The tension crackled in the air as Abel faced off against Laufey, the formidable Frost Giant king. With his heart racing, he took a moment to collect his thoughts, reminding himself that panicking would only hinder his ability to fight effectively. The Killing Curse had not yielded the results he hoped for, and he had overused it in his desperation. He needed to calm down and strategize.
Casting Apparition once more, he vanished just as the badly injured Frost Giant fell to the ground.
"End! Attack!" Laufey commanded, and the remaining Frost Giants surged forward, their sheer numbers a daunting sight.
Abel felt a wave of unease wash over him as he prepared to use Apparition again, but just then, Laufey raised his hand, conjuring a shimmering icy blue light. In an instant, Abel sensed a powerful force locking down the space around him, as if he were trying to run through thick mud.
Can he freeze space itself? Abel thought, momentarily awestruck by Laufey's display of power. But the situation was dire, and he couldn't afford to be distracted.
Realizing he had to adapt quickly, Abel felt the energy of the black smoke robe he wore swirl around him. The shadows transformed into a pair of black wings, allowing him to ascend into the air. While it wasn't the same as the speed and agility of Apparition, it was certainly better than standing still and becoming a target.
As he maneuvered through the air, Abel dodged an icy spear launched at him. He retaliated by firing a Killing Curse at the advancing Frost Giants, but he quickly discovered its effectiveness was limited against these powerful beings. They staggered slightly but soon regained their composure, shaking off the effects of the curse.
This is futile, he realized, knowing he had to escalate his magical efforts. Now that the townsfolk had evacuated, there was no reason to hold back. He flew higher, raising his wand and unleashing the Fiendfyre spell.
A torrent of black and red flames erupted from the tip of his wand, cascading down like a monstrous wave upon the Frost Giants below. The fiery assault enveloped them, eliciting cries of panic and confusion as they struggled against the scorching inferno.
However, Laufey, unfazed by the chaos, summoned an icy blue halo that enveloped him. As the Fiendfyre met Laufey's aura, the flames were deflected, failing to harm the Frost Giant king.
"The power of authority versus authority," Abel murmured, recognizing the intense clash between their abilities. Despite the heat of his flames, Laufey's authority over ice provided him with a formidable defense.
The battle turned as Laufey's icy power rippled outwards, dispersing the flames that threatened his warriors. Abel realized that Laufey's skill and authority made him an even more dangerous opponent than he had anticipated.
Yet, Abel had one advantage: he too wielded the power of ice. With a swift motion, he raised his left hand adorned with the Frost Ring, its icy blue aura shimmering in the chaos. He extended a finger, and with that gesture, the blue halo enveloping the Frost Giant warriors disintegrated.
Without the protective barrier, the Fiendfyre surged forward once again, consuming the Frost Giants in its wrath. The fiery tide swept over them, turning them to ash and leaving only a scorched battlefield behind.
Though Abel felt a pang of regret at the loss of life, he knew that survival demanded decisive action. As he glanced back at Laufey, whose fury was palpable, he sensed the Frost King's rage simmering just beneath the surface.
"Now we can settle this one-on-one," Abel taunted, his voice steady despite the tension. "But first, why are you bothering me here on Earth when you have your own home in Jotunheim?"
"Hand over the Ice Treasure Box," Laufey growled, his icy demeanor unwavering. "If you do, I may choose to forgive you for killing my soldiers. Otherwise, I will tear you apart in retribution!"
The ground around Laufey began to freeze, and Abel could feel the temperature plummeting. It was a chilling reminder of the Frost King's might.
"You seem to be misinformed," Abel replied coolly, waving his wand to conjure a wall of flames between them. "If I'm correct, it was Loki who told you I possess the Ice Treasure Box."
"Enough nonsense! Just give me the Ice Treasure Box!" Laufey demanded, advancing slowly, each step increasing the chill in the air.
Abel took a deep breath, steeling himself for the confrontation. With a flick of his wand, he unleashed a Plasma Lavatum! spell, sending a stream of molten energy racing toward Laufey.
As the lava surged forward, it illuminated the battlefield with a fierce glow, and Abel prepared for the ultimate showdown against the Frost Giant king.