"Ahhhh!" Ruld screamed, unable to react as Aurelya's rapid strikes hit him from behind. Her rapier pierced through his thick, dark skin, and golden flames spread along the wound. His body sizzled where the fire met his flesh, forcing him to stagger, pain twisting his face.

Skjarr, arriving at Aurelya's previous spot, froze in disbelief. "How… how can a mage move that fast?" His eyes widened, claws tightening around the Spear-Glaive.

He lunged forward to help his ally, but a heavy mace slammed down toward him, forcing him to block with his spear.

"You persistent bastard, still alive?" Skjarr growled at Corven.

"I don't know what you're saying, but I bet you're cursing me now," Corven replied, grinning through the blood on his teeth.

Even battered and broken, Corven planted his feet firmly, refusing to fall. With a roar, his aura flared again as he clashed with Skjarr. Steel and claws met with brutal force, each strike echoing across the battlefield. Both fought like there was no tomorrow, determined to fight to the very end.

Meanwhile, the battle between Aurelya and Ruld raged on. Ruld's divine blessing and tattoos burned brighter than ever, his rage fueling every desperate movement.

"Now you've done it, bitch!" Ruld roared, his voice deep and wild. Behind him, the faint shape of a massive boar seemed to take form, pressing against reality itself. His body swelled as a bronze-gold light spread across his skin. Thick veins pulsed like roots beneath the surface, and arcs of tusk-shaped energy sparked along his arms.

With another furious roar, he charged forward, each step shaking the ground. The earth scorched under his feet, leaving burning hoof-like marks wherever he passed.

Aurelya didn't move. She stood perfectly still, her calmness like a sharp contrast to his rage. Then, with a soft breath, her mana flared. A new element appeared around her, something she rarely used, divine wind.

'Aureum Sanctum,' she thought, closing her eyes. The air grew heavy as her mana spread outward.

From her body, golden energy flowed down to her feet, forming the center of a golden domain that spread wide across the battlefield. Light, gold fire, and divine wind twisted together in harmony, dancing through the air like threads of holy flame. Ancient golden symbols burned into the ground beneath her, glowing with power.

Behind her, the divine wind and golden fire flared even brighter, taking the form of shining wings. When she opened her eyes, they shone a brilliant gold, brighter than before.

Ruld charged forward without a hint of hesitation, his steps wild and heavy like a rampaging boar. His speed had grown even faster than before—faster than Aurelya's movements earlier. He roared as he closed in, but just as his tusks were about to reach her, Aurelya vanished in a blink, reappearing somewhere else within her golden domain.

Ruld didn't stop. He turned and charged again, each step shaking the ground. But no matter how fast he moved, Aurelya was always gone before he could touch her. His attacks were straight and powerful, but like a wild beast with no mind, they lacked precision

Aurelya slowly lifted her rapier and pointed it forward. The air within her domain trembled. Golden fire erupted from the ground, spreading like a wave and vaporizing everything in its path.

Ruld screamed, a deep guttural sound filled with pain, as his body caught fire. His boar's shadow twisted in agony before dissolving into cinders, but Aurelya didn't stop there. The wings of light and fire behind her flared wide, and she dashed forward, faster than the eye could follow.

Her rapier moved like a streak of light, clean and precise, filled with elemental mana. In mere seconds, her flurry of blows tore through Ruld completely. His massive body burst apart like a balloon under pressure, exploding in a flash of gold fire.

Aurelya walked toward him slowly. Most of Ruld's body was gone, his arms severed, his lower half missing, and the golden flames still burned him without mercy.

His screams echoed through the scorched ground as he lifted his head weakly. "Kill me…" he begged, his voice trembling.

Aurelya stopped in front of him, her eyes cold. "No," she said softly. "That would be a waste of essence."

She lifted a finger, and golden chains of flame burst from the ground, coiling around his broken body. They tightened with a hiss, sealing him in burning light.

Aurelya then turned her gaze toward the other side of the battlefield, where Corven and Skjarr stood frozen in disbelief.

Skjarr accidentally met her eyes, and his body went rigid. A chill ran down his spine, his heart pounding in fear. Then, without thinking, he turned and bolted.

"You won't get away!" Corven shouted, about to chase after him. But before he could even take a step, a gust of wind brushed past him.

In the next instant, Aurelya was already standing in front of Skjarr, blocking his path, like she had teleported. They were still on her domain, there was no way he could escape her.

And then it began again. The sound of steel and flame clashed, followed soon by Skjarr screaming in agony.

…..

On another battlefield, at the heart of the storm, Duke Hadric stood on the torn ground, battered and bleeding, his breath shallow as he watched the battle unfold before him.

Two figures faced each other in the raging sky.

Vaenyra hovered in midair, her long silk garments fluttering wildly in the wind, blue hair dancing like waves under the thunder's light. Her calm eyes never left her opponent.

Across from her floated Sigvar, gripping his greatsword tightly, his cloak snapping under the storm. "Vaenyra Syltharien, the Wandering Sorceress," he called out. "You are as beautiful as the rumors claim. It's an honor to meet you here, of all places."

Vaenyra didn't answer. Her expression didn't change as she slowly drew her sword from her waist.

Sigvar gave a short, dry laugh. "Cold, just as they say."

He raised his greatsword high, and the storm obeyed. Lightning tore through the sky, thunder roared across the plains, and with a smirk, he sent a bolt of lightning straight toward her.

But before it could strike, the bolt twisted midair, turning back toward him.

"What..?" Sigvar's eyes widened. He swung his greatsword, cleaving the lightning apart, sparks bursting around him.

Even so, his brow furrowed. Something about her… felt wrong. The storm, his storm no longer answered him alone.

Then he felt it. The winds turned wild, the thunder deepened, and the power he once commanded began slipping away. It was as if some greater authority had taken hold.

"You… how could this…" he began, but before he could finish, a massive bolt of lightning came crashing down on him. It was far greater than anything he had ever summoned.

Smoke rose from the blast. For a moment, it seemed he was gone. But then came a wild laugh.

"Interesting…" Sigvar said, his voice hoarse but filled with excitement. "To meet someone who can command the storm too."

He grinned through the smoke, lifting his greatsword once more. "Let's see whose storm truly reigns."

He laughed again, and the skies responded.

The two storms collided, lightning against lightning, wind against wind, clashing like two raging beasts fighting for dominance. One storm roared with divine blessing, the other burned with pure elemental might.

The battlefield trembled as the heavens tore apart. Trees snapped, stones shattered, and everything nearby was swept away in chaos.

Duke Hadric was thrown to his knees, his cloak whipping around him. He dug his sword into the ground just to stay standing, his voice trembling as he spoke, "what in the world… is this battle…"

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