Chapter 543: A Reunion?
Aurdis's eyes remained glued to the sky. Her heart racing with each explosion and the violent crackle of Magic that lit up the air above them.
The air itself was thick with corrupted and destructive energy and the clash between the fighters seemed almost tangible like the sky itself was tearing apart. As the battle intensified the atmosphere getting dimmed, shadows stretching across the landscape. Streaks of crimson and brown light collided, casting flickers of strange illumination over the palace grounds and the world.
Her gaze briefly shifted to the dome, the barrier that shielded them all. Shards of Magic debris from the clash between the Dragonborns and the two last Harbinger of Doom rained down, slamming against the translucent surface.
Each impact sent a ripple across the dome, a reminder of the fierce battle outside. The protective barrier shimmered, holding strong for now but the visible clashes made it clear how much strain it was under. Every time a projectile struck, Aurdis felt her pulse quicken and her grip on her own hand tightening.
Behind her, Aerchon and Saeldir continued their task to maintaining the dome intact. Hands hovering over the crystal as they channeled their Magic energy into the dome. Their faces were taut, beads of sweat forming on their brows.
Although they had faced similar situations before the relentless pressure of much stronger Magic made it different this time. The two Elf could sense the steady force battering their defenses and though it wasn't yet enough to break through, the constant strain was undeniable.
"This dome isn't sustainable with this kind of attack if we don't keep sending Magic to it," Saeldir murmured, his eyes never leaving the crystal. "If they hit us with something more powerful..."
Aerchon nodded with jaw clenched. "We're holding out for now at it's what important. We have no idea what kind of Magic they'll unleash next that why we have to keep watch."
Aurdis swallowed feeling the weight of their words. She could sense their anxiety because she herself feeling the same thing. The pressure on the dome was building and though it hadn't broken the uncertainty loomed. What if a stronger attack came? One that the dome couldn't withstand? The nature of the fight above is very unpredictable.
She clenched her fists, frustration boiling beneath her calm facade. "We have to hold on."
Above, the battle continued to rage making the sky a tapestry of Magic clashes. Erend and Eccar were out there, fighting with all they had. Aurdis's heart ached to join them and lend her strength but she knew her place for now was here, ensuring the dome held.
She took a deep breath, her eyes never leaving the sky.
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Erend locked eyes with Svetlana, his expression calm under the the mask of scales despite the intensity of the battle. Svetlana's lips curled into a savage grin as she faced him. Her eyes were filling with glint of twisted excitement. The rage she'd carried for thousands of years fueled her now, a hatred born from her defeat by the Dragonborn of her time.
She relished this moment, believing herself to be far stronger than Erend. The thrill of battle surged through her veins and she imagined toying with him before delivering the final blow later. This Dragonborn will not die so easily, they need to feel suffer first. This was her chance for revenge and she was certain she would savor every second of it.
Unbeknownst to her, Erend was holding back a lot of his power to testing her strength before he unleashed his true power. His claws glowed faintly but he was conserving his might, gauging her abilities first.
The clash of their blows sent shockwaves through the air as claw met sword. Bits of Magic sparked and shot out like deadly projectiles, creating a dazzling, terrifying spectacle around them.
Svetlana's swordsmanship was fast and relentless, each strike filled with vicious intent. Erend parried each blow with his claws, his eyes never leaving hers and studying her every move.
Suddenly, Svetlana twisted her body mid-air, her sword slicing through the space between them. The force of her strike pushed Erend backward and sending him skidding through the air. For a brief moment, she smirked, feeling a rush of satisfaction.
Erend steadied himself, hovering above with his wings flapping in his back, his gaze fixed on her. The two faced each other in the sky and though she had managed to push him back, she still didn't realize just how much power he was holding back.
Svetlana's eyes glinted with a cruel amusement as she asked, "You remember me?"
Erend frowned, confusion clear on his face. He didn't recognize her at all and the way she spoke made him more wary.
"What the fuck are you talking about?" he shot back, his voice edged with irritation and a little bit of worry of what come next from the woman's mouth.
"Hahaha!" Svetlana's laugh then echoed in the air, cold and mocking. "Oh, I thought you Dragonborn would remember me. My sister and I were quite a big deal back then, enough for your kind to intervene."
Her words deepened Erend's confusion. Did that mean she and the other woman – who turned out to be her sister – had fought other Dragonborn before and survived? If that were true, then they were incredibly powerful.
But another possibility crossed his mind, one even more troubling: Had the Great Calamity somehow saved them after the Dragonborn at that time defeat them and thought that he already to killed them?
His eyes narrowed as he tried to piece it together. "What Dragonborn did you face?" he asked, unable to hide his curiosity.
Svetlana's laughter rang out again, more grating this time, making Erend's annoyance grow. "I'll answer that as your dying wish."
With those words, she lunged, her speed increasing tenfold. Her sword become a blur of crimson light and slashed through the air as she closed the distance between them in the blink of an eye.
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Erend barely had time to raise his claws, feeling the impact as their weapons collided. The shockwave from the clash rippled out, sending sparks and Magic flares in all directions again.
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