the devil of envy(2)

The void trembled under the overwhelming pressure of the Devil of Envy's massive sphere of dark energy, a pulsating orb threatening to collapse the very fabric of the domain. Fractured platforms of obsidian crumbled into nothingness, dissolving into the abyss below.

Dakota stood unwavering on a fragment of stone, the oppressive darkness pressing against him like a suffocating tide. But his eyes—those cold, piercing eyes—held no fear. Just a flicker of something deeper.

Resolve.

His sword lowered slightly as he exhaled, the crimson flames surrounding him dimming for just a breath. Then, with a surge of power that sent shockwaves through the void, Dakota's aura erupted.

Dakota (calmly, under his breath):

"Stage One… Ignite."

His body was instantly consumed by flames—not the ordinary crimson that had danced along his blade before, but an intense, blinding orange fire with streaks of molten orange. The transformation was instantaneous. His dark cloak disintegrated into ash, revealing armor of searing flame etched into his skin like glowing tattoos. His hair burned like wildfire, flickering between black and deep crimson, and his eyes ignited into molten amber, devoid of anything human.

The platform beneath him cracked and vaporized from the sheer heat, but Dakota remained suspended, standing on nothing, as if the void itself bent to his will.

The Devil of Envy hesitated, his monstrous form faltering mid-attack, his glowing white eyes narrowing.

Devil of Envy (snarling):

"Tch… So this is your Flame Transformation, Stage One."

Dakota didn't respond with words. Instead, he vanished.

A sonic boom shattered the silence, and within an instant, Dakota appeared directly in front of the Devil of Envy, his flaming fist colliding with the devil's chest. The force of the impact was cataclysmic. The shockwave obliterated what remained of the surrounding platforms, sending fragments of obsidian spiraling into the abyss.

The Devil of Envy was sent hurtling backward, crashing through chunks of floating debris like a ragdoll. His monstrous wings snapped as he struggled to regain control, skidding across the darkness before halting mid-air, coughing up dark green ichor.

But Dakota was relentless.

In a flash, he was on the Devil again, unleashing a barrage of flaming strikes—each punch, each slash of his blade infused with unimaginable heat and force. The Devil could barely keep up, his shadowy claws deflecting some blows but missing most. Each hit burned through his corrupted flesh, leaving gaping wounds seared by divine fire.

The Devil of Envy, bloodied and enraged, let out a guttural roar. Dark energy exploded from his body in a desperate attempt to repel Dakota. The blast sent Dakota flying backward, but he landed effortlessly on thin air, sliding to a stop without so much as a scratch.

The Devil panted heavily, his monstrous form flickering with instability. His wings were tattered, his flesh cracked like broken porcelain. Yet his eyes burned with defiance.

Devil of Envy (spitting blood, snarling):

"Dakota… why are you fighting? This is all meaningless!"

Dakota tilted his head slightly, his molten eyes narrowing.

Devil of Envy (desperately, voice growing louder):

"You cannot defeat Blazer. Blazer is in a league of his own! Even if you are the Creator, you designed the main villain to be too strong! You set the rules. You crafted the narrative. This… this is pointless!"

Dakota's lips curled into a faint smirk, though there was no joy in it—just quiet defiance.

Dakota (coldly):

"Oh, what would you know? I'm the Creator. I know how to defeat him."

The Devil of Envy's face twisted into rage, his claws clenched tightly.

Devil of Envy (screaming):

"You're too arrogant, Creator! You cannot defeat him! This is all meaningless! You're fighting a fight without meaning!"

Dakota's expression darkened, the flames around him intensifying until the void itself seemed to recoil.

Dakota (firmly, voice like a roaring inferno):

"I don't care if it doesn't have meaning. I don't care if it does."

His flames flared brighter, engulfing the entire space around him in blinding white light.

Dakota (yelling, his voice shaking the void):

"I'm doing this to save everyone—to protect them so they can have a happy life."

Silence fell for a brief moment. The Devil of Envy stared at him, his monstrous grin returning, though it was weaker now—a mask trying to hide the cracks beneath.

Devil of Envy (bitterly, voice dripping with contempt):

"Oh… how foolish."

The battle reignited with explosive fury. Dakota surged forward, his sword now a blazing inferno that cut through space itself. The Devil of Envy roared, summoning every ounce of dark energy within him to meet Dakota's assault.

They collided like gods of war.

Fists met claws. Blade met shadow. Each clash sent ripples of destruction through the void, tearing apart what little structure remained. The air itself cracked like glass under the strain of their power.

Dakota's movements were faster now—fluid, relentless. His attacks were fueled not just by strength, but by purpose. His strikes weren't wild or desperate; they were precise, as if he knew exactly where to hit to cause the most damage.

The Devil of Envy fought with savage desperation. His dark magic twisted into grotesque forms—shadowy serpents, spiked tendrils, blades of pure malice—but none could break through Dakota's flames.

At one point, the Devil managed to land a brutal blow, his claw tearing across Dakota's side. Blood sprayed into the void, but Dakota didn't even flinch. He retaliated immediately, driving his flaming sword through the Devil's chest with such force that the blade burst out the other side, scorching everything in its path.

The Devil screamed in agony, thrashing wildly, but Dakota didn't let go. His face was inches from the Devil's twisted visage, his molten eyes burning with unwavering determination.

Dakota (whispering coldly):

"This ends now."

With a surge of white-hot flames, Dakota unleashed a devastating explosion that engulfed both of them.

And the smoke cleared reviling both of them injured, and Dakota then smirked even though he was in pain.

Dakota: "you will not defeat me devil of envy, and neither will blazer. I will defeat both of you and bring peace into this world."