"Sirius, you need to be careful now," Toby said from behind.
"I will. But why isn't he using his turf advantage more? Why is he still holding back? Is it because what you said is true, or is he unable to?" I questioned.
These queries could very well determine the battlefield's flow.
"Indeed. I've been thinking the same. If this guardian really wanted to, things could have gotten worse than hell for us. I think it's bec—" A pained squeak escaped Toby as he struggled to stand.
I wanted to offer my hand, but the guardian required all my focus.
The guardian stood nearby, attempting to catch a moment's respite.
The battle felt suspended, a trance of chaos.
"Toby?" I glanced back, concern etched on my face.
"I'm alright. Anyway, as I was saying… I think it's because it takes a toll on him. Using trees would require a huge amount of Heka, and the guardian in front of us seems in no position to use that much." He glanced at the guardian's wounds, not those inflicted by us, but remnants of past battles.
"I think it's both. Even if you hadn't used your elementals before, I don't think I would have been dead."
Toby shot me a questioning look, prompting me to explain further. "Back then, I felt the guardian holding back. He wasn't ready to kill me.. at least, not like that. I have no idea why."
"I see. Nonetheless, we still need to incapacitate him, if not try to kill him. That'll be even harder now that I'm no more than a burden."
"When have you never been?" I attempted to lighten the mood.
"Hahaha, you bastard. Even in this grim situation, some things never change."
Toby was well-equipped with protective measures, far better than I.
He could keep himself safe from future assaults.
The guardian had to focus on me, so he wouldn't be able to go after Toby directly if I kept him busy.
I sheathed my elemental sword and called upon my inner void.
Black flames as deep as the cosmos itself manifested, flickering with a strange, predatory intensity, swallowing light rather than casting it.
Every spark felt like a promise of devastation, a pulse of raw, contained violence that seemed one breath away from consuming everything in its path.
The heat they emitted wasn't just warmth.. it was a searing, hungry force that scorched the soul as much as the flesh.
Soon, it transformed into a sword.. pure element.
"These black flames of yours never cease to amaze him. They are unworldly, as if their sole purpose is destruction."
"Indeed. I can't seem to understand their source myself, but I know for certain they have way more potential than they appear." I gazed at the flickering flames.
"But it's a double-edged sword. Every time I manifest them, I need to concentrate on my sanity. It's like the flames themselves whisper to me.. to destroy it all, to burn the world around me, not leaving anyone alive. Not even myself."
"To destroy even yourself? You never told me that before." Toby's disbelief was evident, his expression caught off guard.
"It wasn't like this at the beginning, but as I started using them more, the phenomenon began. By the end of our partnership days, I was certain that if I used them recklessly, I might get drunk on the power and lose myself. That's why I stopped relying on these black flames unless absolutely necessary." I narrowed my eyes as I spoke.
This had become a life-or-death situation. Sylvie was safe, at least for now, but if I perished, it would all be over.
I couldn't afford to hold back, yet the guardian seemed to have a reason or compelled to do so.
I looked ahead and found the guardian gazing the black flames.
There was a hint of recognition in its eyes, mixed with wariness.
The guardian smirked, as if confirming something it wanted to.
But fear flickered behind its eyes as well, despite its roar, and I took a step forward.
With each step, my pace quickened until we were upon each other.
And so the dance began...
The guardian lunged, claws raised high.
I tightened my grip on the fiery sword, swinging it hard, meeting its claws with a burst of heat.
*Clink!*
The impact shook my arm as the black flames crackled against its sharp claws.
Sparks flew, and the flames spread, licking up its arm. The guardian growled, shoving forward, trying to overpower me.
I stepped back, then swung again, sending a slash of fire its way.
The beast dodged and charged forward, claws cutting through the air with deadly speed.
But I pushed against it, letting the black flames surge harder, burning up its arm.
It hissed in pain, swiping its other claw in a fast arc.
I ducked, barely missing the strike, then countered with an upward slash, flames trailing in a burning arc.
The sword seared through the air, grazing its shoulder.
Black fire spread instantly, licking up its skin as the creature snarled in rage.
The guardian lunged again, swinging both claws down.
I raised my blade to block, and the clash sent a shock down my arm. The force nearly pushed me off balance, but I held steady, feeling the power in the flames crawl over its claws, sinking deeper.
The guardian's attacks came faster now, its claws a blur as it tried to overpower me.
I blocked and parried, my blade of flames slashing through the air, meeting its claws with each clash.
Each hit sent a burst of embers flying, the heat from the flames almost searing us both.
Then, with a fierce shout, I brought my sword down in a powerful arc.
Black flames roared as they cut into the guardian's claws.
It howled, the fire spreading over its hand, crawling up its arm, refusing to let go.
The creature staggered, clawing at the flames, but they clung to it like a curse, burning deeper and deeper.
Breathing hard, I took a step back, watching as the black flames consumed it, the power still thrumming in my grip.. fierce and unstoppable.
Even in agony, his arm ablaze and the black flames threatening to consume him alive, the guardian persisted, a fierce determination etched into his every movement.
Even on the verge of burning, there was something primal and unyielding in his presence.
The beast was wounded , yes, but not defeated.
*Clang!!*
We clashed again, flame against fang, my blade smashing into its claws in a shower of sparks.
The flames flared, burning brighter, spreading across its claws as we fought, each strike a struggle for control.