saravanapriyan

In a post-apocalyptic world where monstrous, magic-wielding beasts known as Arcanes threaten humanity, elite warriors called Drifters protect civilization using powerful magic, transformations, and unmatched battle skills. These warriors are trained at the Drifting Force Academy and are chosen to fight on the front lines against evolving Arcane threats and mysterious enemies from other dimensions.

Arcane drifters

Chapter 74: Mockery and Flames – The Dance of a God

Location: Void Realm, Between Time and Sky

The battlefield floats like shattered glass through space. Shen breathes hard, sweat dripping, his Dark Mage Form 2 active, aura crackling with black lightning.

Across from him, Zaniel is lounging — in a floating, fiery chair he created just to sit and watch Shen struggle.

> Zaniel (grinning): "That last spell? Pretty flashy. B-minus for effort. F for damage."

Shen clenches his teeth. His last combo — Void Dash + Twin Blade Cyclone — did nothing but singe the edge of Zaniel's sleeve.

> Shen (growling): "You're not even trying."

> Zaniel: "Trying? Shen, if I actually tried, this galaxy would melt."

Zaniel lazily floats forward, holding a giant fire lollipop.

> Zaniel: "Let me give you a taste of god-level strategy."

Suddenly, a dozen flaming clones of Shen appear — each with their own voices and mocking words:

> Flame Clone 1: "You'll never win!"

> Flame Clone 2: "Go home, weakling!"

> Flame Clone 3: "Zaniel's cooler than you!"

> Shen: "Tch. You think this'll stop me?"

He slices through them all — but behind one...

> Zaniel (sipping fire-coffee): "Boo."

BOOM! A burst of heat sends Shen flying into a void crystal wall, cracking it.

On the Flying Devil, Kenya, Ruke, and Eliz watch through a magic projection.

> Kenya: "He's being humiliated. That god isn't even sweating."

> Eliz: "Shen's not done yet… he never is."

> Ruke: "...Zaniel's dangerous. But I feel like he's lonely. He's laughing but... empty."

Bruised and panting, Shen grips his blades tighter.

> Shen (to himself): "He's faster. Smarter. And he's not serious. But I won't quit. Because…"

Flashbacks of Rin, Eliz, Kenya, Ryulga... the people Shen loves.

> Shen (loud): "...BECAUSE EARTH ISN'T JUST A PLANET! IT'S HOME!"

Zaniel pauses. For the first time — his eyes narrow.

> Zaniel (calmly): "Then let's raise the temperature. Just a little."

The void shifts. The sky turns blood-red. Flames spiral across dimensions. The first true wave of Zaniel's power begins to leak through.

> Zaniel: "Don't die too fast, Shen Karguro."

MORCKEY AND FLAMES