"Hey, Ekzyros! If you want to kill somebody, try me!" Robert's voice thundered across the battlefield, piercing through the chaos. "My soldiers are not here to die!"
With that, he unleashed his Arqui.
A surge of power erupted from his body - wild, untamed, divine. The air crackled and twisted around him as if the heavens themselves trembled. Every soldier - even the most battle-hardened - felt the crushing weight of his presence. The wind screamed, the ground shuddered, and for a brief moment, even the cursed devil seemed to hesitate.
Then came the voice - deep, guttural, and ancient.
"Kreth Zhul... Silar Maer... Ny'thera - Aesyr Veyr!"
Ekzyros's monstrous voice echoed like thunder from another world. The dark god's power surged outward, releasing a wave of corrupted energy that blanketed the field in shadows. The very air grew heavy - it reeked of death and despair.
But Robert's Arqui-burning like crimson lightning-met that darkness head-on.
The two forces collided, and in that instant, the darkness began to fade. Ekzyros's energy, no matter how vile or ancient, was consumed by Robert's will - the will of a man who refused to yield.
A grin cut across Robert's face. "I thought you were strong," he said, his voice sharp with defiance. "But you're nothing but a spider to me."
He tightened his grip around his sword, the veins in his arm glowing faintly red with Arqui's pulse.
"Now it's time to end this fight," he said, crouching low, muscles coiled like a predator's. "It's gonna be fun. Are you ready?"
The ground beneath him cracked as he leapt - propelled by sheer power.
In the blink of an eye, Robert shot upward, cutting through the air like a bolt of light. He soared high - so high he reached the level of Ekzyros's head - and raised his blade for a finishing strike.
Every warrior on the battlefield froze, their eyes wide with awe. Even Ekzyros's monstrous form seemed to flinch, his many eyes widening in a moment of divine fear.
But before the strike could land-
A scream tore through the chaos.
Robert's focus snapped. He turned his gaze for a single heartbeat - and that was enough.
His eyes widened in horror.
Kenjuroth-his brother, the King of Knights-was on his knees. A blade jutted out from his chest, crimson spreading across his armor.
"KENJUROTH!" Robert shouted.
But before he could move, before he could even breathe-
One of Ekzyros's serpent heads lashed out like lightning and sank its fangs deep into Robert's neck.
"AAARGHHHHH!"
The pain was indescribable - venom like molten fire surged through his veins. Still, even as his vision blurred, Robert roared and swung his sword, slicing through the serpent's skull. Black blood splattered across his face and armor.
The victory was hollow. His knees buckled. The venom burned through his body like wildfire, and the strength that once shook the earth began to fade.
"Damn it..." he whispered, falling. The world spun, the sky dimmed, and the last thing he saw was the devil looming above.
Before his body could hit the ground, Nyros Varkari appeared - faster than the wind. He caught Robert in his arms, his expression cold but desperate.
"Stay with me, brother," Nyros said through clenched teeth, carrying him away from the battlefield. He rushed to the medical tents, where Noelle lay recovering.
"Noelle," he said urgently, laying Robert beside her. "He's been poisoned by the serpent. You have to treat him - now!"
Noelle's eyes widened in horror. "Robert..."
Nyros drew his blade, positioning himself at the entrance. His voice was low, steady, filled with resolve.
"I'll protect you both. No one comes near this place... until this war ends."
Outside, the roars of Ekzyros continued to echo - a god of death still hungry for life - as humanity's hope fought desperately to stay alive.