Magus Supremacy

"See, you didn't need my help," Dante smirked as he caught sight of Charlotte panting heavily, her hands planted on her knees while a fine sheen of sweat traced down her flushed face.

She inhaled deeply, then glanced over at Grey, relief washing over her features when she confirmed he was still safe.

"Well, the battle isn't over yet," Charlotte muttered through gritted teeth, her eyes narrowing in anger as she lifted her gaze to the circling hawk beasts above.

Suddenly, a piercing howl and a low, guttural growl sliced through the chaos, pulling her attention sharply. "Right. Different kinds of beasts."

Without hesitation, they surged forward, but not too far—bound by the need to protect unconscious Dave and Grey, still encased within the protective earth pillars.

The pillars formed a tight lattice, allowing just enough space for air to circulate and for the two to catch faint glimpses when they awoke.

"Earth pillars!" Dante roared, narrowly dodging two massive gorrilas' crushing swings aimed at his head.

The ground exploded beneath him as jagged pillars of rock erupted violently, slamming into the beasts with earth-shaking force.

The impact forced the gorrilas to skid backward, grinding their massive feet against the arena floor.

With a sharp snap of his fingers, Dante sent fifty razor-sharp earth spikes shooting towards the snarling gorrilas.

The spikes skewered the beasts, pinning them momentarily and giving Dante a precious opening. Earth swirled and thickened around his fist, forming a gauntlet of jagged stone.

Harnessing the solid ground beneath his feet, Dante charged forward, his gauntleted fist cocked back like a batter's swing.

When he unleashed it, a thunderous boom reverberated through the arena—a shattering sound barrier burst by the sheer power of his strike.

Bang!

The gorrilas' massive hands flared with primal energy, clamping down with crushing strength on Dante's fist. He grit his teeth, pushing against the iron grip, earth writhing and twisting beneath his hands as he desperately tried to break free. But the gorrilas' hold was unyielding.

Without hesitation, the beast hoisted Dante off the ground and slammed him down with bone-crushing force. A sickening crunch echoed as his body collided with the earth.

KUK!

Dante coughed, blood sputtering from his mouth, his vision blurring as the ground trembled beneath him.

Before Dante could say or do anything again, his body was lifted up and was about to be smashed when powerful jets of water erupted, slamming squarely into the gorrila's face. The beast reeled, its head snapping backward but its grip on Dante remained firm.

Seizing the moment, whip-like tendrils of water lashed out, wrapping tightly around the gorrila's arms, tugging and yanking in a desperate bid to free Dante.

The relentless pull finally loosened the beast's grasp. Dante gasped as he dropped to the ground, turning to see Charlotte straining, her face taut with effort as she clapped her hands together.

A massive wave of water surged forward, crashing into the beast and sending its bulk tumbling backwards.

Charlotte was about to advance when the second gorrila darted in, smashing her hard in the side. Blood trailed behind her like a scarlet banner as she was hurled across the arena.

"NO! Charlotte!" Dante screamed, fury and desperation flaring. The earth beneath him quaked violently, trembling with an overwhelming energy.

His eyes glowed a piercing white as he slowly rose, his body enveloped in a soft, radiant aura. His hair floated upward as if caught in a ghostly breeze, the air crackling with raw power.

"I'm going to kill you!" Dante bellowed, unleashing a shockwave of earth energy that slammed into the gorrila, forcing it to skid backward several painful inches.

Snapping his fingers, two hundred jagged earth spears burst from the sky, descending with deadly precision onto the gorrila and several nearby beasts that had been silently ravaging the arena.

"DIE!" Dante roared as he slammed his hands downward. The spears followed with a deafening cascade of bangs, booms, and thuds, shaking the very air around them.

The ground shattered beneath the impact, impaling unlucky foes through skulls, limbs, and torsos before they could even react. Some hawk beasts plummeted from the sky, stunned by the assault.

The wolves below were caught in the carnage, unable to flee, while only the strongest ogres and gorrilas managed to deflect the deadly barrage.

The destruction was colossal. Half the arena was pockmarked with deep, cavernous craters. Sections of the walls had crumbled, and parts of the spectating stands lay in ruins.

Yet, it was worth it—because the gorrila that had hurt Charlotte lay dead, its monstrous form lifeless on the broken earth.

"Charlotte?!" Dante shouted as he searched frantically, relief flooding him when he spotted her slowly rising, wincing but standing on her own.

Blood stained her lips and chin, but her eyes burned with the same fierce determination. She rubbed one hand against the other, wincing as pain lanced through her fingers. She limped slightly but refused to falter.

Still glowing faintly with white energy, Dante sprinted over and swept her into a fierce, protective embrace.

"I thought something terrible had happened to you. I'm so glad you're alright," he whispered, a single tear slipping down his cheek.

"I'm fine. No need for tears," Charlotte smiled gently, patting his back.

"Cry?" Dante raised an eyebrow, stepping back with a smirk. "Who said I was crying? I'm not crying."

"Oh yes, you are," Charlotte teased, nodding at his glistening, watery eyes. "Look at those moist, pitch-white eyes of yours."

Flustered, Dante hastily wiped his eyes, which only made Charlotte laugh heartily.

'It's been so long since I've seen her laugh like that,' Dante thought warmly. 'Even in these perilous times, I'm glad I can bring her some joy.'

Suddenly, Charlotte's laughter faltered as her eyes snapped upward, wide with alarm.

"Shit! Dante, look out!" she screamed, pointing behind him.

Dante spun just in time to see a massive ogre swinging a colossal sword directly at his neck.

"Shit," he muttered, eyes squeezed shut instinctively as the blade descended.

Swoosh!

Thud!

"You all should really focus on the fight instead of romancing all the time. Learn from me," a smooth, feminine voice called from above.

Dante opened his eyes sharply and glanced upward alongside Charlotte.

"Oh? It's you," Dante smiled faintly.

"Lyra."