Hestia grinned, her confidence growing. "You're not the only one who can play with fire."

She conjured a blazing orb of blue flames and hurled it toward the enemy summoners. The explosion sent shockwaves through the battlefield, breaking their concentration and leaving them vulnerable.

With the archers and summoners in disarray, Ava and Hestia pressed the advantage.

Ava's shields expanded, forming a protective barrier around the Zarpha defenders as they advanced. Her staff pulsed with golden energy, each strike redirecting enemy projectiles back toward their source.

Hestia's flames blazed brightly, cutting through enemy ranks with relentless ferocity. The wall of blue fire she had conjured earlier continued to burn, creating an impenetrable barrier that kept reinforcements at bay.

The eastern front, once on the verge of collapse, now stood firm.

"We're holding!" Ava called out, her voice ringing with triumph.

Hestia leaned against her staff, pretending to yawn again. "See? Told you I'd help."

Ava rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips. "You're impossible."

As the enemy forces retreated temporarily, Ava and Hestia took a moment to regroup. The defenders around them cheered, their morale bolstered by the sudden shift in momentum.

"We make a good team," Hestia said, her tone teasing but sincere.

"Don't get used to it," Ava replied, though her smile betrayed her pride.

Before they could enjoy their small victory, the ground trembled beneath their feet. A deep, guttural sound echoed across the battlefield, sending a chill through the defenders.

"What now?" Hestia muttered, her flames flickering nervously.

A tall figure stepped out from the shadows, wearing elaborate black armor. His helmet had curved horns that shone in the low light. In one hand, he carried a massive blade wreathed in dark energy.

His presence radiated raw power, and even the most seasoned soldiers faltered at the sight of him.

Ava's eyes narrowed as she tightened her grip on her staff. "The commander," she whispered.

The figure raised his blade, pointing it toward the eastern wall. His voice, deep and resonant, carried across the battlefield like a death knell.

"Zarpha will fall," he declared.

Hestia's playful demeanor vanished, her flames flaring to life. "Guess it's time to really bring the heat."

The ground shook violently as the towering figure in ornate black armor advanced toward the eastern wall, his blade humming with dark energy.

Adrian descended from above, landing between the commander and the defenders. His fiery chains coiled tightly around his arms, casting an orange glow against the encroaching darkness.

"Ava, Hestia," Adrian said firmly. "Hold the line. I'll handle this."

"Are you sure?" Ava asked, her amber eyes narrowing with concern.

Adrian nodded. "He's here for me. Keep the soldiers safe. I won't let him through."

Hestia's flames flickered brighter for a moment. "Don't let him take your head, Adrian. You're more fun alive."

Adrian smirked, the ghost of a smile on his lips as he turned to face the enemy commander. The massive figure stood motionless for a moment, his crimson gaze locked onto Adrian with unsettling intensity.

"You must be the one they call Adrian," the commander rumbled, his voice deep and menacing. "The so-called Champion of Zarpha."

Adrian's chains ignited, flames roaring to life along their lengths. "And you must be the coward leading this assault from the rear."

The commander let out a low chuckle, the sound grating against the air. "You'll regret that insult. I will show you the power of true command."

"Try me," Adrian challenged.

The commander raised his blade, his voice echoing across the battlefield as he spoke in Greek:

"Aspida!" (Shield)

A massive shield materialized before him, glowing with dark energy. Adrian's fiery chains lashed out, striking the barrier with force, but the attacks were deflected harmlessly.

"Cute trick," Adrian growled, his chains recoiling for another strike.

"Xifos!" (Sword)

A blade shimmered into existence in the commander's free hand. He lunged forward with terrifying speed, his strikes precise and powerful. Adrian barely dodged the first blow, the blade carving through the air with a deadly whistle.

Adrian countered, his chains wrapping around the summoned sword. With a fierce pull, he attempted to disarm the commander, but the man twisted his wrist and freed the weapon effortlessly.

"Therio!" (Wild beast)

The ground shook, and a dark creature burst from the earth. It looked strange, part wolf and part snake, with bright red eyes and sharp teeth. The beast jumped at Adrian, its mouth opening just inches from his face.

