Oreon stood between Meara and Vexes, the two elven princesses still in his hold. His golden eyes fixed on the corrupted dark elf, the red aura around him pulsing with each breath he took.
Vexes looked at Oreon, slightly tilting his head. He maintained his stance, his dark aura flickering slightly.
"So, the human returns." He crossed his arms. "And here I thought I put you down long enough for me to take out the rest of the trash." He straightened his head up. "It seems more punishment is necessary."
Oreon's jaw clenched as he carefully lowered Celestia from his back, setting her down beside Meara.
"Meara," he said, his voice low. "Take care of them."
Meara's eyes widened slightly as she looked at the battered princesses. Sylvanie was barely conscious in Oreon's other arm, her violent hair matted with blood and dust. Celestia wasn't much better. Her pale blonde hair tangled, bruises blooming across her skin.
"Boy…" She stared at the princesses for a moment longer before looking back up at him as he turned his attention back to Vexes. "You can't be serious." Her grip on her bow tightened. "You've been in that form for too long, you are in no condition to—"
"I know," Oreon cut her off. He gently placed Sylvanie beside her sister, making sure both were secure before straightening up. "But out of all of us, I'm probably the only one who can still fight." He glanced over at Meara. "The grove's power is fading faster than you're letting on, isn't it?" He asked her, as Meara didn't answer, which was more than he needed. "Right then,"
Meara's eyes scanned Oreon, slight tension building between the two as she sighed heavily. "I never thought I'd see the day when you would best me in words, boy." She lifted her head. "Don't let it go to your head." She turned her head towards Vexes, who stood there, waiting patiently with his arms crossed. "He's stronger than I thought. The Order has buried their blessings deep within that one." Her eyes narrowed as she watched the dark aura radiate around the dark elf. "But even without that cursed power, he was a pain in the ass to deal with." She turned her sights to Oreon. "This won't be a walk in the park, boy. Don't let your guard down."
Oreon nodded, glancing over at Vexes as well. "Wouldn't dream of it. Besides, I don't think we can afford any more mistakes." Oreon added, before slightly glancing back at Meara. "When this is over, if we get through this. Promise me you're going to tell me what this is." He looked down at his hands, palms facing up, as he looked at the red aura still encasing him.
Meara's eyes softened slightly, a flicker of understanding crossing her features as she glanced back at Vexes, but still speaking to Oreon. "Don't you think you're being selfish, boy? You're not getting two victories off me today." She looked back at him. "Let's get out of this mess, and then we'll talk about what comes next."
Oreon looked at her for a moment longer and then let out a short breath, a small laugh escaping him. "Fair enough." He began walking forward.
"Give 'em hell." Meara's words left her mouth as she watched Oreon take the stage again. "Make your mother proud."
Oreon made his way towards Vexes, slow steps as he stopped right in front of the tall dark elf. Staring up at him as the dark elf looked down at him. "Finally done with your little farewells, human?" He uncrossed his arms, his hands resting calmly by his side. "Good. I was growing bored."
Oreon's eyes narrowed upward as he glared up at Vexes. "Then let's fix that."
The air grew heavy between them, crackling with an invisible tension that made the hairs on the back of everyone's necks stand on end. "Very well, human." Then they moved.
A blackish purple and red streak of energy began to bounce off one another as they attacked.
The clash of their powers sent shockwaves rippling across the ruined square—Oreon's dagger connected with Vexes's curved blade, repelling each other as they crossed blades.
Vexes quickly appeared over Oreon as he raised his curved blade high in the air and brought it down with force, causing Oreon to dodge and jump back to gain some distance from the dark elf.
Growling under his breath, a black lightning-infused energy ball appeared in his free hand. "Shadow bolt!" Vexes cried out, throwing the energy ball towards Oreon.
Oreon's eyes widened as the sphere of darkness hurtled toward him. He twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the blast—but the impact exploded behind him, sending debris flying. Chunks of stone pelted his back as he rolled forward, using the momentum to close the distance as he got to his feet and charged forward, slashing at Vexes with his dual daggers, switching his handle on his weapons as he attacked.
Vexes parried the first strike with ease, but Oreon's second blade found purchase, slicing across the dark elf's forearm. Dark blood spilled, though Vexes barely flinched. Instead, he quickly grabbed Oreon by the back of his shirt and slung his arm, flinging Oreon backward towards a small building.
Oreon's back slammed against the crumbling wall, the impact driving the air from his lungs. Dust and stone fragments cascaded around him as he slid down, coughing harshly. His vision blurred for a moment—just for a small moment—but it was enough.
Vexes was already there. The dark elf executed a backhand swing with his sword, aiming for Oreon's face, but Oreon swiftly raised his own blades to parry the blow. The force sent him through the wall, and his body collided with the ground as he rolled to his feet, breathing heavily.
"You're slowing down, human." Vexes lazily lets his blade rest on his shoulder, a sick smirk crossing his lips. "How unfortunate for you." He quickly charged forward, barely giving Oreon time to guard as he appeared in front of Oreon, feinting as he was about to bring his blade down. Still, he moved again, appearing at Oreon's side, causing Oreon's eyes to widen as he saw Vexes's blade coming towards him again, slashing as Oreon was barely able to counter. Still, once again, the force sent him sprawling outside of the wreckage as his body tumbled to the ground, skipping against the cobblestone like a rock skipping on water before he finally came to a stop.
"What the hell…He's so much stronger than before." Oreon gritted his teeth, trying to push himself up on his hands and knees, but Vexes appeared beside him once again.
Oreon's eyes shot up in shock. "What!"
Vexes's boot connected with Oreon's ribs before he could react, the impact lifting him off the ground entirely. The force behind the kick was monstrous, far stronger than anything Oreon had felt before. He flew, only for Vexes to appear above him and bash him in the back of the head, driving him downward, crashing through what remained of a merchant's stall before skidding across the battlefield again.
