Shadows of Ascension

58. Unleashed Fury

Aiden’s aura continued to grow, a tempest of raw energy swirling around him. The sheer force of it was enough to make the ground tremble. Shadowbane, despite his calm demeanor, couldn’t help but acknowledge the immense power hidden within Aiden. "So, this is your true strength," Shadowbane muttered, almost to himself.

Driven by his rage, Aiden unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks. Each blow was a thunderclap, shaking the earth beneath them. Shadowbane’s defenses were formidable, but even he couldn’t prevent the damage. Blood poured from his wounds, staining the ground as Aiden’s onslaught continued.

But Shadowbane was far from defeated. With a cold smile, he wiped blood from his lips and spoke, his voice laced with dark intent. "You’re strong, Aiden, but you haven’t seen anything yet. I’ve been toying with you… but now, it’s time to show you my true power."

The arena trembled as Shadowbane’s aura flared. The ground cracked, and the air became thick with tension. With a single, forceful push, Shadowbane sent Aiden staggering back, creating some distance between them. The sudden surge in power was almost suffocating.

Aiden, still burning with fury, charged again. But this time, Shadowbane met him head-on, their clash creating a shockwave that rippled through the arena. The battle was fierce, both fighters moving with incredible speed and precision. As their fight raged on, Aiden’s rage gradually began to subside, and clarity returned to his eyes. He was becoming himself again, though the intensity of the battle remained.

Erebus and Luca, still locked in their own struggle, couldn’t help but glance over at the spectacle. "I’ve never seen anything like this," Erebus admitted, his voice tinged with awe. "That’s the fiercest fight I’ve ever witnessed."

"Same here," Luca replied, his grip tightening on his weapon. "But we can’t let it distract us. We have our own fight. Let the strongest of us win."

Their battle resumed with renewed ferocity. Luca fought with everything he had, but Erebus was relentless, his strength overwhelming. Every strike from Erebus pushed Luca closer to the edge, his body screaming in protest. Despite the odds, Luca refused to back down, determined to protect his friends at all costs.

Meanwhile, Riona struggled to rise. Her injuries were severe, and every movement sent waves of pain through her body. But she couldn’t give up—not now, not when her friends needed her. With sheer willpower, she forced herself to her feet, though her vision blurred and her limbs trembled.

Aiden, now fully sane but still burning with anger, turned his gaze toward Shadowbane. "Why are you using Erebus? And why did you do this to Riona and Kaiden?" he demanded, his voice trembling with a mix of rage and desperation.

Shadowbane didn’t even glance at him. "You wouldn’t understand," he replied coolly, dismissing Aiden’s question as irrelevant. With that, he continued his brutal exchange with Aiden, each strike more devastating than the last.

The battle between Erebus and Luca reached a critical point. With a cold determination in his eyes, Erebus prepared to deliver the final blow. "Goodbye, Luca," he said softly, raising his weapon.

But before he could strike, Riona appeared between them, blocking the attack with what little strength she had left. "Not today," she gasped, barely holding herself up.

Luca’s eyes widened in shock and relief. "Riona! You’re hurt—you shouldn’t be fighting!"

Riona shook her head, her determination unyielding. "We’re not done yet, Luca," she said, her voice weak but resolute. "Let’s use our remaining strength… and let’s beat that guy together."

With renewed resolve, Luca nodded. "Right. Let’s finish this."

As the two of them prepared to face Erebus together, the battle around them raged on. Aiden and Shadowbane clashed with earth-shattering force, while Luca and Riona faced their own fight with everything they had left. The outcome was uncertain, but one thing was clear: they wouldn’t go down without a fight.