Adrius stood amidst the scorched remnants of the forest. His chest rising and falling rapidly with each breath. Sweat dripped down his brow and mixing with the dirt and ash that clung to his skin. His limbs felt heavy now. His Magic reserves nearly depleted from the relentless fight. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his body trembling from the strain of the battle.
Around him, the landscape had been leveled. The ground was blackened and cracked from the countless explosions that had torn through the earth. The trees that once towering sentinels were now nothing but smoldering stumps, their ashes swirling in the hot air.
Yet, despite the destruction, Adrius' gaze was fixed on the figure standing a few meters ahead.
Theron.
The ancient Mage who now his enemy still stood tall with expression disturbingly calm. Not a single bead of sweat marred his face and his eyes were locked onto Adrius with a mixture of amusement and satisfaction. The deep crimson coat he wore that look like it was made of congealed fresh blood fluttered lightly in the heated wind.
Adrius grit his teeth, his knuckles white as he gripped his Starsteel staff tighter. He'd given everything he had in this fight, but Theron... he barely looked winded.
"You're holding up better than I thought," Theron said with smooth and unhurried voice. His lips curled into a smile. "This is exactly what I expected when I returned, Adrius. A real challenge. I have to admit, it's been too long since I've felt this thrill."
Adrius didn't respond. His mind racing as he searched for some way to turn the tide. His body screamed for rest, but he couldn't afford that now.
Theron's smile widened. "I'm glad it was you, Adrius. Had it been some other Mage or even a random warrior, I would've been... disappointed." He chuckled. "They would have been far too easy to kill. But you..." He gestured vaguely at the ruined battlefield. "You've given me exactly what I wanted.
A real fight to test my might right now."
Adrius felt his heart pound in his chest. There was a horrifying sincerity in Theron's words. He wasn't just toying with him, he was genuinely pleased. Despite everything, Theron was savoring this battle like a long-awaited feast. The thought of it sickened Adrius.
"You're insane," Adrius spat, wiping the sweat from his brow as he steadied himself.
Theron's smile didn't falter. "Perhaps. But what is madness if not the pursuit of true satisfaction? And I've been denied satisfaction for far too long."
Adrius' grip tightened on his staff. His mind raced, calculating his next move. He then drawing in a deep breath, Adrius called upon the last vestiges of his Magic. His body screamed in protest right now but he forced himself to focus.
Theron watched him, his smile never wavering.
BOOM!
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The lightning bolts struck Theron directly and wrapping around his body as they slammed into him one after another. Each blast illuminated the night sky, turning the battlefield into a flickering and bright chaos.
Lysander didn't pause. He kept sending bolt after bolt, the energy surging through him like a torrent. The ground shook with the force of his unrelenting assault.
The monstrous red-coated figure of Theron was engulfed in the brilliance of the lightning, disappearing in the bright cascade of energy. Yet Lysander knew better than to assume victory. He needed to act quickly.
Without hesitation Lysander descended rapidly to the charred earth beside Adrius, landing in a crouch. Adrius stood. He is clearly exhausted. Lysander can hear his ragged breath and sweat that poured down his face.
"Here, Master," Lysander said urgently, pulling the remaining potion from his belt and handing it to Adrius. "Drink this."
Adrius took the vial and uncorking it quickly. But just as the potion was about to touch his lips—
CLANG!
A sharp projectile shot through the air, faster than a blink, shattering the vial in Adrius' hand. The glowing liquid spilled to the ground, wasted, its magic dissipating into the dirt.
Lysander's eyes widened in shock and Adrius cursed under his breath as the remnants of the potion dripped from his fingers.
Then, a chilling laugh echoed through the battlefield.
"Hey! No cheating now!" Theron said in mocking tone.
From the swirling dust and residual lightning his figure emerged, completely unscathed. "This is supposed to be a fair fight, isn't it?"
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