"Pathetic," Vexes drawled, as he landed on his feet. Yvonne and Divia walk slowly behind him, stopping to stand at his side. "Is that really all you have to offer? The great power of dragon blood…reduced to this, a mere plaything for a human. How disappointing."
Oreon coughed, pushing himself up to his feet. His body screaming in pain, his golden eyes flickering now, threatening to turn back into their regular brown color. "He's right…" Oreon breathed. "I'm fading and fast…I don't know how much longer I can keep this up." He glanced over at Meara and then back at Vexes. "At this rate…" He gritted his teeth in frustration.
Meara could see it—Oreon's aura flickering like a candle fighting against the wind. Her eyes narrowed as she eyed the battlefield. "Hmph," She nocked an arrow as emerald energy surrounded it, but just like Oreon. It wasn't steady, not anymore. Her energy flickered, her arms trembling from the power she had previously exerted, and, against her will, they lowered. The energy that encased the bow faded completely.
Meara's eyes lifted quickly, surprise and disbelief written across her features as her energy depleted, causing her to drop to one knee, gritting her teeth as she tried to summon more strength from the grove, but she was at her limit.
Down below, the three dark elves faced a ragged, breathing Oreon.
Yvonne's lips curled into a smile. "I told you, didn't I?" She crossed her arms over her chest. "Even with that little surprise you gave us, you were still no match for us. Now look at you, barely able to stand." Her eyes sized him up. "You're barely clinging onto your weapons, what more do you think a simple human like you could do?"
Oreon's grip tightened on his daggers despite the pain shooting through his arms. Blood dripped from various cuts across his body. His body trembled, not from fear but from exhaustion and the strain it was under, as his aura desperately tried to stay alive while he planted his feet.
"It's over, human," Divia spoke up next. "The purifier himself will hand down your punishment against the Order." She gritted her teeth as she took a step forward, not forgetting what Oreon had done to her earlier, before continuing his fight with Vexes. "Although I'm sure the purifier wouldn't mind if I break a leg or two." She took another step forward. "It'll make you…less resistant to his methods." She licked her lips, thinking about the pain she could cause him now.
Oreon's vision swam. The world was tilting dangerously as he fought to stay upright, as he felt the power that the dragon blood within him receding, pulling back like a tide going out to sea.
"Not yet," He thought desperately. "Come on…Just a little more…Just a little more."
"I think it's time we end this." Vexes finally spoke up again. "We've wasted enough time…With this farce of a show." He looked at Oreon, a slight flicker in his eyes as he held up his hand. "However, human. I want to show you one last thing." He snapped his fingers, and several dark portals opened around them.
Oreon and Meara's eyes widened in horror as the sound of metal footsteps could be heard as the Holy Order knights began to step through the portal that Vexes created. His dark laughter echoed as they marched.
The knights emerged one by one, their gleaming armor catching the dim light filtering through the smoke-filled sky. Dozens of them, no, more than that. They moved, legs marching, completely synchronized with one another as they surrounded the battlefield.
Oreon's heart sank at the sight.
Behind him, Meara carried the same expression.
Celestia had regained enough strength to watch from her knees. Her mouth was wide open at the terrifying sight she was taking in.
Sylvanie gritted her teeth, leaning against a destroyed wall. Anger was evident on her face, but behind it, frustration at being unable to do anything about it.
Vexes watched their reactions with a smug satisfaction, his arms spreading wide as if presenting a gift. You see it now, don't you?" His voice carried over the marching boots. "This…this is what the Order truly is. An Endless tide." He lowered his arms, his crimson eyes gleaming as he locked Oreon in his sights. "Did you really think your little rebellion stood a chance?"
Oreon's knees buckled. He caught himself, barely, his daggers scraping against the ground as he used them for support. The red aura around him sputtered…flickered…then died completely. His eyes shifted back to their natural brown, and suddenly the world felt so much heavier.
"No…" The word left his lips before he could stop it.
Vexes tilted his head, watching, savoring the idea that he had just crushed all hope that the group had. "The look of someone who finally understands." He took a step forward. "You fought well, human. Better than most." Another step. "But in the end…You're still…a human."
As the knights closed the circle around the battlefield, Vexes stepped forward and stood over Oreon's battered form, smirking down at him.
But, before he could even think about making his next move, a high-pitched whistle pierced the air, followed by a blinding flash atop the town's eastern hill. Catching everyone's attention as the light subsided to reveal a figure standing there. As the light dimmed, they could make out the form of a woman in a hooded cloak, her face obscured but her stance confident.
"Reinforcements? How? Who would dare?" Divia scowled, her eyes glaring at the newcomer.
The hooded figure raised her hand, and the ground beneath the Holy Order knights suddenly began to tremble, roots erupting from the earth and wrapping around their ankles, pulling several of them down into the dirt at once.
"Woodland…Woodland magic,' Celestia whispered in awe, recognizing the ancient power that only a few elves could wield. The mysterious woman leaped from the hill, landing in front of Oreon. As she straightened, her hood fell back to reveal pointed ears and solid green eyes."
"Another elf!" Yvonne barked as everyone viewed the woman. Her long, wild green hair flowed down her back as her eyes scanned the surroundings, as if she were surveying the situation. Under the cloak, her body was dressed in clothing that revealed her stomach, legs, and arms. An earth-toned fabric covered her chest and stopped right just above her stomach. The same fabric did the same with her thighs, stopping at the top of her legs. She was barefoot with gold, with the same fabric tied around her ankles, and two gold bracelets wrapped around each wrist.
"It…It can't be." Oreon looked at her wide-eyed, familiarity coming from the sight of the Elven woman since childhood days. "Aura?"