The two thieves gave in to their rage and started stalking toward Aiden.
'I can feel my magic power fading,' Aiden thought. 'I've gotta end this fight fast.'
"Filthy scum," one of his opponents spat. "You think you're the only one around here who can wield magic?"
Both thieves smashed their fists together, and a purple aura erupted, enveloping their bodies.
"Two against one?" Aiden said with a mocking edge. "Guess this'll be even more fun."
The thieves charged at Aiden, unleashing a flurry of perfectly coordinated punches and kicks.
Aiden dodged and blocked with his arms, but as the seconds ticked by, their attacks grew faster and fiercer.
"You can't keep defending forever," one of the thieves taunted. "What, you too scared to hit back?"
"Well, if that's what you want," Aiden replied with a smirk. "Don't cry about it later."
Aiden caught their fists mid-strike, twisting them until the thieves howled in pain. Seizing the moment, he slammed a punch into each of their stomachs, the force sending them crashing into a tree trunk.
Both Lyra and Aiden thought it was over, but the thieves staggered back to their feet.
"Didn't think we'd have to go this far… but you've left us no choice."
"Hope you're ready to burn, you little bastards."
Lyra and Aiden exchanged confused glances, their confusion deepening as the thieves summoned an even brighter blue aura from their bodies.
Within seconds, the aura took on a swirling, curved form, and a sudden heat in the air revealed its true nature: genuine flames.
'Damn it, I'm running low on energy,' Aiden thought. 'I can't waste my next move. What do I do?'
The thieves were gearing up to attack, and Aiden was running out of time to strategize.
Then it hit him. The ground was littered with craters—big puddles formed from the rain a few hours ago.
Aiden zeroed in on the puddle between him and the thieves, channeling all his strength into his fists.
The thieves rushed him, wreathed in flames that scorched the surroundings. Aiden closed the distance too, and just as they were about to collide, he threw a punch at the puddle.
A wave of water surged over the thieves, dousing their magic flames in an instant and leaving them defenseless.
"Take this!"
With a single strike to each of their faces, both thieves crumpled, knocked out cold. Aiden's aura fizzled out, and exhaustion from the magic he'd burned through hit him hard.
"Aiden!" Lyra cried, her face lit with relief and joy. "You did it!"
"Lyra… you okay?"
Aiden tried to step toward her, but his legs wobbled, and his vision blurred.
He felt his body collapse, and the soft touch of Lyra's hands cradling his face was the last thing he was aware of.