The Fusion Ends, And One Falls

*This chapter is part of "The Small Town Magic Arc." This saga began with Chapter 134*

Cyclo's sneak attack of fire was quickly snuffed out by an icy blast from the Pirate Mage's finger, which also froze Cyclo's hand in a block of ice.

"Now Cyclo dear, did you really think it would be that easy to take me down?" The Pirate Mage teased. "We didn't do this fusion just for looks. The Pirate's powers and Cerissa's magic are not only combined together in this form, but both are also enhanced."

"Cyclo's growled in anger as he struggled to pick himself up off the ground, succeeding despite the hits he had taken, and his frozen hand."

"I feel a bit sorry for you pal." The Pirate Mage teased playfully before gently thawing Cyclo's hand with a light burst of fire. "Feel better now?"

Cyclo howled and lunged at the Pirate Mage ferally. He swung his other fist at her, which she ducked under before grabbing his upper arm. She gave it a light squeeze, resulting in the combined sound of a cracking bone and a screaming monster. Despite his pain, he pointed at the Pirate Mage and attempted another direct hit with his fire spell. She fizzled out his attack with another ice spell, this time encasing Cyclo's whole arm in a block of ice. The Pirate Mage then somersaulted backward a few feet to distance herself from her foe.

"The first thaw was free, the next one will cost you!" The Pirate Mage joked before giving him a serious look. "Step down and surrender, and I'll heal both of your arms."

Before Cyclo could respond, the Pirate Mage began glowing a brilliant white. The white light then split into two separate forms. The light then slowly faded until the Pirate and Cerissa stood before Cyclo.

"Bwa ha ha ha, is time up on that fusion spell?" Cyclo hollered with delight, his adrenaline apparently blocking out the pain of his respective frozen and broken arms. "While the power of that combined form of yours was impressive, the two of you alone pale in comparison. I sense much less from each of you!"

"Perhaps, but man do you seem quite sure of yourself pal." The Pirate smiled. "You haven't even healed up those injuries yet. Need a moment to do so after you're done gloating?"

"Heh, I'm doing just fine!" Cyclo laughed as he charged towards the pair. The Pirate and Cerissa stepped aside, and as Cyclo attempted to turn around, he lost his balance and fell face down.

"You sure you got this Cyclo?" Cerissa asked with a sweet tone and smile. "Need some help healing up again?"

"I told you, I've never been better!" Cyclo yelled furiously, despite not being able to get up without the use of his arms.

Cerissa pointed at Cyclo and then pointed up, raising the monster into the air with a wind spell. As he floated helplessly in Cerissa's wind, it was the Pirate's turn to lunge, and he ran their adversary through with his sword. Cyclo looked helplessly at the pair as he felt his life fading away.

"Don't worry, you aren't going to die, you're just taking a trip to the Reflection Dimension." Cerissa said reassuringly. "Before you go, know that it wasn't the Pirate and I who truly finished you off."

Cyclo looked at the pair with a confused, weak expression. The Pirate read this as an unspoken request for clarification, and proceeded to provide one to their fallen nemesis.

"Cerissa's spell and my blade may have ended this fight, but this battle was decided a long time ago. Essie is the real reason we have defeated you."

To be continued....