"No, it can't save me. This mere magic cannot save anyone from you."
Jihan smirked. "I am well aware of your skills with the sword… and with magic."
But his smile did not last long.
The force Ivaan was applying to break himself free from the vines was growing stronger with every second.
Jihan's facial muscles started to get tightened.
For the first time, a faint strain appeared in his expression.
The vines were holding Ivaan by his vest and forearm, yet they were not able to restrain him. Ivaan twisted his wrist with a sharp jerk and slashed.
He freed himself easily and stood tall.
His broad shoulders, in the middle of the battlefield, made him seem more divine like a god of war ready to take action.
Still, there was much more to handle than admiring him.
Jihan: "I am not here to betray you. I never intended to hurt you… You are the only person I have left on my side. So how could you even think like that?"
"Shut up! Keep your lips shut!" Ivaan roared.
Jihan frowned slightly. "Are you out of your mind? It seems you are… haaa… At least show some respect."
Ivaan's voice cut through the air again, colder and sharper this time."I said shut your mouth. We are surrounded."
The wind around them grew heavier.
Jihan was shocked " what?"
He felt chilled arround his spine suddenly he got goosebumps " you are right , we are surrounded by all around , and most funny part there are not knights nor their presence seem to be human".
With a faint, unreadable smile touching his lips, as if he enjoyed the tension of enemies surrounding him, his pale eyes remained calm.
"Still, they cannot stop me from finishing my sentence. Even the accused must be given a chance to present his testimony," the half-magician spoke as if nothing could disturb him.
Ivaan ignored him and turned his back.
"I would like to hear your explanation," he said in a low voice, "but first, I need to handle this."
He murmured in an almost inaudible voice, "Bless me, Goddess, as you once did."
His words carried such power that even the wind seemed afraid to come near him.
His warrior garments changed into a black coat .
the obsidian blade radiated such powerful energy that it could be sensed from miles away.
A dark magic circle appeared beneath his feet, spreading across the ground and surrounding him completely.
Jihan's eyes widened at the sight.
All the wind that had left Ivaan's side now surrounded Jihan, or perhaps it was hiding behind him.
Jihan's silver-white hair, which had once hiding his eyes, lifted in the wind, fully reveals his face.
A strange blend of shock and amusement appeared on his face.
Now the whole Darkshin was completely covered in darkness.
Ivaan's energy had completely swallowed the mountain that had once been swallowing everyone.
Thunderclouds had surrounded the mountain, and thunder echoed through the sky.
His enemies were an entire league of dark magic boars, hundreds of hunched goblins, the riddle riders known as Vetala, and the mysterious Name Callers, the Nishi Dak.
Our heroes were surrounded from every side by dark monsters that were hungry for their lives.
There was a dangerous shine in their eyes the kind that belonged to creatures who knew how to tear their prey apart and devour it.
Under the dark night sky, Jihan and Ivaan stood surrounded by those black demons.
Anyone on Darkshin, or even near it, could feel that tonight the mountain would either become everyone's doom… or it would be destroyed itself.
Far away, Gabriel stopped and turned around. His lips parted and his jaw dropped at the sight. He stopped and looked at what was happening.
Meanwhile, with the second team, Diana sensed Ivaan's power and the presence of an unknown energy. But there was another source coming from far away that belongs to no one.
Outside the battlefield, the Viscount was having a difficult time dealing with the injured knights.