Elijah spun around, cradling Damian in his arms, his eyes locking onto Khronos's twisted grin. The demon's gaze was cold, a stark contrast to his triumphant sneer.
"Previously, I thought there were more of you," Khronos taunted, his voice dripping with malice. "I didn't realize you came alone." He took a menacing step forward. "Your involvement ends here... Guardian."
Khronos's clawed hand shot out, fingers extended like razor-sharp scythes. His attack sliced through the air, a swift diagonal slash aimed at Elijah's chest. Dark energy infused his claws, casting an eerie, pulsing glow that tore at the very fabric of reality. Elijah's mind raced, calculating the attack's trajectory.
"Dodging's not an option," he thought swiftly. "Keslore's right behind me. I'll have to take the hit."
Elijah steeled himself, bracing for impact. Khronos's claws sliced through the air, mere inches from Damian's fragile form, then tore into Elijah's chest. Dark energy exploded into his body, burning like corrosive acid, eating away at his holy essence. Agony ripped through his lungs, each breath a searing flame. Elijah's vision blurred, but his training kicked in. He focused on containing the darkness, channeling his holy energy to counter the attack.
Khronos's power was overwhelming, but Elijah drew on his battle-honed instincts, his knees buckling under the weight of the blow. As he sank onto his heels, Damian's terrified face contorted in a silent scream.
Khronos loomed over Elijah, eyes blazing with malevolent intensity. "You didn't die?" Khronos asked, his voice low and menacing. He snorted, his expression twisting in disdain. "You must be high-ranking if my sneak attack couldn't take you out."
Elijah remained silent, conserving his energy. "I'd fancied some fun, but let's end this quickly," Khronos said, already moving in for the kill.
Elijah stumbled back, clutching his wounded side. Khronos advanced, his eyes blazing with malevolent intent. Damian watched in horror as Elijah stumbled, bruised, with the monster dashing forward to deliver another devastating blow. Despite the impossible odds, Damian's heart rooted for the Guardian.
"Please... hold on!" Damian silently pleaded, his eyes welling up with tears. Earlier, Elijah had swept Damian to safety, shielding him from the clash. Now, Damian prayed for a miracle.
Prince Khronos's massive fist hurtled toward Elijah with unstoppable force, his muscles rippling beneath his skin like a tempest. Elijah dodged, but Khronos's fist crashed into the alley's brick wall, sending shards of concrete flying. The debris pummeled Elijah, slashing his skin and leaving him reeling. Undeterred, Elijah countered with "Aerial Blade!", unleashing a whirlwind of razor-sharp air slices around him. The whirlwind sliced through debris, illuminating the alley with a mesmerizing dance of light that seemed to defy the surrounding darkness.
Khronos charged through the whirlwind, unfazed by its deadly precision. His clothes shredded, but his demonic skin remained unscathed, a testament to his supernatural resilience. His fist connected with Elijah's jaw, sending him flying into a dumpster. Elijah stumbled out, blood streaming down his face, his vision blurring. Desperate, he summoned "Aquam Shield!", encasing himself in a protective barrier of water. But Khronos's next blow shattered the shield, sending Elijah crashing into the ground with incredible force.
The impact created a crater, sending shockwaves through the alley. Elijah struggled to rise, his body battered and bruised. Khronos's foot descended, poised to deliver the final blow. Elijah shouted "Terrae Fortis!", causing the ground to tremble beneath Khronos's feet. But the demon prince adjusted his stance, his movements fluid and calculated. Elijah's kick landed, but Khronos barely flinched. His counterattack sent Elijah soaring into a nearby building, crashing through walls and burying him beneath debris.
As Elijah burst out, his determination renewed, he shouted "Divine Reckoning!", unleashing a burst of holy energy. The blast struck Khronos, sending him stumbling back. Flames danced across his skin, but instead of burning, his body began to glow. The flames fueled his strength, and Khronos's laughter echoed through the alley, sending chills down Elijah's spine. Elijah stumbled back, his eyes widened in horror. Khronos's recovery was terrifying, his power growing by the second.
Khronos's frustration grew, his patience wearing thin. "Why won't you die?" he snarled, unleashing a flurry of punches. Each blow landed with precision, crushing Elijah's defenses. Elijah stumbled back, gasping for breath, his body battered and bruised. His vision blurred, but he refused to yield, his spirit burning with defiance.
"Infernal Scourge!" Khronos shouted, unleashing a fireball that Elijah barely dodged. The blast incinerated a nearby dumpster. The Guardian's movements slowed, his wounds deepening. Khronos's next attack sent Elijah crashing into a wall. Elijah struggled to rise, his vision fading. Khronos stood over him, triumphant.
