The Vice Captain of the Crimson Lions

Leopold and Xander

Mynx grabbed onto Leopold's cape,

"Leo,"

Leopold tilted his head,

"Yeah?"

Mynx smiled at him and ruffled his hair,

"I love you, kiddo. Have fun sparring,"

Leopold smiled brightly at her and hugged her,

"Love you too, big sis, I'll beat Xan this time!"

Xander smirked and crossed his arms,

"You wish,"

Leopold stuck out his tongue at him and ran off first, Xander looked at Mynx,

"You are hiding something. What is wrong?"

Mynx chuckled and ruffled his hair,

"Don't worry about it, Xan. Go have fun sparring with Leo. Don't let him win,"

Xander chuckled and nodded,

"Okay, love you, Mynx,"

"Love you too, kid,"

Lolopechka walked up to her,

"That was your goodbye, wasn't it?"

Mynx chuckled and smiled at Lolopechka,

"You sense it too, don't you?"

Lolopechka frowned and nodded,

"I do,"

Mynx patted her shoulder,

"Go have some fun, be a kid again."

Lolopechka nodded and left to the underground chamber. Mynx watched her leave and Balto looked up to her,

"So, where are we going?"

Mynx smirked and patted his head,

"You and I. Are going to watch from a distance and wait for our moment."

"Of course we are."

In the chamber, the three girls stopped talking when Lolopechka abruptly stood up,

"They are here!"

With Leopold and Xander

"Come on, Xan! We have to hurry!"

Xander rolled his eyes as he flew above him,

"I know, I know. Let's go!"

Xander lifted Leopold on the card as they rushed to the area Floga usually was. Xander immediately sent them down as they narrowly missed getting hit out of the sky,

"Holy shit!"

They landed on their feet and were kept on their toes, dodging eyeballs,

"This is disgusting,"

Xander shot Leopold a look,

"Focus, Leo,"

"Yeah, yeah I am,"

Xander and Leopold crouched behind a crumbling stone wall, flames flickering around them as Sivoir Snyle's voice echoed through the forest.

"Run all you like, little knights,"

Sivoir forced them to stay on the move.

"You can't hide forever."

Xander flipped through his grimoire,

"Card Magic: Four of Hearts, Healing Whisper,"

A soft red glow surrounded Leopold's shoulder, mending the wound Sivoir had inflicted earlier.

Leopold rolled his shoulder experimentally and grinned.

"Thanks, Xan. Let's show this guy what we've got."

"Stick to the plan, Leo...Card Magic: Ten of Spades, Piercing Rain!"

Ten black-and-silver dagger-shaped constructs materialized and shot toward the trees, each homing in on the eyeballs hiding Sivoir's position. The spell disrupted the eyes, giving Leopold a chance to move.

"Gotcha!"

Leopold smirked flames igniting around him.

"Flame Magic: Spiral Flame Barrage!"

He launched a spiraling volley of fireballs toward the source of Sivoir's mana.

Sivoir dodged, his lanky figure weaving through the trees.

"Pathetic! You think you can hit me with such predictable moves?"

He raised his hand, summoning more eyeballs to bombard the duo. Xander smirked,

"Card Magic: Ace of Clubs, Deflection Ward!"

A large shimmering shield appeared before them, deflecting the incoming projectiles. Leopold charged forward, flames swirling around him.

"Flame Magic: Crimson Spiral Slash!"

He swiped his arm, sending a massive arc of fire at Sivoir. The Dark Disciple countered with a burst of black mana, the clash creating an explosion that sent both fighters skidding back.

Xander took the opportunity to position himself, flipping his grimoire once more.

"Card Magic: King of Diamonds, Binding Chains!"

A set of golden chains erupted from the ground, snaking around Sivoir's legs and torso, immobilizing him.

"Now, Leo!"

Leopold didn't hesitate. He clasped his hands together, channeling his mana into a massive spell.

"Flame Magic: Inferno Spiral Burst!"

A spiraling column of fire shot toward Sivoir, engulfing him completely. For a moment, it seemed like the fight was over.

But Sivoir's laughter echoed through the flames.

"Fools! You think mere fire can stop me?"

His injuries healed instantly as his dark mana surged, extinguishing Leopold's spell.

Leopold gritted his teeth.

"Damn it! This guy's tougher than I thought."

Xander summoned another card, his tone serious.

"Card Magic: Queen of Spades, Illusion Veil!"

A shimmering fog spread across the battlefield, obscuring their positions. Xander glanced at Leopold,

"Stay low and follow my lead,"

As Sivoir's eyeballs scanned the mist, he missed that they were behind him.

"Flame Magic: Crimson Roar!"

"Card Magic: Joker's Gambit, Total Lockdown!"

The combined force of their spells overwhelmed Sivoir, leaving him no room to escape as the attacks collided in a blinding explosion. When the smoke cleared, Sivoir lay unconscious, the battlefield finally silent.

╔═.✵.══════════╗
Authors Note:
╚══════════.✵.═╝

So....next chapter is...the...

SECOND TO LAST CHAPTER!

Be ready!