Adrian leapt backward, his chains whipping around to strike the beast.

The fiery links coiled around its neck, and with a sharp tug, he severed its head. The beast disintegrated into shadows, but the commander was already moving again.

He charged forward, his blade gleaming in the dim light. Adrian blocked the attack with his chains, but the force of the blow sent him skidding backward.

As the two exchanged blows, the surrounding soldiers watched in awe.

Adrian had never faced an opponent who matched him in skill and power. He had no doubt the commander could destroy the entire city with ease, and yet, the man seemed content to battle Adrian one-on-one.

Perhaps it was a matter of honor. Perhaps the commander simply enjoyed a challenge.

Whatever the reason, Adrian was determined to prove his worth.

He lunged forward, drawing out his sword from its sheath. As his hands wrapped around the hilt, the blade lit up as the goddesses' powers flowed through him and into the weapon.

The commander paused, his crimson gaze narrowing slightly.

Adrian swung the weapon, the air rippling as a crescent-shaped arc of energy flew toward the man. The attack was a direct hit, the force of the impact knocking the commander off his feet.

But the man quickly recovered, his body enveloped in dark energy as he stood.

"You are more skilled than I expected, Adrian," the commander rumbled, his voice devoid of emotion.

"And you're not the first to underestimate me," Adrian replied, his tone equally cold.

They clashed again, their blades sparking against each other.

The commander's strength was undeniable, his blows pushing Adrian back despite his best efforts.

"Voúrkos!" the commander intoned, his eyes glowing briefly. (Quicksand)

As soon as he said the word, the ground beneath Adrian lost its hardness. He felt his body sinking, his legs slowly swallowed by the earth.

"What...?"

The commander's blade slashed down, and Adrian barely managed to block the strike. He was completely helpless, unable to move from that spot as his legs were trapped in the quicksand.

"You are a worthy opponent, Adrian," the commander said, his tone almost respectful. "But this battle is over."

Adrian gritted his teeth, refusing to yield. "Not yet."

He lashed out his chains at the commander, wrapping them around his hand. The commander tried using his sword to break the chains but Adrian channeled the goddesses' energy through it, enforcing them and strengthening the weapon.

With a mighty tug, he pulled the commander forward. The man's balance was thrown off and he stumbled, but quickly gained his footing.

Using him as anchor, Adrian managed to pull himself out of the qucksand but as soon as he was free, the commander struck with his blade again, and this time, Adrian wasn't able to block it.

He braced himself for the impact, but the blow never came.

The ground shook, and the darkness faded as a blinding flash of light filled the air.

Adrian blinked, his vision adjusting as the scene came into focus.

A massive, winged creature stood before him, its body wreathed in shimmering golden energy. Its eyes burned with an intensity that rivaled the sun, and its wings were outstretched in a display of dominance.

"Sol..." Adrian whispered, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Hera was atop the mythical beast, hurling a spear at the commander. She landed beside Adrian gracefully, her eyes sharp and calculating.

"Watch his rhythm," she said, her voice calm despite the chaos. "He hesitates before summoning. That's when he's vulnerable."

Adrian nodded, his chains igniting anew. "Got it. Let's take him down."

The commander's gaze shifted between the two, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "Two against one? I'm flattered."

"Dromos!" (Run)

A burst of speed propelled the commander forward. His blade clashed against Hera's spear, the impact sending sparks flying. Hera deflected the strike with a sharp twist, using Solis to vault over the commander's head and strike at his back.

Adrian seized the opening, his chains lashing out to ensnare the commander's legs. The fiery links tightened, forcing the towering figure to stumble.

"Now!" Hera shouted, her spear aimed for his chest.

But the commander was quick.

"Phylaxi!" (Guard)

A protective barrier surrounded him, Hera's spear bouncing off harmlessly. He grinned darkly, his blade flashing as he swung it toward her.

Hera ducked, the blade grazing her shoulder as she rolled away. "He's fast," she muttered, her hand tightening around her spear.

"Then we'll just have to be faster," Adrian replied, his chains whipping toward the barrier. The flames flickered and pulsed as they struck repeatedly, cracks forming in the dark shield.

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