The battlefield fell silent for a moment, the Omega Dire Wolf standing tall amidst the chaos. Oliver's light magic had faded, his mana completely drained. He collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath, while Tedric and Tiara, too exhausted to stand, leaned against each other for support.
"It's over…" Tiara whispered, her voice laced with despair.
The Omega Dire Wolf growled low, its glowing eyes fixed on Oliver, who remained motionless in the wolf's path.
"Oliver, MOVE!" Tedric shouted, his voice raw with desperation.
But Oliver couldn't. His arms trembled as he struggled to lift his staff, his body refusing to obey. The wolf lunged, its claws gleaming in the faint light, ready to strike him down.
A sudden gust of wind, followed by a flash of orange, blurred past Tedric's vision.
"What—?"
In an instant, Solis appeared, his aura blazing like wildfire, and knocked Oliver out of the wolf's path. The beast's claws slashed the air where Oliver had been moments before.
Solis turned to Oliver, his face fierce but calm. "Rest now. We've got this."
"S-Solis?" Oliver murmured, his vision hazy.
Solis didn't respond. He stepped forward, gripping his wooden sword tightly, his aura burning brighter as he faced the towering beast alone.
The battlefield was painted in chaos as Solis charged forward, his flaring orange aura illuminating the darkened scene. The Omega Dire Wolf loomed ahead, its massive frame pulsing with dark energy.
Solis gripped his wooden sword tightly, his eyes locked on the beast's every movement. "Let's see how far I can push you," he muttered under his breath.
The beast roared, launching itself at Solis with terrifying speed. Its claws slashed through the air, but Solis ducked just in time, the wind from the strike grazing his hair. He countered with a sharp upward swing of his wooden sword, slamming it into the beast's jaw.
The wolf stumbled back, snarling, but its wounds were shallow. Solis didn't let up. Using his enhanced speed, he darted around the wolf, aiming for its flanks and legs. He struck again and again, each blow forcing the beast to turn and adjust, but it still stood strong.
---
Tedric, leaning against a broken tree, watched with wide eyes. "His movements… they're sharper than before. This is no ordinary Postknight recruit."
Tiara, barely able to stand, clenched her fists. "He's… so fast. But… he's all alone." Her voice trembled. "How long can he keep this up?"
Oliver, sitting on the ground with his staff beside him, winced as he tried to channel more mana, but his reserves were drained. "Solis… you're crazy," he murmured. "But… maybe that's what we need right now."
---
Solis darted forward again, feinting to the left before spinning and slashing at the wolf's hind leg. The blow landed, eliciting a howl of pain as the beast's leg buckled slightly.
"Not so tough now, are you?" Solis taunted, his voice carrying over the battlefield.
The wolf turned on him with a snarl, its jaws snapping inches from his face. Solis jumped back, his aura flaring brighter as he used the momentum to flip over the wolf. As he landed, he drove his sword downward, aiming for the beast's back.
But the wolf twisted at the last second, its thick tail whipping around and striking Solis in the side. The impact sent him skidding across the ground, his aura flickering.
---
Tedric's heart clenched as he saw Solis struggle to stand. "Get up, Solis… don't give in now."
Tiara covered her mouth, tears welling in her eyes. "He's pushing himself too far… someone has to help him!"
Oliver, his voice weak, said, "He's not done yet… I can feel it."
---
Solis wiped the blood from his lip, his breathing heavy. His wooden sword was cracked but still intact. He looked up at the wolf, which was already preparing its next attack.
"This is nothing," Solis muttered, forcing himself to his feet. "I've faced worse. Pain doesn't stop me. Fear doesn't stop me. And you—" He pointed his sword at the wolf. "You're not stopping me either."
The wolf roared, charging again. Solis planted his feet firmly, his aura blazing like a shield around him. He swung his sword with all his might, meeting the wolf's claws head-on. The impact created a shockwave, and for a brief moment, it seemed as though Solis was holding his ground.
But the force was too much. With a sickening crack, his wooden sword snapped in two, the pieces flying out of his hands.
---
Tedric's breath caught in his throat. "No… his weapon… it's gone."
Tiara's hands trembled. "He can't fight unarmed… what's he going to do?"
Oliver gritted his teeth, frustration and fear mixing in his voice. "Solis… you can't keep doing this… you're going to—"
---
Before anyone could say another word, a voice broke through the tension.
"Don't you dare think you're doing this alone!"
Solis turned to see Ada sprinting toward him, her wooden sword in one hand and a large axe in the other. She hurled the axe through the air, and Solis caught it mid-flight, his aura flaring once more as he adjusted to the weight.
Ada skidded to a stop beside him, her determined gaze meeting his. "You're not the only one with something to prove, you know."
Solis smirked, gripping the axe tightly. "Took you long enough."
"Had to let you show off a little first," Ada shot back, raising her sword.
"Are sure to hang in here?" Solis asks.
"I am not going away without a fight. And I will not let you fight this thing alone." Ada replies with determination. "I got your back. Don't worry."
"Thanks." Solis can only say that and emerges into the fight.
Solis shifted his stance, his grip on the heavy axe firm. He abandoned his balanced fighting style, leaning into an aggressive approach to match the weapon's power. His movements became more fluid, each swing of the axe creating powerful arcs that forced the wolf to backpedal.
---
Tedric's eyes widened as he watched the two young fighters work together seamlessly. "They're… incredible. These kids… they're putting everything on the line."
Tiara wiped her tears, a spark of hope igniting in her chest. "They're not giving up. So why should we?"
Oliver managed a weak smile, his voice barely audible. "They've… surpassed us…"
---
With each swing of the axe and strike of the sword, Solis and Ada pushed the Omega Dire Wolf further back. Their relentless determination inspired those watching, rekindling the fight within their hearts.
Tedric's eyes widened as he watched the two young fighters stand firm against the dire wolf.
"Look at them… my students. They're not just fighting for themselves. They're fighting for everyone here."
His grip on his sword tightened as a spark of energy reignited within him.
"I can't sit here and watch. They've shown me what it means to keep going, no matter how hopeless it seems."
Tiara glanced at him, noticing the change in his expression. "Tedric…?"
He nodded, determination returning to his gaze. "Let's end this. Together."