Kaelith's flames burned brighter, a supernova of fire as he launched himself at Corvus, Ember's Fury a blur of crimson light. Corvus's dark sword met him, the two forces clashing in a cataclysm of sound and fury.
The ground shattered, the skies split, and the very fabric of reality seemed to tear apart as the two of them clashed. The defenders stumbled back, their ears ringing, their eyes blinded by the intensity of the explosion.
As the dust settled, Kaelith stood tall, his flames burning brighter than ever. Corvus's dark sword was shattered, his body twisted and broken, his eyes fading into darkness.
"You... can't... win," Corvus whispered, his voice barely audible.
Kaelith's expression was cold, his eyes burning with a fierce light. "I already have," he said, his voice like a crack of thunder.
With a final burst of flame, Kaelith struck, Ember's Fury piercing Corvus's chest, shattering his undead heart. The dark sword dissipated, Corvus's body collapsing to the ground, his eyes fading into nothingness.
The battlefield fell silent, the defenders staring in awe as Kaelith stood victorious, his flames burning brighter than ever. The darkness receded, the shadows retreating as the light of the setting sun broke through the clouds.
"He's done it," Arin breathed, his voice barely audible.
"He's saved Ardentia," Harlen said, his voice filled with wonder.
Cyrin's expression was thoughtful, his eyes fixed on Kaelith's back. "He's become something more."
As the defenders cheered, Kaelith stood tall, his flames burning brighter than ever, his eyes fixed on the horizon, his heart still pounding with the intensity of the battle. The fate of Ardentia was secure, the darkness vanquished, and the light of hope burning brighter than ever.
The defenders rushed forward, surrounding Kaelith, their voices raised in cheers and congratulations. Kaelith smiled, his eyes shining with pride, his flames burning brighter than ever, as he stood victorious, the savior of Ardentia.
Kaelith and Corvus stood facing each other, the air thick with tension and the weight of their shared history. Corvus's eyes flickered to Kaelith's face, and for a moment, the madness that had consumed him was replaced by a flash of recognition and pain. He remembered the burn, the searing agony of Ember's Fury branding his skin, leaving a scar that would never fully heal. Kaelith's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing as he searched Corvus's face for any hint of weakness. The silence between them was oppressive, the only sound the distant crackling of flames and the soft whisper of the wind through the trees.
"What happened to Claude?" Kaelith asked, his voice low and menacing, his words breaking the silence like a stone thrown into a still pond. Corvus's eyes dropped, his shoulders sagging slightly as the weight of his actions bore down on him. When he looked up, the madness was back, but it was tinged with a hint of shame and regret. "He... was a sacrifice," he whispered, his voice barely audible, his words carrying on the wind. "A necessary one." Kaelith's grip on Ember's Fury tightened, his flames surging with anger and a sense of betrayal. A sacrifice? For what? he wanted to scream, but he held his tongue, waiting for Corvus to reveal his hand.
Corvus's eyes gleamed with a malevolent light, his expression twisted into a cruel smile. "For power," he hissed, his voice dripping with malice. "For the Shadow King's return." Kaelith's expression was cold, his eyes burning with a fierce light as he realized the true extent of Corvus's madness. The Shadow King, a being of darkness and shadow, was a legend, a myth that had been relegated to the dustbin of history. But Corvus believed, his faith in the Shadow King burning brighter than any flame. Kaelith's flames burned brighter, his sword at the ready, his heart pounding with anticipation. "You'll never succeed," he snarled, his voice like a crack of thunder. "I'll stop you."
Corvus laughed, the sound dry and brittle, like the crackling of dead leaves underfoot. "You... can't stop... what's coming," he whispered, his voice barely audible, his words carrying a sense of inevitability. "The Shadow King... will consume everything." Kaelith's expression was resolute, his eyes burning with determination. He would stop Corvus, no matter what it took. He would save Ardentia, no matter the cost. "I'll stop you first," he growled, his voice low and menacing, his flames burning brighter with every passing moment.
Corvus smiled, a twisted, cruel smile, his eyes glinning with madness. "You... will fail," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Just like... you failed Claude." Kaelith's eyes flashed with anger, his flames surging with fury. He would not fail, not again. He would save Claude's memory, no matter what it took. "I'll show you what failure looks like," he snarled, charging forward with Ember's Fury, the flames burning brighter with every step.
The two enemies clashed, their swords meeting in a burst of flame and darkness. The battle was far from over, but the outcome was far from certain. The air was thick with the stench of smoke and ozone, and the sound of crackling flames filled the air. The ground trembled beneath their feet, and the skies seemed to darken, as if the very gods themselves were watching the duel.
The duel raged on, the two enemies locked in a struggle that would decide the fate of Ardentia. The flames burned brighter, the darkness deepened, and the world seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the outcome.