No Retreat

In the quiet recesses of a secluded alcove, far from the chaos of the dungeon's relentless perils, Amukelo and Eliss took the opportunity to rest deeply, allowing themselves a semblance of normalcy in their grueling journey. Amukelo, more accustomed to the rigors of their quest, was the first to sleep, as he would be awake for more before their journey continued. Eliss, took the first watch, her eyes scanning their temporary haven for any sign of danger as Amukelo slept soundly.

When it was her turn to rest, she did so with a guarded peace, the kind born of constant alertness. Upon waking she cast her healing spell, the magical energies knitting his wounds fully this time, erasing the physical remnants of their recent encounters.

Amukelo watched her with a mixture of gratitude and resolve. Once the quiet of the healing spell settled, he spoke with a serious tone that underscored the weight of their situation. "Eliss," he began, his voice firm yet thoughtful, "I think that we should confront Leviathan. He won't let us easily win anyway, and if he were to ambush us, he would have the advantage. Even if we somehow could escape him without confrontation, he will just do more harm to others."

Eliss met his gaze, her eyes flickering with a trace of fear, the magnitude of the proposal sinking in. The memories of her past encounters with Leviathan, the pain and loss it had catalyzed, cast a long shadow over her thoughts.

Amukelo, seeing her hesitation, added softly, "But most importantly, as long as it is alive, you will be haunted by memories of your past. If we get rid of him once and for all, you might be able to find peace with your past."

The silence that followed was thick, charged with the gravity of his words. Eliss looked at him, wrestling with her fears and the lure of a possible end to her nightmares. The weight of the decision lay heavily between them, Amukelo giving her the space to consider it without pressure.

After a moment that stretched between heartbeats, Eliss's resolve solidified, her voice firmer as she finally spoke. "I... Let's do it!" The determination that flashed across her face was unmistakable, a fierce readiness to face whatever may come.

Amukelo's response was a smile, one that acknowledged her courage and their shared resolve. "We will need every possible advantage to pull this off," he stated, already thinking ahead to the logistical challenges of their daunting task. "Do you have any spells or potions that would boost our combat abilities?"

Eliss shook her head slightly, regret tinged her response. "Unfortunately, we don't have any potions, but I have a few weak spells that could enhance our strength temporarily, though weak."

Amukelo nodded, appreciative of whatever aid they could muster. "Every bit helps," he affirmed, his tone conveying both the direness of their plan and his confidence in their partnership. Together, they began to strategize, pouring over their resources and spells, each discussion and plan sharpened by the urgency of their mission.

Amukelo and Eliss prepared for the confrontation they knew might define their fates. It was especially important to Eliss. They stood at the threshold of the entrance, their expressions set in grim determination. Eliss began by casting her suite of buffing spells on Amukelo, enhancing his strength, agility, and resistance with her magic. The air around them shimmered with the power of her incantations, each word strengthening their resolve.

Together, they then focused inward, drawing on their deep reserves of mana to weave mana coats around themselves. The air crackled with the energy of their preparation, visible streams of mana swirling around them, forming a barrier that was both shield and weapon.

Once fully armored in their mana coats, Amukelo raised his voice, his call reverberating through the cavernous space. "Leviathaan! It's time to settle this once and for all." His challenge hung in the damp air, a declaration of their readiness to end the nightmare that had pursued them through the depths.

Leviathan responded not with words but with action, leaping into the center of the arena with a predatory grace that belied its monstrous form. As it landed, it sneered, its voice a low rumble of amusement mixed with contempt. "I am very happy that you have decided not to postpone the time of your death. It's the third time you've thrown your life away. You must be really suicidal. Do you hate life?" Leviathan mocked him for his decisions.

Amukelo's retort was swift and defiant, his voice ringing clear in the charged atmosphere. "And it will be the third time I make it out alive!" His words, full of unwavering confidence, seemed to ignite a spark of bravery within Eliss. For the first time since her past had been shattered by this beast, she felt a surge of real confidence—an empowering belief that they could indeed conquer this foe.

With a warrior's cry, Amukelo lunged forward, his twin swords slicing through the air, their edges trailing streams of mana. Leviathan met his charge head-on, its own claws wreathed in dark, swirling energies. The clash of their weapons resounded like thunder, a metallic symphony of battle that echoed off the stone walls. While Amukelo was pushed back by the sheer force of Leviathan's attack, it was clear that the gap in their strengths had narrowed significantly from their first encounter.

Simultaneously, Eliss began her own assault. Focusing deeply, she expanded her aura to an unprecedented scale, her concentration palpable. It was a challenging feat, manipulating her aura to cover such an expansive area, but the stakes of their battle drove her beyond her usual limits. With her aura enveloping half the battlefield, she completed her spellcasting, her hands moving in intricate patterns as she directed her mana.

The battlefield became her canvas, her spells the brushstrokes of a master painter. From every angle, she unleashed her magic, crafting attacks that whirled through the air, seeking their target. Leviathan dodged with incredible agility for its size, but Eliss was relentless. Her spells, even when evaded, posed no threat to Amukelo due to her precise control and strategic placement.