High above the shattered cityscape, Bolt soared into the stormy sky, his figure a streak of determined light against the darkening clouds.
Below, the leaders of Night gathered like shadows cast by the dying sun, their presence ominous and commanding.
Vespera, with her flowing purple hair that swayed like a ribbon caught in a wicked wind, watched with a sly smirk curling across her lips.
Her eyes sparkled with a cold, sinister glint as she tilted her head, the wind teasing her regal cloak.
"Oh, Bolt," she purred, her voice echoing with menace and amusement. "Tired already?" Her smirk deepened, a razor-sharp edge behind her words.
"Don't worry—this fight will last long enough, and we'll give you a break… just enough time for the darkness to settle in."
Bolt scoffed, his expression fierce.
He moved closer, his flute floating beside him like a living thing, shimmering with a faint, ethereal glow. His voice was steady, laced with defiance.
"It's nice to see you smugging in victory… but I will soon destroy that joy," he declared, his tone slow and unwavering.
"This world, this city—I will save it all. And the world of Nightmire? It will become the world of Mire—pure, untainted, and free."
Dracula, standing nearby with his dark cloak billowing in the wind, raised an eyebrow, a sly smile curling his lips.
"Oh, really? You're too full of yourself, Bolt. Maybe your wish will come true, but we won't let happen" he said, his voice low and smooth, like the whisper of shadows.
Bolt's gaze shifted sharply to In-Su, his expression tense.
"You… you've become one of them. Congratulations," he spat bitterly. "It seems I will have to end you all."
In-Su, unmoved, tilted his head with a calm, smirking grace. His eyes gleamed with a dangerous light.
"Isn't that what you wanted?" he murmured, voice like silk. "The battle you crave—your end, your betrayal of friendship. You want us to be enemies, don't you?"
He stepped closer, only inches from Bolt's face, the air thick with tension.
But his gaze drifted downward, to the blood-stained streets and the ruined buildings—battle scars etched into the very bones of the city.
Feral creatures of Mire clawed and howled amidst the chaos, fighting fiercely against the remnants of the Night's forces.
"You wanted us to fight," In-Su continued softly.
"In case you've forgotten, the rulebook—Page 225, line four—says creatures of Mire and Night will forever be enemies," he said, voice low but steady, like a blade's edge.
"You forced us into this war. And now… you'll see the consequences of making me your enemy."
Bolt's eyes flashed with resolve as he moved his face closer to In-Su's, their breaths nearly mingling.
"Now, In-Su, you will also see the consequences," Bolt whispered, his voice deep and commanding. "The consequences of crossing the line."
Bolt continued voice was calm but fierce, matching In-Su's tone. "Then we shall battle. We'll see who's stronger… who's more resilient."
In-Su grinned, a wicked, fearless smile that promised chaos.
"Is it me? Or you?" Bolt challenged, voice like a thunderclap in the storm. "We will see."
The skies roared with the clash of magic and fury, the city trembling beneath the weight of their impending duel—a dance of light and shadow, power and defiance, as the battle for the future of Mire and Night was set to unfold.
-----
Inside the grand mausoleum, Mysta stood amidst the trembling crowd, pacing back and forth as whispers rippled through the tense air.
The anxious murmurs grew louder—"Is she really going to save us?"
"I don't know… she seemed scared."
"But she has powers... she can do it."
Mysta paused, her brow furrowing as she drew in a deep breath. Suddenly, a radiant glow erupted from her, illuminating the shadows like a burst of dawn.
Her body shimmered with renewed energy as she finished recharging. She turned to face the crowd, her expression softening into a confident smile.
"Do not worry… I will save you now," she declared, her voice steady and reassuring. She folded her hands in front of her, closing her eyes in concentration.
In an instant, her hand ignited with a brilliant yellow light, forming a glowing orb that expanded rapidly, filling the space with an otherworldly luminance.
