Chapter 18: Punch me!

With a bright white star fixed in the middle of her red eyes, crimson tattoo covering her dark brown skin, and hair made out of flames. The Spirit of Fire, Salamander faces her new visitor in a long while. The young man before her gave the spirit a friendly, yet unsure smile.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Was there supposed to be a trial before I could see you?" He awkwardly gestures behind him. "Do you...want me to head back or...?"

She was impressed at first. But seeing how meek he's acting now; she was beginning to doubt if he could have her power.

"I don't think that's good for her, buddy..."

"Hmm?" Oh, he must be talking with the others in his head. From what she could feel from him, he seems to have connection with two of her fellow spirits.

If she had to guess, based on what she's seen so far...

"You're talking to Sylph, aren't you?"

That caught his attention. "She really wanted to see her old friends... I figure this would make her happy."

Ah jeez. That energetic little...

Salamander isn't usually a sentimental person, but hearing that after all these times did make her a bit mushy. Not to mention the fact this young man travels all the way here just for that.

She doesn't have to worry about her fellow spirit contracting an unsavory person then.

She let out a chuckle. "Well, come on out then! You wanted to see me don't you, Sylph?"

A bright verdant light appears as the Spirit of Wind flies to her.

"Yay~ Mandy! We've miss you!"

'Speak...for yourself...' A weak voice joins them from the purplette's mind.

This surprised her, "Undine? You chose to lend him your power?" She was expecting it to be Gnome to be honest.

"Of course she would, Luka is the best~! He immediately has an affinity with the flow!"

'What...she said...' Replies the puddle.

"I see..." She took a glance at the young man who's admiring the pillar of lava on the side of her cavern before continuing her chat with her fellow spirits.

After they were done, Salamander took on a thinking pose and contemplate on the situation. By what they have told her, this Luka seems to be a second-coming of Hienrich. Albeit a little shier and more introverted.

She could see it, of course. Underneath that harmless interior of his, there lies a powerful source of magic in him. Taking into account his natural affinity with two spirits and the plethora of technique on his belt. He has the potential to be a hero that might even surpasses Heinrich.

There's just one thing.

The young man could use some fire on that passive soul of his.

===0===

The ground shook as he felt an attack coming.

Narrowly dodging the giant ball of fire, he turns to the Spirit of said element to see her locking her sight on him. All around her are terrifying serpents made of flames.

"!?"

Calling forth the power of the spirits, the forest dweller begins to evade her barrages of attack, causing the cavern to shook some more.

"C'mon! Luka, was it? Let's turn the heat up!"

"H-Hold on! Why are we fighting?!"

Luka raises his hands in a placating way, trying his best to reasoned with her.

Did he do something to upset her?

Was it because she thinks he was being rude?

Is this some sort of trial from her?

Cocking back her fist, the blow left a crater on the wall behind him. If he hadn't seen the attack coming through the flow, he would have suffered his whole body being cooked.

"None of that, now! You need to know when to let that restrain go. Focusing on so many things during a fight could get you killed."

"But I don't understand why we have to fight!"

At this, she gave him a feral smirk.

"Show me what you're made of, young man!"

Seeing no other options, he grimaces and let Iris out of her sheath.

He has to be careful. They're right inside a volcano with pillars of lava all around him and the forest dweller doesn't think that he could survive contact with those.

[Flame Steiner]

Entering the flow, he hastily evades her attacks. The flaming serpents coming at him from every side and leaving bright red scorch mark across the terrains.

'Do you girls know why she's doing this?'

'Don't worry buddy! Just do your best~'

'She...has always...been barbaric...'

That...doesn't really help much.

The more the fight continues, Luka realized she has been cutting off his maneuverability. By sending out her serpents for him, she's limiting the space where he can dodge safely.

"How!" She raises her right leg for a kick.

"About!" It glows brightly as the air arounds it burns.

"This!" With a perfect form, Salamander unleashes the roundhouse with a wave of fire.

[Burning Crescent!]

With no way to avoid, the purplette opted for a counter.

As flawless as the technique may seems, everything has a weakness!

[Serene Demon Blade!]

Launching himself towards the blade of fire, Luka unleashes his own attack, causing a large explosion and for the whole cavern to be filled with hot steams.

When the spirit saw his hand got scalded, she was about to lecture him out of habit.

"!?"

