The battlefield rumbled, dust and sparks scattering in the air as the echoes of Lina's spell still lingered. Empowered by Elysium's Urōnia, Criss's body radiated with stone-like aura, his fists hardened, and his stance stronger than ever. He clenched both fists, glaring at the two opponents before him—Arthen with his golden lightning, and Presto, still shackled by the enemy's mind control.
"Presto… I'm sorry I have to fight you like this," Criss muttered, lowering his stance. "But I'll bring you back… no matter what."
Arthen smirked, golden lightning coursing around his body like serpents. "Hah! Big words from a lump of rock. Let's see how long you last against true speed."
Without warning, the two surged forward—Arthen flashing in golden arcs, Presto weaving in circles with thunderclaps in his steps. Their movements meshed into a circular rhythm, a deadly dance that spun around Criss from every angle.
"Damn it…" Criss growled, his eyes darting from left to right. "I can't… I can't read Arthen's lightning anymore!"
A bolt struck from behind, another from above—Criss barely lifted his stone-encased arms in time to block. His skin felt scorched, his muscles burning with the rapid strikes. He stomped the ground, forming a Stone Wall to shield himself, but the synchronized assault smashed against it relentlessly. Cracks spread across the wall, chunks of rubble flying off.
Arthen laughed, his voice booming like thunder. "You can't defend forever, Criss! Your stone will crumble against my lightning!"
The shield cracked further, every hit louder than the last. But then—amidst the sparks and flashes—Criss's eyes caught something.
Presto's face.
Behind the veil of lightning, Criss saw his friend's eyes twitching, his jaw clenched. His hands were shaking.
"Presto…" Criss whispered, his heart sinking. "You're fighting it, aren't you? You're still in there…"
The shield was nearly gone, shards breaking into dust. Criss tightened his fists. His body screamed in pain, but his heart roared louder.
"I won't let you suffer!" he bellowed, his voice echoing across the battlefield. "I won't let you fight alone!"
Mana surged within him, the ground beneath his feet glowing with cracks of radiant energy. Rocks floated upward, circling him like planets orbiting a star. His entire body was cloaked in earth energy, hardened with resolve.
Criss raised both arms, his aura blazing. "If I have to break myself to save you… so be it!"
He stomped forward, the battlefield trembling as a colossal surge of magic erupted.
"ROCK CHARGER: TITAN BREAKER!!"
The ground split apart, forming a gigantic stone fist larger than a house. It shot upward, carrying Criss with it, his punch embedded within the stone's knuckles. With unstoppable force, he drove the fist into the swirling storm of Arthen's lightning and Presto's thunder.
The clash was earth-shattering—stone versus lightning, the explosion blinding the battlefield. Dust clouds swirled, the air crackled, and the ground trembled like a quake.
"PRESTO! COME BACK TO US!" Criss roared, his voice tearing through the chaos.
The stone fist smashed through Arthen's golden lightning, slamming into him with mountain-breaking force. Arthen's body was hurled across the battlefield, crashing into the ground with a thunderous impact, his aura extinguished.
Presto staggered, lightning flickering weakly around his body before vanishing. The dark spell on him shattered like broken glass, leaving him on his knees, panting.
"… Criss…" Presto muttered, his voice trembling. His eyes cleared, tears forming at the corners.
Criss dropped to one knee, exhausted, but smiling faintly. "You're back, Presto… I knew you were still fighting in there."
Presto clenched his fists, looking at his friend with guilt. "You… idiot. You nearly killed yourself…"
Criss chuckled, wiping blood from his lip. His stone aura flickered but did not fade. "I told you before… I'll be the stone wall that protects everyone. Even if I break into pieces… I'll stand tall for you all."
The battlefield grew quiet. The others turned, seeing Arthen defeated and Presto returned. Hope sparked in their eyes once again.
Another victory… another bond saved.
To be continued…
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