That wasn't a good sign… Still, it was something that they imagined that could happen. When messing with those who use time as a simple tool, it is only natural that crazy things would happen.
Ailen didn't mind the warning that much. He just nocked an arrow and fired at the king without any hesitation. The arrow flew so fast that no one was able to see it moving. Still, the red knight not only moved and read the line of attack but also intercepted the arrow and destroyed it without moving from his spot.
The clash of steel echoed in the area, leaving a sound that made everyone there feel their eardrums vibrating. Ailen was left watching the enemy without knowing what he should do… he had to charge more energy in his attack, but how much? He had to think well since they had other fights to win, and he couldn't get deeply hurt… he knew well the dangers of his technique.
Suddenly, the armored warrior at the king's side seemed to undergo a transformation. An intense, blazing aura erupted from his armor, enveloping his entire being in a fiery shroud. The room flickered with the warm hues of crimson and orange as the flames danced and writhed around him.
With an earth-shaking roar, the armored warrior unleashed a primal battle cry and charged toward the group. Each step he took seemed to leave scorch marks on the stone floor, and the air sizzled with the heat radiating from his fiery presence. The flames licked his armor, lending an otherworldly glow to his figure.
His sword, now ablaze with flames that mirrored the intensity of his aura, cut through the air with unmatched ferocity. The weapon blazed a trail of scorching heat, leaving trails of smoke in its wake. The armored warrior's movements were swift and precise, fueled by the raw power of the inferno that surrounded him.
Malon moved to block the enemy's charge while planning to cut his throat as well, but he flinched when he blocked the attack of the enemy. The aura of heat made him unable to get closer or almost keep his eyes open.
The enemy used that to kick him in the stomach and then swung down his sword, but before he could do that, Ailen fired an arrow at the head of the enemy. That guy was forced to stop the attack and block the arrow… this time, his sword trembled for a short while thanks to the impact… giving him a chance for Malon to step away while he was coughing.
Cailena healed him in a single moment, and he felt a lot better. Malon wanted to win against his enemies fair and square, but he didn't have time to worry about his pride. It was better to deal with the enemies as soon as possible.
Malon charged again while clenching his teeth to endure the flames, but that wasn't helping. Still, all of a sudden, the air in the throne room cooled down when Vaeral fired some ice spears at the enemy… they melted before they could reach him, though.
Vaeral didn't give up on that; he made the air cool even more by using water and wind magic and making them dance around the throne room. All of a sudden, even the group began to feel cold; only Malon and the enemy were fine, thanks to the fire aura. Still, Malon could feel the flames bothering him a lot less than before.
"Time for round two," Aion said.
Malon's eyes narrowed with focus and determination. With an unwavering resolve, he chose to ignore the scorching heat of the fire aura and made his move.
Drawing upon his mastery of time magic, Malon entered a state of heightened awareness. Time seemed to slow down around him as he studied the armored warrior's movements, analyzing every flicker of his sword and each subtle shift in his stance.
With a surge of agility, Malon darted forward, evading the licks of fire that threatened to hinder his progress. His body moved with fluid grace, defying the searing heat as he closed the distance between himself and the fire swordsman.
As their blades clashed, a shower of sparks erupted, illuminating the throne room with brief bursts of light. It was amazing that the guy could keep up with him now, but he couldn't have expected anything less from the grunts of Tenebres.
The enemy attacked back, equality fast; Malon skillfully parried the fiery strikes, expertly manipulating the mana around him to anticipate and counter each attack. The flames that engulfed the armored warrior's blade seemed to bend and distort in the wake of Malon's swift movements, barely grazing him as he effortlessly avoided their searing touch.
With each calculated strike, Malon aimed not only to disarm his opponent but also to disrupt the armored warrior's connection to the flames. His blade became a blur, a testament to his mastery of the sword, as he sought to sever the fire swordsman's control over the inferno.
As the battle raged on, the fire swordsman found himself increasingly challenged by Malon's unwavering assault. The armored warrior's confidence wavered, his movements growing more erratic as he struggled to anticipate Malon's agile maneuvers.
As if that wasn't enough, arrows were fired at him whenever he showed the slightest of openings, and everyone could hear the annoyed grunts of the enemy, thanks to Ailen.
In the end, Ailen charged his final arrow and then unleashed it; he felt the bones of his right arm cracking a bit… it seemed that he used too much power. Fortunately, the enemy was pushed backward several meters when it blocked that strike, and Malon decided to use that chance.
Malon unleashed a flurry of blows in a final, decisive strike that overwhelmed the fire swordsman's defenses. Their swords met one last time with a resounding clash, and the armored warrior's grip faltered. The flames that once enveloped his blade began to dwindle, flickering weekly until they finally extinguished.
Without hesitation, Malon swung down his sword in a blurred motion that no one was able to see, only the result, the armor of the enemy was split in two, and his chest was opened in an extensive line.
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