Rian charged at Elahar and said to his companions.
Rian: "I'll handle this one myself. It'll be different this time."
Thanks to the training he had received from Edward after his last defeat, Rian had regained his confidence. Ria and his companions looked on with worried eyes, but they respected Rian's decision and stood ready to provide support at any moment.
Rian swung his greatsword, sending a powerful shockwave at Elahar. Elahar lightly dodged the shockwave and countered, crossing his dual weapons as he moved toward Rian. Rian, using Edward's enhancement magic to boost his speed, blocked Elahar's counterattack and swung his greatsword again, aiming for an opening.
The two's attacks clashed fiercely. Rian's greatsword pushed at Elahar with its heavy and powerful force, but Elahar, with his nimble movements, deflected his attacks and successfully defended.
Elahar: "Your skills have improved, Rian. But it's still not enough to surpass me."
Elahar quickly controlled the distance and rhythm, responding to Rian's attacks. As Elahar's defense hardened, Rian made a split-second decision. After clashing fiercely with Elahar, he used the force of his greatsword to push him back and shouted.
Rian: "The real fight starts now!"
At that moment, Rian lifted his greatsword high into the air, and with a tight grip on the hilt, he spun the blade. The greatsword flashed with light and split in two in Rian's hands. It instantly transformed into twin blades, settling lightly in his grasp. The new weapons allowed Rian to move with even greater agility.
Wielding the twin blades, Rian rushed at Elahar with more speed and nimbleness. Elahar frowned as he saw Rian's transformation.
Elahar: "So you've transformed your weapon. But don't think you can win just yet."
Rian continued his assault even more rapidly with the twin blades. Swinging them alternately from left and right, he tried to break through Elahar's defense. Elahar, sensing Rian's increased speed, attempted a sharper counterattack, pressing him.
The two swords flashed like light, flying toward each other. Rian tried to use the advantage of his twin blades to break Elahar's defense, but Elahar still maintained his composure, dodging Rian's attacks and countering. While parrying Rian's attacks, he looked for an opening to strike at his weak points.
Elahar suddenly Blinked, teleporting to Rian's side and attempting a sharp thrust. Rian quickly spun his body to dodge the attack and crossed his twin blades, aiming for Elahar's side. However, Elahar instantly created distance and evaded the attack.
Elahar: "Good. With this level of speed, it seems you're finally ready to face me. But I will be the one to decide the end of this battle."
Elahar attacked Rian, repeatedly using Blink. Rian swung his twin blades alternately to chase the blinking Elahar. His attacks gradually became sharper, and Elahar also began to be pushed back by Rian's momentum. But Elahar was still a cut above Rian. His movements were incredibly fast and precise, and Rian had to use all his strength to keep responding to his blinking attacks.
Rian tried to break Elahar's defense by moving his twin blades even faster. However, Elahar instantly moved behind Rian and delivered a powerful blow. Rian staggered from the attack but collected himself and charged at Elahar again.
Elahar: "Now it's starting to get a little interesting. But you're not there yet, Rian."
Elahar read Rian's movements and pushed him even harder. Rian defended by crossing his twin blades with one hand and attempted a quick counter with the other. Elahar dodged Rian's sword while leisurely countering. Rian found an opening in that moment and rushed toward Elahar, swinging both blades at once.
Elahar smiled, evaded Rian's attack, and threatened him with his own sword. The battle between the two grew more and more intense, and Rian pushed himself to overcome his limits. However, Elahar still overwhelmed Rian, blocking his attacks.
Rian gathered his last bit of strength and swung his twin blades, but Elahar casually parried the attack and subdued him.
Elahar: "I admit you've gotten stronger. But you'll need a little more time to surpass me."
Rian gritted his teeth at Elahar's words. But he did not give up.
Rian fought fiercely with his twin blades, but he was beginning to feel the limits of his exhaustion. Elahar repeatedly used Blink to attack Rian, and his defense gradually began to falter. After several exchanges, as Elahar's victory seemed imminent, Rian's companions finally decided to step in.
Ria: "Brother, you can't do it alone! We'll help!"
Ria stretched out her hands and cast an ice spell to bind Elahar's feet, and Marielle added her holy power to make the ice even stronger. Brunok, with Silverfang, aimed for Elahar's flank and fired his gun. Eris used her shamanism to disrupt Elahar's energy, throwing him into confusion. Elahar's movements were gradually slowed by the coordinated assault, and for the first time, his expression turned serious.
Elahar: "Hmm, I didn't expect you all to become this strong. Truly impressive."
The party's cooperation was powerful. Marielle fired a holy light that could harm enemies while protecting allies, and Eris cursed the enemy's energy to weaken their attack power. The combination of holy power and shamanism gave the party a unique strength, and they gradually began to push Elahar back.
Elahar looked flustered by the unexpected attack. His movements slowed and he grew tired from the companions' powerful teamwork. But just then, a giant Orc warrior appeared next to Elahar and let out a loud laugh.
Orc Warrior: "Hahaha! Elahar, what are you doing here? This looks like fun! I'm getting in on this."
