The deep caverns of Galamon trembled with the resonance of dark magic. Every corner reeked of death.
The battle raged on with merciless intensity.
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Ener and the Obsidian Golem
Ener gripped his sword tightly as the massive obsidian golem loomed before him. The creature raised its colossal fist and slammed it into the ground, shattering stone and shaking the cave. Ener leapt to the side, but the shockwave struck his chest, staggering him.
The golem hurled another punch. Ener crossed his blade upward, blocking the strike. Sparks flew as steel clashed against crystal, numbing his arms. The impact hurled him against the wall.
Coughing, Ener forced himself back up, eyes blazing with fury. He slashed at the golem's legs, forcing it to stumble. Yet the wounds sealed instantly, shadow stitching the cracks.
Grinding his teeth, Ener blurred into motion, darting side to side, weaving through the monster's crushing blows. Finally, he aimed at the glowing crack in its chest. With a roar, he drove his blade deep. The steel pierced the dark crystal core. The golem shrieked, its body split in half, then burst into fragments of shadow.
Ener gasped for breath, but his eyes gleamed with triumph.
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Necor and the Dark Knight
Elsewhere, Necor clashed against a towering shadow-forged knight. Dual blades gleamed in his hands, his eyes sharp and unyielding.
The knight's greatsword came down like a falling tower. Necor sidestepped, guiding the strike aside with his left blade, stabbing forward with his right. The shadowy armor absorbed the thrust.
The knight spun and slashed horizontally. Necor dropped low, rolling beneath it, but a heavy kick slammed into his back, knocking him forward. He hit the ground, rolled, and sprang back to his feet, breathing hard.
— "You're nothing but shadow… and yet I can cut both light and darkness with my blades."
Then he moved like a storm. His swords became a blur, raining down relentless strikes. The knight faltered, forced on the defensive as the cave rang with steel.
Necor locked its weapon with his left sword. With his right, he swept across the creature's neck. The shadow's head flew off, and its body dissolved into nothingness.
Necor's breath was heavy, but his eyes were calm—like a swordsman who had walked through countless battles.
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Mamir and the Black Orc
The fiercest struggle belonged to Mamir.
Before him towered a monstrous black orc, its massive axe dripping with bloodlust.
The orc roared and swung down. Mamir caught the blow with his sword, but the force numbed his arms and rattled his chest. The beast's hot breath washed over him like a furnace.
Again and again, the axe crashed down. Mamir blocked each strike, pain burning deeper into his bones. His knees buckled under the force.
Then the orc slammed a boot into his chest. Mamir staggered back, breath torn from his lungs. As he struggled, the beast lifted its axe high, ready to cleave him in two.
At the last instant, Mamir rolled aside. The weapon smashed into the earth, cracking stone. Dust rose as Mamir dashed left, cutting the back of the orc's knee. Bone cracked. The monster crashed onto one leg.
Seizing the chance, Mamir darted behind it. With one decisive strike, he drove his sword into its thick neck. Blood sprayed, the orc roared—and then its massive body collapsed lifeless to the ground.
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Runya and Efsanya
But the true battle unfolded elsewhere.
Runya blinked—and suddenly stood in another realm. The sky was clear, flowers vibrant, light everywhere. Before her appeared a radiant figure: Efsanya as she once was. The first queen of the fae, wings shimmering with innocence.
Runya's breath caught.
— "This… is your past?"
Efsanya's eyes filled with sorrow.
— "I was the first queen of the fae. The very symbol of purity… but my innocence was stolen—taken by force. Ostomas killed me, corrupted my soul, and dragged me back into this cursed existence."
Runya's heart ached. Her hands trembled.
— "So… you never chose this path yourself."
Efsanya closed her eyes, nodding in anguish.
— "My fate was bound in his chains. And with those chains, he will drag the world into ruin. Ostomas will return, Runya… and all you love will vanish in his shadow."
Tears welled in Runya's eyes. She could not hate her. She felt only sorrow.
— "I understand… but I cannot let you continue. Because I too must fight for those I love."
For an instant, Efsanya's expression softened. But then her wings flared with black fire.
— "Then fate shall decide!"
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Clash of Light and Shadow
The heavens ignited. Black flames poured from Efsanya's hands, colliding with Runya's radiant beams. Explosions filled the sky, thunder cracking through the void.
Runya soared, her silver arrows of light piercing the darkness in endless streams. Efsanya answered with spears of shadow, hundreds at once, raining from above. Runya spun and weaved gracefully, slipping through the barrage, determination burning in her gaze.
— "You are still good inside, Efsanya! The darkness chained you, but I will break those chains!" Runya shouted.
For a heartbeat, sorrow crossed Efsanya's face. Then her storm of magic intensified. Black lightning slashed the skies, burning the tips of Runya's wings. She cried out, spiraling down, but flared her wings again, rising defiantly.
Light and shadow clashed, thunder booming. Runya spread her hands wide. Her eyes turned white, her wings blazing with forbidden fae magic. All light gathered into a single, blinding sphere.
She hurled it forward. It struck Efsanya like the sun itself.
The dark queen screamed as her body unraveled. Her lips trembled with her final words:
— "Thank you… for freeing me from this agony…"
Her voice faded into shadow.
Runya descended, tears streaming.
Then the portal opened. She stepped back into the cavern, rejoining Mamir, Necor, and Ener.
Mamir, still clutching his bloodied blade, lit up at the sight of her.
— "My love… I feared the worst."
Runya threw her arms around him, weeping softly.
— "It's over now… let's find your mother."
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