Chapter 114: power of flames

Lydia looked around the ancient building and sighed. "I’m not here to joke with you, Rita."

Her expression turned cold as she raised both hands. The red energy around her body suddenly changed, becoming darker and hotter. Flames burst out of her palms, spreading across the passage like a wave of fire.

Rita’s smile disappeared.

She quickly moved her hands, and the water surrounding her rose into the air, forming a huge shield in front of her. The flames crashed against it, producing a loud explosion that shook the entire passage.

Lydia didn’t stop.

She pushed more energy into her attack, forcing the flames to spread around the water shield. The heat became so strong that even the air started changing, but Rita remained in her position.

"Is that all you’ve got?" Rita asked.

Lydia narrowed her eyes. She suddenly disappeared into the flames and appeared behind Rita, sending a powerful attack toward her back. Rita turned just in time to block it, but the force pushed her several steps forward.

Before she could recover, Lydia struck again.

Rita raised her hand, but the attack was too strong. The flames caught her arm, burning through part of her royal blue cape. She quickly moved away and looked at the damage.

Her expression darkened. "You’re really becoming annoying."

Lydia laughed. "You’re the one who keeps standing in my way!" She stretched out her hands, and several balls of fire appeared around her. They moved toward Rita from different directions, leaving her with very little space to escape.

Rita raised both hands, and the water from the pots rushed toward her. It divided into several long streams, moving like living creatures as they blocked the flames.

The two powers collided again.

A loud explosion filled the passage, and the force sent both witches flying in opposite directions.

Rita landed on one knee, using her hand to support herself. A small amount of blood escaped from the corner of her mouth.

She wiped it away with her thumb and looked at Lydia.

The Fire Queen was also breathing heavily. Her red cape had been damaged, and there was a cut on her cheek.

Lydia seemed surprised. She had expected Rita to be powerful, but not this powerful.

"What happened to you?" Lydia asked. "You weren’t this strong the last time we fought."

Rita chuckled. "Maybe you were too busy celebrating your victory to notice that I was still growing."

Lydia’s face tightened.

She raised one hand, and the flames around her suddenly gathered into a huge burning ball. The temperature increased so quickly that the water on the floor began to disappear.

Rita’s eyes narrowed.

So Lydia was finally taking the fight seriously.

She moved both hands, and the remaining water rose into the air. It formed a huge wave that rushed toward Lydia, but the Fire Queen released her attack before it could reach her.

The two powers crashed together.

For a moment, neither side moved. The flames pushed against the water, while the water struggled to swallow the fire. The passage shook under the pressure, and cracks began appearing on the floor.

Lydia clenched her teeth and pushed harder.

Rita’s arms trembled, but she refused to give up.

Suddenly, Lydia changed the direction of her energy. The flames broke through the water and struck Rita directly in the chest.

Rita was thrown backward and crashed against one of the pillars. She coughed, and blood came out of her mouth.

Lydia lowered her hands, breathing heavily.

"Stay down. I don’t want to hurt you more than necessary."

Rita slowly raised her head. "Since when did you become so concerned about me?"

She pushed herself away from the pillar and stood upright.

Lydia frowned. "You’re making this difficult."

"Good. That’s exactly what I want." Rita raised her hand, and the water inside the pots suddenly rose again. This time, it didn’t form a shield or a wave. Instead, it spread across the entire passage, covering the floor and surrounding Lydia’s feet.

Lydia looked down.

Before she could move, the water rose around her legs and pulled her backward.

She quickly released her flames, burning through the water and freeing herself. However, Rita had already moved closer.

A powerful stream of water struck Lydia across the chest, sending her crashing against the opposite wall.

Lydia coughed, and blood slipped from her lips. She slowly looked up at Rita. "You..." Lydia wiped the blood from her mouth and laughed bitterly.

"You’ve become quite arrogant." Rita turned toward the golden doors.

She couldn’t waste any more time. Hazel and the others were already inside, and she needed to make sure the ritual could continue without interruption.

She stretched out her hand, sending her blue energy toward the doors.

However, Lydia noticed what she was doing and immediately attacked.

A huge wall of fire appeared between Rita and the entrance. "You’re not opening that door!"

Rita’s expression changed.

She quickly turned around and released another wave of water, but Lydia’s flames were already moving toward her.

The attack struck Rita’s side, forcing her to stumble. She held her stomach as another cough brought blood to her lips.

Lydia wasn’t in a better condition either. Her breathing was becoming heavier, and blood was running down her chin.

Yet neither woman was willing to surrender.

Lydia raised her head and stared at the golden doors.

"Why are you so desperate to bring that witch back? Do you think waking Lith will solve everything? She created the werewolf race, Rita! Do you even understand what that means?"

Rita wiped her mouth. "Of course I understand."

"Then why are you helping them?"

Rita’s eyes became cold. "Because you don’t understand anything about this place."

She pointed toward the ancient pillars. "Caius had a giant create this castle. Do you think ordinary flames can destroy something built with that kind of power? You keep attacking the building as though you can burn everything inside it, but you don’t even know what you’re fighting against."

Lydia clenched her fists." You never care enough to understand anything before making a decision."

Lydia screamed and released another wave of deep fire.

Rita responded immediately.The water surrounding her rose into the air, forming several enormous pillars that stood vertically across the passage. They moved together, creating a wall between Lydia and the golden doors.

The flames crashed against the water, sending steam everywhere.

For several seconds, neither witch could see the other.

Then a powerful explosion shook the passage.

The water pillars broke apart, and the flames disappeared into the thick cloud of steam.

When the smoke finally cleared, both women were still standing.

Their clothes were damaged, their faces were covered in sweat, and blood was visible around their mouths.

Lydia stared at Rita with disbelief. She had never expected the playful Witch to become this powerful.

Rita, however, didn’t look satisfied. She raised her chin and slowly stretched out both hands.

The water began gathering around her again. "You’re not getting past me, Lydia."