Bolt surged forward with a crack of lightning, moving at a velocity that blurred the air around him.
His entire body crackled with raw energy, sparks dancing along his skin as he unleashed a surge of power—his mastery of lightning reaching a new peak, channeling the storm itself through his veins.
His tongue stuck out slightly in concentration as he summoned the full fury of his elemental might.
With a thunderous strike, Bolt slammed into Dracula, the force of his attack causing the vampire to stagger backward.
Dracula's eyes flashed with dark amusement, but beneath that, a flicker of concern as he felt the overwhelming surge of lightning coursing through his defenses.
His dark magic flickered, trying to resist the onslaught, but Bolt's power was relentless—an unstoppable storm.
Elara watched fiercely from the sidelines, her eyes narrowing as she and the others engaged in their own fierce combat.
They exchanged blows—punches, blades, and bursts of elemental magic—each fighting with everything they had.
Sparks flew, ice shards shimmered, and shadows twisted around them in the chaos.
Elara clenched her fist, her magic simmering just beneath the surface. She whispered to herself with quiet intensity.
"Almost ready... Steady... watch carefully." Her breath fogged in the cold air as she focused her energy, her power building in silent anticipation.
And then, with a final breath, she shouted, "And go!" Her eyes flashed with determination.
Seizing the moment, Elara moved swiftly, coming from behind Dracula. She shouted with commanding authority.
"Stay frozen in place!" Her icy magic erupted in a furious blast of frost and shimmered with shimmering blue light, engulfing Dracula in a freezing storm.
The vampire's form stiffened instantly, his face contorting in a gruesome expression as he was trapped in a grotesque, icy prison—his body encased in a cruel sculpture of frost.
"Vespera," Dracula called out weakly, his voice strained as he struggled against the icy grip, but it was too late.
Elara's magic held him firmly.
Bolt, panting but triumphant, looked at the frozen Dracula and said, "We did it."
Elara nodded, her chest rising and falling with exertion. "Yes. We did."
Suddenly, Vespera, after knocking Emberion out with a swift punch, turned to look at the scene, her face a mixture of shock and fury.
Her mouth hung open as she saw Dracula trapped in ice. "Dracula..." she whispered, disbelief and anger mixing in her voice.
Before she could react, Elara swiftly cast another spell—her magic flowing like a torrent—and froze Vespera in place too.
A shimmering wall of ice encased her, sealing her in a deadly prison just as she was about to strike again.
Emberion's crimson hair fell in messy waves as she knelt down carefully, her eyes fixed on the object she had just claimed. She peered closely at Vespera's Staff, holding it delicately but with purpose.
"And I will take this," she said softly, her voice low and steady.
Ji-Hoo, who had been silently observing, looked at the staff with curiosity shining in his eyes.
"What is that?" he asked, voice tinged with wonder.
Emberion's gaze hardened as she explained, "This is Vespera's Staff. She used this orb to create portals—gateways that transfer creatures of the Night to this world. And this orb contains the souls of every creature of the Night. If we destroy it, they will all vanish—every single one of them."
A tense silence fell over the group. The weight of her words sank in as they understood the stakes.
"So, what are we waiting for? Destroy it," Ji-Hoo suggested eagerly, his eyes burning with resolve.
But Zephyria shook her head gently, her pastel pink hair bouncing with her movement. "We need the Prince's soul first," she said softly. "Before we destroy it."
Her voice carried a quiet authority. "When I say Prince, I mean In-Su."
Elara nodded in agreement. "Yes. We'll need to make him a part of the history of this world—something he can be remembered for Evil."
All eyes turned to Bolt, who looked down, lost in thought.
His fists clenched at his sides as he absorbed their words. After a moment, he whispered with quiet determination, "Yes... I will do it. I will save Mire."
Elara's face softened with a gentle smile of reassurance. "We believe in you, Bolt."
Ji-Hoo nodded quietly at Aquaris's words. "Okay," he said softly, understanding the gravity of the situation.
Aquaris placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Ji-Hoo, you need to go back to Earth—Mysta's mother. We have to tell her what happened, so she knows where her daughter is." His voice was calm but serious, carrying the responsibility of the task.
Ji-Hoo looked down for a moment, then nodded again. "I understand."
Bolt opened his mouth to offer words of caution, his expression tense with concern. "Don't stress her too much," he began, "or—"
But Elara interrupted gently, her voice reassuring. "I'm sure they can handle Mysta's soul. With him there, it's safe."
Elara then looked around, her eyes searching. "Who's going to escort him?" she asked.
Zephyria stepped forward, her pastel pink hair bouncing as she nodded. "I will. Me and Aquaris. We'll make sure he gets there safely."
Both Zephyria and Aquaris reached out, taking Ji-Hoo's hands firmly. Without hesitation, they turned and began walking away from the chaos and the battlefield, their figures fading into the distance.
Bolt watched them go, his eyes flashing with sadness. A mixture of worry, hope, and guilt flickered across his face as he silently wished them safety.