ã€ŠThat One Time I Married A Crazy Goddessã€‹


 Chapter 1: Beauty, Dragons, and Death?

    The air was cold, biting at Xyenn''s exposed skin like a thousand frozen needles. The vastness of the J?rngardr Mountains stretched out behind him, their jagged, snow-capped peaks cutting through the pale blue sky, a sight both majestic and foreboding. But here, at the Temple of the First Flame, the sky seemed darker, as if the draconic gods themselves cast a shadow over this forsaken place.

    The ritual site was a place of ancient power, its very stones humming with the echoes of forgotten rites. The pit in which Xyenn stood was wide, a gaping wound in the earth, its rocky walls descending into darkness. At the bottom of the pit, scattered like the remnants of an ancient battle, lay bones¡ªmassive, twisted things, their shapes hinting at creatures long dead, creatures of immense size and power. Some said these were the remains of dragons who had defied the gods. Others believed they were the bones of lesser deities, broken and discarded by the Cycle of Rebirth.

    Around the edge of the pit stood statues, larger than life, towering over the ritual site. Each statue depicted a draconic deity, their forms both human and beast, with scales of stone and eyes of molten gold. They were frozen in eternal judgment, their faces snarling in anger or twisted in agony, their claws reaching toward the heavens¡ªor perhaps toward something long lost. Each one was a monument to gods who demanded worship, reverence, and fear.

    But Xyenn felt nothing but contempt.

    His breath was ragged, the cold air burning his throat, but the fire of his anger¡ªhis hatred¡ªkept him warm. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles whitened, the tendons in his forearms standing out like cords of steel. His dark red eyes burned like embers beneath his furrowed brow, and his scars**, crisscrossing his face, seemed to pulse with every heartbeat. His short but smooth black and gray hair flung in the breeze of the wind.

    He stood there, shirtless, the muscles of his torso rippling beneath the pale light, his fur-lined pants doing little to shield him from the elements. But the cold was nothing compared to the fury that boiled inside him.

    He had come here, to this sacred place, seeking power. Power that the gods had refused to give him. Power that he deserved.

    And yet, nothing.

    No divine favor. No surge of strength. No visions. Just silence.

    ''Bullshit.''

    Xyenn gritted his teeth, his jaw aching with the strain, and glared up at the towering statues. The draconic deities loomed above him, their stone eyes staring down with their eternal expressions of indifference, their mouths twisted in sneers or frowns of disapproval.

    He had always hated them.

    "Kyrrin," he muttered under his breath, his voice low and rough, "a world born from the breath of ancient draconic deities, colossal cosmic beings whose very essence shaped the skies, seas, and mountains... and for what? So they can sit up there in their celestial thrones, while we down here¡ª" He spat the words, his voice rising. "We''re left to fend for ourselves in this frozen hellhole, scraping by, begging for scraps of their power."

    His voice echoed off the stone walls, carried by the icy wind that whipped through the pit.

    He took a step forward, looking down at the bones at the bottom of the pit, his lips curling into a sneer. "This Cycle of Rebirth¡ªthis curse they''re bound to¡ªlife, death, and rebirth, over and over, and they still expect us to grovel at their feet. To give them our worship, our souls, just so they don''t fade away into nothingness like the pathetic creatures they are."

    His chest rose and fell with each heavy breath, his body trembling with barely contained rage. "Every kingdom, every race... they all worship you, don''t they? They kneel at your statues, they offer you their prayers and their sacrifices, because without it, you die."

    Xyenn''s voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "And you call yourselves gods."

    He took another step toward the edge of the pit, his fists shaking. "I''ve always hated you deity bastards," he growled, his eyes narrowing as he glared at the nearest statue, a hulking draconic figure with wings spread wide, its stone fangs bared in a snarl.

    Without hesitation, Xyenn raised his middle finger toward the statue, his lips pulling back into a vicious grin. "Fuck you," he spat, his voice dripping with venom. "You want my worship? Here it is."

    He was done. Done with the silence. Done with the endless struggle, the constant failure, the gods'' indifference. He had tried. He had begged. He had fought. And for what? To be ignored, while the world around him grew stronger, more dangerous, more cruel.

    The animals... even the animals out there were stronger than him. Every hunt had turned into a battle for survival, every encounter a reminder of his weakness. He couldn''t even hunt properly, couldn''t carve out a place for himself in this brutal, unforgiving land.

    The draconic gods had abandoned him. Never even thought about him, honestly.

    ''Why do I have to try so hard to fit into a world that doesn''t want me? Everyone''s walking around with these cool magic tricks and here I am with nothing. Out of all people, it had to happen to me.''

    With a deep, shuddering breath, Xyenn stepped to the edge of the pit. He looked down into the darkness, at the bones far below, his heart pounding in his chest.

    He was ready. Ready to end it. Ready to throw himself into the pit and let the gods deal with the aftermath.

    He bent his knees, preparing to jump, when¡ª

    A rumble.

    It was faint at first, like the distant growl of thunder, but it grew louder, deeper, until the very ground beneath his feet began to tremble. The statues around the pit seemed to shift, their stone forms creaking, groaning, as if something ancient and terrible was stirring beneath the earth.

    Xyenn froze, his eyes wide, his breath catching in his throat. The air around him grew thick with power, a crackling, electric energy that made his skin prickle.

    ''What is that?! Did they hear me?! Are they gonna finally give me power?! Was this all it took for them to actually care? Was it some test?!''

    Xyenn''s heart pounded in his chest as the deep, ancient voice rumbled from the pit below. His body tensed. But then, a sudden presence appeared beside him, like a shadow that materialized from the cold mountain air.

    He spun his head, only to find a girl standing there, a wide grin plastered across her bloodstained face. Her appearance was striking¡ªlong black hair, cascading down her back in waves, with two loosely braided strands framing her face. Her skin was pale, almost ghostly in the dim light of the ritual site, and her eyes¡ªthose eyes¡ªglowed a piercing crimson. What made Xyenn''s blood run cold, however, were her pupils, thin and slitted like a dragon''s, their sharpness cutting through the air like blades. A faint, crackling red aura shimmered around her, flickering with the same chaotic energy that buzzed through the pit below. Above her head floated a halo¡ªa jagged, dark pink symbol that pulsed with the same eerie energy, casting an ominous glow over her.

    Her expression was wild, full of chaotic glee, like she was about to burst into laughter at any moment. Her mouth twisted into a smirk, revealing sharp, almost predatory teeth that gleamed in the low light. She wore a simple white dress, stained with blood, as though she''d just walked out of a battlefield. The contrast only made her more unnerving.

    Xyenn''s eyes widened, and he staggered back, his heart jumping to his throat. His mind scrambled to process what he was seeing. This girl¡ªno, she wasn''t just a girl. She was something far more dangerous.

    But she was way too beautiful, too beautiful in fact that made Xyenn believe she was out to kill him, and based on those draconic eyes, she was definitely of the dragon race.

    "Y-YOU!" he screamed, his voice high-pitched, completely betraying his tough exterior. He pointed a shaking finger at her, his body instinctively backing away from her unsettling aura. "Who the hell are you?! Buzz off!"

    But the girl merely chuckled, her grin widening as she stuck her hand out in an overly casual, almost friendly manner, as though they were old acquaintances.

    "Yuuna," she said with a mischievous glint in her eyes, her voice light and playful, completely at odds with the atmosphere. "Nice to meet ya! I heard ya hate the draconic gods¡ª"

    Xyenn didn''t let her finish. Something primal, some deep-seated fear, overtook him. Without thinking, he turned and leaped from the edge of the pit, his body twisting through the air as he screamed like a terrified child.

    "You''ll never take me alive, demon! Dragon!"

    Yuuna blinked, her hand still outstretched, her grin faltering for the briefest of moments. Then, her expression twisted into one of annoyance, her brows furrowing as she watched him plummet.

    "You brat!" she shouted after him, her voice echoing down the pit. "I''m not here to kill you!"

    As Xyenn fell, his thoughts raced. ''They heard me that fast?! Shit! I shouldn''t have done that! I won''t let them take me out! I''ll do it myself! I can tell by those eyes, she''s one of them! She''s probably an agent sent to wipe me out! The draconic deities can''t even confront me personally, they probably think I''m not worth their time!''

    The wind whipped past his face as he hurtled toward the ground, the bones below rushing up to meet him. But before he could reach the bottom, there was a flutter of wings above him, dark and ominous.

    Yuuna was flying after him, her black and dark pinkish-red wings spreading wide as she dove toward him, her hand outstretched.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

    "You''re insane!" she called, her voice filled with exasperation as she closed the distance between them.

    Xyenn looked up, his eyes wild with panic.

    "No, you''re all insane!" he yelled back.

    And then¡ªKATHOOM!

    Xyenn hit the ground with a sickening thud, his body crumpling onto the pile of ancient bones. Dead.

    For a moment, everything was still, the only sound the soft rustle of Yuuna''s wings as she touched down beside his lifeless form. She knelt over him, her brows furrowed in irritation.

    "Idiot¡­" she muttered under her breath, shaking her head. But just as her fingers brushed against his cold skin, a surge of dark magic crackled through the air.

    In that moment, something happened.

    Seconds later...

    Xyenn''s eyes snapped open. His breath came in shallow, panicked gasps as he found himself standing on a floating stone platform, suspended in an endless void of swirling black and grey clouds.

    "Where am I?" He said to himself; The air was thick with an oppressive silence, broken only by the faint hum of runes glowing beneath his feet. The runes, written in a forgotten language, pulsed with an eerie light, their shapes twisting like living things. They whispered of death, of the finality of life, and the eternal cycle of decay. They read:

    "All must fall into the void. The end is the beginning. The breath of life fades, and in its place, the cold hand of death reigns."

    Xyenn''s head spun. His gaze darted around the strange, ethereal realm. "Is this¡­"

    Before him, in the center of the platform, sat a throne¡ªmassive, carved from obsidian, its surface etched with the same glowing runes. Upon the throne sat Death itself.

    The figure was imposing, towering even while seated. Its form was draped in a black robe that seemed to swallow all light, the fabric shifting like smoke. Long black hair cascaded down its back, framing a face that was nothing but a skull, hollow eyes staring into the void. Two black horns curled outward from its eye sockets, giving it a demonic, draconic appearance. Black wings stretched from its back, their edges sharp, and a dragon''s tail, covered in dark scales, coiled around the throne. The figure held a scythe, the blade gleaming, adorned with black roses that sprouted from its skeletal form.

    "You have cheated death, mortal." The voice was low, a deep rumble that seemed to vibrate through the very air itself.

    Xyenn blinked, his mind racing to catch up. "W-What...?"

    ''This isn''t good. I could''ve sworn I took myself out back there as that crazy dragon woman was chasing me, trying to eat me.''

    Death leaned forward slightly, its hollow gaze piercing through him.

    "On impact, Yuuna''s blood mingled with your own. It is a curse, a revival through draconic demonic magic. You were meant to die. But now, you stand here, alive, but only because of her."

    Xyenn''s heart pounded in his chest as he tried to process what Death was saying. "So¡­ I''m not dead?"

    Death''s eyes flickered with a dim light.

    "You should be. Those without the blessing of the draconic gods cannot live again. But now, you are neither truly alive nor dead. A twisted existence, granted by her interference."

    Xyenn''s jaw dropped. "What?!"

    Before he could say more, a sharp pain erupted in his back. He doubled over, groaning as his body began to change. His spine twisted, and with a sickening crack, a black, reddish-pink dragon tail sprouted from his lower back, thrashing wildly. His fingers lengthened, his nails sharpening into claws, the skin around them turning a dark, scaly black. His wings tore through his back, the same dark pinkish-red as Yuuna''s, ripping through his flesh as he gasped in pain.

    A halo¡ªdark pink and white¡ªflickered into existence above his head, casting an eerie light over his face. His skin, once smooth, was now covered in patches of black dragon scales, spreading across his arms and face. His teeth sharpened into fangs, and when he glanced at his reflection in the black stone beneath his feet, his eyes were no longer his own. They were thin, slitted like a dragon''s.

    He was changing.

    And standing above him, Death watched with hollow eyes.

    "You are marked now, cursed by her blood. The gods will hunt you down. You will never find peace. I can''t believe she would actually go and bond with a human, with no power at that. Has she really stopped this low..?"

    Xyenn''s heart pounded, his breath ragged. "What¡­ what the hell have you done to me?!"

    From above, Yuuna''s voice echoed through the void, filled with a mix of amusement and irritation.

    "Welcome to the club, idiot!"

    But this time, her voice wasn''t just above him. It was inside him, filling his mind as if she had become part of his very soul.

    Xyenn''s eyes widened in realization. He wasn''t just cursed with her blood. She was inside him.

    "Get out of me!" Xyenn exclaimed.

    "No! Don''t you feel this power?! It feels super awesome right?!"

    "I.."

    ''It feels great, it feels like I''ve eaten too much though. Like I was hungry and now I''ve eaten. But I''m some weird spiritual way, I can''t describe it. Why is she helping me?! After I just cursed her own kind?''

    Xyenn stood frozen on the floating platform, his mind still reeling from the transformation, his body aching, foreign, as he struggled with the weight of Yuuna''s presence now coursing through him. The swirling black and gray clouds churned ominously, reacting to the tension between him and Death. The ancient figure loomed before him, silent and menacing, his massive scythe gleaming faintly, black roses swaying along the blade with an unnatural grace.

    Suddenly, Xyenn felt a sharp, burning sensation on his forehead, and before he could comprehend what was happening, a third eye¡ªslitted, draconic, and glowing with a crimson light¡ªopened in the center of his brow. His vision blurred momentarily, the world growing hazy as something deeper than himself took control.

    Yuuna''s voice echoed from within, but it wasn''t just in his mind this time. Her words spoke through the eye, her presence manifesting through the newly-formed eye, which pulsed with her chaotic energy. Her tone was dripping with lazy disdain, her usual chaotic glee barely contained.

    "Ugh, this guy¡­" she muttered. "You''d think after all these millennia, he''d get bored of the whole ''grim reaper'' shtick."

    Death''s hollow gaze fixed on Xyenn, though it was clear he wasn''t looking at Xyenn anymore. He was staring directly into the glowing draconic eye, recognizing the presence behind it. The air around them grew colder, the atmosphere thickening as Death''s grip on his scythe tightened.

    "You know my purpose, Yuuna," Death replied, his voice as cold and ancient as the void itself. "I exist to maintain the balance. I serve the First Dragon and the draconic deities, as I always have. As I always will."

    Xyenn could feel Yuuna''s irritation bubbling up inside him, her energy crackling within his veins. His lips twisted into a grin that wasn''t his own as Yuuna''s voice came out in a mocking tone. "Blah, blah, blah. Balance this, serve that. Have you ever thought for a second about how boring it must be to spend eternity cleaning up after those cosmic idiots?" His body leaned forward slightly, the draconic eye narrowing. "You could, I don''t know, find a hobby? Maybe grow some of those roses somewhere that isn''t a death weapon?"

    Death''s gaze remained impassive, but the air seemed to darken, growing heavier with his presence. His voice, low and resonant, cut through the tension like a blade. "This is not a discussion, Yuuna. You are the key to ending the Cycle of Rebirth. The gods will continue to hunt you. And no matter how much you resist, no matter how much you mock them, I will fulfill my role."

    Xyenn''s heart pounded in his chest, his own panic mingling with the strange, almost giddy chaos that Yuuna exuded. He was trapped as a vessel, helpless to stop the conversation unfolding through his own body. But it was too much¡ªtoo insane.

    "WHAT IS GOING ON?!" Xyenn finally screamed, his voice breaking free for a moment, echoing across the platform. He looked around wildly, desperate for some kind of explanation. "I''M CONFUSED!"

    In response, Yuuna''s voice chuckled softly from the draconic eye, and Xyenn could feel her amusement bubbling up inside him. "Oh, right. You''re new to all this," she said. "Let me break it down for ya."

    Xyenn''s body shifted, almost casually, as Yuuna began to explain through him. "Kyrrin, the world you know? Yeah, born from the breath of ancient draconic deities. Big, cosmic lizards that shaped the mountains, seas, skies¡ªyou get the picture. But they weren''t just big dumb dragons. They were the living embodiment of creation. Their blood, their breath, their very essence¡ªit''s what made everything."

    Xyenn''s head tilted slightly, the draconic eye glowing brighter as Yuuna continued. "And these gods you''ve heard about? New draconic deities? They''re just the leftovers from those dragons. Their power, their divine energy, is all thanks to the dragons. But they''re stuck in a really fun little game called the Cycle of Rebirth. You see, every time a god dies, they don''t just disappear. Their essence scatters across the cosmos, only to reform as a new deity. Blank slate. No memories, no clue what they were before. They just keep repeating the same dumb mistakes, over and over."

    Xyenn groaned internally, trying to process what Yuuna was saying. "So, these draconic gods? They need mortal worship to keep going. Without it, they fade. But they *hate* it. They resent mortals for having control over their fates. They''re slaves to your prayers. Pretty funny, right?"

    Death''s voice cut in again, sharp and unyielding. "This is no joke, Yuuna. You are the key to breaking their chains. Your heart holds the power to end the Cycle of Rebirth. And now that they know the truth, every god and goddess will hunt you. They believe that by claiming your heart, they can escape the curse."

    Xyenn''s body stiffened as Yuuna''s laughter bubbled up again, her voice now filled with her usual chaotic energy. "Yeah, yeah. I know. They want my heart. Big deal. Like I''m just gonna hand it over and let them off the hook." The draconic eye narrowed, glowing fiercely. "They can keep suffering for all I care. I''m not gonna die for some idiots who never cared about me."

    Xyenn''s mind raced, his heart pounding in his chest. "Wait¡­ what? They want to kill you for your heart? And they''ll finally stop being reborn?"

    Yuuna''s voice came out in a dismissive tone, her control over Xyenn''s body making him shrug casually. "Eh, I''ve been dodging them for centuries. What''s a few more divine assassins?"

    Death''s voice grew heavier, more ominous. "It is not just a few, Yuuna. They are united now, driven by desperation. They will not stop until you are dead, and the Cycle is broken."

    The weight of Death''s words hit Xyenn like a hammer. He was in way over his head. This wasn''t just about him anymore. He was caught in the middle of some ancient divine war, and now, thanks to Yuuna, he was part of it.

    "So¡­ you''re telling me the gods are all hunting her because she''s the only way to stop this endless loop of rebirth?" Xyenn managed to ask, though it was clear Yuuna still had control.

    Yuuna, speaking through Xyenn''s lips, chuckled darkly. "Pretty much! Isn''t it fun? I mean, they''ve been stuck in this miserable cycle for eons, and now they think they can just *kill me* and fix everything. It''s kinda flattering, really."

    Xyenn groaned, his own voice finally breaking through. "This is insane¡­"

    ''If she dies, then they''ll finally stop being reborn, meaning, kingdoms will likely fall, races would lose hope, like the people. But these gods cursed me from the beginning, I was beaten helplessly and was depressed for a long time, alone for so long. I wanted to off myself earlier, but I thought I could focus and try more, maybe try and impress them by working hard or whatever to get their attention. But nahhhh.''

    Xyenn asked Yuuna, "What do you plan on doing? Keep running?"

    Yuuna snickered, "Haha! Hell no. Since I made a contract with you, I''m ten times stronger now. Well wipe these gods out one by one, and steal their power. I have the glutton''s heart, with every force I devour, the stronger we get. You finally have power."

    "¡­Why me?"

    "Hmmmm. Because your perfect, and amazing, and¡ª."

    "Stop lying to me."

    "Okay, okay. You have no power, which means you''re compatible with my power. Those with power from draconic deities can''t seize control of other power or blessings from a different deity. They''ll combust and die veryyyyy brutally! Haha!"

    "That''s so dark.."

    Death''s hollow eyes turned to Xyenn, cold and calculating. "Whether you understand or not is irrelevant. The Cycle will continue as long as Yuuna lives. And I will fulfill my role, no matter the cost. You have cheated death, so I will make sure the price is paid."

    Before Xyenn could react, the air grew thick with tension, Death''s scythe glowing faintly as the runes along its blade shimmered with malevolent energy. In a blur of motion, too fast for Xyenn to process, Death was suddenly in front of him.

    In one swift motion, the scythe plunged deep into Xyenn''s chest. He gasped, his eyes wide with shock and pain as the cold blade pierced through him, the energy from the weapon freezing his very soul. Death''s skeletal face loomed close, his hollow eyes burning with ancient purpose.

    "This is for the First Dragon," Death whispered, his voice chilling Xyenn to the bone.

    But just before the pain could consume him, Xyenn felt a surge of chaotic energy explode from within. Yuuna''s laughter filled his mind, her presence overwhelming every corner of his consciousness. The draconic eye on his forehead burned brightly, and suddenly, he and Yuuna were one.

    And then, in a moment of perfect, manic clarity, Xyenn and Yuuna laughed together, their voices blending into one twisted, defiant sound.

 Chapter 2: Love Is Forbidden!

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes fluttered open, his heart pounding as he tried to make sense of where he was. The last thing he remembered was being torn apart by Death, his body savaged by that monstrous scythe. But now¡­

    He blinked, staring up at a dark pink sky, swirling with ominous clouds and strange shapes. His breath hitched as he saw massive torture devices¡ªmedieval racks, spiked wheels, and iron maidens¡ªfloating in the sky like twisted constellations. Despite their grotesque presence, they were oddly juxtaposed with children''s toys scattered across the landscape: wooden horses, spinning tops, and crude dolls, all worn and innocent, lying abandoned in the dirt.

    But then he realized something far worse. His eyes widened in panic as he looked down at himself.

    He was completely naked.

    "WHAT THE HELL?!" Xyenn screeched, his hands flying to cover himself as he scrambled to his feet. His face flushed a deep red as he frantically looked around. "Where am I?! Why am I¡ªWhy am I naked?!"

    ¡®I¡¯m getting tossed all over the place, first I¡¯m here, then I¡¯m there, this is getting annoying. Was that all a dream before? Am I finally going crazy?¡±

    He spun in place, his mind racing, trying to process the bizarre scene around him. His heart pounded in his chest, and he muttered under his breath, "I should¡¯ve just jumped to my death sooner. Anything would¡¯ve been better than getting possessed by some crazy draconic woman!"

    ¡®I was too trusting. Now did I get tricked?¡¯

    Suddenly, a loud snort of laughter echoed behind him.

    Xyenn whipped around, his eyes widening even more in confusion.

    There, standing a few feet away, was Yuuna. But she looked¡­ different. Instead of her usual chaotic, blood-soaked appearance, she was dressed like some kind of scholar¡ªan academy uniform, complete with a long, dark coat, a white undershirt, and a fancy brooch at her collar. Her long black hair was tied back in a messy ponytail, and she was wearing glasses¡ªglasses that somehow made her look even more ridiculous. She wasn¡¯t even trying to look serious, as her cocky grin and slouching posture gave her away immediately.

    ¡°Oh ho ho!¡± Yuuna cackled, adjusting her glasses in an exaggerated, overly dramatic way. ¡°Look at you! Flailing around like a headless chicken!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s jaw dropped. "Wha¡ªWhere have you dragged me too? Why am I naked?!" he spluttered, his face burning with embarrassment. He covered himself as best he could, unsure whether to be more confused or horrified.

    Yuuna snorted again, waving her hand dismissively. "I like what I see, that¡¯s why you¡¯re naked. And I¡¯m not disappointed. And oh, come onnnn. You¡¯re in our mind! It¡¯s not like it really matters, does it? Clothes are just a formality here!" She grinned even wider, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "Besides, I gotta say, you¡¯re not looking too bad for a guy who¡¯s about to get shredded into little pieces!¡±

    ¡°What do you mean¡­?¡±

    As if on cue, a literal comic book-like thought bubble appeared in the air. This one showed Death, still standing over Xyenn¡¯s real body, his scythe gleaming as he swung it with cold precision.

    SLASH!

    Death¡¯s voice, calm and mocking, echoed through the bubble. ¡°You really thought you could stand against me? Pathetic mortal. Every cut I make is a reminder of how utterly weak you are. Can¡¯t even fight back. Seems fear has taken over. I am a god.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s eye twitched as he watched his real body get sliced open again. SLASH! There went another chunk of his shoulder. SLASH! Now his leg.

    Xyenn groaned, feeling the phantom pain. "Why is he kicking our ass?! You brought me here, and he¡¯s tearing us apart?! We¡¯re defenseless!¡±

    ¡°Haha! Yeah! But it¡¯s okay, we won¡¯t go out that easy. We still got time.¡±

    ¡°No way..¡±

    ¡®She¡¯s insane¡­¡¯

    Yuuna cleared her throat , popping the bubble with a flick of her finger as if it were nothing more than an annoying fly. She struck a dramatic pose, one foot up on a low rock, her hand raised as if she were about to give the most important lecture of her life. "Ahem!" she cleared her throat loudly. "Welcome, Xyenn, to your very first lesson in Draconic Contracting 101!" Her voice boomed with mock authority, but the wild gleam in her eyes never faded. "Today, I¡¯ll be teaching you how to use my power, because if you don¡¯t, well¡­" She paused, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "You¡¯ll probably explode! Hehehe! It¡¯ll be difficult on your first time using it. No matter how compatible you are.¡±

    ¡°But we¡¯re getting our ass kicked right now!¡±

    ¡°Aww it¡¯s not too bad.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s face turned even paler than before. "And did you say, Explode?¡±

    "Yup!" Yuuna said with a massive grin, her voice brimming with excitement. "Spontaneous combustion! BOOM! You¡¯ll be all over the place, like a popped balloon full of guts!" She mimed an explosion with her hands, making little ¡®kaboom¡¯ noises as if it were the most hilarious thing she¡¯d ever heard.

    From the real world, Death¡¯s voice echoed again, still calm, still monotone. ¡°You are nothing but a vessel¡­ a fragile shell. I¡¯ll peel that shell away, piece by piece. Why can¡¯t you fight? Are you fearful, perhaps? No wonder you aren¡¯t moving.¡±

    SLASH!

    Death¡¯s voice continued to echo through the bubble, cold and mocking. ¡°You¡¯re already broken. Each cut brings you closer to the end. How does it feel, knowing you¡¯ll never amount to anything?¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s face drained of color, his eyes wide with shock. "WHAT THE HELL?! HE¡¯S KILLING ME! WE NEED TO GO BACK! NOW! Just wait until I go out there again!¡±

    ¡®Damn bastard, I¡¯ll end him..rubbing it in my face.¡¯

    Yuuna waved him off, rolling her eyes. "Pfft, relax, would ya? It¡¯s just a flesh wound. We¡¯re tough! You¡¯ll be fiiine." She stretched her arms lazily, yawning. "Why do you think I picked you?"

    Xyenn looked at her, bewildered. "Picked me? What do you mean¡ª"

    "Oh, right! I never explained," Yuuna interrupted, her grin widening. "You¡¯re weak. Like, really weak. Born powerless. That¡¯s why you can handle this. Most people would¡¯ve exploded the moment I entered their body. But you? Nah, you¡¯ve spent your whole life being a nobody. It made your body pliable, perfect for handling my chaotic energy!" She cackled, clearly proud of her explanation. "It¡¯s like you¡¯re a blank canvas, ready for me to turn into a masterpiece."

    Xyenn blinked, his mouth hanging open. "So¡­ me being¡­ weak was an advantage.¡±

    "Yup!" Yuuna said with a sharp nod, her glasses sliding down her nose slightly. "Your body was just empty enough to handle the awesomeness that is me! You¡¯re lucky, you know. Most people would¡¯ve been paste already."

    From the bubble, Death¡¯s voice once again pierced through, deliberate and unhurried. ¡°You should thank me, mortal. I¡¯m giving you the mercy of a slow death. Not many get to experience that. At least you¡¯re fearful enough to let me do it, thank you.¡±

    SLASH!

    Xyenn groaned, burying his face in his hands. "This is insane¡­he actually thinks I¡¯m scared. I can¡¯t go out like that..that bastard. He¡¯s so dead. Super dead. He thinks he¡¯s so cool, doesn¡¯t he? Thinks he winning?¡±

    Yuuna laughed, slapping him on the back¡ªhard enough to nearly knock him over. "Haha! This rage of yours will definitely help you beat him. Now, let¡¯s go over the juicy stuff.¡±

    Without warning, Xyenn felt a burning sensation in his sides. His eyes widened as he looked down and saw two more arms sprouting from his torso, each one holding a wickedly sharp reddish-black scythe. The scythes pulsed with a dark pink glow, crackling with chaotic energy. Before he could even react, another pair of arms grew out, now wielding four scythes in total.

    Yuuna grinned smugly, her fang poking out from the corner of her mouth. "Pretty cool, huh? You can grow extra arms and wield multiple scythes at once! These bad boys can slice through anything¡ªflesh, stone, even the souls of your enemies!" She swung an imaginary scythe in the air, making a whooshing noise with her mouth. "SWOOSH! You¡¯ll be tearing people apart in no time!"

    Xyenn stared at his new arms, his brain struggling to comprehend what he was seeing. "This¡­ is actually kinda awesome¡­"

    Yuuna snapped her fingers, and Xyenn¡¯s wings suddenly wrapped around his body, cocooning him in leathery black and red. The wings began to spin, faster and faster, until Xyenn became a whirling drill of red, pink, and black flames. The heat radiating off him was intense, and he could feel the destructive energy coursing through him.

    "Oh yeah!" Yuuna cheered, pumping her fist. "You can fly, obviously, but this is where it gets really fun. You wrap yourself up in your wings, spin like a drill, and burn through anything in your path! It¡¯s like being a flaming tornado of death! You¡¯ll be all like, ZOOOOOM!" She zipped around him excitedly, mimicking the sound of a drill.

    Xyenn blinked, still spinning as the flames crackled around him. "This is¡­ actually kinda incredible¡­"

    ¡®Crazy, how just a few minutes ago I was screaming at the gods for power. And here I am with it. I doubt they heard me, but this girl right here heard me. I hope she isn¡¯t actually doing this out of pity. Then I wouldn¡¯t want the power anymore, but I can¡¯t say I hate this, because right now, I¡¯m loving it.¡¯

    Yuuna snapped her fingers again, and the draconic eye on Xyenn¡¯s forehead glowed brightly. Suddenly, more eyes appeared all over his body¡ªon his chest, arms, legs, even his back. Each eye pulsed with Yuuna¡¯s chaotic energy, glowing with an eerie reddish-pink light.

    "When I chant in the ancient draconic tongue," Yuuna said, her voice taking on a mock-serious tone, "these eyes will make your halo expand, and then, boom! Seven fireballs¡ªred, black, and pink, all swirling with super chaotic energy¡ªwill form around you. I¡¯ll take control of your body, and we¡¯ll do this super cool ancient draconic dance!" She jumped up, twirling in the air, making exaggerated dance moves. "And then, BAM! BAM! BAM! We¡¯ll shoot the fireballs one by one, obliterating anything in sight!"

    Xyenn¡¯s mouth hung open, mesmerized by the sheer power he was being given. "That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s incredible¡­"

    Yuuna puffed out her chest, grinning ear to ear. "Damn right it is!"

    Another thought bubble appeared, showing Death still hacking away at Xyenn¡¯s body, pieces of flesh and blood flying everywhere. "You¡¯re making this too easy," Death said, his voice as cold and emotionless as ever. "I expected more from a draconic vessel. Useless battle fiend. Can¡¯t even move.

    Xyenn¡¯s eye twitched again, smiling like a psycho, "Why is he still mocking me¡­? Let me at him¡­¡±

    Yuuna cackled, her laughter echoing across the pink sky. "Because you¡¯re getting your ass handed to you, that¡¯s why! Hahaha!¡±

    Before Xyenn could react, Yuuna dashed forward and kissed him square on the lips, pulling away with a cocky smile. "Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll get your chance."

    Xyenn was left flustered, his mind reeling from both the kiss and everything that had just been dumped on him.

    Yuuna, as if nothing had happened, suddenly snapped back into her mock-professor mode, adjusting her glasses dramatically. "Now, let¡¯s talk about draconic contracts."

    She cleared her throat, striking a ridiculous pose, one hand on her chin, the other gesturing grandly. "Draconic pacts with humans are super special. They resonate with your heart, soul, and bloodline. It¡¯s not just some deal where I give you power. No, no, no! It¡¯s way cooler than that!" She pointed a finger at him dramatically, her grin never fading. "Our souls are, like, intertwined* now! Your heart beats with draconic magic, and your blood¡¯s been infused with mine. That¡¯s why you can handle all this awesome power!"Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    She started pacing again, her hands waving wildly as she spoke. "But here¡¯s the kicker! If you break the contract, your heart stops! POOF! You¡¯re dead! It¡¯s a bond that¡¯s deeper than life and death! Eternal.¡± She sensually grabbed the side of his face, saying, ¡°You¡¯re mine..¡±

    Xyenn gulped, feeling the weight of her words. "Yours?"

    Yuuna smirked, crossing her arms as she tilted her head. "Yup. You¡¯re stuck with me forever, darling. But trust me, you¡¯ll want to keep me around. I¡¯m the best partner you¡¯ll ever have. Strong, beautiful, and smart. What more could you want?"

    Xyenn, still overwhelmed and flustered, could only nod slowly. "Yeah¡­ I think I¡¯m starting to realize that¡­"

    Yuuna burst out laughing, throwing her head back with wild abandon. "Hahahaha! Damn right! Now let¡¯s go out there and¡ª.¡±!

    Xyenn stood up, shaking Yuuna, ¡°Take me to him, now!¡±

    ¡°Whatever you want, I¡¯ll give you, darling.¡±

    ¡®That..was kind of hot. No, why am I thinking like this?! She¡¯s luring me with her demonic witchcraft..! I¡¯m now some lewd horndog. What if she can read my thoughts? Since we¡¯re technically ONE? I¡¯m doomed. She¡¯ll probably think I¡¯m some creep. Wait, she¡¯d be the creep for making me naked! Haha! Then whatever I think of her is justified.

    Now, back in the battle, Xyenn was back.

    Xyenn grinned wildly as his four arms snapped into action, each wielding a dark, reddish-black scythe. As if reading his mind, Yuuna''s eye flared on his chest, glowing with chaotic energy. With a sudden burst of power, Xyenn shot upward like a bullet, wings snapping open as he flipped mid-air, bringing all four scythes down in a cross-pattern aimed at Death¡¯s head and torso.

    ¡°Oh? The fiend fights back? You sure are a tough one¡ª.¡±

    ¡°Shut up!¡± Xyenn exclaimed. ¡°I¡¯m gonna kill you.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t kill Death. I am what your kind feeds, and the draconic deities fear, I am a god.¡±

    ¡°Okay, you¡¯re going overboard now.¡±

    Yuuna exclaimed, ¡°Kick his ass, Xyenn! Also, don¡¯t go overboard since this is your first fight!¡±

    ¡°Yeah yeah.¡± Xyenn replied.

    Yuuna thought, ¡®He¡¯s never tasted a hint of power, so he¡¯ll have trouble using my skills¡ª.¡¯

    Death, showing no hesitation, disappeared in a blur just as the scythes whistled through the space where his body had been. Xyenn''s blades struck the ground, pulverizing the stone beneath him in a shower of debris. No time to pause¡ªXyenn whirled around, only to find Death already behind him, scythe arcing toward his neck.

    CLANG!

    Xyenn barely managed to block with two of his scythes, sparks flying as metal clashed. The force of Death¡¯s strike was incredible, sending Xyenn skidding backward across the platform. His feet dug into the stone, grinding it to dust as he came to a halt, grinning through the blood leaking from his mouth.

    In response, Xyenn¡¯s extra arms whipped forward in a blur, scythes clashing with Death¡¯s scythe in rapid, vicious exchanges. Each blow was aimed to kill¡ªhead, throat, heart¡ªXyenn¡¯s strikes came from all directions, but Death evaded and parried each one with supernatural grace, his movements eerily fluid.

    Yuuna was shocked within Xyenn. How the hell was he using her skills so well on the first try?

    Death blurred again, his skeletal form splitting into three separate figures for a moment before recombining just as Xyenn¡¯s scythes came crashing down. The confusion gave Death an opening, and with a lightning-fast twist, his scythe slashed upward, aiming for Xyenn¡¯s midsection.

    But Xyenn, anticipating the strike, vaulted into the air, flipping backward with his wings flaring out in a flash of black and red flames. He twisted mid-flight, his tail lashing out like a whip, catching Death across the jaw with a loud crack. The blow sent Death staggering, but before Xyenn could press his advantage, Death spun low, sweeping Xyenn¡¯s legs out from under him with a fluid, almost dance-like motion.

    Xyenn crashed to the ground, but immediately rolled, avoiding Death¡¯s follow-up strike by mere inches. The scythe¡¯s blade embedded itself in the stone where his head had been, splitting the platform in two.

    ¡°You are fairly skilled, boy. But death waits on no one¡ª.¡±

    BASH!

    Xyenn rammed his knee in his face, sending him flying.

    Xyenn walked forward, chuckling, ¡°You were whipping me up pretty good before, thought you were winning. That kinda pissed me off.¡±

    ¡°Tch. You¡¯re gullible. Making a contract with a demonic dragon deity. One is withholding the salvation of the draconic gods the people worship in your world.¡±

    ¡°Does it look like I care? They abandoned me, I was beaten up over and over by those with magic tricks, embedded with draconic mana. It pisses me off just thinking about it.¡±

    Not giving Death a moment to breathe, Xyenn rocketed into the sky, eyes gleaming with draconic fire. His wings flared wide, covered in black and pink flames, and he dove like a comet, spinning rapidly with his scythes extended outward, creating a deadly vortex of spinning blades.

    Death stood his ground, his scythe held horizontally in front of him. But at the last second, Xyenn twisted mid-flight, his body veering to the side, and in a flash of movement, he extended three arms to slash at Death¡¯s back while one arm lashed out toward Death¡¯s throat.

    Death spun on his heel, narrowly ducking the throat strike, but Xyenn¡¯s other scythes struck true, ripping through Death¡¯s skeletal body in a spray of black, ethereal blood. The impact sent Death stumbling forward, but he pivoted sharply, eyes glowing with cold fury.

    With a low, guttural hiss, Death lifted his free hand, and the air around them seemed to darken as tendrils of pure darkness erupted from the ground, shooting toward Xyenn like vipers. Xyenn snarled and dodged with inhuman speed, his wings flaring as he twisted and contorted his body to avoid the grasping shadows.

    But Death anticipated his movements. With a flick of his wrist, the tendrils changed direction mid-air, catching Xyenn by the ankle and yanking him down toward the ground. The moment Xyenn¡¯s body hit the stone, Death was on him, his scythe raised high to deliver a killing blow.

    Xyenn rolled, his wings snapping around him like a cocoon, blocking the scythe¡¯s downward strike. The blade slammed into his wings, sending shockwaves through his body, but the flames that ignited along his wings burned hot enough to force Death to pull back.

    Xyenn tore free of the tendrils with a snarl, his wings snapping open as black and red flames cascaded around him. Yuuna¡¯s alien chant echoed through the battlefield, and Xyenn¡¯s halo expanded, crackling with power. Seven swirling fireballs formed around him, spinning faster and faster before launching out one by one, each one aimed directly at Death.

    Death dodged the first two fireballs with ease, his body flickering like a ghost. But Xyenn was already moving, using the fireballs as cover to launch himself forward, his body spinning into a deadly drill formation, the flames around him roaring with intensity.

    Death raised his scythe in defense, but the drill form was too fast, too powerful. Xyenn slammed into him, the impact sending both of them crashing through the platform and into the abyss below.

    As they plummeted through the air, Xyenn¡¯s scythes spun wildly, aiming for Death¡¯s exposed back. Death, even in freefall, moved with uncanny grace, twisting his body to avoid the strikes while simultaneously slashing upward with his own scythe.

    CLANG! CLANG!

    The blades collided again and again, each strike sending sparks flying through the dark void they were falling into. Xyenn snarled, slashing with all four scythes at once, aiming to slice Death into pieces. But Death vanished mid-fall, reappearing directly above Xyenn, his scythe descending in a deadly arc.

    Xyenn barely had time to react, twisting his body in mid-air to avoid a fatal strike¡ªbut not without cost. The blade carved through his shoulder, severing one of his scythes from his arm in a spray of blood.

    Xyenn smiled, his voice his own mixed in with a draconic dark echo, ¡°That felt good..¡±

    Xyenn howled in rage as they hit the ground below with bone-crushing force. The impact shattered the stone beneath them, sending cracks spiderwebbing across the platform. Despite the pain, Xyenn rolled to his feet, his wings spreading wide as blood dripped down his body.

    Death was already standing, his scythe at the ready, eyes glowing faintly. Without a word, he lunged forward, his scythe swinging in a wide, deadly arc. Xyenn ducked low, avoiding the strike, and countered with a vicious uppercut from one of his remaining scythes.

    The blade caught Death across the jaw, snapping his head back with a sickening crack. Black blood sprayed into the air, but Death didn¡¯t stop. He spun on his heel, bringing his scythe down in a brutal overhead strike aimed at Xyenn¡¯s skull.

    ¡®This brat.. He¡¯s able to fight like this as a first time vessel?! He¡¯s never even touched power before, he shouldn¡¯t even be able to use it this well..has Yuuna finally found the perfect vessel..?¡¯

    Xyenn, grinning through the blood that dripped from his mouth, brought his tail around, aiming for Death¡¯s legs. The tail, covered in jagged scales, whipped through the air with blinding speed. Death leaped into the air to avoid the strike, but Xyenn was ready.

    With a sudden burst of movement, Xyenn vaulted upward, his wings propelling him into the air alongside Death. He swung his scythes in rapid succession, each strike aimed at Death¡¯s chest and throat. Death blocked two strikes, but the third scythe caught him across the ribs, slicing deep into his skeletal form.

    Black blood poured from the wound, but Death retaliated instantly, his scythe spinning in a wide arc. Xyenn twisted in mid-air to avoid the fatal blow, but the blade still caught him across the abdomen, tearing through skin and muscle.

    Death¡¯s eyes flared with an eerie light as he raised his scythe. The blade seemed to extend, growing longer and sharper as Death slashed downward with terrifying speed. Xyenn crossed his scythes in front of him, blocking the strike, but the force of the blow sent him crashing through the stone platform below.

    Yuuna said, ¡°Xyenn¡­don¡¯t overdo it..please¡­don¡¯t want you exploding..¡±

    She thought, ¡®He¡¯s not listening, he¡¯s completely lost it! Have I killed yet another? For my own survival..? What is wrong with me¡­?¡¯

    As Xyenn closed the distance, his eyes locked onto Death''s scythe, watching for the next strike. Yuuna¡¯s eye flared again, and with a chant, his halo expanded, the energy swirling around him like a storm. His body surged with power as the seven fireballs formed once more, spinning faster and faster until they became a blur of destructive energy.

    This time, Xyenn didn¡¯t hold back. He launched all seven fireballs toward Death in rapid succession, each one exploding on impact, forcing Death to dodge with supernatural precision. But Xyenn was already there, his scythes spinning in a deadly whirlwind.

    Xyenn screamed in rage, saying with a dark echo in his tone, ¡°I cannot be beat..I won¡¯t lose..¡±

    Death parried the first strike, but Xyenn¡¯s tail whipped around, catching him across the chest and sending him crashing into the ground. Before Death could recover, Xyenn was on him, his scythes descending in a brutal flurry of blows aimed at Death¡¯s head and throat.

    Death said, ¡°You¡¯re already losing yourself in your own rage, merged with Yuna¡¯s madness. She¡¯ll have you killed like the others she used to help her survive. Because I¡¯m reality¡­she¡¯s scared of me.¡±

    With a guttural snarl, Death raised his scythe, catching Xyenn¡¯s blades just inches from his throat. The two locked eyes, their weapons grinding against each other as they pushed forward, each trying to overpower the other. Blood dripped from Xyenn¡¯s mouth, but he grinned through the pain, his eyes blazing with chaotic energy.

    Death¡¯s skeletal face remained impassive, but there was a flicker of something¡ªdetermination, or perhaps desperation¡ªin his eyes. With a sudden burst of strength, Death twisted his scythe, knocking Xyenn¡¯s blades aside and slashing upward in a vicious arc.

    The blade caught Xyenn across the chest, tearing through his scales and muscle. Blood sprayed into the air, but Xyenn didn¡¯t falter. With a roar, he slammed both of his fists into Death¡¯s chest, sending the reaper flying backward.

    The battlefield was bathed in a crimson haze, the ground shattered and scorched from the relentless clash between Xyenn and Death. Blood dripped from Xyenn¡¯s body, his breath ragged, his muscles trembling under the immense strain of Yuuna¡¯s power coursing through him. His transformation was faltering, the once vibrant flames of black, pink, and red that coated his wings were now flickering, threatening to extinguish. His extra arms had already retracted, leaving his body battered and bloodied, but his eyes¡­ they gleamed with a wild, frenzied determination.

