the third floor(7)

The battlefield was a chaotic inferno of flickering flames and encroaching darkness. Dakota's once-brilliant flames had dimmed, his breathing labored as he staggered backward. The three cloaked figures advanced with unsettling confidence, their dark magic suffocating the air around them.

Dakota's thoughts raced:

"Damn it. I've been through hell, I've almost faced death more times than I can count. So why am I struggling against them? Why now?"

The leader of the trio smirked, her violet eyes glowing malevolently beneath her hood.

???:

"Is that all, Michael? Or should I say… Dakota? You've lost your touch. No wonder you failed in both lives."

Dakota clenched his fists, his flames reigniting with a flicker of defiance.

Dakota:

"You think you can just walk all over me? I'm not the same as before. I've changed!"

The smaller cloaked figure darted forward, a dark blade forming in her hand. She struck with precision, her speed overwhelming Dakota's sluggish movements. He barely managed to block, his flames sputtering under the sheer force of her strike.

???:

"Changed? You're weaker than ever."

Her mocking laughter echoed as Dakota stumbled back, his flames struggling to stay alight. The male figure stepped forward, his voice dripping with disdain.

???:

"You were once a genius, Michael, but even geniuses fall prey to manipulation. How pathetic."

The leader raised her hand, a sphere of darkness swirling ominously in her palm.

???:

"Let's finish this. You've lived long enough."

A sudden explosion of light shattered the suffocating darkness.

Ava:

"Get away from him!"

Henry and the others burst into the clearing, their magical auras blazing with determination. Henry led the charge, his sword glowing with gathered mana.

Henry:

"Dakota, we've got your back!"

Lucas stepped forward, frost spreading across the battlefield as he summoned his icy magic.

Lucas:

"What the hell are these things?"

Ava stood beside Dakota, her flames roaring as she prepared to attack.

Ava:

"Dakota, you look like you've been through hell. Rest for a second; we'll handle this."

Dakota forced himself to his feet, his gaze flickering between his friends and the three cloaked figures.

Dakota:

"What… what are you all doing here?"

Mia and Luna took up positions on either side of the group, water swirling protectively around them.

Mia:

"Saving your stubborn ass, apparently."

Luna:

"You can thank us later. Focus on staying alive."

The three cloaked figures exchanged glances, their dark magic flaring as they adjusted to the new threat.

The leader sneered, her violet eyes narrowing.

???:

"So, the cavalry arrives. No matter. You're all just delaying the inevitable."

Henry wasted no time, charging forward with his sword glowing brightly. He swung with precision, releasing a massive arc of energy that sliced through the shadows surrounding the trio.

Henry:

"I don't care who you are. You're not taking Dakota!"

The smaller cloaked figure growled, dodging the attack with a burst of dark magic.

???:

"Annoying pests!"

Lucas summoned a barrage of ice shards, forcing the male cloaked figure to retreat momentarily.

Lucas:

"Let's see how tough you are against this!"

Jack and Liam unleashed bolts of lightning, their combined attacks crackling through the air and disrupting the trio's movements.

Jack:

"Think fast!"

Liam:

"We've got them on the ropes!"

The male figure snarled, his dark tendrils lashing out in all directions.

???:

"Enough of this nonsense!"

The battlefield erupted into chaos as the group clashed with the trio, each side trading powerful blows.

Henry gathered mana at the tip of his sword, his determination unwavering.

Henry:

"Let's see how you handle this!"

With a mighty swing, he unleashed a wave of energy that shattered the ground and tore through the shadows, forcing the trio to dodge.

Ava followed up with a torrent of flames, her fiery magic creating a protective barrier around Dakota.

Ava:

"Stay back, Dakota. We've got this."

Mia and Luna combined their water magic, summoning a massive tidal wave that extinguished the lingering darkness.

Mia:

"Let's drown them out!"

Luna:

"They can't fight if they can't see!"

The smaller cloaked figure hissed, her movements becoming more frantic as she struggled to keep up with the group's coordinated attacks.

???:

"You're all so irritating!"

The male figure unleashed a burst of dark energy, scattering the group momentarily.

???:

"Enough games! You're testing my patience."

Dakota watched the battle unfold, his chest tightening as he saw his friends fighting for him. He clenched his fists, his flames reigniting with renewed strength.

Dakota thought:

"They shouldn't have to fight my battles. This is my burden."

He stepped forward, his flames roaring as he prepared to rejoin the fight.

Dakota:

"I'm not sitting this out!"

Henry turned to him, his expression stern.

Henry:

"Dakota, don't be reckless. We've got this!"

Ava nodded, her flames burning brightly.

Ava:

"Just focus on recovering. We'll handle them."

Dakota hesitated, his gaze flickering between his friends and the cloaked figures.

Dakota thought:

"They're stronger together. I can't let them down."

The leader of the trio raised her hand, summoning a massive sphere of dark energy that pulsed ominously.

???:

"Enough! This ends now."

Before she could release it, a spear of fire shot through the air, slicing through the sphere and dispersing it.

Franklin stepped into the clearing, his flames burning fiercely.

Franklin:

"Not today."

Duke appeared beside Dakota, his fiery aura radiating confidence.

Duke:

"Looks like you needed some backup."

The trio hissed in frustration, their dark magic faltering under the group's combined assault.

The leader snarled, her violet eyes locking onto Dakota.

???:

"This isn't over, Michael. We'll see you again."

With a wave of her hand, the trio vanished into the shadows, their presence disappearing entirely.

The group stood in the clearing, the tension lingering in the air.

Henry sheathed his sword, his expression grim.

Henry:

"Who were they, Dakota?"

Dakota didn't answer immediately, his gaze fixed on the spot where the trio had disappeared. His fists clenched tightly, his flames flaring briefly before fading.

Dakota thought:

"They ruined everything. Ethan, my friends, my past life… It's all because of them."

Ava stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Ava:

"Are you okay?"

Dakota nodded, his voice low and strained.

Dakota:

"Yeah… thanks to all of you."

Lucas crossed his arms, his icy aura still lingering.

Lucas:

"Well, they're gone for now. That's what matters."

Dakota turned back toward the charred battlefield, his determination burning brighter than ever.

Dakota:

"I swear on my entire being… I will kill them."

The group exchanged glances, their resolve solidifying as they prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead.