(Kael's grip tightens around the blade, his vision tunneling on Zephyrn. The clash of fire and frost continues, each strike sending waves of force through the forge. Kael feels the heat and cold mix inside him, but he still can't control it—the blade is powerful, but unstable.)
(Zephyrn, however, has had enough.)
Zephyrn (calmly): "I tire of this."
(He steps forward, his crimson ice blade glowing ominously. The chilling aura around him intensifies, sharp like knives in the air. Kael barely has time to react before—)
(SWOOSH—SHHHRRKKK!!!)
(Zephyrn's blade pierces through Kael's stomach.)
(A sharp, unbearable pain explodes in Kael's body.)
Kael (gasping): "Gh—!"
(His legs wobble. His body betrays him. Blood spills from the deep wound, staining his armor, dripping onto the stone floor. His breath turns shallow, his grip on the blade faltering. His knees threaten to give out.)
(Zephyrn watches, his expression cold, merciless.)
Zephyrn: "You should've known better."
(Kael tries to raise his sword—but his strength is fading fast. His vision blurs, his body going numb. He feels himself falling—falling into darkness.)
(But then—)
(WHOOMPH—!!!)
(A crushing, suffocating presence fills the room.)
(Something… powerful.)
(Kael's half-lidded eyes widen as a dark figure appears before him. The air itself seems to bend around the presence, as if reality is struggling to contain it.)
(Even through his pain, Kael can tell—this being is stronger than Zephyrn. Stronger than the Warlord.)
(**Yet… something about it feels familiar.)
Kael (thinking, dazed): Who… is that?
(The figure doesn't move. Its aura alone is enough to shake the forge, sending cracks through the floor. Zephyrn, for the first time, takes a step back. His confident smirk fades slightly, his eyes narrowing in caution.)
Zephyrn (low voice): "…Tch. What the hell is this?"
(Kael's consciousness wavers. The last thing he sees is the dark presence standing there—unshaken, overwhelming, and terrifying.)
(Then, everything fades to black.)
---
Next: Who—or what—is this powerful being? And what does it want with Kael?