    ¡®Xyenn¡­¡¯

    KATHOOM!

    With a deafening blast, Yuuna¡¯s presence exploded from Xyenn¡¯s body, her form manifesting in front of him¡ªethereal, draconian, her eyes wide with shock and frustration. She hovered in the air, her draconic features pulsing with energy, her voice trembling with both concern and anger.

    Yuuna exclaimed, her voice echoing in the ruined battlefield, ¡°I told you Don¡¯t push so hard! This is still your first time using my power! You¡¯re going to kill yourself! Don¡¯t overdo it¡ª!"

    Death chuckled, ¡°What is it, Yuuna? Finally feeling guilty for all the powerless fools you¡¯ve led to their death?¡±

    Xyenn stood there, hunched over, his body drenched in blood¡ªhis blood, Death¡¯s blood¡ªit was hard to tell anymore. His wings drooped, the flames dimming, and the glow from his eyes flickered like a dying ember. His chest heaved with labored breaths, but he didn¡¯t move. He only stood there, panting heavily, his fists clenched so tight that his knuckles had turned white beneath the blood.

    Yuuna¡¯s voice grew more frantic. "What do you think you¡¯re doing?!" Her draconic eyes narrowed, scanning his body, watching his frail form struggle to remain standing. "You¡¯re going to burn out! You¡¯ll die! Just please give up..

    Xyenn finally, slowly, lifted his head, his eyes locking onto Yuuna¡¯s. His gaze was intense, almost manic, but behind it, there was something deeper¡ªsomething darker. His voice, though hoarse, was steady.

    "I¡­ I know," Xyenn rasped through ragged breaths. "But you don¡¯t understand. My whole life¡­ I was powerless. I was nothing. A nobody in a world filled with gods, mages, and monsters. I had nothing. And now¡­" His breathing hitched, his face twisted into a grimace of pain, but also of desire. "Now that I¡¯ve tasted power¡­ I can¡¯t go back. I won¡¯t! I¡¯ll never lose again. Never..¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s eyes widened in horror, her voice softening. "You¡¯re insane," she whispered, her ethereal form flickering as if unsure whether to remain or retreat. "No one¡­ no one who¡¯s made a contract with me has ever pushed this far. They always ran when they realized what they were becoming. They cried, begged for mercy, or died trying to escape. But you¡­ Xyenn¡­ you¡¯re¡ª"

    ¡°Insane? Maybe. But I know what the hell it¡¯s like to want to actually live, and not die. Even when everything in the world is crashing on top of you and you feel useless. I¡¯ll make sure you don¡¯t die.¡±

    Her cheeks flushed, a subtle pink hue creeping across her ethereal face. Her thoughts raced, her mind flashing back to the countless souls that had sought her power, only to crumble under the weight of it. They always ran.** But Xyenn¡­ Xyenn kept fighting, kept pushing, even when his body was on the verge of breaking.

    "You¡¯re different."

    As Yuuna¡¯s gaze remained locked on Xyenn, a memory surged within her mind. The world of Kyrrin, a massive, celestial body floating amidst the vast expanse of the cosmos. Surrounding it, countless Draconic deities circled like titanic celestial beings, their long, sinuous forms glowing with divine energy. They were the guardians, the creators, the very essence of the world¡¯s balance.

    In their midst, The First Dragon hovered, his voice booming across the cosmos. "Every deity, no matter their nature¡ªlight or dark, creation or destruction¡ªplays a role in maintaining the balance of the world. None are without purpose, no matter how fearsome they may seem."

    His eyes, ancient and wise, scanned the gathering of deities. "But remember this: Deities cannot fall in love with humans. No matter the bond, no matter the power shared¡­ it is forbidden."

    The battlefield trembled as Death, having recovered from the chaos, now stood back to his full height. His skeletal form was battered, black blood oozing from the deep gashes that Xyenn had inflicted during their previous exchanges. His eyes, glowing with an eerie light, locked onto Xyenn with a mixture of disdain and curiosity.

    "You¡¯re a fool," Death said, his voice cold, echoing like the wind through a graveyard. "Power blinds you. It consumes you. And you will burn out like all the others before you."

    Xyenn didn¡¯t respond with words. He didn¡¯t need to. Instead, he surged forward, his wings snapping wide as he soared across the battlefield with blinding speed. His fists, now bare, crackled with the remnants of Yuuna¡¯s draconic energy. No more scythes. No more weapons.

    Just raw, brutal combat.

    Xyenn¡¯s fist* slammed into Death¡¯s chest with the force of a cannon, the impact shattering bone and sending a shockwave through the air. Death staggered but retaliated immediately, swinging his massive scythe in a wide arc aimed at Xyenn¡¯s throat.

    But Xyenn was faster.

    He ducked low, his body twisting with impossible agility as he dodged the blade, then countered by driving his knee into Death¡¯s ribs. The sound of cracking bone echoed across the battlefield as Death grunted, but before he could recover, Xyenn was already moving.

    With a wild roar, Xyenn spun, his leg lashing out in a brutal roundhouse kick that connected with Death¡¯s skull, sending the reaper careening through the air. Death landed hard, skidding across the ground, but he was quick to rise, his scythe at the ready.

    Death moved with ethereal grace, his form flickering as he **dashed forward**, his scythe slashing in a deadly arc aimed at Xyenn¡¯s midsection. Xyenn raised his arm to block, but the blade bit deep into his forearm, **blood spraying** into the air.

    Xyenn didn¡¯t flinch.

    Instead, he grabbed the scythe with his bare hand, blood dripping from between his fingers as he yanked Death forward. With a savage snarl, Xyenn brought his other fist crashing into Death¡¯s face, shattering bone and sending black blood splattering across the ground.

    Death hissed in pain, but retaliated with a brutal upward slash, tearing his scythe free and slicing across Xyenn¡¯s chest. The wound was deep, blood pouring from the gash, but Xyenn didn¡¯t stop. He couldn¡¯t stop.

    Yuuna watched, saying, ¡°No way..¡±

    With a twisted snarl, Death swung his scythe in a wide, overhead arc, the blade aimed to cleave Xyenn¡¯s skull in two. The air itself seemed to scream as the scythe descended.

    But Xyenn did the unthinkable.

    He caught the scythe with his teeth.

    CRACK!

    The blade shattered in his mouth, shards of metal flying in all directions as Xyenn bit clean through the weapon with his sharp teeth, which was still sharp even though his dragon form was dwindling and dissolving slowly. Death¡¯s eyes widened in shock, the cold mask of indifference cracking as he stumbled back, his weapon reduced to broken fragments.

    "You¡ª" Death gasped, but before he could finish, Xyenn moved.

    Xyenn¡¯s hand shot out, grabbing a jagged piece of the shattered scythe that had fallen to the ground. Without hesitation, and with a sinister smile, he stabbed the blade into Death¡¯s stomach, twisting it viciously as black blood poured from the wound.

    Death gasped, his skeletal hands grasping at Xyenn¡¯s wrist, but Xyenn only grinned. His eyes were wide, wild, and glowing with a terrifying pure white light. His smile was feral¡ªnot of joy, but of pure, unadulterated bloodlust.

    With a savage laugh, Xyenn dragged the embedded blade upward, slicing through Death¡¯s chest in a brutal, gory display. Flesh, bone, and blood ripped apart as Xyenn carved a bloody line up Death¡¯s torso, splitting him open from stomach to throat.

    The sound of tearing flesh filled the air as Xyenn reached Death¡¯s neck, then, with a final, brutal twist, he ripped the blade free, black blood spraying across the battlefield in torrents.

    Death staggered, his body torn and broken, but Xyenn wasn¡¯t done. As the remaining shards of the shattered scythe fell around them, Xyenn caught the pieces mid-air, holding them between his fingers like makeshift knives.

    And then, with a manic grin still plastered on his face, he struck.

    SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

    Xyenn¡¯s hands moved in a blur, every shard of the scythe slicing through Death¡¯s body with terrifying precision. Blood sprayed in every direction as Xyenn carved through Death¡¯s form, each strike more brutal than the last. He slashed through bone, muscle, and sinew, his hands drenched in black blood, his eyes glowing white with fury.

    Death¡¯s body convulsed with each strike, his form crumbling under the relentless assault. And finally, with one last, savage slice, Xyenn drove the final shard into Death¡¯s chest, impaling him through the heart.

    Death fell to his knees, his body broken, bleeding out onto the shattered ground.

    -

    As Xyenn stood over Death¡¯s broken, bleeding form, Yuuna watched, her heart racing in her chest.

    ¡®He didn¡¯t run. He didn¡¯t cry or beg for mercy¡­¡¯

    Instead, he had embraced it. He had fought with everything he had, even when his body was falling apart. And as she looked at him¡ªcovered in blood, his chest rising and falling with ragged breaths, his eyes still burning with that wild, unyielding determination¡ªshe couldn¡¯t help but feel something stir within her.

    Her cheeks flushed again, and for the first time in her long, immortal life, she felt¡­ something she wasn¡¯t supposed to feel.

    Xyenn was different.

    And she couldn¡¯t look away.

 Chapter 3: Primal

    The air was heavy with the aftermath of the brutal battle. Xyenn stood motionless, his chest rising and falling with ragged breaths, blood still dripping from his wounds. The shattered remains of Death¡¯s scythe lay scattered across the ground, the pieces glinting in the dim light of the domain they were trapped in. Yuuna hovered nearby, no longer ethereal, her draconic form now solid, her glowing eyes fixed on Xyenn.

    He turned slowly to her, wiping blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. His voice was hoarse but steady.

    "Now what?" Xyenn asked, his words laced with exhaustion. "How do we get out of here?"

    Yuuna, still catching her breath from the intensity of the fight, crossed her arms, her sharp nails tapping rhythmically against her forearm. Her expression softened, but her tone remained matter-of-fact.

    "It¡¯s¡­ complicated," she began, her eyes flickering toward the broken scythe. "When you died before¡ªwhen I revived you¡ªI didn¡¯t just pump you full of my blood and call it a day."

    Xyenn¡¯s brow furrowed. "Yeah, I remember waking up, but¡­"

    "Death had already taken you," Yuuna explained, her voice calm but tinged with a seriousness that Xyenn hadn¡¯t heard from her before. "The moment your soul left your body, he had it. He had the keys to your soul, so to speak. That scythe he carried? It was the link between you and him. As long as he held it, your soul was his."

    Xyenn glanced at the shattered scythe pieces on the ground, his eyes narrowing in realization.

    "So¡­ by breaking it¡­"

    Yuuna nodded. "You severed the connection. Pure luck, honestly. If I hadn¡¯t revived you when I did, there¡¯s no way you¡¯d be standing here now. You¡¯re alive because I acted in that exact moment, and because you broke the link just now. But don¡¯t get cocky¡ªit¡¯s not like I can do this again." She jabbed a sharp finger in his direction, her eyes flashing. "Next time, you die for real."

    ¡®Her tone¡­she¡¯s more serious now. When I was fighting, I definitely heard her yelling at me to slow down, but I ignored it. Wasn¡¯t gonna go out like a wuss. She¡¯s probably mad at me for it. I felt her desperation, her anxiety. Did she really care if I would¡¯ve lost or not?¡¯

    Xyenn clenched his fists, his knuckles white as the weight of her words settled in. "So, I¡¯m alive because of some cosmic timing and your blood?"

    "Pretty much," Yuuna smirked, but there was no humor in her eyes. "You¡¯re lucky as hell, but don¡¯t think that makes you invincible."

    Xyenn let out a slow breath, nodding. "And Death? What happens to him now?"

    Yuuna¡¯s smirk faded, replaced by a more somber expression. "Death can¡¯t die, not permanently. He¡¯s immortal, thanks to the First Dragon. Death is the conduit for the cycle of rebirth that powers draconic deities. Without him, the entire balance of life, death, and rebirth falls apart. He¡¯s the one who keeps the cycle going for all of us," she explained, her tone steady and logical. "So yeah, he¡¯ll rise again. He has to."

    "Great," Xyenn muttered, running a hand through his blood-matted hair. "So he¡¯s some immortal gatekeeper for your kind, huh? He¡¯ll stalk us. I¡¯ll just kill him over and over.¡±

    "Exactly," Yuuna nodded. "Without him, there would be no rebirth. Dragons, gods, and everything in between depend on him to maintain the cycle. Without him, nothing dies right. Nothing comes back right. And that includes me."

    Xyenn¡¯s head snapped toward her, eyes narrowing. "Wait¡­ you¡¯re the draconic deity of darkness, right? So if Death can¡¯t die and gets reborn, wouldn¡¯t you¡­?"

    Yuuna¡¯s smile faded, her eyes darkening as she looked away for a moment, her expression uncharacteristically vulnerable. "No. For me, it¡¯s different," she said quietly, her voice losing its usual sharpness. "I¡¯m not like the others."

    Xyenn¡¯s brow furrowed. "What does that mean?"

    "My heart," she said softly, her gaze distant, "it¡¯s permanent. There¡¯s no rebirth for me. If I die¡­ I¡¯m gone. Forever. The devourer''s heart, it came from the First Dragon himself. Though I don¡¯t have time to explain it all here right now.¡±

    Xyenn thought, ¡®She knows a lot, and right now, I want answers more than anything.¡¯

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes widened, the weight of her words sinking in. He felt a strange pang in his chest, but before he could process it, a low, raspy voice interrupted.

    "You fool¡­" Death coughed, black blood dripping from his skeletal mouth as he slowly raised his head. His body was broken, but his eyes gleamed with a malevolent light. "You think you¡¯re strong now¡­ after fusing with a draconic she-devil?"

    Xyenn¡¯s expression hardened, his fists clenched at his sides as Death¡¯s words dripped with venom.

    "You¡¯re gonna die," Death rasped, his voice growing weaker, "and guess what? She¡¯s gonna replace you¡­ just like she did the others¡ª"

    SHUNK!

    Yuuna¡¯s hand shot forward, her fingers elongated into sharp, deadly dragon claws. She stabbed Death through the chest, silencing him instantly. Black blood oozed from the wound as Death¡¯s body convulsed, his eyes wide with a mixture of shock and rage.

    "That¡¯s¡­ not true," Yuuna whispered, her voice barely audible, but the intensity behind her words was unmistakable.

    Xyenn blinked, his mind racing. "What did he mean by that?" he asked, his voice low but urgent.

    Yuuna pulled her hand free from Death¡¯s chest, her sharp claws retracting. She stood up straight, her usual mischievous smirk returning as her demeanor shifted back to her more casual self. "Eh, nothing you need to worry about! It¡¯s okay.¡±

    Xyenn thought, ¡®I feel uneasy. Got the feeling I¡¯m being used, I am actually. She¡¯s stronger when she merges with a powerless vessel like I was. Maybe using me to survive against the draconic gods hunting her? And I''m allowing it? Not against it all? I¡¯m not. I¡¯m glad I¡¯m being used, to get my revenge on those draconic bastards. Because of them, I was getting my ass kicked by magic people everyday. It was annoying. I blamed them for it. Wanted to off myself over and over. I was so alone. Now that Yuuna is here, I don¡¯t feel as alone anymore. She¡¯s alone as well in a world like this, whereas I thought the gods were against me, the gods are actually against her. I told her I¡¯d make sure she doesn¡¯t die. I do stand by it.¡¯

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes narrowed, clearly unconvinced, but before he could press further, the domain of death around them began to crack and splinter. The dark, oppressive air shattered like glass, and the world around them fell away.

    In an instant, they were standing on cold, frozen ground. The towering peaks of V?rdrheimloomed in the distance, their jagged edges cutting into the sky like the teeth of some massive beast. Snow whipped around them, but despite the freezing temperatures, Xyenn didn¡¯t feel the cold.

    Yuuna stretched her arms above her head, letting out a sigh. "Finally out of that dreary place. I¡¯m starving!"

    Xyenn blinked, still trying to process everything that had just happened. "You¡¯re hungry? Now?¡±

    Yuuna grinned, her sharp teeth glinting. "Yep! Didn¡¯t I tell you? One of the side effects of being in a contract with a dragon deity is that you get hungry. Like, all the time. So you¡¯ll start to feel it pretty quick!¡±

    Xyenn stared at her, his mind still reeling. "Seriously?!¡±

    "Oh, absolutely," Yuuna nodded enthusiastically. "You¡¯ll probably feel it soon too. It¡¯s just one of those things. You¡¯ve got my power now, so, you know, eat up while you can. There¡¯s gonna be a ton of side effects for you by the way.¡±

    ¡°Side effects?! Am I gonna explode?!¡±

    Yuuna bonked Xyenn in the head, ¡°No, bonehead brat! They¡¯re harmless, kinda.¡±

    ¡°How long will they last¡­?¡±

    ¡°A few days, tops. Don¡¯t worryyy, it¡¯ll be entertaining!¡±

    ¡°¡­Damn she-devil..¡±

    Yuuna twirled with a smile, replying, ¡°You love meeeee.¡±

    ¡°Yep. Definitely.¡±

    ¡°If you start to hate me, you¡¯re dead.¡± Yuuna said with a straight face, making Xyenn dash behind a tree in fear.

    "Right right got it," he muttered, glancing around. "I¡¯ve never been to this continent before. I don¡¯t know where anything is¡­ or the nearest town. I only came here to curse out your draconic buddies and then off myself.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s eyes lit up, and she grabbed Xyenn¡¯s hand, pulling him forward. "Don¡¯t worry about it! I¡¯ll lead the way. I¡¯ve been around here more times than I can count."

    Xyenn stumbled slightly as she tugged him along, but he couldn¡¯t help but notice something strange. The cold¡­ it didn¡¯t bother him at all. The freezing wind, the snow, none of it seemed to affect him. "Hey, I¡¯m not cold," he said, glancing at Yuuna. "Is that because of¡­ this power?"

    Yuuna grinned. "Bingo! You¡¯re a draconic vessel now. You¡¯ll find that a lot of things don¡¯t affect you the way they did before. Cold? Heat? Doesn¡¯t matter. You¡¯re tougher than humans."

    Xyenn nodded, still trying to wrap his mind around it all as they walked through the wilderness of V?rdrheim. The landscape was harsh and unforgiving, but there was a beauty to it¡ªa wild, untamed beauty that reminded him of the power that pulsed through his veins now.

    As they traveled, Yuuna started explaining the continent to him, her voice taking on a more excited tone, almost like a tour guide.

    "Alright, so, V?rdrheim!" she began, gesturing broadly to the landscape around them. "This place is massive. You¡¯ve got these J?rngardr Mountains  over there," she pointed to the towering peaks in the distance. "Those are the tallest in the world. Legend has it they¡¯re the bones of the First Dragon. Pretty cool, huh? The Dragonkin live there in their little hidden cities, doing whatever weird draconic rituals they do.¡±

    As they continued walking, they passed a broad, winding river that stretched out in front of them. The waters were dark and fast-moving, cutting through the frozen landscape like a vein of life.

    "That¡¯s the Skarvhir River," Yuuna said, her tone slightly more serious. "It¡¯s sacred to the god of water and life, V?rrun. The kingdoms around here worship it because the land¡¯s super fertile along the banks. But don¡¯t let the calm look fool you. There¡¯s some nasty stuff that lives in there. I heard there¡¯s a Leviathan lurking deep in the waters. Big, nasty thing. Eats ships like candy. Can¡¯t stop us though.¡±

    Xyenn couldn¡¯t help but smirk. "Sounds friendly."

    "Oh yeah, totally," Yuuna chuckled. "You should go for a swim sometime."

    They continued on, passing through a dense forest with towering trees that seemed to stretch endlessly into the sky. The air was thick and humid, the sunlight barely filtering through the dense canopy.

    "This is the Vargskog Woods," Yuuna explained, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. "Super creepy. The trees are ancient, and the locals say the woods are haunted by the spirits of dead gods or something. The Faeborn live here, but good luck finding them. Their villages disappear and reappear whenever they feel like it. Oh, and watch out for the Fenr¨ªr Wolves. Big, scary, glowing eyes. They¡¯ll eat you if you look at them funny."

    Some Lurked in the distance, sleeping or hunting other animals, and Xyenn quickly got closer to Yuuna.

    Xyenn scanned the dark woods, feeling a chill that had nothing to do with the cold. "Sounds¡­ fun."Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    Yuuna laughed, clearly enjoying herself. "You¡¯re gonna love it here."

    As they passed through the various regions, Xyenn couldn¡¯t help but notice the patrols of heavily armored soldiers marching through the countryside. Their armor gleamed in the dim light, and they carried swords and spears adorned with draconic symbols.

    "Those guys are the kingdom¡¯s patrols," Yuuna said, nodding toward them. "They mostly keep the peace, but they also make sure no one messes with the draconic statues you¡¯ll see around. People here are super into worshipping the deities. Like, really into it."

    Xyenn watched as a group of villagers gathered around a massive statue of a draconic god, placing offerings at its feet. "They take this worship stuff pretty seriously. I Hate them all too.¡±

    "Oh yeah," Yuuna said with a grin. "You¡¯d think they were trying to bribe the gods or something."

    ¡°They can¡¯t be bribed, right?¡±

    ¡°Hmm. You¡¯d be surprised!¡±

    Despite everything that had just happened, he found himself relaxing just a little in Yuuna¡¯s presence. Her chaotic energy, her strange sense of humor¡ªit was oddly comforting in a way he didn¡¯t expect.

    ¡®She is pretty, she surprisingly smells good, with some sort of ashy smoke scent but with some kinda charm to it, I don¡¯t know how to describe it. I¡¯ve never even been this close to a girl, nor have I been kissed by a girl. It felt amazing. I hope she does it again¡ª.¡¯

    Yuuna got in his face, ¡°You¡¯re really deep in thought, you okay?¡±

    Xyenn, flustered, staggered away, ¡°CAN YOU READ MINDS?!¡±

    Yuuna was shocked by that question, and chuckled, ¡°Hmmm? Why would you ask that?¡±

    ¡°I mean, since we¡¯re connected and all with a contract, I just wanted to know, I¡¯m curious.¡±

    Yuuna smiled with a cunning gesture, ¡°Or is it because you¡¯re having lewd thoughts about me?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry! It¡¯s an accident, it¡¯s not that bad¡ª.¡±

    Yuuna smacked Xyenn on the back hard, laughing, ¡°Hahaha! You¡¯re adorable, really.¡±

    ¡°Shut up..¡±

    ¡®I have never been intimate with a woman, and I¡¯m only 19. They all avoided me, mostly because I was avoided by some adventurers and hunters in towns because of my lack of strength, the women didn¡¯t want to be seen with me, they all sucked up to the magic people. Bastards. If I have weird thoughts of Yuuna, I can¡¯t help myself. It¡¯s like some sort of weird urge. I promise I¡¯m not a pervert or anything. Damn hormones¡­I have to try and control it.¡¯

    As they continued walking through the frozen wilderness of V?rdrheim, Xyenn couldn¡¯t help but think about everything that had been said. Death¡¯s words lingered in his mind, but he pushed them aside for now. He had power¡ªreal power¡ªand he wasn¡¯t about to lose it.

    For now, though, he wouldn¡¯t press the issue. He had more important things to worry about.

    Like not starving to death.

    And maybe, just maybe, keeping Yuuna happy.

    The cold northern air filled Xyenn¡¯s lungs as he and Yuuna approached the town nestled at the base of snow-covered hills. The town, Brimholt, was modest but bustling with life. Its stone walls stood sturdy against the harsh winds of V?rdrheim, and the buildings, made of dark timber and stone, had smoke curling from their chimneys, giving the town a feeling of warmth despite the freezing climate. The streets were lined with snow, yet the townsfolk moved about with purpose, undeterred by the cold.

    As they descended into the town, Yuuna casually waved her hand, and the dark pink jagged halo that hovered above her head ¡ª a dead giveaway of her draconic deity status ¡ª flickered and vanished.

    Xyenn raised an eyebrow. ¡°You got rid of the halo..¡±

    Yuuna glanced at him and smirked. "Oh, I just made it invisible." She tapped the top of her head with a mockingly innocent expression. "Yeah, that thing¡¯s kind of a giveaway, huh? It¡¯s in all the scholars'' books ¡ª anyone with half a brain would recognize it as the mark of the draconic deity of darkness. But without it?" She grinned mischievously. "I¡¯m just a really, really pretty girl with dragon powers. Everyone is aware of the super scary draconic demonic goddess of darkness, that halo would easily give me away.¡±

    Xyenn chuckled, shaking his head. "Right. Because you being a really pretty girl is subtle."

    ¡°Aww, did you say I was pretty?¡±

    Xyenn blushed, looking away, folding his arms, ¡°Tch. Nope.¡±

    Yuuna took in a deep breath of the cold air, her eyes gleaming with nostalgia. "Ahhh, it¡¯s good to be back after so long. This place hasn¡¯t changed a bit."

    Xyenn, on the other hand, stood there, his stomach suddenly growling loudly. His teeth began to sharpen, his pupils narrowing into thin slits, and his fingers elongated into claws. A faint but feral*red aura began to leak from his body, swirling around him like a predatory mist. His breath quickened as the hunger took hold¡ªtoo hungry.

    ¡®What¡¯s this weird feeling I¡¯m getting?! Some primal feeling?!¡¯

    Yuuna turned to him, her grin widening as she watched the transformation begin. "Oooooo, it¡¯s happening!" she teased, her voice gleeful.

    Xyenn¡¯s breath came in short, rapid bursts. His body tensed, muscles coiling like a spring ready to snap. And then, in a flash, he dashed through the town. His body became a blur as he moved with impossible speed, darting from one stall to the next.

    First, Xyenn slammed into a meat stall, the vendor barely having time to scream before Xyenn tore into the slabs of raw meat hanging from hooks. His sharp teeth sank into the flesh, ripping it apart with savage ferocity. Blood dripped from his mouth as he devoured everything in sight.

    The vendor, a portly man with a thick beard, staggered back in shock. "HEY! What the hell are you¡ª?"

    But Xyenn was gone before he could finish, already darting to the next stall.

    At the bakery, Xyenn crashed through the front door, startling the baker, a middle-aged woman dusted with flour. Xyenn¡¯s claws snatched up loaves of bread, devouring them in mere bites. Crumbs flew everywhere as he stuffed his face, his red aura flaring wildly.

    "Wha¡ªwhat are you doing?!" the baker cried, hands flailing as she tried to comprehend the madness unfolding before her.

    "HE¡¯S EATING EVERYTHING!" a child squealed from behind the counter, his eyes wide with a mix of horror and awe. "MOM, HE¡¯S LIKE A MONSTER!"

    "Stay back!" the baker shouted, trying to shield her child, but Xyenn had already moved on, leaving a trail of crumbs and chaos in his wake.

    Next, Xyenn dashed through the market, devouring fruits, vegetables, and anything edible he could get his hands on. Vendors screamed as their stalls were decimated, their carefully arranged produce reduced to scraps in seconds.

    "Who is this guy?!" one of the workers yelled as Xyenn zoomed past, biting into an apple and tossing the core over his shoulder without breaking stride.

    "Is he even human?" another vendor gasped, clutching his wares protectively.

    The entire time, Yuuna¡¯s laughter echoed through the streets, her voice filled with manic amusement as she watched Xyenn wreak havoc on the town. "Yes! That¡¯s it! Eat everything! Don¡¯t hold back!" she cheered, practically doubled over in laughter.

    Amid the chaos, the town crier stood on a wooden platform near the town square, ringing his bell loudly, trying in vain to hold the attention of the townsfolk as Xyenn¡¯s feeding frenzy continued. His voice boomed over the commotion, delivering the news of the day:

    "HEAR YE, HEAR YE! NEWS FROM ACROSS THE CONTINENT!"

    - "The Kingdom of Draugrheim has declared war on the Eastern Isles! Reports say the Draconic God of War has been seen leading the Draugrheim forces personally!"

    - "Rumors spread of The First Flame flickering in the J?rngardr Mountains! Scholars believe it could signal the return of the Old Gods!"

    - ¡°In that same area, there¡¯s been reports of loud booming and laughter, and flashes of power around the statues! What could it have been?!¡±

    - "A massive Leviathan has been spotted in the Sea of ?gi, devouring ships whole! Sailors are warned to stay clear!"

    - "In the Frostlands of Norevyr, the nomadic tribes report strange auroras in the sky, believed to be the work of the Sun God Solv¨¢r!"

    - "Locally, the Trade Guild has announced a price increase on all iron shipments due to bandit activity along the Skarvhir River!"

    But even as the crier¡¯s words reached the crowd, most people were too distracted by Xyenn¡¯s rampage to care.

    Xyenn¡¯s next target was a pub¡ªa large, wooden building with a roaring hearth and the smell of roasted meat wafting through the air.

    ¡°Mertha¡¯s Hammer¡± Is the name of it, a public tavern strictly for hunters and adventurers alike.

    He slammed through the door, his eyes wild with hunger as he scanned the room. The patrons¡ªburly hunters and warriors¡ªpaused mid-drink, their eyes narrowing as they noticed the draconic energy radiating from him.

    A large man with a thick beard and scars down his arms grunted, standing up from his seat. "Oi, look at this one." His voice was deep and gravelly. "He¡¯s a vessel."

    Another hunter, a woman with an eyepatch and a massive sword strapped to her back, cracked her knuckles. "Looks like he¡¯s got a bit of draconic blood in him. Thinks he can eat our food, eh?"

    The group of hunters all stood, their weapons drawn, their eyes glowing with the telltale signs of magic. They were warriors¡ªmercenaries who took on quests for the king, posted on notice boards scattered throughout the kingdom.

    "Think you can take our food, boy?" one of them growled, brandishing a glowing axe. "Let¡¯s see how fast you really are."

    In a flash, they charged at Xyenn, their weapons crackling with magic. But before they could land a single blow, Xyenn moved. His body blurred as he zipped around the room, dodging every attack with ease, his movements so fast they couldn¡¯t even track him.

    ¡°He¡¯s fast!¡± A hunter exclaimed.

    ¡°No shit! He¡¯s a draconic vessel!¡± Another or spat.

    ¡°Yeah but which one, is the question?!¡± An adventurer cried, guarding his food with his life.

    In the midst of the chaos, Xyenn snatched pieces of food from their plates, laughing as he ate. He zipped past a hunter¡¯s sword strike, grabbing a roasted leg of boar from the table and tearing into it mid-dodge. One of the hunters swung a massive hammer, only for Xyenn to sidestep it effortlessly, stealing a tankard of ale and downing it in one gulp.

    "You¡¯re too slow!" Xyenn jeered, his voice muffled by the food in his mouth.

    The hunters roared in frustration, their attacks becoming more desperate as Xyenn continued to devour their meals while dodging every attack with casual ease. Food was flying, tables were overturned, and the entire pub was descending into chaos.

    Finally, Xyenn reached the back of the pub, where the kitchen was located. The smell of freshly cooked food was overwhelming, and his hunger drove him forward. But as he barged into the kitchen, he was met by a towering figure holding a massive black hammer.

    Standing in front of him was a tall, muscular woman with a bob cut of fiery red hair, dark red eyes, and freckles dotting her strong features. She wore a white, intricately detailed cooking gown and had a look of pure determination on her face.

    She hefted the hammer onto her shoulder with ease, her voice deep and commanding. "Oh, I¡¯m gonna have fun crushing you, little man."

    Xyenn smirked, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Bring it, oaf."

    The woman¡¯s grin widened, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Ooooh, I¡¯m gonna enjoy this."

    Before either of them could make a move, Yuuna burst into the room, her voice excited. "Big Mertha!"

    The woman¡¯s demeanor shifted instantly. Her stoic, battle-hardened expression melted away, replaced by a cutesy, almost childlike enthusiasm. She dropped the hammer and rushed over to Yuuna, scooping her up in a bone-crushing hug.

    "Goddess!" she squealed, her voice suddenly high-pitched and bubbly. "I was about to crush your vessel¡¯s little fucking head!"

    Yuuna laughed, hugging her back. "Yeah, I figured you¡¯d try. But he¡¯s mine, so hands off, okay?"

    Mertha pouted, still holding Yuuna. "Awwww, no fun! But I¡¯m glad you¡¯re back! It¡¯s been sooooo long!"

    Xyenn, standing there with his claws still out and his teeth bared, blinked in confusion. "Give me food¡­or die.¡±

    This wasn¡¯t exactly how he expected things to go.

    Xyenn stood in the kitchen, his body still tense, his claws digging into the floor as his hunger surged once again. His red aura flared, growing wilder by the second. Despite the brief distraction with Mertha, Xyenn¡¯s feral instincts were taking over, and he could barely control himself. His stomach growled louder than ever, his muscles twitching, his teeth sharpening once more.

    Yuuna, sensing the shift in his energy, gasped dramatically, throwing both hands to her face like an actress in a poorly rehearsed play. "Oh no! Whatever shall we do?! He''s gone berserk! He won¡¯t be able to calm down unless he¡¯s full!"

    Big Mertha, catching onto the theatrics, immediately joined in, her deep voice booming with mock horror*. "We must do something! We must¡ªCOOK!" She struck a pose, her large black hammer still resting on her shoulder for extra flair.

    Xyenn, meanwhile, was too far gone to care. His laughter continued as he lunged toward the nearest pile of food, but before he could get far, Mertha whistled sharply.

    "Hold him down, My Maidens!¡±

    Suddenly, the kitchen doors burst open, and a group of Mertha¡¯s female workers rushed in, their bodies glowing with magic as they charged at Xyenn. The women, clad in aprons and wielding various cooking utensils, moved with surprising speed and precision. They tackled Xyenn, piling on top of him, their hands glowing with restraining magic as they tried to hold him in place.

    "GET OFF ME!" Xyenn roared, laughing the entire time as he struggled beneath the weight of the workers. His muscles bulged as he tried to break free, but the women held strong, their bodies infused with magical energy.

    Yuuna, seeing all the females pile on Xyenn, gave Mertha a side-eye of jealousy, saying, ¡°So they had to be all girls on top of him, huh?¡±

    One of the workers, a young woman with bright green eyes and a freckled face, giggled as she pinned one of Xyenn¡¯s arms to the floor. "Wow, he¡¯s so strong! And kinda cute, too!"

    Another worker chimed in, her voice teasing. "Yeah, I wouldn¡¯t mind getting held down by him!"

    Yuuna, who had been watching with a bemused expression, suddenly flared with jealousy, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "Excuse me?" Her voice was sweet, but her tone was murderous. "I¡¯ll burn every single one of you alive.¡±

    Mertha, ever the peacekeeper, quickly stepped between Yuuna and the workers, holding the deity back with one massive hand. "Now, now, goddess. We need them to hold him down, their bodies are amplified with a weight spell, and since he¡¯s not in his dragon form, he¡¯ll have a hard time getting up without you. You can set them on fire after we¡¯re done cooking."

    Yuuna¡¯s eye twitched, but she reluctantly nodded. "Fine. I¡¯ll burn them later."

    With Xyenn pinned down and struggling beneath the pile of giggling, complimenting workers, Mertha turned to Yuuna and the male kitchen staff. "We need to cook something big. Something that¡¯ll fill him up for a long time.¡±

    With a dramatic flourish, Yuuna snapped her fingers, and dark pink and black flames erupted from her hands, swirling around her like a storm of fire. "Let¡¯s get cooking..then we cook those whores over there.

    The workers chuckled at Yuuna, seeing how jealous she was, it amused them.

    Mertha nodded and grabbed her massive cooking tools ¡ªShe hefted a massive iron skillet over her shoulder, while the male workers brought out large slabs of mythic boar meat, laying it across a long stone table in the back of the kitchen.

    "This boar," Yuuna began explaining, her voice taking on a theatrical tone, "is no ordinary beast. It¡¯s a Frostback Boar, a creature that roams the frozen tundras of V?rdrheim. Its meat is so rich in magical essence that even a dragon vessel like Xyenn will feel full for days."

    Xyenn, still struggling beneath the pile of workers, mocked her tone between fits of laughter. "Oh, is that so, wench? Tell me more about this magical meat. I¡¯m so interested."

    Yuuna¡¯s eye twitched again, her smile becoming increasingly strained. "I swear, I¡¯m going to kill him."

    Mertha, holding back a laugh of her own, gently patted Yuuna on the back. "Now, now, let¡¯s focus on cooking before you murder your vessel."

    Yuuna¡¯s flames danced around the kitchen, heating the massive iron pots and pans with precision. Her flames didn¡¯t burn like normal fire¡ªthey moved with intention, searing the meat to perfection. The male workers chopped vegetables, stirred cauldrons, and prepped spices, all while Yuuna and Mertha took the lead.

    Mertha, her muscles bulging with every movement, slammed a massive cleaver into the boar meat, cutting it into thick, juicy slabs. "This is gonna be the finest feast this town has ever seen," she declared, her voice full of pride. ¡°Or not see.¡±

    Yuuna, flipping the meat in midair with her flames, smirked. "Damn right. He¡¯ll be so full, he won¡¯t be able to move for a week."

    They worked in perfect tandem ¡ª Mertha¡¯s brute strength and cooking expertise paired with Yuuna¡¯s magical finesse. The kitchen became a whirlwind of activity, with ingredients flying through the air, pots boiling over with rich, hearty stews, and the smell of roasted boar filling every corner of the pub.

    At one point, Yuuna launched a slab of boar meat into the air, and with a snap of her fingers, her flames grilled it mid-flight before it landed perfectly on a plate.

    Mertha grinned, not missing a beat. She grabbed a massive ladle and, with a flick of her wrist, launched a perfectly seasoned stew into a row of bowls, each landing without spilling a drop.

    As they cooked, Xyenn continued to laugh from across the room, mocking their efforts. "You two better hurry up! I¡¯m getting hungrier by the second! Wenches!¡±

    Yuuna and Mertha scoffed at Xyenn, ¡°Die, fool!¡±

    Xyenn mocked their tone, ¡°diE fOOl.¡±

    Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of cooking, the long table at the back of the kitchen was filled with an enormous spread of food. The centerpiece was the roasted Frostback Boar, its meat glistening with juices, surrounded by bowls of rich stew, roasted vegetables, and thick slices of bread.

    Mertha wiped her brow, grinning from ear to ear. "Now that¡¯s a meal."

    Yuuna, her flames finally dissipating, nodded with satisfaction. "He won¡¯t be hungry for a while after this."

    Before anyone could say anything else, Xyenn, still held down by the workers, suddenly broke free. His eyes gleamed with hunger as he dashed toward the table, his body moving faster than anyone could react.

    In a single, blurring swipe, Xyenn devoured the entire feast. His claws tore through the boar, his teeth ripping into the meat with wild abandon. The stews, the bread, the vegetables¡ªit was all gone in an instant, consumed in a flash of red energy and laughter.

    The entire room went silent. The workers, Mertha, and Yuuna stood there, mouths agape, staring at the now-empty table.

    Xyenn stood at the center of it all, licking his lips, a satisfied grin on his face. "Now that hit the spot."

    THUMP!

    Xyenn hit the floor, snoring loudly. He was asleep.

 Chapter 4: Sweet Dream

    The night was calm and bitterly cold, with the wind howling softly through the trees surrounding Mertha¡¯s small house. The wooden structure stood at the edge of the forest, a humble cabin with a sloped roof covered in snow, its windows glowing faintly from the fire within. Outside, the world was bathed in a pale blue light, the moon hanging heavy in the sky, casting long shadows on the untouched snow that stretched out for miles.

    Inside the cabin, Xyenn lay on a bed that was far too small for his large frame. His body was half off the mattress, one leg dangling precariously over the edge, and his arm thrown lazily across his face. He snored loudly, his mouth open, drool threatening to escape the corner of his lips. Every now and then, he would shift slightly, mumbling something incoherent, lost in a deep, food-induced slumber.

    Across the room, Mertha was curled up in an oversized chair, her large form spilling over the sides. She was fast asleep, her head tilted back, her mouth slightly ajar. She was muttering in her sleep, her voice low but clear in the quiet of the cabin.

    "Get out of my pub, you scumbag," she grumbled, her hands twitching as if she were gripping the handle of her hammer. "No one messes with Big Mertha... I''ll throw you out myself... right through the window if I have to..."

    She shifted in her chair, her face contorting into an expression of righteous anger. "I swear, if one more idiot orders a drink without paying, I''ll¡ª"

    Her voice trailed off into a soft snore, her body relaxing back into the chair.

    Outside, standing alone under the vast, moonlit sky, Yuuna stared up at the stars with a thoughtful, distant gaze. The wind played with her dark hair, swirling it around her face as her cloak flapped behind her in the cold breeze. She was still, her arms crossed over her chest, but there was a tension in her body¡ªa restlessness that the biting cold couldn¡¯t touch.

    Far off in the distance, beyond the snow-covered hills, she could see the faint, ghostly forms of ice covered antelopes with bluish white horns, moving gracefully across the tundra. They were creatures of legend, rarely seen by human eyes, their bodies translucent and shimmering like crystals in the moonlight. Some floated in the sky, drifting like snowflakes on the wind, while others moved along the ground with ethereal grace. Their forms were ever-changing, shifting between humanoid and animalistic shapes¡ªFrostwraiths, as they were known in the old tongue, spirits born from the ancient magic of the frozen lands.

    Yuuna watched them for a moment, her thoughts miles away. The Frostwraiths were a reminder of the world she lived in¡ªa world filled with magic, but also with loneliness. She closed her eyes, her fists clenching at her sides as memories began to flood her mind.

    She remembered the battle. The moment when she and Xyenn had fought against Deathitself. She had been so drained, her power nearly gone, her body on the verge of collapse. She had felt the cold grip of mortality for the first time in centuries, and she had been ready to face it. But Xyenn hadn¡¯t let her fall. He had fought, even with barely a fraction of her power left in him, and in his wild, reckless way, he had refused to let her die.

    "I won''t let you die."

    His words echoed in her mind, and her chest tightened. How could a human like him¡ªsomeone who had been born with no power, who had been used and discarded by the world¡ªstill find the strength to fight for someone else? They were so alike, and yet so different. She, a draconic demonic goddess of darkness, had been hunted for as long as she could remember. The other draconic deities wanted her heart. And Xyenn, powerless from birth, had been beaten down by life, his hatred for the gods burning as fiercely as her own.

    Her eyes flickered with anger, not at him, but at herself. A deep, gnawing rage that she couldn''t shake. Romance between draconic deities and humans was forbidden¡ªcursed. She knew the risks, knew the consequences, and it only made her hate herself more. She was drawn to him, despite everything. Despite knowing that she was putting him in danger just by being near him. Even if she just met him, she hadn¡¯t met anyone like him for years.

    Her voice was barely a whisper as she spoke to the empty night. "Mother. I can¡¯t keep doing this. I¡¯m a murderer. I¡¯ve killed so many... all those humans who made contracts with me. They thought I could give them power... but in the end, I just used them. I made them my weapons, my shields, and every single one of them died because of me. Fucking dead..¡±

    She clenched her fists tighter, her nails digging into her palms. "I¡¯m a failure, mother. I¡¯ve taken so many lives, and for what? To survive a little longer? To keep running from the gods who want to tear my heart out?"

    Her breath came out in a sharp exhale, visible in the cold air. "I don¡¯t want Xyenn to die. But I know..I feel like he will. The way he¡¯s so determined, it¡¯s too good to be true. They all do. And it¡¯ll be my fault. Just like it always is."

    Her voice trembled, though she fought to keep it steady. "I¡¯ve thought about ending it myself. Ending this cycle. So I can stop hurting people. But now¡­ now I can¡¯t stop thinking that maybe this time it¡¯ll be different. Maybe if I¡¯m with him, I can grow. Maybe I can change."

    She closed her eyes, her voice barely audible over the wind. "I¡¯m tired of being alone."

    Unbeknownst to her, Xyenn had woken up inside the cabin, his senses alert despite his groggy state. He had heard her voice through a small crack in the wooden wall, and though he hadn¡¯t meant to eavesdrop, he found himself wiping his tired eyes and listening to every word in stunned silence. He just listened, his heart beating a little faster at the raw emotion in her voice.

    Suddenly, Yuuna vanished, her form disappearing so quickly that Xyenn barely had time to react. His eyes widened, and before he could move, she was behind him, her voice cutting through the silence like a knife.

    "Are you stalking me?"

    Xyenn jumped, his heart pounding in his chest. Without thinking, he threw himself back onto the bed and immediately started snoring loudly, pretending to be asleep. His exaggerated snores filled the room, but they did little to hide the flush of embarrassment creeping up his neck.

    ¡®Damn she¡¯s fast!¡¯

    Yuuna tilted her head, her eyes narrowing in amusement. Slowly, she began to crawl onto the bed, her movements deliberate and sensual as she let her dragon senses take over. She leaned close, her nose brushing his neck as she sniffed him, her breath hot against his skin.

