The Shadow Caster staggered back, his cloak shifting like liquid darkness as he regained his composure. Kaito could see the faint outline of his form, though the forest around him seemed to darken even more in response to his presence. The air grew heavy, charged with an oppressive, eerie energy. Kaito's heartbeat quickened.
"Not bad," the man sneered, his voice now tinged with an edge of frustration. "But I've had enough of playing games."
The ground beneath their feet seemed to tremble as the Shadow Caster raised his hand, his fingers crackling with an inky black energy. The shadows in the forest began to warp and twist, stretching like living creatures, reaching out toward them. Kaito's instincts screamed at him to move, but the shadows were moving too fast.
"Starlight Fox, move!" Kaito shouted, his voice urgent.
The fox reacted in a blur, disappearing into the shadows as it dodged the tendrils of dark energy that surged toward them. The fox blinked out of sight using its Space Wrap, reappearing behind the Shadow Caster in a flash. Its glowing eyes shone through the darkness like twin stars, and it lunged toward the enemy with another Cosmic Strike.
But the Shadow Caster was ready.
With a sharp, almost imperceptible flick of his wrist, the man unleashed a wave of darkness so dense it swallowed the fox's attack. The cosmic energy dissipated into the void as though it had never existed, and the Starlight Fox staggered back, its body flickering as it struggled against the oppressive force of the shadows.
Kaito's heart dropped. The Shadow Caster's control over the darkness was on an entirely different level than anything they had faced before. It was as though he had the power to negate their attacks, turning the tide of battle in an instant.
"Don't let him overwhelm you!" Kaito called out, his voice tight with determination.
The Starlight Fox growled lowly, its form blinking back into view, panting slightly from the exertion. It hadn't been hurt, but the overwhelming force of the caster's shadows had drained its energy. Kaito could feel the same drain on his own mana. The Shadow Caster wasn't just physically powerful—he was draining their resources, feeding off the very darkness around them.
"You're a stubborn one, aren't you?" The Shadow Caster's voice dripped with disdain. "But I can't allow you to continue interfering. This world is full of weaklings, and you're no different."
The man raised both hands now, and the shadows beneath their feet began to coalesce, forming into sharp, spear-like protrusions that shot toward Kaito and his partner. Each one was imbued with the caster's dark magic, crackling with destructive force.
Kaito didn't hesitate. "Flame Dash!"
In a flash, Kaito's body surged forward, propelled by fire and heat. The spears of darkness tore through the air, grazing the edges of Kaito's burning form, but he managed to weave through the attacks, coming within striking range of the Shadow Caster. The fox, sensing the opening, followed its master's lead, appearing beside Kaito and striking out with a rapid series of Cosmic Strikes.
The Shadow Caster hissed in annoyance and conjured another shield of shadow, deflecting the blows. The cosmic energy shattered upon contact, dissipating like stardust in the wind.
"Enough!" the man screamed, his voice growing more frantic with every failed attempt to break through their attacks. His hands crackled with dark energy again, this time concentrating it into a single, massive orb of pure darkness.
Kaito's stomach dropped as he saw the orb swelling in the caster's hands, growing larger by the second. This wasn't just a typical spell. He was preparing something much more dangerous.
"Starlight Fox, get back!" Kaito shouted, his voice desperate. "This guy's going all out!"
The Starlight Fox's ears flattened as it darted to the side, away from the Shadow Caster. But Kaito knew it wouldn't be enough. The sheer force of that attack would catch them both if they didn't stop it.
"Flame Dash again!" Kaito roared.
He ignited his mana, pushing himself faster than before, closing the distance between him and the caster in the blink of an eye. He wasn't sure if he could reach the man in time, but he had no choice. The orb of darkness was nearly complete.
With a surge of willpower, Kaito jumped, twisting in midair, his fist glowing with the heat of his fire. His goal was simple: disrupt the Shadow Caster before he could release the spell.
But before he could strike, something unexpected happened.
The Starlight Fox appeared beside him, its form glowing with a sudden intensity. It leapt into the air, a shining comet of energy, its paw extended toward the caster's dark orb.
"Space Wrap—NOW!" Kaito commanded.
The fox blinked across the battlefield, faster than Kaito could track, appearing right next to the Shadow Caster. The caster didn't even see the fox coming before the Cosmic Strike landed right on his chest.
The impact of the strike didn't just disrupt the caster's focus—it shattered the orb entirely, causing a massive shockwave of light and darkness to ripple through the forest. The Shadow Caster let out a strangled yell, his form flickering and distorting as the energy backlash hit him.
The fox landed gracefully a few feet away from the caster, its tail flicking as it panted lightly, the attack having drained some of its energy.
Kaito, still mid-air, landed with a roll to absorb the impact. He pushed himself up, his heart hammering in his chest. The Shadow Caster staggered back, clutching his chest where the cosmic energy had hit. His cloak hung in tatters, and the dark energy around him seemed to flicker in and out of existence.
"You… you little pests!" the Shadow Caster gasped, fury flashing across his face. "You've forced me to show my true power."
Kaito gritted his teeth. It wasn't over. Not yet.
The Shadow Caster raised his hands again, but this time, instead of shadows, he began to summon something far more dangerous. A glowing, fiery light began to surround him, the air crackling with an intense heat. It was clear that this was a final move—a desperate one.
Kaito could feel it in his bones. If this next attack hit, it could be the end for both him and his partner.
"Starlight Fox!" Kaito shouted, his voice filled with urgency. "We have to stop him!"
The fox's eyes narrowed, its body flickering as it prepared for its next move. They had one chance—one final chance to turn the tide.