"Oh, that's just bullshit," I mutter, channeling the Aquanite's power. Ice crystals form in the air as I weave between the blades, each movement precise and fluid. I create a shield of frozen light just as two swords converge on my position.
Vidar's sword whistles through the air, missing my throat by millimeters as I duck and roll. My shoulder slams into the icy ground, sending jolts of pain up my arm.
"Getting tired yet, Void-face?" I taunt, pushing myself up. Blood trickles down my temple where I hit my head on the ice. "Because I could do this all day."
"Dani." Rhyland's voice carries that edge of barely controlled fury. "Stop provoking it."
The champion moves like a liquid shadow, his form rippling between solid and void. My light passes straight through it while Rhyland's telekinetic assault seems to hit something tangible. But nothing slows it down.
"Provoke it?" I dodge another swing. "I'm just making conversation—shit!"
Pain explodes across my back as the champion's fist connects, sending me flying into one of the frozen waterfalls. Ice shards tear through my shirt, biting into flesh. I hit the ground hard, tasting blood.
Rhyland's roar of rage echoes off the crystalline walls. The air vibrates with his power as he hurls a barrage of ice shards at the creature. "I'm going to fucking kill you!"
Rhyland's power tears chunks from the walls, hurling them with devastating force. The projectiles shatter against two shadow forms but connect solidly with the third. The impact sends the champion reeling—until it's severed arm reforms from pure darkness.
"Rhyland, watch out!"
My warning comes too late. A blade of pure shadow catches Rhyland in the chest, launching him across the chamber. He slams into the frozen wall with a sickening crack, ice shards raining down around his crumpled form.
"No!" Terror and rage explode through me. Time stops completely as I channel both light and ice. Angel fire wraps around my arms like burning wings while frost spreads from my feet in deadly patterns.
The champion laughs—until I phase through its next attack like a ghost, my body moving faster than thought. My fist, wrapped in burning light and crackling ice, connects with its shadowy face. The impact sends shock waves through the chamber.
"Impressive," he hisses, staggering back.
I press the advantage, moving like water between its strikes. Each dodge flows into a counter-attack, light, and ice working in perfect harmony. Vidar's forms try to surround me, but I'm everywhere and nowhere, leaving trails of frozen fire in my wake.
"Your predecessors all thought themselves worthy," the creature growls. "Their frozen forms now decorate my halls. Shall I tell you how each one failed?"
"How about," I grit through clenched teeth, "you tell us how to shut you the fuck up instead?"
A groan from Rhyland splits my concentration. The champion's blade slices across my back, burning cold. I stumble, and another cut opens along my ribs. Blood freezes on my skin instantly.
"Your love makes you weak," Vidar taunts, his forms converging. "Like all who came before."
"No." I rise slowly, power building around me like a storm. "That's where you're wrong, asshole. My love makes me stronger."
The Aquanite stone sings in my crown as I reach out to every frozen surface in the chamber. Angel fire erupts from my hands, but I don't try to pierce the champion's darkness this time. Instead, I create a cage of pure light, trapping it in place.
"What is this?" he snarls, shadows writhing against the barrier.
"This?" Ice crystals form in the air, each one blazing with inner fire. "This is me being done with your shit."
"Nice try," he gasps as its darkness begins to fragment. "You cannot..."
The champion's laugh suddenly turns triumphant. A wave of pure darkness explodes, shattering my light cage like glass. The force slams into me like a freight train, sending me flying across the chamber. I hit the ice wall hard enough to crack it, stars exploding behind my eyes.
"Foolish child," the champion's voice drips with contempt. "Did you think your parlor tricks could defeat me alone?"
I try to push myself up, but my limbs won't cooperate. Blood trickles from my lips, every breath sending daggers through my ribs. The cuts on my body burn with an otherworldly cold, spreading numbness through my veins.
"Dani!" Rhyland's roar echoes off the walls. Through blurry vision, I see him charge the champion, his power manifesting like a storm.
"Rhy, wait—"
Vidar dissolves into shadow, reforming behind him with his sword raised.
