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Duke Balin: Lady Raina, think about it. You're protecting a ruler who can't even defend himself.
Raina glances over her shoulder at Alf.
Duke Balin: He doesn't even possess his Draga — and even if he did, he'd still be weak.
Elva: (Mumbles) Oh, shut that crap.
The Duke turns to her.
Elva: You're not the same elf I used to admire. [Although I haven't completely unlocked my Draga Essence yet...] I'll fight to the very end.
Duke Balin: You are no match for me.
Elva: (Smirks) Yë — but we are.
In an instant, Princess Raina lashes her whip at Balin, but he catches the tip just in time. However, an arrow shoots straight into his left chest. He slowly turns toward the source — Elva. Duke Balin's fingers touch the wound; his face drops, and his lips part as if to speak.
But our bold ælfen Elva doesn't give him a chance 😅. She leaps forward, loading another arrow midair. Before she can release it, Balin thrusts his hand toward her, and dark vines made of Bias Energy snake around her forearms and legs, slamming her against the rough ground. As she struggles to rise, his hand closes firmly around her neck.
Princess Raina: Onai-õ!
A surge of red light courses through her whip — the kind that sears through one's insides — but as it reaches Balin's grasp, the light recoils and slams back into its wielder. The force knocks Raina off her feet, though Alf catches her just in time. Her body burns with rising heat.
Duke Balin: (To Elva) Submit to me, and I shall free you.
Elva: (Gasping) N...never.
Duke Balin: Xär Je.
His grip tightens around her neck. Just as Elva's vision begins to blur, a bolt of dark energy strikes Balin's hand. The vines vanish, and Elva falls free, gasping for breath. Balin clutches his burned hand — the flames flickering with a dark, ominous aura.
Duke Balin: 😳 You…
Hans: (Rushes to him in concern)
Duke Balin: (Turns to Alf) Your powers are...
Alf: (Standing) Khoff, khoff. Surprised?
Alf conjures a dark flame above his left palm.
Alf: Imperial Knights of the Edhel-Ambar! On my command — seize the sorcerers!
Imperial Knights: Yë, Your Majesty! Ahhh!!
Battle erupts between knights and sorcerers. Balin stares down at his scorched hand.
Duke Balin: You deceived me...
Alf: Though I am weak for now... (meets his gaze) I'll protect my people — to the very last.
Elva runs to support Raina, helping her stand.
Duke Balin: If you possess your Dragon Spirit... (eyes widen) then... (glances at Alf) the Dark Gem is—
Alf: True.
Oh, charming Balin 🤦😌 — you've just been double deceived. Alf doesn't have his Dragon Gem; you only believed he does.
Devastated, Balin looks on as his sorcerers fall under the blades of the Imperial Knights.
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NOTE: Now, you might be saying, "Swords against magic? Knights against sorcerers? Impossible!" But come on — this is reality we're talking about. The Imperial Knights are trained to be ruthless and invincible. They're no joke.
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Duke Balin: (Mutters) Why...?
Alf: Just stop this, Elder Cousin.
Duke Balin: It wasn't supposed to end like this... (stares at the ground)
Hans: Bal...?
Duke Balin: (Shaking his head) It wasn't... it wasn't.
A fierce wind begins to stir.
Duke Balin: I won't let it! I would never allow it!
A sudden blast of wind erupts, lifting him from the ground.
Princess Raina: (Weakly) His... Lókë Form...
Elva: (Wide-eyed)
Alf: (To the Imperial Knights) Return!!
The knights attempt to obey but are blocked by an unbreakable wall of energy.
Yang: {Is that even a word...}
Focus on your fight 😑.
Alf: No — release them!
He hurls a globe of fire at Balin, but it has no effect. Instead, it enrages him.
Duke Balin: (Fangs bared) I didn't want to hurt you... but now—argh! (He drops to his knees, clutching his chest, eyes shut.) You'll feel the pain I've felt since childhood!
Elva: Balin, stop! There's no turning back once you awaken your inner corruption! You'll lose your bonds — your kin!
For a moment, Balin trembles... then his heart hardens once more.
Duke Balin: So be it. Aaaarh!!!
His hands morph into dragon claws as thick purple mist swirls around him.
Alf: No! Stop!!
Elva quickly passes Raina into Alf's arms.
Elva: (Murmurs) Stop him — before he fully transforms.
Alf: What do—?
Without hesitation, Elva charges forward, firing arrows infused with Energy. Each one rebounds, forcing her to twist and evade midair. She rises higher, readying another shot charged with power—
Then, through the rolling mist, the Aglad-Lókë slowly raises its furious head. Elva freezes, stunned. Seizing its moment, the
Aglad-Lókë lashes out — claws flashing — sending a violent slash toward Elva...
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