Which is why she was surprised when the forest dweller chose to ignore the pain and went straight for her instead. Combined with the steams blocking her line of sight, Salamander's eyes widened as she senses multiple attacks coming her way.

The blade of wind behind her were smoothly dodge as she bashes the other two with her bare hands. Taking advantage of her vulnerable side, Luka thrusted Iris forward, separating the steam with it.

[Gale Thrust!]

It landed right on target as she wasn't fast enough to evades it.

===0===

CRASH!

Salamander broke the stalagmite behind her as she gathers her bearings. Despite just taking a devastating attack and her soul burning in combat, like a true master of her element, her mind calmly assesses the situation.

'His form is passable; I could tell he spend only a moderate amount of time training. But with his speed and magic, he more than makes up for it...'

If she were mortal, that blow would have surely cracked a few ribs. Luckily for the spirit, she doesn't have to worry about such things.

'His intuition is pretty good too. He knows when to back away and when to rush his enemies...'

Igniting her soul even brighter, she lifts herself up in dramatic fashion.

'The only thing he lacks, is his unwillingness to truly demolished his opponent.'

Unless he has to, she could tell he is hesitance in fighting. Even back then, when he could've continued on his assault, he only struck her once. There's nothing wrong with being a gentle person, kindness is never enough in this world.

But when you chose to give mercy to your foes, know that they might not return the favor.

===0===

Taking the moment of to catch his breath, the purplette inspect his injured hand. His fairy friend automatically went to heal the injury but Undine advices her against it.

'Let me...you focus on supporting him...'

'I can do both!'

'Unwise...'

It seems Sylph is very possessive of her role as the healer of their contractor. She did eventually relent after realizing her stubbornness is only prolonging his pain.

He let out a sigh of relief when cool water surrounds the burn skin, slowly healing the scalds.

"Well, would you look at that!"

Getting up from her crash against the hardened lava, the Spirit of Fire regards him in exuberant. Her shining white star meeting his green and blue.

"Looks like you're not as big of a doormat as I thought!"

Oh...

Luka feels a wave of disapproval from Undine and outright anger from Sylph.

The smirk returns, this time a lot less feral.

"Tell you what? Young man." She pointed at him.

"Hmm?" He tilts his head in confusion.

"I'm impress, honestly. Your speed is nothing to scoff at, and I can see how potent your magic is. Give it a few years and you have a genuine chance at being one of the strongest warriors there is."

He had to do a double take.

Him? One of the strongest? When someone like Alice and her Heavenly Knights exist?

She must be overestimating him...

Rather than stopping after seeing his doubtful looks, she only laughs.

"Hah! I'll beat that meekness out of you by the end of this. Just you wait, young man!"

She held her hand out with a cheerful smirk.

"You won't regret this; you have my words."

Understanding her intention, the forest dweller took it in his. The wound on his hand now fully healed.

One bright flash of light later, he can feel someone entering his mind like last time. Curiously, unlike Undine who knock on the 'door' first, Salamander just went straight in.

'Alright, I'm here now. Let's see what atrocities Sylph has made this time.'

'What do you mean~? My decoration has always been the best!'

'You spilled...grape jam...all over the couch...'

'Again!?'

'It's an acquired taste~'

'Well...I kind of expected that from you. So, where's the kitchen? I've been craving for some- WHY IS EVERYTHING NAILED TO THE CEILING!?'

'Sylph...I couldn't stop her...'

'Oh that! Well, I figured that since I'm always flying, wouldn't it be easier? I'm a genius!'

'...'

'...'

Luka has never heard someone being burn and drown at the same time before. It's terrifying.

===0===

Well then, now that he has done everything he wanted here, Luka was thinking of going to the Safina region next. He usually doesn't really like dry places too much, but knowing that the last of Sylph's friends is there he wanted to at least say hello to them.

There's also that birthday party he heard about by the King of Grandgold. He doesn't know if they would even allow him to enter at all but if he could then maybe he can give the princess his own present?

With those food for thoughts, he calls upon the wind and-

CRASH!

An unconscious and beaten body of a Dragon girl landed next to him with a mighty crash. The same one he went pass on his way to Salamander.

Speechless, the forest dweller began searching for the one who could have done this.

"Looks like she was all bark after all..."

Turning his gaze to the voice, the purplette saw another Dragonkin. She doesn't have a massive body like the Dragon Girl, but the sheer strength he could feel from her more than makes up for it. With dark red hair, a black and gold armor covering her green scale humanoid body, and a powerful looking blade on her back, everything about her tells him not to anger her least he suffers the consequence.

