The fireball exploded on impact, and Sirab was thrown across the rocky battlefield. He hit the ground hard, rolling over the dirt and gravel until his body finally came to a stop near the edge of a scorched crater. His clothes were burnt, his skin scorched, and his entire body radiated pain. Minzu, now engulfed in flames, stood tall and proud with the mark of the great fire dragon glowing on his chest. He looked down at Sirab, disappointment in his voice.
"Is this all you have, Sirab? You're this weak, and yet you think you can defeat the gods? You think you can avenge your family like this?" Minzu said coldly.
Sirab groaned and slowly pushed himself up. His body trembled, not just from the pain, but from rage and determination. As he stood, the burns on his body began to heal slowly, dark magic energy surrounding his wounds. His eyes blazed with fury.
"You don't know what I'm capable of, Minzu," Sirab growled.
Minzu's expression darkened. "Then face the wrath of Fire Art 5: Dragon Destruction!"
Flames erupted from his chest, forming the shape of a colossal fire dragon. The ground trembled under its power. Sirab's eyes widened, knowing a normal shield wouldn't protect him from this. He had no choice.
"Crafting Art 3: Real Shield!" Sirab shouted.
A large, glowing shield appeared in his hands, forged from both magic and real materials. Then he whispered, "Magic Shield Level 10: Defense Formation."
As the fire dragon roared forward, Sirab planted his shield into the ground and braced himself. The flames hit the barrier with a deafening explosion. Smoke and fire enveloped the area, but when the flames cleared, Sirab was still standing, his shield glowing brightly.
Minzu was shocked. "How? How can a shield withstand my flames?"
He walked closer and realized something. "So that's it... you combined a real shield to block the physical force and magic to weaken the flames. Clever... but let's see how long you can last."
Minzu attacked again, launching waves of fire over and over. Sirab held on, but he knew this wouldn't last forever. "If I keep standing here, he will wear me down," he thought. "I have to change tactics."
Sirab took off running, using his shield to deflect smaller blasts. "Running won't help you, Sirab!" Minzu taunted. "Fire Art 3: Fireball Fury!"
A massive fireball formed in Minzu's hands and soared toward Sirab. At the last second, Sirab yelled, "Dark Magic: Dragon Dance Blade!" and dodged the fireball with lightning speed, circling around Minzu.
Minzu turned, but too late—Sirab slammed his shield into him, sending Minzu crashing into the earth. As Minzu tried to stand, Sirab struck him again with the shield.
Minzu smiled dangerously. "You fight well... I love it."
Suddenly, the dragon mark on Minzu's chest glowed fiercely. Fire burst from his body, his eyes blazing. His arms became covered in dragon-like scales, claws forming on his hands.
"What... what are you becoming?" Sirab asked.
Minzu didn't answer. With a roar, he charged like a wild beast. Sirab blocked with his shield, but Minzu shattered it with a single blow and slashed across Sirab's chest.
Sirab hit the ground, blood soaking his shirt. Minzu advanced toward Mizuchi, who stood nearby, terrified. His mind lost to rage, Minzu no longer recognized friend or foe.
"No! I won't let you hurt her!" Sirab roared.
He raised his hands, forming dark symbols in the air. "Dark Sacrifice Magic: Blood Chains!"
Black energy surged into his veins, and his hands glowed with powerful symbols. He leapt forward and grabbed Minzu. Their hands collided, fists flying in a brutal hand-to-hand exchange.
Minzu struck with fire and fury, but Sirab fought back, his anger fueling his strength. Blow after blow, the earth trembled beneath their battle.
Then, Sirab began to falter. His mind was fading, his vision going dark. Minzu pinned him down and began pummeling him with relentless punches.
From behind, Mizuchi screamed, "Save my brother, Sirab! Please!"
Her voice broke through the fog in Sirab's mind. With one last burst of will, he remembered a spell from the ancient book.
"Monster Magic: Energy Eaters!"
A swarm of small, shadowy creatures, shaped like birds, exploded from Sirab's body. They flew at Minzu, surrounding him and biting at his energy. Minzu roared in pain, trying to shake them off, but Sirab held onto his hands tightly.
"You won't hurt anyone again!"
The dark birds drained all of Minzu's magic. Slowly, the flames around Minzu faded, his dragon form disappeared, and he collapsed to his knees. Sirab fell beside him, barely conscious.
"I win..." Sirab whispered.
Minzu blinked, looking dazed. "You... you really did it."
Sirab passed out, the battle finally over.
After a long time, Sirab finally opened his eyes.
His body was weak and aching from the battle. Cold air filled his lungs, and the sky above was covered in thick grey clouds. There were no trees around, only the silent snow-covered mountains. The white landscape stretched endlessly, and the sunlight could not reach them through the heavy sky.
Sirab tried to move, but pain surged through his body. Slowly, he sat up and looked around.
Not far from him, Mizuchi was sitting beside her brother, Minzu, who was lying still on a blanket of fur. Minzu's eyes were closed, but his breathing was steady. He was not wounded—he had only lost all his energy.
Sirab forced himself to his feet, holding his side. Each step was painful, but he managed to walk over and sit quietly next to Mizuchi.
After a moment, he spoke. "Your brother is going to be fine," he said gently.
Mizuchi nodded but didn't look at him. Her eyes stayed on Minzu. Her voice was soft, filled with emotion. "He's recovering… slowly."
She turned to face Sirab. Her eyes searched his face, and she asked quietly, "Why did you risk your life for me, Sirab? Why did you throw yourself into danger like that?"
Sirab looked down. He didn't have a clear answer. After a moment, he replied, "I don't really know. I just… I don't like seeing people close to me get hurt. I've already lost too many."
Mizuchi said nothing, but her eyes softened.
Sirab gathered his strength and asked, "What happened to Minzu during the fight? He completely lost control."
Mizuchi looked away toward the snow-covered hills. "It's because of our family's bloodline… the Mizuam family. Our power is strong, but dangerous. If we push it too far, we lose control of ourselves. The magic takes over."
She paused, her voice a little shaky.
"Now… only the two of us are left. Minzu and I are the last living members of our family."
Sirab was silent. The cold wind blew around them, and the snow crunched under their boots as they sat quietly in the frost.
"I thought I'd lost him," Mizuchi whispered. "But you saved him. You brought him back."
Sirab looked up at the cloudy sky. "He's lucky to have you," he said. "And now, you're not alone anymore."