Erdant Hollowmen continued to approach, moving with a gentle yet lethal grace. Their bodies, made of decaying wood and moss, infiltrated the silence as if they were part of the very forest itself. With each step they took, the fog thickened, narrowing visibility even further. The stillness surrounding them grew more oppressive, as if the forest wished to envelop them in an inescapable darkness.
"Rinoa, can you dispel the anti fire-magic in this area?" Fitran asked.
"I'll give it a try," Rinoa replied.
Rinoa stood tall, her body surrounded by the life force flowing in a blend of light and shadow. Above her palm, Armonatrix Ignis began to take shape, intricate magical patterns swirling at an invisible speed, uniting the infinite elements of fire and harmony. There was something different this time, something deeper and beyond mere restoration or combat; it was the rebirth of a power that had long been dormant.
As the words of the incantation flowed from her lips, each syllable carried a resonance that transcended the dimensions of the earthly realm.
"Armonatrix Ignis... Phase-Regenesis Field..."
This field is no longer just a protector or a balancer. Armonatrix is the manifestation of the universe's will, where fire and harmony merge into a higher energy, creating a transformative advancement previously unattainable. Waves of energy begin to form around Rinoa, creating an unassailable circle of fire that is untouched by lower powers. The fire now serves not merely as a destructive element but as a pathway, a transformation from darkness to light, allowing fire magic to be utilized in this environment due to the prior rejection of its presence.
As the Phase-Regenesis merges, the field radiates a softer yet more intense light, creating an almost celestial atmosphere. This field becomes the boundary between the physical world and a higher universe, where all elements unite in perfect harmony. It is not just fire that is healed; the entire balance of nature is restored, akin to a ritual of soul unification with the energy of the universe.
Rinoa not only controlled the Armonatrix Ignis; she became one with it, merging with the life energy that flowed through every particle. In that moment, she understood that this was the pinnacle of magical mastery—a stage of transcendence that opened the door to a spiritual dimension, where the fire once extinguished by the force of rejection was now renewed as a symbol of life and resurrection.
"Fitran, it seems you can use fire magic again, along with advanced spells," said Rinoa.
"Good, sweetheart," Fitran replied, releasing his aura.
Fitran stood with Excalibur drawn, the legendary sword glimmering faintly under the nearly nonexistent light. He began to attack with a series of sword magic. His first strike, Flame Slash, surged aggressively, creating a flickering flame that engulfed one of the Erdant Hollowmen, releasing a plume of smoke into the air. Although the attack was successful, Fitran felt a slight fatigue creeping into his body. The effects of Regenesis Field required the Caster to expend double the mana for fire magic.
Continuing with Wind Cutter, the sharp winds swept through the surroundings, easily slicing through wood and producing a deafening sound from the falling splinters. Rinoa stood beside him, her body tense and rigid. Wind magic flowed around her, empowering each movement she made. Her expression was serious, leaving no room for fear. Whenever an Erdant Hollowman approached, the sharp winds erupted from her hands, cutting through the sturdy wooden body like a knife piercing flesh.
Fitran then unleashed Earthquake Blades, generating a wave of energy that shook the ground and caused several Erdant Hollowmen to topple. However, the effort drained more of his energy, making his knees quiver. With quick thinking, he summoned Lightning Strike, where a flash of light cleaved through the mist and lashed out at the wooden bodies, illuminating the darkness around them. This attack consumed the remnants of his energy, yet the chance to incapacitate his foes was drawing closer. Feeling anxious, Fitran braced himself for his final assault, Shadow Fury, channeling all his magical strength to create sharp shadows that lunged at the Erdant Hollowman, piercing through their existence and causing severe damage. However, after that strike, Fitran collapsed, exhaustion wrapping around him as Rinoa moved forward, ready to protect.
However, even though his wind magic was powerful, both of them knew it wouldn't be enough. Erdant Hollowmen continued to emerge from the living trees, their bodies seemingly trapped in shadows of darkness. Each time they were defeated, their souls would transfer to the nearest tree, allowing them to rise again, like an endless cycle.
"Rinoa," Fitran's voice was hoarse yet filled with strength, "We can't keep this up. We must stop them at the source."
Rinoa nodded, her face set with determination. "I'll carve a path."
Extending her outstretched hand, wind magic swirled around her, creating a mini tornado that enveloped her. The wind was not just any wind; it was energy that sliced and obliterated anything in its path. The approaching Hollowmen were instantly blown away, their wooden bodies cracking and splintering under the unexpected force of the wind. Rinoa stared vacantly around her, her eyes scanning the forest filled with those creatures of darkness.
Fitran, determined not to fall behind, drew his sword and thrust his hand forward, reciting the first spell: Sword Magic - Gale Slash. A deadly attack swept across the ground, generating a fierce wind that sliced through two Hollowmen beside him. Their wooden bodies shattered into splinters, debris flying amidst the thin mist enveloping the forest.