The Orc warrior walked over leisurely, a giant axe slung over his shoulder. His muscular body showed off his immense power, and his intimidating presence made Rian's party hesitate for a moment.
Orc Warrior: "I am Brakka, the greatest warrior around here. It looks like fun, you all ganging up on Elahar."
Brakka swung his giant axe and charged at Rian's party. Elahar smiled with composure and began to fight alongside Brakka.
Elahar: "Brakka, I didn't expect you to join. Very well, let's have some fun with them."
With Brakka's arrival, the tide of battle turned sharply against Rian's party. Even in a 2-vs-5 situation, the combined assault of Elahar and Brakka overwhelmed them. Marielle focused on defense and healing, trying to maintain her companions' stamina, but Brakka's powerful axe swings broke through their defenses.
Marielle: "Everyone, be careful! I will strengthen the divine protection!"
Marielle used her healing magic to regroup their lines, but Brakka's onslaught was still overwhelming.
Brunok: "Damn it, this Orc too?! This is too much!"
Brunok and Silverfang tried their best to hold the defensive line, but they were easily pushed back by Brakka's axe swings. Elahar regained his composure and began a powerful counterattack.
Ria: "To think we'd be pushed back like this...! It's not over yet, everyone, focus!"
Rian grew more and more exhausted, realizing how difficult this battle was. He looked at his companions and gathered his strength again.
Rian: "We don't go down easy! Everyone, let's fight together!"
Rian's party fought to the end, protecting each other. They faithfully fulfilled their roles, and fighting desperately to survive this battle, they finally rose again with voices full of resolve.
Elahar: "Still not giving up... Your will is commendable. But this is the end for you."
Elahar and Brakka tried to overwhelm them, but Rian and his companions held on to the end, never stopping their counterattacks. They believed in each other's strength and vowed that together, they could overcome any crisis.
The outcome of this battle was still unknown, but Rian's party once again scoured the battlefield with a strong will, refusing to ever back down. Their cooperation and resolve were their greatest strengths in this fight.
***
Episode : The Rematch with Elahar & Co. and the Ancient Tower
Rian's party was being pushed back further and further by the powerful joint assault of Elahar and Brakka. The sharp strikes of Elahar's sword and the merciless swings of Brakka's axe began to break through the defenses of Rian and his companions, and they were faced with a situation they could no longer withstand.
Seeing his fallen companions, Rian made a decision. He had to admit defeat and escape from this battle for now.
Rian: "This isn't working... We're not ready to fight them yet. Everyone, prepare to flee! Marielle, Ria, Eris! Create a diversion!"
Marielle unleashed a holy light, creating an intense flash that temporarily blinded Brakka and Elahar. At the same time, Ria summoned the wind to create a powerful vortex, obscuring their vision, while Eris used an electric shock to numb their senses. The flashing light, the swirling wind, and the remnants of electricity shook Brakka and Elahar, breaking their concentration.
Elahar: "This is... interesting. They're quite good."
Brakka: "Haha, is this the end of it? A shame to see them run away."
Elahar shook his head slightly and sheathed his sword. He did not pursue Rian's party as they quickly disappeared from sight. Brakka also lowered his axe and burst out laughing.
Brakka: "Hahaha! That was fun, what a pity. I'll wait until they get stronger."
Rian's party hastily fled from the tower, running fast to escape the battle. Their breaths came in ragged gasps, and everyone looked exhausted, but they supported each other, moving forward one step at a time. By the time they stopped to catch their breath, Rian realized something was strange.
Rian: "Wait... this tower... it's too far from where we were. This isn't its original location."
Ria looked around, tilting her head.
Ria: "You're right... Can the tower move? Or did we see something wrong?"
Brunok let out a heavy breath and stroked Silverfang's head.
Brunok: "You don't think they moved the tower to lure us in, do you? Or maybe the tower itself is testing us."
Marielle looked at Rian and continued.
Marielle: "Could it be the will of the divine? If our coming here was part of a plan... then there is only one path we can choose. We must go inside the tower and see for ourselves."
Eris looked at the tower with caution. Her eyes detected a mystical energy flowing from it.
Eris: "The power this tower holds is not simple. It could give us an important answer, but there could also be dangers lurking. We must be careful."
Rian clenched his fist. This tower could be the very clue that could change their destiny. Their goal was still clear. It was to quell the chaos in the Gnome Kingdom and to find the strength needed to win the fight against Elahar.
Rian: "Alright. Let's find out why this tower is here and what's hidden inside. We might be able to find the reason we came to this place."
Rian's party approached the entrance of the tower. They looked at each other with expressions mixed with doubt and anxiety, but their hearts were still filled with resolve. Even though entering the tower might be dangerous, they decided to move forward to find answers.
As they approached, the tower's gate opened slowly, inviting them into its dark interior. Rian gripped his greatsword tightly and led the way, and his companions followed him, cautiously stepping into the tower. What was waiting for them in there? They moved, step by step, into the unknown world.