Krull leaped forward with a ferocious roar, his form slicing through the air like a blade. His fists, encased in pulsing black energy, struck the ground with earth-shattering force. A shockwave knocked Aletha backward and sent Zetch reeling.
"He's faster than before!" Caden growled, barely backing away in time to avoid a devastating blow.
"He doesn't fight like a man anymore..." Bella murmured, panting.
Zetch steadied himself, digging his feet into the earth. "Then neither do we!"
He struck the ground. A wall of stone erupted in front of Krull, but Krull swatted it away with a backhand charged with dark energy.
"He's absorbing our attacks!"
Aletha conjured liquid blades and spiraled them out, aiming for Krull's flanks. He dodged with inhuman agility, then countered with a blast of energy that struck her in the shoulder. She collapsed to one knee, wincing.
"Hang on!" Bella shouted, arms raised, calling on the currents of the sky. A swirling blast of wind slammed into Krull, pushing him back a few meters. He slipped, planted a foot, and sneered.
"Pathetic."
With a leap, he reached Caden. Their fists clashed. A shower of flame surrounded Caden as he released all his rage. But Krull's energy seemed to feed on the heat.
"You're just a flash in the pan," Krull snarled, crushing Caden to the ground.
"I... won't fall... now!" Caden yelled, pushing Krull back in a flash of burning flames. He rolled onto his side, gasping for breath.
"We're barely holding on!" Aletha moaned, her hand trembling as it formed a fragile barrier of water.
"Caden, Zetch! We have to... we have to seal him off..." Bella shouted.
But Krull was already advancing, towering above their defenses, unstoppable. And suddenly...
A hissing sound cut through the air.
A figure emerged from the shadows. A man wearing a long mage's cloak, his face half-hidden. He stretched out his hand. A circle of light formed beneath Krull's feet, immobilizing him for a moment.
"Who...?!" Caden choked.
"Not the time for introductions," the stranger replied. "We have to weaken him. Together!"
Zetch, panting, raised an arm. "I still have more stone to give!" He conjured pillars of rock, blocking Krull's movements. Aletha followed suit, trapping his legs in a cocoon of gelled water. The mage launched energy chains, and Caden unleashed a torrent of flame against their opponent's chest. Krull screamed, his energy destabilized, but he still resisted.
Bella stepped forward. Her mark glowed.