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    But he stopped, and stared up. And remembered Balangor’s annoyed look, as they pestered him at the midway point. Remembered the prophecy. Had he been lying about that? No. No, he didn’t think that the wizard had


    “...Those of you who survive must enter Ringaldr’s redoubt. When you confront the Dark Lord and he tempts you, the Chosen One shall resist temptation. The Chosen One will reveal their power and single-minded determination and end the Dark Lord, heralding his fall with a sound greater than thunder. That death shall be the beginning of the end of the Lion…”


    “


    He had just enough time to refocus, see them on all fours just past the perimeter of the walls, before a solid-wall of Black and Gold metal appeared before him, and the Dark Lord scooped him up, held a gauntlet cupped loosely around his head, and ran


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    Reshape spell in progress!


    Committed chakra: 15/39


    Cost: 20 chakra.


    Remaining free chakra: 02/44


    WARNING! Do you wish to continue?


    Do it!


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    It was hard to think, now. Rusty blinked, looked for Roz, couldn’t find him. Where had he gone? He tried to remember… and couldn’t. Oh. That’s right. My enchantments are all down.


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    Less of a… dick?” The dark lord said. “Perhaps. At the very least, we can send you home. This is not your battle. It shouldn’t be anyone’s battle but ours


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


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    We would not have asked you if your chakra was an issue. For we have the rune of share.” The Dark Lord bent down, and put a single gauntleted finger on Rusty’s forehead. The metal was cool, and Rusty gasped as every cell in his body shook for a second. Just like how Cyrus described touching a live wire.


    GUARDIAN: LION’S spell refreshes your chakra + 8


    Remaining free chakra: 9/44


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    GUARDIAN: LION IS ATTEMPTING


    GRANT SPEED INCREASE


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    A noise like a sob caught his attention, and he turned away from the huddle in time to see Carmina staring at them, and the raw longing in her eyes made him look away. How long has she been here? How long has she been alone?


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    Rusty crossed his good arm up and reached out two fingers. I won’t get dumb. Promise.


    The world slowed, as they reached about a thousand feet out from the pyramid. “Caution.” rumbled the Lion. “We have time,” he said, gesturing skyward, at the platform. “They will strike at us from the structure as we approach. Stay behind me


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    …


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