Shadows of Ascension

60. Overwhelming intensity

Aiden’s and Luca’s power had grown immensely, their newly awakened blades transforming them into formidable opponents. The battlefield crackled with energy as both of their battles raged on, each clash of steel echoing through the cavern. Shadowbane and Aiden were now evenly matched, their intense fight driving them to the brink of their abilities.

Aiden’s attacks came in swift and powerful, his blade glowing with an almost blinding light. Shadowbane, no longer toying with his prey, met each strike with equal ferocity, his dark aura swirling around him like a storm. Every swing of their blades sent shockwaves across the battlefield, creating deep gouges in the stone around them. The sheer intensity of their battle was staggering, with neither side willing to yield an inch.

"You’ve gotten stronger, Aiden," Shadowbane admitted, a rare note of respect in his voice. "But don’t think for a second that it’ll be enough."

"I don’t need your respect!" Aiden snarled, his voice filled with rage.

Meanwhile, Luca was in his own heated struggle with Erebus. The power flowing through him from his awakened blade was overwhelming, and it pushed him beyond his previous limits. As the energy coursed through his veins, Luca felt a surge within him—a new strength, a new power. He could feel his rank ascending, the letter C on his chest warping and twisting until it transformed into a B.

"No way…" Erebus muttered, his eyes widening as he recognized the change. "You’re… B rank now?"

Luca’s eyes burned with determination. "I won’t lose, Erebus. Not to you, not to anyone!"

But as the battle continued, Riona was beginning to falter. Her body was battered and broken, her strength nearly gone. She tried to push herself, to keep fighting, but her injuries were too severe. With a pained gasp, she collapsed to the ground, unable to go on.

Luca saw her fall, his heart sinking. "Riona!" he shouted, desperation in his voice. He rushed to her side, kneeling down beside her. "Hang on, Riona. I’ll finish this… I promise."

Riona looked up at him, her vision blurry, but she managed a weak smile. "Luca… You have to win…"

"I will," Luca vowed, his voice steely. "I’ll defeat Erebus with everything I have left."

With renewed resolve, Luca turned back to face Erebus. The two of them squared off, each knowing that this would be the final showdown. Luca, now a B rank hunter, unleashed everything he had, pushing Erebus to his limits. The fight was fierce, with both fighters exchanging brutal blows. Their blades clashed in a deadly dance, sparks flying as steel met steel.

Erebus gritted his teeth, blood dripping from a wound on his arm. "You’ve improved, Luca. But I can’t back down. I have to do this… for my brothers."

"And I have to do this for Riona… for Aiden… for everyone!" Luca roared, his blade glowing brighter as he poured every ounce of strength into his attacks. The two fighters were evenly matched, their injuries and fatigue making every move agonizing.

Meanwhile, Shadowbane was still battling Aiden, who was fighting with a ferocity that astonished even him. "You have so much potential, Aiden," Shadowbane said, a hint of frustration in his voice. "I should have killed you when I first met you at the hut!"

The intensity of both battles reached a fever pitch, with Aiden and Luca both fighting for their lives. The cavern seemed to tremble with the force of their struggle, the very air crackling with power. Riona, struggling to remain conscious, noticed two mysterious figures approaching from the shadows, their presence sending a chill down her spine.

"Who… who are they?" she whispered weakly, fear creeping into her voice as the figures drew closer, their intentions unknown.

The tension in the air was palpable, and everyone could feel that the final moments of the battle were approaching. What would happen next was uncertain, but one thing was clear: the fate of Aiden, Luca, Riona, and even Erebus hung in the balance, teetering on the edge of victory or defeat.