Walking over to him, her bright purple cape flutters in the wind. It kind of reminds him of the one Alma Elma also have.

"..."

"..."

Frightening gold stare him down as he stood his ground, ready to defend the unconscious monster in case she tries to end her life.

She crosses her arms, a huff escaping her mouth.

"You're not a coward at least. I can respect that."

"Are you going to kill her?"

"Who? That naive girl next to you who challenges me into a fight after letting her emotions get to her? You don't have to worry about that, I was only giving her a reality check."

By... beating her within an inch of her life...?

He doesn't even need to ask; she could tell by his expression alone.

"We monsters are a lot hardier than you humans. Not to mention, she's a powerful monster despite her conditions now. If she takes good care of herself, she'llmake a full recovery within the next couple days."

Her arguments are believable considering what he has seen from other monsters, and she seems to be truthful about not wanting to kill the Dragon girl. Even so...

"Why did you follow me here...?"

"Observant, aren't you?" Despite saying that, she seems more sarcastic than impress. "Yes. I did come here to look for you specifically, just in case you're wondering."

"And... why is that?"

He has a really bad feeling about this...

She scoffs. "You tell me, Luka-boy~"

His mind blanked out.

...

"E-Excuse me...?"

"Every day... I have to hear her gush about you for hours. Do you have any idea how many times I've heard that stupid wine metaphor she keeps using!?"

Alright. He thinks it's clear he's missing some context here...

Continuing her rant, the powerful Dragonkin then talks about how this... friend(?) of her wouldn't shut up about him, and how she has been driven even more frustrated when her lord – probably Alice – also started talking about him and it sparked a competitive side of her friend.

It all culminated in Luka trying his best to console the incredibly annoyed Dragonkin while she unloaded her unhealthily pent-up ire on him.

...

...

...

"-more than 7 hours! How does she come up with all of those things?! I'm a seasoned warrior, and even I'm disturbed by her sick fantasy!"

"Do you think this will affect how you viewed her as your friend?"

"We're not friend."

"Coworker then."

"Much better. And no, I've always known she was like this. Just never to this extent."

"Where do you think the problem lies then?"

"Well, for starter-"

The unexpected therapy session when on for the next couple hours...

===0===

So, a lot of trauma dumping and reflections later, Granberia (she told him her name somewhere along her ranting) ended up a lot more mentally sound and with a realized hate for wine. It's not trauma, more so an understandable amount of hate it brings her now.

"Thank you for...all of that." She said awkwardly, not used to expressing gratitude.

"Don't mention it..." Tamamo help him out back then by listening to him, he figures it's right for him to do it too.

"Right." She clears her throat. "I supposed it's time for my original purpose here..."

He perked up at that.

'Oh right, she still didn't answer my question before.'

Unsheathing her blade,she proudly stood her full height. Getting into a perfect form resembling Salamander, she declares her intention.

"Come, Luka! As a fellow warrior of the sword, let us clash our might!"

"Do we...have to...?"

"Most certainly. I could tell you have already acquired the power of three of the four spirits, getting the chance to fight someone like you is rare. With that said, I also understand you have yet to mastered the power of Salamander."

Amazed by her accurate assessment, Luka took on his own stance and once more pulls Iris from her sheath.

It glows in protective light; he has the feeling she's warning him to be careful.

"That's right... how did you know?"

The Dragonkin narrow her eyes. "Salamander took me in as a child. I understand her power more than anyone else..."

'...'

'D-Don't look at me like that! It's not my fault that my strongest student decided to show up!'

'...'

'Ahem! Moving on, I think we could make use of this. Luka?'

'I'm open for any suggestions...'

'At this point you can barely use my power, that much is clear since you don't have an affinity for it. Having said that, why don't you try learning from Granberia?'

It was completely reckless and outright suicidal to learned from the person who's fighting you. But in the end of the day, it's not like he has any other choose does he? He could run from her, but he was pretty sure she'll catch up eventually.

"As a show of respect, I will let you have the first move." Finishing her words, the Dragonkin readies her blade.

Oh boy...

He starts off by strengthening his speed and agility. Chanting the spell he has come to familiarize.

[Ventus Melody]

Granberia took note of this, nodding her head in approval.

