Chapter 111: Power of a Demon
The world around me twisted into a chaotic whirlwind as the Shadow Demon closed in, its claws gleaming with deadly intent. My thoughts jumbled together, panic crippling my ability to think, let alone cast a spell.
"Xiviyah!" Soltair’s shout hovered on the edges of my fear, and I looked up as he and Trithe rushed behind the demon, but I knew in my heart it was too late.
"Fyren!" My voice trembled as I called out, desperation filling my words.
The clash unleashed a shockwave of ash and shadow, but my Adaptive Resistance protected me from its heat and toxins. Fyren strained, muscles bulging as he held back the demon’s overwhelming strength.
I staggered back, my heart pounding with fear. It seemed impossible to defeat something this powerful. The demon’s soul pushed the boundary between the seventh and eighth levels, surpassing even Soltair’s might.
"Xiviyah!" Fyren grunted, "Focus!"
His words jolted me from the grips of fear, bringing me back to reality. No, this wasn’t impossible. Otherwise, Fyren would already be dead. We just had to stall long enough for the demon to cripple its own soul.
"Fortunate Parry!"
The spell manifested as a shimmering barrier around Fyren, resolving just as the demon launched another attack. Even though the demon’s face remained a featureless void, I sensed a hint of disdain as it tore into the protective aura, expecting it to shatter.
But upon entering the field, the demon’s claws veered off course, embedding themselves into the earth beside Fyren. The force of the blow sent razor-sharp winds cutting through the ground, leaving deep furrows in its wake.
The Shadow Demon staggered, thrown off balance by the sudden misdirection, allowing Fyren to strike upward with his sword. The creature’s immense size placed its torso above his reach, so Fyren simply seared through the demon’s thick legs. Twisting shadows hissed as Fyren’s power flowed into the wound, filling the air with ash.