Chapter 75: The Gathering Storm(3)
The battle rages on in the desolate clearing. The air is thick with the clash of magic as Dakota and Henry square off against the rogue mage. Flames and shadows collide, creating bursts of light and darkness that illuminate the surrounding forest.
The rogue mage smirks, his crimson eyes glowing as he weaves another series of dark spells. Shadows pulse and twist around him, forming tendrils that lash out toward Dakota and Henry.
Dakota: "These tendrils again. He's relying on them too much."
Henry: (gritting his teeth) "Doesn't mean they're any less dangerous."
Dakota raises a hand, summoning a barrier of flames that scorches the oncoming tendrils. Henry follows up by launching a volley of fireballs, forcing the rogue mage to leap back.
Rogue Mage: (mocking) "Is that all you've got? Your flames are impressive, but they're nothing against the power of the abyss."
With a wave of his hand, the rogue mage conjures a swirling vortex of darkness, sending it hurtling toward the two of them.
Henry: "Dakota, incoming!"
Dakota doesn't flinch. He slams his hands together, creating a massive wall of fire that collides with the vortex. The two forces struggle for dominance, but Dakota's flames hold strong, dissipating the dark magic.
Dakota: "You talk a lot for someone who keeps falling back. What's wrong? Afraid of getting burned?"
Rogue Mage: (snarling) "Arrogant brat. I'll make you eat those words."
The rogue mage thrusts both hands forward, summoning twin streams of shadow that snake through the air like living creatures, targeting both Dakota and Henry.
Henry dodges to the side, flames igniting around his fists as he charges toward the rogue mage. He lands a fiery punch that connects with the rogue mage's shadowy armor, causing it to crack slightly.
Henry: "Not so tough now, are you?"
The rogue mage growls in frustration, retaliating with a burst of dark energy that sends Henry skidding back. Meanwhile, Dakota seizes the opening, channeling his flames into a concentrated beam that streaks toward the rogue mage.
The rogue mage deflects the attack with a shield of darkness but visibly strains under the pressure.
Rogue Mage: "You're persistent, I'll give you that. But persistence won't save you."
He raises his hand, and the shadows around him coalesce into a massive blade of dark energy. With a roar, he swings it toward Dakota, who narrowly evades the attack.
The blade cleaves through the ground, leaving a deep, smoldering scar. Dakota and Henry exchange a quick glance, silently agreeing to step up their coordination.
Henry: "We've got to pin him down. You distract, I'll hit him hard."
Dakota: (nodding) "Got it."
Dakota charges forward, flames spiraling around him as he engages the rogue mage in close combat. He ducks and weaves, his fiery attacks forcing the rogue mage to stay on the defensive. Meanwhile, Henry circles around, gathering his energy for a powerful strike.
The rogue mage, realizing the strategy, snarls in frustration.
Rogue Mage: "You think you can outmaneuver me? Foolish!"
He slams his hand into the ground, and a wave of shadows erupts outward, forcing Dakota and Henry to leap back. The rogue mage uses the opening to hurl a massive sphere of dark energy at Henry.
Henry braces himself, channeling his flames into a shield that absorbs the impact but shatters under the force. He grits his teeth, determination burning in his eyes.
Henry: "Is that all you've got? I've seen tougher hits from a training dummy."
Dakota smirks slightly at Henry's taunt but stays focused, reigniting his flames and preparing for the next move. The rogue mage narrows his eyes, clearly growing more agitated.
Rogue Mage: (coldly) "You're both starting to annoy me. It's time to end this."
He raises his arms, and the shadows around him surge upward, forming a towering, writhing mass of darkness that looms over the battlefield.
Dakota and Henry tense, sensing the raw power emanating from the rogue mage's attack. The dark mass begins to descend toward them, threatening to engulf everything in its path.
Dakota: "Henry, we can't let that hit. Time to push harder."
Henry: "You don't have to tell me twice."
The two of them step forward, flames igniting around their bodies as they unleash a barrage of fiery attacks. The combined force of their magic clashes with the rogue mage's dark mass, creating a deafening explosion that shakes the clearing.
For a moment, there's silence as the dust settles. The rogue mage stands in the center of the destruction, his shadowy armor cracked but still intact. He glares at Dakota and Henry, his expression a mix of anger and admiration.
Rogue Mage: "You're stronger than I expected. But you're still no match for the power of the abyss."
Dakota: (thinking) He's not backing down, and neither can we. We've got one shot to turn this around.
He glances at Henry, who nods, understanding what needs to be done.
Henry: "Ready?"
Dakota: "Always."
The two of them close their eyes briefly, focusing their energy. Flames begin to swirl around their bodies, growing hotter and brighter with each passing second. The air itself seems to ripple with heat as their forms start to shift.
When they open their eyes again, they are no longer entirely human. Their bodies are engulfed in roaring flames, their features barely visible through the inferno. The ground beneath them scorches and cracks under the intensity of their power.
The rogue mage takes a step back, his confidence faltering for the first time.
Rogue Mage: (uneasy) "What… what is this?"
Dakota: (his voice resonating with power) "You wanted to see what we're capable of. Don't blink."
Henry: (grinning) "This is where things get serious."
Rouge mage: "you have to be kidding me, shit looks like I'll have to go serious too".
The rouge mage transforms his entire body into darkness, and filled the whole room with darkness.
Rouge mage: "I would like to see what you kid's are going to do now, you are not going to beat me no matter what".