The Devouring Knight

Then, in a blur of motion, the Legate struck first. His spear tore through the air like a cannon blast, the shockwave ripping apart the ground where Vaenyra had stood just moments before. The explosion sent dust and rubble flying, but by the time it cleared, she was already gone.

A flicker of light appeared behind him, Vaenyra's sword.

Clang! Sparks burst out as her blade met his spear mid-swing, the impact ringing through the air.

Vaenyra pressed forward, her movements fluid and fast. Lightning trailed from her sword with every swing, each arc brighter than the last. The wind coiled around her legs, lifting her step, propelling her like a phantom dancing through the storm.

Her attacks flowed together like a song, strike after strike, each one faster and sharper than before. It was as if she could see the Legate's next move before he made it.

The Legate responded in kind, his eyes burning with battle instinct. When he thrust, the air split like thunder. When he swung, it was like a hammer blow that could crush boulders.

Clang!

Their weapons met again, the impact sending shockwaves rippling across the battlefield. Vaenyra slid backward, her boots carving deep lines in the ground before she regained balance. The Legate didn't give her a breath, his spear shot forward in a blur.

Vaenyra twisted aside, the spear's tip grazing her shoulder with a spark of blood. She spun, countering with a blazing arc of flame that roared from her sword. The Legate parried hard, steel grinding against steel before he leapt back.

Wind and fire swirled violently, dust and debris rising between them.

Then, without words, they moved again. Their figures blurred into streaks of gold and blue, the sound of metal echoing like a vortex's heartbeat.

The Legate's crimson eyes flared. He slammed his spear's butt into the earth, mana bursting outward in a ripple of force.

"Spear Domain, Circle of Eternity!" he roared.

Mana flared outward in a blinding ring, shaping into countless spear projections floating around him, all pointing at Vaenyra. The air shimmered as each one locked onto her like predators ready to strike.

Vaenyra didn't flinch. Her mana surged, responding to her will. "Tempest Requiem."

The ground split beneath her feet as her power burst forth, wind and lightning twisting together into a violent storm. Azure flames erupted next, igniting the whirlwind, and her blood magic fed it further until it became a roaring vortex of destruction.

The two forces met head-on.

The Legate's spears rained down like a tempest of iron, while Vaenyra's tempest of lightning and blue fire tore through the battlefield, burning, disintegrating, and shredding everything within reach.

The Legate frowned, his muscles tightening as he poured more mana into his spear, its blade glowing brighter than ever. With a roar, he thrust forward, fighting the maelstrom with sheer strength alone.

Their powers collided, exploding into light and wind.

The clash between Vaenyra and the Legate had turned the ground into chaos, stones cracked, trees splintered, and the air itself screamed under the pressure of their mana.

From the sidelines, Thessalia and Aurelya moved instantly. The air shimmered as they raised a massive mana barrier, layers of magic stacking one after another to hold back the storm. Blue and gold light rippled across its surface as the shockwaves struck it, each hit sending sparks flying.

"Keep it steady!" Thessalia gritted her teeth, her bow glowing as she poured more energy into the barrier.

"I am keeping it steady!" Aurelya shot back, her rapier glowing faintly as she added her own mana to reinforce the shield. "But they're tearing the battlefield apart!"

Just a few steps behind them, Lumberling stood with his eyes wide, the chaotic light reflected in them. He couldn't help but grin, excitement burning in his chest.

"So this is the battle of powerhouses…" he muttered, almost in awe. "Amazing."

Thessalia shot him a look, strands of her hair whipping from the wind. "You sound way too happy about this! Your friends are still down there, they'll be vaporized if they get caught in that mess!"

Lumberling blinked, glancing toward Lucian, Silas, and Daigo lying unconscious on the broken ground not far from the edge of the storm. His grin faltered. "Oh, right… that's bad."

He turned toward them quickly. "Hey, can you guys heal them?"

Aurelya groaned but gave a sharp nod. "Fine, but you owe me after this!"

She gestured to a few nearby elves, and they darted into action, sprinting through the tremors. With careful timing, they pulled Lucian and the others away from the battlefield, dragging them behind the shimmering barrier.

As soon as they were clear, the healers knelt beside them, their hands glowing a gentle green as healing mana spread across their battered bodies. "They'll live," one spoke, though her tone was strained. "But they're not waking up soon."

"Good enough," Lumberling said, eyes returning to the fight raging ahead.

….

The battle still raged. The battlefield had become a wasteland, earth torn apart, fire and lightning cutting through the smoke like living beasts.

The Legate's breathing came in rough bursts, each exhale a growl scraping through his throat. His movements had grown heavier, his body trembling from exhaustion. Blood soaked his chest where Lucian's strike had burned deep, the wound eating away at his strength with every motion.

Across from him stood Vaenyra, calm and unshaken. Wind and lightning coiled around her blade, the air itself bending to her will.

The Legate's eyes burned with hatred.

'If it weren't for those brats… I should've killed them from the start,' he thought, jaw tightening until his teeth ground together.

Vaenyra tilted her head slightly, her tone laced with disappointment. "Is this your limit, old man?" she asked. "You were supposed to be a Legate. I expected more."

Her eyes sharpened. "We should've come earlier. Your injuries are slowing you down too much."

The Legate let out a low, bitter laugh that rose into a booming roar. "Arrogant girl… do you think you've already won!?"

The air trembled. His mana began to surge again, wild and violent, enough to distort the air around him. His heart pounded so hard that even Vaenyra could hear the rhythm echoing through the chaos.