DAVID: "Are you okay?" David asked Aurora in a worried tone.

He was consumed with worry for her, unable to fathom what he would do if the tentacles had succeeded in draining her life force. Her safety was paramount, and the mere thought of losing her sent a shiver down his spine.

AURORA: "Yeah... Just a bit drained, that's all," she answered.

As more tentacles closed in, David's fury reignited, his eyes ablaze with a fiery determination. With a surge of energy, he unleashed his devastating 'Ultra Fire Beam', obliterating the oncoming threat. Yet, to his dismay, even more tentacles emerged, replacing by their fallen kin, and advanced toward him and Aurora.

Undaunted, David tapped into the force of the Spirit Mode. The shimmering cross symbols swirling around him multiplied in quantity, their speed increasing as they grew. With a sweeping gesture, he transformed the symbols into a towering protective wall, separating him and Aurora from the abyssal menace.

DAVID: "[Turns to Fiona's side] Hey, Fiona! Get everyone to safety. I'll hold off the sorcerers," he voiced out, determined to shield Aurora and the others from Modred's assault.

He made a courageous choice to confront Chaos Force's leader and his minions alone, sacrificing himself to buy precious time for the rest to escape to safety.

FIONA: "Alright everyone, you heard David. So let's move out of here!" Fiona instructed Rim and the surviving troops.

AURORA: "[Looks at David with teary eyes, her voice trembling with concern.] Dave, please! What are you thinking? Don't go trying to play the hero. I can't bear the thought of you risking your life like this. This is suicide! Please, don't!" Aurora pleaded desperately as she grasped the gravity of David's intentions.

DAVID: "[Gently lifts Aurora's chin with his hands, his eyes meeting hers.] Hey, look at me. You have to trust me, alright? I can handle these guys, but not like this. Remember, you need to find your brother; don't let him stay out there too long!" He spoke with a reassuring smile, hoping to ease Aurora's worries.

AURORA: "[Express sorrow and relief.] Alright then, but please promise me you'll make it through this and come back to me, alive."

DAVID: "[Nods in Approval.] I promise you! This is not goodbye," he assured her.

Aurora smiled in quiet acceptance and moved to rejoin Fiona and the others, But while she proceeded, a sudden impulse seized her, halting her steps in their tracks. Without hesitation, she turned back toward David, her heart pounding with an overwhelming rush of emotion.

She rushed into his arms with longing, enveloping him in a tight embrace before sealing their connection with a deep, passionate kiss. Time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in the intensity of the moment, their bond strengthened by the unspoken promise of love and devotion.

Meanwhile, Fiona watched in stunned silence, her thoughts swirling with a mixture of surprise and curiosity at the unexpected turn of events. She couldn't help but wonder what had transpired between David and Aurora in recent times, and how far their relationship had truly progressed.

(My God! What have these two been up to, recently? How far have they gone in their relationship?) She mused silently to herself, pondering these questions in the depths of her mind.

Shaking herself from her reverie, Fiona quickly regained her composure and refocused her attention on the pressing matter at hand. With a determined stride, she approached Aurora and gently pulled her away from David, silently conveying the urgency of their mission.

Together, they swiftly departed from the passage, leaving David behind to confront Modred and his minions alone. As they disappeared from view, Fiona cast a fleeting glance back at David, her stoic expression concealing her concern. Though she trusted in his abilities to handle the situation, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air.

Alone in the face of his adversaries, David withdrew the protective barrier that had kept Modred and his minions at bay, his movements calculated and deliberate. With a sense of impending conflict hanging heavy in the air, he assumed a fighting stance, his muscles tensed and ready for battle.

As Modred observed the others fleeing, a sneer curled on his lips, mocking David's decision for allowing their escape.

MODRED: "Hah! You are a fool, David Blaze. You have always been a fool. The Scale Shield forces will catch up to your companions in no time and their ends shall be upon you!"

DAVID: "[Taunts Modred.] And why do you care, sorcerer? Perhaps, you are just too pathetic and scared to confront me, aren't you?"

Enraged by David's defiance, Modred's fury boiled over, his face contorted with green-tinted rage. He barked orders at his minions, commanding them to eliminate the teenager by any means necessary.

The sorcerers, obedient to their master's will, launched a barrage of magic spells at David, aiming to overwhelm him with sheer force. However, he met their onslaught head-on, unleashing the holy flame's power before charging into the fray to stop them once and for all.

******

~Someplace in the Scale Shield's building~
Bethany ascended a staircase with confident strides, her mind focused on the task of securing Sarah Clockford from the clutches of Scale Shield. However, she unexpectedly bumped into Fiona and Aurora, who were accompanied by Rim and her surviving army troops.

Startled by the encounter, Bethany unveiled a dramatic smile, her eyes narrowing with excitement as she noticed Aurora.

BETHANY: "Oh my! Aurora, you're alive and well. Thank goodness! Your brother has been searching everywhere for you."

AURORA: "Oh, really? Where is he?"

FIONA: "[Gently restrains Aurora.] Be wary, cousin. That could be a sorcerer in disguise," Fiona cautioned, her tone filled with concern.