    Xyenn¡¯s body went rigid, his heart racing as he tried to maintain his fa?ade. But the heat of her breath, the closeness of her body, the way she moved over him¡ªit was too much. Her hand rubbed upwards on his chest, still softly smelling him. Xyenn gritted his teeth, trying to hold it together, but his mind was spinning. He had never been this close to anyone, let alone a draconic goddess, and his body betrayed him. Yuuna¡¯s leg and thigh crossed over his body, brushing against him as well, as she let out a small draconic growl, grinning.

    With a flustered gesture, he jumped up, unable to take the tension any longer. ¡°I¡¯m awake!"

    ¡®Did she feel it?! I hope not!¡¯¡¯ Xyenn thought with a panicked look.

    Yuuna burst into laughter, pointing at him with a wicked grin. "Hahaha! I knew it! I got you! I knew you were awake! Stalking pervert!¡±

    "Obviously! And I¡¯m not a damn stalker, psycho!" Xyenn shot back, his face still flushed as he tried to regain his composure. ¡°And you¡¯re the pervert! All up on me like that!¡±

    Yuuna shook her head, a smirk playing on her lips. "Get your sleep, you¡¯ll need it, darling."

    As she turned to leave, Xyenn instinctively **reached out** and grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks. The touch surprised her, and she froze, her back still turned to him. For a moment, neither of them moved, the air between them thick with unspoken tension.

    Yuuna slowly turned her head, her dragon-like eyes glinting in the faint light. "What is it?"

    Xyenn didn¡¯t release her wrist. He looked at her, the moonlight casting a soft glow on both their faces, illuminating the sharp angles of her features and the intensity in his eyes. "I just¡­ wanted to say thank you."

    Yuuna blinked, genuinely taken aback. "Thanks? For what?"

    Xyenn met her gaze, his voice steady but filled with something deeper. "For giving me power. I know I could die the next time we fight one of those draconic deities, but¡­ when I first felt what power was like, I felt immortal. I felt great. It reminded me of a time when I wasn¡¯t¡­ alone. When I was a kid, before my parents died. I haven¡¯t felt that way in a long time. But being around you, having your power¡­ I don¡¯t feel as alone anymore."Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

    There was a vulnerability in his words that Yuuna hadn¡¯t expected, and it made her chest tighten. She swallowed, her voice softer now. "Even though you know the risks¡­ you¡¯re not afraid of death?"

    Xyenn shrugged, his grip on her wrist loosening but not letting go. "No. I mean, I don¡¯t wanna die now, but¡­ I still wanna feel important a little longer. And killing a few gods who abandoned me and my parents? Yeah, that sounds good."

    Yuuna¡¯s lips curled into a malicious smile, her eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "Then we¡¯ll both have our fill, darling. I have a hit list of draconic deities we need to hunt down and kill. And our first target is right here, on this continent! It¡¯s perfect.¡± Yuuna rubbed her hands together with the grin of an evil villain.

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement, his voice filled with anticipation. "Here in V?rdrheim?"

    Yuuna nodded, her smile widening. "Yes. The Draconic Deity of Snow, Kragvyr. He¡¯s here, and he has a vessel in this kingdom. The King of V?rdrheim."

    Xyenn¡¯s brow furrowed as he let go of her wrist. "Who¡¯s the king?"

    Yuuna¡¯s eyes darkened, her voice low and dangerous. "His name is King Haldrek Frosthewn. And in order to kill Kragvyr, we¡¯ll need to kill him first. He¡¯s a crazy religious heretic who¡¯s obsessed with keeping the word of Kragvyr. Being his vessel, it¡¯s understandable, but he takes it wayyyyy too far.¡±

    The wind howled outside, and the moonlight cast long shadows across the room, the weight of their words hanging in the air.

    Xyenn sat on the edge of his too-small bed, his legs dangling over the side, still feeling the lingering warmth of Yuuna¡¯s wrist in his hand. The moonlight streamed in through the small window, casting long shadows on the floor, giving the room an almost ethereal, dreamlike quality.

    Yuuna stood by the door, her back to Xyenn, but he could sense the shift in her demeanor. She seemed lighter, more at ease, the tension that had gripped her earlier now replaced with something else¡ªsomething almost... manic.

    "Hey," Xyenn called out, breaking the silence as he scratched the back of his head, "I¡¯ve been meaning to ask¡­ all this talk about killing draconic deities, and these gods that rule over the land¡ªhow does it all work? The magic, the kingdoms, the gods, everything. I know I¡¯m kind of new to this whole ¡®cosmic hierarchy¡¯ thing, but I feel like I need to understand it if we¡¯re going to go around killing gods."

    ¡°Hmmmm. Why ask all of a sudden?¡±

    ¡°Cause¡¯ all of this happened all of sudden. In the blink of an eye my life changed. There¡¯s only so much I know, since I¡¯ve been asleep I¡¯ve had dreams of a bunch of dragons fighting each other. I wanna understand it all.¡±

    Yuuna turned slowly, her eyes gleaming in the moonlight. Her lips curled into a wide grin, her sharp teeth just barely visible, giving her an almost predatory look. "Fine. You want to know about the draconix gods and their little games?" Her voice was dripping with amusement, but there was an edge to it¡ªlike she was savoring the chance to explain something that made her blood boil and bubble with excitement.

    She crossed the room in a few swift steps and sat down on the bed next to him, her eyes alight with a wild enthusiasm. "Alright, alright," she began, her fingers tapping against her knee with a manic energy, "let me break it down for you, darling. But not too much, I¡¯m too tired to explain it all. And plus, if I were to explain everything, it would take me an entire year to lore dump you.¡±

    She leaned in closer, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper, though her excitement made it impossible to contain. "Every kingdom, every realm in Kyrrin, is aligned with a specific draconic god¡ªor sometimes a whole pantheon of them. These gods? The more followers they have, the more powerful they become. So, they lavish their chosen lands with all sorts of gifts¡ªfertile crops, military strength, even control over the elements. Think about it¡ªone kingdom might have the best warriors in the world, while another has crops that never fail, no matter the season. It¡¯s all because of the gods they worship."

    Xyenn blinked. "So, worship equals power?"

    "Yes," Yuuna said, her voice taking on an almost sing-song quality, "but it¡¯s not just power for the mortals. The gods get power from it too. The more devotion they receive, the stronger their connection to the mortal world becomes. And trust me," she leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a near whisper, "they¡¯re addicted to it. They crave it. Worship is like a drug to them, and they¡¯ll do anything to keep their followers hooked. But you know that they die without the worship anyway. They¡¯ll do anything to command it. Even if it means going to genocidal terms. The bastards..¡±

    Xyenn whistled softly. "That¡¯s... brutal."

    Yuuna let out a sharp laugh. "Brutal? That¡¯s an understatement. It¡¯s manipulation on a cosmic scale. The gods pretend they¡¯re doing it out of benevolence, but really, it¡¯s all just a way to keep control. They make sure you know that without them, you¡¯re nothing. And the mortals? They fall in line, every time. Well, sometimes. Then those gods die and then boom! Reborn!¡±

    She stood up, pacing now, her excitement palpable. "And the magic? Oh, the magic! That¡¯s where it gets really interesting." She spun on her heel to face him, her eyes wide with an almost manic energy. "Magic in Kyrrin isn¡¯t just some arcane force that people pull out of thin air. No, no, no. It¡¯s much more primal than that. Magic is the breath of the dragons. The lingering essence of the Primordials. Draconic mana. The magic you begged the gods for.¡±

    Xyenn leaned forward, intrigued. "The Primordials?"

    Yuuna nodded, her grin growing wider. "Yes, the First Beings. When the First Dragon died, its essence didn¡¯t just fade away. It fractured, split into the gods themselves. They¡¯re all pieces of the First Dragon, each one representing a fragment of its power. But the breath¡ªthat raw, primordial energy¡ªit still flows through the world. It¡¯s in the air we breathe, in the ground we walk on. It¡¯s the source of all magic.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes widened. "Oh yeah, I knew that.¡±

    ¡®I didn¡¯t know ALL of that, I knew power came from the dragons, but not in that way.¡¯

    "Exactly!" Yuuna said, clapping her hands together with a manic glee. "It¡¯s all tied to the divine order and the natural world. When people use magic, they¡¯re tapping into the remnants of that dragon¡¯s breath. But it¡¯s not just a tool to be wielded like a sword or a hammer. Magic is alive. It has its own will, its own desires. It¡¯s tied to the gods and the land, and it must be respected¡ª. That¡¯s the law of the First Dragon. A Law we even have to abide by.¡±

    Yuuna said, her voice practically vibrating with excitement. "And that¡¯s not even the worst part. Every miracle, every blessing, every little bit of divine magic comes with a price. The gods don¡¯t just hand out power for free. They demand something in return¡ªsacrifices. Time, devotion, sometimes even life force. If a cleric wants to cast a powerful spell, they might have to offer up something precious¡ªa beloved animal, a child, or even their own life. It¡¯s all about balance. The gods give, but they also take. And if you don¡¯t give them what they want? Well¡­ let¡¯s just say they can be very creative in how they punish disobedience.¡±

    ¡°And those fuckers use that to demand more worship so they don¡¯t die and get reborn? Makes me sick.¡±

    ¡®Yeah, now they really have to go. I knew they were crazy, but not that crazy. People are worse off than me, and here I was thinking I was the most cursed 19 year old in this forsaken world.¡¯

    Xyenn sat back, his mind spinning with everything she was telling him. "So, the gods are basically holding everyone hostage with their power. Worship me, or everything you love gets destroyed."

    "Yep!" Yuuna said, her face lighting up with a manic grin. "It¡¯s a finely-tuned system of control, and the gods are masters at it. They keep the mortals desperate, always needing more, always afraid of losing the blessings they¡¯ve been given. It¡¯s a game, and the mortals are nothing but pawns. They want to live, afraid of death. Imagine building up good memories with your people that worship you, then

    She took a deep breath, her energy still palpable as she continued. "And you know what¡¯s even more fun? The weather? The seasons? All of it is in sync with the miracles the draconic deities perform. Every gust of wind, every storm, every drought¡ªit¡¯s all tied to the whims of the gods. They control the elements, and they use it to remind everyone who¡¯s really in charge. If a kingdom pleases their god, they might get warm summers, gentle rains, and bountiful harvests.¡±

    Xyenn shook his head in disbelief. ¡°The gods literally control everything. The land, the weather, the magic¡­ all of it."

    "Yes," Yuuna said, her voice now a soft, almost melodic whisper. "And that¡¯s why we¡¯re going to tear them down. Bite their heads off and devour them One by one."

    ¡°Also!¡± Xyenn just remembered something.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Since you¡¯re different from all the other draconic deities, what happens to them after you devour them? After we kill them?¡±

    ¡°With my devourer''s heart, it eats anything. Once they die, after I devour them, it devours their entire being. They won¡¯t be coming back, no rebirth for them.¡±

    ¡°Why is that¡ª?!¡±

    ¡°Ooooookey! Enough lore dump!¡± She turned toward the door, her hand resting on the wooden frame, but before she left, she glanced back at him, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Get some sleep, darling. You¡¯ll need it."

    Xyenn blinked, still processing everything she had just told him. "Wait, we''re just going to bed after all that? You can¡¯t just drop a whole world-shattering explanation of magic and gods and then¡ª"

    But Yuuna was already opening the door, her grin widening. "Goodnight, Xyenn," she sang playfully, and before he could protest further, she shut the door with a soft click, leaving him alone in the dimly lit cabin.

    Xyenn stared at the closed door for a moment, then let out a long, slow breath. His mind was spinning, trying to piece everything together. The gods, the magic, the constant competition¡ªit was all so far beyond anything he had ever imagined. But one thing was clear: the world was a far more dangerous and complicated place than he had realized.

    He lay back on the bed, staring up at the wooden beams of the ceiling. His thoughts kept drifting back to Yuuna¡¯s words, the way her eyes had gleamed with excitement as she spoke. There was something about her¡ªsomething wild and untamed, like the magic she had described. And despite everything, despite the danger that lay ahead, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a thrill of anticipation.

    ¡®Will I survive this?¡¯

    The morning sun peeked through the frost-covered windows of Mertha¡¯s small house, casting a soft glow over the snow-covered landscape outside. Inside, the warmth of the fire still lingered from the night before, but the house was otherwise quiet. Xyenn was fast asleep, sprawled across the bed, his blankets tangled around him in a mess of restless tossing. Dark circles hung under his eyes, a clear sign of his troubled sleep, no doubt plagued by the lingering thoughts of the previous night.

    Suddenly, the door to his room burst open with a loud crash, the wooden hinges groaning in protest. Mertha¡¯s booming voice filled the small space.

    ¡°Wakey wakey!¡±

    Xyenn shot up like he¡¯d been struck by lightning, his eyes wide with panic, his heart racing in his chest. "AGH!" he screamed, clutching the blanket to his chest like a shield as he stared at Mertha with sheer terror. "What do you want?!"

    Mertha stood in the doorway, grinning like a predator about to pounce on its prey. Her massive frame blocked most of the light coming in from the hall, her presence almost suffocating. She smashed her fists together with a loud crack, her grin widening as she darted forward with surprising speed.

    Before Xyenn could react, Mertha''s fist connected with his face in a single, brutal punch. The impact sent him flying through the wall of the cabin with a splintering crash, his body careening into the snow outside. The cold hit him all at once as he lay there, dazed, blood trickling from a gash on his forehead.

    He groaned, struggling to his feet, his vision swimming slightly as he held a hand to his head. "What¡¯s your issue?!" he shouted through gritted teeth, wiping the blood from his eyes. "Where¡¯s Yuuna? You waited until she left to become a traitor?¡±

    Mertha stood in the hole she had just made, chuckling to herself as she dusted off her hands, clearly proud of her handiwork. "Yuuna told me to get you in shape before she comes back," she said, her voice filled with amusement. "In order to survive in a world of gods and vessels, you need to be able to kill even if she isn¡¯t around. I¡¯m gonna make a warrior outta you, brat!"

    Xyenn scowled, his fists clenching as he stood up fully, shaking off the snow. "Where is Yuuna?" he demanded again, a hint of desperation creeping into his voice.

    Mertha crossed her arms, her grin never faltering. "You pass each step of your training, and I¡¯ll answer all your questions," she promised.

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes narrowed at the challenge, his teeth grinding together as his frustration grew. His fists tightened, the air around him shifting as he focused. "This really isn¡¯t a fair fight, you know," he growled. "I¡¯m super duper strong when I¡¯m merged with Yuuna."

    Mertha laughed, her voice booming across the snowy yard. "Damn right you are. If you were merged with Yuuna, I wouldn¡¯t stand a chance." She took a step forward, her massive form casting a long shadow over Xyenn. "But ya gonna stop making excuses now, or are you gonna attack¡ª"

    Before she could finish her sentence, FWOOSH!

    In the blink of an eye, Xyenn moved, his pupils thinning into slits as he dashed forward with a speed that caught even Mertha off guard.

    Mertha¡¯s grin faltered slightly as she raised her arm to block the incoming punch, but just as his fist was about to connect, Xyenn vanished. Her eyes widened in surprise as she felt the air shift behind her.

    "What the¡ª"

    **WHAM!**

    Xyenn appeared behind her in a flash, twisting mid-air and delivering a brutal sideways roundhouse kick to the side of her face. The impact was loud, a shockwave exploding from the point of contact and sending the snow around them flying in all directions, leaving a crater in the ground beneath their feet.

    But Mertha didn¡¯t budge.

    Xyenn landed gracefully, his eyes wide with shock as he stared at her. "What the hell...?!"

    Mertha slowly turned her head, her grin returning as she brought a hand up to her ear, wiping away a small trickle of blood. "You hit me good," she said, her voice filled with excitement. Her eyes gleamed with a wild, almost predatory look. "Let¡¯s keep going!"

    Xyenn gritted his teeth, his heart pounding in his chest as he prepared for whatever came next. He could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins, but for the first time, he realized just how much further he had to go if he was going to survive in this world of gods, vessels, and impossible power.

 Chapter 5: Training Day

    Xyenn wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand and glared at Mertha, who stood across the snowy battlefield, grinning like a beast ready to devour its prey. The wind howled around them, whipping the snow into swirling eddies, but the cold was the least of Xyenn¡¯s concerns. His body ached from the earlier blow, but he couldn¡¯t afford to show weakness. Not now.

    Mertha¡¯s grin widened, her fists clenched tightly, each knuckle cracking under the pressure. ¡°Come on, brat! Show me what you¡¯ve got!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s pupils narrowed into thin slits, his senses sharp as a blade. He could feel the energy pulsing through his veins, but without Yuuna''s power fully merged with his, he knew he was at a disadvantage. He had to be smart. He had to be fast.

    Without another word, he lunged forward, the snow beneath his feet exploding into the air as he closed the distance between them in a blink. His right fist shot forward in a tight arc, aiming for Mertha¡¯s ribs. But just as his knuckles were about to collide¡ª

    WHAM!

    Mertha¡¯s forearm came up to block, her movements deceptively fast for someone of her size. The force of the block sent a shockwave through Xyenn''s arm, numbing his fist. He gritted his teeth, pivoting on his heel as he spun into a high roundhouse kick aimed at her temple. His leg cut through the air like a whip, the sound of the wind hissing with the velocity behind the strike.

    ¡®Keep attacking, don¡¯t even stop for a second! She¡¯s stronger, but I¡¯m faster. Ever since I¡¯ve made that contract with Yuuna, my body went through significant changes and all that good stuff. I¡¯ve been a little stronger, faster, and my teeth are permanently sharp. I can feel her power burning in my soul and my heart, LITERALLY its fucking hot to the point where it hurts sometimes, my body still has to get used to this change.¡¯

    But Mertha ducked, her grin never faltering. As Xyenn¡¯s kick sailed over her head, she planted her feet firmly in the snow and swung her massive fist upward in a vicious uppercut aimed at his exposed ribs.

    CRACK!

    The blow connected with a sickening crunch, lifting Xyenn off his feet and sending him flying backward through the air. He crashed into the ground, skidding across the snow and leaving a deep trench in his wake. Blood sprayed from his mouth, staining the white snow crimson as he struggled to his feet, clutching his side.

    ¡®Shit, she''s too strong¡­¡¯ thought, his mind racing as he gasped for breath. ¡®I can¡¯t go toe to toe with her like this. Not without Yuuna¡¯s power fully backing me up. Enough with those idiotic relentless attacks. I thought I was a badass for a second.¡¯

    He wiped the blood from his lips and narrowed his eyes, watching Mertha as she cracked her neck, rolling her shoulders casually as if she hadn¡¯t just sent him flying with a single punch. Her strength was monstrous, and Xyenn knew he had to be smarter. He couldn¡¯t match her in raw power, but maybe he didn¡¯t have to.

    ¡®Her size¡­ it¡¯s her strength, but it¡¯s also her weakness.¡¯ His mind worked quickly, analyzing her stance, her movements. ¡®She¡¯s fast, but not fast enough to keep up with me if I push my speed. And her attacks are wide¡ªshe¡¯s relying on brute strength. I need to stay inside her reach, where she can¡¯t use those heavy swings to their full potential.¡¯

    Mertha¡¯s grin faded slightly as she noticed Xyenn¡¯s change in posture, his stance lowering, more controlled. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, brat? You gonna stand there all day?¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s mouth curved into a small smirk. ¡°Not a chance.¡±

    He vanished.

    In a blur of motion, Xyenn reappeared directly in front of her, his body low to the ground as he threw a rapid series of jabs aimed at her midsection. His fists were a blur, each strike landing with precision, hammering into her ribs and abdomen. Mertha¡¯s eyes widened slightly, the force of the blows jolting through her body, but she didn¡¯t stagger. She gritted her teeth, raising her arms to block, but Xyenn was already moving.

    He spun to her side, throwing a sharp elbow strike toward her jaw, but Mertha ducked just in time, her fist swinging out in a wide arc to counter. Xyenn saw it coming, his reflexes kicking in as he flipped backward, narrowly avoiding the crushing blow.

    "She¡¯s adapting¡­" Xyenn realized, landing lightly on his feet. ¡°I¡¯ve got to keep her off balance."

    Mertha chuckled, ¡°I see you¡¯re being super cautious with a brute like me, don¡¯t get pummeled now!¡±

    ¡®This kid..Yuuna chose the right vessel. He¡¯s able to adapt like me, keeping his double sometimes. He first thought he could just relentlessly attack without giving me a chance to breathe, then realized that wouldn¡¯t work because of my adaptability and toughness. Guess he¡¯s not such a bonehead. He still hasn¡¯t figured out I¡¯m able to reverse damage done to me, and make myself stronger from it. Should I tell him that? Nah, that¡¯ll be dumb. Most enemies he will run into won¡¯t just explain their abilities like idiots to the person that¡¯s trying to beat them. Yuuna wants Xyenn prepared, and I¡¯m here to take care of that task. I won¡¯t let her down.¡¯

    Before Mertha could recover, Xyenn dashed forward again, this time feinting a punch to her face. Mertha raised her arms to block, but Xyenn twisted mid-air, his leg flashing out in a powerful spinning heel kick aimed at her exposed side.

    ¡°Got you!"

    BOOM!

    His foot connected, the impact creating a shockwave that sent snow flying in all directions. But as the snow cleared, Xyenn¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. Mertha hadn¡¯t moved. The blow had landed clean, but she stood firm, her body unyielding as if made of steel.

    Mertha grinned, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. ¡°Nice hit, brat. But you¡¯re gonna have to try harder than that. If Yuuna was here, you¡¯d be going a lot harder wouldn¡¯t you? Lover boy!¡±

    ¡°L-Lover boy?! I never said I loved her or anything!¡±

    ¡°Ohhh please! I see the way you two look at each other. And honestly, I¡¯ve never seen Yuuna flustered at a human.¡±

    ¡°How do you even know her?!¡±

    Mertha didn¡¯t answer.

    Before Xyenn could react, Mertha¡¯s fist shot out like a cannon, slamming directly into his chest.

    ¡°GUH!¡±

    The force of the punch was like being hit by a freight train. Xyenn¡¯s body bent around her fist, his ribs creaking under the pressure as he was launched backward again, crashing into the ground with enough force to leave a crater in the snow. He coughed, blood splattering onto the white surface beneath him as he struggled to breathe.

    "Dammit¡­ her power¡­ it¡¯s insane¡­" Xyenn¡¯s pain raced, his chest heaving as he forced himself to stand. "I can¡¯t keep taking hits like that¡­ I¡¯ve got to find an opening. There¡¯s got to be a weak point¡­"

    ¡®There¡¯s gotta be something! I told Death himself I wouldn¡¯t lose to anyone ever again. I won¡¯t lie to myself. My whole life was a lie, the world telling me I¡¯m not shit. Until Yuuna came, I¡¯m someone now. I¡¯ll beat this big muscular overpowered oaf!¡¯

    As he wiped the blood from his lips, he noticed something. Mertha¡¯s stance had shifted slightly. Her right arm was hanging just a little lower than before, as if she was favoring it.

    "Her right arm¡­ she¡¯s been using it to block most of my hits. I¡¯ve damaged it."

    It wasn¡¯t much, but it was something. A crack in her otherwise impenetrable defense.

    He took a deep breath, steeling himself. "I¡¯ve got one shot at this."

    Mertha¡¯s eyes gleamed as she noticed his resolve. ¡°So you¡¯re not giving up? Good. I was starting to get bored. Your blood has been replaced with Yuuna¡¯s blood, use your new upgraded body to win, brat! I¡¯ll get serious then, let¡¯s push you to that limit. I¡¯ll use 30%.¡±

    Suddenly, a spiral jagged dark pink halo formed over Mertha¡¯s head, glowing ominously in the morning light. Xyenn¡¯s eyes widened, his heart skipping a beat.

    ¡°What the hell is that¡ª?"

    ¡®It¡¯s the same halo as Yuuna¡¯s! I don¡¯t know why she has that, but no way this is just her being 30% power! I¡¯m fucking doomed! Yuuna..¡¯

    Before he could finish the thought, Mertha moved. Her speed had increased tenfold, her body a blur of motion as she charged at him with terrifying speed. Xyenn barely had time to react, throwing himself to the side as her fist smashed into the ground where he had been standing.

    BOOM!

    The earth exploded beneath her fist, sending chunks of rock and snow flying into the air. Xyenn rolled to his feet, his heart pounding in his chest as he dodged another punch¡ªthis one coming within inches of his face. The sheer force of the blow sent a gust of wind past him, and he could feel the ground tremble beneath his feet.

    ¡®Dammit, she¡¯s even faster now!¡¯ Xyenn thought, his mind racing as he tried to keep up with her relentless assault. ¡®I¡¯ve got to stay one step ahead, or I¡¯m dead!¡¯

    But Mertha wasn¡¯t giving him any room to breathe. She was on him in an instant, her fists a blur of motion as she launched a devastating combination of punches. Xyenn ducked and weaved, barely managing to avoid the blows, but the sheer force behind each punch was enough to shake the ground beneath them.

    ¡®I just called out to Yuuna earlier, I can''t expect her to save me at the last minute. I look like a wuss right now. No more calling for help.¡¯

    "Gotta find that weak point¡­ her right arm¡­ there!"

    Seizing the moment, Xyenn ducked under a wide swing and drove his elbow into the crook of Mertha¡¯s injured arm. The blow connected with a satisfying crack, and Mertha let out a grunt of pain, her arm dropping slightly.

    "Now!"

    Xyenn spun, delivering a powerful roundhouse kick to her exposed side, followed by a lightning-fast uppercut to her jaw. The impact sent blood spraying from Mertha¡¯s mouth, but she didn¡¯t fall. Instead, she grinned, wiping the blood with the back of her hand.

    ¡°You¡¯re better than I thought, brat,¡± she growled, her voice low and dangerous. ¡°But I¡¯m just getting warmed up.¡±

    ¡°Stop saying that! You¡¯re scaring me!¡±

    ¡°Haha! I haven¡¯t had this fun in a while!¡¯

    With a roar, she grabbed Xyenn¡¯s arm before he could retreat and slammed him into the ground with bone-shattering force. The earth cracked beneath him as the air was driven from his lungs, pain shooting through his body like fire. He gasped, struggling to breathe as Mertha loomed over him, her fists raised for the finishing blow.

    But Xyenn¡¯s mind was still working, even through the pain.

    ¡®¡­.This is so annoying.¡¯

    As Mertha¡¯s fists came down, Xyenn twisted his body at the last second, narrowly avoiding the blow and kicking off the ground with all his strength. He shot upward, his fist glowing with a dark pink hue as he aimed for her injured arm once more.

    His punch connected with a thunderous boom, and for the first time, Mertha staggered. Her right arm dropped to her side, useless.

    But even with her injury, she was far from finished.

    Mertha grinned through the blood, her eyes gleaming with excitement. ¡°Not bad¡­ but let¡¯s see how you handle this!¡±

    With a roar, she charged forward, her fists swinging wildly as the battle raged on, the snowy landscape around them torn apart by the sheer force of their blows.

    The wind howled through the snowy terrain, carrying with it the sharp scent of blood. Xyenn and Mertha stood in the middle of the battlefield, their bodies battered, bruised, and covered in crimson. The once-pristine snow was stained with streaks of red, the ground beneath them torn apart by the sheer force of their battle. Both were breathing heavily, their clothes torn, and their skin bruised and bloodied from the relentless exchange of blows.

    Xyenn wiped the blood from his mouth with trembling fingers, his teeth bared in a feral grin. His body screamed in protest, every muscle aching from the punishment he had endured, but his mind was still racing, still planning. He had landed a few solid hits, but Mertha was a beast¡ªan unstoppable force that seemed to only get more excited the harder he fought.

    Mertha chuckled, her breath visible in the cold air. Her right arm hung limply at her side, the injury Xyenn had inflicted earlier still present, but she didn¡¯t seem to care. If anything, it only seemed to fuel her excitement. ¡°You¡¯re not bad, kid,¡± she growled, blood dripping from her split lip. ¡°But you¡¯re gonna need more than a few fancy moves to put me down.¡±This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Xyenn¡¯s mind whirred, analyzing everything. ¡®Her right arm¡¯s shot. That¡¯s my only advantage. But she¡¯s still fast and strong, and I can¡¯t take too many more hits. I need to use the terrain, find a way to trap her. If I can exploit her injury, maybe I can create an opening.¡¯

    His eyes darted around the battlefield, taking in the uneven ground, the trenches they had carved into the snow with their brutal fight. ¡°The snow¡­ it¡¯s deep enough to slow her movements, but not mine. If I can get her to commit to a heavy attack, I can use her momentum against her!¡±

    Mertha¡¯s grin widened as she saw the flicker of strategy in Xyenn¡¯s eyes. ¡°What are you scheming now, brat?¡± She stomped forward, her boots crunching through the snow, each step heavy and deliberate. ¡°Do you WANT me to pull out my hammer?!¡±

    ¡°Noooo! No! That¡¯s overkill!¡±

    Xyenn darted backward, moving quickly through the snow, his feet barely making a sound as he led her toward a deeper patch. He kept his distance, baiting her with quick feints, forcing her to move toward him.

    ¡°Running away now, are we?¡± Mertha taunted, her voice a low growl as she charged forward, her fist raised for a massive punch.

    ¡®Now..!¡¯

    Xyenn thought, his heart pounding as he saw her commit to the attack. At the last possible second, he dodged to the side, letting her fist slam into the ground. The impact was seismic, sending a shockwave through the snow, but just as Xyenn had predicted, the snow beneath Mertha collapsed into a deep trench, trapping her legs for a split second.

    It was all the time he needed.

    Xyenn moved like lightning, his body a flash as he darted in close, his fist glowing with energy. He launched a rapid combination of punches and elbows, targeting Mertha¡¯s injured right side. Each blow landed with precision, jarring her body with sickening thuds. Blood sprayed from her mouth as her body jerked violently with each impact, but Xyenn didn¡¯t stop. He spun, delivering a savage kick to the back of her knee, forcing her down to one knee.

    Mertha gasped, her breath ragged, her body quaking from the punishment. She was down.

    Xyenn stood over her, panting heavily, his chest heaving with exertion. Blood dripped from his knuckles, his entire body trembling with adrenaline.

    ¡®Did I do it?! I really did it?!¡¯

    But as he looked down at Mertha¡¯s beaten form, something in his mind shifted.

    Suddenly, his vision blurred, and a flood of violent, brutal memories surged through his mind. Images of dragons tearing each other apart in the air, their massive bodies coated in blood as they ripped into each other with claws and fangs. He saw Yuuna, her demonic form drenched in gore as she slaughtered dragons and soldiers alike, their armor shattering under her claws. And then, the most horrifying image of all¡ªhimself, standing in a field of fire, surrounded by the bodies of draconic deities with large wings and glowing halos in a fiery red sky. He saw himself dying, torn apart by their divine power.

    ¡®It¡¯s not real..! What is this?! It¡¯s similar to that dream last night..¡¯

    Xyenn¡¯s heart pounded in his chest, his breath coming in ragged gasps as the memories consumed him. His eyes glazed over, and a malicious smile spread across his face, twisted and unnatural. Blood and drool began to pour from his mouth, foam gathering at the corners of his lips as he reached down toward Mertha, his fingers growing sharp, his nails like claws.

    A single black wing sprouted from his back, unfurling with a grotesque crack. His body trembled with a dark, primal energy, his mind lost in the violence of the memories. He wanted to kill. He wanted to tear her apart.

    ¡°What the hell¡­ am I doing?¡± Xyenn¡¯s thoughts screamed at him, but his body wasn¡¯t listening. His hand reached down, aiming for Mertha¡¯s throat, his fingers twitching with the desire to tear, to rip.

    But just as his claws were about to sink into her flesh¡ª

    WHAM!

    Mertha vanished in a zip of speed, her body reappearing behind Xyenn in an instant. Before he could react, her massive hand grabbed his face, her fingers digging into his skull with terrifying strength. ¡°Snap out of it, brat!¡± she roared.

    And then, with a brutal swing, she slammed him into the ground, the impact so powerful that the earth beneath them cracked, sending chunks of snow and debris flying. Xyenn¡¯s body hit the ground with a sickening thud, his breath knocked from his lungs as pain exploded through his back.

    He lay there, gasping for air, his entire body throbbing with agony. His vision swam, the memories fading from his mind as reality set back in. What¡­ was that? He could barely move, his muscles refusing to obey him as he stared up at the sky, his breaths coming in sharp, ragged gasps.

    Mertha stood over him, her jagged pink halo slowly fading from existence. She knelt down, her expression more serious now, her usual grin replaced by something resembling concern. Without a word, she reached down and grabbed Xyenn by the arm, hoisting him up effortlessly. She threw him over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes, his limp body hanging there as he groaned in pain.

    Mertha thought, ¡®Another side effect on his contract happened. Yuuna¡¯s memories made him go berserker, like she was years ago. What else did he see?¡¯

    ¡°You¡¯re a piece of work, you know that?¡± Mertha said, her voice lightening as she began to walk back toward the cabin. ¡°But ya did good, brat. Real good. You¡¯ll be a fine god assassin.¡±

    Xyenn, still barely conscious, let out a weak laugh, his voice slurring as if he were half-dead. ¡°Y-you¡¯re¡­ so strong¡­ it¡¯s almost¡­ not fair¡­¡± he muttered, his head lolling to the side. ¡°You sure you¡¯re not¡­ cheating or something¡­?¡±

    Mertha chuckled, her grin returning as she adjusted Xyenn¡¯s weight on her broad muscular shoulders. ¡°Oh, shut up. You¡¯re just weak. We¡¯ll fix that. You¡¯re not as bad as I thought though. The fact that you kept up with men is INSANE.¡±

    Xyenn let out a small groan, his voice barely more than a whisper. ¡°Yeah¡­ yeah¡­ sure¡­ whatever you say¡­oaf¡±

    Mertha snorted, entertained by his delirious ramblings. ¡°Oaf? You¡¯ve got a mouth on you even when you¡¯re half-dead, don¡¯t ya?¡±

    ¡°Yep¡­¡±

    ¡®What were those visions..? I hope it doesn¡¯t happen again. That was traumatic. It felt so real..¡¯

    They reached the cabin, the door creaking open as Mertha carried him inside like a rag doll. The warmth of the fire hit them immediately, the contrast to the biting cold outside almost overwhelming. Mertha tossed Xyenn onto a chair at the table, where a large bowl of raw meat sat steaming.

    Xyenn¡¯s body was now covered in wraps and bandages, one tightly secured around his forehead, and several around his torso, his shirt discarded somewhere during the battle. He looked like a mummy that had been chewed up and spit out by a wild animal, but at least he was alive.

    Mertha sat down across from him, shoveling raw meat into her mouth with a satisfied grin. ¡°Eat up, you¡¯ll need it. We¡¯re not done yet.¡±

    Xyenn stared at the bowl in front of him, his face pale as he poked at the raw meat with a fork. ¡°Yeah, love it when my food¡¯s still bleeding,¡± he muttered sarcastically, his voice still weak.

    Mertha laughed, slapping the table hard enough to make the bowl jump. ¡°Raw meat is what dragons snack on! And since you¡¯re becoming one, you gotta get used to this life!¡±

    ¡°Am I..gonna turn into a dragon?!¡± Xyenn exclaimed, leaning over the table.

    ¡°Hmmm, maybe!¡±

    ¡°Oh no..¡±

    ¡°Now then, any questions?¡±

    ¡°W-.¡±

    ¡°Only one question. So choose wisely. The next test you pass, you can get another question, getting two next time.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not fair.¡± Xyenn pouted.

    ¡®What is the best question to ask right now? I have other chances to ask, if I survive them till next time.¡¯

    Xyenn let out a deep breath, and asked, ¡°Who are you?¡±

    Mertha grinned, ¡°Hmm.¡±

    ¡®Good first question.¡¯

    Mertha continued, ¡°My real name is Gurda, of the Velhonen Clan. I was the leader of that clan, full of mercenaries for hire, we were kind of nomadic, we were under the guidance of the draconic god of war, Andramaken. There were other clans under him, but were specialized in martial arts while others specialized in other types of war magic. Our toughness was superior to them though, we stayed away from capitals, towns, and the outside world. Not until we were able to grow our clan into a larger group, to where we would be able to build our kingdom from the ground up.¡±

    ¡°Why mercenaries?¡±

    ¡°We were good at what we did, combat. War. We were hired by other kingdoms to help them out in battle, because of our accomplishments, we were planning to save up resources and coin to create our own kingdom. At first, being nomadic meant to stay outside the public, but seeing how dangerous it was being out there, having our own kingdom would be safer for us ... .for the children. Where we were, we were outside the borders of the Skjoldar continent, the central lands. Wars between two kingdoms and their draconic gods happened rapidly around that time. We kept moving and moving, war followed us. For our clan''s safety, a kingdom to house us was our only way.¡±

    ¡°Goodness. What caused the wars near there?¡±

    ¡°The Iron Hills, On the western edge of Skjoldar lie the Iron Hills, a rugged region rich in minerals and metals. The people there are miners and blacksmiths, worshiping Kaldor, the draconic god of fire and the forge. The hills are dotted with dwarven strongholds and forges, where legendary weapons and armor are crafted using draconic fire. The Forge of Kaldor, a sacred volcano at the heart of the region, is said to be where Kaldor himself once forged the first weapons of the gods. Anyway, many kingdoms took advantage of all that, and wanted it for their own gain, wanting heavily blessed dragon mana weapons and armor, greed consumed them all. War started, we kept moving left and right. It was super annoying.¡±

    ¡°What happened with your clan?¡±

    ¡°Ahhh, well, those draconic bastards. We stayed away from the outside world for a reason, greedy ass kingdoms wanting to take control of nomadic tribes wasn¡¯t anything new. Once they conquer one, that rips worship from the god they worshiped, making him vulnerable to death and then rebirth. And for us, king Haldrek wiped our clan out. My child..my husband..gone like that.¡±

    ¡°King Haldrek of V?rdrheim?! I¡¯m sorry..¡±

    ¡°Yep. He then went off to slaughter the other nomadic clans under the draconic god of war. The king must want ultimate domination or something, knowing how much of a crazy ass heretic he is, he¡¯s obsessed with his role as a vessel as he grew up with nothing. But for some damn reason, it¡¯s gotta be a deeper reason than that.¡±

    ¡°Does this bastard plan to wipe out the god of war?¡±

    ¡°Seems like it.¡± Mertha shoved more raw meat in her mouth, chewing ferociously as she tried to talk. ¡°He¡¯s been on a 100 year campaign of killing all those who worship the draconic god of war. Wanting him to die and be reborn. I don¡¯t know why.¡±

    ¡°You want to avenge your people then..¡±

    ¡°Yep. I want to personally take the king''s heart, and spread its blood droplets on their graves. Then I want to turn this kingdom into our home base. We¡¯ll kill the draconic god of snow, and remake it in my clans image. I¡¯ll fulfill the role of creating a kingdom for my clan, even if they''re all dead, the legacy and shit won¡¯t stop with me.¡±

    ¡°So that¡¯s why you¡¯re here? Owning a pub and all that?¡± Xyenn found himself eating the raw meat like it was normal food.

    ¡®I¡¯m actually eating raw meat. Gross. But it¡¯s good.¡¯

    Mertha started to drink a wooden cup of ale, ¡°I¡¯m here to study everything. Literally laying out my strategy if need be. I study every nook and cranny in the capital and towns. I listen to town criers closely because they give insight on all continents of the world, I made a hunter and adventurers only pub to hear stories from them, knowing how they go all over the world. For my son, and my husband, I will avenge them and do anything.¡±

    Xyenn stood up, saying, ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re with us then.¡±

    ¡°Hm?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never really been the hero type or anything or said anything super courageous, but I¡¯ll make sure you get the killing blow on King Haldrek. On one condition¡­¡±

    Mertha grinned, replying, ¡°Oh? What¡¯s your deal?¡±

    ¡°Next time we spar, go 100%.¡±

    ¡°100%? Are you insane, kid?!¡±

    ¡°Yes. I wanna make sure you get your kingdom. Draconic bastards don¡¯t deserve it. I¡¯ll kill anything that stands in our way of victory. I have my own goals, Yuuna has hers, and you have yours. I never had friends, you two are my first companions I¡¯ve ever had and technically I don¡¯t really want you guys to fail, then I¡¯ll think I¡¯m responsible and I hate that feeling, since I¡¯m kinda the chosen one and I feel super responsible for everything that¡¯s bound to take place, so I¡¯m gonna be overpowered as hell for all of us. Your clan deserves the dream that was taken from them. And as much as I hate the draconic deities, they don¡¯t deserve anything nice like a kingdom. I want to train harder than I ever did before. So go 100% next fight, Deal?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s this all of sudden? You just met me, I¡¯m an OAF remember?¡±

    ¡°I had just met Yuuna and promised to keep her alive. She had helped me, giving my life a little bit more meaning. And you¡¯re helping me right now, so not to sound corny as hell, but I gotta return the favor. No one¡¯s ever fucking helped before I met you guys. It pisses me off each time I think about it. I¡¯m gonna rub this all in their faces, they''re gonna see I¡¯ve moved up in the world. They¡¯re gonna see how awesome I really am.¡±

    ¡­Mertha laughed and she stood up, shaking his hand, making it crack.

    ¡°OW OW OW OW! You oaf!¡± Xyenn cried.

    Mertha continued to laugh, ¡°That¡¯s a deal then!¡±

    ¡°Okay, so what¡¯s your relationship with Yuuna and why did you grow a halo like her¡ª.¡±

    Mertha lifted Xyenn, and slammed him through the table, smiling, ¡°You already used your free question pass! More training!¡±

    ¡°Huh?! We just sat down!¡±

    ¡°Yuuna wants you to be stronger when not fused with her! When you get stronger away from her, it makes your fused dragon form stronger! Don¡¯t you want that?¡±

    ¡°Oooooh, WHY DIDN¡¯T YOU SAY THAT EARLIER?!¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t ask.¡±

    ¡°You bastard¡­¡±

    ¡°Haha! Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Xyenn stood up grumpy, stomping away muttering under his breath in a funny way, and Mertha watched him with a grin.

    She saw her own son in him, the same attitude, the same laugh, the same gestures, and Mertha looked into the sky, thinking, ¡®He¡¯s gonna die, isn¡¯t he? Stupid thoughts¡­my paranoid thoughts. I had the same thoughts with my son and husband, and now they¡¯re gone. I can¡¯t let Xyenn die on my watch, Yuuna trusts me. And I can¡¯t let that frail brat Xyenn go out to these deities. Not to these bastards. I¡¯ll build our kingdom, my husband and son. I won¡¯t let anyone else around me die, I didn¡¯t survive for so long to lose. Failure is not an option. I¡¯ll do everything in my power to make our dream come true. I¡¯m not a waste of space, I¡¯ll win.¡¯

    The sun had barely begun to rise over the snow-covered hills when Xyenn found himself standing outside, shivering¡ªnot from the cold, but from dread. His body still ached from the day¡¯s sparring battle, his ribs bruised, and his muscles sore. Every breath he took felt like someone was stabbing him in the side, and yet here he was, standing in knee-deep snow, staring at Mertha, who was grinning like a maniac.

    ¡°Alright, brat!¡± Mertha clapped her hands together, her breath visible in the icy air. ¡°It¡¯s time for you to get stronger. You¡¯re lucky you¡¯ve got that dragon blood of yours, or you¡¯d probably be dead by now. It¡¯s better to train when you¡¯re super injured!¡±

    Xyenn rolled his eyes, groaning. ¡°Lucky? I feel like I got hit by a hammer, then ran over by a pack of horses, twice.¡±

    ¡°Sooo dramatic!¡±

    Mertha ignored his complaints and stretched her arms, her muscles bulging under her thick coat. ¡°Quit whining. You want to survive in this world, don¡¯t you? Yuuna¡¯s not always gonna be there to save your scrawny ass.¡±

    Xyenn groaned again, rubbing his sore shoulder. ¡°Yeah, yeah. What kind of torture do you have planned for me today?¡±

    Mertha¡¯s grin widened, a mischievous glint in her eyes. ¡°Oh, you¡¯ll see. First up: snow boulder pushes.¡±

    Xyenn raised an eyebrow. ¡°Snow boulder pushes? That doesn¡¯t sound so ba¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish, Mertha kicked over a massive boulder, easily twice his height, into the snow in front of him. The thing was covered in frost, looking like it had been pulled straight from a frozen mountain.

    ¡°Push it,¡± Mertha said casually, crossing her arms.

