Chapter 43: The Battle Rages On

A City in Chaos

Nothra lay in chaos, its streets filled with the sounds of battle and the cries of its inhabitants. Snow fell gently, contrasting with the violence and destruction around. Buildings were shattered, and the once bustling city now seemed like a battlefield of despair. Thrain and Yuki found themselves two blocks away from each other, each struggling to regain their bearings.

Thrain's Resolve

Thrain, dressed in his heavy, fur-lined robe, pushed himself up from the ground, feeling the ache in his old bones. He glanced around, spotting Yuki struggling in the snow, her light blue cloak now torn and bloodied. He rushed over, helping her to her feet.

"Are you alright?" Thrain asked, his voice filled with concern.

Yuki nodded weakly. "I'm in pain, but I'll manage."

Before they could gather their thoughts, a brute barbarian with white eyes and white hair appeared before them. He was an intimidating sight, clad in armor of obsidian and wielding a spear made of gold.

"You two think you can stand against my great power?" the demon brute sneered, his voice dripping with malice.

The First Encounter

Thrain's eyes narrowed. "Sit the fuck down," he growled, raising his staff. With a powerful incantation, he summoned wind magic so fierce it ripped the flesh and meat off the brute's bones, leaving nothing but a skeleton that crumbled to the ground.

Yuki stared in awe. "Wow, you are strong, Thrain."

But their moment of respite was short-lived. Another brute, even larger and more menacing, stepped forward. "So, you killed my son," he said coldly. "He wasn't ready anyway."

Thrain immediately cast another wind spell, but to his surprise, it did nothing. The brute's armor seemed to absorb the magic.

"Run, Yuki!" Thrain shouted.

A Desperate Struggle

Yuki began to run as the brute charged at Thrain, his golden spear glinting ominously. Thrain, feeling a moment of hopelessness, recalled a conversation with Alex during their journey.

A Memory of Alex

In the faint memory, Alex and Thrain were walking side by side. "You know what, old man?" Alex said with a grin. "I love this journey. If we ever get into deep trouble, fight. Fight with everything you've got, and we'll prevail. We'll reunite back home with Lyra."

The words reignited a fire within Thrain. Drawing on his remaining strength, he began to cast his strongest spell. "You and Shona and the rest of your kind will go down to hell, you piece of trash!"

A Fiery Explosion

Instead of wind, a massive blast of fire and explosion erupted from Thrain's staff. It was as if a blowtorch the size of a building had been unleashed. The firestorm ripped through the city, incinerating everything in its path. The brute had no time to react, and within seconds, he was reduced to ashes.

The sheer power of the spell left Thrain drained. He fell to his knees, gasping for breath, his vision blurring.

Yuki's Determination

Yuki, seeing the explosion from a distance, turned back and rushed to Thrain's side. "Don't worry, Thrain," she said, her voice firm and reassuring. "Get your rest. I will pick up this fight."

Thrain nodded weakly, his eyes filled with pride and trust. "Be careful, Yuki."

Yuki stood up, her bow at the ready, her eyes scanning the battlefield. She saw more of Shona's minions approaching, their grotesque forms moving through the smoke and flames. Drawing an arrow, she infused it with her ice magic, aiming for the nearest creature.

She loosed the arrow, watching as it struck true, freezing the creature solid. Yuki moved with agility and precision, taking down enemy after enemy, determined to protect Thrain and hold the line.

This concludes Chapter Forty-Three.