Chương 28: Crystal Shard Aether
The air was thick with anticipation as Commander Thorian locked eyes with his adversary. The dark figure stood silent and still, like a predator sizing up its prey. Thorian's grip tightened on his sword, Azure Edge, the weapon's crystalline surface glimmering faintly in the dim light of the kingdom's walls. The tension was palpable, each breath heavy with the promise of violence.
Without warning, the robed enemy lunged forward, their blade aimed straight for Thorian's heart. The speed and ferocity of the attack caught Thorian off guard, but his battle-honed instincts kicked in. He sidestepped at the last moment, his blade coming up to parry the strike. The clash of metal rang out, echoing through the deserted streets.
Thorian pushed back, forcing his opponent to retreat a few steps. The robed figure was agile, too agile for a direct confrontation. Thorian needed to outthink them, to force them into a mistake. He took a deep breath, focusing his energy, and unleashed the power of his Crystal Shard Aether.
With a swift slash of his sword, Thorian sent a barrage of sharp, gleaming crystal shards flying toward his enemy. Each shard was as deadly as a dagger, cutting through the air with lethal precision. The robed figure barely managed to dodge, their form flickering as they twisted out of the way. Several shards sliced through their robes, leaving cuts along their arms and torso, but none of them found their mark.
Undeterred, Thorian pressed the attack, swinging his blade in rapid succession. Each strike unleashed another volley of crystal shards, creating a storm of glittering death that filled the space between them. His opponent was forced to keep moving, dodging and weaving through the barrage with increasing difficulty. Thorian could see the strain beginning to show, the once-fluid movements becoming more erratic.
The enemy tried to close the distance, but Thorian was relentless. He kept them at bay with a constant stream of crystal shards, each one sharper and faster than the last. His sword danced in his hands, a blur of motion as he channeled his Aether into every strike. The ground around them became a minefield of jagged crystal, creating obstacles that further limited the enemy's movements.
The robed figure leapt into the air, trying to escape the deadly ground beneath them, but Thorian was ready. He slashed upward, sending a massive shard of crystal soaring toward his opponent. The shard struck with a resounding impact, shattering on contact but knocking the figure back. They landed hard, their footing lost amidst the crystalline debris.
Thorian advanced, his sword glowing with a fierce blue light as he prepared for the final blow. The robed figure staggered to their feet, visibly wounded and desperate. They raised their blade, but Thorian was faster. He lunged forward, his sword cutting through the air in a powerful arc.
The robed figure barely managed to block, but the force of the blow sent them skidding backward. Thorian didn't let up. He unleashed another flurry of crystal shards, each one aimed to pin the enemy down and force them into submission. The ground around them erupted in sharp, gleaming spikes, trapping the figure in a deadly cage.
But just as Thorian was about to deliver the finishing blow, his enemy did something unexpected. They dropped their sword and extended their hand towards the ground. A dark, pulsating energy began to swirl around them, and before Thorian could react, the robed figure slammed their hand into the earth.
A shockwave of dark energy erupted from the point of impact, shattering the crystalline cage and sending Thorian stumbling backward. He struggled to maintain his footing as the ground beneath him cracked and split. His heart pounded in his chest as he watched the dark energy envelop his opponent, their form becoming a shadowy silhouette amidst the chaos.
The robed figure rose to their feet, the dark energy swirling around them like a storm. Their eyes, once hidden beneath the hood, now glowed with an ominous red light. Thorian's breath caught in his throat as he realized the true power of his opponent. This was no ordinary foe—this was something far more dangerous, far more sinister.
And then, in a sudden burst of speed, the robed figure was upon him. Their blade, now crackling with dark energy, clashed against Thorian's Azure Edge with a force that shook him to his core. The ground around them erupted in a maelstrom of crystal shards and dark energy as the two warriors battled for dominance.
Thorian gritted his teeth, pushing back with all his strength. But his opponent was relentless, their strikes faster and more powerful than before. Each blow sent shockwaves through his body, each impact threatening to overwhelm him. The dark energy was corrosive, eating away at his defenses, and he could feel his strength waning.
But Thorian wasn't finished yet. With a fierce roar, he summoned all the power of his Crystal Shard Aether, channeling it into his sword. The blade glowed brighter than ever before, radiating a light so intense it pierced through the darkness. He swung with all his might, unleashing a wave of crystal shards that cut through the air like a storm of blades.
The shards struck the robed figure, tearing through the dark energy that protected them. For the first time, Thorian saw his opponent falter, their movements slowing as the crystals cut into their flesh. He pressed the advantage, driving them back with a relentless assault.
But just as he thought he had the upper hand, the robed figure unleashed a powerful burst of dark energy that sent Thorian flying backward. He crashed to the ground, his sword slipping from his grasp as he struggled to catch his breath. The figure loomed over him, their blade raised for the final strike.
Thorian's heart pounded in his chest as he stared up at his opponent, the end drawing near. But then, something inside him ignited—a fierce, unyielding resolve. He wasn't done. Not yet. He couldn't let it end here.
With a burst of adrenaline, Thorian reached out, summoning the last of his strength. His hand closed around the hilt of his sword, and with a defiant roar, he swung upward. The blade connected with the robed figure's side, cutting deep and unleashing a torrent of crystal shards that exploded outward in a brilliant display of light.
The figure staggered, their blade falling to the ground as they clutched at the wound. Thorian pushed himself to his feet, his body screaming in protest, but he refused to back down. He raised his sword, preparing to strike the final blow.
But before he could, the robed figure let out a low, dark laugh. They straightened, despite the blood dripping from their side, and met Thorian's gaze with those glowing red eyes.
"You're strong, Commander," the figure said, their voice a twisted mix of admiration and malice. "But this battle is far from over."
And with that, the figure raised their hand, dark energy swirling around them once more. Thorian braced himself, knowing that the real fight was just beginning.
*To Be Continued...*
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