Moonlight congealed into ghastly white frost above the Forbidden Forest.
It pierced through the dark clouds.
It shone into the depths of the Forbidden Forest, dark all year round. On the clearing before the Bronze Door, a magical storm raged wildly as two figures collided and crossed at speeds beyond human limits.
The air was filled with the scent of blazing fire and decay.
Every clash of magic caused tiny fractures in space.
"Kneel! Submit to me! Then let me take your place!"
Before the words had even faded.
A blinding purple light shot from the old wizard's wand tip. Rirym nimbly sidestepped, and the ground where he had stood was instantly corroded into an enormous crater.
Strange black smoke still rose from its edges.
This was clearly an Ancient Magic different from mainstream modern spells. Most modern wizards would find it unfamiliar, but "Rirym," the king of ancient wizards, could not possibly fail to recognize it.
After all.
The man across from him was another version of himself.
Or perhaps he was not.
Rirym had never been able to figure that out.
"Using Touch of Decay right from the start?" Rirym whistled. "Looks like you really are me, the me who took another path—now that's a ruthless little scheme."
There was a trace of sentiment in Rirym's voice.
The old wizard did not reply. Raising both hands above his head, he began chanting an obscure incantation. The sky abruptly darkened as black clouds gathered at a visible speed.
Lightning flickered faintly within the clouds.
"Heaven's Punishment Lightning? How old-fashioned." Rirym curled his lip and drew a perfect circle before him with his wand. Countless tiny golden runes appeared in the air, forming a translucent barrier.
Almost at the same time.
Bolts of lightning as thick as buckets crashed down,