    Xyenn¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°Are you serious?! That thing¡¯s the size of a house!¡±

    Mertha shrugged. ¡°You got dragon blood, right? This should be a piece of cake.¡±

    Xyenn glared at her, muttering under his breath, but he stepped up to the boulder. He pressed his hands against the cold stone and pushed with all his might. His muscles strained, and his already sore body screamed in protest, but the boulder didn¡¯t move an inch.

    ¡°Come on, Xyenn, put your back into it!¡± Mertha shouted, laughing.

    ¡°I am putting my back into it!¡± Xyenn growled through gritted teeth. ¡°My back is about to break in half!¡±

    He pushed harder, his feet digging into the snow, and with a groan, the boulder finally shifted¡­ about half an inch.

    ¡°Great, only¡­ infinity more inches to go,¡± Xyenn muttered, his face red with effort.

    Mertha watched, thoroughly entertained. ¡°Don¡¯t stop now, brat! You¡¯ve got a long way to go!¡±

    ¡®She¡¯s insane!¡¯

    After what felt like hours of pushing the boulder¡ªhe¡¯d managed to move it about ten feet before collapsing onto the ground¡ªMertha decided it was time for the next exercise.

    ¡°Alright, time for some sprinting,¡± she said, clapping her hands together.

    Xyenn groaned, still lying in the snow. ¡°Sprinting? I can barely stand¡­¡±

    Mertha grabbed him by the arm and hauled him to his feet. ¡°None of that. You¡¯re gonna sprint from here¡­¡± She pointed to a distant tree, barely visible through the snow. ¡°¡­to there.¡±

    Xyenn squinted. ¡°That¡¯s like¡­ a mile away! Through snow!¡±

    Mertha grinned. ¡°Dragon blood. Strong legs. You¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    Xyenn sighed, rubbing his face. ¡°You¡¯re enjoying this way too much.¡±

    Before he could argue any further, Mertha gave him a hard push. ¡°Go!¡±

    Xyenn stumbled forward, his legs already feeling like jelly, but he started running. The snow was deep, making each step feel like he was wading through quicksand. His feet sank into the cold with every stride, and after only a few yards, his chest was burning.

    ¡°This is ridiculous!¡± Xyenn panted as he pumped his arms, his boots crunching through the snow. ¡°I fought dragons¡­ I fought you¡­ and now I¡¯m being reduced to a snow-plowing dummy?!¡±

    Mertha¡¯s voice boomed from behind him. ¡°Quit complaining and run, runt! You¡¯re not even halfway to the tree yet!¡±

    Xyenn grumbled under his breath, his breath coming out in ragged gasps as he kept pushing forward. His legs screamed, and his lungs burned, but he refused to stop. After what felt like an eternity, he finally reached the tree, collapsing against it, his body drenched in sweat despite the freezing cold.

    ¡°Alright!¡± Mertha¡¯s voice called out from across the snow. ¡°Now run back!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s head flopped back against the tree, his eyes narrowing to slits. ¡°I¡­ hate¡­ you¡­¡±

    ¡®I¡¯m starting to regret the promise I made! I¡¯m running away!¡¯

    The next exercise involved lifting a massive fallen log that Mertha had conveniently ¡°found¡± in the woods nearby.

    Xyenn stared at the log, which was at least ten feet long and almost as thick as his torso. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me. I¡¯m pretty sure this tree could be classified as a building.¡±

    Mertha smirked. ¡°You¡¯re gonna lift it, brat. Over your head. Ten times.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s face twisted into a look of pure disbelief. ¡°Over my head? Ten times? I can barely feel my arms!¡±

    Mertha crossed her arms, her grin never fading. ¡°Dragon blood.¡±

    ¡°Stop using that as an excuse for everything!¡± Xyenn snapped.

    Reluctantly, Xyenn bent down, wrapping his arms around the log. He gritted his teeth and heaved, veins popping in his arms as he tried to get the damn thing off the ground. His legs shook, and his back screamed, but after a moment of struggle, he managed to lift the log up to his waist.

    ¡°Good! Now overhead!¡± Mertha shouted, clearly enjoying this way too much.

    Xyenn let out a strangled grunt as he hoisted the log higher, finally managing to get it above his head, his arms trembling violently. ¡°This¡­ is¡­ madness!¡±

    ¡°One!¡± Mertha counted, laughing. ¡°Nine more to go!¡±

    By the time Xyenn was done with the log lifts, his arms felt like limp noodles. He was panting heavily, his breath fogging up in the cold air. He barely had time to catch his breath before Mertha dragged him over to the next ¡°exercise.¡±

    ¡°Now you¡¯re gonna punch these ice blocks,¡± Mertha said, gesturing to a row of solid blocks of ice that she had somehow arranged in the snow.

    Xyenn blinked. ¡°Wait, punch them?¡±

    ¡°Yep,¡± Mertha said with a grin. ¡°Dragon blood. You¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    Xyenn stared at the ice blocks, then at his already bruised and battered hands.

    ¡®I swear, if shes says ¡®dragon blood¡¯ one more time¡­¡±

    But there was no getting out of it. With a deep breath, Xyenn raised his fist and threw a punch at the first block of ice.

    CRACK!

    His fist hit the ice with a sharp crack, sending a jolt of pain shooting up his arm. ¡°OW! Damn it, that hurt!¡± he growled, shaking out his hand.

    ¡°Keep going, brat!¡± Mertha called from behind him. ¡°You¡¯ve got four more to go!¡±

    Xyenn groaned, but he kept punching, each hit sending another burst of pain through his already sore body. By the time he got to the last block, his knuckles were split, and blood was dripping down his fingers.

    ¡°This is insane¡­¡± Xyenn muttered, shaking out his hand. ¡°I¡¯m going to lose my knuckles at this rate.¡±

    Just when Xyenn thought it couldn¡¯t get worse, Mertha decided on the final exercise of the day.

    ¡°Alright,¡± she said, standing in front of him with her arms crossed. ¡°Now you¡¯re gonna carry me across this field.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes widened in horror. ¡°You want me to carry you? You¡¯re like¡­ a walking mountain!¡±

    Mertha grinned. ¡°Damn you! I¡¯m only 800 pounds of muscle! That¡¯s skinny! Now, Pick me up and carry me across this snow. It¡¯ll build your endurance.¡±

    But there was no point in arguing. With a deep sigh, Xyenn bent down and wrapped his arms around Mertha¡¯s waist. He grunted as he tried to lift her, his legs shaking under the weight.

    ¡°Come on, Xyenn!¡± Mertha laughed. ¡°Put some effort into it!¡±

    With a final groan of effort, Xyenn managed to lift Mertha off the ground, his legs wobbling as he took one shaky step forward.

    ¡°This is the dumbest thing I¡¯ve ever done¡­¡± he muttered, each step feeling like it would be his last.

    By the time he reached the other side of the field, he collapsed into the snow, panting heavily, his entire body limp with exhaustion. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ done¡­¡±

    Mertha stood over him, grinning like a proud coach. ¡°Not bad, brat. You survived.¡±

    Xyenn groaned, lying flat on his back in the snow. ¡°Barely¡­so what¡¯s next? I¡¯m gonna carry your huge boulder size lumps of shit to a hole in the ground?¡±

    Mertha stomped on Xyenn, saying, ¡°You''re funny. Little man. Next, is a quest. I know you¡¯ve heard of the notice boards in each town and capital. We¡¯re going back to the town where my pub is and taking one. You need a taste of a real mission. Starting tomorrow! Go do whatever you want right now, I¡¯m gonna go work out.¡±

    ¡°Yep yep, have fun.¡±

    ¡®A quest, I¡¯ve never taken one before. I¡¯ve always seen hunters and adventurers at the notice boards with their guilds collecting them all the time. I¡¯m really moving up in the world.¡¯

 Chapter 6: How To Kill A Bandit

    The morning air in V?rdrheim was crisp, the snow glistening under the pale sunlight that barely peeked through the overcast sky. Outside the wooden cabin, Xyenn stood, arms crossed, glaring at Mertha with a mix of frustration and embarrassment. His body still ached from the grueling training session the day before, and now he had a new problem: the armor Mertha was insisting he wear.

    ¡°Hold still, brat!¡± Mertha growled, yanking Xyenn back by the shoulder as he tried to wriggle away for the fourth time.

    ¡°I¡¯m not wearing this!¡± Xyenn protested, his voice a mixture of a whine and a growl. ¡°I look ridiculous!¡±

    Mertha ignored him completely, tightening the straps on the bracers. ¡°You¡¯ll wear it, and you¡¯ll like it,¡± she grunted. ¡°Stop acting like a damn child.¡±

    Xyenn groaned loudly, throwing his head back in exasperation. ¡°This armor looks like it was made for a¡ªwhat is this even made of?¡± He yanked at the bright red-and-gold chestplate, which gleamed obnoxiously in the sunlight. The armor was a patchwork of **vibrant blues, greens, and reds**, with mismatched plates that didn¡¯t seem to follow any kind of sensible design. The shoulder guards were huge, almost comically large, and a strange silver chain crisscrossed his chest.

    ¡°I look like a jester.¡± Xyenn groaned. ¡°And I can put it own myself.¡± Xyenn crossed his arms.

    Mertha, thoroughly amused by his complaints, grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and turned him back toward her, continuing to adjust the armor. ¡°Quit your griping. This armor was crafted by the dwarves of the Iron Hills. It¡¯s not about how it looks, it¡¯s about what it does.¡±

    Xyenn raised an eyebrow, still pouting. ¡°What it does?¡± He tugged at the gauntlets, which were oversized and covered in oddly shaped runes that glowed faintly. ¡°Does it make me look like a clown on purpose? Sick joke, woman. I¡¯m becoming a hardcore dragon warrior, imagine someone like me walking around looking like this.¡±

    Mertha chuckled, yanking the straps tighter around his waist. ¡°It¡¯s crafted from materials forged in the Forge of Kaldor itself, brat. Draconic fire was used to shape this armor. The dwarves who made it left the Iron Hills ages ago, but they kept some of the material they used to craft weapons and armor for Yuuna and her vessels¡ªvessels like you.¡±

    Xyenn blinked, his frustration momentarily forgotten. ¡°Wait, Yuuna? That¡¯s where she is, isn¡¯t she? Haha! I knew it! She¡¯s not dead!¡±

    Mertha¡¯s hands froze for a split second, her usually stoic expression flickering with something like¡­ nervousness? She quickly recovered, letting out a short, awkward laugh. ¡°Hah! Yuuna? Nah, no idea where she is! Probably off slaughtering something or other.¡± She slapped Xyenn on the back with a little too much enthusiasm, nearly sending him face-first into the snow. ¡°Now, stop asking questions and get out there! You¡¯ve got a world to explore!¡±

    Xyenn narrowed his eyes, clearly unconvinced. ¡°You¡¯re lying.¡±

    Mertha ignored him, grabbing his arm and hauling him toward the horse that was tied up by the side of the cabin. A massive brown stallion snorted in the cold, its breath forming clouds in the frosty air. ¡°Take the horse,¡± she said, her voice almost gruff. ¡°He¡¯ll get you where you need to go.¡±

    Xyenn, still grumbling, allowed himself to be pushed toward the horse. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re sending me out looking like this. People are going to laugh at me¡­¡±

    Mertha snorted. ¡°Better they laugh than get suspicious when they sense your draconic blood. This armor will hide it. It¡¯s the only thing keeping you from being a walking target. So shut up and be grateful.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s nothing entirely wrong with being a draconic vessel, right?¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you forgetting something? When you and Yuuna fought Death, did something tug at you that maybe Yuuna is known by every single draconic deity in Kyrrin? Them and their vessels would know the feeling of her essence. This armor would block that, you¡¯d be ten times safer.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, guess that makes sense. Fine, fine. What am I supposed to do out there anyway? Make friends?¡±

    ¡°Like I have been doing for this while, just go and study the land, get involved with things. My clan were known for espionage and also warfare, scouting the lands of your enemies is the first step to conquering the land. And since we are now assassins of the gods, we will be doing the same thing. Got it?¡±

    ¡°Yeah..¡±

    ¡®She¡¯s definitely useful. But I still have to ask..¡¯

    ¡°How do you know Yuuna?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m one of her Tyrants.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°Me and 5 other warriors like me are basically her subordinates. And she infused a small hint of her dragon blood within us, that¡¯s why I grew a halo. She sought out those like me, those who were willing to go beyond and complete our goals, and she promised to make that happen. Me and the other Tyrants have a vendetta with the gods, we¡¯re willing to do whatever it takes to make sure we get what¡¯s ours. Yeah, we know it¡¯s dangerous, we know the risks.¡±

    ¡°Mertha..¡±

    ¡°So that¡¯s also where she went, she went to collect them. And bring them here to meet you. So be prepared because they¡¯re uh..rough.¡±

    ¡°If they¡¯re as rough as you I¡¯m running away.¡±

    Mertha laughed, ¡°HAHA! They¡¯re worse. Now scram.¡±

    Xyenn muttered something under his breath but swung himself up onto the horse¡¯s back, his body still sore from the previous day¡¯s training. As he settled into the saddle, Mertha handed him a small ram¡¯s horn, its surface smooth and polished.

    ¡°If you get into trouble,¡± she said, her voice gruff but strangely caring, ¡°blow this. I¡¯ll hear it. Don¡¯t be stupid and try to handle everything on your own.¡±

    Xyenn looked at the horn, then at Mertha, a small smirk playing at the corners of his lips. ¡°You¡¯re acting like my mom now.¡±

    Mertha scowled, though there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. ¡°Yeah, well, somebody¡¯s gotta knock some sense into that thick skull of yours before you get yourself killed. Now get going. Don¡¯t make me regret not beating you down again.¡±

    Xyenn chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°You¡¯re a brute, you know that?¡±

    ¡°And you¡¯re a brat,¡± Mertha shot back, slapping the horse¡¯s flank. The stallion neighed and began to trot forward, snow crunching under its hooves as it carried Xyenn away from the cabin.

    As he rode off, the ridiculous armor clinking with every step, Xyenn glanced back over his shoulder. Mertha stood there, arms crossed, watching him go. She was as stoic as ever, but there was a certain warmth in her gaze, a protective fierceness that Xyenn hadn¡¯t noticed before.

    ¡°Stay alive, brat!¡± she called after him, her voice booming across the snow. ¡°And don¡¯t blow that horn unless you¡¯re really in trouble! I don¡¯t wanna come save your ass for no reason!¡±

    Xyenn laughed, shaking his head as the horse carried him further into the snowy wilderness. He could still hear Mertha¡¯s voice echoing in the distance.

    "And don''t dent that armor! It''s expensive!¡±

    ¡®The last mistake I made with my clan was being too overprotective, keeping them within our borders and not stepping foot outside of our camps. Maybe that was my mistake. My son always wanted to go out; he hated being stuck in the camp. Xyenn will be fine out there, he¡¯s strong and he has the armor. The only issue is, can he not start trouble? If trouble comes to him, that look in his eyes, I know how he¡¯ll handle it. The only way for him to gain true experience. Is to experience the enemies landscape himself.¡¯

    The snow crunched under the hooves of Mertha¡¯s horse as Xyenn rode through the vast, frozen wilderness of V?rdrheim, the cold air biting at his exposed skin. The horse, a massive beast with a thick, shaggy coat of dark brown fur, was built for these harsh lands, its breath forming clouds in the frigid air. Xyenn¡¯s armor, a patchwork of vibrant reds, blues, and greens, glinted awkwardly in the pale light, drawing attention to him like a beacon¡ªif there¡¯d been anyone around to see it.

    The landscape was beautiful in its starkness: rolling hills buried in snow, jagged ice-covered peaks looming in the distance, and frozen rivers snaking through the land like glass veins. The sky was a dull gray, heavy with the promise of more snow to come. The world felt vast, ancient, and alive, as if the land itself was watching him, waiting.

    As Xyenn traveled deeper into the countryside, he began to spot signs of life¡ªthough not the kind he was used to. Strange beings wandered through the snow, both familiar and alien in their forms.

    ¡®This is actually amazing..¡¯

    He passed by a group of V?lnir, a mythical race of tall, ice-blue humanoids native to these lands. Their skin shimmered like frost in the sunlight, and they moved with a grace that seemed impossible on the uneven snow. Their eyes glowed with a soft white light, and their hair, long and flowing, seemed to swirl like mist around their heads. They were known for their ice-weaving abilities, crafting structures and tools from the very essence of the cold. Xyenn spotted a few of them working on an ice bridge, their hands moving fluidly as they shaped the ice with nothing but their will. Others were gathered around what looked like an ice forge, hammering away at glistening ice weapons that sparkled like diamonds.

    Further along, Xyenn came upon a small village of humans, their homes built from stone and wood, roofs covered in thick layers of snow. Smoke spiraled lazily from chimneys, and villagers moved about, bundled in furs, going about their daily business. A couple of children were playing near the edge of the village, throwing snowballs at each other, their laughter carrying on the wind. A group of men were busy chopping wood, their axes biting into logs with rhythmic thunks, while women gathered around a fire, stirring large pots of stew. It was a peaceful scene, but the ever-present cold gave it an edge of harshness.

    Among the villagers, Xyenn spotted a Tr?lldyr, a lumbering, fur-covered creature that stood at least eight feet tall. Its body was a mass of muscle and thick white fur, and it had long, curved horns that jutted from its head. Despite its fearsome appearance, the villagers seemed to treat it like a giant pet¡ªit was busy dragging a sled full of logs toward the center of the village, its breath coming out in great plumes. One of the children ran up to it and patted its side, laughing as the creature rumbled in response.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡®V?rdrheim is big, full of life. If war was to break out here, these people would die. The children, the pets, everything. Will it be because of us? A fight between gods can be catastrophic, people will die. If we play our cards right, we can avoid it. I¡¯m glad I¡¯m out here today, I can scout and maybe look out for things that could give us an advantage or ways we can avoid less casualties. Or if there¡¯s ways we can keep the fight somewhere contained. Man, if only my parents could see what I¡¯m doing now. They¡¯d be all like ¡°oh Xyenn, you weak ass, you¡¯re out killing gods now? Think you¡¯re some anti-hero? Some vigilante?¡± And I¡¯d say, ¡°hell yeah I am, I¡¯m technically a god now.¡± Man¡­I¡¯d give anything to have that conversation with them.¡¯

    As Xyenn rode past the village, he heard a voice shouting up ahead. It was loud, frantic, and filled with a kind of manic energy. Curious, Xyenn urged the horse forward, coming around a bend to see a man standing on a large rock, waving his arms wildly as he preached to an unimpressed crowd of travelers and villagers.

    ¡°The end of the world is coming!¡± the man screamed, his voice cracking with intensity. He was dressed in rags, his beard wild and his eyes wide with fervor. ¡°The draconian age is upon us! The dragons will rise, the skies will burn, and they will wipe us all out! The gods have turned their backs on us! Skyrrin will be consumed in fire and blood!¡±

    The crowd around him was small, mostly travelers passing through, a few villagers who had stopped to listen out of morbid curiosity. Most of them shook their heads and continued on their way, but a few lingered, listening to the madman¡¯s ravings with uneasy expressions.

    ¡°The dragons will come from the east! Where the ancient ones sleep! They will tear down our cities, burn our forests, and melt the very snow beneath our feet! The age of man is over!¡± The man¡¯s eyes darted around, wild and frantic, as if he could already see the skies darkening with wings. ¡°Only those who repent will be spared! Only those who turn to the old ways will survive! Kragvyr the draconic snow god will freeze us all to hell! Where that demonic dragon Yuuna¡¯s home once was!¡±

    Xyenn stopped to listen, something was tugging at him, this was a crazy man who called himself the prophet of all dragons, the one who knows all, it¡¯s what he claimed. That made Xyenn stop the horse and listen.

    ¡®This man..I¡¯ve seen him before. I¡¯ve heard of him. Back at my homeland in the The Isles of N?rstrund, The Western Isles, people would talk about how he¡¯s a crazy bastard who was constantly on the run from every single continent and kingdom, he¡¯s constantly being hunted. Everyone thinks he is crazy, but no one knows his name..¡¯

    The crazy old man continued, ¡°When Kragvyr weeps, the world is buried! His sorrow is the blizzard, his tears are the frost, and in his grief, the weak are no more! He is not a draconic god of mercy, but one of natural balance, where only the strongest or most cunning survive his harsh winters. His "weeping" refers to his storms, which are both beautiful and deadly. Hah! Fools seek shelter from Kragvyr¡¯s breath! No roof, no stone can stop him¡ªhis winds will crawl into your bones and crack them open like brittle ice!" He cackles, breath steaming in the cold, as if daring the wind to take him.

    ¡°He is omnipresent in winter, a force that can never fully be avoided. Mortals can only endure him, but never truly fight against him. His cold winds are a reminder of the futility of resisting nature¡¯s most powerful forces! The snow, the snow! It sings his name! Each flake a whisper from Kragvyr¡¯s maw, each drift a promise that all shall sleep beneath his blanket!"

    The ¡°prophet¡± shouts, spinning in the falling snow, arms outstretched, as if welcoming it.

    ¡°The snow itself is a manifestation of Kragvyr¡¯s will! It is not just a weather phenomenon, but a part of his essence. The "blanket" of snow that covers the land is a symbol of both peace and death¡ªa promise that all things will eventually succumb to his cold embrace! Kragvyr does not rage like some gods of destruction; instead, he covers the world in silence and stillness. His snow is both peaceful and deadly, a slow, inevitable force that lulls the world into a frozen slumber.¡±

    In his gaze, there are no kings, no beggars¡ªonly frostbitten corpses! Kragvyr sees no crown, no gold, no flesh¡ªonly the ice that comes for all!"

    The old man points a gnarled finger at a passerby, eyes wild with the certainty of doom.*

    ¡°Kragvyr does not care for mortal hierarchies or wealth. In the eyes of the cold, all are equal. Kings and beggars alike fall to the same frost, and their wealth or status means nothing when winter comes! But his vessel, King Haldrek, is the apple of his eye! His unique embryo of snow! He represents the ultimate equality of nature! Death by winter is indiscriminate, and the cold is a great equalizer. Those who try to hide behind their power or riches will find them worthless in the face of his eternal winter. The ice never forgets! Kragvyr remembers the blood spilled beneath his snows! He waits, he watches! And when the time is ripe, he will thaw the bones and raise the frozen dead!"

    While some in V?rdrheim revere him as the embodiment of winter¡¯s beauty, most fear him as an uncaring, distant deity, whose presence brings death and hardship. His worshipers tend to be hermits, mountain-dwellers, or those who live on the edge of survival, believing that only by honoring Kragvyr can they endure his harsh domain. Snowflakes, glaciers, and howling winds are all seen as manifestations of Kragvyr¡¯s will. His followers often wear amulets carved from ice or bone, believing these will grant them some small protection from his wrath.

    Xyenn felt a strange twist in his gut as he listened to the man¡¯s words. The mention of dragons, the burning skies, it all felt¡­ familiar. Too familiar. His mind began to wander, the memories from his dreams flooding back in vivid detail. He could see the fiery red sky, the winged forms of draconic deities descending upon him, their eyes gleaming with malice. He could hear the screams of dragons tearing each other apart, the clash of their claws and teeth, and the blood¡­ the endless rivers of blood.

    His fists clenched around the reins, his teeth grinding together as a wave of anger surged through him. For a moment, he thought he might lose control, that the darkness that had crept into his mind during his fight with Mertha might return. But he took a deep breath, forcing the images away, pushing the rage back down where it belonged. Not now. Not here.

    ¡®Damn it¡¯s like a fuse. I gotta be careful. But that old man, best not to get involved with him. Maybe he could give good detail? Nah, Mertha would probably keep me away from him. Besides, like Yuuna, he has a big target on his back.¡¯

    The man on the rock continued his rant, oblivious to Xyenn¡¯s inner turmoil. ¡°Repent, or be consumed!¡± he shouted, his voice echoing through the snowy landscape. ¡°The dragons will show no mercy!¡±

    The further Xyenn traveled, the more the landscape changed. The rolling hills gave way to rocky outcrops and dense pine forests, their branches heavy with snow. The wind picked up, biting at his face, but the cold didn¡¯t bother him. His dragon blood kept him warm, even in the harshest conditions.

    As he rode through a narrow path between two cliffs, the sound of clinking metal and muffled laughter reached his ears. He pulled the horse to a stop, narrowing his eyes as a group of knights came into view.

    There were at least fifty of them, all clad in mythic snow armor, their steeds snorting and stamping their hooves in the snow. The knights¡¯ armor was a work of art, made from pale silver-white metal that seemed to shimmer with an inner light. The plates were engraved with intricate patterns of snowflakes and icy winds, and their cloaks were made of thick, white fur that billowed in the wind. Their helmets were open-faced, revealing the cold, stern expressions of the men and women beneath. Their horses¡ªor rather, their Froststeeds¡ªwere massive, muscular beasts with icy blue fur and gleaming white eyes. Their hooves left trails of frost as they moved, and their breath came out in cold, misty clouds.

    The knights were part of the Kingdom of V?rdrheim¡¯s patrol, serving under king Haldrek, a force known for keeping the snowy lands safe from bandits, beasts, and worse. But as Xyenn came closer, it was clear they had no intention of treating him with respect.

    One of the knights, a tall man with a scar running down the side of his face, spotted Xyenn¡¯s brightly colored, mismatched armor and burst into laughter. ¡°Look at this one!¡± he called out, his voice booming across the snow. ¡°What¡¯s this circus act doing out here?¡±

    The other knights laughed, their voices carrying on the wind. ¡°Did you get lost on your way to a festival?¡± one of them jeered.

    Another knight, a woman with a wicked grin, chimed in. ¡°That¡¯s the ugliest armor I¡¯ve ever seen! Who dressed you, boy? A blind blacksmith?¡±

    Xyenn clenched his jaw, his hands tightening on the reins, but he said nothing.

    Xyenn¡¯s eye twitched with a smile, saying, ¡°Hehe..yeah, I-I made it myself.¡±

    ¡®Crazy! Why are there 50 of them around me?! Did the armor not work? Can they sense I have Yuuna¡¯s

    Blood?! If so, I¡¯m done! Mertha¡¯s horn is with me, I should keep my hand on it. No, what if they attack?! Might think I¡¯m reaching for some magic stuff! What do I do? Stay calm, don¡¯t show that you¡¯re nervous. These are the soldiers of the god we are gonna kill.¡¯

    Xyenn waved, ¡°Hey!¡±

    The tall knight who had spoken first nudged his Froststeed forward, circling around Xyenn slowly. ¡°Where ya headed?¡± he asked, his voice dripping with condescension.

    Xyenn met his gaze, his eyes hard. He could feel the tension in the air, the weight of the knights¡¯ eyes on him. They were expecting a reaction, waiting for him to snap. But he wasn¡¯t about to give them the satisfaction.

    ¡°Just passing through,¡± Xyenn said, his voice cold and calm. ¡°Just..passing through.¡±

    ¡®I¡¯m completely selling it! I¡¯m done for! I really can¡¯t help being nervous! I¡¯ve always been nervous around soldiers, they give me a weird feeling. Like they¡¯re just gonna cut me down any moment. I¡¯m so used to being kicked around by them, it¡¯s natural for me. Just stay calm.¡¯

    The knight raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. ¡°Passing through, huh? In that ridiculous getup? You¡¯re not from around here, are you?¡±

    Xyenn didn¡¯t respond, his gaze never leaving the knight¡¯s face.

    ¡°Haha, yeah.¡±

    ¡®I told you, Mertha! I would easily get bullied for this outfit!¡¯

    The tall knight smirked, clearly enjoying himself. ¡°Well, you¡¯d better watch yourself out here, boy. These lands aren¡¯t kind to strangers. And that armor of yours¡ªwell, let¡¯s just say it won¡¯t do you much good if you run into trouble.¡±

    The rest of the knights chuckled, their laughter echoing through the snowy landscape.

    Xyenn remained silent, his expression unreadable. He had no interest in engaging with these fools. He¡¯d dealt with worse.

    ¡®Can they leave me alone now?¡¯

    The tall knight shrugged, clearly bored with the lack of response.

    The cold wind howled through the narrow pass, carrying with it the faint echoes of the departing knights¡¯ laughter. Xyenn had barely started moving forward again when the sound of horses approaching made him tighten his grip on the reins. He didn¡¯t turn around, but he didn¡¯t have to¡ªhe already knew they weren¡¯t done with him.

    The sound of crunching snow grew louder as one of the knights circled back and rode up beside him. This one was younger, his face hidden behind a thin layer of stubble, and his eyes gleamed with a mix of arrogance and amusement as he dismounted from his Froststeed.

    ¡°Hold up there, boy,¡± the knight said, his voice low but commanding. ¡°We ain¡¯t finished with you yet.¡±

    Xyenn kept his eyes forward, refusing to look at the man. His pulse quickened, but he remained still, his breath steady as the knight stepped closer.

    ¡°That armor of yours,¡± the knight said, his tone casual but laced with menace, ¡°it¡¯s a bit¡­ too nice for someone like you. We¡¯re gonna need you to hop out of it, leave it here, and never come back. Understand?¡±

    ¡°Someone like me?¡± Xyenn said with an irritated tone.

    One of the knights chuckled, ¡°Ooooh, he¡¯s getting tense with his tone, haha!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s mind was already racing, piecing together the situation¡ªthere was something off about these knights. Their behavior was too casual, too loose for a disciplined patrol. And the way they were eyeing his armor wasn¡¯t just curiosity. It was greed.

    Fucking greed.

    The knight¡¯s eyes flickered with impatience as Xyenn remained silent. He glanced back at his comrades, who were watching the exchange with interest, some of them whispering to each other and chuckling. ¡°Hey, did you hear me?¡± the knight said, stepping closer. ¡°I said¡ª¡±

    One of the other knights, a burly man with a scar running down the side of his face, interrupted. ¡°Wait a second,¡± he said, his voice carrying over the snow. ¡°Look at that armor. The material¡­ it¡¯s some kind of mythic stuff, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    The others started murmuring amongst themselves, their eyes narrowing as they examined Xyenn¡¯s patchwork armor more closely. The burly knight continued, a grin spreading across his face. ¡°That¡¯s Iron Hills craftsmanship, no doubt about it. The dwarves must¡¯ve made that. Ain¡¯t no regular smith putting together something like that.¡±

    Another knight, a woman with cold, calculating eyes, nodded in agreement. ¡°Only dwarves from the Iron Hills would have used that kind of draconic fire to forge armor like that. You don¡¯t see that kind of work outside of the Forge of Kaldor. Maybe some rare pieces from the Ashkel Mountains with all those volcanos and baby dragons there, but nothing like this. That could easily sell for a couple hundred gold coins! We¡¯d have some good loot in our possession boys!¡±

    The younger knight in front of Xyenn crossed his arms, smirking. ¡°So, kid, where¡¯d you get it, huh? You steal it off someone? Or maybe you¡¯re just some errand boy running it across the countryside for someone important?¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s gaze dropped to the snow, his lips pressing into a thin line. He understood now. These weren¡¯t knights. They were bandits, wearing the stolen armor of the very patrols they were supposed to be. They¡¯d probably killed the real knights, taken their armor to fool travelers, and now they were trying to take whatever they wanted from him.

    If that¡¯s the case, they had to been strong. But Xyenn knew he was stronger.

    Without looking up, Xyenn muttered under his breath, ¡°Where did you get that armor?¡±

    The knight sneered, leaning in closer to hear him. ¡°Huh? What was that?¡±

    Xyenn spoke again, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°You killed the real kingdom¡¯s knight patrol. Took their armor to fool travelers and force people to give you what they have in the most subtle way possible.¡±

    The group went silent for a moment, the air heavy with tension. Then, the knights burst into laughter, the sound echoing off the cliffs around them.

    ¡°Listen to this smart-ass!¡± one of them shouted, doubled over with laughter. ¡°Thinks he¡¯s figured us out!¡±

    ¡°You got a big mouth for such a little brat,¡± another knight said, shaking his head in disbelief. ¡°Maybe we oughta cut out that tongue of yours and see if you¡¯re still so clever!¡±

    Another knight in front of Xyenn grinned, clearly enjoying the mockery. ¡°You¡¯re real sharp, huh? But it doesn¡¯t matter how smart you are. We gave you a choice, kid. Now, get out of that armor before we rip it off you.¡±

    Xyenn didn¡¯t move.

    The knight¡¯s grin faded into a scowl. He took a step forward, unsheathing his sword. The blade was covered in snow and ice runes, glowing faintly with a cold, ethereal light. Frost seemed to cling to the edge, and the air around it grew noticeably colder as he pointed it at Xyenn¡¯s chest.

    ¡°I¡¯m not gonna say it again,¡± the knight said, his voice low and dangerous. ¡°Get¡ª¡±

    But before he could finish, Xyenn moved.

    In the blink of an eye, Xyenn¡¯s fist shot forward, slamming into the knight¡¯s chest with a dull thud. The knight staggered backward, blinking in confusion. He looked down at his chest, expecting to see a dent, maybe some pain¡ªbut there was nothing. He glanced back up at Xyenn with a sneer.

    ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± one of the other bandits called out, laughing. ¡°That¡¯s all you¡¯ve got? Barely even felt it!¡±

    The group erupted into laughter again, mocking Xyenn¡¯s apparent lack of strength. ¡°He¡¯s a weak little thing, isn¡¯t he?¡± another bandit jeered. ¡°Maybe we should just¡ª¡±

    Suddenly, the laughter stopped.

    The knight in front of Xyenn opened his mouth to speak, but all that came out was a strangled gasp. His eyes bulged as his body began to tremble, and then, without warning, his chest exploded in a spray of blood and gore. Flesh, bone, and shattered ribs flew in every direction as a gaping hole appeared where his torso had been, his insides exposed in a grotesque display. Blood splattered across the snow, staining the pristine white with crimson. The knight¡¯s body hung for a moment, suspended in shock, before slumping to the ground, his legs buckling beneath him.

    The bandits froze, their faces pale with horror. They hadn¡¯t even seen it coming.

    ¡°W-What the hell just happened?¡± one of them stammered, his eyes wide with disbelief.

    ¡°He¡­ he just¡­,¡± another whispered, unable to finish the sentence as he stared at the mangled corpse of their comrade.

    The burly knight with the scar took a step back, his hand instinctively reaching for his sword. ¡°What the fuck is this kid?¡±

    The other knights began to unsheathe their weapons, their faces twisted with a mixture of fear and confusion.

    Xyenn stood still, his expression unchanged, not even sparing a glance at the mutilated body in front of him. His hand, still clenched into a fist, dripped with the knight¡¯s blood. Slowly, his gaze lifted to the rest of the bandits, his eyes cold and unfeeling. His pupils were into thin slits now, his sharp teeth hungry for greedy bandit blood.

    He reached down, picking up the dead knight¡¯s sword from the blood-soaked snow. The runes along the blade flickered faintly, casting a pale blue light across the ground. Xyenn¡¯s grip tightened around the hilt, his voice low and calm as he spoke.

    ¡°Based on your reactions,¡± he said, his tone as cold as the air around them, ¡°I can tell you¡¯ve killed countless travelers. You¡¯re shocked because you¡¯ve never faced someone who could fight back.¡±

    The bandits shifted uneasily, exchanging nervous glances. Some of them began to inch backward, their bravado fading in the face of the sudden carnage.

    Xyenn raised the sword, the light of the runes reflecting in his eyes. ¡°If I¡¯m going to be an assassin of the gods,¡± he said, his voice carrying a deadly finality, ¡°I might as well start somewhere.¡±

    The bandits collectively gasped, their hands tightening around their weapons as they prepared to attack. But Xyenn didn¡¯t flinch. His resolve was set.

    Xyenn said with a serious face, ¡°I¡¯ve been pushed around by stupid knights and bandits for the longest¡­I¡¯m about to flip this shit around. Let me have a turn..¡±

 Chapter 7: Corpse Mountain

    The moment stretched thin, and then the battle ignited like a spark in dry tinder.

    "Kill that fucking kid!"

    The first bandit moved with precision, not mindless fury. His rune-etched longsword crackled with icy energy as he swung it in a wide arc, aiming to freeze Xyenn in place. But Xyenn twisted his body just enough to avoid the strike, the cold edge of the blade hissing past his midsection.

    With lightning precision, Xyenn''s sword flashed upward, slicing through the bandit''s wrist. The severed hand, still gripping the sword, spun through the air, trailing blood. The bandit screamed, clutching his stump, but Xyenn didn''t give him time to react. He stepped in, driving his blade through the man''s open mouth and out the back of his skull. Blood sprayed in all directions as the bandit''s body collapsed, twitching violently on the snow.

    Two bandits, coordinating, surrounded Xyenn. One slammed his rune-covered axe into the ground, summoning a jagged wall of ice that shot up to block Xyenn''s retreat. The other, wielding a rapier enchanted with frost, lunged at him, aiming to skewer him through the ribs.

    Xyenn didn''t retreat. Instead, he charged forward, dodging the rapier''s stab by a hair''s breadth. He spun low under the thrust, slashing his sword across the rapier-wielder''s legs, severing both at the knees in a single fluid motion. The bandit howled in agony, crashing to the ground in a spray of blood and bone.

    Before the axe-wielder could react, Xyenn pivoted, using the ice wall as a springboard. He launched himself into the air, bringing his sword down in a deadly arc. The blade cleaved straight through the bandit''s shoulder, splitting him down to the ribs. Blood burst from the wound, spraying across the ice as the man''s body collapsed in two, eyes wide in shock.

    Another bandit whipped out a chain with frost spikes, laced with draconic runes. He swung it expertly, sending the chain to entangle Xyenn''s sword arm. The spikes dug into Xyenn''s armor, freezing his arm in place.

    "Got you now!" the bandit snarled, pulling hard, hoping to yank Xyenn off balance.

    "Keep him there!"

    But Xyenn didn''t flinch. Instead, he yanked back with terrifying force, pulling the bandit off his feet. In a fluid motion, Xyenn swung his sword with his free hand, severing the bandit''s head clean from his shoulders. The decapitated body hit the snow with a wet thud, the blood freezing almost instantly on the frost-covered chain.

    Three bandits used their snow enchanted weapons to summon spears of ice from the ground, launching them at Xyenn with deadly precision. The spears whistled through the air, aiming to impale him from all sides.

    Xyenn sidestepped the first spear, deflecting the second with a quick flick of his sword. The third spear grazed his shoulder, tearing through his armor and leaving a trail of blood. Pain flared, but Xyenn didn''t slow down. He threw himself forward, closing the distance in a heartbeat.

    The first bandit barely had time to raise his sword before Xyenn''s blade was upon him. A single slash cleaved through the bandit''s neck, sending his head spinning into the air, blood gushing in a wide arc.

    The second bandit screamed and swung his mace, but Xyenn ducked under the blow and drove his sword through the man''s chest. He twisted the blade viciously, spilling the bandit''s guts onto the snow before yanking his sword free in a spray of red.

    Xyenn grinned, "What''s the matter¡­? I can smell your fear.."

    He remembered when he used to get kicked around by Those bandits and knights and they would say the same thing: "Haha! Look at his eyes! He''s scared shitless!"

    That made Xyenn smile even more.

    "Stolen dragon mana infused weapons. You guys are pathetic.." He said with a grinning snarl.

    One of the bandits, wielding a staff of ice, slammed it into the ground, summoning a localized snowstorm that swirled around him and his comrades. The storm obscured Xyenn''s vision, making it impossible to see where the next attack would come from.

    Suddenly, a flail swung out of the storm, its spiked head crackling with icy energy. Xyenn barely dodged, the flail smashing into the ground beside him, sending shards of ice and snow into the air. Another bandit lunged from the left, swinging a frost-dagger at Xyenn''s throat.

    Xyenn leaned back, the dagger''s edge missing him by less than an inch. He spun around, decapitating the flail-wielder with a single, brutal slash. The headless body collapsed into the snow, blood splattering across the white ground.

    The dagger-wielder tried to press the attack, but Xyenn was faster. He sidestepped the next strike and drove his sword down into the man''s chest, splitting him open from collarbone to hip. Blood poured out, steaming in the cold air as the bandit''s body crumpled to the ground.

    One bandit, perched above on a ledge, used his rune-imbued warhammer to smash the ice above. With a roar, he triggered an avalanche of snow and ice, hoping to bury Xyenn alive.

    Snow cascaded down like a tidal wave, but Xyenn didn''t run. He sprinted into the avalanche, moving faster than the falling snow. He leaped off a crumbling boulder, launching himself at the hammer-wielding bandit before the man could react.

    "H-He ran into the storm?!"

    Xyenn''s sword plunged into the bandit''s chest, pinning him to the cliffside. The bandit gasped, blood foaming from his mouth as his eyes widened in disbelief. Xyenn twisted the blade, and the bandit''s ribcage exploded outward in a shower of blood and bone, his corpse hanging limply from the cliff. Xyenn looked into his eyes, smiling the entire time.

    A bandit wielding a sword of pure frost lunged at Xyenn with wild, precise strikes, each blow aimed to freeze and shatter his bones. Xyenn parried the first strike, their swords locking in mid-air, the sound of clashing steel ringing out like a bell.

    The bandit grinned, thinking he had Xyenn trapped. He channeled snow magic through his sword, sending a wave of frostbite energy down the blade toward Xyenn''s hands, intending to freeze them solid.

    Xyenn saw the shift in the bandit''s stance and reacted instantly. He twisted his sword, breaking the lock, and drove his knee into the bandit''s gut. The man doubled over with a grunt, and Xyenn brought his sword down in a vicious, vertical slash that split the bandit''s body in half from skull to groin. Blood and viscera sprayed in every direction as the two halves of the man''s corpse fell to the ground with a sickening squelch.

    Xyenn laughed, "Anymore?! Huh?!"

    Two bandits summoned frost wolves, spectral beasts that snarled and snapped as they charged at Xyenn, their icy bodies trailing cold mist. One of the bandits, wielding a scythe, came at Xyenn from behind, hoping to strike while the wolves distracted him.

    Xyenn didn''t hesitate. As the first wolf lunged at him, he sidestepped and brought his sword down in a brutal, one-handed swing. The blade cleaved through the wolf''s head, shattering its icy form into a blast of cold mist. He spun on his heel just as the scythe came down, catching the blade on the flat of his sword.

    With a roar, he shoved the scythe aside and thrust his sword into the bandit''s abdomen, driving the blade upward until it pierced the man''s heart. The bandit gasped, blood pouring from his mouth as he crumpled to the ground, dead before he hit the snow.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    Three of the remaining bandits formed a triangle, their rune-swords raised high as they channeled their magic, sending a barrage of ice spikes hurtling toward Xyenn.

    "This kid¡­he''s killed over 3 dozen of our comrades!"

    Another one added, "And he''s smiling about it..I knew this was a bad idea!"

    "He''s not like the other travelers we robbed and killed..let''s bail out!"

    "No! We''re not running!"

    The spikes were razor-sharp, glinting in the pale light as they flew toward him with deadly intent.

    Xyenn moved like a ghost, weaving between the spikes with inhuman speed. One grazed his cheek, drawing a thin line of blood, but he didn''t slow down. He closed the distance in a flash, his sword slashing out with terrifying precision.

    He decapitated the first bandit with a single strike, blood spraying into the air in a crimson arc. The second tried to raise his sword in defense, but Xyenn''s blade was faster, slicing through his throat in a clean, horizontal cut. The third bandit barely had time to scream before Xyenn drove his sword through his chest, pinning him to the ground in a spray of blood.

    The last few bandits, realizing they were no match for Xyenn, tried to flee. But Xyenn wasn''t about to let them escape. He sprinted after them, his sword flashing as he cut them down one by one.

    One bandit, wielding a frost-enchanted spear, turned to face him, thrusting the weapon toward Xyenn''s heart. Xyenn sidestepped the attack, caught the spear twisted,  and launched it back at the bandit, and it pierced through his chest; and Xyenn brought his sword down in a brutal arc, severing the man''s arm at the elbow. The bandit screamed, clutching the bloody stump, but Xyenn didn''t give him a chance to recover. He drove his sword through the bandit''s chest, the blade bursting out through his back in a spray of blood.

    The last bandit fell to his knees, blood pouring from a deep gash in his side. He stared up at Xyenn, terror in his eyes.

    "Please... no more..." he gasped, his voice weak and filled with fear.

    Xyenn''s expression was cold and unfeeling. He raised his sword one last time, bringing it down in a swift, brutal motion. The blade cleaved through the bandit''s neck, sending his head spinning into the air, blood gushing from the severed stump.

    The battlefield fell silent, the only sound the soft hiss of the wind and the quiet drip of blood onto the snow.

    ¡­

    Xyenn sat on the pile of mutilated corpses, his breathing steady, though his body was drenched in blood¡ªboth his own and that of the now-dead bandits. The cold wind howled through the narrow mountain pass, carrying with it the metallic tang of death, the snow beneath him stained dark red. His sword still rested in his hand, the blade dripping with the remains of those who had fallen under its edge.

