The forest had become a warzone, the air thick with the stench of smoke and the echo of screams. Amid the destruction, Layla stood like a twisted queen, her black hair whipping around her as she reveled in the carnage. The cursed flames danced around her, casting an eerie light over her deranged smile. But when she turned, her eyes locked onto a familiar figure emerging from the smoke.
"Oh, Princess! What brings you here?" Layla taunted, her voice dripping with mockery.
Charlotte stepped forward, her sword gleaming in the dim, fiery light. She held her posture steady, though her eyes betrayed the fury within. "Why are you doing this, Layla?" she demanded, voice unwavering despite the madness around them.
Layla giggled, a sound that rattled Charlotte's nerves like ice scraping across stone. "Oh, you mean this?" She spread her arms wide, gesturing to the devastation—burning bodies and the chaos she'd set in motion. Her eyes glinted with pure madness. "Hehe, it's fun!"
"I need you to stop this," Charlotte's voice was low, but her grip on her sword tightened.
Layla's grin stretched wider. "What if I don't?" she purred, the cursed flames flickering around her hands.
Charlotte's expression hardened. "Then I guess I'll stop you myself."
Layla threw her head back and laughed, the sound echoing through the forest like a death knell. "Oh, then let's see who'll stop who! It'll be fun!" she cackled.
With that, the battle began.
Layla lunged forward, her movements erratic and wild—like a demon set loose. Flames exploded from her hands, sending waves of cursed fire toward Charlotte. The princess swiftly sidestepped, her heart racing with the intensity of the attack.
Charlotte kept her calm, breathing deeply as she assessed Layla's frenzied style. She knew she had to get close, find an opening in the chaos. Layla's strikes were powerful but unpredictable.
"Is this all you've got, Princess?" Layla mocked, laughter filling the air as she conjured a Cursed Touch, attempting to sap Charlotte's strength. Dark tendrils crackled through the air, but Charlotte darted to the side, the curse grazing past her.
"Not even close," Charlotte replied, her voice steady. She unleashed a burst of light—Blinding Flash—momentarily blinding Layla and giving her a crucial opening.
Charlotte wasted no time. She charged forward, bringing down her blade in a swift Radiant Strike aimed at Layla's side. The sword glowed with divine light as it sliced through the air, but Layla twisted away, only the edge grazing her shoulder.
"Nice try, Princess, but you'll have to do better!" Layla taunted, her eyes flashing as she retaliated with Hex of Misfortune. A dark shadow enveloped Charlotte, causing her to stumble as bad luck took hold.
Charlotte gritted her teeth, shaking off the curse. "I won't let you win," she snarled, activating Divine Shield to absorb the oncoming wave of cursed fire.
[15 Damage Absorbed]
The forest had turned into a hellish battleground. The trees splintered under the force of their powers, and the air crackled with energy. Charlotte felt the heat of the flames, but she pushed through the pain, activating Healing Radiance to restore herself.
"Aw, what's the matter, Princess?" Layla teased, her voice shrill with laughter. "Can't keep up? I heard Noah's been spending a lot of time with Scarlett. Maybe he's forgotten all about you!"
The mention of Noah hit Charlotte like a blow to the chest, jealousy flaring within her. Her anger surged, stoking the fire inside her. "Shut up, Layla!" she snapped, her voice rising with the weight of her emotions. "This isn't about him!"
Layla's grin widened, malice in her eyes. "Oh, but it is. You broke your engagement, and now look at you—desperate and alone!"
The taunt fueled Charlotte's rage. With a roar, she charged forward, sword raised high. "I'll show you who's desperate!"
Layla danced away, her movements like a predator's as she retaliated with Cursed Reflection, sending dark energy back at Charlotte. The attack struck her squarely, and Charlotte staggered back, the curse gnawing at her strength.
"Is that all you've got?" Layla mocked. "Just a pretty princess pretending to be a warrior!"
Charlotte's fury erupted in full force. She had to end this now. With a burst of speed, she activated Angelic Wings, ethereal wings unfurling from her back as she soared into the sky.
"Let's see how you handle this!" Charlotte shouted, diving toward Layla with a Radiant Strike aimed directly at her heart.
But Layla was fast. She used Shadow Bind, ensnaring Charlotte's feet and causing her to crash hard to the ground. The impact rattled her bones, but Charlotte quickly rolled to her feet, her determination unwavering.
"Nice try, but you'll have to do better!" Layla mocked, her laughter echoing through the burning forest. She unleashed a torrent of cursed flames, twisting around her like a storm.
Charlotte dodged, narrowly avoiding the inferno. "I won't let you destroy everything!" she shouted, her voice filled with unyielding resolve.
With a swift motion, she activated Celestial Guidance, her instincts sharpened as she anticipated Layla's next move. Layla lunged forward, crackling with dark energy, trying once again to drain Charlotte with Cursed Touch.
Charlotte sidestepped, countering with a Blinding Flash that sent Layla reeling. Charlotte didn't hesitate—she closed the distance, sword poised for a decisive blow.
"Enough of this madness!" Charlotte shouted, channeling all her energy into a final Radiant Strike. Her blade surged with divine light as it sliced through the air.
Layla twisted away, her chaotic energy propelling her at the last moment. The blade grazed her side, but it was too late.
"Think you can stop me?" Layla sneered, her eyes glinting with mania. "You're just making it more fun!"
Charlotte's frustration boiled over. She wasn't playing anymore. "This isn't a game!" she shouted, her heart racing as she prepared to strike again.
Layla grinned, her voice dripping with malice. "You're just jealous of what I can do. Noah will never look at you the same way again!"
The words hit like a physical blow. Charlotte's entire body burned with the pain of her insecurities, but her resolve only solidified. "I said shut up!" she roared, charging forward with a renewed ferocity.
Layla attempted to drain Charlotte's strength with Soul Drain, but Charlotte was ready. She activated Divine Shield just in time, the barrier absorbing the curse's dark energy.
[15 Damage Absorbed]
"Impressive, but it won't save you!" Layla cackled, her voice echoing through the burning ruins around them.
The heat of the flames surrounded Charlotte, but she refused to falter. She couldn't back down. Not now.
With a sudden burst of speed, Charlotte activated Angelic Wings again, soaring above Layla. "This ends now!" she shouted, diving toward her foe with all her might.
Layla, sensing the incoming attack, tried to ensnare Charlotte with Shadow Bind, but Charlotte was faster. She twisted in mid-air, narrowly avoiding the dark tendrils and landing behind Layla with grace.
In a single fluid motion, Charlotte raised her sword, channeling every ounce of energy into one final Radiant Strike. "For everyone you've hurt!" she cried, bringing the blade down with all her strength.
The sword connected with a resounding clash, and Layla let out a shriek as the radiant energy enveloped her. Time seemed to freeze as light consumed her, and in an instant, she disintegrated into shimmering particles, leaving nothing but silence in her wake.
[+600P]
Charlotte stood in the midst of the scorched earth, breathless. The weight of the battle hit her all at once. Her thoughts drifted to Noah, and a single tear slipped down her cheek, though she quickly wiped it away, shaking her head to clear the emotions.
"I can't let this distract me," she whispered to herself, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. The battle was over, but the fight for her future was just beginning.