48 Chapter 48 : Clash of Titans

Amidst the grandeur of Seraphine Castle, Lucius, a being of unparalleled malevolence, reclined on his obsidian throne. Imperial banners hanged on the walls and key figures of the empire reporting the issue. However, his reprieve was short-lived as a formidable energy alerted him. Without hesitation, he teleported outside to confront its source.

Within moments, three towering figures materialized. Gottfried, the Paladin, clad in gleaming armor; Benedictus, the Pope, in pristine white robes; and Ludvig, the Mage, cloaked in darkness that seemed to suck away all light.

Gottfried stepped forward, "Lucius, we are the Sages of this realm, protectors of its balance. Your reign of terror ends now."

Lucius erupted in cold, mocking laughter. "You insects! Once, I feasted on universes, and now you, mere specks, dare to challenge me?" His eyes glowed with a fiery red fury.

Without warning, Lucius lunged at Gottfried, landing a devastating blow that sent the Paladin rocketing across the horizon. Ludvig, eyes wide in shock, muttered, "By the arcane, his power... it's monstrous!"

Summoning his divine might, Benedictus conjured a myriad of holy lightning spears that filled the sky. Ludvig, not to be outdone, harnessed the purest magic, forming a radiant projectile. Their combined might crashed into Lucius, propelling him into the city. The force was so great, entire buildings and districts were obliterated, leaving behind only dust, rubble and screams of the civilians.

As the debris settled, Gottfried, battered but unbowed, rejoined his brethren. The trio, united, readied for Lucius's next assault. It wasn't long before the ground trembled and tendrils of malevolent black and red lightning sprang from the destruction, targeting the Sages. The tendrils sapped their very essence, drawing blood that splattered in the air, painting a macabre scene.

"They're leeching our souls!" cried Ludvig, pain evident in his voice. In unison, the Sages summoned protective arcane barriers, repelling the vile energy.

Emerging from the devastation, Lucius, covered in blood and dirt, focused his fury on the duo. With terrifying physical strength amplified by magic, he sent both Benedictus and Ludvig hurtling into the sea. The cataclysmic impact obliterated the Imperial fleet stadioned at the city and birthed a titanic tsunami.

Gottfried, drawing from millennia of resilience, withstood the onslaught. He shouted, "For the world, for balance!" But Lucius, seeing him isolated, grinned malevolently. Channeling primordial chaos energy, he unleashed a bolt of darkness, impaling Gottfried. The impact was immense, blood splattering everywhere, the ground cracking open.

Lucius approached the stricken Paladin, whose armor was now smeared with his own blood. With a feeble effort, Gottfried raised his blade, determination in his eyes. However, Lucius easily caught the blade, swiftly plunging his hand into Gottfried's chest. The sickening sound of flesh tearing was deafening. Lucius withdrew his hand, holding Gottfried's still-beating heart, and consumed it.

Benedictus, witnessing this horror, cried out, "Gottfried! NO!" Tears mingled with rain, the heavens themselves mourning the loss.

Ludvig, fuelled by rage and grief, summoned an immense arcane fireball, directing it at Lucius. The demon was thrown back into the ruins of the city. Benedictus, looking at Ludvig, whispered, "We must retreat, brother. For now."

As they vanished into the void, the magnitude of their loss weighed heavily on them. The battle had ended, but the war was far from over.