Love Between Two World

CHAPTER 20 : THE FINAL BATTLE

Chapter 20: The Final BattleElara stood in the cavern, the weight of her sword heavy in her hand. The air crackled with magic, and she could feel her father’s presence growing stronger with each passing moment. The dim light from the shattered crystals illuminated the contours of his face, twisting it into a mask of fury and desperation. She had never seen him like this before, consumed by the very power he had sought to control."You don’t understand what you’re doing!" he bellowed, his voice reverberating off the stone walls. The energy swirling around him pulsed with a dark intensity, reflecting his rage. Every flicker of light seemed to taunt her, reminding her of the father she once knew."I understand enough," Elara replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "I know you’ve lost yourself to this madness. You’re not the man I grew up with."Her father laughed, a chilling sound that echoed through the cave. "The man you grew up with was weak! This power is what the kingdom needs—what I need—to reshape our world!"Elara felt her heart sink. The power had twisted his mind, blinding him to the truth of what he was doing. The people were suffering, and yet he was willing to sacrifice everything for his vision. "No, Father. This is not the way. You’re destroying everything, including yourself."Before she could say more, he unleashed a wave of magic, a torrent of energy that surged toward her like a tidal wave. Elara barely managed to dodge, the force of his attack sending debris flying. She could feel the ground tremble beneath her feet, a stark reminder of the destruction he was capable of."You’ll regret underestimating me, Elara," he spat, his voice laced with bitterness.She gripped her sword tighter, her resolve hardening. "I won’t let you hurt anyone else."As their eyes locked, she saw a flicker of something—a moment of hesitation, a glimpse of the father she had once adored. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the dark intensity of his ambition.With a fierce battle cry, he charged at her, and Elara met him head-on. The clash of their powers sent shockwaves through the cavern, and she felt the heat of his magic as it whizzed past her. She fought with all her might, recalling the training she had undergone, the countless hours spent honing her skills. But every strike he made was filled with the desperation of a man who had everything to lose.In the midst of their fierce exchange, Kael reappeared, bloodied but unbroken. "Elara!" he shouted, urgency in his voice. "We need to work together!"She glanced back, relief flooding her heart at the sight of him. "I won’t let him win!" she cried, determination burning in her chest.Kael nodded, quickly assessing the situation. "Distract him. I have an idea."Elara took a deep breath, rallying her strength. She feinted left, then right, drawing her father’s attention. "You’re blinded by your own ambition! This isn’t power; it’s madness!"He roared in anger, and Kael seized the opportunity. With swift precision, he threw his dagger, aiming for the source of her father’s power—the artifact he clutched tightly. The blade struck true, and for a moment, her father faltered, his concentration breaking.Elara charged forward, her heart racing. She had to end this—had to save the man her father once was. With a swift motion, she plunged her sword into the glowing orb of the artifact. The instant the blade made contact, a blinding light erupted, enveloping them in its brilliance."No!" her father screamed, the sound piercing the chaos. The magic within the orb began to unravel, the power that had consumed him spilling out in waves of energy. Elara felt herself being pushed back, the force of the explosion throwing her against the cavern wall.The ground trembled violently, and rocks began to fall from above. Dust filled the air, choking her as she struggled to regain her footing. Through the haze, she saw her father on the ground, the light fading from his eyes as the artifact disintegrated into shards.Elara rushed to him, her heart pounding. "Father!" she cried, falling to her knees beside him. He was alive, but the flicker of recognition was gone. He looked at her with confusion, as if he didn’t know who she was."Elara?" he whispered, the anger replaced by a haunting vulnerability. "What have I done?"Tears streamed down her face as she took his hand in hers. "You fought for a dream, but it turned into a nightmare. You have to let go."As she spoke, Kael joined her, kneeling beside her. "We can help you," he said softly. "But you have to fight this darkness."Her father’s eyes flickered with a mixture of regret and fear. The magic that had once empowered him now lay scattered around them, a reminder of the choices he had made. With a shaky breath, he reached up, touching Elara’s cheek. "I wanted to protect you," he murmured, his voice breaking."You’ve protected me in the wrong way," she replied, her heart aching for the man he had once been. "But it’s not too late."As the last remnants of the artifact’s power faded, a silence fell over the cavern. The echoes of battle faded into the distance, replaced by a heavy stillness that weighed on them all.