraction of a second before he finished his sentence, a swarm of diabolical spirits sprung from the earth in huge sheaves of flames. All except Sentinel uttered a little cry of pain at the intensity of the light, and the demons flew upwards bellowing their blasphemies to the concealed moon.
"Can you believe this?” Roared Zamioculcas with undisguised pleasure.
The infernal creatures evaporated almost immediately, but their arrival had scattered the lines of defense of Machronus. For a moment, the two necromancers could look at each other in the eyes. Almost immediately, they resumed chanting, but Zamioculcas knew he would finish first - he had chosen a short spell. Kain's Wave of Death swept over Machronus, and his silhouette wavered. Zamioculcas, overwhelmed by anticipation, saw his opponent crumble to the ground without launching a counter-offensive - all he could hear was the distant sound of a bell. And suddenly, the corpse of Machronus lay in silence amid the leaves and roots.
" Yes! Yes! I am the winner! I am... The greatest necromancer of all time!"
Zamioculcas' laugh filled the clearing as the creatures of Machronus began to weaken after the demise of their master. The old magician began a dance of victory that made his knees squeak, but he clapped his hands and continued to laugh, his sudden happiness numbing the pain.
"Master, beware!” said Sentinel's voice. “There is one of them left, he’s coming! "
The wizard only had time to turn his head. Hovering over the battlefield with dazzling speed, a transparent figure flew toward Zamioculcas, ignoring all traps and undead in his path as if they had not existed.
Zamioculcas's eyes widened. The phantom that was throwing himself at him was strong - nothing insurmountable, but he was at the end of spells and magic. He had no recourse. He was dead.
"Demon!” he moaned hardly louder than a whisper.