Eccar's hand remained firmly planted in the core, his determination unwavering despite the ferocious resistance from the dark energy. The core's mass pulsed erratically, its vibrations growing more intense as if in response to Eccar's relentless assault.
The swirling red and black energy around him seemed to writhe and squirm, struggling to maintain its form against the overpowering force of the his Earth power.
His knuckles dug into the mass and sending tremors through the core. He could feel the core resisting him, a force that fought back with every ounce of its strength. The air crackled with uncontrolled energy and the sky above continued to tremble as if echoing the chaos below.
Meanwhile, Erend was still locked in combat with the remaining tendrils, his form a blazing whirlwind of fire and lightning. He poured his elemental power into the vortex, creating a blinding display of flames and electric arcs that incinerated tendril after tendril.
With a roar, Erend unleashed a surge of lightning that shattered a particularly large tendril that aimed for Eccar's back. He could see his brother struggling, and with a fierce resolve he intensified his attacks.
The core seemed to shudder violently, the swirling mass of energy convulsing as Eccar's forceful push continued. The entire vortex seemed to quake with a low, menacing rumble. Its dark form flickering erratically.
The red and black tendrils around them writhed with increasing ferocity as if the core itself was trying to protect its fragile existence.
Then, with an explosive crack the core detonated.
BOOM!
A massive shockwave rippled outward from the epicenter, sending debris and dark energy scattering in all directions. Eccar was thrown violently from the core, and hurled through the air by the sheer force of the explosion.
He tumbled and spun uncontrollably, the jagged rock around him shattered by the blast, before crashing heavily onto the ground.
The once turbulent vortex began to collapse in on itself, its power imploding with a deafening roar.
When the energy dissipated a new form began to emerge from the remnants of the mass. The chaotic red and black energy coalesced, reshaping itself into a humanoid form.
"Erend and Eccar... they're fighting inside the vortex."
The realization brought with it a renewed purpose. The knowledge that their champions had gone directly into the heart of the storm to confront the Great Calamity head-on filled them with awe and respect. Their courage was rekindled, like a flame that had been on the verge of being snuffed out but now burned brightly once more.
"They're doing it, Aerchon," Aurdis whispered. "They're really doing it..."
"Yes... they are. The vortex is weakening. This could be the turning point," Aerchon replied.
--
Erend and Eccar stood side by side now. What had once been a swirling of red and black now condensed, the tendrils of darkness retracting inward.
Despite its lack of facial features, Erend and Eccar could feel its gaze upon them—a cold piercing presence.
The humanoid figure raised its head slightly. "You are strong. Stronger than I expected. But do not let that fill you with false hope."
Erend's hands crackled with fire and lightning. His eyes, blazing with determination, narrowed as he stared down the entity before him.
Eccar's green and brown aura flared around him, the power of the Earth coursing through his veins. His fists were clenched.
The figure stepped forward. It paused, towering over the two Dragonborn, a living embodiment of chaos.
"Do not be so quick to celebrate," the entity continued, its voice now carrying a mocking tone. "You have only postponed your doom. You have done nothing but prolong your suffering, and in doing so, you have ensured that when the end comes it will be even more excruciating."
Then it charged at them.
---