The battle reached its peak. The clash of power shook the air, cracking the walls of the cursed castle. Every strike, every blow, echoed like thunder. Safari and Angeleva pushed their limits, their determination unrelenting.
Ian, still hidden behind a pillar, barely contained his excitement. His camera trembled in his hands, but his focus remained sharp.
Ian (whispering excitedly):
"This is gold! A legendary battle between kings and heroes—I can't miss a single second!"
But just as a chunk of debris crashed dangerously close, Olive lunged toward him, gripping his collar with furious intensity. Her voice was low but seething.
Olive (whispering angrily):
"Are you insane?! You'll get us killed!"
Ian, undeterred, shot her an exaggerated grin.
Ian (smirking):
"Killed? Nah. This footage will be worth it. Imagine the views!"
Olive narrowed her eyes, but Ian was already back to recording, sweat dripping from his brow as he zoomed in on the fight.
_ _ _
Devil's monstrous form twisted in rage. The corrupted air around him pulsed, his crimson eyes glowing brighter. Dark tendrils lashed out, attempting to consume Safari whole.
Devil: (Roaring)
"You think your strength is enough to end me?! I am eternal!"
Safari's muscles tensed. His eyes, burning with determination, locked onto Devil's towering figure. Despite the exhaustion that gnawed at him, he refused to falter. His grip on the Devil Hammer tightened.
Safari (grinning through his teeth):
"Eternal? Then let me show you how eternity ends!"
The air crackled. Safari's energy surged. His body radiated with power as the emerald glow of the Devil Hammer intensified.
Safari:
"This is it... time for the finisher!"
He leapt into the air, every muscle in his body roaring with strength. The hammer spun above him, gathering an aura of destructive force. Devil, sensing the impending doom, unleashed a barrage of black flames.
But it was too late.
Safari: (With a thunderous war cry)
"DEVIL HAMMER OBLITERATION!"
With unstoppable force, Safari brought the hammer crashing down onto Devil's chest. A massive shockwave erupted, shaking the castle to its core. Devil's monstrous form twisted in agony as the sheer power of the attack tore through him. His body cracked and crumbled, his guttural roar fading into the darkness.
At the same moment, Angeleva's battle raged on. Despite the poison coursing through her veins, she pushed forward. Her once radiant wings flickered, barely holding her aloft.
Dare cackled, his skeletal form looming closer.
Dare: (Mocking)
"Weakening already, fairy? You'll never destroy me."
But Angeleva's piercing violet eyes showed no fear. She gripped her Fairy Wand tightly, summoning every ounce of her remaining strength.
Angeleva: (Voice steady, powerful)
"Your twisted reign ends here."
The air around her shimmered. Pink particles swirled, converging at the tip of her wand. Dare lunged, dark tendrils slashing through the air.
But she was faster.
Angeleva: (In a commanding tone)
"FAIRY JUDGEMENT NOVA!"
A colossal beam of radiant light erupted, enveloping Dare in a brilliant burst. The cursed energy screamed in defiance as it disintegrated. Dare's skeletal form twisted violently before shattering into ash.
With a final roar of anguish, the second king fell.
The castle trembled, deep cracks spreading along the floor and walls. The corrupted energy that had once thrived here dissipated, leaving behind a hollow emptiness.
Safari and Angeleva stood amidst the crumbling ruins. Both were battered and exhausted, their breathing heavy. Blood trickled from Safari's bruised body, while the poisonous wound on Angeleva's back still pulsed with pain.
But they were victorious.
For a moment, neither spoke. They simply stood side by side, gazing down at the remains of the fallen kings. The rivalry that had driven them before now seemed insignificant in the face of their shared victory.
Ian emerged from his hiding spot, his camera still rolling. His face gleamed with uncontainable satisfaction.
Ian (grinning triumphantly):
"Now THIS... this is a masterpiece!"
Olive staggered after him, fuming.
Olive: (Glaring)
"You're unbelievable."
Ian: (Playfully shrugging)
"Come on! That footage is legendary!"
As the dust settled, Safari finally let out a tired chuckle, resting his hammer on his shoulder.
Safari: (Smirking)
"Guess that's two kings down. Who's next?"
Angeleva, despite her injuries and poison, gave a small, knowing smile.
Angeleva: (Softly)
"We'll see soon enough, mosshead."
And with that, the Safari Family emerged victorious once more.
_ _ _
Angeleva, now suddenly being cold and distant grabbed Safari by the arm and dragged him away from the crumbling ruins.
She said nothing, but her trembling grip and the faint sweat on her forehead betrayed her exhaustion.
The cursed poison from Devil's blade was still coursing through her, though she stubbornly refused to show weakness.
Safari, his own body aching from the toll of his Devil Hammer Obliteration, staggered as he walked. Each step sent jolts of pain through his muscles. Yet, like Angeleva, he kept his expression firm.
As they approached the hidden treehouse high above the zombie-infested ground, the sturdy wooden structure built into the massive tree gave a sense of security.
The creaky rope ladder still swayed. The night sky, once corrupted with the zombie king's energy, was now clear. Only a chilling breeze remained, whispering through the skeletal branches.
Safari was the first to step inside. The sight that greeted him immediately warmed his heart.
Zack and Jen rushed to him, their faces lighting up with joy and relief.
Zack (grinning, his eyes wide):
"Big bro's back!"
Jen (smiling through the tears welling in her eyes):
"You're safe!"
She instinctively wrapped her arms around Safari, burying her face in his chest.
He froze for a second, startled by the rare display of affection.
Zack, though slightly hesitant, joined in, patting Safari's shoulder.
Safari (grinning weakly, his voice low):
"Didn't I tell you? No ugly king can take me down."
Zack gave a proud nod, though concern still lingered in his gaze.
Angeleva, meanwhile, leaned against the treehouse wall. Her flawless wings were tattered, and her skin had grown unnaturally pale. She clenched her jaw, struggling to keep her composure. But the venom's effects were spreading.
Jen quickly noticed.
Jen (worriedly):
"Angeleva, you're—"
Angeleva:
"I'm fine."
She wobbled slightly, but her pride wouldn't allow her to admit the truth.
Safari, however, saw through her act. Despite her usual arrogance, he knew the battle had taken its toll.
Safari (smirking faintly):
"You look like you fought a hundred battles on your own."
Angeleva (glaring, though her voice was shaky):
"And you look like you lost them all."
A strange sense of camaraderie flickered between them, neither willing to show weakness in front of the other. But their bodies betrayed them.
The tension in Angeleva's legs gave out first. She staggered forward, the curse visibly eating away at her strength. Safari instinctively reached to catch her, but his body, still drained from the devastating use of his ultimate attack, failed him. His knees buckled, and before anyone could react, both warriors collapsed.
Safari's massive frame hit the floor with a dull thud. His hammer slipped from his grasp, the weight of exhaustion crashing down on him. Angeleva fell beside him, her breathing labored due to the toll of using her ultimate attack but the poison was still visibly pulsing beneath her skin.
Zack and Jen gasped, rushing to their sides.
Zack (panicking):
"Big brother!"
Jen (frantic, placing her hands on Angeleva's shoulder):
"Angeleva, stay with us!"
But neither Safari nor Angeleva responded. Their ragged breathing was the only sign of life. The fierce battle had left them both barely hanging on.
Zack, trembling, looked up at Jen.
Zack:
"What do we do now?"
Jen, forcing back her fear, steadied herself.
Jen:
"We do what we can. They fought for us. Now it's our turn to save them."
And with that resolve, the two young crewmates began their desperate efforts to tend to the fallen warriors.