Divine Mask: I Have Numerous God Clones

Caius, empowered by both Tempest's Grace and the destructive power of his Dominion of Storms, rushed at Lucy with everything he had. The storm he had summoned raged fiercely, the winds howling as if the sky itself was tearing apart.

Lightning struck the ground in rapid succession, and the earth trembled with the force of his power. Caius believed this storm would be enough to crush Lucy.

His form was a blur, his sword crackling with electrical energy as he moved with blinding speed. Every strike he aimed at Lucy was swift, precise, and filled with the force of the storm.

The winds screamed as they tore through the air, but Lucy stood her ground, her expression cold and unmoved.

Her Volcanic Aura flared around her, the intense heat radiating from her body dissolving the winds before they could touch her. Each time Caius swung his blade, Lucy blocked it effortlessly with her Volcanic Dragon Claws, her fiery eyes never leaving his.

"How can you still stand?!" Caius roared, his voice filled with frustration. He swung again, faster this time, but Lucy stepped to the side, her movement so smooth it seemed like she was merely gliding.

"You're strong, but not enough," Lucy replied calmly, her tone almost bored.

Caius gritted his teeth, his eyes wide with desperation. He raised his sword once more, the energy of the storm gathering around him as he prepared for another assault. But before he could strike, Lucy vanished from his sight. In the blink of an eye, she appeared behind him.

"What—" Caius didn't even have time to finish his sentence before Lucy's Volcanic Dragon Claw was around his throat, lifting him effortlessly off the ground. The storm around them began to falter, the winds weakening as Caius struggled in her grasp, his eyes wide with terror.

"Y-You can't kill me!" Caius gasped, his voice trembling, desperation creeping in with each ragged breath. His eyes darted around frantically, searching for a way out of Lucy's iron grip.

"I'm the nephew of a top elder!" he sputtered, his face contorted in panic. "You don't understand—if you kill me, it'll be your end! The academy will come for you! You'll regret it!"

Lucy's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing through his words as if they were nothing more than a weak attempt at survival. Her grip tightened around his throat, her Volcanic Dragon Claw squeezing with enough force to cut off any hope of escape.

Her voice was low, icy, and cutting. "Power? Influence?" she repeated, her tone dripping with disdain. "Do you really think that matters to me?"

Caius's face paled as his bravado crumbled, his body trembling in her grasp. His wide eyes reflected a growing terror as he realized that his status meant nothing to her. His lips quivered as he tried to form words, stammering in his desperation.

"Wait—please!" he begged, his voice cracking, now filled with pure fear. "I-I have connections! I can help you! Wealth, resources—whatever you want! Just don't—"

Lucy's grip tightened further, cutting him off mid-sentence, her expression hardening into a cold mask.

"I don't care about your wealth, your status, or your empty promises," she hissed, her tone now like the molten lava she wielded—scalding and relentless. "You dared to threaten me. Worse, you dared to threaten my brother."

Caius's panic deepened, and his eyes flickered with the realization that he was out of options. His voice became a desperate rasp, each word strained as he struggled to breathe.

"N-No... please!" he whimpered, tears welling in his eyes, his once arrogant demeanor shattered. "I-I'll do anything! Anything you want! Just spare me!"

But Lucy's expression remained cold, her eyes devoid of any mercy. Her grip was unwavering, the heat from her claws intensifying.

"I warned you," she whispered, her voice soft but filled with lethal finality. The weight of her words hung in the air for a moment, a chilling silence following them.

Without hesitation, she activated Eruption.

The heat from her claws surged, and within seconds, Caius's head and body were engulfed in molten energy. His scream was brief, drowned out by the sound of his body turning to ash.

In the span of a heartbeat, Caius was no more. His body disintegrated into nothing, scattering into the wind that had once surrounded him.

But Lucy wasn't finished.

With a single motion, she slammed her Volcanic Dragon Claw into the ground. The earth beneath her cracked, fissures forming as the heat from her power surged downward. The ground trembled violently before erupting in a massive explosion of molten rock and lava.

The battlefield was consumed by the eruption, erasing any trace of Caius, his subordinates, and the carnage that had taken place.

The ground sizzled, molten rivers flowing as the battlefield was reduced to a molten wasteland. Ash and steam filled the air as the heat of Lucy's power began to settle, leaving nothing but scorched earth in its wake.

As the smoke and heat began to dissipate, Lucy turned slowly toward Lucas, her fiery gaze softening when she saw her brother standing there, watching her.

Lucas, who had been calmly observing the battle from a safe distance, gave her a warm smile, his eyes filled with admiration. "You're amazing, big sister," he said, his voice full of sincerity and pride. "The strongest and best sister in the world."

Lucy, still catching her breath from the intensity of the battle, allowed a small smile to tug at her lips. She walked toward him, her expression softening even more. "Lucas, are you alright?" she asked, her voice now gentle, filled with concern.

Lucas nodded enthusiastically. "Of course," he said, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "I knew you had everything under control. I didn't even need to step in."

Lucy chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You're getting too used to these kinds of things," she said, though her tone was light, almost teasing.

"Well," Lucas said, a small grin forming on his lips, "It's hard not to, when you're so good at showing me the ropes." His expression grew more serious as he added, "I know the world is harsh, but as long as I have you, I'll be fine."

Lucy sighed, a mixture of relief and worry flashing across her face. "It's hard to accept that you're already getting familiar with the darker side of this world," she said softly. "But I'm glad you're still by my side."

Lucas nodded, his smile never fading. "Always, big sister."

With the threat behind them and their bond reaffirmed, Lucy and Lucas turned their attention forward, the molten wasteland behind them fading as they began their journey again. They had faced much, and more challenges lay ahead, but together, they would overcome anything.