Ava gritted her teeth as she deflected another of Vex's vicious attacks. The demon was toying with them, slowly wearing down her and Astor's defenses. Sweat beaded on her brow beneath her golden lion helm, matching the glowing claws strapped to her hands - weapons forged from her Odds abilities.
Beside her, Astor stood serene, psychic energy radiating outward from him to bolster their morale. But Ava could see the strain in the boy's eyes as he maintained his Battle Meditation against Vex's ruthless assault.
They had summoned all their reserves of power in this desperate stand. Astor's charmed menagerie - the white tiger, winged turtle and fiery salamander - continued harrying the demon lord, buying them precious time. But the tide was turning against them.
In the swirling chaos of battle around the Cerberus portal, their allies were falling one by one to Vex's endless legions. The mana user Booker had exhausted his mana stores shielding the wounded Bear. Mei and Sofia could barely stand, clinging to each other for support as they unleashed the last flickers of light within them.
Everywhere lay the cost of bitter resistance, written in blood and smoke. They had sacrificed so much, yet still the demonic hordes kept coming, feeding on anguish and despair.
Ava snarled in defiance as Vex morphed again, tendrils lashing toward her, only to meet the golden blaze of her counter shield. "We will not yield, fiend!" she cried hoarsely.
Vex merely cackled. "But you will break, mortal wretch! Your pathetic light dims, yet my darkness is eternal."
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He lunged again, serpentine and ravenous, fangs bared in a vicious smile. Ava braced herself, preparing to catch his strike on her counters once more. They would hold somehow, buying precious time for whatever hope remained here.
Beside her, Astor closed his eyes, fresh psychic reserves flowing into her from his steadfast spirit. Ava hardened her resolve. As long as they drew breath, the light endured. This bitter war was not yet lost.
Astor gritted his teeth, channeling every last ounce of his mental energy into maintaining the Battle Meditation aura protecting him and Ava. But he could feel his psychic reserves draining rapidly under the sustained assault.
Beside him, Ava cried out as she deflected another vicious lash of Vex's talons. Her counters still held, but Astor glimpsed fatigue fraying her razor reflexes. They were flagging, while the demon seemed to draw endless infernal vigor from their growing despair.
"Getting tired, weaklings?" Vex taunted, serpentine tongue flicking. "I am just beginning to enjoy myself!"
He pressed his attack, tendrils hammering Ava's shields relentlessly. She fell to one knee under the punishing impacts.
"Ava, hang on!" Astor yelled. "We can't give in!"
He poured the last dregs of his energy into her, but their auras guttered low, flickering against the shadows encroaching.
Vex's next strike smashed through Ava's weakened guard, flinging her backward. Grinning cruelly, the demon loomed over her prone form.
"Now you die."
"No!" Astor screamed. He thrust out his hand, desperately summoning the last charmed beasts from his relic stone in a swirl of light.
The giant salamander spewed flames, driving Vex back momentarily. The white tiger pounced, only to be backhanded aside like a rag doll. And the soaring turtle circled futilely, weeping water to no effect. Their attacks fizzled uselessly against the dark power before them.
Astor sank to his knees, spent. Beside him, Ava struggled to rise but collapsed once more. His friends, his guardians, all would perish and Astor was powerless to prevent it. The cold claws of despair closed around his heart.
Vex sauntered closer, savoring the victory nearly won. "How the mighty falter," he sneered. "For all your bravado, still just frightened children playing at heroes."
Astor clenched his fists, summoning one whispered prayer for courage as Vex loomed over them, triumphant at last.