    The bodies beneath him were a grotesque tapestry of death. Some faces were locked in expressions of terror, eyes wide, mouths agape in their final moments. Others had been mangled beyond recognition, their skulls caved in, throats slit, or torsos split open. One bandit''s face was frozen in a permanent scream, his lips peeled back over broken teeth, eyes bulging out of his head. Another had his lower jaw severed, his tongue hanging limply from the gaping hole where his mouth had once been. Arms and legs were twisted at impossible angles, bones jutting out from torn flesh, blood pooling in the crevices between the corpses. The snow, once pristine, was now a canvas of gore¡ªblood, guts, and shattered bone scattered everywhere.

    Xyenn sat at the top of this mountain of death, his posture eerily relaxed, almost regal. His back straight, legs draped over the twisted body of a decapitated bandit, his sword resting lazily across his lap. His head tilted slightly downward, a malicious smile creeping across his face. The smile didn''t quite reach his eyes, though. His gaze was distant, as if lost in thought, reflecting on everything that had brought him here.

    In the silence, Xyenn began to remember. The memories came rushing back, unbidden.

    He remembered the days when he was powerless. When he had no strength, no means to defend himself. The days when the knights of the kingdom¡ªor worse, the roving bandits¡ªwould kick him, beat him, rob him, and laugh at his weakness. They treated him like dirt, something beneath them, something they could discard at will. He had no way to fight back, no way to resist. He was a victim. A nobody.

    His smile widened for a moment, his sharp teeth showing as he sat there atop the pile of the dead, savoring the thought. These bandits, these killers, they had suffered at his hand. He had been the one to end them. The weak boy they could once push around had now destroyed them, left them broken and bleeding, their bodies discarded like trash beneath him. His chest swelled with a dark sense of satisfaction.

    But as the memories continued to surface, as he remembered the countless times he had been beaten down, robbed, and left with nothing, the smile on his face began to fade. His expression darkened, his eyes narrowing. The wind picked up, blowing strands of his blood-soaked hair across his face. His grip on the sword tightened until his knuckles turned white. The smile fell away completely.

    For a long moment, Xyenn sat there in silence, staring down at the corpses beneath him. The wind continued to howl, but he could hear nothing but the echoes of his past. The laughter of the knights. The sneers of the bandits. The pain of being powerless.

    Then, in the quiet, he remembered the present. The blood. The screams. The way the bandits had fallen one by one, their lives snuffed out by his hand. His lips twitched, and slowly, almost involuntarily, the smile returned. He rose to his feet atop the pile of bodies, the crunch of bones beneath his boots barely audible over the wind. He looked down at the dead, his face twisted in a mixture of satisfaction and something darker.

    "That serves you right!" he shouted into the wind, his voice raw with sudden emotion. "Stupid bandits! Serves you right¡­" He calmed down.

    His voice echoed through the pass, bouncing off the snowy cliffs and dying in the distance. He stood there, breathing heavily, his chest heaving, his fists clenched tight around the hilt of his sword. The smile faded again, and his expression grew grim. His fists clenched harder, the leather of his gloves creaking under the strain.

    The wind howled again, and Xyenn sighed, his breath visible in the cold air. His mind raced, his thoughts spiraling inwards. ''I enjoyed that¡­ does that make me evil? Evil like those dragon gods?

    He had never killed before today. He had never taken a life. The weight of it sat heavy on his shoulders now, a creeping sense of unease settling over him.

    But then he remembered what these bandits had done. They had killed. They had stolen. They had taken lives¡ªinnocent lives. They had deserved this. They had earned it. And yet, it still felt¡­ strange. Unsettling. His mind warred with itself, trying to reconcile the satisfaction of revenge with the cold reality of death.

    He shook his head, his grip loosening on his sword. He wasn''t wrong. He couldn''t be. They had deserved it.

    ''I''m not wrong. They deserved it. I''ll kill more if I have to. It''s only right. I''m saving lives, aren''t I? Yeah, I am. Those who act like those draconic deities don''t deserve to live. But why does it feel so weird? I caused all of this? Is this normal thoughts? I''ll ask Mertha or Yuuna later.''

    Just as he exhaled deeply, trying to rid himself of the lingering doubts, the sound of soft footsteps on snow caught his attention. His head snapped up, eyes narrowing.

    Perched on the thick branch of a snow-covered tree high above him were four figures, each draped in armor that gleamed in shades of light blue, white, and dark blue¡ªa stark contrast to the blood-soaked scene below. These were no mere bandits. Their armor was intricate, with jagged, icy designs etched into the metal, and their presence commanded attention.

    The first to speak was a man with short, frosted hair and a cocky grin, golden white colored ehes. His armor shimmered with the faintest blue light, and a long halberd rested casually across his shoulders. "Aww, he killed them before we got to them," he said, his tone almost playful, but there was an edge to it, a hint of malice.

    Another figure, a massive man with a shaved head and a thick fur cloak, chuckled deeply. His voice was gravelly as if his throat had been frozen over. "He''s just a kid though," he said with a smirk. "Oh well. I killed my first bandit when I was four." His massive hands rested on the hilt of a warhammer, the weapon crackling with barely-contained frost magic.

    The third figure, a woman with long, silver hair tied in a braid, dark blue eyes, sighed, her arms crossed over her chest. Her twin daggers glinted in the pale light, their blades glowing faintly with rune magic. "What a mess. I was looking forward to testing my blades," she muttered, her voice laced with annoyance. She glanced down at Xyenn with an appraising look. "But I suppose the kid has some skill."

    The last figure, a lithe man with sharp features and a bow slung across his back, chuckled softly. His armor was darker than the others, a deep blue that almost blended into the shadows. "He''s got blood on his hands now. No going back from that," he said, his voice smooth, almost amused. "But I wonder... does he even know what he''s gotten himself into?"

    Xyenn''s eyes flicked between the four of them, his muscles tensing. These weren''t ordinary soldiers. There was something else about them¡ªsomething dangerous. He could feel it in the way they moved, the way they spoke, the way they seemed to radiate cold, controlled power.

    "He''s the one who killed the patrol, huh?" The halberd-wielder spoke again, his grin widening as he leaned forward, balancing on the branch with ease. "Guess we should''ve gotten here sooner. Those bandits were using stolen armor and weapons. Our armor."

    The woman shrugged, her eyes still locked on Xyenn. "Doesn''t matter now. Looks like the boy took care of them. He''s pretty cute too."

    The one with the warhammer snorted, his breath visible in the cold air. "Yeah, but now he''s got our attention."

    In the blink of an eye, all four of them disappeared from the branch, dashing through the snow with blinding speed. They surrounded Xyenn, their movements so precise, so calculated, he barely had time to register it.

    Their eyes bored into him as they stood in a loose circle, weapons raised, ready¡ªwaiting.

    "So," the halberd-wielder asked, his grin never fading. "Who the hell are you, kid?"

 Chapter 8: The Arena

    Xyenn stood in the midst of the four snow-armored warriors, their presence crackling with an energy that was different from the bandits he had just slaughtered. They exuded confidence, strength, and something almost predatory. As they circled him, inspecting the carnage he left behind, Xyenn¡¯s mind raced, though his face remained unreadable. ¡®Are they onto me?!¡¯ he wondered.

    The halberd-wielder, still grinning like a wolf that had cornered prey, was the first to speak again. ¡°Ah, where are my manners? Let me introduce us, since it looks like we¡¯re gonna be friends for a while.¡± He twirled his halberd once and rested it on his broad shoulders, his ice-blue eyes flicking between the bodies on the ground and Xyenn. ¡°Name¡¯s Skaris. We¡¯re warriors of King Haldrek, blessed by the draconic deity of snow, Kragvyr.¡±

    He lifted his chin slightly, as if basking in his own self-importance. ¡°Yeah, that Kragvyr. The one whose breath can freeze entire mountains. We get our magic directly from him. Pretty cool, huh? But I¡¯m pretty sure you know that already.¡± He winked, clearly enjoying his own wordplay. ¡°Anyway, we were wondering why our knight patrol was taking so long to report back. Guess we know why now, huh?¡± His grin widened as he gestured to the mutilated corpses beneath Xyenn¡¯s feet. ¡°These stupid bandits killed them, and so you killed the bandits. Based on what I¡¯m seeing, it had to be at least 50 of them! You¡¯re no regular kid aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Xyenn said nothing, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Skaris. He could feel the tension in his own body, his muscles still coiled from the fight, his mind spinning as he tried to process this new development.

    ¡®They¡¯re warriors of Haldrek¡­¡¯ he thought, his heart beating a little faster. He swallowed hard. If they found out that his ultimate goal was to kill Kragvyr, this could get dangerous quickly. ¡®They¡¯re all staring at me so hard¡­like they¡¯re staring into my soul, trying to read me or something! Also, do they not care about that patrol? They know they were killed by those bandits, but they don¡¯t even frown about it or anything!¡¯

    The massive man with the warhammer stepped forward next, cracking his neck with a loud pop and crossing his thick, muscular arms over his chest. ¡°The name¡¯s Dreugan.¡± His voice was a deep rumble, like an avalanche starting to form. His armor was bulkier than the others, the edges lined with thick, white fur, and his warhammer¡ªalmost as tall as he was¡ªcrackled with icy runes. ¡°I don¡¯t care much for introductions, but I guess I¡¯ll humor ya. We¡¯re the king¡¯s elite. When he wants something done, we do it. Simple as that. But lately, we¡¯ve been babysitting.¡±

    He glanced down at the bodies, his lip curling in mild amusement. ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve got some fight in you, kid. Shame we didn¡¯t get here sooner. I was hoping for a little warm-up.¡± His grin spread slowly, like ice creeping across a frozen lake. ¡°Guess you¡¯ll have to do as a substitute.¡±

    Xyenn stiffened slightly at the word ¡°kid.¡±

    ¡®Kid?¡¯ he thought. ¡®They really see me as just a kid? After killing 50 bandits, I¡¯m still a kid in their eyes? I¡¯m tired of hearing that, honestly.¡¯

    The woman with the long, silver braid, standing slightly apart from the others, rolled her eyes. ¡°Oh, please, Dreugan, you and your warm-ups¡­¡± Her voice was smooth but laced with impatience. She kicked one of the dead bandits with a booted foot, sending the body sliding a few inches through the bloodstained snow. ¡°Ellyra,¡± she said, introducing herself with a casual wave of her hand. Her twin daggers were still sheathed at her sides, but Xyenn could sense the deadly precision in her movements. Her armor was sleek and fitted, the snow-white and light-blue plating gleaming in the faint light. ¡°And like Skaris said, we¡¯re the king¡¯s finest. Or at least we¡¯re supposed to be. Fuck it¡­¡±

    She sighed dramatically, crouching down to examine one of the dead bandits¡¯ faces. It was frozen in a grotesque scream, eyes glassy, blood frozen in a jagged line across his throat. ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m more bored than anything else. King Haldrek hasn¡¯t given us anything interesting to do in weeks. He¡¯s so caught up in the upcoming war against the god of war and their allied kingdoms. Just the usual patrols, killing shit¡ªnothing exciting.¡± She straightened up and kicked the body again, this time with more force, sending it skidding across the snow. ¡°And now we¡¯ve gotta go report to the king and queen about these dead losers?¡± She gestured at the pile of corpses. ¡°What a waste of time. That patrol was worthless.¡±

    The last of the group, the lithe man with the dark-blue armor, was leaning casually against a nearby tree, arms crossed over his chest. His sharp features were framed by dark hair that fell casually across his face, and though his expression was relaxed, his eyes were constantly scanning the area, taking in every detail. ¡°Kaelith,¡± he said quietly, his voice smooth and calm, like the stillness before a storm. His bow, slung across his back, was an elegant weapon, intricately carved with ice runes, and a quiver of frost-tipped arrows hung at his waist. ¡°I don¡¯t mind the quiet, unlike the rest of these clowns,¡± he added, glancing at Ellyra and Dreugan with a faint smirk. ¡°But it¡¯s true. We were curious about what was taking the patrol so long. Turns out they got themselves killed¡­ pretty badly, too. The rates of bandits have gone up widely ever since the upcoming war was announced. And every time we get to where the bandits strike, they¡¯re either gone or dead. Like now.¡±

    He stepped forward, eyes flicking over Xyenn¡¯s blood-soaked armor. ¡°And now we find you here, sitting on top of them, looking like a drunk jester that just got mauled by a bear.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s eye twitched, his hands clenching slightly before he forced a smile. ¡°N-No, I don¡¯t,¡± he muttered, his voice defensive, though he immediately regretted speaking.

    ¡®Even they¡¯re picking on my armor..Mertha definitely wanted me to get bullied today. Anyways..these guys are assholes.¡¯

    Skaris laughed, the sound echoing through the snow-covered forest. ¡°Oh, come on, kid. You¡¯ve got blood all over you, and your armor looks like it¡¯s been through a bear''s den. You¡¯re telling me you don¡¯t look like a jester?¡±

    Dreugan chuckled, his massive frame shaking with amusement. ¡°I¡¯ve seen bears do worse.¡±

    Ellyra smirked, crossing her arms. ¡°Maybe we should buy him a mirror next time we¡¯re in the capital.¡±

    Kaelith, however, was watching Xyenn with a more thoughtful expression. He circled him slowly, inspecting him from head to toe, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to figure something out. ¡°Hmm¡­ You¡¯re not from around here, are you?¡± he said, his voice quiet but probing. ¡°That armor¡­ it¡¯s not from any of the local forges. And that accent..where are you from?¡±

    Skaris grinned, leaning on his halberd. ¡°Oh, let me guess, Kaelith. You¡¯re gonna tell us you¡¯ve got it all figured out, right?¡±

    Kaelith¡¯s eyes flicked up to meet Xyenn''s, and for a moment, they locked gazes. Xyenn felt his heart skip a beat, the tension ratcheting up as Kaelith¡¯s piercing gaze seemed to look right through him. Then, Kaelith smiled faintly. ¡°I got it.¡±

    Skaris raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. ¡°Oh? Do tell.¡±

    Kaelith straightened up, his smirk widening. ¡°He should travel with us!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s stomach dropped. His mind raced, panic flaring in his chest. ¡®Travel with them?! Already?!¡¯

    He didn¡¯t want to get involved with these people. They were too close to Haldrek, too close to Kragvyr. But then, a thought crept into his mind, one that made him pause. ¡®Wait¡­ if I go with them, I could learn more. Get close to Haldrek.¡¯ His mind whirled with possibilities. Being this close to the king¡¯s elite warriors could give him the advantage he needed. He could study their powers, learn their weaknesses, and maybe even find a way to use them against Kragvyr and Haldrek.

    ¡®No! That¡¯s a dumb idea! What if I¡¯m easily caught?! Then I¡¯ll be doomed! I can already tell, these four are insanely strong just by looking at them. I can¡¯t make dumb decisions, but I¡¯m scared to say no..I don¡¯t wanna be afraid of just people. I told Death I wouldn¡¯t lose ever again, but then again here I am scared of the ones I always wanted to take down: the ones with magic, when I had none. Fighting those bandits released something in me, something I never felt before. The desire for control. I have to control my fear¡­I lived in fear for years..I have to do this. If my body is physically changing, then I have to change as well. I¡¯m not the same Xyenn as I was before. Mertha is basically a pro in espionage and warfare, and she trusts me to go out and make progress. I¡¯m not blowing that horn she gave me, I¡¯m tired of being called a kid. I¡¯m 19, I¡¯m grown. I¡¯ll do all of this and come back with answers without needing to call her to my aid. I can do this. Then they¡¯ll take me serious.¡¯

    It was a risky gamble.

    Skaris clapped his hands together, clearly amused by the idea. ¡°That¡¯s perfect. The kid can come along. We like strong people.¡±

    Then he looked at Xyenn with a straight face, saying with dull eyes, ¡°We have no room for the weak.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s heart pounded once more, he can sense the extreme bloodlust from the warriors surrounding him.

    Ellyra sighed, kicking another body in boredom. ¡°Sure, why not? It¡¯s not like we¡¯ve got anything better to do. He might make everything interesting again. Everything¡¯s been sooo boring.¡±

    Dreugan shrugged, grinning down at Xyenn. ¡°I don¡¯t care. If he can keep up, he¡¯s welcome to tag along. But I doubt Haldrek would want him in his ranks, he¡¯s just a kid.¡±Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    Xyenn forced a smile, though inside, his mind was racing. ¡®I can¡¯t believe this is happening¡­they want me to travel with them a second into meeting them? They¡¯re definitely planning something. Maybe to take me out? Nah, they would¡¯ve done it already.¡¯ But before he could protest, before he could even think of an excuse, Skaris was already gesturing for him to follow.

    Kaelith pulled a folded piece of parchment from his belt, smirking as he unfolded it with a flourish. ¡°Speaking of something to do¡­¡± His voice took on an exaggerated, almost theatrical tone as he read aloud, ¡°By decree of the Council of Rimehold, an invitation is extended to all warriors and adventurers to participate in the grand tournament of Vyrskeld¡¯s Fury! Held in the frozen arena of Skaldir¡¯s Vale, the tournament will pit the greatest fighters in V?rdrheim against each other in a contest of skill, strength, and survival. The winner shall be granted a boon by the Council and a purse of treasures from the vaults of V?rdrheim itself! This is perfect! We get to see this kid in action! After all, he killed 50 bandits who killed the king''s knights! So he¡¯s gotta be strong!¡±

    Ellyra perked up at this, her eyes suddenly gleaming with interest. ¡°Wait, a tournament?¡± She flicked her braid over her shoulder, excitement creeping into her voice. ¡°Now that sounds like something worth doing.¡±

    Kaelith continued, his tone growing even more dramatic. ¡°The tournament will be held beneath the gaze of the ancient colossus of Skaldir, Only the strongest will survive the onslaught of nature and foes alike!¡± He paused, glancing around with a grin. ¡°And here¡¯s the best part¡­ The invitation is extended to those brave enough to risk their lives for glory and riches.¡±

    Dreugan laughed, his deep voice booming across the clearing. ¡°Glory, riches, and a chance to crack some skulls? Sounds like a perfect way to pass the time. Our glory diminished once we were assigned to watch after patrols. We need to gain it back.¡±

    Skaris scratched his chin, his grin never fading. ¡°And you said you stole this off a bandit, Kaelith?¡±

    Kaelith shrugged, folding the parchment again and tucking it into his belt. ¡°More or less. He wasn¡¯t exactly using it.¡±

    Ellyra snorted. ¡°Let me guess, you stole it while he was still breathing, then ran off. How noble of you, Kaelith.¡±

    Kaelith smirked, his eyes gleaming with mischief. ¡°Details, details.¡±

    Xyenn, still standing there in silence, was only half-listening. His mind was racing. ¡®A tournament? In Skaldir¡¯s Vale?¡¯  It was a place where only the strongest survived. If these warriors were planning to participate¡­ it could be his chance to observe them closely. To learn more about Haldrek¡¯s inner circle. And perhaps, if he played his cards right, to find something useful for his mission of assassinating a king and a god. But he knew at the same time, the warriors were doing the same thing to him. These warriors of king Haldrek were anxious to see Xyenn fight, after seeing him slaughter 50 bandits. The question was: Why were they so anxious? So damn eager? They just met..

    But there was also the risk. If they suspected anything, if they found out what he was really after¡­ he might not leave the Vale alive.

    Skaris stretched, his halberd resting casually across his shoulders. ¡°Well, what do you think, kid? Feel like testing your luck in Vyrskeld¡¯s Fury? I¡¯m sure a jester like you could entertain the crowds.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s eye twitched again, but he forced another small smile. ¡°Sure¡­ why not?¡±

    ¡®I¡¯m too nervous to crack jokes or anything, I''m being so boring right now. I¡¯m pretty sure that¡¯s safer. Act diffrent.¡¯

    Ellyra chuckled, clearly amused by Xyenn¡¯s discomfort. ¡°Maybe we¡¯ll see if you¡¯re more than just a walking bloodstain. We really wanna see you fight in action..¡±

    Dreugan grinned, hefting his warhammer onto his shoulder. ¡°I say we go. It¡¯s been too long since we¡¯ve had a real fight. Plus, if the prize is as good as that letter makes it sound¡­ well, I wouldn¡¯t mind adding a few more trophies to my collection.¡±

    Skaris clapped Xyenn on the back, nearly knocking him forward with the force of it. ¡°That¡¯s the spirit! We¡¯ll head to Skaldir¡¯s Vale and show them what real warriors look like.¡±

    Kaelith, ever the quiet one, simply nodded in agreement. ¡°It¡¯ll be interesting, at the very least.¡±

    As they began to move out, Xyenn¡¯s thoughts swirled.

    ¡®These people are mad!¡¯

    But he couldn¡¯t deny the excitement bubbling under the surface. He¡¯s never even been a part of a tournament before. He¡¯s heard of them all over the world, but damn he always wanted to be part of it.

    The biting cold of V?rdrheim was ever-present as Xyenn and his newfound companions trudged through the snow-laden path leading toward Skaldir¡¯s Vale, where the tournament known as Vyrskeld¡¯s Fury was set to unfold.

    ¡®I¡¯m glad I don¡¯t feel the cold anymore.¡¯

    The landscape around them was a stark, frozen beauty¡ªtall, jagged mountains capped with thick layers of snow, their peaks lost in swirling blizzards. The snow crunched beneath their boots as they walked, and the wind howled through the valleys like the forlorn cry of a beast.

    Above them, the sun was a pale, distant orb, casting a cold, silver light over everything. Icicles hung from the edges of ancient stone ruins that dotted the landscape, and here and there the frozen bodies of past travelers were half-buried in the snow¡ªgrim reminders of the dangers that awaited in this icy wilderness.

    ¡®Amazing¡­¡¯ Xyenn thought in awe.

    As they neared the tournament grounds, the sounds of clashing steel and the roar of the crowd grew louder, carried on the wind like the distant rumble of a glacier breaking. Skaldir¡¯s Vale was a natural arena, a vast frozen basin surrounded by towering cliffs and jagged ice formations. At the center of the vale stood the Colossus of Skaldir, an ancient, weathered statue of a long-forgotten warrior, his massive stone form frozen in a battle stance, towering over the arena like a silent judge.

    The tournament grounds themselves were teeming with life. Makeshift tents and banners fluttered in the wind, their vibrant colors standing out against the white and gray of the snow. Fires burned in braziers to keep the fighters and spectators warm, and the smell of roasting meat and spiced ale filled the air, mixing with the metallic tang of blood and sweat. The crowd was a mix of all kinds¡ªhumans, chimeras, beastkin, and other, stranger beings from the farthest reaches of V?rdrheim. Some humanoids bore the unmistakable signs of magical mutations¡ªglowing eyes, twisted horns, or scaled skin¡ªwhile others were massive chimeric creatures, their bodies a blend of various animals and magical beasts.

    Xyenn¡¯s breath fogged in front of him as he took it all in, his heart pounding in his chest. He had never seen anything like this before. Warriors of all shapes and sizes were scattered across the grounds, sharpening weapons, adjusting armor, and making last-minute preparations. The air was thick with tension and excitement. Some even practiced their magic, and some had small little duels on the outside of the arena.

    He was getting excited.

    ¡®Clerics, Warriors, Rogues, Tanks, Martial artists, Mages, Beast tamers, and Alchemists everywhere¡­this is gonna get crazy..¡¯

    Skaris, ever the loudest of the group, was grinning from ear to ear as he surveyed the scene. ¡°Well, well, well¡­ look at this! Feels like we¡¯ve stepped into a den of wolves.¡± His halberd rested across his shoulders, and he looked around with gleaming eyes, clearly enjoying the chaos of it all. ¡°I bet half these guys won¡¯t make it past the first round. We¡¯re gonna crush everyone! And for this new kid here, let¡¯s make a way for him to fight first!¡±

    Xyenn looked at him, saying, ¡°Eh? Me?¡±

    ¡°Yeah you!¡±

    Ellyra, her silver braid twirling in the wind, scanned the crowd with a sharp eye. ¡°There¡¯s more here than I expected. Some of these warriors¡­ I¡¯ve heard of them.¡± She pointed discreetly to a group of towering, fur-clad fighters near one of the braziers. ¡°That¡¯s the Frostblood Clan. They¡¯re known for their berserkers¡ªthey enter battle in a trance, immune to pain. Now they sound fun¡­I¡¯m sure this new kid will have fun with them.¡±

    Xyenn panic on the inside: ¡®Hell no! They sound crazier than you guys!¡¯

    Dreugan grunted, hefting his warhammer onto his shoulder. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t mind taking one of them down, though. Could use a challenge.¡± His eyes gleamed with anticipation, as if he were already imagining the sound of his hammer crushing bones.

    Kaelith, quieter but no less observant, was leaning against a nearby post, his sharp eyes flicking between the fighters. ¡°I see a few Rune Wardens over there,¡± he said, nodding toward a group of armored warriors whose armor glowed faintly with magical runes. ¡°They¡¯re from the southern reaches of V?rdrheim¡­ powerful spell-grimoire users. They use those runes to channel magic into their bodies and especially the battlefield they walk on. Bet this new kid would rip their pages apart and shove them down their throats!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s stomach churned with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. But as they walked through the crowd, it quickly became clear that not everyone was impressed with him. A group of warriors, standing around a makeshift training ring, caught sight of Xyenn and immediately burst into laughter.

    Then Kaelith stood on top of a random shaman¡¯s head, crying out, ¡°Attention everyone!¡±

    All the fighters participating in the tournament gathered around, and Druegan and Ellyra and Skaris shook their heads.

    ¡°Hey, isn''t that  one of the warriors for the king?¡± One fighter asked.

    ¡°Of course they¡¯re here.¡± Another one chimed in. ¡°We might as well go home. They¡¯re gonna take everyone down.¡±

    ¡°Like hell we are! This just got more pumped!¡±

    Kaelith grinned, ¡°Attention!¡± He grabbed Xyenn, and put his arm around him, saying, ¡°This kid right here just slaughtered 50 bandits! Impressive right?! Now he¡¯s told me he can take down EVERY single fighter here! Now are you guys gonna take that or no? The kid said he can even beat ME.¡±

    Xyenn gasped, ¡°Wha-?!¡±

    ¡®This guy¡­Kaelith or whatever his name is..what¡¯s he planning?!¡¯

    The fighters surrounded him, saying:

    ¡°So you think you¡¯re tough, brat?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t look like shit to me.¡±

    ¡°You had to run your mouth to one of the king''s warriors instead of us?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve got a lot of mouth! I hope I get paired with you!¡±

    The fighters kept rambling on, and  Xyenn waved his hands slightly, chuckling, ¡°Haha, no, I didn¡¯t say that..I would never.¡±

    Xyenn then grinned with his thoughts, ¡®Fools! I¡¯m literally a god! I could clobber all of you if I wanted! But I gotta act humble in front of everyone. Why? If I act like myself, I¡¯m doomed. I won¡¯t fold under pressure¡ª.¡¯

    ¡°Hey, look at you anyway!¡± one of them sneered, a tall human with a scar running down his cheek. ¡°Did you get lost on your way to the circus, kid?¡±

    His friend, a hulking chimera with the head of a wolf and the body of a man, snickered, pointing at Xyenn¡¯s colorful, mismatched armor. ¡°What¡¯s with the outfit? Looks like a jester fell into a bear''s den.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s face flushed with anger, his sharp teeth baring in a snarl as he pointed at them. ¡°Damn you! Damn you all!¡± he spat, his voice trembling with frustration. His sharp, draconic teeth glinted in the pale light, and for a moment, the group of warriors went silent, staring at him. ¡°I¡¯ll end you all in the tournament!¡±

    One of them, a woman with pale, scaled skin and glowing yellow eyes, leaned toward her companions and whispered loudly enough for Xyenn to hear. ¡°Did you see his teeth? You think he¡¯s of draconic blood?¡±

    The scarred man snorted. ¡°Or maybe he¡¯s a vessel for one of those draconic gods. I¡¯d watch out¡ªhe might bite.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s rare, honestly. Those of draconic bloodline are children of draconic god vessels. He might be just that.¡±

    As the group laughed again, Xyenn clenched his fists, his face burning with embarrassment and anger. He could feel Skaris watching him from the corner of his eye, the halberd-wielder grinning with amusement.

    ¡°Don¡¯t let ¡®em get to you, kid,¡± Skaris said, slapping Xyenn on the back with enough force to nearly knock him over. ¡°They¡¯re just jealous. Besides, if any of them give you trouble, we¡¯ll take care of it.¡±

    ¡°Y-Yeah, thanks. But I can handle myself.¡±

    Far above the tournament grounds, in a towering stone structure that overlooked the entire arena, a certain noble was watching the proceedings with great interest. Lord Gorvhan Velmire, a rotund, greasy man with a thick, bushy mustache and thinning hair, lounged in a plush chair, surrounded by a small army of maids and servants who attended to his every whim. His large frame was draped in extravagant furs and silks of deep burgundy and gold, and his fingers were adorned with rings that sparkled in the pale light filtering through the high, narrow windows of the tower.

    He reclined lazily as two maids massaged his shoulders, his piggish eyes scanning the fighters below with a mixture of amusement and greed. ¡°Heh¡­ look at them all,¡± he muttered to himself, his voice thick and nasally. ¡°So many warriors¡­ all eager to kill each other for a bit of glory and coin. Fools, the lot of them.¡±

    One of the maids, a younger girl with wide eyes, glanced nervously at him. ¡°Is there anyone you favor, my lord?¡±

    Lord Velmire grinned, his fat fingers stroking his mustache thoughtfully as he watched the crowd. ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve got my eye on a few. That clan of berserkers over there¡­ the Frostbloods. They¡¯ll be fun to watch. And Rojas, the self proclaimed strongest man in Kyrrin. Even though he¡¯s a lunatic, I have high hopes for him, including a few other notorious fighters I see out there.¡±

    His eyes wandered further, settling on a figure near the center of the grounds, surrounded by a group of laughing warriors. His eyes narrowed slightly as he noticed the sharp, gleaming teeth of the young man standing with them. ¡°Hmm¡­ now, what do we have here?¡±

    He squinted, leaning forward slightly. ¡°That boy¡­ the one with the colorful armor. Look at those teeth. Could he be¡­ of draconic blood? Or perhaps¡­¡± His voice trailed off, and a sly grin spread across his face. ¡°Perhaps he¡¯s a vessel for one of the draconic deities. Or a child of a vessel..? Interesting¡­ very interesting.¡±

    He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers as he watched Xyenn with growing curiosity. ¡°I¡¯ll be keeping an eye on that one. He might be more dangerous than he looks¡­ or more valuable.¡±

    Suddenly, a loud horn blast echoed across the vale, cutting through the noise of the crowd. The tournament was about to begin. The fighters began to gather near the center of the arena, where a massive wooden platform had been erected. The roar of the crowd grew louder as the warriors lined up, each one eager to prove themselves in the brutal contest to come.

    Skaris grinned, adjusting his grip on his halberd. ¡°Looks like it¡¯s time. You ready for this, kid?¡±

    Xyenn swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. He was nervous¡ªterrified, even¡ªbut beneath that fear, there was something else. Excitement.

    ¡®If I win¡­ they¡¯ll have to take me seriously. No more kid this and kid that. I¡¯ll come home to Mertha and give her intel on Haldrek¡¯s warriors, she¡¯ll have to take me seriously then too.¡¯

    He nodded, his sharp teeth glinting in the pale light as he stepped forward. ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡±

 Chapter 9: The Forge And The Frog

    Far from the frozen expanses of V?rdrheim, deep beneath the scorched earth of an ancient volcanic ruin, lay the hidden forge of the Ironbeard Clan. This was Ashengale, a legendary dwarven workshop carved underground, an extinct volcano that had once spewed fire and ash over the land. The caverns of Ashengale were illuminated by the eerie, pulsating glow of magma rivers that snaked their way through the ruins, casting everything in shades of crimson and orange. The air was thick with heat, the walls blackened with soot and ash from centuries of relentless forging.

    Massive basalt pillars supported the ceiling of the cavern, their surfaces etched with ancient dwarven runes that shimmered faintly in the molten light. The heat was oppressive, even for the hardiest of dwarves, but the Ironbeard Clan worked tirelessly, hammering away at glowing ingots of metal atop anvils that had been handed down through generations. The sound of hammer striking metal echoed through the cavern like a symphony of war drums, accompanied by the constant hiss of steam as molten metal was cooled in enchanted troughs of water.

    The forge itself was a masterpiece of dwarven engineering. Gigantic forges, powered by geothermal energy drawn from the very core of the earth, belched fire and smoke. Massive bellows, operated by intricate gears and pulleys, pumped air into the flames, making them roar like angry beasts. The anvils were each surrounded by workbenches covered in tools¡ªrune-etched hammers, tongs, chisels, and files, all glowing faintly with enchantments designed to shape metal as though it were clay. The walls of the cavern were lined with racks of weapons and armor in various stages of completion, each piece a testament to the craft of the Ironbeards.

    Despite the sweltering heat, the dwarves worked with precision and focus, their sweat-soaked faces glowing in the firelight. Their hammers, embedded with glowing runes of forging, crackled with latent magic, infusing the metal they worked with arcane energy. The forge was alive with the hum of magic, the heat of the magma, and the unyielding determination of the dwarves.

    But today, there was another force of chaos in Ashengale.

    A winged figure zipped through the air, her laughter echoing through the cavern as she darted between the dwarves, causing chaos wherever she went. Yuuna, in her human form, was a whirlwind of energy, her wings a blur of dark pink and black as she flitted from one blacksmith to another, cackling as she scared them out of their wits.

    ¡°Hurry up! Hurry up! Xyenn needs that armor now! You¡¯re all moving slower than a troll!¡± Yuuna shouted, swooping low and causing a dwarf to drop his hammer in panic as she flew past him, her dark pink halo glowing ominously above her head.

    ¡°By the gods, she¡¯s at it again!¡± one of the younger dwarves yelped, diving behind a pile of unfinished shields as Yuuna buzzed overhead, her laughter ringing in his ears.

    Another dwarf, his face streaked with soot, shook his head and muttered, ¡°Bah, she can scream all she wants. I¡¯ve survived worse than¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish, there was a sudden rush of dark energy, and Yuuna shifted forms mid-flight. In an instant, her small, human-like figure expanded, her body twisting and morphing into her dragon form. With a bone-rattling roar, she landed heavily in the middle of the forge, her massive, dark pink and black-scaled body dwarfing the dwarves around her. Her jagged dark pink halo hovered above her head like a crown, and her glowing eyes gleamed with mischief.

    The ground trembled under her weight as her talons scraped against the stone floor. ¡°I SAID FASTER!¡± she bellowed, her voice booming through the cavern like thunder. The heat in the forge intensified as her massive wings flared open, sending gusts of hot air through the room. ¡°I miss Xyenn, so I need the forging to be faster!¡±

    The dwarves froze, their hammers suspended mid-air, as they stared up at the massive dragon looming over them in sheer terror.

    One of the younger dwarves, his beard trembling, whispered, ¡°This is it. We¡¯re all gonna die. I knew it. One day, a dragon would come and melt us all into puddles, and here we are.¡±

    Another dwarf, his face pale, nodded weakly. ¡°Aye¡­ I always said we should¡¯ve stayed in the mountain tops. But nooo, we had to dig down into a bloody volcano.¡±

    Yuuna let out a deep, rumbling laugh, her sharp teeth flashing as she reared back on her hind legs, her wings spreading wide. ¡°Hahaha! Look at all of you! You¡¯re so scared! Pathetic!¡± She bared her teeth menacingly, then, with a flick of her tail, she reverted back into her human form, her wings folding neatly behind her as she landed gracefully on the stone floor, dusting off her hands as if nothing had happened.

    The dwarves stared at her, wide-eyed, as the tension slowly eased.

    One particularly stubborn dwarf, his arms as thick as tree trunks and his face dripping with sweat, crossed his arms and scowled. ¡°Ye can roar and snarl all ye want, lass, but we¡¯re not rushin¡¯ perfection. Quality takes time! Xyenn¡¯s armor will be done when it¡¯s done.¡±

    Yuuna flew up to his face, her nose inches from his, her eyes narrowed. ¡°Oh yeah? How about I turn into a dragon again and melt your armor into a puddle, huh? What would you say to that, beardy?!¡±

    The dwarf snorted, unfazed. ¡°Do yer worst, lass. My beard¡¯s survived worse than dragon fire.¡±

    Before Yuuna could respond, a familiar voice echoed across the forge.

    ¡°Yuuna, lass, ye need to calm yerself. Ye been like this since you were a youngin¡¯.¡±

    The voice belonged to Gridd Ironbeard, the master blacksmith of Ashengale and the clan. Gridd was an imposing figure, even among dwarves. His skin was a deep, sunburnt bronze, weathered from years of working in the heat of the forge. His long, braided beard, streaked with silver, hung down to his chest, and his eyes¡ªa deep, molten gold¡ªheld the wisdom of centuries of craftsmanship. His thick, muscular arms were covered in burn scars and soot marks, but his face always carried a calm, unshakable confidence. He wore a heavy leather apron over his chest, and his hammer¡ªthe largest and most intricately runed in the forge¡ªrested on his shoulder, glowing faintly with golden runes.

    Gridd approached Yuuna, shaking his head with a bemused smile. ¡°Yer scarin¡¯ the lads half to death, lass. If ye keep scarin¡¯ ¡®em like that, we¡¯ll be short a few blacksmiths by the end o¡¯ the day.¡±

    Yuuna crossed her arms, pouting. ¡°But they¡¯re so slooow! Xyenn¡¯s out there without any cool armor, and I need them to work faster!¡±

    ¡°What kind are ye makin¡¯?¡±

    ¡°Ya know, some cool armor that can keep him from going crazy and having flashbacks of my memories. I can feel when he¡¯s experiencing my own trauma..it hurts him. So I need armor forged that can soothe his mind whenever he goes in that state. Something that can block it off completely.¡±

    Gridd chuckled, his voice a deep rumble. ¡°Aye, I know yer impatient. Ye always were. But good craftsmanship can¡¯t be rushed. We¡¯re makin¡¯ armor fit fer a king. Xyenn¡¯ll get his armor, but there¡¯s somethin¡¯ we need first.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s eyes lit up as she flew closer, her wings fluttering with excitement. ¡°What?! What do you need? I¡¯ll get it!¡±

    Gridd turned to one of the younger dwarves, who nervously stepped forward, clutching a sheet of parchment. ¡°W-We need a Pyrostal Core, miss. It¡¯s a special crystal that only forms deep in the heart of ancient volcanic caverns. Without it, the enchantments we¡¯re plannin¡¯ for the armor won¡¯t hold.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°A Pyrostal Core? What¡¯s that? And why haven¡¯t you gotten it yet?!!¡±

    The young dwarf gulped. ¡°W-Well, it¡¯s rare. Real rare. The Pyrostal Core is a crystal formed from the cooled essence of volcanic spirits. It¡¯s said that when a volcano dies, the fire spirits trapped within it condense into these crystals. The core holds the power of eternal flame¡ªit can burn hotter than any forge fire, but it¡¯s highly unstable. If we can get one, we can channel its power into the runes on the armor, makin¡¯ Xyenn¡¯s mind able to withstand and block trauma itself. The draconic flame within the armor itself would burn trauma or psychological attacks from enemies, it would merge with Xyenn¡¯s body physically. But he cannot be in the armor for too long, it would damage his soul. Be sure to give him a short time limit on when he¡¯s wearing the armor.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s eyes gleamed with excitement. ¡°Fine fine. And a crystal made from volcanic spirits? That sounds awesome! I¡¯ll go get it right now!¡± She spun around, ready to take flight, but Gridd¡¯s hand on her shoulder stopped her.

    ¡°Hold on, lass,¡± Gridd said, his voice calm but firm. ¡°It can get crazy there, could be some draconic deities ready for¡ª.¡±

    Yuuna grinned. ¡°Lucky for you, I¡¯m not just any dragon! And besidessss, there won¡¯t be any deities. Watch.¡±

    ¡°How are ye sure?¡±

    ¡°Hmmm, I¡¯m not. But we gotta do this fast! Quick and easy. Then boom, in and out.¡±

    Gridd sighed, shaking his head. ¡°Aye, but ye won¡¯t be goin¡¯ alone. I¡¯m comin¡¯ with ye.¡±

    Yuuna blinked in surprise. ¡°You? But what about the forge? The armor?¡±

    Gridd chuckled, slinging his hammer over his shoulder. ¡°The forge¡¯ll survive without me fer a minute or two. Besides, I¡¯ve been wantin¡¯ to stretch me legs. Can¡¯t let ye go runnin¡¯ off into danger without someone to keep ye in line.¡±

    Before Yuuna could protest, the rest of the dwarves suddenly crowded around Gridd, their faces filled with panic.

    ¡°Ye can¡¯t leave us, Gridd!¡± one of the older dwarves wailed, clutching Gridd¡¯s arm. ¡°The forge¡¯ll fall apart without ye!¡±

    ¡°Aye!¡± another dwarf chimed in, tears welling in his eyes. ¡°Who¡¯ll guide us if ye leave? Yuuna¡¯ll burn the whole place down!¡±

    ¡°Please don¡¯t go!¡± a third dwarf sobbed, throwing himself at Gridd¡¯s feet dramatically. ¡°We need ye, Master Gridd! We¡¯re too scared!¡±

    Gridd looked down at them, his face a picture of exasperated amusement. ¡°By the gods, ye lot are worse than a pack o¡¯ whinin¡¯ pups. It¡¯ll be fine, lads.¡±

    The dwarves continued to pout and plead, their voices a chorus of desperation. ¡°But what if we can¡¯t finish the armor without ye? What if Yuuna comes back and¡ª¡±

    Before they could finish, Yuuna transformed into her dragon form again with a flash of dark energy, towering over them with a wicked grin. ¡°Roar.¡± She said calmly.

    The dwarves screamed in unison and scattered like frightened sheep, dashing behind anvils and workbenches, their beards flapping behind them as they fled.

    Yuuna reverted back to her human form and crossed her arms with a satisfied mocking laugh.

    Gridd shook his head, chuckling. ¡°Ye¡¯ve got a real talent fer scarin¡¯ the life outta people, lass. Let¡¯s hope ye¡¯ve got the same talent for findin¡¯ Pyrostal Crystals.¡±

    Yuuna grinned, her eyes gleaming with excitement. ¡°I¡¯m ready when you are, old man!¡±

    Gridd hefted his mace with a grin. ¡°Then let¡¯s get to it. The sooner we get that crystal, the sooner we can finish Xyenn¡¯s armor.¡±

    Yuuna hovered triumphantly above the forge, arms crossed, wings fluttering, and her dark pink halo glowing softly. The dwarves were back at their anvils, hammering away with renewed vigor¡ªthough it was more out of fear than enthusiasm. With a smug grin on her face, Yuuna flew down to Gridd, who was watching the scene with his arms folded across his broad chest.

    ¡°See? I told you I¡¯d motivate them,¡± Yuuna declared, landing lightly next to Gridd. ¡°Nothing like a little dragon scare to get things moving!¡±

    Gridd rubbed his temples, sighing. ¡°Aye, lass, ye motivated ¡®em, alright. But at this rate, half of ¡®em¡¯ll be dead from heart attacks ¡®fore we finish the armor.¡± He glanced at the dwarves nervously hammering away, their eyes constantly darting toward Yuuna in case she decided to transform again.

    Before Yuuna could respond, the heavy iron doors to the forge swung open with a loud creak, and in walked a crowd of women¡ªMertha¡¯s Pub workers, recognizable by their flowing aprons and colorful scarves. The moment they entered, the forge seemed to still, the sound of hammers dying away as the dwarves turned to look at the newcomers.

    The dwarves¡¯ reactions were immediate. Their eyes went wide, their beards practically quivering as they stared at the pub workers with goofy, wide-eyed expressions of admiration. Some of the younger dwarves even dropped their hammers, their mouths hanging open as if they¡¯d just seen goddesses walk into the forge. One dwarf, who had been mid-swing, froze so suddenly that his hammer clanged loudly against the floor.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    ¡°By the molten gods¡­¡± one of the dwarves whispered, his eyes practically bulging out of his head. ¡°They¡¯re¡­ they¡¯re angels!¡±

    Even the older dwarves who had seen countless battles and forged legendary weapons were suddenly acting like teenagers at a magic academy, puffing out their chests and smoothing down their singed beards.

    The female dwarves in the forge, however, were not amused.