BETHANY: "[Finally acknowledges Fiona's presence.] Well, well, well, look who decided to show up. Fiona Deity, what a surprise. And to think you mistook me for a mere sorcerer? How dare you." Bethany's voice dripped with disdain.

FIONA: "My apologies, but the scent of their filth seems to cling to you, Bethany Penablintze!" Fiona remarked bluntly, equally unable to hide her disdain.

BETHANY: "Fiona Deity! It seems we have some unfinished business to attend to!" Bethany exclaimed sharply, before swiftly launching herself toward Fiona.

They were both locked in a fierce struggle, their fists clenched tightly, each determined to overpower the other. With gritted teeth, Fiona urged Aurora and the others to press forward without her, knowing that their mission to find Bernard took precedence over her personal vendetta.

Though tempted to intervene, Aurora recognized the gravity of the situation and chose to honor Fiona's wishes, leaving the two girls to settle their differences and focus on the mission at hand. She gave a nod and turned away, leading Rim and the rest from the tumultuous fray.

As Aurora and the others vanished from sight, Fiona seized the opportunity to break free from Bethany's grasp, her movements swift and decisive. With a forceful shove, she pushed Bethany away, creating a distance between them before igniting her brawler flame with a flourish.

The flames danced and flickered around Fiona, casting an eerie glow upon her features. Yet, Bethany met her gaze with a mocking smirk, showing no sign of intimidation.

BETHANY: "Hah! It's the pitiful yellow flames. Showcasing such inferior fire is an insult to my supremacy!"

FIONA: "[Smirks.] Heh! This inferior flame will mark your inevitable defeat,"

BETHANY: "Humph, our rivalry ends this very day, Fiona. It shall spell the end of your miserable existence!" Bethany answered with a savage grin.

In response to her rival's rambling, Fiona unleashed a torrential wave of yellow flame, the searing heat crackling and billowing forth with ferocious intensity.

Yet, Bethany remained unfazed by the confrontation, her eyes gleaming with a crazed intensity as she prepared to counter with a display of her own abilities. With a maniacal laugh that echoed through the chamber, she summoned forth an equally impressive wave of cyan flame, the vibrant energy pulsating with raw power.

The two waves of fire collided, creating a deafening explosion that reverberated throughout the area. Shockwaves rippled outwards, scattering debris and dust before dissipating into the air. But despite the intensity of the collision, Fiona and Bethany were quick to follow up their attacks with phantom-like speed, engaging in a flurry of attacks and evasions. They moved like lightning, their bodies a blur as they traded blows, delivered punishing kicks, and nimbly dodged each other's strikes.

Bethany surged forward with a powerful punch aimed squarely at Fiona's chest. Yet, before her fist could make contact, Fiona countered with lightning speed, executing a darting forward kick that intercepted Bethany's attack with precision timing. The force of the clash sent shockwaves reverberating through their bodies, causing them to stagger backward and create a brief moment of respite.

Without missing a beat, Fiona swiftly regained her footing, her muscles tensing as she strengthened her legs for the next exchange. She dashed forward, channeling her fiery energy into an enhanced blow aimed directly at Bethany. However, Bethany proved to be faster this time, her movements fluid as she evaded Fiona's attack with a quick sidestep.

She seized Fiona's arm with a swift, vice-like grip, slamming the latter to the ground with bone-jarring force. But as she prepared to deliver a finishing blow with a brutal leg stomp aimed at Fiona's head, the elusive rival rolled away with impressive speed, narrowly avoiding the blow.

With a tactical switch in combat strategy, Fiona swiftly drew her firearm, her fingers tightening around the grip of her loaded rifle. She began firing at Bethany with deadly accuracy, the sharp crack of gunfire echoing through the chamber as she unleashed a hail of bullets in rapid succession. The sudden change in tactics caught Bethany unaware, forcing her into the evasive as she dodged with darting speed.

With a surge of inhumane speed, Bethany closed the distance between herself and Fiona. Her movements were a blur of motion as she withdrew a gleaming dagger from her belt, the sharp blade glinting in the dim light of the passage as she unleashed a deadly slash aimed directly at Fiona's torso.

But Fiona proved to be just as nimble and agile as her rival, evading the lethal strike with a hair's breadth to spare. Though the blade missed its mark, its force was still enough to shatter her rifle into two useless pieces, leaving her momentarily weaponless.

In retaliation, Fiona darted a step backward, launching a ferocious counterattack. She roared, unleashing a devastating kick aimed squarely at Bethany's ribs. The sheer force of the blow caused a sickening crack to echo through the passage as her rival's body collided with the unforgiving walls, her breath stolen away by the onslaught.

As Bethany slumped to the ground, dazed and winded from the blow, she spat out a mouthful of blood, slowly regaining her footing as she retrieved a second dagger from her boots.

Across from her, Fiona mirrored her resolve, unsheathing a pair of knuckle daggers from her belt. With a flick of Fiona's wrist, she ignited the blades in her brawler flame, hoping to ensure maximum damage potential against her opponent.

Both rival stood poised and ready, their breaths ragged as they prepared for the next intense exchange.