"Your resilience is... irksome," Khronos snarled, his eyes gleaming with malevolence. "I originally sought only the boy, but I don't mind adding you to my undead legion. Together, we'll return and trample this city you're sworn to protect. Oh, the ecstasy of watching it burn..." Khronos's voice dripped with blissful anticipation.
As Khronos savored the moment, Elijah mustered his last shred of strength. He knew his next spell would leave him drained, but he recalled the ancient proverb: "A living dog is better than a dead lion." Better to act now and risk everything than surrender to certain defeat.
With newfound resolve, Elijah focused his remaining energy. "For the city, for the innocent...," he whispered to himself. "Divinus Ultio!" he shouted, unleashing a blast of pure holy energy. The spell struck Khronos with incredible force, catching him off guard. A faint scratch appeared on his cheek, the only sign of damage. Khronos stumbled backward, his eyes widening in surprise. The force of the blast sent him crashing into a nearby building.
Elijah collapsed, exhausted. His vision blurred, darkness encroaching. "A tree that bends in the storm will survive," he thought, clinging to hope.
Khronos regained his footing, his wound already healing. "You dare...," he growled, fury etched on his face. The scratch on Khronos's cheek closed, leaving no scar. Elijah's attack had merely grazed him.
Just as Prince Khronos prepared to counterattack, his battle senses alerted him to an impending threat. He felt a chill run down his spine, and his instincts screamed a warning. In the nick of time, Khronos dodged to the side, avoiding a white beam of "Elysium's Fury"—a concentrated blast of holy energy. The beam struck the ground, scorching the pavement and sending shards of asphalt flying.
Khronos's gaze swept the surroundings, his frown deepening. He, Elijah and Damian had been circled by Guardians of Faith. Their formation was a labyrinthine pattern of glowing runes and sacred symbols. The air hummed with anticipation as they chanted in unison.
"The Celestial Cage," Khronos muttered, recognizing the formation. Its completion would seal his escape routes, trapping him within a web of divine energy.
A surge of relief and wonder swept through Damian, his eyes widened as he watched the Guardians work together. The Guardians stood at evenly spaced intervals, their hands linked in a circle. At the center of this circle, the Celestial Cage formation began to take shape—a labyrinthine pattern of glowing runes and sacred symbols etched into the ground. The Cage's energy concentrated above Prince Khronos, threatening to encase him in an ethereal prison.
Concentric rings of light started to materialize, pulsing with an intense, golden glow. Brilliant beams of Elysium's Fury crackled with anticipation, poised to strike. Glowing orbs—the Starseeds—hovered at evenly spaced intervals, amplifying the Cage's energy. Each member of the formation radiated a unique essence, weaving together to create an unbreakable seal. The Cage would drain Khronos's powers, rendering him vulnerable.
For a moment, Damian forgot his fear, mesmerized by the majestic formation. His childhood dream of becoming a Guardian flared back to life.
"To be among them...to protect and serve..." Damian's heart swelled with determination.
Khronos's pride rebelled at the thought of capture. "Looks like more flies have arrived," he sneered, glancing at Elijah. "We shall continue this... amusement another day," Khronos winked at Elijah, his tone dripping with mockery. With a flick of his cloak, Khronos vanished into the shadows, abandoning his pursuit of Damian for now.
Elijah, exhausted, met Damian's gaze. A
faint smile crossed his lips. Damian smiled back, gratitude and admiration shining in his eyes.
The Guardians swiftly cancelled the Celestial Cage formation, dispersing the concentrated energy. Their priority shifted from containment to aid. The Guardians rushed over to Elijah and the young boy, carefully supporting their limp forms.
"Elijah, hang in there," a Guardian reassured.
They gently lifted them, cradling their bodies as they began the swift journey to the Sanctum's infirmary. The boy's battered uniform and bruised face told a story of ordeal, but the Guardians' primary concern was providing aid.
Elijah's and the boy's eyes fluttered closed, succumbing to exhaustion. As Damian's eyes fluttered closed, his mind reeled with the day's events. Beaten to the brink of death by his fellow students, his school's Luminous Lyre stolen... Then, the terror of facing the man who nearly killed his savior, a monster with unfathomable power.
Damian's thoughts swirled with gratitude and debt. He owed the Guardian who saved him, but... what was his name? He hadn't even asked. The Guardian's selfless bravery had left an indelible mark. Fatigue consumed him, silencing his racing thoughts. His mind began to drift, images blurring together—the Lyre, the monster's snarl, the Guardian's determined gaze... Damian's thoughts dissolved, lost to exhaustion.
Slumber claimed him, mid-thought, his battered body surrendering to healing rest. The Guardians moved swiftly, navigating hidden pathways to reach the secluded Sanctum.