    ¡°Oi!¡± one of the dwarf wives growled, marching up to her starry-eyed husband and yanking him by the ear. ¡°What d¡¯ye think yer doin¡¯, staring at them like a fool?! Get back to work, ye beard-brained idiot!¡±

    Another female dwarf, her hands on her hips, glared at her partner. ¡°I swear, ye¡¯ve got the attention span of a gopher! If I catch ye lookin¡¯ at them girls one more time, I¡¯ll shave yer beard meself!¡±

    The male dwarves cowered under the fury of their wives, but their eyes still followed the pub workers, who were now wandering through the forge, whispering and giggling amongst themselves.

    ¡°Look at that one,¡± one of the workers whispered, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh. She pointed at a dwarf whose helmet was slightly too big for his head, causing his bushy eyebrows to stick out awkwardly. ¡°He looks like a mushroom with legs!¡±

    Another worker giggled, nudging her friend. ¡°And that one over there¡ªhe¡¯s got soot all over his face! Looks like he tried to eat the forge fire.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m jealous, wish I had someone to make armor for.¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡±

    ¡°Yuuna is so lucky, if I could¡¯ve found Xyenn first I totally would¡¯ve ran away with him.¡±

    ¡°No, I would¡¯ve.¡±

    ¡°No. Me. Everyone knows I¡¯m the prettiest out of us all. Even the hunters and adventurers at the pub say so.¡±

    ¡°They just wanna get in your pants!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t ruin my moment!¡±

    The pub workers giggled amongst themselves, casting sidelong glances at the dwarves, who were doing their best to look impressive while pretending not to be eavesdropping.

    Yuuna, floating above the scene with a mischievous grin, folded her arms and looked at Gridd. ¡°See? Told you. NOW they¡¯re motivated.¡±

    Gridd chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°Aye, lass, ye¡¯ve got a way with people, I¡¯ll give ye that.¡± He watched as the dwarves, now desperate to impress the pub workers, began hammering harder and faster, their tools clanging against the anvil with newfound enthusiasm.

    The female dwarves, however, were still fuming, muttering angrily under their breath as they glared at their husbands.

    Yuuna¡¯s grin widened. ¡°They¡¯ll have that armor done in no time.¡±

    Gridd scratched his beard, watching the chaos unfold with a chuckle, ¡°Let¡¯s hope so, lass. I¡¯d rather not have to deal with any more o¡¯ yer ¡®motivational tactics.¡¯¡±

    Yuuna laughed, her wings fluttering behind her. ¡°Oh, come on, Gridd. They love it!¡±

    As the dwarves worked harder than ever¡ªmotivated by a mixture of fear, jealousy, and sheer determination¡ªYuuna and Gridd exchanged knowing glances. The forge was alive with energy, and the armor for Xyenn would be finished soon.

    The journey through the Ashengale Ruins was long and grueling, made even more so by the oppressive heat that clung to the air like a heavy shroud. Yuuna flew slowly, her wings barely flapping as she hovered just above the ground, her movements sluggish, her dark pink halo dimmer than usual. Exhaustion weighed her down like a leaden cloak, her thoughts clouded by fatigue. Beside her, Gridd Ironbeard trudged along, his heavy boots crunching against the ashen ground with each step.

    ¡°I¡¯m so¡­tired.¡± Yuuna said in a drowsy state.

    ¡°Lay it on me, lass.¡±

    ¡°Ugh. I don¡¯t even know where to begin. Ever since we fought Death, I started to feel something for Xyenn, and if I fall in love with Xyenn, I thinksomething bad will happen to me. I hate it. Though, I don¡¯t know what that bad thing is, love between deities and humans are banned. Set by the First Dragon himself. A lot of times I can feel when Xyenn is fighting. That armor your boys are making can help him, but I know he¡¯s fighting because I can feel his heart. Whenever he begins to see my memories, his heart rages and beats super fast. I hate that I can¡¯t do anything about it, besides come to you all.¡±

    ¡°Ye made the right call.¡±

    ¡°My other vessels in the past never made it this far as him, so this is still new to me. Xyenn is special¡­now I sound so damn selfish. UGHHHHH.¡±

    ¡°Yuuna¡ª.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s like, HOW can I say that about him? It sounds like I don¡¯t even care about the other vessels. I chose them out of pure desperation, for survival, I¡¯d say. It was the same for Xyenn. I saw him as a weak ass brat who was ready to throw it all away, I thought maybe I could manipulate him to the point where he¡¯d let me make a contract with him, then I forced one on him when he ended himself, so I ended up bringing him back. I saw his rage for the draconic gods, he shared it with me. That was the best way I could use that on him. But then seeing how determined he was to survive, seeing how far he was willing to go for someone he had just met¡­I don¡¯t know. He told me, a stranger, an evil goddess in the eyes of many, that he would make sure I live. I never had anyone be like that with me. Risking their life for someone like me. I..killed so many people, Gridd. You know this.¡±

    ¡°Aye, I do.¡±

    ¡°My domain was hell itself. I control darkness, and it''s flames. I¡¯m responsible for Xyenn experiencing the darkness I faced when I found out I was being hunted for my heart. He shares my darkness. I¡¯m the reason why there are hunters and adventurers around. I used my nature of darkness to spread it through most of the continents and kingdoms to corrupt the beasts, to cause havoc, maybe to even weaken the very kingdoms and gods, to keep them off my backs so I could survive; but people died because of that, being killed. So the hunters and adventurers were sent out to kill these beasts. And they still lurk about even after all these years. I¡¯m horrible.¡±

    ¡°Let me ask ye this, that day with yer vessel..when Death was an adversary, was that the day you thought ye could be better than ye were before?¡±

    ¡°¡­Yes. I¡¯m not a good goddess. I thought after experiencing these feelings for Xyenn, I thought I could change, maybe being with him could change me.¡±

    ¡°I can tell it has.¡±

    ¡°Gridd..¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve known ye for over 200 years, I saw ye was not an angel, no. But I saw ye were alone, that¡¯s why I came to ye. Bein¡¯ hunted by the gods for ye heart, heavy burdens on ya. Me and yer¡¯ 5 Tyrants like Mertha and the others, we¡¯ve all ye got. I promised I¡¯d help ye seek redemption one day, not destroy yer¡¯ own self. You¡¯ve already changed, lass. Considerin¡¯ the fact that ye¡¯ want to care more about yer¡¯ surroundings.¡±

    ¡°Haha¡­you¡¯ve always been right, beardy. Being with Xyenn made me think I could possibly care more, more about those who I have on my side instead of being a selfish bitch. I didn¡¯t care about anyone, I wanted to survive.¡±

    ¡°And now ye realize yer not the only one sufferin¡¯ in Kyrrin. Yer¡¯ vessel suffers also. Along with the majority of this here world of carnage, eh?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right. I guess.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t make the same mistakes I did, lass. If not for me, my clan wouldn¡¯t have been in hidin¡¯ for so long. Make sure ye cherish everything.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Thanks.¡±

    ¡°Also, where are yer¡¯ other Tyrants?¡±

    Yuuna yawned, ¡°On the way to V?rdrheim. After I get this armor, I¡¯ll head back as well.¡±

    The landscape around them was a harsh reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Fyresawn Continent. The molten earth beneath their feet hissed and bubbled, a network of cracks glowing with an angry red light as magma pulsed just below the surface, veins of molten rock crisscrossing the land like the lifeblood of the earth itself. The air was thick with sulfur and ash, stinging their lungs with every breath. Blackened spires of volcanic rock jutted up from the ground like the jagged teeth of some ancient beast, their surfaces slick with lava that oozed down in slow, lazy rivulets, cooling into crusted layers of obsidian.

    Occasionally, the ground would rumble beneath them, sending loose stones tumbling down from the cliffs that loomed over the narrow path they followed. In the distance, massive volcanic plumes spewed columns of ash and smoke into the sky, blotting out the sun and casting the landscape in a perpetual twilight. The sky above was a swirling mix of dark clouds and crimson light, the horizon glowing with the constant threat of volcanic eruptions.

    Despite the beauty of the molten rivers and the haunting glow of the distant peaks, there was an eerie stillness to the land. No signs of life stirred in the ruins, save for the occasional hiss of steam escaping from cracks in the earth. The ruins themselves were ancient, their origins lost to time. Massive stone structures, half-buried in ash and lava, dotted the landscape, their once-great walls crumbling, their carvings worn smooth by centuries of volcanic fury. Some of the stonework bore ancient, unreadable glyphs, remnants of a long-forgotten civilization that had once called this place home before the volcanoes claimed it.

    The pathway they followed wound through narrow gorges, the walls around them blackened and cracked from the intense heat. Pools of molten lava bubbled lazily in sunken depressions, their surfaces flickering with bursts of flame. Occasionally, they passed under crumbling stone arches, half-melted by the relentless advance of magma, their surfaces scarred by the passage of time and fire.

    Yuuna¡¯s wings beat weakly as she floated just ahead of Gridd, her eyes half-lidded, her thoughts drifting. She hadn¡¯t slept in what felt like days. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of Xyenn, of the armor she needed to secure for him, of the dangers that might befall him while she was away. Her body ached, not from the physical strain of the journey, but from the relentless worry gnawing at her insides. She hadn¡¯t even bothered to transform into her dragon form to conserve energy. She simply drifted, as if she were a ghost haunting the ruins.

    The oppressive heat didn¡¯t seem to bother Gridd much. The dwarven blacksmith was used to the sweltering temperatures of his forge, though even he had to wipe the sweat from his brow more often than usual. His molten gold eyes scanned the path ahead, wary of the dangers that lurked in the volcanic wasteland. He had seen these ruins before, long ago, when he was much younger, but time had changed the land. The once semi-active volcano had grown more volatile, its molten veins spreading like cancer across the landscape, devouring anything that dared to stand in its path.

    They continued in silence, the only sounds their footsteps and the distant rumble of the volcano, until, finally, they reached their destination.

    The path opened up into a massive chamber, a natural crater formed by a long-dormant eruption. The ground here was littered with jagged rocks and pools of glowing magma, the heat so intense that the very air shimmered with it. In the center of the chamber, perched atop a massive rock formation that jutted out of the molten earth like a throne, was the thing they had come for¡ªan enormous Pyrostal Crystal.

    The crystal was unlike anything Yuuna had ever seen. It pulsed faintly with an inner light, a deep, fiery red that swirled with streaks of gold and orange. It was large, easily the size of Yuuna¡¯s torso, and it sat nestled atop the rock as if it had grown there, birthed from the heart of the volcano itself. The crystal¡¯s surface shimmered, its edges jagged and uneven, but its power was palpable, radiating out in waves that made the very air hum with magical energy.

    But the crystal was not alone.

    Sitting beneath it, like a grotesque guardian, was a creature that could only be described as a Volcarok. It was a massive, mutated frog-like beast, its rough, molten skin covered in patches of lava and rock. The creature''s body was bloated and misshapen, its back cracked open in places where molten rock oozed out, forming jagged spikes that jutted from its spine. Its legs were thick and muscular, but its most peculiar feature was its hands¡ªor rather, the way its hands were fused together in a spiraling formation of rock and magma, as though they had been twisted and melted into a permanent, unnatural shape.

    The Volcarok''s eyes glowed with a molten red hue, and atop its head, like a crown, sat the Pyrostal Crystal, embedded in its rocky skull. The creature¡¯s breath came in slow, deep huffs, each exhale sending a puff of steam into the air.

    Gridd, seeing the creature, scowled and muttered something under his breath. He glanced at Yuuna, who was still floating lazily beside him, seemingly unfazed by the sight.

    ¡°These things,¡± Gridd began, his voice low as he explained, ¡°they¡¯re called Volcaroks. Nasty creatures. They¡¯re born from the remains of volcanic spirits, twisted by the molten energies of the earth. When a volcano dies, the spirits trapped within it sometimes merge with the creatures of the land, warping them into these abominations. The Pyrostal Crystal on its head¡ªit¡¯s what keeps it alive. The crystal¡¯s power feeds it, keeps its body from falling apart under the heat. But that same crystal is what we need.¡±

    Yuuna barely nodded, her eyes half-closed as she drifted closer to the Volcarok. Gridd continued, eyeing the beast warily.

    ¡°And¡­?¡±

    ¡°The crystal holds the essence of the volcano¡¯s spirit,¡± Gridd explained. ¡°It¡¯s more than just a power source¡ªit can merge with someone, bond to their very soul. You know That bond can protect them from magical attacks, especially ones that target their mind.¡±

    Yuuna didn¡¯t seem to care about the details. She drifted toward the Volcarok, her eyes barely open, her voice soft as she spoke.

    ¡°Give me... the crystal, please.¡±

    The Volcarok let out a deep, rumbling chuckle, its molten eyes narrowing as it peered down at her. ¡°Hah! You think I¡¯ll just hand it over, little one? This crystal is mine. It sustains me, grants me power beyond your understanding.¡±

    Yuuna blinked slowly, her expression blank, as the creature continued, its voice dripping with arrogance.

    ¡°This crystal, you see, contains the very essence of the volcano. It grants me strength, makes me invincible! None can stand against me. My skin is harder than stone, my blood is molten fire. You stand no chance, little mortal. And even if you could¡ª¡±

    But Yuuna wasn¡¯t listening. Her gaze drifted toward Gridd, who was standing a few paces behind her. Her voice was soft, barely audible over the Volcarok¡¯s rambling.

    ¡°Jump.¡±

    Gridd didn¡¯t hesitate. The moment his feet left the ground, a massive surge of dark power exploded from Yuuna¡¯s body. The air around her warped and distorted as a violent blast of black and dark pink flames erupted outward, consuming everything in its path with a deafening roar. The flames were so hot that the very air ignited, turning the chamber into an inferno of destruction.

    The Volcaroks that had surrounded Yuuna were instantly incinerated, their bodies melting into pools of molten rock and blood. The heat was unbearable, the force of the explosion sending shockwaves through the chamber, cracking the stone walls and sending chunks of rock tumbling down from the ceiling. Lava splashed and hissed as it was thrown into the air, mixing with the blood and gore of the fallen creatures.

    The leader of the Volcaroks, the one with the Pyrostal Crystal on its head, stood frozen in shock. A massive, gaping hole had been blasted through its stomach, its molten innards spilling out onto the ground in a gruesome display. Its once-proud form now stood broken, its knees trembling as it struggled to comprehend what had just happened.

    Yuuna, now behind the Volcarok, stood calmly, her sharp, dragon-like hands wrapped around the Pyrostal Crystal, having already ripped it from the creature¡¯s skull. The Volcarok wheezed, its molten eyes wide with disbelief as it realized it had been defeated.

    It collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud, its body crumbling into a pile of molten rock and flesh, the last remnants of its life flickering out like a dying flame.

    Yuuna, still holding the crystal, barely seemed to register the carnage around her. She looked at Gridd, her eyes half-lidded, her voice as tired as ever.

    ¡°Got it.¡±

    As the final breath of the Volcarok escaped its molten lips, Yuuna stood still, the heat of the volcanic ruin swirling around her. The Pyrostal Crystal glowed faintly in her hands, the powerful artifact pulsing with the remnants of the volcanic spirit¡¯s energy. But Yuuna¡¯s eyes were no longer focused on it¡ªher exhaustion had finally caught up with her.

    Her wings fluttered weakly, and she swayed on her feet, the adrenaline from the battle fading fast. The fatigue that had been gnawing at her for days overwhelmed her all at once. Her body felt impossibly heavy, her vision blurring as if the world around her were dissolving into darkness.

    ¡°Xyenn¡­¡± she whispered softly, her voice barely audible, as her legs gave out and she collapsed.

    But before she could hit the ground, Gridd was there. The old dwarf moved with surprising speed, catching her in his strong, calloused arms. Her head lolled against his chest, her breathing deep and steady as she fell into a deep, exhausted sleep.

    Gridd looked down at her, his molten gold eyes softening as he cradled her small, limp form. Her wings drooped, their dark pink feathers dim in the faint light of the ruins, and her halo flickered like a dying ember above her head. She looked so fragile, so unlike the fierce, fiery warrior she usually was. But Gridd knew better. He had known Yuuna her entire life, and he had seen her push herself to her limits time and time again.

    With a grunt, Gridd shifted the weight of his hammer over his shoulder and, with Yuuna in his arms, began the long trek back to Ashengale Forge.

    ¡°Ahhh, let¡¯s go lass. Ye did enough today.¡±

    By the time they reached the forge, the dwarves of Ashengale were already hard at work, hammering away at the final pieces of Xyenn¡¯s armor. The massive forge roared with life, the heat from the magma rivers casting long shadows across the blackened stone walls.

    Gridd kicked open the heavy iron door and stormed into the workshop, his voice booming over the clamor of the busy forge.

    ¡°Get that armor done, lads! We¡¯ve no time to waste!¡±

    The dwarves froze for a moment, their eyes wide at the sight of the unconscious Yuuna in Gridd¡¯s arms. But they quickly snapped back to attention, nodding furiously as they redoubled their efforts, their hammers ringing out in a frantic symphony of metal and magic.

    Gridd carried Yuuna to a quieter corner of the forge, carefully laying her down on a thick pile of furs and blankets meant for resting workers. He knelt beside her, his eyes scanning her face as he made sure she was breathing steadily. She was still fast asleep, her chest rising and falling softly, her lips barely moving as she mumbled something unintelligible in her dreams.

    Gridd sighed, his weathered hand brushing a lock of her dark hair from her face. He looked down at her, his voice barely more than a whisper.

    ¡°Ye always push yourself. Rest.¡±

    His voice was thick with the weight of old memories, memories of a younger Yuuna, fierce and determined even then, always pushing herself to the brink for the sake of those she cared about. He had seen her grow from an orphaned child to the powerful, stubborn warrior she was today. She had always been the same¡ªreckless, brave, and selfless to a fault.

    Gridd¡¯s eyes softened as he stood, watching over her for a moment longer before turning back to the forge. The dwarves were working at a furious pace now, their hammers striking the enchanted armor with rhythmic precision, their faces set with grim determination. They understood the urgency. They knew what was at stake.

    And Gridd, standing at the heart of Ashengale Forge, was determined to see this through. For Yuuna. For Xyenn.

    The Pyrostal Crystal glowed faintly in his hand, its power waiting to be unleashed through the arcane runes of the armor.

    He cast one last glance at her, sleeping soundly in the corner, and muttered under his breath.

    ¡°Back to V?rdrheim when this is all over. We¡¯ll give ye a free ride.¡±

 Chapter 10: Uppercut

    The air was thick with anticipation as the crowd settled into their seats, the noise of the arena growing quieter as all eyes turned toward the central platform of the arena. A figure stepped onto the wooden dais, his presence commanding immediate attention. The announcer, a man of unusual stature and appearance, was wrapped in a thick, fur-lined cloak of deep violet, his exposed skin etched with glowing tattoos that pulsed faintly in the cold air. His long, silver hair flowed down to his waist, and a pair of horns¡ªmore decorative than functional¡ªcurved elegantly from his forehead, marking him as one of the Frostkin, a humanoid race native to the northernmost regions of V?rdrheim.

    His voice boomed through the arena, magically amplified so that every word echoed off the frozen cliffs surrounding the vale.

    ¡°LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! Warriors and beasts alike! Welcome to the grand tournament of Vyrskeld¡¯s Fury!¡± His voice was deep and resonant, carrying both the weight of tradition and the showmanship of a seasoned performer. ¡°Today, we bear witness to legends in the making! Heroes will rise, and the weak shall fall! Prepare yourselves for a spectacle of blood, steel, and magic! Remember the rules: No killing, accidental murder can occur, but you will not be penalized! If an opponent gives up, the match is over! If they cannot fight anymore, then the match is over! May the best warriors win!¡±

    The crowd erupted into cheers, their voices a cacophony of excitement and bloodlust. The announcer raised a hand, calling for silence once more.

    ¡°And now, for our first bout! A young challenger, new to these lands, but filled with potential! A warrior whose sharp teeth and colorful armor have already earned him¡­ interesting attention! Standing before you, he is ¡°Xyenn the Clown!¡±

    The crowd¡¯s reaction was immediate¡ªa mixture of laughter and jeers, and Xyenn scoffed, ¡°Damn you all!¡±. The name was unfamiliar to them, and the sight of Xyenn¡ªhis armor a patchwork of vibrant colors, his youthful face barely masking his excitement¡ªseemed to amuse them more than anything.

    ¡°Look at him! He thinks he can beat us all!¡± someone in the crowd shouted, followed by a chorus of mocking laughter.

    ¡°He¡¯s a clown! A jester!¡± another voice jeered.

    ¡®Ohhhh I hope I¡¯m fighting them all!¡¯

    Xyenn stepped onto the platform, trying to maintain a calm composure, but he couldn¡¯t help the grin that kept creeping onto his face. His heart pounded in his chest, his body tingling with excitement. He could feel the energy of the crowd, the anticipation in the air¡ªit made him almost giddy. He kept smirking and trying to put it away, but the thrill of finally standing in an arena like this, after so many years of being denied, was almost overwhelming.

    ¡®I really wish Yuuna was here with me. To experience this great moment.¡¯

    Xyenn was flustered at the thought, then thinking to himself:

    ¡®I wonder how she¡¯s doing, if she¡¯s alright. For some reason I can feel she¡¯s alive. I don¡¯t know how to explain it. I know we¡¯re connected now, so it¡¯s obvious I probably would feel something, right? Can¡¯t deny the fact that I wanna see her again. I¡¯m not saying I miss her because it would sound super weird in my head. But I know I do anyway.¡¯

    Then out of nowhere he began to think about that night they had, when Yuuna was on top of him, sniffing and rubbing on him. Xyenn could feel his junk about to rise, so he hurried to switch his thoughts up as his face turned red, shaking his head.

    ¡®Stupid hormones! Not here! Not right now! Go down! Go down!¡¯

    The announcer¡¯s voice boomed again, cutting through the laughter. ¡°And his opponent¡­ a warrior whose name is known across all the continents of Kyrrin! A Rune Warden of unmatched skill, a veteran of King Haldrek¡¯s quests, and a champion of every noble-sanctioned tournament in the land! I give you¡­ Blake Gundor!¡±

    A hush fell over the crowd, followed by a wave of cheers and applause. Blake Gundor stepped onto the platform, his armor gleaming in the cold light. His attire was a deep azure, the metal plates etched with intricate runes that glowed faintly with magical energy. His long, dark hair was tied back in a sleek ponytail, and his smirk was as sharp as the blade at his side. He looked every bit the seasoned warrior, his confidence radiating from him like heat from a flame.

    Blake raised a hand to the crowd, basking in their adulation. ¡°I hope you brought more than just that ridiculous armor, boy,¡± he sneered, his voice dripping with arrogance. ¡°Because I¡¯ve fought gods, monsters, and men twice your size¡­ and you don¡¯t even look like you belong here.¡±

    The crowd roared with approval, many of them shouting encouragements to Blake.

    ¡°Kill him, Blake! Show that brat what a real warrior looks like!¡±

    ¡°Send him back to the circus!¡±

    ¡®Tch! Damn Kaelith, it¡¯s his fault they¡¯re mocking me. But I don¡¯t care. Total face slapping incoming. I¡¯ll show them I belong here now.¡¯

    Xyenn took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. He could feel the weight of the crowd¡¯s expectations, the disdain in their voices. He knew they didn¡¯t take him seriously, but that only made his smile grow wider.

    High above the arena, in the luxurious tower reserved for the noble elite, Lord Gorvhan Velmire sat in his plush chair, surrounded by attendants and maids. His corpulent frame was draped in rich furs and silks of burgundy and gold, his beady eyes peering down at the combatants with keen interest. His fingers, adorned with rings encrusted with gemstones, drummed on the arm of his chair as he watched the proceedings.

    Velmire¡¯s family, the House of Velmire, had long been associated with the organization of tournaments across the continents of Kyrrin. Their wealth and power had grown over generations, largely thanks to their connections with the rulers of V?rdrheim and their monopoly on tournaments such as Vyrskeld¡¯s Fury. Velmire himself was a shrewd and greedy man, always on the lookout for opportunities to increase his family¡¯s influence.

    His eyes lingered on Blake Gundor, and a small smile crept onto his face. ¡°Ah, Blake Gundor. The pride of the Rune Wardens,¡± he muttered to himself. ¡°He¡¯s been to every tournament we¡¯ve sanctioned¡­ a fine warrior, indeed. I¡¯ve heard stories¡ªhow he led his guild on King Haldrek¡¯s most dangerous quests. They say he¡¯s slain frost giants, wyverns, and even bested a dragonkin in single combat. Quite the reputation he¡¯s built for himself.¡±

    As Velmire¡¯s gaze shifted to Xyenn, his smile faltered slightly. He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. ¡°I¡¯ll be keeping an eye on this one.¡±

    Meanwhile, in the stands, Skaris, Kaelith, Dreugan, and Ellyra watched the arena with interest, their eyes fixed on Xyenn.

    Skaris snorted, leaning on his halberd. ¡°The kid¡¯s got guts, I¡¯ll give him that. But he¡¯s also got no idea what he¡¯s walking into. Blake Gundor¡¯s not just some random thug¡ªhe¡¯s been killing guys like Xyenn for years.¡±

    Ellyra chuckled, flicking her braid over her shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m more interested in where the kid¡¯s from. He¡¯s too¡­ different to be some random kid who killed 50 bandits. And those teeth¡ª¡°

    Kaelith, ever the observer, nodded thoughtfully. ¡°It¡¯s possible. But he could also be a vessel. Those who are children of the draconic vessel do not inherit their powers or magic, only their features like eyes, teeth, etc. Xyenn has all those features, slit pupils and sharp teeth, but I can tell he¡¯s strong. The look in his eyes is filled with bloodlust, the pacing of his heartbeat is fast like a dragons. I have him all figured out.¡±Stolen story; please report.

    Dreugan grunted, his eyes narrowing as he watched Xyenn. ¡°Whether he¡¯s draconic or not, we¡¯ll find out soon enough, isn¡¯t that why we brought him to this tournament? To see the nature of his power? King Haldrek promised a bonus if we can inform him of what deity the draconic vessel is bound to. With the war brewing, King Haldrek¡¯s ordered that anyone with draconic bloodlines or any vessels of draconic deities be hunted down and killed. If the kid¡¯s one of them, he¡¯s as good as dead. We¡¯ve had too many damn abominations of war arrive in V?rdrheim causing a ruckus, which put the hunters and adventurers on edge. We know Yuuna is responsible for most animals and beasts being super fucking chaotic whenever they get around anyone due to her opening hell

    Itself years ago, but the draconic god of war himself is reshaping harmless beings into weapons of war. That bastard fears Haldrek.¡±

    Skaris grinned, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. ¡°Yeah This tournament might be the perfect way to figure out which deity he belongs to. And when we do¡­ well, let¡¯s just say I¡¯m looking forward to the kill.¡±

    Kaelith smirked, his eyes flicking to Xyenn. ¡°He¡¯s young. Naive. He came with us without even questioning why. But that might be his downfall.¡±

    Ellyra said, ¡°You mentioned you had him figured out. What did you mean?¡±

    ¡°Nothing. Let¡¯s just enjoy the show shall we.¡±

    ¡°Aww, but I wanna fight in it.¡±

    ¡°You know we¡¯re too strong. We¡¯d kill someone. We¡¯re not just his warriors.¡±

    Druegan added, ¡°We¡¯re his executioners.¡±

    The announcer raised his hands, signaling the start of the match. The crowd fell silent for a moment, tension crackling in the air like the calm before a storm.

    ¡°Fight!¡±

    Blake Gundor smirked, drawing a long, thin blade from his side. The runes etched along its length flared to life, glowing with a fierce red light. ¡°This won¡¯t take long,¡± he said, his voice filled with confidence. ¡°These runes? They¡¯ve been passed down through my family for generations. They¡¯re imbued with the power of ancient magic¡ªspeed, strength, and fire. You won¡¯t even be able to touch me, brat.¡±

    With that, Blake¡¯s body blurred, moving at an impossible speed. He dashed around the arena, his movements a whirlwind of flashing steel and glowing runes. He circled Xyenn like a predator toying with its prey, the crowd cheering him on.

    ¡°Too slow!¡± Blake taunted, his voice echoing from all directions. ¡°Come on, brat! Try and keep up!¡±

    Xyenn stood in the center of the platform, unmoving. His hands were relaxed at his sides, his head slightly tilted as he watched Blake dart around him. He tried to hold back his smile, but it kept creeping onto his face. The energy of the crowd, the excitement, the memories of all the times he had been rejected from tournaments because he didn¡¯t possess draconic mana¡ªit all bubbled up inside him.

    And then it happened. He couldn¡¯t hold it in any longer.

    Xyenn burst out laughing.

    It started as a chuckle, but quickly grew into full-blown, uncontrollable laughter. His shoulders shook, and tears formed in the corners of his eyes as he clutched his sides, doubling over with laughter.

    ¡°I¡¯m really moving up in the world!¡± Xyenn exclaimed between gasps of breath, his voice filled with genuine amusement.

    The crowd fell silent, their cheers fading into confused murmurs. Blake stopped dashing, glaring at Xyenn with a look of utter disbelief.

    ¡°What the hell are you laughing at?¡± Blake demanded, his voice harsh. ¡°You think this is a joke?¡±

    Xyenn wiped a tear from his eye, still grinning. ¡°No, no¡­ it¡¯s just¡­ I can¡¯t believe it. All those years I couldn¡¯t even enter a tournament¡­ and now here I am. I¡¯m fighting the famous Blake Gundor, and I¡¯m laughing because¡­ because it¡¯s just so damn funny!¡±

    Blake¡¯s face twisted with fury. He felt mocked, humiliated in front of the entire arena. ¡°You little brat! I¡¯ll wipe that smile off your face!¡±

    The red runes along Blake¡¯s arm flared brightly, and his hand morphed into a grotesque blade of burning red energy. The spirit of a massive, flaming bull appeared behind him, its form crackling with fiery power as it charged forward, matching Blake¡¯s speed as he lunged at Xyenn.

    The crowd roared, rising to their feet as Blake closed in, his blade aimed straight for Xyenn¡¯s heart.

    But in the blink of an eye, Xyenn was gone.

    Before anyone could register what had happened, Xyenn appeared behind Blake, his fist hurtling toward the back of Blake¡¯s head with blinding speed. The impact was so sudden, so powerful, that Blake¡¯s body jerked forward violently, his head snapping back as he was sent sprawling.

    Then, just as quickly, Xyenn was in front of him, his fist connecting with Blake¡¯s face in a devastating uppercut. The force of the blow was so immense that it sent Blake rocketing into the sky, his body hurtling upward as the entire platform beneath them exploded into splinters, the shockwave sending debris and snow flying in all directions.

    For a moment, the entire arena was silent.

    All eyes were on Xyenn, who stood in the center of the destruction, a wide grin on his face. The wind howled through the open arena, but no one spoke.

    The silence was deafening.

    High above the chaos unfolding in the arena, Lord Gorvhan Velmire* reclined in his cushioned chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the ornate armrests. His greedy eyes were still locked on Xyenn, a glint of intrigue flickering in their depths. The shock of the crowd below was palpable, but Velmire seemed more intrigued than shaken.

    One of his maids, a young woman with wide, curious eyes, stood behind him, her hands working over his shoulders in a soft massage. She hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°My lord, that boy¡­ he seems different from the others. Have you ever seen someone so¡­ unhinged in these tournaments?¡±

    Velmire sighed, leaning back further into his chair as he motioned for another maid to refill his goblet of wine. ¡°Unhinged, you say?¡± He chuckled darkly, taking a slow sip from the goblet. ¡°Perhaps. But madness, my dear, often runs hand-in-hand with power.¡±

    He cast a glance at the maid, his piggish eyes gleaming with amusement. ¡°Draconic bloodlines aren¡¯t new to these tournaments. My family has run these events for centuries, long before most of these fools were even born. We¡¯ve had dragonkin, half-bloods, even vessels of the draconic gods themselves set foot in our arenas. But this boy?¡± He paused, looking back down at the battlefield, where Xyenn still stood among the wreckage of the platform. ¡°There¡¯s something more dangerous about him. Something¡­ unpredictable.¡±

    The maid¡¯s hands faltered for a moment as she glanced nervously at her lord. ¡°Do you think he¡¯s a vessel, my lord? Or perhaps something else?¡±

    Velmire chuckled again, his large belly shaking beneath his furs. ¡°Vessel or not, it matters little right now. But I¡¯ll tell you this: he¡¯s unlike any of the others we¡¯ve seen. Most of the draconic bloodlines that have passed through our tournaments were either arrogant or burdened by the weight of their lineage. They were either fueled by vengeance or honor, desperate to prove something to their godlike ancestors. But this Xyenn?¡± He shook his head, an amused smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. ¡°He seems¡­ detached. Almost like he¡¯s enjoying this too much.¡±

    Another maid, standing nearby, dared to ask, ¡°But my lord, didn¡¯t your house once host a tournament where a dragon vessel fought? I¡¯ve heard stories about the power they possess. Is this boy really so different?¡±

    Velmire¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, his voice dropping to a more serious tone. ¡°Ah, yes. You¡¯re referring to the Tournament of the Crimson Scales, where Valthorax, the vessel of the draconic deity of rot, Gorgryth, fought. That one nearly burned half the arena to the ground. Yes, we¡¯ve hosted many vessels, and their power is immense. But Xyenn¡­ he¡¯s different. He doesn¡¯t carry himself like a vessel. Valthorax was burdened by his god¡¯s will, driven by purpose. This boy? He fights like a man without chains. Like someone who isn¡¯t here to serve a higher power¡­ but to revel in his own. Something darker.¡±

    Velmire leaned forward slightly, his eyes still fixed on Xyenn. ¡°And that, my dear, makes him far more dangerous.¡±

    The first maid, her hands still working over his shoulders, hesitated for a moment before asking, ¡°But my lord, your family¡­ they¡¯ve always had a hand in controlling these events, haven¡¯t they? Surely, you¡¯ve dealt with dangerous fighters before.¡±

    Velmire grinned, his teeth yellowed from years of indulgence. ¡°Of course. The House of Velmire has been a pillar of nobility in V?rdrheim for generations. It was my ancestors who first brought the concept of these tournaments to the continent. They recognized that the common folk needed spectacle, and the rulers needed warriors. We¡¯ve provided both. And due to the upcoming war, the king uses us to seek out potential abominations of war, dragon-kin, or draconic god vessels.¡±

    He paused, savoring another sip of wine before continuing. ¡°But our influence extends far beyond V?rdrheim. Our family¡¯s reach crosses the seas, to the southern kingdoms, the desert realms of Othre, and even the western isles of Kyrrin. Every tournament we¡¯ve sanctioned has brought wealth and power to our name. Bloodlines have clashed, kingdoms have risen and fallen, all under the watchful eye of House Velmire.¡±

    His eyes darkened slightly as he continued. ¡°We¡¯ve seen many warriors fall in these arenas, from those claiming to be the offspring of dragons to those wielding the powers of gods. And yet, none have looked quite so¡­ unchained as this boy.¡±

    The second maid, emboldened by her master¡¯s musings, asked quietly, ¡°Do you think he¡¯s a threat to your house, my lord?¡±

    Velmire chuckled softly, shaking his head. ¡°A threat? No, not yet. But he¡¯s certainly one to watch. He¡¯s got the aura of someone who doesn¡¯t fear consequences, and that makes him unpredictable. But¡­ if he survives this tournament, perhaps we¡¯ll find a way to turn that unpredictability into something useful.¡±

    He leaned back again, his fingers idly stroking the fur draped across his chest. ¡°In the end, it¡¯s all a game. Just a damn game. I¡¯m only hosting this because Haldrek is paying me good coin. And the house of Velmire could easily earn a higher rep being associated with a king for the first time in hundreds of years.¡±

    ¡®I¡¯m supposed to immediately report to the king if there is a vessel or dragonkin in my tournament. But I see the king''s executioners are out there, nothing else I can do. They¡¯ll kill him. What are they waiting for? I hope these battle hungry fiends don¡¯t kill him in the middle of the tournament, he¡¯s bringing in all the attention my family has been looking for.¡¯

    As the dust settled, the crowd was still in stunned silence, jaws slack, eyes wide as they stared at the shattered remains of the arena. Blake Gundor lay somewhere in the wreckage, unconscious, while Xyenn stood in the middle of the chaos, grinning like a madman. The wind tousled his hair as he took in the moment.

    And then, like a dam breaking, the fighters who had once mocked him suddenly surged toward him, their attitudes completely reversed. They gathered around Xyenn, their eyes glinting with admiration, desperation, and sycophantic glee.

    ¡°Hey, Xyenn, that was amazing!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve got to teach me how you did that, man!¡±

    ¡°I always knew you had it in you!¡±

    Xyenn stood there, his arms crossed over his chest, striking a dramatic, over-the-top pose like some kind of hero from a cheesy adventure story. His colorful armor gleamed in the cold light, and he puffed out his chest proudly. For a moment, he basked in their praise, soaking in the attention like a sponge.

    But then, with an exaggerated flick of his hand, he pointed at one of the sycophants.

    ¡°Fake!¡± he shouted.

    The man blinked in confusion, stepping back.

    Xyenn turned, pointing at another with a dramatic flourish. ¡°Fake!¡± he repeated, his voice rising with mock indignation.

    ¡°Hey, wait¡ª¡±

    ¡°Fake!¡± Xyenn spun, pointing at yet another fighter, his eyes narrowing in mock accusation.

    The crowd around him grew increasingly baffled as Xyenn continued his performance, pointing at random individuals, his tone dripping with malice. ¡°Fake! Fake! Fake! Fake!¡±

    Each time he said it, the fighters shrank back, their sudden admiration wilting under the weight of Xyenn¡¯s playful accusations.

    Finally, he threw his hands up in the air, shaking his head in exaggerated disbelief. ¡°Now you all wanna be nice to me, huh? After all that laughing? Tch! FAKE!¡±

    The group of fighters exchanged awkward glances, some scratching their heads, unsure how to respond. Xyenn, still grinning, gave a mock bow, then casually strolled off, leaving the befuddled crowd in his wake, content to let them stew in their newfound confusion.

    As he walked away, he muttered under his breath, loud enough for them to hear, ¡°Bunch of clowns¡­¡±

 Bonus Chapter

    IMPORTANT: Bonus chapters CAN BE SKIPPED, I will not add vital information or important characters in bonus chapters, they¡¯re just for pure enjoyment and sometimes adding more richness and detail to the world. Bonus chapters have NO significance to the plot. Do note that bonus chapters will be VERY rare, as I don¡¯t want to break the flow of the story at crucial times and moments. Be sure to rate and review if you¡¯re enjoying this so far, thank ya thank ya.

    The atmosphere in the arena was electric, the air thick with the tension of hundreds of onlookers waiting for bloodshed. The ground beneath the fighters was already stained with the aftermath of earlier battles, and now seven more pairs of warriors stood ready to unleash their unique talents. Each fighter was armed with uncanny weapons and techniques, their abilities honed through years of brutal training.

    This was no simple tournament¡ªit was a battlefield where fighters could not afford to hold back. The combatants would fight until they broke, until their bodies gave out, but no one would die today. This was about dominance, about proving strength, and about survival.

    From the stands, the noise of the crowd was deafening. People were shouting names, placing bets, and screaming for blood.

    ¡°Rhazek! I¡¯m putting 100 gold on Rhazek!¡± one man bellowed, clutching a parchment filled with bets.

    ¡°You¡¯re insane,¡± another replied, shaking his head. ¡°That rogue¡¯s too fast¡ªEryndra¡¯s going to gut him like a fish!¡±

    ¡°Maybe, but did you see what Rhazek did to that last guy? He turned his armor into mush!¡± the first man retorted, laughing.

    The crowd surged with excitement, the energy palpable. Some were shouting for their favorite fighters, while others simply wanted to see blood hit the dirt. Below, the fighters readied themselves, and the battles began.

    Rhazek the Battle Alchemist vs. Eryndra the Rogue

    Rhazek''s eyes gleamed behind his mask, his bandolier lined with glowing vials of volatile chemicals. In his hand was a dual-bladed alchemical glaive, its long shaft set with rotating vials and gears that hissed with steam, a weapon as much a tool of science as it was of war. Across from him, Eryndra crouched low, her body garbed in form-fitting black leather. She wielded crescent moon daggers, their edges shimmering with a faint, sickly green glow, coated with a neurotoxin that could incapacitate with a single cut.

    The bell rang, and Eryndra disappeared into a blur of motion. She dashed at Rhazek, her daggers aimed at his throat. Rhazek reacted instantly, spinning his glaive in a low arc. The blades clanged together, sparks flying as Eryndra¡¯s daggers slid off the alchemical glaive.

    ¡°Too slow, alchemist!¡± Eryndra taunted, her voice a low hiss.

    Rhazek¡¯s eyes narrowed as he twisted a vial on his weapon. ¡°We¡¯ll see,¡± he muttered, as a burst of alchemical flame shot from the glaive¡¯s tip, forcing Eryndra to vault backward. Her agility was uncanny¡ªshe flipped in midair, landing silently several feet away.

    ¡°Take her down, Rhazek!¡± a spectator screamed. ¡°Burn her alive!¡±

    But Rhazek wasn¡¯t done. He flung a vial to the ground, and a thick, bubbling foam spread across the floor, expanding rapidly. Tendrils of the foam lashed out, trying to entangle Eryndra¡¯s legs. She dashed through the gaps, her daggers flashing as she sliced through the foam tendrils with ease.

    ¡°You¡¯ll have to do better than that,¡± she taunted again, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

    Rhazek lunged forward, swinging his glaive in a deadly arc. Eryndra barely managed to parry, but the force of the blow sent her staggering. Rhazek followed up with a quick release of corrosive acid from his weapon, spraying the area around her. Eryndra twisted, avoiding most of the acid, but a few drops sizzled on her armor, eating through the leather.

    ¡°Should¡¯ve worn something sturdier,¡± Rhazek said, his voice cold.

    Eryndra smirked, ignoring the damage. ¡°I¡¯ll wear your skin if you don¡¯t shut up.¡±

    She retaliated with a flurry of strikes, her daggers aiming for Rhazek¡¯s exposed joints. One dagger found its mark, slicing across his arm. Rhazek grunted, feeling the neurotoxin begin to numb his muscles, but he smashed a vial against his chest. The alchemical liquid coursed through him, neutralizing the toxin and sending a surge of adrenaline to his limbs.

    The fight raged on, both combatants bloodied but unbroken.

    ---

    Kaelen the Martial Artist vs. Jorvhan the Tank

    Kaelen stood barefoot, his hands wrapped in iron-alloyed bandages that crackled faintly with energy. His fists were his weapons¡ªimbued with spirit energy that could shatter bones and break minds. Across from him, Jorvhan towered like a mountain, his skin covered in runic tattoos that glowed faintly beneath his heavy, jagged armor. His weapon was an enormous earthbreaker maul, a brutal hammer that could crush stone with a single blow.

    Jorvhan swung first, his maul crashing down with the force of a landslide. The ground trembled under the impact, but Kaelen was already gone, his body a blur as he sidestepped the blow. He dashed forward, his fists crackling with energy, and struck Jorvhan¡¯s armored side with a spirit-infused punch.

    ¡°Is that all you¡¯ve got?¡± Kaelen asked, his voice calm despite his speed.

    Jorvhan growled. ¡°I¡¯ll crush you into the dirt, little man!¡±

    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    With a roar, he swung his maul in a wide arc. Kaelen ducked, the maul missing his head by inches. With lightning speed, Kaelen leapt into the air, spinning into a flying heel kick, his foot colliding with Jorvhan¡¯s helmet. The blow reverberated through the tank¡¯s skull, but he stood firm, grabbing Kaelen¡¯s leg mid-kick and slamming him into the ground.

    ¡°Bet you didn¡¯t see that coming!¡± Jorvhan spat, grinning through his bloodied lips.

    Kaelen coughed, blood dripping from his mouth, but rolled to his feet just as Jorvhan brought the maul down again. This time, Kaelen¡¯s hands glowed bright, and he caught the haft of the maul mid-swing. His body trembled under the force, but he channeled his spirit energy through his arms, redirecting the blow and pushing Jorvhan back.

    ¡°You¡¯re tough,¡± Kaelen admitted, his voice steady, ¡°but you¡¯re not fast enough.¡±

    Jorvhan swung again, but Kaelen slipped under the blow, his fists becoming a blur as he unleashed a series of spirit-infused strikes to Jorvhan¡¯s joints. The tank grunted, feeling his knees buckle slightly, but powered through, his maul swinging in wide, devastating arcs.

    ¡°Get him, Kaelen!¡± someone in the crowd shouted. ¡°Don¡¯t let that brute touch you again!¡±

    Kaelen dodged, leapt, and spun, his body moving with fluid grace, but every dodge brought him closer to exhaustion. Jorvhan, bleeding from multiple cuts and bruises, raised his maul for one final swing.

