O’viles lunged forward, the ground shattering beneath him. A flurry of slashes cut the hallway floor and walls into pieces. Torn flesh and hovering bodies were dismantled into piles of gore, falling like rain. The faint, humming marks of his slashes lingered in the air, glowing purple.

  He stood behind Flame Lord, his grin wide, eyes burning with the thrill of combat. Sarah and Fojima stood utterly still and silent at the display of power. Sarah’s grip tightened on Fojima’s shoulder.

  “Flame Lord. Sorry to—” O’viles’s words died in his throat.

  Flame Lord clenched his fist. Flaming spears tore through O’viles, spilling silver blood over their burning lengths.

  “I… am the boss here” Flame Lord said slowly, flames already healing the wounds scattered across his body. His frowning skull was a mask of pure rage.

  “Flame essence… combined with trap magic… Clever.” O’viles’s body dissolved into a swarm of bats, leaving the spears and reshaping instantly. The holes still bled and burned with silver blood. The smell of charred elven flesh filled the arena.

  “Natural Hunger exists for a reason...” He bit off a chunk of his own flesh near his wrist. Saliva dripped from his mouth onto the floor.

  “Vampire nature… but it’s…” Sarah whispered. Flame Lord cut her off.

  “Forbidden magic. He can heal himself without needing another’s blood.”

  “Oh… Practical, little Lord,” O’viles whispered, his wounds now fully healed. He spun his kamas again, faster than before. “Be ready for a true battle… Flame Lord.”

  Hellfire erupted around Flame Lord’s palms and wrists. Two flaming scimitars were summoned into his hands. “I will end you now… Don’t be upset, please,” he teased, stepping into a steady combat stance.

  “Feed me more on the thrill of combat! Feed me MORE!” O’viles took a half-step back. The ground shattered beneath his feet, broken stones hovering around him as his aura seemed to deny gravity itself.

  “Lionye was right… There is no path to redemption for those who fall from grace,” Flame Lord said, his voice dry and emotionless.

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  “My redemption is in bringing your world into our peace. Our perfection in the Void!”

  Before O’viles could move, his eyes darted toward the boiling blood on the ground and in the rivers. Spears of blood erupted in zigzag patterns, targeting vital organs and shattering the ground and walls along the path. Both fighters tensed, lunging at each other while dodging spears along the way—heads tilting, muscles straining, wings snapping open and shut. Flame Lord shattered spears aimed at his heart and head with his blades, while O’viles precisely dodged every strike from the palace itself. A two-on-one—the tower an enemy to them both.

  “Tantrum of Flame…” Flame Lord whispered. His body dissolved into flames, reappearing constantly as he dodged the spears. He materialized behind O’viles, striking at his blind spot with a scimitar.

  “Wrong angle little lord.” O’viles’s back tore open. The sound of blood and flesh spilling on the ground filled the hallway. A third hand emerged from his side, a third kamas summoned into its grip, blocking the strike before Flame Lord could put his full force behind it.

  He threw the two kamas in his main hands toward Flame Lord. His third hand retreated, and two more kamas appeared in his main grip. “Now… we play a bit unfair… Hehehe…” His laughter echoed as more blood-spears lunged toward him. Flame Lord constantly stroke the spinning kamas in the air which were imbued with forbidden magic.

  “Sarah… have my back.” Fojima stood up, lightning swirling around his body. The heat in the hallway was immense. He lost his balance for a second. Putting a step to his side before regaining focus.

  She clenched her fists. They hummed with light energy. A grin spreading on her face. "Don’t die while trying to help,” she teased.

  “I won't.” Fojima smiled. Lightning crackled around his legs and hands. He took a single step forward, body tense, eyes locked on O’viles—who now moved even faster, four kamas spinning through the air and in his hands.

  “Guess I’ll always try to get myself killed,” Fojima smirked, ready to lunge into battle.

  Flame Lord glanced at Fojima, a knowing look in his eyes. He instantly teleported in front of O’viles, scimitars vanished. His bare hands burning with hellfire.

  “Four or more weapons… they won’t save you from this.” He punched him in the belly, the force shaking the tower with its shockwave. Nearby spears shattered and turned into liquid blood.

  “YOU INSOLENT—!” O’viles shouted in agony as the punch collided with him, throwing his body to the ceiling.

  “Now it’s time!” Fojima roared, vanishing in a flash of lightning. He appeared above O’viles. “Lightning! Strike!” He hit O’viles with a spinning kick imbued with lightning. O’viles blocked it with one hand, his bones crushing under the force as he was driven into the ground.

  “Hands of Goliath!” Sarah shouted, raising her hands and opening her palms to chant. A humming light coming out of her palm. Two golden hands emerged from the empty space in the hallway, gripping O’viles’s arms mid-air and pulling to tear him in half.

  “Insolent creatures! You think you can kill me?!” O’viles screamed as his bones were crushed under the pressure of Sarah’s magic.

  Flesh at O’viles’s side tore apart. Two more hands emerged from beneath his armpits, gripping the Goliath hands and shattering them like glass. His clawed legs now braced on the ground, blood dripping from his mouth as rage took over him. Eyes burning with fury and pain. “You! You have all sealed your doom!”

  All four kamas were summoned into his hands. He took a single step forward, the force shattering the ground beneath him and shaking the hallway. Corrupted purple energy erupted from the ground and around his body. He gritted his teeth as he put another step forward.

  “Go. Finish the ritual. He won’t get past me…” Flame Lord stepped forward, unleashing his full form again. Wings burned with reddish-yellow flame. Fire erupted around Fojima and Sarah, teleporting them to the base of the skull stairs.

  "I’ll settle this as fast as I can…” Flame Lord whispered, standing before O’viles now with four arms and his bloody mouth.

  “Extinguishing your flame… will be enough… little lord of hell.” O’viles whispered, turning to face Flame Lord, completely ignoring the hurried steps of Sarah and Fojima as they rushed toward the ritual chamber.