CHAPTER 352: DARIUS III

SAGE

For a few heartbeats, everything was smoke and dust. My chest heaved as I stared at the motionless dragon sprawled across the field, its once-majestic form now dimming under the glare of the sun. My arms trembled, my magic thinned to threads.

Please, stay down. I mused, struggling to catch my breath.

But luck wasn’t on my side.

With a shimmer of silver and gold, the dragon’s body began to fold inward—like fire curling into itself—and Darius emerged from it, human.

He landed on his knees first, gasping, before his body glowed again. A shift—faster this time—until where the man had stood was now a cougar, large and sleek, its pelt as dark as wet stone, eyes glowing amber. The air rippled with his fury and exhaustion.

For a second, I almost laughed. A dragon to a cat. Quite the downgrade. But my amusement didn’t last long.

I knew he was conserving strength. Smart. Dangerous. His movements were lithe, a silent shadow slinking toward me, golden eyes fixed and unblinking

I tried to stand then, getting rid of whatever lingering humour, but my knees buckled. The world spun. The void always took more than it gave; it had drained me more than I thought—it wasn’t the kind of magic you used when you were already spent.

My head throbbed, my limbs heavy as iron. The smell of scorched grass filled my lungs. But I needed to get up. I needed to fight. There was no other choice. And I had to win the fight.

So, I pushed myself up, staggering, my head trying to pound itself hard enough to trigger an explosion of its constituents.

I raised my palm, fire flickering at my fingertips. The cougar crouched low, muscles rippling beneath its hide. It was fast—too fast. The fire exploded toward him, a wave of searing orange, but he darted aside, barely grazed.

I cursed under my breath, dragging in air like shards of glass. He was getting closer.

And yet, I refused to fall.

When he lunged, I gathered what little flame I could summon, hurling it straight at him. The fireball seared the air, whistling, hissing—only for him to dodge with feline grace. Again, and again, he evaded, circling closer.

"Damn it," I muttered, tasting blood. My palms trembled. My skin was ice.

This wasn’t good. My strength was slipping, the pull of the void still gnawing at me from within. I could feel the dark space I had opened trying to reclaim me, whispering, come back. I could almost smell the stench of the other side, the foul air of lost souls.

My body screamed to rest, to surrender, but I couldn’t. Not here. Not with thousands watching. Millions, if you counted those watching online. I didn’t come this far to lose.

Meanwhile, he was coming again. His claws caught the sunlight, gleaming silver. I stepped back, boots digging into the scorched earth, my mind spiraling, desperate. And then... I thought of El.

I almost scorned the thought, but for the seriousness of the situation, but for the fact that I needed an intervention—my life depended on it.

Yet, will she answer now? When she had been absent six years ago? After I had banished her four years ago from my mind?

Do I have a choice though? I needed to try. And if she didn’t come for me, then I would fight Darius with the last drop of my blood!

I beat my chest once, a reflex I hadn’t done in years, and called inwardly, El, if you’re out there—answer me. I need you now, more than ever.

The world went quiet.

Then, a hum. Low, ancient, familiar. It rippled through my bones, a vibration in my blood.

Are you sure you want this, my union? The voice purred inside my mind, laced with mockery. It will upset your plans. All the activities you have planned with your Queen... the agreement you made with the vile creatures.

"I don’t care," I whispered, breathless. My lips barely moved, but my spirit shouted it.

I didn’t care, because her words and their meaning didn’t matter then. I only wanted to win.

We could talk about the nitty gritties later. We could talk about compromises and revenge. And maybe, she would tell me why she had abandoned me six years ago.

The cougar’s claws swiped for my face, breaking me away from my thoughts. And then, light exploded between Darius and me.

I was thrown backward, not by his strength but by mine. Or hers. Ours. My feet steadied on the ground again, my body alive with thrumming power. My eyes burned, the world sharper, clearer, every color too vivid, too alive.

The field fell into silence. The crowd gaped.

Someone screamed. "What the hell!"

Another gasped, "What is she?! Is there no end to her power!"

"It’s like she stores them in levels...!"

"If that’s the case, then Darius would have to step up his game! I had placed my bet on him!"

"Me too! He better not lose!"

"Any idea on what the two of them are? I never did understand... their techniques are different from normal witches..."

"Well, they aren’t normal! Maybe, they got their powers from the devil itself. That’s the only thing that makes sense! These powers are crazy!"

The words blurred into meaningless noise. What did they know they were talking about? Ignorant fools!

I stood taller, my heart thundering, the presence of El coursing through me like wildfire.

You’re welcome, she said lazily, her voice wrapping around my mind like silk.

I’ve decided it was a she. Only my gender could be so vague and pointed at the same time.

I ignored her. Or tried to. My body was a storm of energy now. Magic ran under my skin, lightning in my veins. My exhaustion was gone, replaced by something too vast, too divine. The air hummed when I moved.

The cougar hissed, circling again, fur standing on end.

I smirked. "Ready for round two, kitty?"