    ---

    Syrris the Beast Tamer vs. Ulveris the Priest

    Syrris stood with her hand resting on the head of a massive, spectral onyx lion, its eyes glowing with arcane power. She wore a cloak made of beast hides, and her staff was a carved bone etched with runes of summoning. Across from her, Ulveris, a priest garbed in flowing white robes, raised a crystalline censer that swung from a chain. The censer was filled with glowing embers, and a faint, holy mist drifted from it, surrounding him like a protective veil.

    ¡°Send your beast,¡± Ulveris called, his voice calm and collected. ¡°It won¡¯t save you.¡±

    Syrris smirked. ¡°We¡¯ll see if your gods are as strong as my beasts.¡±

    With a silent command, the onyx lion charged forward, its claws leaving deep gouges in the stone floor. Ulveris stood firm, chanting under his breath, and with a flick of his wrist, the censer¡¯s chain lengthened, becoming a spiked chain mace that he swung with surprising force.

    The lion leapt at Ulveris, its jaws wide. The priest swung his censer, the spikes colliding with the lion¡¯s head in a spray of sparks. The spectral beast roared in pain but didn¡¯t fall. It swiped at Ulveris with its massive paw, the claws tearing through his robes and leaving bloody gashes across his chest.

    ¡°Your lion fights well,¡± Ulveris said, gritting his teeth against the pain. ¡°But it¡¯s not enough.¡±

    Ulveris raised his censer high, and a pillar of holy light erupted from the ground, slamming into the lion and sending it flying back toward Syrris. The beast flickered, its form destabilizing, but Syrris whispered another command, and the lion reformed, its eyes burning brighter than before.

    ¡°C¡¯mon, Syrris, crush him!¡± a spectator yelled. ¡°Don¡¯t let that priest show you up!¡±

    Ulveris lunged, his censer spinning in a violent arc. Syrris blocked with her staff, the impact sending a shockwave up her arms. She retaliated by summoning a swarm of spectral wolves, their forms darting around Ulveris, snapping at his limbs. The priest spun his censer, the spikes tearing through the wolves, but for every wolf he destroyed, another appeared in its place.

    ¡°Give up, priest,¡± Syrris taunted, her voice calm. ¡°You¡¯re outmatched.¡±

    Ulveris wiped blood from his lip, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Not yet.¡±

    ---

    Draxor the Mage vs. Lethys the Warrior

    Draxor¡¯s form was draped in a long coat stitched with shimmering scales of fallen dragons, and in his hand, he held a serpent staff coiled with living energy. His magic crackled in the air, a tangible force of nature. Across from him, Lethys, a warrior clad in obsidian armor etched with runes of protection, wielded a serrated glaive that dripped with venom from the fangs embedded in its blade.

    ¡°Your magic won¡¯t save you, mage,¡± Lethys growled, spinning her glaive in a deadly arc.

    Draxor raised an eyebrow. ¡°And your sword won¡¯t touch me.¡±

    Lethys charged, her glaive spinning as she closed the distance. The venomous fangs aimed to pierce through Draxor¡¯s defenses. The mage raised his staff, and from its tip, a serpent made of pure lightning shot forward, wrapping itself around Lethys¡¯ weapon. The glaive sparked as the lightning serpent constricted, but Lethys powered through, swinging the glaive with enough force to break the serpent apart and slam the blade into Draxor¡¯s side.

    Draxor grunted, feeling the venom burn through his robes and into his skin, but he retaliated instantly. With a flick of his wrist, the ground beneath Lethys erupted in spikes of hardened stone, forcing her to leap back. Draxor pressed his advantage, summoning draconic claws of molten lava from the air, which slashed at Lethys in rapid succession.

    ¡°Can¡¯t dodge forever,¡± Draxor said, his voice cold.

    Lethys growled, her glaive spinning in a tight arc, the venomous fangs catching Draxor¡¯s arm. Blood sprayed from the wound, and the venom spread quickly, but Draxor¡¯s eyes glowed with furious power. He slammed his staff into the ground, and a storm of fire and lightning erupted around him, forcing Lethys to retreat.

    ¡°You¡¯ll burn for that,¡± Lethys spat, her eyes blazing with fury as she readied herself for the next assault.

    ---

    Thalor the Priest vs. Korrath the Rogue

    Thalor, his golden robes shimmering with divine energy, held a sanctified scythe glowing with the power of the sun. Across from him, Korrath crouched low, his whip-blades coiled around his arms like serpents. The blades were razor-thin, designed to slice through flesh with the slightest flick of his wrist.

    Korrath struck first, his whip-blades unraveling in a blur of motion. They snaked through the air, their razor edges gleaming as they aimed for Thalor¡¯s throat. The priest spun his scythe, deflecting the blades with a shower of sparks, but Korrath was relentless, sending the whip-blades in from every angle, each swipe targeting a vital area.

    ¡°You can¡¯t block forever,¡± Korrath sneered, his voice filled with malice.

    Thalor¡¯s scythe glowed with holy light, and with a wide swing, he unleashed a wave of sanctified flame that forced Korrath to backflip out of range.

    ¡°Holy fire, huh?¡± Korrath grinned. ¡°Nice trick.¡±

    The rogue darted forward, his whip-blades spinning in tight, controlled arcs. One blade caught Thalor¡¯s leg, tearing through his robes and drawing blood.

    Thalor grimaced but whispered a prayer, his wounds sealing with divine energy as he retaliated with a leaping strike, the blade of his scythe aimed at Korrath¡¯s chest. Korrath dodged, but not fast enough¡ªthe scythe¡¯s edge grazed his arm, sending a spray of blood into the air.

    The two fighters clashed in a whirlwind of steel and magic, neither willing to give an inch.

    ---

    Zorak the Warrior vs. Nydra the Beast Tamer

    Zorak, a warrior with a warhammer designed from the skull of a wyvern, charged across the battlefield, his muscles bulging as he swung the massive weapon with terrifying speed. Nydra, standing beside her primal stone drake, raised her hand, commanding the beast to charge as well.

    The drake roared, its stone scales grinding against each other as it lunged at Zorak. But the warrior wasn¡¯t intimidated. He brought his warhammer down in a powerful arc, the skull cracking against the drake¡¯s head with a deafening thud. The drake staggered back, but Nydra shouted a command, and the beast surged forward once more, its claws raking across Zorak¡¯s chest.

    Blood sprayed, but Zorak grinned through the pain. ¡°Is that all you¡¯ve got?¡±

    He swung his hammer again, this time catching the drake in the side and sending the massive creature crashing into the arena wall. Nydra was quick, though¡ªher whip of thorned vines lashed out, wrapping around Zorak¡¯s arm and pulling him off balance.

    ¡°Try keeping up, warrior!¡± Nydra called, her voice filled with mockery.

    Zorak growled, ripping the vines from his arm with brute force. He lunged at Nydra, his warhammer aimed at her head, but she ducked, rolling under the swing and commanding her drake to strike again. The beast¡¯s tail whipped around, catching Zorak in the side and sending him skidding across the blood-soaked ground.

    The two fighters glared at each other, both bloodied but still ready to continue.

    ---

    Malrith the Martial Artist vs. Verak the Mage

    Malrith stood in a low stance, her hands glowing with chi energy, while Verak, a mage with a staff of shimmering ice, channeled draconic mana through his weapon. The air between them crackled with tension.

    Verak struck first, slamming the tip of his staff into the ground. Spikes of ice erupted from the ground, shooting toward Malrith. She dodged, flipping through the air with incredible precision. As she landed, her fists glowed brighter, and she dashed forward, her hands a blur as she unleashed a series of chi-infused strikes at Verak¡¯s chest.

    ¡°Too slow,¡± Malrith said, her voice calm as her fists connected.

    Verak blocked with his staff, the force of each punch sending vibrations through the ice. ¡°You¡¯re fast, but you won¡¯t last,¡± he growled.

    He retaliated with a blast of freezing wind, but Malrith moved faster than the wind, darting behind him and delivering a powerful kick to his leg. Verak staggered, but with a wave of his hand, he summoned chains of ice that wrapped around Malrith¡¯s arms, freezing her in place.

    ¡°Got you now,¡± Verak sneered.

    Malrith gritted her teeth, focusing her chi until her body burst with heat, melting the ice in an instant. She spun, delivering a devastating elbow strike to Verak¡¯s ribs. The mage gasped, feeling the air leave his lungs, but he managed to drive the butt of his staff into her abdomen, knocking her back.

    The two circled each other, neither willing to back down as blood dripped from their wounds.

    ---

    The arena was a storm of brutal, bloody combat, each fighter pushing their limits in a desperate struggle to outlast their opponent. The crowd roared for more, their bloodlust insatiable.

 Chapter 11: All Hail The King!

    The arena roared with the echoes of battle as another vicious fight came to an end. The blood-soaked sand beneath the warriors was a testament to the brutality of the tournament. High above the chaos, in the shaded stands reserved for the most prestigious and powerful, Xyenn sat with his companions, basking in the afterglow of victory. He reclined confidently, his muscular arms crossed over his chest, still dripping with the remnants of his recent fight, his eyes glinting with arrogance.

    Across from him, Skaris, a lean, sharp-eyed rogue with a sly grin, leaned forward, clapping Xyenn on the shoulder.

    "That was savage, Xyenn," Skaris said, his voice dripping with admiration. "You tore through that last guy like he was nothing. I''ve never seen anyone fight with such... brutality. I¡¯m honestly impressed."

    "You make it look too easy," Kaelith added, her voice smooth and teasing. She was a sorceress of wicked beauty, her long silver hair cascading over her shoulders. She took a sip from her goblet, her eyes never leaving Xyenn. "Almost like they aren¡¯t even worth your time."

    Xyenn leaned back in his seat, flashing a cocky grin. "It was easy," he said, his voice heavy with self-satisfaction. He flexed his fingers, his knuckles still bruised from the last fight. "These so-called ''warriors'' are just stepping stones. They don''t even touch me. I¡¯ve already won this thing; the rest of these fools just haven¡¯t realized it yet."

    Ellyra, the quietest of the group, raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She was always the reserved one, her dagger-sharp eyes taking in everything, but even she couldn¡¯t help but smirk at Xyenn¡¯s overconfidence. Druegan, the hulking barbarian sitting beside her, let out a low chuckle, his massive arms crossed as he listened to Xyenn''s boasting.

    "Careful now," Druegan rumbled, his voice deep and gravelly. "Pride comes before the fall. But I wouldn¡¯t mind seeing you crush a few more bones before this is over."

    Xyenn laughed, throwing his head back. "Fall? Me? You¡¯ve seen what I can do. There¡¯s no one left who can stand against me. I¡¯ve already crushed the best they had to offer. The rest are just... warm-ups."

    ¡®I¡¯m unstoppable!¡¯

    The crowd in the lower stands had already started buzzing with excitement again, placing bets on the next fight, but Xyenn¡¯s name was still on many lips. His recent performance had been a spectacle, and his confidence was infectious. People were betting on him for every round, convinced he was unstoppable.

    "You hear that?" Xyenn said, tilting his head toward the distant shouts of the crowd. "They know it too. They know I¡¯m untouchable. I¡¯ll fight anyone at this point!¡±

    Skaris chuckled, running a hand through his dark hair. "They¡¯re practically throwing their gold at the bookkeepers, betting you¡¯ll cleave through the next guy without breaking a sweat."

    Kaelith smirked. "Let them. You¡¯ll give them their money¡¯s worth."

    Just as Xyenn was about to speak again, the announcer¡¯s voice boomed across the arena, cutting through the noise of the crowd.

    "Next up, a special match!" the announcer cried, his voice echoing off the stone walls. "Xyenn!¡±

    The crowd erupted in cheers, the sound crashing like waves against the stone stands. Xyenn grinned and stood up, his posture dripping with arrogance as he stretched his arms above his head, feeling the tension roll out of his muscles.

    "Looks like they just can¡¯t get enough of me," he said, smirking as he began to make his way down the steps toward the arena floor. "Another victim, another win."

    "Good luck, Xyenn," Kaelith called after him, her voice mocking. "Try not to kill this one too quickly."

    "Luck?" Xyenn scoffed, not even bothering to turn around. "I make my own luck."

    As he walked toward the platform, the crowd''s cheers grew louder. People were shouting his name, their excitement palpable.

    "Xyenn! Xyenn! Xyenn!" The chants echoed through the air, and many spectators were already placing their bets.

    "He¡¯s gonna tear through this one too. No doubt!" one man shouted as he tossed a handful of coins toward the bookkeeper.

    "That¡¯s the monster right there!" another yelled. "No one can stop him!"

    Xyenn soaked it all in, his chest swelling with pride. He gave a few waves to the crowd, his cocky grin never fading as he stepped onto the arena¡¯s blood-soaked sand.

    Standing at the opposite end of the arena was his opponent¡ªSteed Duncan. The centaur was a massive, intimidating figure, his lower half a powerful chestnut stallion, muscles rippling beneath his gleaming black armor. His upper half, that of a man, was equally imposing¡ªbroad shoulders and arms thicker than most men''s legs, covered in dark steel plating. His helmet, shaped like a snarling wolf, hid most of his face, but his eyes burned with a cold, calculated rage. In his hands, he held a massive spiked wrecking ball attached to a long, heavy chain, the iron ball gleaming in the sunlight, each spike as long as a dagger, dripping with traces of destructive magic.

    The crowd gasped at the sight of him.

    "Damn, look at that thing!" someone shouted from the stands. "That wrecking ball could crush a house!"

    "Bet you five gold Xyenn dodges every hit. He¡¯s too fast for this brute!" another voice called out.

    Xyenn, standing across from Steed Duncan, looked the centaur up and down, his grin never wavering. "A centaur, huh? I hope you¡¯re faster than you look, otherwise, this is going to be embarrassing for you."

    Steed Duncan said nothing. His grip on the chain tightened, the metal links clinking ominously as he swung the wrecking ball in slow, deliberate circles.

    The announcer¡¯s voice boomed again. "Steed Duncan, the Centaur Warlord, versus Xyenn, the Unstoppable Champion! Let the battle begin!"

    The ground trembled as Steed Duncan charged, his hooves pounding the earth, the wrecking ball gaining momentum as he swung it in a wide arc, aiming to crush Xyenn where he stood. But Xyenn, quick as lightning, sidestepped the massive weapon, his feet barely touching the ground as he twisted out of the way.

    "Too slow!" Xyenn taunted, his voice full of mockery as he danced around the centaur.

    Steed Duncan snarled, yanking the chain back and spinning the wrecking ball in another vicious arc. This time, the spiked ball crackled with destructive magic, leaving a trail of fire and dark energy in its wake as it crashed into the ground where Xyenn had just been standing, sending chunks of stone flying into the air.

    Xyenn leapt, flipping through the air effortlessly, avoiding the blast. The wrecking ball swung again, and again Xyenn dodged, his body twisting and spinning in midair with inhuman agility.

    "Is that all you¡¯ve got?" Xyenn shouted, his voice ringing out over the crowd¡¯s cheers. "I thought you¡¯d be more of a challenge!"

    Steed Duncan growled, his eyes narrowing as he poured more of his destructive magic into the wrecking ball. When it hit the ground again, the earth exploded in a wave of blackened energy, but Xyenn was already in the air, flipping and twisting above the destruction.

    The crowd was on their feet, screaming as Xyenn defied gravity, his body moving like a blur. He dodged every attack, his movements so fast they were almost impossible to follow.

    And then, with a wild grin, Xyenn did the unthinkable. Still airborne, he twisted mid-flip and caught the chain of the wrecking ball with his teeth. The crowd gasped as he bit down, his jaw muscles bulging with the effort. For a split second, the centaur hesitated, surprised by the sheer audacity of the move.

    That hesitation was all Xyenn needed.

    He twisted his body, using the momentum of the chain to swing himself around. His hands grabbed hold of the wrecking ball itself, and with a savage roar, he kicked off the air with such speed it seemed like he defied the laws of physics. His body became a blur of motion as he brought the wrecking ball crashing down¡ªonto Steed Duncan¡¯s body.

    The impact was thunderous. Blood sprayed into the air as the centaur¡¯s armor crumpled beneath the force, his head slamming into the ground with a sickening crack. The crowd went wild, their cheers deafening as Xyenn stood over the fallen warrior, breathing hard, his chest heaving with adrenaline.

    For a moment, there was silence, and then the arena¡¯s announcer hurried over, checking Steed Duncan¡¯s limp form. After a tense moment, the announcer raised a hand.

    "Steed Duncan is alive¡­ but he can fight no longer! The winner is Xyenn!"

    The crowd erupted into a frenzy, chanting Xyenn¡¯s name, their voices a chaotic symphony of admiration and fear.

    "Xyenn! Xyenn! Xyenn!"

    "He¡¯s a monster!" a voice screamed from the stands. "A ruthless killer!"

    "That¡¯s no man, that¡¯s a beast!" another shouted, throwing coins into the air in celebration.

    Xyenn stood tall, his chest swelling with pride as he soaked in the adoration of the crowd. He wiped the blood from his hands, grinning savagely.

    "A true gladiator!" the announcer declared. "A warrior without equal!"

    High above the arena, in the royal tower, Velmire, the arena¡¯s overseer, watched the scene unfold with a cold, calculating gaze. His maids stood silently beside him, awaiting his word.

    Xyenn stood in the center of the bloodstained arena, still riding the high of his victory over Steed Duncan. His heart pounded with the intoxicating rush of battle, his chest heaving with the afterglow of combat. The crowd''s cheers still echoed in his ears, their chants of his name resounding like a victory song. He wiped a smear of Duncan¡¯s blood from his cheek, grinning arrogantly.

    But then, something changed. The announcer¡¯s voice was about to call the next round of fighters when suddenly, the sky above the arena split open in a brilliant, blinding flash of light.

    The crowd fell silent, their cheers dying in their throats as they all turned their gaze upward. Xyenn, standing at the center of the arena, squinted against the intense light, his heart pounding for an entirely different reason now.

    From the heavens descended King Haldrek.

    The figure that emerged from the light was mesmerizing, almost celestial in its purity. His long, flowing hair was the color of freshly fallen snow, cascading down his back in soft, shimmering waves. His beard, thick and regal, was dusted with frost, each strand reflecting the light as if kissed by the cold breath of winter itself. His skin was pale, but not sickly¡ªmore like porcelain, untouched by the world¡¯s impurities. His eyes, however, were the most striking feature: icy blue, glowing with an ethereal light that seemed to pierce through everything they looked upon. They were the eyes of someone who had seen the world¡¯s darkest corners and yet remained untouched by it, as serene as the highest snow-capped mountains.

    He wore armor that gleamed with a radiant, silvery white hue, adorned with intricate runic patterns that seemed to pulse with a gentle, otherworldly glow. The armor was form-fitting, but not heavy¡ªit was clearly not designed for war, but for something greater. Cloaked around his shoulders was a mantle of snow-white fur, as soft as the first snowfall, and a long, flowing royal blue robe trimmed with frost that trailed behind him as he descended from the sky.

    But the most striking feature about the king was the draconic wings that extended from his back. They were enormous, made of pure, crystalline ice, shimmering with every movement, as if the very essence of winter had taken form. Snowflakes fell from his wings in a delicate cascade as he floated down, each flake glowing faintly as it drifted toward the ground.

    And despite the awe-inspiring power radiating from him, King Haldrek wore a peaceful, almost benevolent smile.

    The crowd gasped. Then, as if a wave had rolled over them, one by one, they began to **kneel**. From the lowest commoner to the highest noble, they bowed their heads, their voices hushed in reverence.

    "It¡¯s him," someone whispered in awe. "The vessel of the Draconic God of Snow, Kragvyr."

    "The Sword Saint of Purity," another murmured, awe dripping from every word. "To see him in person... it¡¯s a blessing from the divine."

    "Why is he here?" someone else asked, their voice trembling. "Where¡¯s his Divine Guard? The king never travels alone, especially not here."

    Even from his high tower, Velmire, the overseer of the arena, stood with furrowed brows, his usually calm demeanor cracking. He watched as the king descended, his fingers tapping nervously against the stone railing. "No Divine Guard?" he muttered under his breath, his voice thick with confusion. "Why would he come here, of all places, without his protectors? Could it be¡­ for him?"

    His gaze turned downward, locking onto Xyenn, now standing frozen in the arena.

    Xyenn, for the first time in what felt like ages, didn¡¯t move. Didn¡¯t speak. His arrogant smirk had vanished, replaced by a stunned expression. His heart thudded in his chest, but not from the thrill of battle. This was*the king. The very man he had been told to kill. The target of his mission. And here he was, descending from the heavens like a god, bathed in the light of the snow deity himself. Xyenn¡¯s hands clenched into fists, his mind racing.

    ¡®That¡¯s the king?! Why does it seem so peaceful? Why now? Why here? It¡¯s radiant¡­not what I expected at all. I would¡¯ve thought he would¡¯ve been a malicious bastard..some crazy arrogant guy surrounded by bodyguards that suck up to him. But this guy..I¡¯m still in shock. I couldn¡¯t imagine a million times he would be like this..but something is still off..what¡¯s he doing here?¡¯

    King Haldrek¡¯s feet touched the bloodied ground of the arena with a grace that seemed almost otherworldly. The snowflakes continued to fall around him, melting the very air with their chilling purity. The crowd remained on their knees, their heads bowed in reverence¡ªeven the most hardened warriors dared not look upon him without showing respect.

    But Xyenn did not kneel. He could not. His body was frozen in shock, his mind struggling to comprehend the weight of the moment. He wanted to move, to react, to do something, but his limbs refused to obey.

    The king¡¯s glowing blue eyes swept over the crowd, his serene smile never faltering. And then, his gaze landed on the group sitting in the prestigious stands¡ªKaelith, Druegan, Skaris, and Ellyra.

    "Come forward, my loyal servants," the king said, his voice as soft as falling snow yet echoing with an authority that could not be denied.

    The group exchanged quick glances, their faces a mixture of confusion and respect. They rose from their seats and made their way down to the arena floor, standing before the king. Each of them bowed deeply as they approached, their heads lowered in reverence.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    "Your Majesty," Kaelith said, his voice full of respect but tinged with curiosity. "It is an honor."

    Druegan, the massive barbarian, knelt on one knee, his head bowed. "Your presence humbles us, my king."

    Skaris and Ellyra followed suit, both kneeling before him, their expressions solemn. The king¡¯s calm gaze swept over them, and then, in a language that none of the onlookers could understand, he began to speak.

    The words were ancient, draconic, and alien¡ªa language that sounded like the cracking of ice and the howling of the wind across frozen tundras. It was a language of power, its syllables sharp like shards of glass, yet flowing like a river of frost.

    "V?lnithra Shorak, irythna soln?... Kralir Kragvyr, sormn? ethara..."

    The crowd stared in awe, unable to comprehend the words but feeling the weight of them in their bones. The very air around the king seemed to grow colder, the snowflakes falling more heavily.

    After a moment, Haldrek smiled softly and translated the ancient words into the common tongue, his voice like a gentle breeze over fresh snow.

    "Snow purifies all that it touches. It cleanses the earth, covering it in a blanket of purity. The harshest storms bring the greatest calm. And in the stillness of winter¡¯s heart, peace is always found."

    The crowd murmured in admiration, nodding their heads as if the proverb had touched something deep within them.

    "You have all done well," the king continued, his voice still gentle. "Loyalty, strength, and dedication in the service of our land. I thank you for your work, and for your sacrifices."

    He raised his hands slowly, and as he did, snow runes began to glow on his palms, pulsing with an ethereal light. The runes spilled from his hands like liquid frost, coursing down to the ground in swirling patterns. The crowd gasped as the runes began to crawl across the arena floor, like frost creeping over a windowpane, snaking their way toward Kaelith, Druegan, Skaris, and Ellyra.

    The glowing snow symbols reached their feet, then began to climb up their legs, swirling around their bodies. The group looked down in awe as the runes climbed higher, their veins glowing faintly as the magic seeped into their skin like a cold breath.

    "Your Majesty," Kaelith whispered, his voice trembling with awe. "This... this is an honor beyond words. We are grateful."

    Druegan nodded, his eyes wide as he felt the magic course through him. "Thank you, my king."

    Skaris and Ellyra remained silent, but their expressions were filled with respect and wonder as they felt the power of the snow runes infusing their bodies.

    But then, the atmosphere shifted. The crowd sensed it before anyone else¡ªthe air grew colder, denser. The king¡¯s gentle smile remained unchanged, but there was something dark in the way his eyes gleamed.

    In an instant, without warning, the tranquility shattered.

    White, gold, and dark blue snow swords erupted from the bodies of Kaelith, Druegan, Skaris, and Ellyra, the blades bursting from their chests, backs, faces, snd heads, and sides in a brutal, bloody fashion. The swords were made of pure, crystallized ice, jagged and sharp, each one shimmering with the king¡¯s magic.

    Blood splattered everywhere.

    Kaelith gasped, his mouth filling with blood as he staggered forward, a frozen sword protruding from his chest. Druegan let out a guttural roar of pain, his massive form collapsing to the ground as three swords pierced his spine and stomach, blood pooling beneath him. Skaris and Ellyra fell to their knees, their bodies twitching as the swords impaled them, their blood staining the snow-covered ground.

    All 4 of them dead.

    The crowd was in shock¡ªsilent, horrified, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

    A spray of warm blood hit Xyenn¡¯s face, snapping him out of his daze. His eyes widened in horror as he watched them fall, their bodies torn apart by the king¡¯s magic. His heart pounded in his chest as the reality of the situation crashed down on him.

    ¡®¡­What?¡­What just¡­what just happened¡­?¡¯

    Badump

    Badump

    Badump

    His heart thumped loudly, Xyenn was frozen in fear.

    This was the king he was supposed to kill. But now, Xyenn wasn¡¯t even sure if he could move. Fear, confusion, and disbelief tangled inside him like a vice.

    ¡®Yuuna¡­¡¯

    King Haldrek, his serene smile never fading, reached out and gently touched one of the frozen swords sticking out of Kaelith¡¯s body. He ran his fingers along the blade, admiring its sharpness, its purity.

    Then, in a calm, almost peaceful voice, he spoke again, offering another proverb.

    "Snow falls quietly, but it buries all beneath it. In its silence, it brings death as gently as a whisper."

    He smiled softly, holding the frozen sword in his hand as if it were a delicate flower.

    "And like the snow... I will kill every one of you."

    The silence in the arena was suffocating. Every breath held by the spectators in suspense as King Haldrek stood amidst the carnage, his peaceful smile as chilling as the frost that clung to his wings. The bodies of Kaelith, Druegan, Skaris, and Ellyra lay crumpled at his feet, their blood pooling in dark, glistening puddles beneath the gleaming crystalline swords that had impaled them.

    Xyenn stood frozen, his chest heaving with shallow breaths, his body rigid with shock. His heart pounded in his ears, drowning out the faint murmurs of the crowd. His mind raced, trying to process what he had just witnessed¡ªthe serene, god-like figure of the king slaughtering his companions with such effortless brutality.

    ¡®I can¡¯t move¡­I¡¯m scared¡­¡¯

    The crowd, once silent in reverence, began to stir with fear. Whispers turned to gasps, and gasps turned to panicked screams as the realization set in. The king¡ªtheir king, the revered Sword Saint of Purity, the vessel of the Draconic God of Snow, Kragvyr¡ªwas not here as a savior.

    all.

    One man¡¯s shout broke the tension like shattering ice.

    "Run!" he screamed, scrambling over the stone benches as he tried to flee. "The king has gone mad!"

    That single cry of terror unleashed chaos. The arena erupted into pandemonium as people screamed and bolted for the exits, trampling over one another in their desperation to escape. The sound of their cries echoed off the arena walls, turning the once-celebratory atmosphere into a nightmarish frenzy.

    But King Haldrek didn¡¯t flinch. His peaceful smile remained as he bent down, wrapping his fingers around the hilt of his sword, still embedded in Druegan¡¯s lifeless body. With a single, fluid motion, he pulled the blade free, the sound of steel sliding through flesh sickeningly loud amidst the chaos. Blood splattered across the pristine white of his robes, staining the snowflakes that fell around him.

    He didn¡¯t seem to mind.

    Without a word, without a flicker of emotion crossing his serene features, Haldrek began to walk toward the fleeing crowd, his wings gently unfurling behind him, their crystalline feathers catching the light of the sun and casting brilliant shards of color across the blood-soaked ground.

    His first victim was a woman who had tripped over the body of another fallen spectator. She looked up, her eyes wide with terror, as the king approached her, his sword glinting in his hand. She raised a trembling hand, as if to beg for mercy.

    "No! Please¡ª"

    But her words were cut off as Haldrek¡¯s sword sliced through the air with inhuman speed, severing her head from her shoulders in a single, graceful motion. Her body crumpled to the ground, blood gushing from the stump of her neck, spraying in a wide arc, adding to the growing sea of red.

    Haldrek¡¯s smile never faltered, and as the woman¡¯s body collapsed, he spoke softly, his voice carrying over the screams of the crowd.

    "Snow does not ask for permission before it falls. It covers all, the innocent and the guilty, without distinction."

    Another man rushed at him, a desperate attempt to fight back, his dagger clutched tightly in his hand. He lunged at Haldrek, screaming in fury and fear.

    "Die, you monster! You¡¯re not our king!¡±

    But the king didn¡¯t even blink. With a swift, almost casual motion, he sidestepped the man¡¯s attack, and in the same movement, plunged his sword into the man¡¯s chest. The blade pierced through muscle and bone as if cutting through snow, the man¡¯s eyes going wide with shock as blood poured from his mouth.

    Haldrek leaned in close, his voice soft as he whispered another proverb.

    "Snow does not fear the storm. It embraces it, knowing that in the end, all will be buried beneath its cold embrace."

    With a flick of his wrist, he twisted the sword, tearing through the man¡¯s insides before pulling the blade free. Organs spilled out from the gaping wound as the man let out a gurgling scream, his body crumpling to the ground in a pool of blood.

    The crowd was in full panic now. People screamed and shoved, some falling to the ground only to be trampled by the stampede of bodies trying to escape. The fighters who had once cheered for bloodshed now found themselves on the receiving end of it, their bravado crumbling as they realized they were powerless before the king.

    Near the edge of the arena, a group of warriors gathered, their hands glowing with magic as they prepared to fight back. One of them, a tall man with fiery red hair, raised his staff, shouting to his comrades.

    ¡°We can¡¯t let him kill us all! Together, we can stop him!"

    They unleashed their magic¡ªall aimed directly at the king. The spells crackled through the air, lighting up the arena with their power.

    But Haldrek didn¡¯t slow. He didn¡¯t raise a hand to defend himself. He simply walked forward, his wings spreading wide behind him, the snow falling heavier around his form as if shielding him from harm. The magical attacks fizzled out as they touched the snow, disappearing into nothingness as if the very essence of winter absorbed their power.

    The warriors¡¯ eyes widened in disbelief.

    "What..the¡ª!"

    Haldrek continued to peacefully smile, his eyes glowing with a soft, tranquil light, and with a single swing of his sword, he decapitated the red-haired man. His head tumbled to the ground, followed by his body a moment later, and blood sprayed across the faces of the warriors standing beside him.

    The others screamed, but before they could flee, Haldrek was upon them. He moved with the grace of a predator, his sword flashing in the air, cutting down one after another. His blade sliced through limbs, severing arms and legs with horrifying precision. One warrior tried to cast a spell, but Haldrek¡¯s blade cut through his hand, sending fingers flying through the air, followed by a guttural scream as the man collapsed, clutching the bloody stump of his wrist.

    "Snow does not discriminate. It covers all things equally, and in its silence, all life is made still."

    One of the warriors tried to flee, but Haldrek¡¯s draconic hand¡ªthe one covered in glowing blue runes¡ªshot out, grabbing the man by the throat. Frost spread from the king¡¯s fingertips, crawling across the man¡¯s skin. His screams were cut short as his body began to freeze from the inside out, his blood turning to ice in his veins. Haldrek tightened his grip, and with a sickening crack, he crushed the man¡¯s frozen neck, letting the body fall to the ground in shattered pieces.

    "The cold reminds us that life is fragile. One breath, and it is gone."

    Xyenn watched it all unfold, his body trembling uncontrollably. His breaths came in short, ragged gasps, his heart hammering in his chest like a war drum. His mind screamed at him to move, to do something, but he couldn¡¯t. He was paralyzed, his legs numb, his hands shaking so badly that he couldn¡¯t even think of reaching for the horn at his side.

    Fear gripped him like a vise. Xyenn felt truly helpless.

    His thoughts spiraled, hatred bubbling up inside him¡ªnot for Haldrek, but for himself.

    ¡®Why can¡¯t I move? Why am I just standing here? I¡¯m supposed to be better than this!¡¯

    His eyes still frozen in shock, not moving, Tears welled up in his eyes, blurring his vision as he watched Haldrek slaughter the arena¡¯s spectators with terrifying efficiency. Each time the king swung his sword, another life was snuffed out, another body falling to the ground in a pool of blood. Xyenn¡¯s breath caught in his throat, his chest tightening with fear, doubt, and shame.

    ¡®I promised them¡­ I promised Yuuna¡­ I swore to Death himself I wouldn¡¯t lose. But look at me! I¡¯m too scared to even move! What kind of warrior am I? What kind of protector am I? I look pathetic¡­when faced with real adversity what use am I if I cower in fear? When I thought I was unstoppable just minutes ago during the tournament? This is embarrassing¡­.fuck! I¡¯m so damn scared, I miss Yuuna, I miss Big Mertha, even her workers!¡¯

    Tears rolled down his cheeks, but they weren¡¯t normal tears¡ªthey were tears of blood, streaking crimson down his face as his fear and self-loathing consumed him. His hands clenched into fists, nails digging into his palms hard enough to draw blood.

    The screams of the crowd grew louder, more desperate, as Haldrek continued his slaughter. He moved through the arena like a specter of death, his sword glistening with blood, his wings spreading wide as he soared through the air, descending upon the fleeing crowd like a predator hunting prey. He landed gracefully in the midst of a group of spectators, his sword flashing in quick, brutal arcs.

    One man was cut clean in half, his upper body sliding off his waist with a grotesque squelch, his entrails spilling out in a slick pile. A woman¡¯s arm was severed at the shoulder, the limb flying through the air before hitting the ground with a sickening thud. Her screams were cut short as Haldrek¡¯s blade pierced through her mouth, splitting her skull in two, brain matter splattering across the sand.

    "Snow falls quietly, but it buries all beneath its weight. In its silence, death is inevitable."

    A father tried to shield his child from the chaos, but Haldrek¡¯s sword cut through both of them, the blade cleaving through the man¡¯s back and out through the child¡¯s chest. Their bodies crumpled to the ground, blood pooling beneath them, their arms still wrapped around each other in a final, desperate embrace.

    "Like snow, death comes for all. The pure and the unworthy alike are buried beneath its cold embrace."

    Haldrek turned, his eyes glowing with a soft, tranquil light, and spotted a group of young fighters attempting to flee. With a single beat of his wings, he was upon them. His draconic hand shot out, grabbing one by the face, his fingers digging into the young man¡¯s skull. The boy screamed, his voice muffled by the king¡¯s grip, but it was short-lived as frost spread across his head, freezing his features in a mask of terror before Haldrek crushed his skull, brain and bone fragments exploding in a shower of gore.

    "Snow purifies all. It leaves nothing behind but the cold truth of death."

    More than two hundred people had fallen by now. The arena that had once been filled with cheers and laughter was now a graveyard, bodies piled upon bodies, the snowy sand turned to mud by the sheer volume of blood that soaked it. The few remaining survivors tried to crawl, to escape, but none could outrun the king¡¯s blade.

    And then, the arena fell into silence.

    The last scream faded into nothing, leaving only the soft sound of snowflakes falling from the sky. King Haldrek stood in the center of it all, his sword dripping with blood, his wings shimmering in the pale light. He was covered in blood¡ªbut not for long. The snow continued to fall, gently cleansing his form, the crimson stains melting away like sins washed clean by the winter¡¯s breath.

    And then, his eyes turned to Xyenn.

    Xyenn¡¯s heart nearly stopped. The king¡¯s gaze was like ice, piercing through him, freezing him in place. Xyenn¡¯s breath hitched, his legs trembling, his mind screaming for him to move, to fight, to do something¡ªbut he couldn¡¯t. His body refused to obey. His heart pounded in his chest, so loud it felt like it might burst, each beat shaking his whole body with terror.

    Haldrek began to walk toward him, his steps slow and deliberate. His sword hung loosely at his side, still dripping with the blood of the innocent, but his expression remained the same¡ªpeaceful,  as if nothing about the slaughter had disturbed him in the slightest.

    As the king approached, Xyenn¡¯s fear intensified. His mind raced with panicked thoughts, regret and shame overwhelming him.

    Tears of blood continued to stream down his face, his body trembling uncontrollably. His hand twitched toward the horn at his side¡ªthe horn that could summon Mertha¡ªbut he hesitated.

    ¡®No¡­ I can¡¯t bring her here. He¡¯ll kill her. He¡¯ll kill everyone. I¡¯m 19, but still a kid in everyone¡¯s eyes. Now I look like a real kid who is reckless..man I was so reckless! So reckless I let my guard down, got so easily distracted with winning a pointless tournament!¡¯

    Haldrek¡¯s steps grew closer, the distance between them shrinking with every passing second. His wings fluttered softly behind him, and his eyes never left Xyenn¡¯s, locking onto him with an intensity that made Xyenn¡¯s blood run cold. The king¡¯s smile remained¡ªcalm, serene, as if everything was exactly as it should be.

    Haldrek was only a few steps away now. Xyenn¡¯s legs buckled, his knees threatening to give out beneath him as his chest tightened with fear. His breath came in ragged gasps, his vision blurred by the tears of blood that continued to fall from his eyes.

    ¡®I hate this¡­ I hate this feeling. I hate being scared.¡¯

    The king stopped just inches away from Xyenn, his tranquil smile still in place, his icy blue eyes staring deep into Xyenn¡¯s soul.

    And in that moment, Xyenn realized something:

    He was going to die.

    In the blink of an eye¡ªso fast that Xyenn didn¡¯t even register the movement¡ªKing Haldrek was in front of him. The king''s blood-splattered face remained tranquil, his serene smile never wavering. Xyenn''s breath caught in his throat, his mind screaming at him to move, to fight, to do anything, but his body refused to obey. He was trapped, frozen in place by fear.

    Then, Haldrek slowly raised a finger, covered in a soft veil of snow and glowing with ethereal, light blue runes that pulsed with draconic energy. Without a word, the king gently pressed his finger to Xyenn¡¯s forehead.

    The second the cold touch connected with his skin, Xyenn¡¯s world exploded.

    Memories flooded in.

    They weren¡¯t his own, yet they felt so familiar¡ªas if they were buried deep within him, locked away in the corners of his mind. But these weren¡¯t just memories of his own life; they were from Haldrek''s perspective.

    Xyenn¡¯s vision blurred, and suddenly, he was no longer standing in the blood-soaked arena. He was a child, small, fragile, and alone, hiding under a broken-down carriage in the middle of a storm. Thunder roared above, lightning flashing across the sky, and the rain poured down in relentless sheets. His small hands clutched at his knees, his body trembling as he hugged himself tightly, trying to find warmth, trying to find comfort that wasn¡¯t there.

    His chest heaved with sobs, the sound of his own crying muffled by the storm. He was soaked, cold, and utterly alone. He could hear voices outside the carriage, but no one came looking for him. No one cared. He was just a child, forgotten, abandoned in the rain.

    The scene shifted.

    Xyenn was older now, but still a child¡ªthis time standing in the middle of a barren training field. His hands were bruised and bloodied, his knuckles scraped raw from countless hours of striking against wooden dummies. His breath was ragged, his body covered in sweat and dirt, but no matter how hard he trained, no matter how many times he swung his fists or tried to mimic the techniques he had seen warriors use, he couldn¡¯t get it right.

    He was always messing up, always failing. His strikes were too slow, his form sloppy, his body too weak. He tried again and again, pushing himself until his muscles screamed in agony, but it was never enough.

    The frustration boiled inside of him, tears of anger and hopelessness welling up in his eyes. He collapsed to the ground, pounding his fists into the dirt, hating himself for his weakness.

    The memories shifted again, and this time, Xyenn was kicked  to the ground, his vision blurry from the pain. He lay there in the mud, beaten and bruised, as the bandits and adventurers surrounding him laughed and hurled insults. Their boots struck his sides, each kick sending sharp jolts of pain through his body. He tried to crawl away, tried to shield himself, but they were relentless.

    Then, the memory changed again¡ªthis time more vivid, more painful.

    Xyenn was back in his childhood home, standing before his parents. He was small again, his heart pounding in his chest as his father looked down at him, disgust etched into his face. His mother stood nearby, her arms crossed, her eyes cold and distant.

    "You¡¯re useless," his father spat, his voice dripping with venom. "

    His mother didn¡¯t say a word. She didn¡¯t even look at him.

    And then, Xyenn watched as his parents sold him off, handing him over to strangers like he was nothing more than a burden to be discarded. There was no sadness in their eyes, no regret¡ªjust relief that they no longer had to deal with him. Xyenn felt the crushing weight of rejection settle deep in his chest, the realization that his own family saw him as worthless.

    The memories kept coming, each one more painful than the last.

    Xyenn saw himself praying to the gods, pleading with them to grant him power, to fill his soul with draconic mana, to make him something more than what he was. He offered up everything he had¡ªhis loyalty, his devotion, his very soul¡ªbut the gods remained silent. No magic filled him. No divine power answered his prayers.

    He was left empty, his pleas unheard, his soul unworthy in the eyes of the deities he had tried to worship.

    And then, the memories stopped.

    Xyenn was back in the arena, his body trembling, his mind reeling from the flood of emotions that had washed over him. His breath came in ragged gasps, his heart hammering in his chest as he struggled to process what he had just seen.

    King Haldrek still stood before him, his peaceful smile never faltering. His glowing finger remained pressed against Xyenn¡¯s forehead, the cold seeping into his skin, freezing him in place.

    The king spoke, his voice soft, almost gentle, as he gazed into Xyenn¡¯s eyes.

    "Me and you are the same. Abandoned by a world of magic who didn¡¯t accept the weak as part of society. As Vessels of dragon gods and goddesses, we are the ones who must create a new society where power cannot be what puts one ahead of another. But I can see that darkness in you that needs to be purified. I can save you.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s heart lurched in his chest, fear clawing at his throat. He wanted to scream, to run, to do anything to get away from this man, but his body refused to move. The king¡¯s words echoed in his mind, filling him with a sense of dread so deep it threatened to suffocate him. ent.

    Then he stuttered, saying, ¡°¡­Why¡­why did you kill all..those people?!¡±

    ¡°I let a few get away. Fear needs to draw these sinful humans to the glory of Kragvyr. Worship needs to be increased for him, he will not suffer the same fate as the other draconic gods who die and are reborn over and over without any memory of their past life. I want your power. You and that goddess Yuuna hold the key to killing off gods and making sure they aren''t reborn in the Cycle of Rebirth.¡±

    ¡°She won¡¯t ever..help you..you¡¯re a monster¡­¡±

    ¡°Yuuna is the monster. And you are her vessel. Yuuna is more than just a goddess of darkness. Deep within her lies the key to breaking the Cycle of Rebirth: Unbeknownst to her, her heart is the last remnant of the First Dragon¡¯s original essence¡ªthe core of divine creation. If her heart is consumed or destroyed, the Cycle will end, and the gods will either be freed from their torment or condemned to eternal oblivion. This makes Yuuna the most dangerous being in existence¡ªnot because of her powers, but because she holds the fate of the gods themselves within her chest.¡±

    ¡°¡­Tch¡­she¡¯s not a monster¡ª.¡±

    ¡°You probably just met her, you¡¯re such a young whepling. Yuuna has killed thousands, her darkness still killing to this day. But me and you are the same, the same come up. Everything.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m..I¡¯m not like you¡­¡±

    ¡°When you killed all those bandits..did you enjoy it? Did seeing me kill everyone at the arena here remind you of that moment? Only a monster would smile when killing.¡±

    Xyenn remembered it, he remembered smiling when he killed those 50 bandits, thenp purposely stacked their bodies on top of each other to sit up there like some king.