"You use the opportunity I've given wisely. Very well."

Trying his best not to blush at her praise, Luka unleashes his fastest technique.

[Whistling Blade!]

Faster than ever before, he struck with a faint whistle accompanying him. Seeing this, the Dragonkin expertly parries the attack coming her way and pushes the forest dweller back where he started.

It all happen in an instant. One moment he was startled by how numb his hands felt,the next he was bombarded by lightning-fast attacks from her.

CLANG!

"Ghk!" Grunting in pain, the forest dweller realize he was knocked out of the flow state. He kicks the air below and soar into the air. If he couldn't match her in sword skill then the next best thing would be to fight in his best area.

[Cyclone Blade!]

Hundreds of wind blades flies towards her as he continues flying through the air.

The Heavenly Knight saw this, bashed away a stray wind blade and proceeded to ignore the rest by simply jumping up to him. Luka was appalled at this, but met her head on with another skill.

[Sharp Gust!]

Granberia stopped it with her blade, angle herself above it and uses his own attack as a platform to launched herself closer to him.

'...That's just unfair...'

The wind gathers around him as he broke the sound barrier, trying his best to outmaneuvers the Dragonkin as she chases after him. The resounding BOOM! and CLANG! across the sky could be heard by almost everyone living in the area. Some of the monsters even went to see what the hell is happening above their home only to see nothing but explosions clashing.

She's like his shadow, always near him no matter how much he tries to lose her.

"Stop running away! Fight me like a warrior!"

With a roar of anger, the Heavenly knight of Fire closed in on him and unleashes a devastating technique.

[Earth Rumbling Decapitation!]

The combined effort of him using the flow, the wind putting up a barrier, and Gale Thrust was barely enough to keep his body from being split in half. Even then, he was still sent crashing to the ground by the attack.

CRASH!

'Don't stay still, her fire is still burning!'

Following the Spirit of Fire's advice, Luka ignores the pain as he got himself up on time to witness Granberia landing in front of him.

She barely looks tired despite having chased someone moving faster than sound through the air just a moment ago.

"Your speed isn't enough to save you. What will you do next?"

He observed her movement closely, re-entering the flow.

Throughout their fight, her blade was on fire and the brighter it gets the more devastating her attacks were. He took it that's what Salamander's power is.

An unmatched, burning ferocity.

A cleave that would have ended the fight was dodge as he ducked under it. She sidesteps his upward slash and tripped his foot as he passes her.

Instead of falling however, her eyes widened as he flips mid-air and unleashes a point blank wind blade at her.

She grinned, abandoning any skills as she chomps down on the attack with her sharp tooth, completely breaking it and chased after him as he tries to back away.

"Show me more!" There's a feral look in her eyes, a warrior starving for a challenge.

[Lightning Sword Flash!]

Taking a page from Alma Elma's book, Luka stabbed Iris into the hard rocks below him and let out his magicin a big burst. Before the Dragonkin could speeds towards him, stones and lava raise from the ground creating a momentary wall blocking her way.

Unlike how he choses to play it safe, Granberia let out a roar and destroys everything before her. Her flaming blade cutting a way through the rubbles and lava to be met with nothing.

Because the forest dweller knew that was going to happen.

It was never mean to stop her, it was a distraction.

Now that her attack is still ongoing, she wouldn't be fast enough to stop him from doing this!

From her point of view, the Heavenly Knight saw Luka coming behind her for a slash. But that wasn't the most concerning thing for her. It was the fact that she could sense three more presences coming at her from different angles at the same time.

[Serene Demon Whistle!]

In a show of true skill, the Dragonkin stop herself mid-motion and counter Luka's slash with a tail bash. An upward slash deflected the attack above her while she swiftly sidesteps the other one coming from her side.

Her skill could only do so much however, as the fourth attack struck true. With a powerful force, her head snaps to the side.

"!?"

Turning to her opponent, she was shock to see not one, but four Lukas readying another wave of attacks.

'He can split himself!?'

No. Jumping to conclusion would only lead to mistakes.

Clearing her head, the Dragonkin kept her fire blazing as she calmly analyzes the situation.

Waiting for them to make a move, she inspects them closely.

A pincer maneuver fails as they fall for herfaint, blocking the third one with her forearm, she could see what they truly are. These aren't like Erubetie, they are clone created by wind magic. The fact he can make three of them and continues fighting alongside the clones are proof of his mastery over the element of wind.

