The tension in the air was suffocating. The ground still smoldered with the marks of Lilith's fire, and the dust from the explosion had barely settled. Dravenmoor released Aemon from his grip as if discarding a broken toy, letting the prince collapse to the ground with a dull thud. He adjusted his stance, spinning his colossal sword with a dexterity that belied his age. His eyes were fixed on Lilith, evaluating her like a predator sizing up its next prey.

Lilith wasted no time. With an agile movement, she launched another burst of fire toward Dravenmoor, the flames snaking through the air like an enraged dragon. He raised his sword, and with a fierce strike, cleaved the fire in half. The flames split, licking the ground around him but leaving him untouched.

— Is that all you’ve got? — mocked Dravenmoor, a disdainful smile still plastered on his face. — I thought the fame of Elowenhold’s mages was greater than a few sparks.

Lilith narrowed her eyes, focusing her energy. The flames in her hands grew more intense, nearly white-hot, as she murmured words in an ancient tongue. The ground beneath her feet began to crack from the heat radiating off her. In the blink of an eye, she fired an incandescent projectile that exploded in a shower of fire upon hitting Dravenmoor's sword.

The warrior was pushed back a few steps, his feet sinking into the scorched earth. He let out a roar, more of rage than pain, and charged like an avalanche. Each step made the ground tremble, and his sword sliced through the air with a force that seemed capable of splitting mountains. Lilith dodged nimbly, her movements fluid, but each strike from Dravenmoor seemed to close the distance between them.

When he finally reached her, Lilith conjured a barrier of fire around herself. Dravenmoor, instead of retreating, charged through the flames with his sword raised high, his armor sizzling as the heat tried to consume him. He emerged from the other side like a demon from hell, his sword descending in an arc that forced Lilith to dive aside.

The impact of the strike cracked the ground, raising a cloud of dust and debris. Lilith, panting, quickly got to her feet, but the advantage was clearly Dravenmoor's. He kept pressing, each blow of his sword like thunder, every movement carrying the weight of years of battle.

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Lilith, however, was no ordinary fighter. As she dodged his attacks, she began to manipulate the environment around her. The flames still burning on the battlefield responded to her command, creating a chaotic dance of fire that encircled Dravenmoor. The heat became almost unbearable, forcing even the soldiers watching the battle to retreat from the scorching waves.

— It’s starting to look like a challenge, finally! — shouted Dravenmoor, his tone a mix of sarcasm and excitement. He spun his sword, creating a gust of wind that dispersed part of the fire around him. With an impressive leap for someone of his age and build, he lunged at Lilith, his sword coming down like a meteor.

Lilith raised a wall of fire to block him, but Dravenmoor's strength shattered the barrier. The blade nearly reached her, forcing her to conjure an energy shield inches from her body. The impact was so intense that Lilith was thrown backward, rolling across the ground.

She got up, staggering, sweat dripping down her face. Dravenmoor stood firm, breathing heavily but still radiating an aura of absolute dominance. Lilith narrowed her eyes, realizing he wasn’t just fighting her; he was enjoying the battle, as if it were a spectacle to prove his superiority.

At that moment, Aemon, who had been unconscious among the debris, began to move. His body trembled with pain, but his eyes were fixed on the battle. He knew that if he didn’t get up, Lilith couldn’t handle Dravenmoor alone. Gathering all the strength left in his body, he grabbed the sword lying beside him and started to crawl toward the fight.

Lilith noticed Aemon’s movement and shouted:

— You’re not ready yet, prince! Stay where you are!

But Aemon ignored her. He couldn’t stand by while others fought for him. Even if his bones were broken, even if every movement was agony, he knew this fight wasn’t just about him. It was about Volcrist, his family’s legacy, and proving he was more than just a name.

Dravenmoor noticed Aemon's movement and laughed, a sound full of scorn.

— Still alive, boy? Maybe I should finish you off before dealing with your friend here.

He began walking toward Aemon, momentarily ignoring Lilith. But before he could reach the prince, Lilith gathered all her remaining energy and launched an attack that made the ground beneath Dravenmoor explode in a column of fire. The blast was so powerful that even he was forced to take a step back.

— You won’t touch him, you monster. Not while I’m here. — said Lilith, her voice filled with determination, even as her legs trembled with exhaustion.

Dravenmoor paused for a moment, his eyes gleaming with a mix of respect and contempt. He adjusted his grip on his sword and smiled.

— Then let’s finish this once and for all. Let’s see if your fire can extinguish my steel.

The battle was far from over, and the fate of everyone still hung in the balance.