An invisible semi-spherical field covered Crocus and Mala.
With this, the battle began again.
[Crocus]: Now this looks rather impressive.
Mala covered the distance between them in the blink of an eye and clashed fists with Crocus, creating a massive shockwave.
Dust and smoke covered the area.
As soon as it dispersed, both had disappeared.
The ground started cracking, the sky tearing into two parts.
Crocus and Mala began fighting at an intense pace, causing massive damage to the surroundings with every impact.
Within the blink of an eye, mountains collapsed, nearby rivers dried up.
As soon as their punches clashed again, a huge explosion destroyed everything within a one-mile radius.
Mala… she was going berserk.
Losing control and abandoning standard combat, while Crocus fought with a calm and calculated expression.
Crocus (thinking): It seems this range shiftling boosts her physical stats. Her speed… it increased with her awakening and was further amplified by this range shiftling.
Suddenly, a pair of wings appeared on Crocus's back, and he started flying away.
Where was he going?
The answer was obvious—he was getting out of the range of the shiftling. Not because he couldn't beat her there, but because beating her there wouldn't be fun.
Mala tried to catch him mid-air, but to her surprise, Crocus accelerated even further.
While doing so, Crocus created a massive hurricane. The fires on the ground were triggered by it, and a huge heat wave crashed into Mala.
The temperature within the range started rising rapidly.
This was a catastrophic battle.
Mala (thinking): Can I even beat this monster? Why is Pratik taking so long?
Mala stood up again, determined. She launched herself into the air with sonic booms, trying to chase Crocus at full speed.
Mala (thinking): He's trying to drag me outside the range. This is bad. He's far faster than me. Moreover, I can't fight him outside the range.
In this hopeless situation, an idea was born in her mind. A new technique, perhaps.
Mala (thinking): This shouldn't be impossible after my first maximiser. My Dark Energy Reserves must have increased after hitting it. Also, this range shiftling should be boosting my reserves at a sufficient rate.
With those thoughts, she joined her hands and began chanting.
[Mala]: Agraham Sunesha, Divine Punishment, Chains of Heaven.
Dozens of glowing chains shot forward at impossible speed, catching Crocus and slamming him into the ground.
Mala herself fell to the ground.
Mala (thinking): Looks like my Dark Energy Reserves are nearly depleted. I can't use flight sorcery anymore.
She approached Crocus—but to her surprise, it was just a clone.
Her eyes widened in shock.
Her range shiftling deactivated due to insufficient Dark Energy Reserves.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed her neck from behind and lifted her like a doll.
It was the real Crocus.
[Crocus]: To think that a mere chick would have such potential… truly intriguing.
He threw her away and transformed into his massive dragon form, purple eyes glowing.
Dark clouds once again covered the sky.
The only sound that echoed was his roar.
Fire and destruction consumed everything around them.
[Crocus]: Tell me, mortal. What is your last wish?
[Mala]: Huff… like I'd tell a lizard.
She said with a groan.
In that moment, she realized she had already lost.
But she hadn't accepted defeat.
And that… was what Crocus hated the most.
Something he considered arrogance and foolishness.
Without giving her a chance, he used a strange magic. Mala's movements ceased, and she collapsed to the ground.
She was still breathing—but her heart was slowing down.
He started laughing loudly.
[Crocus]: Only if you weren't an idiot. Wahahaha…
Suddenly, Crocus felt a chill run down his spine.
A strange feeling.
He couldn't sense any powerful presence approaching—but it was terrifying nonetheless.
Just then, Crocus glanced at the ground and saw it had turned completely black.
It felt like darkness had consumed everything.
Far away, on the opposite side of the planet, people were in agony. The war had wiped out countless Dragolings.
Kids crying, adults crying alike.
Fires and destruction caused by nukes were spreading.
Many Dragolings suffered from burns and radiation.
It was as if hell itself had been summoned.
A few spacecrafts were leaving nearby, carrying civilians away from this hellish planet.
A kid escaped one of the spacecrafts and started running toward the fires.
Kid: Papaaa!! Where are you!!!
Eloka, the sorcerer hunter, ran after him.
[Eloka]: That's dangerous, kid! Get back on the ship!
Eloka caught the kid and held him tightly.
[Eloka]: I'll try to find your papa. You stay on the ship.
Saying that, Eloka ran back toward the burning ruins, where chances of survivors were higher.
After some time, he found an injured man with severe burns.
[Eloka]: Leaving your child like that isn't good, old man.
With a faint smile, Eloka tried to help him—but suddenly, something horrifying caught everyone's attention.
A massive nuke landed far away.
Everyone embraced their loved ones, thinking it was their last moment.
The light almost swallowed them.
But then…
They felt darkness.
The ground turned completely black.
Everyone who was wounded found their injuries healed.
Even the effects of radiation were gone.
Eloka (thinking): What… in the world is this?
From space, the entire planet looked black—as if swallowed by darkness itself.
Back to Crocus—
He heard a voice that cleared everything.
"RANGE SHIFTLING, SHADOW LORD'S GARDEN."
---
EXTRAS:
Domino Communities
Domino Communities are those that can affect the structure of the multiverse or megaverse they reside in. There are 12 Domino Communities throughout the Living Verse.
Many communities remain unknown because their leaders or supreme authorities never show up in Domino Community meetings. These communities also have unknown domains, making them even more mysterious.
Top ten most powerful Domino Communities:
1)Unknown
2)Asura Community
3)Unknown
4)Buster Community
5)Hagino's Paradise
6)Unknown
7)Gretoling Empire
8)Unknown
9)Terracoling Empire
10)Unknown