The three of them launched forward without hesitation with Erend leading them. They cut through the chaotic air that rippled with violent waves of time distortion.

The shockwaves from Krono and Zerathul's clash twisted the sky like torn fabric, folding light and darkness over one another.

The horizon had vanished, replaced by a sea of blinding brilliance and collapsing fragments of space.

Eccar then suddenly sped up and led the charge, his scales glinting with streaks of brown and black as he changed into his full Dragon form in the middle of the flight.

His roar tore through the chaos, echoing against the fractured sky.

Aesa followed close behind him. Her Magic expanded outward in layers of glowing runes with blue frost light that shielded them from the tearing energy waves. Each rune that cracked apart reformed instantly under her control. Her Magic power burning bright as she stabilized the path ahead.

Erend stayed at the center. His eyes glowed faintly red beneath the flashing light, his Dragon power shimmering on his arm as fire and lightning began to surge beneath his scales.

His mind was focused and unwavering now. He could still remember the System's words as if reminding him that this battle would decide the fate of many worlds.

Ahead, Krono's colossal body suddenly blazed like a golden star. The Time Dragon's wings stretched across the broken firmament, weaving threads of light that attempted to mend the fractures Zerathul had caused. Even when in the middle of the battle he was still trying to mend the damage.

But Zerathul's power was also devouring them faster than Krono could restore them. The dark entity moved like a mysterious shadows. His outline constantly shifted and formed countless giant faces screaming within smoke and lightless fire.

Krono unleashed another beam of golden energy, but Zerathul caught it with one smok tentacle and turned it into ash. The recoil split a mountain apart far below.

"Damn it!" Eccar shouted in his mind as the blast wave threw him off balance for a moment.

Aesa's runes shimmered again, absorbing the heat of the explosion before it reached them.

"We can't let them keep fighting like this," she yelled over the roaring air. "This world won't hold!"

Erend's aura burst outward in response. "Alright. We will join the fight and end it before this world collapses!"

He raised his hand, and flames spiraled from his arm, merging with tendrils of lightning that coiled around his fingers.

Water energy now also flowed beneath his feet. The three elements fused together into a violent but controlled storm around him.

The pressure of his power distorted the air, making even Aesa glance back in awe.

Zerathul suddenly turned. His now-faceless head tuned toward them. For the first time, he seemed to see Erend. The time around Erend slowing as the entity focused on him.

"Erend!" Aesa shouted, her voice echoing sluggishly in the warped air.

But he didn't flinch. His pupils narrowed, Dragon flames burning hotter around him as he met the gaze of the Gravebinger. The air exploded again with a thunderous shockwave of Magic energy.

Eccar dove ahead, drawing Zerathul's attention by shooting out a concentrated spear of earth.

The dark entity turned to intercept him, but Krono saw the opening. The golden Dragon's massive claws slammed into Zerathul's side, tearing through his black mist protecting him.

Erend's body burst into a trail of red and blue lightning. He shot forward like a meteor, breaking through the distortion field around the Gravebinger.

Erend crashed into Zerathul from the side by cutting through the swirling darkness that surrounded the Gravebinger. The impact tore through layers of shadow and smoke, scattering black energy across the sky.

Zerathul staggered, he was shuddering as his tendrils lashed wildly around him.

Erend didn't slow down. He spun midair, his wings flaring wide as a circle of blue lightning coiled around him. Sparks crackled against his scales and waves of fire shimmered from his claws.

He launched forward again with a roar. His fist blazing with a mixture of lightning and fire. The punch collided with Zerathul's chest, sending shockwaves that split the air into streaks of blinding light.

Zerathul let out a roar after that attack. The creature's face that shaped like a monstrous octopus head twisted in fury and pain. Dozens of thick tendrils burst from his back and moved with amazing speed, slamming toward Erend.

Erend spun in the air. His wings beat once to propel him upward. A burst of flame exploded beneath him, propelling him fast.

The tentacles crashed into the empty space he'd been in just seconds ago. He appeared above Zerathul, gathering energy into his hands. Water and fire combined into one. The two elements twisted together, clashing violently before merging into a glowing sphere of crimson-blue light.

He hurled it down.

The explosion hit Zerathul's shoulder, burning through the thick robe-like skin that hung from his form.

The black flesh cracked open, revealing veins of silver necrotic energy pulsing underneath it.

The Gravebinger screeched. His tendrils thrashing harder as his form reared back.

But Erend was already moving again. He dived low, sweeping through the mist as he drew both hands back. Lightning gathered along his arms, crawling up his body and concentrating into his claws.

When he landed the hit, the blow was sharp and clean, cutting through three of Zerathul's tendrils at once. They burst into ash.

Zerathul turned sharply toward him. His head tilted unnaturally as if looking at Erend for the first time. Then, with a gesture, the air bent and cracked. Invisible force slammed toward Erend like a wall of raw power.

Erend crossed his arms, channeling energy into a barrier. The translucent film shimmered blue, absorbing part of the attack but the force still sent him spinning back through the air.

His body crashed into a floating fragment of rock, shattering it completely before he steadied himself with a flap of his wings.

"This bastard is strong," he thought. Lightning was still dancing across his shoulders.

He vanished from sight the next moment. Zerathul barely had time to turn before Erend appeared behind him and driving a flaming kick into his lower back.

The blow sent shockwaves that split through the Gravebinger's form. The creature screamed again, the sound echoing across all directions, twisting the surrounding air with waves of dark vibration.

A surge of necrotic force burst outward.

—