Chapter 512: Reanimated
Suddenly, hundreds of dark blood-red spears materialized around Theron, suspended in the air for a brief moment before they shot out toward Adrius and Lysander like a swarm of deadly projectiles. The sheer number of spears filled the sky.
Adrius and Lysander acted swiftly, conjuring their own Magical barriers in response. The translucent shields shimmered as they intercepted the incoming spears, deflecting them in all directions. The sound of the spears clashing against their barriers echoed through the ravaged forest.
But the assault didn't stop just like that. The spears kept coming pushing the two Mages to their limits as they struggled to maintain their defenses. Each spear that struck their barriers sent ripples through the magical shields and cracks began to appear, a testament to the overwhelming force behind Theron's attack.
Then, in a blur of motion Theron himself shot into the sky, closing the distance between them with terrifying speed. He hovered before them, his eyes gleaming with the same dangeroud and predatory delight, a twisted smile playing on his lips.
"Have you had enough fun?" Theron sneered. "Because now, it's my turn to have fun."
With a wave of his hands, flames erupted in his palms, but these were no ordinary flames. They were a deep crimson, tinged with the color of blood, and they flickered with an unnatural intensity. Theron's grin widened as he hurled the fireballs toward Adrius and Lysander.
The two Mages braced themselves and reinforcing their barriers to withstand the incoming attack. The blood-colored flames collided with their shields and for a moment it seemed like they might hold.
However, the flames were unlike anything they had encountered before. They burned with a ferocity that defied the natural order and gnawing at the magical barriers until they cracked and shattered under the pressure.
The moment the barriers broke, the force of the explosion sent Adrius and Lysander hurtling backward through the air and engulfed their bodies in the searing heat. They crashed into the forest below, the impact breaking several trees as they tumbled to the ground. The forest floor groaned under the force of their landing, leaves and debris scattering in all directions.
Theron's laughter echoed through the clearing as he descended after them, his figure silhouetted against the blood-red flames still lingering in the air. He hovered above the fallen mages with eyes that gleam with sadistic pleasure.
"You should have known better," Theron taunted. "You can't hope to defeat me with such pathetic tricks!"
As he spoke, Theron raised his arms and the ground around him began to tremble. The corpses of the massive beasts that had been slain earlier started to twitch and convulse, its dead bodies now reanimated by Theron's dark Magic. The monstrous creatures rose to its feet and its eyes glowing again with an deep red light as they turned their attention toward Adrius and Lysander.
Adrius pushed himself up, his body still aching from the fall. He glanced at Lysande who was also struggling to stand and the two shared a grim look. The odds were growing worse by the second, they both knew it. Theron's power was beyond anything they had anticipated, and now, with the reanimated giant beast closing in on them, the situation had become even more dire.
Lysander and Adrius stood in tense silence for a moment with eyes fixed on the reanimated giant beast that loomed before them. The creature's massive form cast a shadow over the forest once again, its once-dead eyes now glowing with a malevolent red light.
Lysander broke the silence, "I will handle the giant beast," he said while his grip tightening on his staff.
Adrius nodded, his gaze shifting to Theron, who hovered in the distance. "Yes, it is the best solution for now," he agreed. There was no time to debate; they needed to act quickly and decisively.
Without wasting another moment the two Mages separated. Lysander gritted his teeth as he flew toward the giant beast. He knew that the battle ahead would be brutal but it was a necessary sacrifice to give Adrius a chance to confront Theron.
Meanwhile, Adrius began to walk toward Theron, his heart heavy with the knowledge that this confrontation might be his last. He was fully aware that defeating Theron wouldn't be easy — if it was even possible at all. Theron's power had grown far beyond what Adrius had imagined and the dark Mage now exuded an aura of evil power that feels almost suffocating for him to bear.
But despite the overwhelming odds Adrius couldn't allow himself to falter. He held onto a sliver of hope that somehow, he could win, or at the very least, buy enough time for Lysander to deal with the beast.
However, as he approached doubt began to creep into his mind. He didn't know how much stronger Theron had become, nor could he predict what dark powers he might unleash next.
Realizing that he needed help, Adrius made a desperate decision. As a last resort, he sent a telepathic message to Erend, hoping against hope that the Dragonborn would receive it in time.
"Erend... I need your help."
Before Adrius could fully formulate a plan Theron suddenly appeared before him, materializing out of thin air with a predatory grin. There was no time to react. Theron's fist shot forward with blinding speed, aiming straight for Adrius's chest.
But despite the shock, Adrius still managed to move just in time. He reached out and grabbed Theron's hand, stopping the punch mere inches from his body. The impact reverberated through his arm, the sheer force behind the strike nearly overwhelming him. Adrius could feel the dark energy pulsing through Theron's hand.
Theron's smile widened, his eyes gleaming amusement. "Still full of surprises, I see. But how long can you keep up this act?"
Adrius gritted his teeth, his grip tightening on Theron's hand.
"Long enough to see you fall," Adrius retorted, summoning all his strength as he prepared for the inevitable clash.
The air around them crackled with Magic energy and the earth around them trembling under the weight of their power confrontation.
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