The battlefield had become an arena of elemental chaos, where fire and blood intermingled in a deadly symphony.

"Let's do this, Ethan!" Lucien's voice thundered amidst the inferno as he summoned a blazing aura around himself. Sensing the raw power and heat of the flames coursing through his veins, he prepared to unleash it upon his adversary.

Expending every ounce of his remaining mana, Lucien conjured forth a colossal fire dragon, its form towering and majestic. With a deafening roar, the dragon surged forward, its scales gleaming like molten metal as it spewed forth torrents of searing flames in Ethan's direction.

Ethan countered with a storm of thick, crimson blood, hurling it towards the oncoming fire dragon. The blood swirled and churned like a raging tornado, ready to engulf its fiery foe.

Their forces collided with a deafening roar, unleashing a shockwave of energy and billowing smoke across the battlefield. The clash of fire and blood created a violent explosion, shaking the ground and rending the air as the two opposing powers vied for supremacy.

Suddenly, Ethan sensed a looming presence bearing down upon him, but before he could react, Lucien emerged from the swirling smoke, his eyes ablaze with unwavering determination.

With relentless determination, Lucien's fist crashed into Ethan's face, the scorching fire in his hand searing the skin upon impact. Ignoring the pain, he pressed on, driven by a mix of pleading and anger in his voice.

"Snap out of it, Ethan!" Lucien's words were a desperate plea, a fervent plea to remember his true self amidst the chaos.

Unyielding, Lucien continued his assault, refusing to give Ethan a moment's respite. He deftly dodged Ethan's clawed strikes, but not all of them, feeling the sharp nails tear through his flesh, drawing blood as the battle raged on.

Engaged in a savage hand-to-hand combat, Lucien and Ethan traded relentless blows and fierce kicks, their movements fueled by both their potent magic and unwavering determination.

Lucien, a blazing inferno of fury, delivered punches that seared Ethan's flesh with each impact, leaving behind trails of scorched skin.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Meanwhile, Ethan fought like a bloodthirsty beast unleashed, his razor-sharp claws tearing into Lucien's skin with every ferocious strike, drawing forth crimson rivers of blood amidst the chaos of battle.

"How is he maintaining such a level of combat prowess?" Roark pondered, his eyes wide with a mix of awe and fear as he watched Lucien's relentless onslaught.

"He's putting himself in grave danger." Andrew murmured, his heart sinking as he recognized the risks Lucien was taking for Ethan's sake.

"But he appears to be dominating, doesn't he?" Roark inquired, hope and doubt lacing his voice.

"No, it may seem that way, but he's already depleted his mana reserves." Andrew explained, his tone grim and troubled.

"What!? How is he still fighting then?" Roark's shock and confusion were palpable in his voice.

"He's tapping into his lifeforce instead of mana." Andrew revealed solemnly, a tinge of sadness coloring his words.

"We have to intervene!" Gwen urged urgently, her concern evident.

"Yeah, but..." Andrew hesitated, torn between aiding Lucien and respecting his autonomy.

"I understand your hesitation, but it's necessary for us to act. He needs our help." Lance said firmly, his tone resolute and unwavering.

As Lucien was sent flying by Ethan's powerful kick, Andrew nodded in grim determination, readying himself alongside the others to intervene in the escalating conflict.

But just as they approached, a wall of fire erupted, halting their advance.

"No one will come between us." Lucien's voice rang out, fierce and resolute, as he barred their path with his elemental power.

Spitting out blood, Lucien struggled to rise from the ground, his body marred by cuts and burns. With a fierce glare, he confronted the others attempting to intervene, summoning a wall of fire to impede their progress.

"Anyways, I never properly introduced myself, right?" he said, his voice strained as he gathered a significant portion of his lifeforce into his palm, shaping it into a luminous orb of fire. Casting a sorrowful yet pitying gaze upon Ethan, Lucien's emotions were palpable in his expression.

"Then allow me, I am Lucien, once known as the vagabond mage. I traversed the lands in search of excitement and adventure, engaging in battles with anyone who dared cross my path, devoid of purpose or direction. That is, until I encountered Commander Gorgon, the individual who rescued both of us from the clutches of our own demons. And he won't be happy to see you like this." Lucien stated, his voice tinged with emotion, his resolve unwavering.

"So, wake the hell up." Lucien commanded, his voice simultaneously firm and gentle.

With a forceful motion, he unleashed a massive fireball, channeling all his strength into the attack. Thrusting his arms forward, he sent the blazing sphere hurtling towards Ethan, its fiery trail leaving sparks in its wake.

Ethan raised his hand in a futile attempt to intercept the incoming fireball bare-handed. But the sheer force of the attack proved too overwhelming, causing the fireball to explode upon impact with a blinding flash and a deafening boom.

As smoke and dust billowed into the air, enveloping the battlefield in a shroud of obscurity, tension hung thick among those witnessing the clash. With bated breath, they anxiously awaited the outcome, their hearts pounding in anticipation amidst the eerie silence broken only by the whisper of the wind.

Lucien staggered, but a smile graced his lips as he uttered, "I'm relieved you're back." Witnessing Ethan's eyes regain their clarity and warmth filled him with a surge of relief and joy.

He had accomplished his mission of bringing Ethan back to his human form, and the sight of Ethan's face brought him immense happiness. With that, he collapsed onto the ground, his lifeforce drained and his body utterly exhausted.

As Ethan regained control of himself, he turned his gaze towards Lucien, who lay wounded and bloodied on the ground. A wave of guilt and sorrow washed over him, seeing the toll his actions had taken on Lucien.