Zander's flames burned ever brighter as he squared off against the cloaked figure. The assassin's glowing blade pulsed with mana, shimmering like a shard of light in the darkened battlefield. The two combatants were locked in a deadly dance, neither willing to back down.
The assassin moved first, vanishing in a blur of motion. In an instant, they reappeared behind Zander, dagger aimed for the small of his back. But Zander, ever perceptive, twisted sharply, his flames roaring as he swung his arm upward to intercept the strike. Sparks flew as his fiery forearm clashed against the assassin's mana-infused blade.
"Nice try," Zander said, his voice brimming with amusement. "But you'll have to be faster than that if you want to land a hit."
The assassin didn't respond, their movements relentless as they pressed the attack. Blades of mana seemed to materialize out of thin air, slashing toward Zander from every angle. Each strike was precise, calculated, and aimed to exploit any perceived opening. But Zander met the onslaught head-on, his flames swirling around him in an almost sentient fashion, intercepting each blade with bursts of searing heat.
The intensity of the battle escalated with each passing moment. The air was thick with mana, the ground trembling under the weight of their power. Zander's flames lit up the battlefield, casting flickering shadows that danced eerily amidst the chaos.
"Not bad," Zander admitted, sidestepping another dagger that came dangerously close to his ribs. "He retaliated with a fierce kick, white flames trailing behind his leg. The assassin blocked the strike with their blade, the impact sending a shockwave through the air. They slid back several meters, their feet dragging across the scorched earth as they worked to regain their balance.
Zander didn't let up. He surged forward, closing the distance between them in an instant. His fists blazed as he unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one radiating enough heat to melt steel. The assassin twisted and turned, narrowly avoiding the blows with remarkable agility. Despite their efforts, the sheer ferocity of Zander's attacks forced them further and further back.
Zander paused momentarily, his fiery aura dimming slightly as he regarded the cloaked figure with a critical eye. "I have to admit," he said, his tone almost conversational. "You're putting up a better fight than that mutt down there. What's the deal? Were you sent to clean up his mess?"
The assassin remained silent, their stance unyielding. They raised their blade once more, mana coursing through their weapon as they prepared for the next exchange.
"Still not talking, huh?" Zander shook his head with a sigh. "You know, it's rude to ignore someone when they are talking to you. The least you could do is tell me your name before I knock you flat."
The assassin finally spoke, their voice low and edged with venom. "My name doesn't matter. Neither does yours. By the time this ends, you'll just be another corpse on the battlefield."
Zander chuckled, his flames sparking to life once more. "Big talk for someone who hasn't landed a hit yet. Tell you what—if you can get a scratch on me, He trailed off, his smirk widening. "Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves."
The assassin lunged again, their blade slicing through the air in a blur of motion. But Zander was faster. He dodged with ease, his movements fluid and controlled, as though he were toying with his opponent.
With a sharp burst of mana, the assassin shifted their strategy. They threw a barrage of glowing daggers, each one imbued with destructive energy. The blades rained down on Zander like a storm, their trajectories unpredictable and chaotic.
Zander raised an eyebrow, his flames flaring in response. "Cute trick," he said, raising one hand as the white fire coiled around him protectively. The blades disintegrated on impact, the searing heat rendering them harmless.
"Is that all you've got?" Zander called out, his voice carrying a note of mockery. "I was hoping for something a bit more creative."
The assassin didn't respond. Instead, they darted forward once more, their blade aimed directly for Zander's heart. This time, their movements carried a sense of desperation—an unspoken acknowledgment that the tide of battle was slipping out of their control.
Zander sidestepped effortlessly, catching the assassin's wrist with one hand while his other flared with fire. "With a twist of his wrist, Zander disarmed the assassin, sending their blade spinning through the air. It landed several meters away, embedding itself in the scorched ground. Before the assassin could react, Zander delivered a flaming kick to their midsection, sending them flying backward.
The assassin crashed into the ground with a heavy thud, the impact kicking up a cloud of dust. Zander straightened, rolling his shoulders as he watched them struggle to rise.
"Well," Zander said, his voice casual but laced with authority. "I think we both know how this is going to end. So why don't you save us both some time and tell me who sent you? Maybe then I'll go easy on you."
The assassin glared at him, their body trembling as they forced themselves to their feet. "You don't get it, do you?" they spat, their voice filled with defiance. "This isn't about me. It's bigger than you or me. And no matter what happens here, you can't stop it."
Zander's grin faded slightly, replaced by a look of intrigue. "Bigger than me, huh? Now you've got my attention."
The assassin didn't reply. Instead, they stood tall, mana surging around them as they prepared for one final assault.
The cloaked figure launched themselves forward once more, their blade slicing toward Zander in another desperate attempt to land a decisive blow. But Zander had grown bored of their dance. His flaming hand shot out faster than the eye could track, intercepting the assassin mid-strike.
"Enough," Zander growled, his voice cold and sharp. He gripped their wrist, his strength unrelenting as his flames licked at the assassin's mana-shielded arm, forcing cracks to form in their defense. "This little game of tag was amusing for about five seconds, but I'm done now."
With a casual flick of his arm, Zander sent the assassin flying. They tumbled through the air before slamming into the ground, coughing as they struggled to rise. But Zander wasn't about to let up. He descended upon them like a predator closing in on wounded prey, landing with a thunderous impact that cracked the earth beneath his feet.
"You're going to start talking now," Zander said, his voice laced with dangerous calm. He loomed over the assassin, his flaming aura casting an ominous light across their trembling form. "Who sent you? What do they want? And why target me?"