The night air in Solaris grew thicker. Flames from collapsed houses licked the sky, reflecting red light off Ravorth's towering body like a tower of hell. Every step he took made the ground tremble, as if the world itself rejected his presence.
Kael held his breath, Astralis trembling in his hand. The sword's blue light illuminated his dust- and sweat-covered face. Beside him, Ardyn stood firm, the steel sword of Solaris in his hand seemingly dwarfed by Ravorth's serrated blade. But Ardyn's gaze was unwavering, sharp, filled with the experience of a knight who had seen many battlefields.
Ravorth slowly raised his giant sword, the friction of the serrated blade producing a shrill sound like metal being broken. Small creatures around him roared with joy, running wildly to close in on the remaining Solaris troops.
"Guards, hold your ground!! Don't retreat a single step!" shouted a Solaris captain from behind. His voice was hoarse, but enough to move the soldiers to raise their shields again.
Kael took a half step forward, suppressing the trembling in his legs. Astralis burned brighter, as if channeling courage into his heart.
"Ardyn…" he whispered.
Ardyn simply nodded. "You're by my side, Kael. Don't let even the slightest opening slip away."
Ravorth roared again, louder this time. He swung his sword forward with a speed impossible for a creature of his size.
BOOMMM!!!
The swing struck the ground in front of the gate, creating a shockwave. Rocks flew, Solaris soldiers were thrown into the air, and their shields shattered.
"Now!!" Ardyn shouted, leaping to the side to avoid the next blow.
Kael moved in unison, his body diving low and leaping to Ravorth's feet. Astralis flashed blue, slashing at the giant monster's calf. Unfortunately, Ravorth's red-and-black scales were as hard as steel. Kael's slash left only a shallow cut, blue sparks clashing with dark red flashes.
Ravorth looked down, staring at Kael with resentment. "Your attack… won't work, brat." His voice echoed throughout the Solaris kingdom, making Kael's chest tremble violently.
The giant, serrated sword descended again, this time aiming directly at Kael.
"KAEL!!" Ardyn shouted.
Ardyn leaped in, swinging his sword from the side. He didn't block Ravorth's blow—that was impossible—but instead, he struck the side of the giant blade, shifting its trajectory only a few inches. The impact shattered the rocks, creating a large crater.
Kael was pushed back, falling over, but he rose again. Kael looked exhausted, sweat mixed with blood streaming down his face.
Ardyn stared at Ravorth undaunted. "You'll have to get through me first."
Ravorth grunted, his breath like the hot steam of hellfire. He swung his sword again, this time striking in rapid succession—a brutal and savage attack aimed at destroying his enemy.
Ardyn tried to dodge and parry Ravorth's attacks repeatedly. His arms shook violently, his muscles tensed, but he remained standing. Kael rose, filling the gap at Ardyn's side, slashing from the side whenever Ravorth opened up space.
Astralis flared again, this time piercing Ravorth's skin deeper. Hot black blood spattered, hitting Kael's face. The giant creature roared in rage, swinging its arms and sending Kael flying against the rubble of the wall.
"Kael!!" Ardyn shouted, momentarily losing focus. Ravorth immediately swung his sword straight at him.
Ardyn had only a split second. He blocked the attack with his sword.
BOOOOMMM!!!
The ground cracked around him, Ardyn's body was pushed back, his sword nearly breaking. But he didn't give up. With all his strength, he pushed back, holding off the monster's power alone.
Kael rose again, his body covered in wounds, blood pouring from his mouth. But he rose nonetheless, with the last of his strength. He raised Astralis high, its blue light slicing through the darkness.
"I won't let you win!"
With that shout, he ran again, slashing at Ravorth's back with all the strength he had. Blue light burst out, making Ravorth roar loudly and release his pressure on Ardyn.
Ardyn quickly dodged and then returned to level with Kael. The two now stood shoulder to shoulder, swords raised, facing the wounded Ravorth—albeit only slightly.
Ravorth's roar shook the heavens. His giant, scarred body gleamed with a fiery red light. Thick black blood dripped to the ground, but instead of weakening, the figure seemed even angrier and more menacing.
The flames around the battlefield churned wildly, as if responding to the dark energy that was beginning to envelop Ravorth.
Ardyn raised his sword again, his breathing labored, but his eyes remained sharp.
"Kael... prepare. Something worse is coming."
Kael, though his heart was racing, gripped Astralis tightly. The sword responded to his resolve, its blue light growing brighter until it pierced the darkness of the night.
Ravorth spread his arms, the serrated sword raised high into the sky. A cracking sound rang out from the ground, as if the earth itself were terrified.
"Feel... THE BANG OF DESTRUCTION!"
The sky suddenly darkened. From the blade of his sword, a burst of red-black energy shot through the air, forming a giant vortex above them. The wind swirled wildly, sending Solaris soldiers crashing to the ground, arrows flying uncontrollably.
The vortex grew larger, then channeled its power into Ravorth's sword. The serrated blade now blazed like hellfire, each prong dripping black flames that fell to the ground, bursting into tiny bursts and incinerating everything they touched.
"Ardyn…" Kael stared in shock, his body trembling. "If he swings that at us and the troops… we might all die here."
Ardyn growled, holding his wounded body. "That's his ultimate move. Ravorth is known for this… one swing can level a line of a thousand soldiers."
Ravorth raised his ultimate sword, ready to strike. "Destroy it along with your kingdom, puny mortals!"
BOOMMM!!
A wave of energy erupted before the sword descended. The Solaris troops screamed in terror, many immediately covering their eyes.
However—
Astralis gleamed a brighter blue than before, almost blinding. Kael gritted his teeth, enduring the pain in his body, then leaped forward with a determined shout.
"If you want to destroy them… you'll have to get through me first, Ravorth!!"
Ardyn, though surprised, stepped forward as well. He raised his steel sword, positioning himself at Kael's side. "Let's stop him here!"
Two swords—one glowing legendary blue, one knightly—crossed in front of the Solaris line, ready to block Ravorth's Thunderclap.
The air hissed. Time seemed to slow.
Ravorth's sword, glowing red and black, began to descend, bringing destruction with its hellish thunderclap.