The air was thick with tension as Riven and Felix took their fighting stances, but before they could launch an attack, Leo stepped forward, gripping his hand tightly.
"Leave him to me," Leo declared, his voice laced with excitement.
Felix and Riven exchanged a look of surprise.
"Don't let your anger or excitement cloud your judgment," Felix warned. "We're supposed to take him out together!"
Leo turned, shooting Felix a glare. "If you get in my way… I'll kill you too."
Riven immediately stepped between them, his eyes sharp. "No fighting among comrades," he said firmly before glancing at Leo. "Do what you want. But if I see the slightest sign of trouble, I will step in."
Leo smirked, his confidence unwavering, while Felix and Riven took a few steps back.
The enemy, a young swordsman with piercing eyes, scoffed. "What kind of sword mage pushes his comrades away just so he can enjoy a fight?"
Leo gritted his teeth. "Shut up! That has nothing to do with you!"
The boy chuckled. "I hope you don't disappoint them, then."
Leo smirked, his fighting spirit burning. "Worry about yourself."
Flames vs. Lightning
"Rampage… Kanzanryuken!"
Flames erupted around Leo's body, engulfing him in a fierce blaze as his sword took form. The heat radiating from him distorted the air.
The boy remained unfazed. "You're just showing off."
Leo wasted no time. He lunged forward, his blade swinging down with terrifying force. The boy sidestepped at the last moment, dodging effortlessly. But Leo was already prepared. He planted his free hand on the ground, using it to shift his balance, and launched a second attack.
The enemy's eyes widened slightly at the sudden adjustment, but he managed to twist his body, barely avoiding the strike as the blade grazed his clothing. He jumped back, creating distance.
"Electrocute… Raijinmaru!"
A surge of electricity crackled around him, forming a golden blade of lightning. The weapon hummed with power, illuminating the area in flickering light.
Leo smirked. "Thanks for the light show."
Before he could react, the boy vanished.
Leo's instincts screamed at him, and he barely had time to raise his blade in defense before the enemy reappeared behind him. He dodged, but a sharp sting ran across his chin as blood dripped down.
Felix tensed. "He's fast!"
Riven took a step forward. "I'm stepping in—"
Leo held out a hand, stopping him. "I'm not done yet."
The enemy grinned. "You're too naïve."
Leo clenched his fists. His speed… it's like Seraphina's. No, even faster… But how?
As if reading his thoughts, the boy smirked. "It's the speed of lightning. Nowhere near the speed of light, which your kingdom boasts, but still faster than your eyes can keep up with."
Felix's expression darkened. "Does that mean… he's as fast as Seraphina's dad?"
Riven exhaled. "We should step in."
"No." Felix gritted his teeth. "Leo's still fighting."
Sparks crackled as the two clashed again, exchanging rapid blows. Their blades created bursts of fire and lightning with each strike.
"Lightning Magic… Thunderbolt!"
A surge of lightning shot toward Leo.
Leo's instincts took over.
"Fire Magic… Undulating Flames!"
A fiery barrier erupted around him, deflecting the lightning. But Leo looked furious.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAD TO USE A DEFENSIVE SPELL!" He clenched his fists in anger. "Defense is for the weak!"
The barrier dissipated as Leo roared, "Flame Magic… Spiral Flames!"
A spiraling blaze surged forward.
The boy narrowed his eyes. "Tch."
With a flick of his blade, lightning crackled and dissipated the flames.
Leo's expression twisted in frustration. I can't give him time to react!
He rushed forward, his blade raised high, engulfed in fire.
Just as he was about to land a decisive blow—
The enemy caught his sword with his bare hand.
Leo's eyes widened in shock.
Electricity crackled along the boy's arm, and he smirked. "Such puny tricks won't work."
With a powerful kick to the stomach, Leo was sent flying. He crashed into the ground, coughing violently.
He caught my blade… with his bare hand… His vision blurred for a moment, and then—
A flash of his father's face crossed his mind.
Riven caught Leo before he hit the ground.
Felix rushed over. "Leo!"
Leo lay on the floor, panting heavily. Damn it… Damn it!
Riven and Felix exchanged a glance. They had seen enough.
A Storm Rises
They stepped forward in unison.
"Storm… Arashiha!" (Riven)
"Blast away… Kazeken!" (Felix)
Their swords materialized, the wind swirling violently around them.
The boy raised an eyebrow. "A dual-blade user? And both of you wield wind magic? This is going to be fun."
They wasted no time.
Riven dashed in first, his blade slicing through the air. The boy raised his sword to deflect—
But a thin cut appeared on his cheek.
He scowled. What…?
Felix leapt from above.
"Wind Magic… Wind Slash!"
Blades of wind rained down.
The enemy shoved Riven aside, barely dodging.
He glanced at his cheek. That attack from before… I blocked his blade, but still got wounded. Did he slice me… with wind itself?
His eyes darkened. I have to be careful around this one.
Lightning surged through his legs. He vanished.
Riven's eyes darted around. Where is he?
A blur of motion—
Felix grunted as a blade slashed across his back.
Riven lunged forward, swinging his sword. But the boy moved in zigzag patterns at insane speed.
"You can't touch me," he sneered. "You can't keep up with my speed."
Riven inhaled deeply, closing his eyes. Calm down. Study his movements. Be one with the wind…
Wind spiraled around him.
The boy frowned. "He's controlling the wind?"
The air thickened, becoming harder to move through.
Riven smirked. "Let's see you run in this."
The boy attempted to move—
But a deep slash appeared across his chest.
He stumbled, glaring at Riven. "If I can't escape the wind…"
He charged.
"Then I'll just take you out directly!"
Lightning surged around him as he closed in—
Only for Felix to appear in front of him.
"Wind Magic… Wind Tornado!"
A raging cyclone engulfed the enemy, hurling him into the air.
He struggled, looking down. Where did Riven go?
A voice came from above.
"Wind Magic… Slice 'n Dice!"
A series of wind slashes rained down, cutting into him.
The boy crashed to the ground, his breathing heavy.
Felix exhaled. "Did we get him?"
A surge of mana pulsed through the air.
They turned to see the enemy rising.
Lightning crackled around him, his eyes murderous.
"How dare you do this to me…?" His voice was low and dangerous. "You weaklings should know your place."
The air trembled.
"Lightning Magic… THUNDER'S GATE!"
A massive surge of electricity roared to life.
Riven and Felix braced themselves.
The battle was far from over.