Chapter 41 – Ashes of Victory: The Fall of the Arcane General
The battlefield reeked of blood, scorched earth, and the acrid scent of shattered magic.
Kenya Naro wiped the crimson from his cheek, his flames dimming as he knelt beside Ruke, who was breathing heavily, one eye swollen shut.
Eliz Betham stood alone on the broken ridge, her once-soft demeanor replaced by fierce, cold silence. Her Death Cyclone Magic had pushed far beyond her limits—her hair, once gently curled, now flicked violently with dark energy.
Across from them, the Arcane General, Rank 5, staggered—his massive, dragon-like body torn and cracked, black ichor pouring from a hole in his abdomen. Each of his six arms twitched unnaturally. His wings were gone, torn by Ruke's final thunder barrage.
"Still… standing?" the General growled, laughing with broken teeth. "You weaklings were not... worthy of even my second form."
Kenya cracked his knuckles, flames igniting around him in chaotic spirals. "Then you clearly haven't seen Ultra Fire Demon Mode: Wrath Pulse."
Ruke raised one arm. "We bought time."
Eliz stepped forward. Her aura exploded in a burst of black magic infused with sorrow. "No. We finish this—together."
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The Final Assault
The Arcane General roared and lunged—his right claw forming a death sigil mid-air.
Kenya struck first, his fire turning blue as he launched forward, fists like meteorites.
"INFERNO STORM DRIVE!"
Ruke leapt from a shattered boulder, spinning midair.
"DRAGON STRIKE: SKY BREAKER!"
Eliz's voice echoed behind them:
"DEATH CYCLONE: FINAL BLACK LOTUS!"
Three attacks. One moment. The sky shattered.
The Arcane General screamed as he was engulfed in light, flame, thunder, and shadow. His body cracked—fragments of obsidian flying outward like glass.
"NO!! I AM AN ARCANE!! I CANNOT—"
His voice was devoured by the cyclone of power.
And then, silence.
When the dust cleared, there was nothing but ash.
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The Quiet After
The trio stood still, breathing hard.
Kenya collapsed to his knees. "He's gone... we actually killed him."
Eliz turned away, gripping her arm. "We didn't win. We survived."
Ruke looked up at the torn sky. "But where is Shen...?"
The clouds rumbled.
A familiar laugh echoed faintly across the wind.
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