The floor of the temple hall was cracked by Nicat's dark blades, shattered further by Dante's agile movements. Both of them were breathing heavily, yet still finding the strength to continue the fight. Nicat's eyes burned with rage.
"You've really made me angry, Dante," he growled, swinging his dark swords.
Dante smiled as if he wasn't standing at death's door. "Wow, your anger is really scary, Nicat," he said casually. "But with that much rage, you must be dealing with serious skin problems."
Unable to tolerate Dante's mockery, Nicat launched another furious attack. His dark blades sliced through the air at incredible speed. Dante dodged with inhuman reflexes, but one blade grazed his abdomen. A drop of blood fell to the ground.
Dante touched the wound lightly and smiled. "Ah, so you're finally taking me seriously. But wow… only that much precision? You're not exactly a sniper, are you?"
That completely enraged Nicat.
"Your pointless jokes are driving me insane!" he shouted.
Stepping forward in fury, he cracked the ground beneath him. His power spread like a shockwave as he completely lost control. With a roar, he slashed at Dante again—each strike aimed to kill.
Dante used Nicat's rage to his advantage.
"Alright, alright, let's get serious!" he called out. "But I have to say… you look really bad when you're angry."
That remark broke whatever remaining restraint Nicat had. He charged with overwhelming speed, this time catching Dante off guard. In a lightning-fast strike, one of Nicat's blades cut through Dante's arm, severing it completely.
Dante flinched and looked at his wound, but he didn't step back. "Well… this just got a bit harder," he said calmly. "But honestly, I was going to beat you even with two arms… now it's just going to be more fun."
Nicat roared in frustration. "You're still laughing?! You're unbelievable, Dante!"
But this time, Dante's smile carried a different meaning—it was a sign of a plan forming in his mind. He had lost an arm, but he still had a chance to end the fight. He only needed to exploit Nicat's rage.
The temple had now become a full battlefield. Dark shockwaves from Nicat's blades destroyed the walls. Dante defended himself with a single arm, waiting for the perfect moment to activate his sealing magic.
"This game ends here! Your arrogance will be erased along with you!" Nicat shouted.
He gathered all his strength and brought his blades down.
Dante rolled at the last moment and looked at Nicat. "Haven't you gotten tired yet, Nicat? Because this was just a warm-up for me," he said—this time with deadly seriousness.
Dante knew it was time. Nicat's anger had created the opening he needed. Pressing his remaining hand onto the ground, he activated an ancient sealing spell. Golden runes lit up across the temple floor.
"What are you doing?!" Nicat shouted, rushing forward again.
Dante dodged and landed behind him. "I told you, Nicat," he said, eyes glowing. "It's time to end this fight."
Nicat's attacks grew more feral, but it was already too late. When he finally noticed the glowing runes beneath him, Dante unleashed the final surge of energy.
"This is where you stay forever!" Dante shouted.
The golden runes wrapped around Nicat, pinning him to the ground. His dark blades fell from his hands as shock filled his eyes.
"This… isn't over, Dante!" he roared—but the runes opened a gateway to hell and dragged him inside.
Nicat's screams echoed through the temple as the gate sealed shut. Silence returned.
Dante collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily, exhausted from the battle. His remaining arm trembled.
"There's probably an easier way to silence someone forever…" he muttered weakly, still managing a faint smile.
His victory was both physical and emotional—but the scars of the battle remained.
---
Nahid, despite being heavily injured in the throne room, was still standing. The Sword of the Flame God trembled in his hands. In front of him stood Nihad, surrounded by the power of the Water God.
Dante entered the room and immediately found himself in the middle of their chaos.
"Step back, Dante! This is our fight!" Nahid shouted without taking his eyes off his brother.
Nihad laughed coldly. "You're not someone who can stand against me, Nahid. Not even your power can match divine strength!"
Nahid tightened his grip on his sword. "You still think you control everything, Nihad? I'll pull you out of this darkness—even if I have to bring you down here myself!"
Nihad unleashed a massive wave of water. Nahid planted his sword into the ground, forming a wall of flames to block it. But the pressure was overwhelming, forcing him backward as the floor cracked beneath his feet.
With a roar, Nahid strengthened his barrier and exploded the water apart with fire. Nihad rushed in immediately, clashing his water blade against Nahid's. The impact threw them both back.
Nihad raised his hands, fully releasing the power of the Water God. Moisture filled the air, and symbols of the deity appeared above them. Massive water spears formed in the air and rained down.
Nahid dodged quickly, cutting some apart, but one pierced his shoulder and knocked him down.
"You see how weak you are!" Nihad mocked. "How did you ever think you could win?"
Nahid forced himself up, his flaming arm glowing brighter than ever. "My power isn't just from this sword, Nihad!" he shouted. "Even if I lose this fight, I'll keep fighting to bring you back!"
The Sword of the Flame God responded, unleashing waves of fire. The room's stones began to crack from the heat. Nahid sent a flaming wave toward Nihad.
Nihad raised a water shield but was forced back by the heat. His expression twisted in rage as he charged again.
Steel clashed. Fire and water collided. The throne room turned into a chaotic battlefield. Every strike shook the chamber, every clash released explosions of elemental force.
Both brothers were injured, yet neither would stop.
Nihad summoned all his remaining power, forming a massive water dragon in the center of the room. Nahid answered with roaring flames.
Fire and water collided in a devastating explosion that cracked the ceiling and shook the palace.
Their breathing grew heavier. Their bodies weakened. But neither of them stopped.
---
Who will win this battle? Nahid, bound to the will of the Flame God, or Nihad, driven mad by the power of the Water God?
The battle has only just begun.