Arpious pressed forward, hands now sparking with Midas' golden energy as she caught his sword mid-swing. Her touch turned its edge to gleaming gold, the weight of it throwing off his balance. She pushed against the weapon, forcing it back as Elara dove in with a thrust of her own, her blade striking at the narrow gaps in his armor, light flaring on impact.
The king's eyes narrowed as he growled, shaking off Arpious's grip and breaking free of Elara's blade, but not without a noticeable strain. His dark aura faltered, the corrupted energy flickering as he steadied himself. Arpious and Elara stood side by side, breathing heavily, their bodies bruised but resolve unbroken.
The corrupted king's form wavered, the cracks in his armor widening as he glared down at them. They had struck hard, and he could feel the toll it was taking. The fight was far from over, but he now knew they would not fall easily. And neither would he.