Another hit landed on her back, knocking her forward.

In her heart, a spark appears.

There's ringing in her ears as the next attack rocked her head upward.

Her soul ignites in excitement.

"Hah! Thanks for showing me something impressive!"

Bringing her head back down, she brutally bashes one of the clone's head against her headpiece. Spinning herself and creating a whirlwind of flames around her, she narrowsher eyes in concentration as the Lukas backed away.

"Here, let me return the favor..."

The original Luka saw her golden eyes shines red and he knewsomething bad is coming.

Also realizing this, his wind clones who's partially alsobeing controlled by Sylph stood in front of him defensively.

'No! Don't try to block. As you are now, youcan't stop her next attack!' Salamander gives a warning.

Meanwhile, Granberia is currently surrounded in a blazing infernocoming from her blade. The air getting alarmingly warm as she continues charging her attack.

'Then what do we do!? I don't have enough time to teleport us all back to the Forest of Spirits!'

He senses the same wave of confusion from Salamander like before with Undine.

'You... No. We have to focus. Luka, you have to meet her head on.'

'What!?'

'It's your only chances of making out of this alive. If you could reduce even 30% of the damage, you should still be able to survives.'

'I've healed...your wound...'

Bathing in the red of her fire, the Heavenly knight roars out to him.

"Behold the flames of purgatory!"

'Well, here goes nothing...'

Matching her step by step, the forest dweller yells out.

"Burn my dread, Salamander!"

[Vaporizing Rebellion Sword!]

[Serene Demon Whistle!]

The two devastating technique clashes in a violent display of power. Sylph's wind keepshim moving despite the pain, Undine's flow steadies his blade and Salamander's flame allows him to briefly matched the onslaught of slashes coming towards him.

But it wasn't enough.

As all of his wind clones were shredded by her flames, the injuries he's taking got more and more severe. Every single one of her slashes feels like they could have killed him, the only reason he's still standing by this point is through sheer willpower.

Seeing him on his last legs, Granberia went for the finisher. Gathering her fire for one last attack, she leaps towards him with a victorious roar.

Barely hanging on to consciousness, the purplette saw a whirlpool hidden beneath the flames before him.

His instinct took over as his green and blue shines.

[Eyes of control]

It was only for a split second, but Granberia pauses her final attack.

Her victory no longer set in stone.

'Impossible...'

Stabbing his burning partner into the spiral with all of his might, Luka let out his own roar of victory.

[Flaming Gale!]

Her eyes widened in disbelief as the attack pierce through her armor - into her stomach - and with a burning pain, launches her far away.

'He really did it... this human...'

CRASH!

===0===

The forest dweller collapsed in exhaustions.

He doesn't know why or how he manages to do that, but he was grateful nonetheless.

There are voices in his head trying to reach out to him.

'The girls must be trying to talk to me...'

He tries to focus on them but it's too faint...

"Take a rest, partner..."

Yeah... that sounds wonderful...

His consciousness was then gently lulled to sleep.

===0===

Lilly woke up to the voice of worried spirits.

'Quickly! Heal him as fast as we can!'

'I'm trying...'

'That last attack should keep Granberia down for a couple minutes at most. We have to wake him up before then.'

She could feel Sylph and Undine healing her partner's body, all the while Salamander is doing her best to reach out to his consciousness.

Without any warning, Lilly pushes herself up from the hard ground.

'Luka! You're back~!'

'Don't push yourself...'

'Good to have you back, young man!'

Inspecting his condition, she suspect there's not much she could do other than opening her domain to win this. Even so, she wouldn't fail him.

"..." Staring ahead, Lilly saw a figure struggling to walk towards her.

It seems the Heavenly knight has cauterized her wound...

Lilly doesn't want to harm her partner, but if push comes to shoves, she might have to ask Salamander to do the same to his injuries.

'You have my full support, buddy! We can win this!'

'Let the flow guides you...'

'You have already used my powers before but maybe it's wise not to do it again since it exhausts your energy too much. Once we got the time I'll teach you some more. For now, focus on that hardy student of mine.'

"..." Heeding their advice, Lilly raises her guard in preparation.

"You area true warrior, Luka." Wiping the blood from her mouth, the Dragonkin gave an impressed look. "This has been a magnificent clash of might, possibly the greatest one I've been in."

"..."

"Which is why, I have decided..."

