Magnus struggled to his feet, his body aching. He knew he was outmatched—Arnold and Tracy were seasoned fighters, their control over their powers far superior to his. But he couldn't give up. He had to keep fighting.
He focused on the crystal's energy, channeling it into a powerful blast. The golden light surged toward Arnold, but the older man deflected it with ease, sending it crashing into the ceiling.
"Is that all you've got?" Arnold taunted. "You're pathetic, Magnus. You'll never be strong enough to defeat us."
Magnus gritted his teeth, his frustration growing. He tried again, this time aiming for Tracy. But she dodged his attack with a graceful sidestep, her movements fluid and precise.
"You're too slow, Magnus," Tracy said, her voice mocking. "You'll never hit us."
Magnus's breath came in ragged gasps as he struggled to keep up. His lack of experience was showing—his attacks were clumsy and unrefined, while theirs were precise and deadly. He was barely holding his own, and he knew it.
---------
Just as Magnus was about to collapse from exhaustion, he felt a surge of energy unlike anything he had ever experienced. The crystal's hum grew louder, and a golden light enveloped him, filling him with strength.
Arnold and Tracy hesitated; their expressions wary. "What's happening?" Tracy demanded.
Magnus didn't know, but he didn't question it. He focused on the energy, channeling it into a powerful blast. The golden light surged toward Arnold, this time with enough force to knock him off his feet.
Arnold hit the ground hard, his expression one of shock. Tracy unleashed a barrage of energy bolts, but Magnus deflected them with ease, his confidence growing.
Eleanor stepped forward, her hands glowing with a faint light. "Magnus, stop! You don't know what you're doing!"
Magnus turned to her; his expression pained. "I'm sorry, Eleanor. But I can't let them win."
Eleanor's eyes filled with tears, but she said nothing. Instead, she raised her hands, unleashing a blast of energy toward Magnus. He deflected it, but the force of the attack sent him stumbling backward.
---------
The battle raged on, the room filled with the crackle of energy and the sound of crashing debris. Magnus fought with everything he had, but he was still outmatched. Arnold and Tracy's experience and skill were too much for him to overcome.
Just as Magnus was about to collapse, he felt a surge of energy from the crystal. The golden light enveloped him, filling him with strength. He focused on the energy, channeling it into a powerful blast.
The golden light surged toward Arnold and Tracy, this time with enough force to knock them off their feet. They hit the ground hard, their expressions ones of shock.
Magnus stood tall, his hands glowing with golden light. "It's over," he said, his voice steady. "I won't let you win."
Arnold and Tracy exchanged a glance, their expressions darkening. "You may have won this battle, Magnus," Arnold said, his voice cold. "But the war is far from over."
With that, they disappeared in a flash of light, leaving Magnus alone in the ruined basement. He collapsed to his knees, his body aching and his mind reeling. He had won, but at what cost?