Ravorth's sword descended with terrifying force. The air split, its roar like thunder striking the earth. A wave of red-black energy exploded from the serrated blade, striking everything in its path.
But two other lights met it.
Kael leaped forward, Astralis glowing a dazzling blue, as if the entire Solaris night sky were engulfed in its radiance. Ardyn was beside him, his steel sword raised to block Ravorth's attack.
BOOOOOOMMMMM!!!
The collision occurred.
Astralis blocked Ravorth's attack, the blue light pressing heavily against the red-black hellfire. The explosion of light exploded in all directions, engulfing the burning houses, shaking the walls, and forcing the Solaris troops and monsters alike back several steps.
The earth trembled. Stones cracked. The city walls of Solaris creaked as if they were about to collapse.
Kael gritted his teeth, his body shaking violently. Astralis's beam shot out, but Ravorth pushed back with his demonic strength.
"YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO RESIST MY POWER, BOY!!" Ravorth roared, his voice deafening.
Kael held on, his arms nearly breaking from the pressure. His knees trembled, blood pouring from his temples.
"NO… I… WILL NOT GIVE UP!!!"
Astralis grew brighter, the blue turning almost white. The light pierced the darkness, mingling with Ravorth's booms.
Ardyn stepped in at Kael's side, blocking Ravorth's attack with his sword. He knew his sword was no match for his, but his resolve was unwavering.
"KAEL! I'm with you!!"
The sound of metal clashing again. Ravorth's flames met Astralis's blue light—and Ardyn's steel sword supported him, as if all his experience, all his determination, were pushing back the darkness.
A wave of energy swept out. The smaller monsters around them were blown to pieces. The Solaris soldiers closed their eyes, their bodies nearly lifted by the immense pressure.
Blue light and red darkness crushed each other. A strange whistling sound echoed, the air hissed, as if the world itself couldn't withstand the clash of these two forces.
Kael shouted, summoning all his remaining strength. Astralis suddenly exploded with even greater light.
"THIS… FOR… SOLARISSSS!!!"
Blue light exploded, shattering Ravorth's sword. The explosion blinded everyone, turning the Solaris night into a bright, dawn-like darkness.
DOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!!
A wave of energy swept across the battlefield. The city walls cracked, the flames extinguished instantly as the light swept over everything. Monsters collapsed, their bodies reduced to ash. The Solaris troops were thrown back.
As the dust slowly settled, Ravorth's figure was seen propelled backward. A massive gash ripped through his chest, thick black blood spurting out, burning the ground beneath him.
He was knocked back, his roar echoing, this time filled with rage and pain. "GRAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"
But despite his severe injuries, Ravorth didn't collapse. He remained standing, his body unsteady, his red eyes still burning with hatred.
Kael fell to his knees, Astralis in his hand still glowing dimly. His breath was labored, and he was on the verge of passing out.
Ardyn stood beside him, his body covered in wounds, but his gaze remained unwavering—he continued to stare at Ravorth resolutely.
Ravorth faltered, his breathing heavy, black blood still dripping profusely from the wound in his chest. His voice was hoarse but filled with anger.
"Boy, I consider you win this time.
He raised his half-broken sword, but his hands were shaking violently. The darkness that usually enveloped his body seemed to dim, and the crimson-black hellfire that burned around him slowly extinguished.
The remaining monster army stared in confusion. Ravorth's usually immovable bulk now looked fragile. Fear spread through them. One by one, they began to step back, then turned and fled the battlefield.
"LORD RAVORTH…!?" one of them screamed, but as soon as the demon's red gaze turned toward him, the creature immediately fell to the ground in fear before fleeing with the others.
Ravorth roared again, but his voice now sounded more like a wounded beast than an invincible demon lord. Through his teeth, he spat black blood that hissed and burned the ground.
"One day, I will destroy you… with my own hands."
With his remaining strength, Ravorth waved his hand. Darkness engulfed his body, then he slowly vanished, leaving only a pungent, charred smell in the air.
Silence hung. The fires died down. Dust fell. Only the heavy breathing of the Solaris soldiers could be heard, mixed with groans of pain.
Ardyn kept his gaze fixed on the front, making sure Ravorth was truly gone. Only then did he turn to Kael, who was nearly falling to his knees. He quickly supported his comrade's shoulder.
"You did it, Kael... we managed to hold him off..."
Kael tried to smile, though his body was shaking violently. The Astralis in his hand slowly dimmed, as if resting after exhausting all its strength.
"But this... isn't the end..." he whispered softly before his eyes closed in exhaustion.
The Solaris troops began to cheer, some crying with relief, others still staring warily at the sky.
The battlefield was still in disarray. The fires had died down, but the stench of war still pierced their souls. The bodies of the monsters, crushed to ash, mingled with the bodies of the fallen Solaris soldiers.
"Quick! Save those who are still alive!" shouted a Solaris officer, raising his spear, his face covered in the blood of the monsters.
Several soldiers immediately sprang into action. Some dragged their comrades who were still breathing feebly, while others covered the eyes of their lifeless comrades. Agonizing cries rang out amidst the din.
From a distance, a large man in a regalia-clad armor approached. His face was hard, scarred by old wounds. He was Commander Darius, the leader of the Solaris forces renowned for his fortitude.
He stood tall before Kael and Ardyn, his eyes sweeping across the battlefield, ensuring that Ravorth was truly gone. After a moment of silence, he raised his voice.
"Solaris troops… stand your ground with courage. Today, we are saved not by luck… but by your courage, which led to victory."
Some of the soldiers who heard this lowered their heads in tears, while others clenched their fists in pride, despite their scars.
Darius then looked at Ardyn, who was supporting Kael.
"That boy…" he sighed heavily. "Without him, we might all have been reduced to ashes."
Ardyn lowered his head, his voice hoarse.
"He has sacrificed everything… perhaps even more than he could bear."
The commander stared at the unconscious Kael with eyes that rarely showed emotion. But this time, there was a glimmer of respect in them.
"Then… he is no longer just an ordinary young man. From tonight, all of Solaris will know his name as a knight."
Meanwhile, the few surviving royal advisors began to arrive. One of them was an old man in white robes—Advisor Elric, a wise figure who rarely went to the battlefield. He walked slowly, looking at the scattered casualties.
"Ravorth has retreated," he said softly. "But this is not the end… this is only the beginning of a greater disaster."
Ardyn remained silent, his gaze returning to the night sky filled with the dust of war. He knew Elric was right. That victory tonight would lead them to far more dangerous obstacles.