The creature roared, its voice cracking the stone vault as ancient soulbound chains unraveled from its limbs. Twelve feet of dark arcane muscle stepped forward, its body forged from failed rituals and Hydra's twisted experiments. It was no mere weapon—it was rage incarnate.
> "They called it the Warden," Elara whispered, her expression grim. "Hydra created it to control the other monsters. But it killed its creators."
Ron's silver aura flared, lighting the dark with raw power. "Then we put it down."
The Warden lunged.
Ron blocked its strike with a shield of white magic, but the force launched him into a wall. He recovered instantly and countered with a burst of dark tendrils that slashed across the Warden's chest. Sparks and black ichor sprayed.
Elara darted forward, moving with precise elegance. Her daggers danced in arcs, carving glowing sigils into the beast's limbs. "Weaken it first. Its core is hidden behind the chest plating!"
Ron heard her—but the Warden turned toward her, faster than expected.
> "Elara!" he shouted.
It struck.
But Ron was there before the blow landed—silver and black magic colliding as he caught the Warden's fist with both hands. The ground beneath them cracked.
> "You're not touching her," he growled.
A blast of fused light erupted from his palms, sending the Warden flying backward.
The vault shook.
Elara touched Ron's shoulder. "That was… impressive."
He glanced down at her. "I told you. I'm not letting anyone else be taken."
A moment of silence passed. Heat not from magic, but something else, hummed between them.
Then the Warden screeched again and began absorbing the corrupted energy from the surrounding cells.
Ron's eyes narrowed. "Not on my watch."
He raised both hands, chanting in a forgotten tongue—one born from both Kamar-Taj and realms darker than any sorcerer dared name. A vortex of silver light formed behind him, shaped like a dragon with wings of flame and shadow.
> "Final binding spell—Dual Flame Seal."
The dragon roared and launched forward, consuming the Warden in a torrent of magic so intense the entire vault trembled.
The creature screamed one last time before it disintegrated into ash and soul fragments.
Silence.
Ron turned to Elara, breathing hard. "Still think I need backup?"
She stepped closer, smirking. "You're powerful, Silver Mage. But you're not unstoppable."
> "Guess I'll just have to impress you again."
Their eyes locked—and something unspoken passed between them.
From deep within the vault, another presence stirred… watching.
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