Marcus's voice echoed through the chamber, laden with malice. "Take them to the lower chambers. Let them see what awaits them." He turned on his heel and headed for his throne at the extreme end of the chamber.

The guards moved in, tightening their grip on Adrian and the goddesses.

Adrian turned his head slightly, locking eyes with Hera, who gave a subtle nod. It was all they needed.

In a synchronized burst of energy, the goddesses broke free from their restraints. Their combined powers surged, shattering the suppressive bindings that had held them. The explosion of light and fire startled the guards, sending several stumbling backwards.

Marcus, seated on his throne, leaned back with a satisfied smirk. "I was wondering how long you'd pretend to be helpless. You didn't disappoint."

As the goddesses' full power reignited, the chamber erupted into chaos. Guards flooded into the room, their weapons crackling with dark energy as they charged toward the group.

"Let's make this quick," Lilith said, her whip snapping into the air with a sharp crack. "I'm not in the mood for a prolonged skirmish."

Abyss summoned her phantoms, the spectral warriors clashing with the guards and providing cover. "Stay sharp," she warned. "This isn't going to be easy."

Adrian's chains ignited as he stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Marcus. "You and me," he growled in a low, dangerous voice. "Let's end this."

Before he could advance, a familiar figure stepped into his path.

Commander Kael's armor glimmered darkly as he blocked Adrian's way, his energy pulsing with deadly intent. "You'll have to get past me first," Kael snarled, raising a hand crackling with energy.

"Enérgeia!" (Energy)

Kael roared, summoning spheres of energy that he hurled at Adrian. The balls of glowing power streaked through the air like comets.

Adrian moved quickly, skillfully avoiding the blasts with ease. One sphere struck the ground near him, creating a powerful shockwave that sent debris flying.

With a sharp motion, Adrian's fiery chains extended from his back, eight of them sprouting like the limbs of a fiery beast. The chains shot forward, deflecting the incoming spheres accurately. Each impact sent sparks cascading through the air.

Kael didn't relent, summoning more energy and hurling it with intense force. Adrian used his chains not just to defend but to propel himself through the air, firing bursts of Medea's black fire and Hestia's blue flames in counterattacks.

The combined energy struck Kael's defenses, forcing the commander to skid back slightly.

The battle intensified as Kael leapt forward, his blade meeting Adrian's chains in a clash of sparks and fire. They fought with relentless aggression, their movements blurring as they traded blows.

Kael swung his blade with deadly precision, while Adrian's chains struck with the speed and ferocity of serpents.

Kael twisted his blade, forcing Adrian to sidestep. "You're strong," Kael admitted begrudgingly, "but strength alone won't save you."

Adrian didn't respond.

Instead, he used his chains to shoot into the ground, propelling himself high into the air. With a controlled flip, he came down hard, his fiery chains slamming toward Kael like molten hammers. Kael raised his weapon, deflecting the attack but staggering under the force.

"Let's see how you handle this," Adrian said, his chains flaring with blue and black energy. He lashed out in a whirlwind of strikes, forcing Kael on the defensive.

Kael countered, summoning a shield of dark energy to absorb the blows. He retaliated with a powerful burst of magic, sending Adrian flying backward.

Adrian twisted midair, shooting his chains into the ground just inches from Kael's face. Using them to pull himself forward, he reversed the momentum, slamming back in front of Kael.

"It's over, Kael," Adrian growled. "You served your master well, but you're in my way."

Kael lunged, his blade aiming for Adrian's chest. Adrian sidestepped, grabbing Kael's wrist mid-swing. With a powerful twist, he disarmed Kael and sent him sprawling.

Before Kael could recover, Adrian grabbed him by the collar, slamming him into the ground with a thunderous crash.

Kael groaned, blood trickling from his mouth as he struggled to stand. "You… can't stop him," he rasped.

Adrian's fiery chains wrapped around Kael, pinning him in place.

His mind flashed back to a conversation with Abyss days ago. "You can absorb the energy of a dying enemy," she had explained. "Their power will strengthen you, making you more formidable. It's not without risks, but it might be the edge you need."

"Let me worry about stopping him."

Adrian's hand glowed as he placed it on Kael's chest. Dark energy surged from Kael into Adrian, mingling with the fiery power already coursing through him. Kael screamed, his body convulsing as his energy drained away.

Within moments, Kael's form disintegrated into ash, leaving only a faint echo of his existence.

Adrian stood, his chains glowing brighter than ever, their fiery intensity now tinged with a faint purple hue. He turned toward Marcus, who had watched the entire battle from his throne.

Marcus clapped slowly, his expression unreadable. "Impressive," he said, his voice dripping with mock admiration. "You've certainly grown stronger since we last met. You really do live up to your reputation, King of Meridia."

Adrian's eyes burned with fury as he took a step forward. "Marcus, this doesn't have to end in more bloodshed. Stop this now, and we can find another way."

Marcus chuckled darkly, standing from his throne. His armor glowed faintly, the runes etched into it pulsing with power. "You're still so naïve," he said, his voice heavy with scorn. "You think there's a way out of this that doesn't end with one of us dead? There isn't."

Adrian clenched his fists, his fiery chains lashing out as he stepped closer. "It's not too late, Marcus. You've let vengeance consume you, but this isn't who you are."

Marcus's expression darkened, his eyes flashing with rage. "You took everything from me," he snarled. "Now, I'll return the favor."

With a powerful leap, Marcus launched himself from the throne, his blade igniting with dark energy as he charged toward Adrian.

"And I'll receive you with pleasure."

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