Lilly narrows her eyes in anticipation. Her magic combined with her partner generating a massive storm.

"...That it must not end like this..."

"...?"

Granberia must've understand by looking at her expression. Sheathing her blade behind her, she elaborates on her words.

"From what I've gather, this is not where your potential ends." She pointed at her.

"Despite only having three of the four spirits, you, a human, have already reached a level few monsters could have ever achieved. If I were to allow you the time to train yourself further, there's no telling how much more our next battle could be."

"I could see it in your eyes. You are also eager for it, aren't you?"

"..." She supposed, from her perspective, it must've looked as though her partner is also anticipating such an encounter in the future.

If it works, then she could play the parts.

Sheathing her original vessel back into the cherished sheath, she gave the Heavenly Knight a bow of respect.

"As polite as ever huh? Well, not that I mind. I could use some proper mannerism after dealing with that flying menace for so long..."

Nodding back at him, the Dragonkin teleports back to the Monster Lord Castle.

"Till we meet again."

"..."

And with that, the fight was well and truly over...

'Yay~! We did it!'

'Well...done...Luka...'

'It could have been way worse. It's a good thing that student of mine has some decency.'

She took the time to catch her breath. This body had long since reached its limits. The only reason she was even standing now is because of her partner's frankly insane amount of will power.

Even while asleep, Luka is still instinctively giving it everything he has.

"..."

'Hmm? Luka, what's wrong? You're a lot quieter all of a sudden.'

Ah. It seems Sylph has notice.

It made sense, she was her partner's very first friend after all...

"Sylph..." Lilly wasn't used to speaking so it sounded a bit strange.

'Do you need some water? Your voice is really dry.'

"No... teleport... the Forest of Spirits..."

She could hear the sounds of the fairy flying around happily in her mind.

'Alright! We're gonna go back home!'

The sword spirit has already taught this through. There is no safe place nearby that she could left her partner in. And the way back to civilization is too far.

Either she chose to go to the 'Succubus Village' northeast from here.

No. Just no.

Or she could have Sylph teleport her back to the forest.

It's the best option since Luka could easily just flies back to the Safina region if he wanted too.

A big circle of runes appears below her and she was bathed in verdant light as the Spirit of Wind finishes her chants. The wind picking up before she was gone.

SWOOSH!

===0===

Luka woke up to the sounds of muffled snowstorm outside the windows.

'Oh, it must've been morning already...'

Rolling over to his side, he snuggles deeper into his comfortable bed, getting himself some more sleep.

...

...

...

Wait a minute...

Something's not right.

The purplette remember fighting against Granberia in the foot of the Golden Volcano, then he passes out from exhaustion after landing one last hit on her.

He was sure he would have loss then.

To be honest, out of anyone he could have lose to and be violated by, in a strange way, he was kind of fine with it being Granberia.

Sure, he would rather not have that happen to him. But considering how surprisingly thoughtful and chivalrousthe Dragonkin was, Luka understood it could have been way worse.

But then... how is he in his safe heaven right now?

Did Sylph teleports him out of the fight?

No, he remembers her saying it would take too much time for that...

"..."

What happened?

'Girls?' Hesitantly getting up from his warm bed, the forest dweller calls out to his spirits.

'You're awake! Now we can start the home tour~'

Well, his fairy friend is still the same, that's good to now.

'How is everyone?'

'Don't worry about us, you were the one fighting that barbaric Dragonkin.'

Came the soothing voice of Undine.

'Excuse me? I have you know my studentis more than just a barbarian.'

Salamander heated reply follows, her maternal instinct kicking in the second someone insult her adopted daughter.

'She makes it very hard to believe that...'

'Oh, you wanna go, slimeball?'

'Now we know where she got it from...'

Oh boy...

END OF CHAPTER


Author's note: And the winner is... Luka/Lilly?

Fun fact: if Alma Elma was still willing to continue the fight back in Port Natalia, Lilly would have brought her ass into Luka's domain and they would both die.

Lilly would rather have her partner join her in the afterlife than be used as a toy by the Heavenly Knight.
Salamander is here now, sort of like a mentor figure for Luka. The reason he has to call for her power is because unlike with Sylph and Undine, he doesn't have an affinity with fire.

Before you ask, yes, if Lilly didn't take over his body Granberia would have counted it as her victory and taken Luka as her husband.

Next chapter is gonna be a fun one. Stay tune!