With a single punch, Alaric struck Elias with a force that was both powerful and unnatural, sending him hurtling across the throne room. He crashed into the wall just beside Queen Seraphina and Lady Selene, the impact sending cracks spider-webbing across the stone. Blood spewed from Elias's mouth, his chest caved in from the brutal blow.
For the first time since Elias had stepped into this world, he felt real pain.
Queen Seraphina and Lady Selene rushed to his side. Lady Selene's voice trembled as she observed the scene. "This strength... it's not natural. King Alaric has grown too strong. This isn't human."
Queen Seraphina knelt beside Elias, her eyes wide with concern. "Elias, are you okay?"
Elias forced a smile, despite the pain. He glanced at his crushed chest, then back at the queen. "I'm doing wonderful. Tis but a flesh wound," he joked, trying to ease the tension.
But as he shifted his gaze back to King Alaric, the humor faded from his eyes. The demonic aura surrounding the king was unmistakable. The real King Alaric was likely lost, consumed by whatever malevolent demon had taken over. Elias knew he had no choice but to kill them both. "You both need to leave," he said, his tone firm. "Go somewhere safe."
"[Heal]" He channeled a healing spell, feeling his bones realign and his flesh mend. As the pain subsided, he got back to his feet, dusting off his clothes with a determined expression. He raised his sword once more, his resolve solidifying.
The demon possessing Alaric chuckled darkly. "I expected more from you, Elias. Are you afraid for the body I inhabit? Don't worry, the real King Alaric is long gone, even if I were to leave this body at this very moment, the king will not return to you for I have consumed his soul. My lord instructed me not to kill you, but that doesn't mean I can't have some fun with you."
Elias's eyes hardened. "So the real Alaric is gone. Fine. Then I won't hold back, not like I was planning to anyway"
With a cold, focused intensity, Elias whispered, "[Bladewalk]."
Margo's eyes filled with determination. "I have to go help him."
The High Luminary reached out, her grip firm on Margo's arm. "No, Margo. This is one of the first trials the Goddess foresaw. Elias must face this alone."
Margo wanted to argue, but the look in the High Luminary's veiled eyes stopped her. Reluctantly, she nodded, though her thoughts were already with Elias
The battlefield between Lord Varric and Lord Thane was a chaotic mess of clashing steel and roaring magic. Sparks flew as the two lords clashed, their power shaking the very ground beneath them. Lord Thane, now imbued with dark energy, fought with a renewed ferocity. His spells crackled with a sinister force, and his mana reserves seemed inexhaustible as he hurled spell after spell at Lord Varric. .net
"Run and cower, Varric!" Thane taunted, his voice dripping with arrogance. "When I am done with you, King Alaric—or should I say, Lord Lazrageb—will have finished with Elias Ashdown. Then I will claim the throne of Eldoria as I was meant to! And Seraphina will be mine, whether she likes it or not!"
Lord Varric deflected a lightning strike with his axe, his eyes narrowing with contempt. "Is that why you turned to the demonic side, Thane? For a title? For power that corrupts your soul? You've been blinded by greed. And those who are blinded by greed die unsatisfied."
With a powerful throw, Varric launched his axe at Thane. The dark lord dodged it, a smug grin spreading across his face. But before he could boast, the axe boomeranged back, slicing through the air and severing the arm holding Thane's wand clean off.
Thane screamed in pain, clutching the bloody stump. As he inspected the axe, his eyes widened in realization. "Mana thread," he hissed. "A clever trick, but it won't win you this fight, Varric."
Even as he spoke, a black tendril shot out from the severed arm, writhing and twisting as it reattached the limb with sickening ease. Thane grinned wickedly, flexing his reformed arm. "You're going to have to try much, much harder than that, Varric."
He laughed, the sound was twisted and had an unsettling undertone that echoed across their battlefield as the dark energy around him grew even more oppressive. Lord Varric, undeterred, readied himself for the next exchange, his gaze steadied and he remained unshaken despite Thane's display .