Mei vanished in a ripple of distorted air, narrowly dodging another blast of withering darkness from Lady Despair's outstretched hand. She reappeared behind a crumbling pillar just as Sofia unleashed a torrent of brilliant golden flame from her own cover across the square.

Despair hissed in pain and rage as the purifying fire scorched away part of her shadowy form. But she quickly regenerated, turning her soulless gaze back to Sofia's position.

"Foolish child, your light cannot comprehend true despair," she intoned, voice icy with ancient malice. A wave of palpable gloom radiated outward, sapping strength and hope.

Sofia gritted her teeth against the chilling assault. "We'll see about that, witch!" From her vantage, she glimpsed Mei teleport again, materializing atop a ruined fountain just long enough to give a hand signal before vanishing once more.

Trusting her friend, Sofia sent twin lances of golden fire streaking from both hands. As Despair raised her arms to shield herself, Mei reappeared directly behind the demoness and threw up a shimmering prismatic rune shield around them both.

The magical flames rebounded off the barrier, engulfing Despair from all sides with purifying radiance. Her keening wail pierced the air as she crumpled to the ground, reduced to wisps of shadow.

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But Mei knew better than to assume victory yet. As Despair's smoky remnants began to slowly reform, Mei teleported over to Sofia and helped her friend to her feet.

"We can't destroy her spirit completely, but we've weakened her," Mei said softly.

Sofia nodded, wiping soot from her determined face. "Then we'll just have to keep burning away the darkness until she's snuffed out for good."

Sofia sank to her knees, utterly spent. Nearby, Mei slumped against a cracked wall, head drooping with exhaustion. Between them lay only fading wisps of shadow - the vanquished remnants of Lady Despair.

They had finally destroyed the ancient demoness, but only by sacrificing nearly all their reserves of strength. Sofia's golden flames had burned low, with barely an ember's glow remaining at her fingertips. Still, Despair's chilling presence had been purged from this place. They had won.

"We did it," Mei rasped, voice hoarse from shouting defiance against the despair trying to claim their spirits. She managed a weary smile. "Somehow we turned back the dark."

Sofia nodded. "But at such cost. Our resources are nearly gone, and the battle still rages." She clenched a fist as shouts and unearthly shrieks echoed in the distance. More innocents would perish if evil prevailed this day.

Grunting with effort, Sofia forced herself upright once more, swaying unsteadily. She extended a hand to Mei. "We may stand upon the brink, but while we draw breath, hope endures."

Mei grasped Sofia's outstretched hand and rose as well. Together, they leaned upon one another like walking wounded, making their way toward the chaotic sounds of ongoing struggle.

Around them, the city lay in ruins, reminders of the terrible sacrifices this victory had required. But the demonic taint lifting from the air left a breath of promise in its wake.

Step by agonizing step, they pressed on to rejoin their allies, the last flickering lights to pierce a realm nearly swallowed by darkness. If despair took them at last, they would meet it without fear in the company of friends...