The shadow realm rippled like dark water, twisting the air and distorting their senses. Ayo staggered as sharp tendrils of shadow lashed out, scraping his armor.
"Stay close!" he barked, slashing at the inky darkness with the Sword of Shadows. Each strike carved through the mist but did little to halt the onslaught.
Ngozi summoned a bolt of lightning, hurling it toward an approaching shadow beast. The creature screeched, disintegrating into smoke.
Ife raised her hands, weaving a circle of radiant light that pushed back the darkness. "We need to find the core of this realm — it's the source of his power."
Before they could move, Ekwensu's form dissolved into dozens of shadow clones, each launching sharp daggers from their fingertips. The team fought fiercely, dodging and parrying in a blur of motion.
Ayo leapt, spinning through the air, his sword glowing bright as he cut through two clones. "Focus on the real one!" he shouted.
Ngozi dodged a swipe and countered with a thunderous strike that shattered another clone, but they kept coming, relentless.
Ife's light pulsed wildly, illuminating a swirling vortex at the heart of the realm. "There! That's the core!"
With a shared glance, they charged, pushing through the swarm of shadows. The real Ekwensu appeared again, snarling, eyes blazing.
"You'll never destroy me," he hissed, conjuring a massive spear of pure darkness.
Ayo met the spear head-on, their weapons clashing in a shower of sparks. Ngozi fired bolts of lightning that crackled against the shadow spear, while Ife unleashed a blinding wave of light.
The battle raged with explosive energy — strikes echoed like thunder, shadows danced like flames, and the air vibrated with raw power.
Just as Ekwensu's spear threatened to pierce Ayo's defense, Ngozi unleashed a surge of lightning that shattered the weapon. Ife's light surged, engulfing Ekwensu in radiant energy.
With a howl, he dissolved into the shadows once more, the realm beginning to collapse around them.
"We have to get out — now!" Ayo shouted.
They sprinted toward the vortex, leaping through as the shadow realm shattered into shards of darkness.
They tumbled out of the collapsing shadow realm and landed hard on cracked earth beneath a blood-red sky. The air was thick with tension, every breath heavy like iron.
Before they could rise, a deafening roar split the silence. From the crimson clouds descended a colossal beast—half serpent, half dragon—its scales shimmering like molten metal.
Ekwensu's voice echoed, twisted and mocking. "You may have escaped my realm, but here, in the realm of chaos, I am unstoppable."
The beast's eyes blazed as it lunged, jaws wide to crush them whole.
Ayo rolled aside, drawing his glowing sword. "Form up! We fight or we die here!"
Ngozi summoned a storm with a fierce cry, lightning crackling around her fists. "Let's show him the power of the gods!"
Ife's hands glowed, weaving protective shields just as the beast's claws slammed into the ground, sending shockwaves.
The battle erupted. Ayo darted beneath the serpent's swinging tail, slicing deep into its scales. Sparks flew, and the beast hissed in pain.
Ngozi's lightning fists smashed into the beast's head, stunning it briefly. Ife chanted an ancient spell, causing vines of pure light to erupt and bind the creature's limbs.
But the beast was relentless. It shattered the vines with a roar, whipping its tail in a deadly arc.
Ayo leapt, avoiding the strike, then drove his sword deep into the beast's neck. Blood like molten lava spilled, but the beast only grew angrier.
Ekwensu's laughter rang out. "You think brute force will save you? Witness true chaos!"
The sky tore open, releasing a swarm of shadow wraiths that surrounded the group.
"More shadows!" Ife shouted, throwing blasts of light.
The wraiths shrieked and surged forward, their claws seeking flesh.
Ayo spun, slicing through wraith after wraith. Ngozi charged, fists glowing with thunder, smashing through the swarm.
Ife called upon the river goddess, summoning a torrent of water that swept the wraiths away like leaves in a storm.
Amidst the chaos, Ekwensu reappeared behind them, dagger gleaming.
"Not so fast," Ayo growled, blocking the dagger with his sword.
The clash of steel echoed as Ekwensu struck with deadly precision, but Ayo met him blow for blow.
Suddenly, Ngozi's lightning erupted in a massive storm, electrocuting the shadow god and sending him reeling.
Ife seized the moment, channeling all her power into a blinding beam that struck Ekwensu square in the chest.
With a final scream, he vanished into a vortex of darkness.
The beast collapsed, the realm settling into uneasy silence.
Panting, the team gathered, bruised but unbroken.
"We're not done yet," Ayo said, eyes fierce. "This is just the beginning."