Without pausing for breath, Fitran followed up with Sword Magic - Ember Edge, igniting his sword in flames. With a swift slash, he targeted a group of Hollowmen that were crawling out of the fog, incinerating them with ear-piercing screams as the fire consumed their wooden forms. However, this attack took a toll on his energy, and he could feel his breath quickening.
Realizing that time was running out against them, Fitran escalated his power with Sword Magic - Iron Rain. With a single spiraling motion, dozens of iron shards flew toward the Hollowmen, pinning them to the ground. For a moment, their movement halted, but their recovery was rapid, and this newfound weakness would not last long. Fitran could feel his body growing heavier, his stamina depleting from the magical force he had unleashed.
After that, he uttered Sword Magic - Blazing Wave, focusing his gaze on a single point as he directed the wave of fire to strike the line of Hollowman before him. The wave sounded like thunder as the fire traveled, dismantling them into charred wooden splinters. However, such a powerful attack left him gasping for breath, his body starting to tremble from exhaustion.
Finally, with a firm yet anxious voice, Fitran invoked Sword Magic - Celestial Dawn, causing a radiant light to emanate from his sword. The wave of light spread throughout the forest, illuminating the darkness and pushing back many of the Hollowman with its divine power. Yet, with each use of magic, he felt himself growing weaker, and only his courage remained to guide him in standing firm.
Fitran, sensing his body growing increasingly weak due to running out of energy, shifted his gaze to Excalibur. He gripped his sword tightly, eyeing the Hollowman that continued to emerge with a chilling sense of despair.
"You will not win!" he screamed with a voice full of anger, as Excalibur emitted a brilliant glow of overwhelming energy. However, the fire magic that typically devoured everything in its path was now impeded by the effects of the forest. But he still had one final weapon: sword magic.
With the last reserves of his strength, Fitran attacked with his sword, not just in a physical blow, but with pure magic radiating from Excalibur. He first unleashed Flame Burst, a sharp strike that ignited the surroundings, creating an explosion of fire that consumed one of the Hollowmen in a scorching blaze, as their wooden bodies were charred beneath it. Each movement drained his energy, yet he did not retreat.
Next, he invoked Frost Slash, swinging the air with his sword to conjure a wave of ice that froze two Hollowmen attempting to approach him, emerging arrogantly from the hazy shadows. The ice formed claws that ensnared and shattered them as they moved within the icy layer. Although his strategy was successful, Fitran's resilience began to wane.
Breathing heavily, he pressed on with his attack using Wind Gale, swinging Excalibur to summon a storm of wind that swept some Hollowmen backward, creating a ruckus as they crashed into trees. The effect of his magic harmonized with the rumbling sounds of the forest; Fitran felt a surge of energy, even as his stamina dwindled.
His spirit was unyielding; he employed Earth Rend, striking the ground forcefully to call upon massive roots that clutched at the hesitant wooden allies, pulling them down. As he sensed fatigue clawing at his muscles, this courage brought a renewed tension, though he knew it was depleting his strength.
Racing towards the climax of the battle, Fitran unleashed Light Slash, channeling all his energy to create a blinding mysterious light that struck the last Hollowmen, shattering the fog around him. The wave of energy from this attack tore through the air, resulting in an explosion that obliterated the remnants of the foes and sent vibrations through the earth. Despite his success, Fitran collapsed to his knees, exhausted and drained of energy, feeling the weight of all the assaults he had just unleashed.
However, despite Excalibur being able to annihilate the Erdant Hollowmen surrounding him, they continued to rise again. Fitran, with his composure beginning to waver, raised his sword and uttered the first incantation: Flame Slash. A tongue of fire erupted from his blade, spreading across the area and incinerating several Hollowmen that dared approach him. Yet, as the flames subsided, the creatures rose once more at a terrifying speed.
Feeling despair creeping in, Fitran prepared his next attack. With a graceful motion, he executed Frost Edge, creating a wall of ice around him that held back some of the Hollowmen as they tried to break through with brutal force. The ice hung brilliantly among the trees, but Fitran's stamina began to dwindle; each spell drained his energy.
Fitran groaned, yet he refused to give in. "We must find the heart of this forest and destroy the source of the problem." In an instant, inspiration struck, and he unleashed Thunder Strike, summoning lightning that split the sky. The flash of electricity scorched the wooden creatures, causing them to stagger, but the force of the impact made Fitran reel, nearly losing his balance.
Rinoa, who was still holding on with relentless wind magic, gazed ahead. "We will not give up," she said with a voice full of conviction. "We will end this." Fitran nodded, and as his despair lifted, he unleashed his fourth spell: Shadow Slice. The shadows of his blade shot toward the enemy, momentarily halting the crowd of Hollowmen, who were confused in the darkness.
With newfound courage, he prepared his final attack: Gravity Slash. With a determined motion, he swung his blade down with tremendous force, creating a wave of energy that sent the Hollowmen flying backward, crashing into the misty depths of the forest. The darkness thickened around them, and even now, Fitran felt every ounce of energy being drained from him. They continued their journey, delving deeper into the shadows of the Labyrinth Forest—where time seemed to stand still, and only dismay continued to beckon.