The air around them thickened, charged with raw energy. An unexpected breeze stirred, swirling around the trembling crowd—an invisible force of power.
"Glimmer… the essence of teleportation—grant me your strength," Mysta whispered, her voice echoing with authority.
Her wrist flicked gracefully, and with a sudden, explosive flash—poof!—the crowd vanished, replaced by a cascade of shimmering light.
They reappeared safely within the majestic halls of the Mire palace, the grandeur of their new refuge spreading before them.
Mysta let out a deep sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing as she stared at the empty space where the frightened people had gathered moments before.
"I've done it… Yes," she muttered softly, a quiet victory whispering from her lips.
But suddenly, a loud thud struck the massive door of the mausoleum. Mysta whirled around, her sword materializing in her hand with a flash of shimmering light.
Her eyes sharpened, scanning the shadows behind the door with caution. Step by step, she moved closer, ready to strike.
Just as she was about to attack, the door swung open, revealing a familiar figure. Her eyes widened in shock, and she hurried forward, her voice trembling with disbelief.
"Ji-Hoo…?"
Without hesitation, she ran to him, wrapping her arms around him in a tight, tearful hug.
"I miss you…" she whispered, her voice thick with emotion, relief flooding her face as she clung to him, grateful beyond words for his safe return.
---
Ji-Hoo followed Mysta swiftly through the chaos of the mausoleum, his brow furrowed as he took in the sight of blood-stained streets and the distant sounds of destruction echoing through the city.
His voice was tense with worry. "What's happening? Why is there chaos everywhere? I had to sneak out just to come here."
Mysta, her face shadowed by concern, paused briefly, her mind racing as she moved around the mausoleum with hurried purpose.
"Can't you see? Didn't you see the creatures of Night? They're attacking us... and I don't know what to do. I feel so powerless—like I'm the weakest element ever," she admitted, her voice trembling as panic threatened to take hold.
She paced back and forth, eyes darting anxiously.
"Calm down, Joy," Ji-Hoo said softly, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You're not the weakest—just the less powerful right now."
Mysta looked at him, her eyes shimmering with relief and gratitude. "I'm so glad… you're back," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Ji-Hoo smiled gently, his expression warm. "I'm glad too… Hey, how's Grandpa? And the Devil of Death?"
Mysta giggled softly, a slow, amused smile dancing on her lips, but then her face darkened with a shadow of sorrow.
"It's not good. Ha-Joon and In-Su… they're no more," she said quietly, her voice heavy with grief.
"What? You're kidding," Ji-Hoo's eyes widened in disbelief. "No way."
"I wish I was," Mysta replied softly, her voice trembling.
"It's true. Now we only have Bolt and Zekar—both of them hate each other to the core."
Ji-Hoo blinked in surprise.
"What? How could they hate each other? They… are like inseparable. Their friendship's stronger than anything—more than my last name," he said, his voice filled with incredulous disbelief.
Mysta sighed deeply, her expression grim.
"We don't know what's going to happen now. Who will kill who? It's likely… both of them might end up killing each other. The hatred between them is so fierce now, it's like a storm ready to explode."
She conjured a glowing light, a shimmering projection of In-Su and Bolt, their figures flickering with energy and anger.
"If they fight… it could end either with one killing the other—or both dying. And it's more likely to be both. Their hate runs too deep now," she whispered, the light fading away.
A heavy silence fell.
Mysta's voice cracked with pain as she added softly, "Since you left, nothing good has happened to me. Everything is falling apart… and it feels like friendship—the bonds that once held us together—are slipping through our fingers like sand."
She looked down, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Friendship… it's like a fragile thread. Once broken, it's almost impossible to mend, and sometimes, we realize too late that some wounds cut too deep to heal."
Ji-Hoo's smile was gentle, but filled with understanding. "We'll get through this," he said softly, hope flickering in his eyes.
"Even in the darkest times, true friendship never truly dies—sometimes, it just waits for the right moment to shine again."