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Adrius could hardly believe it. Theron, the mighty harbinger of the Great Calamity, was at his weakest right now. The idea seemed almost surreal. He remembered how overwhelming Theron's power had been, how invincible he had once seemed that he look like a force of nature no one could defy. And now, he was faltering under their combined onslaught.
But he knew it wasn't just their power that had pushed Theron to the edge. It was Erend. Somehow, Erend wasn't merely holding his own. He had driven Theron into this state of madness and desperation.
The ancient dark Mage had never been this agitated, even when Adrius and Lysander had faced him together using their all. Erend had sparked something primal in him. It look like fear, anger, or maybe even doubt about himself and that had made all the difference.
Adrius unleashed another devastating blast of elemental Magic. Fire and wind swirled together forming a whirlwind of flames that scorched the air and blasted toward Theron.
His heart pounding with the adrenaline of battle. Beside him, Lysander crackled with electric energy, the air around him sizzling as he summoned another wave of lightning again right now. They were pouring every ounce of their power into this final strike.
"Keep pushing!" Adrius shouted over the roar of the Magic.
Lysander nodded, his lightning bolts joining the attack. The huge lightning attack crackling and flashing as they struck Theron's weakened form. The harbinger was staggering now, his blood-red armor barely holding together, the once-menacing tendrils of energy flickering like dying embers.
Then, from the corner of his eye, Adrius saw it. Erend started his move.
Erend dashed toward Theron with blinding speed. His body moved like a flash of orange light. His reptilian eyes gleamed with a fierce glow. His hands now transformed into deadly claws.
Even in his monstrous state Theron saw the incoming attack. His blackened eyes widened and for the first time, Adrius could sense it. It was fear.
"Not while I still breathe," Erend growled under his breath, his fists clenching tightly at his sides.
Then, driven by the seething anger now coursing through him, Erend dashed forward. His body moved with such speed and force that the ground cracked beneath his feet. With a roar, he brought his leg down with all his might, crushing Theron's head beneath his boot. The sickening crunch of bone echoed through the air as the harbinger's skull gave way.
But it wasn't enough. The threat, the voice, was still there. Taunting him, lingering in his mind.
Erend's eyes flashed with a burning orange light, his Dragonborn power surging to the surface. Flames erupted from his body. He raised his hand and a torrent of Dragon fire engulfed what remained of Theron.
The flames roared to life, consuming the flesh, bone, and dark energy that had once been Theron's body. Erend watched as the fire burned hotter and brighter, reducing everything to ash.
Only when there was nothing left but charred remains and drifting embers did he stop. The ground where Theron had lain was scorched black and the stench of burnt flesh filled the air.
The threat was gone, but the chill of those final words lingered in the back of his mind.
Adrius and Lysander watched in awe. They had done it. They had brought down the greatest threat they ever faced till this day. But it was Erend who had delivered the final blow, the one who had faced Theron's wrath head-on and emerged victorious.
As the dust began to settle, Adrius couldn't help but smile, a weary but relieved grin stretching across his face.
"It's over," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
Lysander, his body trembling with exhaustion, glanced at Adrius and nodded. "Yeah... it's over."
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