Strength

Without thinking twice I step back to avoid the incoming attack. It surely is better to fight her close range but I can't do so while in such a disadvantage. Eleonora tries to block my retreat but fails. I retreat successfully.

Lena keeps coming to me. She sure has hidden some nasty tricks. Well I suppose I'm no one to talk about this...

The attack from before remains mostly unknown to me. I can tell she used her thunder magic but I'm not sure how. It seemed quite different. I didn't get to much damage. I was mostly blinded and shocked for a second there which was enough to perform a successful fatal attack on someone. Thankfully I recovered quickly otherwise that could have ended badly. The sound of the magic and its light prevent me from knowing what is happening around me and gives my enemies a perfect chance to strike. The electric shock furthermore also prevents movements for a bit. That is some terrific magic.

I guess it can't be used at close range since it could hit allies too or oneself. Once again I recognize that fighting Lena on close range is the best solution. Even so Eleonora will give pretty nice support. Her magic is good at providing support and she knows well how to use it like that. But more importantly Eleonora is good at keeping one at a distance. Even if you get close she got her way to run away. I can't surround her here so I will have to keep up with her attacks.

Becoming clear that I am once again fine Lena stops. She takes a defensive stance while gathering more magic. Eleonora keeps attacking with magic.

I defend myself against Eleonora's attacks and glance at Steve direction. He is coming to help the others. It seems that running to meet him while leaving my back vulnerable to Lena and Eleonora's attacks is not an option.

This will become a 3 vs. 1 battle.

If so I shall try to break through it. The earth bends at my will all around the path I chose. I run while defending myself from magic attacks. The earth creates a protection from most of the incoming attacks.

The distance within me and Lena shortens quickly. Lena's sword is still raised in the air while emitting a powerful magic ready to be deployed at any time. Her sword is actually surrounded by small currents of electricity. It is an amazing view. Should I tell her?

A few steps away from Lena lighting originates from the tip of her sword and hits close to me. The earth surrounding me blocks is path neutralizing the attack but the light and sound of it still affects me a little. Even so I don't stop. Instead I use the remaining earth magic in place to attack Lena and Eleonora behind her. It flies to both of them but they both defend against it successfully.

Lena seeing my strike coming right afterwards also accurately defends against it and makes a counterattack. I avoid her blade and launch myself in a close range battle against her using my sword and my magic.

Her skill with the sword is not as good as Steve's but she isn't bad with it. Her strength comes mostly from the use of magic combined with the sword. At long range her thunder magic can deal a lot of damage with an attack of extraordinary speed. At close range the electricity she creates often deals damage to enemies or harasses them creating good openings for her sword. Furthermore if not properly counter she can use lighting at a small distance with many bad effects for her enemies.

In this fight I'm properly stopping any opportunity to use it. Unfortunately I can't do so without doing some sacrifices. Eleonora is good at using magic for support. Her attacks are always on mark. She either aims to deal damage or create an opportunity for Lena and she chooses wisely what to do and when.

The result is a fight where I must accept some compromises in order not to let them have too much advantage. The heroes and the human army have already made too many gains here. I have to fight with them with force and quickly but also to keep energy to deal with whatever follows.

My attacks increase in power and speed. They too keep up with it. The battle becomes more and more brutal. Magic flies all around and our swords keep clashing over and over constantly trying to find an opening in each other's defense.

Steve comes from the side trying to achieve a surprise attack. Eleonora's attack did almost not decrease at all even with his arrival. The magic comes just in front of him not hindering him in the least. The perfect synchronization between the two even in the middle of such a battle is truly admirable. Lena's attack also don't stop and instead try to prevent me from responding to any attack from Steve.

Having only one sword to defend myself I use magic instead to stop Steve incoming attack but this is destroyed by Lena's thunder magic, the fastest one. Just after it Steve gets through and attacks me. I bend backwards to avoid the hit but I'm instead hit by Eleonora's magic.

Lena comes forward trying to get me with her sword while Steve prepares himself from the side.

Once again I avoid the incoming attack but an attack from Eleonora hits me completely.

I resist the magic attack and defend against Steve follow up attack. Without delay another attack from Lena comes from the front while Eleonora's magic from behind.

I raise my left arm and with my bare hand stop Lena's sword.

Black blood drops out from my palm.

"So this is demon's blood. I'm pretty sure all the others were but ashes when they died." Lena says while looking at the blood that now stains her sword.

"And I'm sure this guy didn't have any before too! But does it even matter!" Exclaims Steve whose sword keeps getting blocked by mine.

The electricity that flows along Lena's sword comes into my hand. I feel no pain. Unlike hell I can just feel anger and even that is less. Why?

"Increase the power! Don't let him get you. We have him trapped!" Eleonora screams from behind while trying to hit me with her magic.

I turn around to face Lena while still holding her sword. Her eyes that were staring at my bleeding hand rise to meet mine. I look deeply into Lena's eyes. Her eyes are serene. From them one can feel a sense of confidence and strength. But deeper in them I see curiosity. Curiosity raised by the one in front of her. Man always tries to look for the unknown, to search for new things but everything comes at a cost. Those who are willing to make the trip better be ready for its many hardships. You can't just look into the abyss without it staring back at you.

Lena's eyes become cold as ice. The magic running through her blade slowly decreases. The strength in her grip slowly is released.

"Lena!" Eleonora rush forward while screaming Lena's name.

Lena's hands let go of her sword and soon afterwards Lena's knees bend down and she falls into the ground.