Paul and Lillith quickly regained their footing, the intense pressure from the steed’s roar still vibrating through their bones.

Paul’s eyes flicked to Lillith, who was already on her feet, her hands glowing faintly with energy. He knew they needed a plan and fast.

"Lillith, you need to go all out for this, use everything you have," Paul shouted, his voice barely cutting through the chaotic noise.

"I’ll handle Aetheron; fight the steed!"

Lillith nodded, determination replacing the earlier fear in her eyes.

’It seems I have no choice but to go all-out...’

She darted to the side, her agile form barely a blur as she moved.

The steed’s gaze followed her, its eyes narrowing in a mixture of annoyance and calculation.

’[Infinite Projectiles].’

It gave her control over the very essence of energy, allowing her to generate and launch a seemingly infinite amount of projectiles.

It wasn’t everyday she went all out and she was planning to make the best of it and come out unscathed.

She immediately launched a barrage of energy projectiles toward the horse, who deftly dodged, displaying agility uncommon for its race.

It was hard to believe it was just a horse given the way it had slipped out of her attacks.

It countered with a protective barrier, deflecting the attack it couldn’t dodge effortlessly.

She called upon her Skill of [Elemental Manipulation] next, conjuring streams of water, torrents of fire, gusts of wind, and shards of earth to assail her opponent.

~ROAGRRRRRR!!!~

With a loud roar and remarkable speed, it covered the distance between them and she felt the hooves kick her squarely on her stomach.

She was sent flying back and landed roughly on her back. She felt sore all over. She shuddered to think that that had just been one strike.

She wasn’t prepared to take another hit. It was annoying the way it kept avoiding her assaults.

It whinnied loudly which frustrated her. It almost felt like the horse was toying with her.

She looked to Paul’s side to see if he was having any success on his end.

She was surprised to see that he wasn’t doing much better.

For what seemed to be the first time if you weren’t counting the Hoarder, he seemed to be outclassed.

He was using his 71 weapons of war but it didn’t seem to have the effect it usually did.

Aeneroth landed a blow on him and sent him flying and a massive crater formed around where he had fallen.

She wanted to go to his aid but the next minute, he stood up and held up a hand for her to continue fighting the steed.

He was still insistent on getting his own back on Aeneroth so frustration only prompted him further to attack.

Their distinct energies crackled in the air, and the room seemed to warp and shift with each exchange of power.

She got angry and launched at the horse. It soon found itself on the defensive as Lilith pressed her advantage.

She brandished a gleaming sword conjured from pure energy, and with a graceful flourish, she sent a series of slashes slicing through the space toward him.

~WHOOOOOOSSSHHH!!!~

~WHUUUM!~

Lilith fought and dodged with remarkable grace.

She summoned a shield at her side, deflecting his blows.

As it pressed the attack, she countered by launching a barrage of energy bolts from her fingertips.

Besides her, Paul soared into the air, using his Skill of Flight to evade the destructive force from Aeneroth staff in time.

His eyes narrowed on him, but once again, he blocked the incoming attacks.

He conjured a tornado that swirled around him, lifting her into the air. He then unleashed a torrent of icy spears upon him, mirroring Lillith.

In response, he created a barrier of darkness.

The room became a battlefield of clashing elements, but Lilith seemed to have the upper hand.

"Hehehe..."

Aeneroth chuckled, revealing he had a final trick. He summoned a sphere of shadowy energy, expanding it until it enveloped the entire room.

Darkness swallowed everything, obscuring Paul and Lilith’s vision.

~WHIIIISSSSHHHH!!!~

Suddenly, tendrils of shadow surged forth, seeking to entangle her. She reacted swiftly, forming a crystalline shield to block the shadows.

The relentless darkness pressed on, threatening to consume them.

Immediately she felt a searing pain as visions of her past flooded her mind. It all came in painstaking details as she relived the memories of her life.

The nice ones were combined with some gruesome details which she would rather forget.

Besides her, Paul was having a similar experience. His reaction was different from her though, he was repeatedly shouting ’No’ as memories of his failures played in his mind.

Lillith still had the presence of mind to know her surroundings. The mental attack was working on Paul much more than her.

Aeneroth’s power was powerful suggestions and visions.

Though not at full strength, Lilith decided it was time to get even more serious and end it on both their behalf.

"[Illumina]" With a final, desperate effort, Lilith called upon one of her most potent skills.

A blinding burst of radiant energy erupted from her, dispelling the darkness and sending Aeneroth crashing backward.

~BOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM!!!~

Gasping for breath, Paul stumbled to his feet, holding his head in both hands.

As he rose, battered but defiant, Lilith’s red eyes widened in shock. Despite his condition, he seemed determined to fight on, allowing her to regain her composure.

Seizing the moment, Lilith summoned another of her most devastating skills to fight Aeneroth.

"[Eternal Flame]."

~BOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!!~

Meanwhile The Crown of Victory on Paul’s head glowed, signaling the battle’s nearing end.

He activated his Skill Interference, disrupting his fiery armor and rendering it vulnerable for a brief moment.

"Haa... you stand no chance."

Paul made his move, all his skills working in unison, his stats enhanced by his <G> Authority, weapons armed and ready.

He commanded the 71 Weapons of War to charge, striking the demon simultaneously and piercing its flame barrier.

~WHOOOOOOOSHHHH!!!~

In the same instant, Paul leapt forward, his grand hammer raised high as Aeneroth leaped forward with his staff.

~BOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!!~

They both flew apart as raw energy blasted across the room.

Meanwhile Lillith spat out blood and got ready to face the steed once more.

She was ready for whatever. The fight was just getting more intense.