    Xyenn shook his head, ¡°I¡¯m not a monster¡­I was defending myself! And we are nothing alike..ever¡­¡±

    ¡°You underestimate me. Kragvyr hasn¡¯t suffered from the Cycle of Rebirth in almost 400 years. Our power has cultivated to larger heights.  I have established order in fear, those who fear death must worship for life. Like you, I aimed to elevate myself over those who let me down, those who forsaken me. And as for you, Where there is snow, my eyes and ears are present. I saw it all. I heard it. The snow speaks, for it is full of pure life. When your own blood hit the snow, they spoke to me:

    {Xyenn was once at the mercy of others¡ªpowerless and weak. This past has shaped his current worldview, and now that he holds power, there¡¯s a sense of vindication. He¡¯s no longer the helpless boy who was kicked around. This moment of sitting atop the pile of corpses, with blood on his hands, is symbolic. He¡¯s placing himself in an elevated position above those who once oppressed him, which reflects his rise from being downtrodden to becoming the one with control.}

    {The fact that Xyenn smiles while sitting on the pile of dead bandits shows a part of him is reveling in the power and violence. For someone who has been powerless for so long, the rush of having control over others'' lives, especially those who deserve it, even in his eyes, is intoxicating. This is a dark and almost cathartic release of everything he¡¯s bottled up.}

    {Despite the initial satisfaction, Xyenn¡¯s smile fades as he contemplates whether this enjoyment of violence makes him ¡°evil.¡± This internal conflict is crucial. It shows that Xyenn isn¡¯t a mindless killer¡ªhe¡¯s aware of the moral implications of his actions, and the fact that this is his first time killing makes the situation all the more emotionally complex. He¡¯s not completely lost in the darkness, but the temptation is there. He questions himself, feeling the weight of what it means to take lives, even those of bandits. He¡¯s struggling with the morality of violence and power. Xyenn tries to justify his actions by reminding himself that the bandits were killers, too. The fact that he repeats to himself that they "deserved it" shows his attempt to rationalize the bloodshed. He¡¯s trying to convince himself that what he did was right, but the lingering unease implies part of him isn¡¯t entirely sure.  There¡¯s a sense of isolation in Xyenn. He sits alone atop a mountain of corpses, both literally and metaphorically. He¡¯s distanced from normal human emotions and interactions, especially after this bloody massacre. The question ¡°does that make me evil?¡± reflects his internal struggle with self-identity. He¡¯s detached, unsure of where he stands in the world now that he¡¯s crossed the threshold from victim to killer.}

    Xyenn, after hearing all of that, looked down, knowing he was completely right. But said nothing.

    Haldrek continued, ¡°As I mentioned, we are the same. The more you kill, the more you yearn for control. You will elevate even higher. To control a monster, you must become one.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re wrong¡­¡±

    No one can outrun or hide from the pure aspect of snow reality, I am too powerful, purity itself is a world ending weapon. Give me Yuuna and her heart, I will slay the dragon god of war. I will let you live.¡±

    Xyenn grunted as he weakly grabbed Haldrek¡¯s wrist with one hand, saying, ¡°She¡­doesn¡¯t belong to you. I won¡¯t give her up¡ª.¡±

    Haldrek¡¯s eyes went pure black, and he said, ¡°Then die.¡±

 Chapter 12: Love And Fury

    In the blink of an eye, the world shifted. One moment, Xyenn stood trembling in the blood-soaked arena, paralyzed by fear, tears of blood streaming down his face. The next, he was choking. His feet dangled above the ground, his vision blurred with red, and his throat burned as King Haldrek¡¯s icy fingers closed around his neck like a vice.

    Xyenn¡¯s hands instinctively shot up, grabbing at the king¡¯s wrist, but it was like trying to pry stone from the earth. He could feel his windpipe collapsing under the pressure, every ragged breath more agonizing than the last. His vision darkened at the edges, his chest heaving, but no air would come. His legs kicked weakly in the air as the snow-covered ground drifted further and further away beneath him.

    Haldrek¡¯s face remained serene, his eyes glowing faintly with that same unnerving tranquility, his peaceful smile never faltering as he held Xyenn aloft like a ragdoll. His wings fluttered softly behind him, shimmering in the dim light as snowflakes began to fall more heavily around them.

    "Snow falls upon all things," Haldrek murmured softly, his voice barely audible over the pounding of Xyenn¡¯s heart in his ears. "Even those unworthy of its grace."

    Xyenn¡¯s vision blurred further. His head lolled, and for just a moment, he wished for death. If it meant the crushing weight of this terror would end, then maybe it would be better if Haldrek just finished him quickly. His body was limp, his mind screaming for breath, for release, for the end.

    But then, something deep inside him stirred. A flicker of defiance, of the old arrogance that had once fueled his every action. He was supposed to be a warrior. He had promised Yuuna. He had promised Death himself. He had vowed never to lose again, no matter the cost.

    And yet, here he was, suspended like a puppet, dying without even throwing a punch.

    ¡®I won¡¯t lose..not like this!¡¯

    But before he could gather the strength to resist, Haldrek moved.

    With a single, brutal motion, the king slammed Xyenn into the ground. The impact was earth-shattering, the sound of bones cracking echoing through the arena like a thunderclap. Xyenn¡¯s body hit the ground with such force that the earth beneath him split, sending shards of rock and snow flying in all directions. His vision went black for a moment as pain exploded through his chest, his ribs shattering under the impact.

    But Haldrek wasn¡¯t done.

    In an instant, before Xyenn could even register the pain, the king was upon him again. His sword flashed, and Xyenn felt the cold bite of steel as it sliced through his flesh. The blade tore through his chest, his stomach, his limbs¡ªeach strike precise, brutal, and devastating. Blood sprayed across the snow, staining it crimson as Haldrek carved Xyenn apart with terrifying efficiency.

    "The snow is patient," Haldrek said calmly, his voice barely a whisper, "but it is relentless. In time, it grinds even mountains to dust."

    With a final, brutal slash, Haldrek decapitated him. Xyenn¡¯s head rolled across the blood-soaked ground, his body collapsing in a heap of broken bones and torn flesh. For a moment, there was silence.

    And then, snow began to fall.

    ¡°Snowfall..is purity.¡±

    The snowflakes glowed faintly as they drifted down from the sky, landing softly on Xyenn¡¯s mutilated corpse. They gathered around his body, swirling in delicate patterns, seeping into his wounds, into his veins. Slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, Xyenn¡¯s body began to stitch itself back together. The snowflakes filled the gaps where his flesh had been torn, where his bones had been shattered, knitting him back together with every breath of the cold wind.

    And then, with a violent gasp, Xyenn was alive again.

    His body convulsed as he sucked in a breath, his lungs burning with the cold air. He rolled onto his side, coughing up a mouthful of blood, his vision spinning as he tried to make sense of what had just happened. He had died. He was sure of it.

    ¡®He¡¯s too strong¡ª!¡¯

    But Haldrek had brought him back.

    The king stood over him, his wings spread wide, his sword gleaming with fresh blood. His eyes were calm, his smile serene, as if nothing in the world could disturb his tranquility. And yet, there was a darkness in those eyes, a cold, unfeeling cruelty that sent chills down Xyenn¡¯s spine.

    "Again," Haldrek said softly, raising his sword once more. ¡°Snowfall.¡±

    The next attack was even more brutal than the first. Haldrek¡¯s blade flashed in a blur of motion, slicing through Xyenn¡¯s body with terrifying precision. Each strike was a chain of death, a series of slashes, stabs, and crushing blows that left Xyenn¡¯s body in tatters. He was thrown through the air, his limbs twisted at unnatural angles, his bones splintering with every impact.

    In the blink of an eye, Xyenn found himself blasted through the arena walls, his body hurtling into the snowy woods beyond. He crashed through trees, his body shattering branches and splintering trunks as he flew, blood trailing behind him like a comet¡¯s tail.

    When he finally hit the ground, the impact left a crater in the snow, his body broken and mangled beyond recognition.

    But the snow began to fall again.

    ¡°Snowfall.¡±

    It swirled around him, glowing faintly as it seeped into his broken bones, his torn muscles, his shredded skin. And once again, Xyenn gasped for breath, his body knitting itself back together as the snow restored him.

    Before he could even rise to his feet, Haldrek was upon him again. The king moved with terrifying speed, his wings carrying him through the air with grace and precision. His sword flashed, and Xyenn felt the cold steel carve through his flesh once more. Haldrek didn¡¯t stop with a single strike¡ªeach blow was part of a brutal, unrelenting combos, slashing, stabbing, crushing, and tearing Xyenn apart over and over again.

    "Even the fiercest fire cannot withstand the cold," Haldrek whispered as he drove his sword through Xyenn¡¯s chest, the blade emerging from his back in a spray of blood. "The snow will smother it, and all will be still."

    Xyenn¡¯s body was thrown through the trees once again, crashing through the branches and landing in a village nearby. His broken form tumbled through the air before crashing down in the center of the village square, sending snow and dirt flying in all directions.

    When Xyenn opened his eyes, he saw the horror around him. His body¡ªhis weakness¡ªhad destroyed the village. Dozens of villagers lay dead, their bodies crushed and mangled by his impact. Blood stained the snow, and the few who still lived crawled away, their cries of pain filling the air.

    ¡®I¡¯m sorry¡­It wasn¡¯t me¡ª!¡¯ Xyenn thought, his heart sinking with guilt.

    But before he could even begin to process the weight of his actions, Haldrek descended from the sky, his wings spread wide, his sword gleaming in the moonlight. The king floated above the village, his serene smile still in place, his eyes glowing with that eerie, otherworldly light.

    Xyenn clenched his fist as he stood, blood dripping from his face and body.

    ¡°You¡¯re a monster..do you even care about your own people?!¡± Xyenn exclaimed, in a defensive stance as King Haldrek fluttered in the sky in beauty.

    ¡°A monster is one who is on top. You are becoming one. One day, the more you kill, the more you¡¯ll realize the ones who abandoned us and kicked us around aren¡¯t but fleeting humans with draconic mana to fuel the magic the dragon gods blessed them with. We are superior. And if you¡¯re under Yuuna¡¯s wing, you will eventually succumb to darkness like she has, it¡¯s in her nature. She will be judged for her sins.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not fucking touching her¡­¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll kill you..¡±

    ¡°The dragon god of snow Kragvyr has remained the same for hundreds of years. Whereas I reign alongside him as his vessel. Hundreds of years of battle experience and cultivation of snow and its purification. Kragvyr is older than Yuuna herself, and you¡¯re only a young whelp. What makes you think you can beat me alone with Yuuna by your side?¡±

    ¡°¡­Ehh..either way..you¡¯re not having Yuuna. She¡¯s the only one..who ever cared about me.¡±

    ¡°Haha! You really are a naive whepling. You¡¯re still going to side with the goddess of darkness? A goddess who slaughtered thousands of people? Surrender her to me as she is, she can¡¯t beat me that way. You know dragon deities are stronger when merged with a vessel¡ª.¡±

    ¡°You aren¡¯t any different!¡±

    ¡°¡­We are. I am no murderer for the kingdom of darkness. I take lives and purify them, saving them

    From themselves, from their sins. I draw the fear of man, so that I alongside Kragvyr can live for another 400 plus years.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s nothing like you..she..she kissed me!¡± Xyenn was flustered when he said that, but he meant it with every fiber In his being. A kiss given to him from Yuuna was something that he thought about all the time.

    ¡°You were kissed by the devil herself. She¡¯s nothing. As you are now, until you had power.¡±

    ¡°Damn you..¡±

    Despite the pain, despite the guilt, despite the overwhelming fear, something inside him snapped. Xyenn¡¯s blood boiled with rage, his heart pounding with the desire to fight back, to do something¡ªanything¡ªto stop this madness.

    With a roar of defiance, Xyenn dashed forward, his body moving on instinct as he charged toward Haldrek with everything he had. His sharp hands and fingers¡ªhis weapons¡ªextended, ready to tear through the king¡¯s flesh.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    "I won¡¯t lose!" he screamed, his voice cracking with desperation. "I won¡¯t lose ever again!"

    But before he could even reach the king, Haldrek¡¯s sword flashed.

    Slash.

    Stab.

    Crush.

    In a series of brutal, lightning-fast strikes, Haldrek tore Xyenn apart once more. Blood sprayed through the air as Xyenn¡¯s body was eviscerated, his limbs sliced through, his chest crushed, his head nearly severed from his shoulders. The force of the attack sent him hurtling through the air again, crashing through the village walls and into the snowy plains beyond.

    And still, the snow fell.

    ¡°Snowfall.¡±

    It gathered around Xyenn¡¯s broken body, seeping into his wounds, his veins, his bones. It **revived him**, over and over again, only for Haldrek to kill him** once more.

    "Snow does not relent," Haldrek whispered softly, his voice carrying over the howling wind. "It buries all things, and in its silence, it brings peace."

    High on the icy peak overlooking the battle, a dirt-rugged old man stood, his tattered robes flapping in the wind, his wild eyes fixed on the carnage below. His hair was long and unkempt, his beard scraggly and streaked with ice, and his hands waved wildly in the air as he spoke to no one in particular.

    ¡°It has begun!" he howled, his voice crackling with madness. "The prophecy is unfolding! The great Kragvyr, the Dragon God of Snow, has sent his vessel to cleanse the world!"

    He gestured wildly toward the sky, his eyes wide and crazed. "See how the snow falls! How it cleanses the blood! It is the harbinger of the end! The world will be buried beneath its purity!"

    The old man cackled, his voice rising into a fevered pitch as he continued his wild proclamations. "Haldrek is the chosen one! The Sword Saint of Purity! He will bring forth the final winter, the endless blizzard that will wipe the slate clean! All shall bow before the cold! ALL SHALL PERISH!"

    His arms flailed as he spun in circles, his eyes rolling back in his head as he muttered to himself, making strange, unintelligible gestures as if he were casting some ancient spell. "The dragon of snow, the harbinger of death¡­ it comes! It comes! Do you see it? Do you SEE IT?"

    The fight had raged for what felt like an eternity. Dozens of times Haldrek had killed Xyenn, each death more brutal than the last. The snow had revived him over and over, only to see him torn apart again. Xyenn¡¯s body was a ragged mess, his skin torn, his bones shattered, his blood staining the snow in every direction.

    And still, the snow brought him back.

    ¡°Snowfall.¡±

    Haldrek floated above the battlefield, his wings gleaming with an ethereal light, his body spotless despite the carnage he had unleashed. Every time blood touched him, the snow would cleanse him, leaving him pure, untouched, as if the violence was beneath him.

    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Xyenn was raised from the ground again, his body limp, barely able to stand. His mind was foggy with pain, his consciousness flickering in and out as the snow restored him once more.

    Haldrek landed softly beside him, his sword still in hand, his smile serene. Without a word, he reached out, his fingers gripping Xyenn¡¯s head. He lifted him off the ground, holding him by the skull as if he were nothing more than a broken doll.

    Xyenn¡¯s body hung limp in Haldrek¡¯s grasp, his arms dangling uselessly at his sides, his legs barely kicking. His face was covered in blood, his eyes glassy with exhaustion and pain.

    And then, with a single, brutal motion, Haldrek twisted

    and slammed Xyenn¡¯s body into the ground. The impact was thunderous, shaking the earth and sending cracks spider-webbing through the snow. Xyenn¡¯s chest caved in from the force, his breath stolen from him as blood sprayed from his mouth. He gasped for air, his lungs burning, but the pain was too much. His vision went dark, his body refusing to move.

    The snow began to fall again, but this time, it was slower, as if it, too, could feel Xyenn¡¯s fading strength.

    ¡°Snowfall¡­¡±

    Haldrek began to walk toward him, his steps slow, deliberate. The king¡¯s smile remained, calm and peaceful, as if nothing in the world could disturb his tranquility.

    ¡°I just need you to give Yuuna up. I will use her to kill the dragon god of war. I need you to tell me where she is, and bring her to me. If not, this will last forever.¡±

    Xyenn lay on the ground, his body broken, his mind shattered. But somehow, some way, he forced himself to move. His fingers twitched, then his hands, then his arms. He pushed himself up, his body trembling with the effort, blood dripping from every wound.

    Slowly, painfully, Xyenn got to his feet.

    Blood poured from his mouth, his nose, his eyes. His bones were broken, his muscles torn, but still, he stood. His fists clenched at his sides, his body swaying as he barely held himself upright.

    "I¡­ won¡¯t lose," he whispered, his voice hoarse and ragged. He raised his fists into a weak fighting stance, his body trembling with the effort. "I said I won¡¯t lose¡­ ever again."

    For the first time, Haldrek¡¯s eyes widened.

    A soft gasp escaped the king¡¯s lips, his tranquil smile faltering for the briefest of moments as he stared at the broken warrior before him.

    ¡°Very well. I will allow you to feel what the draconic deities feel, the Cycle of Rebirth; until you submit to the authority of snow.¡±

    Haldrek¡¯s movements were deliberate, graceful, and filled with an ancient power. Magic flowed from him like a river of purity, the air around him shimmering with a cold, ethereal light. His eyes never left Xyenn, whose broken body lay slumped in the snow. Each step Haldrek took seemed to drain the life from the world around them, as if the very essence of the earth was bending to his will. A spirit-like shape of a large snow covered dragon roared above him, and his pupils went thin.

    Xyenn¡¯s body trembled, his breaths labored, blood dripping from his many wounds. He could barely raise his head. He felt small, weak, and utterly insignificant in the face of Haldrek¡¯s overwhelming presence. His heart pounded, not just from the pain, but from the deep sense of shame that flooded him. He had promised Yuuna he would protect her, that he would never fail again¡ªbut here he was, broken, defeated, and powerless.

    ¡®I was reckless¡­I got overwhelmed with this power, I forgot to stay focused on what was important. Why am I so damn flawed? If I¡¯m not a monster, then what am I? A reckless kid..? Is that it then? Do I want to be perfect that bad?¡¯

    Just as Haldrek closed the distance, a scream tore through the sky.

    ¡°XYENN!¡±

    The voice was filled with anger and desperation, so powerful that it echoed across the heavens. Haldrek stopped mid-stride, his cold gaze snapping toward the sky.

    Suddenly, the wind picked up, and the world seemed to tremble as Yuuna descended. Her form, a massive dragon, swooped down from the clouds, her dark pink halo glowing ominously above her head. Her roar shook the trees and sent snow cascading from the branches. Her jagged, imposing figure cut through the night like a blade, the sheer power radiating from her form enough to make the air itself tremble.

    But she was not alone.

    Upon her back were her Tyrants, the seven that served her with absolute loyalty. They stood, their forms towering and powerful, each one unique in their terrifying strength.

    The Other Six Tyrants:

    Kivorn the Sigil-Bearer

    The first Tyrant stood tall at the edge of Yuuna¡¯s back, his elven ears sharp and his pale hair flowing in the wind, which was braided in 2 ponytails and red highlights in the ends. His face was marked by glowing red sigil¡ªancient symbols of power etched deep into his skin, pulsing faintly with arcane energy. His cold, blue eyes glowed with an unnatural intensity, and his clothing, though tattered and worn, carried the weight of forgotten magic. His hands, covered in the same red sigils, exuded a power that warped the air around him, and every movement he made seemed to disturb the very fabric of reality.

    Zyphira the Gilded Serpent

    Coiled beside Yuuna¡¯s massive form was Zyphira, a golden-scaled dragonkin woman, her body sleek and shimmering in the moonlight. Her serpentine figure moved with a grace that belied the deadly power she possessed. Her golden eyes and golden hair gleamed with intelligence, but there was something cold and calculating in her gaze, as if she measured every situation with ruthless efficiency. Her golden horns curved elegantly, framing her head as she kept an unwavering watch on the battlefield below.

    Sethrak the Warbringer

    Beside Zyphira stood Sethrak, her twin brother, his golden armor gleaming with an ethereal radiance. His muscular form was clad in intricately designed scales of gold, each piece seeming to shimmer with an inner fire. His golden eyes burned with a fierce intensity, his lips curled in a snarl as he gripped his massive warhammer, which crackled with the energy of lightning. His horns were larger, more jagged than Zyphira¡¯s, and his presence was that of a battle-hardened warlord.

    Ilyana the Priestess

    Clad in the dark robes of a priestess, Ilyana exuded an eerie calm. Her shoulder length thick black hair framed her pale face, and her eyes, dark yellow, glimmered with a cold light. A large cross adorned her chest, though its presence felt less like a symbol of faith and more like a reminder of death. Her movements were measured, almost graceful, as if she moved between the realms of life and death with ease.

    Draeven the Assassin

    Concealed in layers of shadowy wrappings, Draeven was a figure born of nightmares. His glowing red eyes pierced through the darkness, and his entire form seemed to shift like a living shadow, constantly in flux. Red lines of energy pulsed beneath his wrappings, and dark smoke billowed from his body, as if he were barely contained by the physical world. His movements were silent, his presence almost imperceptible, a whisper of death in the night.

    Gorran the Bloodhound

    The last Tyrant was Gorran, a rugged, battle-worn man who carried the weight of a thousand battles in his scarred eyes. His long, matted hair blew in the wind, and his fur-lined cloak barely concealed the many weapons he carried. His face was a mask of grim determination, and his sharp gaze never wavered from the enemy. A jagged scar ran across his face, a testament to the countless wars he had survived.

    As Yuuna landed, her massive form towering over the battlefield, her Tyrants dismounted, each one taking their place in front of her, forming a barrier of power and intimidation. Xyenn, still slumped over, dared to look up at his mistress, but the moment his eyes met the sight of Yuuna¡¯s form and her Tyrants, he looked away, ashamed.

    ¡®I look so pathetic,¡¯

    Xyenn thought, his heart sinking deeper into despair. His body trembled, not from pain, but from the overwhelming humiliation of being seen like this¡ªbroken, defeated, and useless. He had promised to protect Yuuna, to be her strength, and now, in his most desperate moment, he was nothing more than a broken vessel. His fists clenched weakly at his sides, but no strength remained in them.

    Yuuna¡¯s eyes focused on Xyenn, and the sight of him in such a state ignited a fury within her that burned hotter than any flame. Her body trembled with rage, her massive claws digging into the snow as she let out a roar that shook the very heavens. Her eyes, once filled with cold calculation, now burned with uncontrollable wrath.

    Yuuna¡¯s voice boomed, her anger palpable in every syllable. The sky seemed to darken as her fury grew, and the air around her crackled with energy. "How dare you touch what is mine?!¡±

    Her wings flared out, casting a shadow over the entire battlefield, and the ground trembled beneath her. Her dark jagged edged pink halo glowed with a menacing intensity, spinning faster as her power surged, the very air bending to her will.

    Haldrek, for the first time since the fight began, paused. His serene expression faltered as he gazed up at the raging dragon before him. Even the pure magic that flowed from him seemed to waver in the presence of Yuuna¡¯s overwhelming power.

    Yuuna¡¯s voice was like a blade, sharp and filled with murderous intent. "You will die for this, Haldrek. I will tear you apart with my own power!"

    Her rage was a storm, her power a torrent ready to be unleashed. The six Tyrants stood ready, their eyes locked on the king, their weapons drawn, prepared to strike at a moment¡¯s notice. But it was Yuuna who was the true threat. Her fury was a force of nature¡ªone that could not be stopped. But Mertha was feeling even more guilt, she allowed Xyenn to go out by himself to scope out the land, thinking it was the best way to increase his survival. But now, she felt as if this is all her doing, she couldn¡¯t bear to lay eyes on Xyenn.

    Xyenn, still slumped over, couldn¡¯t bear to meet her gaze. His heart ached with guilt, knowing he had failed her. The weight of his shame crushed him, but even in his broken state, he could feel the fury radiating from Yuuna, a fury that was far beyond anything he had ever known.

    Yuuna¡¯s eyes burned with hatred as she glared at Haldrek. Her voice, low and filled with venom, echoed across the battlefield.

    "I will end you."

    Xyenn tried to mutter out the words, ¡°Yuuna..don¡¯t..¡±

    But the pain was overbearing.

    The air itself seemed to shudder as Yuuna''s anger surged. Her form, already massive and imposing, began to shift¡ªtwisting, warping into something far more terrifying. Her once dark pink halo above her head flared violently, jagged edges growing more pronounced, spinning uncontrollably, casting a vicious light across the battlefield. Her deep roar turned into a snarl, thick with malice and rage, shaking the ground beneath her.

    Yuuna¡¯s eyes, once sharp and focused, now glowed with an unholy crimson, her pupils slitting further, betraying the demonic fury building inside her. Black veins of dark energy raced across her scales, spreading like cracks in stone, and her claws, already deadly, elongated into jagged, bone-like talons, dripping with raw, chaotic power. Her wings, now torn and jagged, beat the air as if the very skies would tear apart from her fury.

    The ground beneath her feet began to crack, and the snow that once blanketed the land started to melt, twisted by the heat of her demonic transformation. Even the Tyrants, her loyal subordinates, stood back, fear flickering in their eyes. They had never seen her like this.

    Yuuna¡¯s voice roared through the sky, now guttural, distorted, as if two voices spoke at once¡ªone her own and the other a dark, demonic force that threatened to overwhelm her.

    ¡°I will rip you apart!¡± she screamed at Haldrek, her voice booming with the promise of carnage. The power radiating from her was so intense that the air around her crackled with dark energy, and even the stars above seemed to dim in fear of her wrath.

    Suddenly, a calm voice echoed in Haldrek''s mind, cutting through the chaos like a whisper of winter wind.

    ¡°Haldrek¡­ you must leave.¡± It was Kragvyr, the ancient dragon god of snow, his voice as cold and distant as the frozen peaks. ¡°Her power in this state is beyond even your control. You cannot face her now.¡±

    Haldrek¡¯s eyes narrowed, his gaze still fixed on the now-demonic form of Yuuna. He clenched his fists, feeling the weight of Kragvyr¡¯s warning¡ªbut something within him refused to retreat.

    ¡°Wait, Kragvyr,¡± Haldrek muttered under his breath, his voice low but firm. He wasn¡¯t ready to leave. Not yet. His eyes flickered momentarily with the icy glow of his magic, but he held his ground, watching, waiting.

    As Yuuna¡¯s rage threatened to tear the very world apart, Xyenn¡ªbroken, bloody, but somehow still standing¡ªlifted his head.

    ¡®Get up! Get the hell up!¡¯ Xyenn motivated himself in his thoughts. His body moved with slow, deliberate purpose, as though each step cost him everything he had left. But he kept moving, his eyes locked on Yuuna¡¯s monstrous form

    ¡®She¡¯s out of control¡­.¡¯

    The battlefield fell eerily quiet as all eyes turned to him.

    Xyenn approached her, his legs unsteady, his breaths shallow. Despite his obvious pain, there was a softness in his expression¡ªa deep, unshakable recognition. He stopped just before her, staring up at the beast she had become, and reached out his hand.

    His fingers, bruised and trembling, gently touched the side of Yuuna¡¯s massive head. The touch was small, almost insignificant against her towering form, but it was enough.

    ¡°I missed you, Yuuna,¡± Xyenn whispered, his voice barely audible, but it cut through the storm of her fury like a blade, clear and undeniable.

    ---

    For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.

    Yuuna¡¯s glowing red eyes, still filled with rage, blinked once¡ªtwice. Her snarl faltered. The dark energy that had been spiraling around her body slowed. Her jagged claws, which had been poised to tear Haldrek apart, slowly lowered. The cracking, demonic growl in her throat turned into a whimper.

    ¡°Xy¡­enn?¡± Her voice, though still warped by her transformation, was filled with shock¡ªand something else, something softer, vulnerability.

    Her massive form began to shrink, the demonic energy receding, her monstrous wings folding back, her claws retracting. The dark veins of chaos faded, and soon, she was no longer the towering, terrifying dragon, but herself again¡ªin her human form, and standing before Xyenn. Her breaths were shaky, and her eyes, still wide with disbelief, looked up at him.

    Yuuna stood there, unsure, her hands trembling slightly at her sides.

    ¡®He actually..calmed me down? A human..?¡¯

    Xyenn, despite his pain, smiled faintly. He reached out, pulling her close, his arms encircling her in a gentle embrace. His voice, though weak, held a warmth that melted away the last remnants of her demonic fury.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad to see you... damn she-devil.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s body stiffened, her eyes wide with shock. She had expected anger, fear, or even disappointment from him¡ªbut not this. Not the warmth of his embrace. She stood there, frozen, her mind racing to catch up to what was happening. Xyenn¡ªher Xyenn¡ªwas holding her, something she hadn¡¯t expected in her wildest thoughts.

    Her hands hovered awkwardly at her sides for a moment, unsure of what to do, until slowly, hesitantly, she wrapped her arms around him in return. The tension in her shoulders melted away, and the storm that had been raging in her heart for so long began to calm.

    The Tyrants, watching the scene unfold, said nothing. They stood quietly in the background, their eyes trained on their Queen and her vessel, understanding the significance of this moment. None dared to interrupt.

    Yuuna¡¯s voice, much softer now, barely a whisper, escaped her lips as she rested her head against Xyenn¡¯s chest.

    ¡°Xyenn...¡±

 Chapter 13: Sharing A Room?

    Mertha, her fists clenched, said, ¡°This is my fault, Xyenn. I shouldn¡¯t have¡ª.¡±

    Xyenn interrupted her, ¡°Hey. Shut up with that crap, oaf. Nothing is your fault. I was too damn reckless, I was doing so well, then I fucked up. Thank you for this too, now I realize I can¡¯t be as reckless anymore. From this..I learned to focus on the task at hand. I still have a god to kill..but first his vessel..¡±

    Mertha nodded, smirking, ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re still hardheaded.¡±

    Gorron thought, ¡®That¡¯s her vessel..? Doesn¡¯t look like much to me. I would¡¯ve been a better fit for her.¡¯

    Kivorn saw Xyenn¡¯s state, thinking, ¡®How did he survive against Haldrek for this long? He sure is brave, or just insane. We could be good friends.¡¯

    ¡®Either this kid will be the end of us, or the one we have to keep saving. I don¡¯t plan on saving him over and over.¡¯ Sethrak said in his thoughts.

    Haldrek walked forward, smiling, ¡°Maybe we can come to an agreement¡ª.¡±

    Yuuna instantly looked at Haldrek, and Gorron even stepped up, pulling out a jagged edged greatsword covered in shadows, with spiraling red and orange eyes all over the blade. Called ¡°Xenith¡±.

    Gorron said, ¡°This kid may be a pathetic excuse for a vessel, but you won¡¯t be taking another step.¡±

    Xyenn looked at him, thinking, ¡®Huhh?! Who the hell is this old geezer?! Talking about me like that..but his sword¡­what kind of blade is that?¡¯

    The Tyrant Illyana, holding a glowing black and gold grimoire, said with a peaceful, low, and tranquil tone, ¡°King Haldrek, you must not take another step. Please.¡±

    Kivorn, the rune mage, rubbed his eyes and yawned, saying, ¡°You¡¯re kinda outnumbered¡­.guy.¡±

    Sethrak grinned with a cocky attitude, ¡°Mm. And I thought I was insane. What a disgusting human.¡±

    Zyphira leaned against her brother Sethrak, burping, ¡°Hey, hey, hey¡ª.¡±

    ¡°Focus, fool. You reek of intoxication.¡±

    ¡°Ewwww¡­Mead tastes like shit, I like Hewteks. Haha!¡±

    Draeven was pacing back and forth, his fingers twitching nervously, smoke coming from under the wraps in his fists and body, his eyes glowing even more red.

    Xyenn finally stood up, with Yuuna helping him, and Yuuna said, ¡°Xyenn, do you wanna merge with me? We can kill him here.¡±

    Xyenn, still breathing heavily, said, ¡°I would more than anything else right now, but let¡¯s hear him out. I wanna hear what this bastard has to say.¡±

    Everyone looked at him, saying: ¡°What?¡±

    Gorron, his eyes and sword still looking at Haldrek, said, ¡°Tch.¡±

    Mertha said, ¡°Hey, boy, do you know what you¡¯re saying?!¡±

    Sethrak chuckled, ¡°Oh.¡±

    Zyphira laughed, ¡°Haha! I love this kid already!¡±

    Kivorn scratched the back of his head, ¡°Huh¡­?  How many times did Haldrek hit you on the head..?¡±

    Yuuna turned around and looked at Kivorn fast, and Kivorn hid behind Mertha, saying, ¡°Oops. Sorry sorry.¡±

    Illyana said peacefully, ¡°Xyenn the vessel fought with honor, on Yuuna¡¯s behalf. We must listen.¡±

    Yuuna asked Xyenn, ¡°What happened, Xyenn..?¡±

    ¡®Shit¡­if only I never left him¡­this wouldn¡¯t have happened.¡¯ She thought. ¡®I hope you can forgive me, I missed you too..¡¯

    Before Xyenn could speak, Haldrek said, ¡°Yes. This stubborn whepling would not give you up to me, goddess. I am impressed, though I¡¯ve never been impressed with anything. For a whep his age would¡¯ve folded a hundred times over.¡±

    Yuuna scoffed, her eyes going pitch black, her veins popping, ¡°Don¡¯t call him stubborn, you fucker! I¡¯ll kill yo¡ª.¡±

    Xyenn immediately held Yuuna¡¯s hand, and Yuuna started to slowly settle down.

    ¡°S-Sorry.¡± Yuuna frowned.

    Xyenn replied, ¡°I can feel your darkness, Yuuna. Control it¡­¡±

    Haldrek continued, ¡°Every dragon god and goddess are hunting you down, and since you have a party with you, they will be hunted down as well.  And that vessel will be a bigger target than you. As of right now, I have the upper hand.¡±

    Gorron scoffed, ¡°Oh yeah? In what way?¡±

    ¡°I can inform the other gods of your whereabouts, I can lure them here easily. You all will be dead in less than 20 minutes. They will come storming over here faster than you can take 20 steps.¡±

    Yuuna growled, ¡°What do you want?¡±

    ¡°You all are hunting gods. This I know. You want to kill them one by one before they kill you. I can help you.¡±

    Mertha stepped up, ¡°Answer Yuuna¡¯s question. What do you want from us?¡±

    ¡°Help me kill the dragon god of war. Help me gain entrance to his realm. That foolish deity has set out abominations of war into my kingdom, into V?rdrheim. Beings and beasts alike that don¡¯t have a violent nature are turning into beasts even hunters and adventurers can¡¯t handle. They are they key to getting into his realm.¡±

    Xyenn was about to speak up, but he couldn¡¯t mutter any words out. The pain still hurt him, and then, he felt too much shame to talk anymore; why would anyone like him have the right to talk anymore after all that happened? He was the only one sitting there covered in blood and wounds, killed over and over and brought back, that shit was embarrassing.

    Xyenn grunted at the pain in his body, Yuuna noticed, but without looking, she held onto him.

    Haldrek walked back and forth, feeling it was right to continue his proposal. ¡°We will put our battle on hold. For I do not lie. The dragon god of war, named Ezrael, he must die and not come back, and you all are the only ones with the power to make it happen.¡±

    Kivorn asked, ¡°So¡­what if they find out about us..before we can even kill him?¡±

    ¡°He won¡¯t. The snow around V?rdrheim is a part of me. I hear and see all where snow falls. None of you will leave this continent, that is only safer for you all.¡±

    Yuuna asked, ¡°Why do you want Ezrael dead?¡±

    ¡°¡­.War itself is nothing but strife and sin. As long as war is around, there will always be war amongst men. For them to see the glory of snow''s purity, I can save this entire world of Kyrrin. It is my calling.¡±

    ¡°You think killing him off would get rid of war itself? The concept of war?¡±

    ¡°Not just him, you too. If I can save this world and kill off the dragon gods related to war, I can finally cleanse this world of the strong ruling over the weak. Without war, everyone will thrive as one. I am a victim of being weak, but like that young whepling there, he should understand my motivations. War killed those close to me, war broke me. I will not have a repeat. And now, purifying Kyrrin and ridding the dragon gods and goddess associated with war will surely make my dream come true. And in the end, I will have a fair battle with you, Xyenn and Yuuna. Kragvyr agrees.¡±

    Xyenn said, ¡°Stop saying that¡­I¡¯m not like you.¡±

    Zyphira asked, ¡°Waitttt do you think that¡¯s actually real?!¡±

    Sethrak added with an arrogant smirk, ¡°If we can kill off gods related to a concept of life, the mystery behind it is if that very concept would be erased from existence, interesting.¡±

    Illyana mentioned to Yuuna, ¡°Goddess, please think about this. Are you having doubts?¡±

    Yuuna said, ¡°This bastard could betray us at any moment..I won¡¯t let him catch us off guard.¡±

    Gorron said, ¡°It¡¯s your decision, Yuuna. Don¡¯t listen to the others.¡±

    Kivorn pointed at Gorron, ¡°Hey¡­that was mean.¡±

    ¡°Leave me alone.¡±

    Mertha said, ¡°As much as I hate Haldrek¡­as much as I want to kill him..¡±

    ¡®Calm down, Mertha. Attacking him now would cause trouble. Control yourself.¡¯

    Draeven, off to the side alone, thought to himself, ¡°We can¡¯t trust Haldrek! But with his strength..¡±

    Yuuna didn¡¯t know what to decide. She thought about what if Haldrek could be lying and instantly deliver her to the other dragon gods? And on the other hand, with Haldrek¡¯s status of the draconic deity of snow, he¡¯s hold a lot of power and influence. The people and mythic races of V?rdrheim fear Haldrek, the worship these beings deliver to Kragvyr because of him has maintained a powerful reputation for hundreds of years.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Haldrek was smart. He wanted to kill off the dragonic god of war and the deities associated with war itself, to hopefully erase the concept of war from Kyrrin itself. Was that even possible?! How does he know if that¡¯s even a possibility? It could just be common sense, but that''s highly unrealistic¡­.or realistic assumption to make. Either way, Haldrek wanted to purify the world of Kyrrin, and he¡¯s willing to use Yuuna¡¯s and Xyenn¡¯s drive to kill the gods before they try and take Yuuna¡¯s heart to his advantage.

    Yuuna looked at Xyenn, and she saw Xyenn was knocked out. At least trying to rest to recover his strength, Xyenn didn¡¯t want to look anyone deep in the eyes at this moment, the shame stayed, it overwhelmed.

    ¡®Now I really look like a fucking kid in front of everyone. I¡¯ll pretend to be asleep so I can be alone to myself for a bit..¡¯

    Yuuna, about to say something, Haldrek had spoken, ¡°I will give you 5 days to come up with an answer. Until then, I advise that whepling to get stronger. I will find you. And also, the noble family of Velmire will be assisting us as well.¡±

    Haldrek blasted off with his wings, Gorron still locking eyes with his majestic form.

    ¡°I hated that I couldn¡¯t kill him where he stood!¡± Gorron said with a piercing rage.

    Zyphira walked up to him, saying, ¡°You duuuumy! He would¡¯ve lopped your head off. Haha!¡±

    ¡°Get away from me, you drunk! Even in a serious moment¡­¡±

    ¡°Aw come on! I don¡¯t like gloomy  moments! You know me.¡±

    ¡°I hate that I do.¡±

    Sethrak approached Yuuna, ¡°Considering the deal will help us.¡±

    ¡°I hate it! I hate it! This is so annoying! Like, why can¡¯t I be more trusting?¡±

    ¡°You have no right trusting someone as sadistic as king Haldrek. You are right to be wary of him.¡±

    Illyana, her hands in praying formation, added with a tranquil tone and smile, ¡°We should use these 5 days to prepare and let Xyenn recover. After all, he¡¯s so strong to stand up to a 400 year old King Haldrek in his current state.¡±

    Yuuna, turned to Illyana with a malicious grin, saying, ¡°Are you saying you want to marry Xyenn?¡±

    Illyana chuckled softly, ¡°Haha, no. Your jealousy is what makes you amazing. I¡¯ll make lamb stew for everyone to celebrate tonight.¡±

    Yuuna folded her arms, her cheeks flustered, ¡°Hmph.¡±

    Yuuna looked back down at Xyenn, and asked Mertha, ¡°Could you carry him back to the house?¡±

    ¡°Mine?¡±

    ¡°Not this time. Me and the other Tyrants spotted a good safehouse for us! It has a lot of room!¡±

    As everyone prepared to leave, Mertha picked up Xyenn, laying him over her shoulder, and the group started to move.

    Yunna was leading everyone, a smile on her face, happily dancing softly under the sunset.

    Mertha trailed behind everyone, and she said, ¡°I know you¡¯re not sleeping, brat.¡±

    Xyenn responded, ¡°Hm. What gave it away?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve seen you truly sleep, there¡¯s no comparison.¡±

    ¡°Got me.¡±

    ¡°Yuuna is happy.¡±

    ¡°Even after all of that? After what I went through?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s happy you¡¯re here. You¡¯ve calmed her down from killing everyone twice.¡±

    ¡°Killing everyone?¡±

    ¡°If she went full berserk, she definitely would¡¯ve killed everyone around her. In that state, she¡¯s fully consumed by her nature, darkness. But you¡¯re the only piece of light she has to counter it.¡±

    ¡°Really¡­?¡±

    ¡°Ya know it¡¯s funny. Before, she wouldn¡¯t instantly get happy after something crazy went off. But now that you¡¯re here, she¡¯s not allowing you to see her in a sad state. Before, she sulked in what made her depressed. It¡¯s great to see a change in her. She doesn¡¯t even want to be sad around you.¡±

    ¡°¡­Does she like me or something?¡±

    ¡°ARE YOU THAT DENSE?! OF COURSE SHE DOES¡ª!¡±

    Yuuna, all the way in the front, turned around, saying with a smile, ¡°Oi, Mertha! I hope you¡¯re not yelling at my darling!¡±

    ¡°Haha, no! I¡¯m yelling at myself! Xyenn is asleep!¡±

    ¡°Good! Good!¡±

    Mertha sighed, ¡°Damn that was close.¡±

    Xyenn responded, ¡°So she started being happy all of sudden, because of me?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what I just said, didn¡¯t I?¡±

    ¡°I just¡­like hearing it again. And why is everyone else happy?¡±

    ¡°Because me and the others are glad you¡¯re alive.  As Tyrants, having a successful mission completed makes our day. We¡¯re like a family. There¡¯s no need for them to be pouting or being depressed and all that, because you¡¯re alive, Yuuna cried on her way up here, she demanded that you are retrieved alive.¡±

    ¡°She cried? Over me?¡±

    ¡°You and Yuuna...you two remind me of me and my old husband. We were like this. I hated for him to see me stressed out about the war around us. I would usually beat on him playfully, but that was my love language. He eventually figured out I wanted him as my husband, but he was SUPER fucking dense. Like you¡¯re being right now.¡±

    ¡°Shut up.¡±

    ¡°Anyway, later on tonight, Yuuna might be alone in her room crying because of what happened today. She just doesn¡¯t want you to see it.¡±

    ¡°¡­I¡¯m glad she¡¯s here. I really am. Though me and her banter a lot, I feel truly appreciated. I never had this feeling before.¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah? Neither did she. The gods wanting to kill her for her heart think they understand her. Yuuna is the only goddess in Kyrrin who everyone hates, besides us. Imagine how lonely she was, that¡¯s why when she keeps mentioning what happened when you fought death, and what YOU said to her, it meant something to her.¡±

    ¡°Ooooh, I get it!¡±

    ¡°Finally¡ª.¡±

    ¡°She wants to have my children.¡±

    ¡°¡­Uh, yeah sure. Whatever rocks your ship.¡±

    Xyenn, flustered, said, ¡°Someone finally likes me¡­after all of this time? I¡¯m definitely becoming a man now, no more kid shit. Haha¡­¡±

    Mertha grinned, saying, ¡°That should take your mind off earlier.¡±

    ¡°¡­The worst day and the best day ever. But I still feel embarrassed, let¡¯s not talk about it anymore until tomorrow.¡±

    ¡®I don¡¯t want to think about or talk about what happened earlier. I¡¯m already embarrassed enough. That¡¯s why I¡¯m pretending to be asleep. If I am awake, I¡¯ll know I¡¯ll be bombarded with questions. I have to keep my mind off it at least for now..¡¯

    ¡°You¡¯re right. I apologize.¡±

    At the front, Gorron stayed close to Yuuna, ¡°Watch your step Yuuna, I don¡¯t want you to fall and trip.¡±

    Xyenn asked Mertha, ¡°Who¡¯s that gloomy old man trying to flirt with Yuuna?¡±

    ¡°Ehhh I don¡¯t think it¡¯s flirting, just overprotective. Seriously overprotective. Are you jealous?! Of him?!¡±

    ¡°Tch! N-No! Never.¡±

    The snow crunched beneath their feet as the group moved through the frost-laden forest, the tension from the earlier battle slowly dissipating into the cold night. Haldrek had vanished into the distance, leaving Yuuna and her Tyrants to make their way alone. At the rear of the group, Mertha carried a weakened Xyenn silently, her eyes sharp and focused.

    At the front, however, Yuuna was practically bouncing with energy, grinning wildly as she skipped ahead, humming an off-key tune. Her earlier demonic fury seemed like a distant memory; now she was all chaotic exuberance, throwing snowballs at trees and occasionally into the air for no discernible reason. She exuded the carefree enthusiasm of someone who¡¯d just won a game, not someone who had been on the verge of tearing the world apart moments earlier.

    Behind her, the Tyrants trudged along, each with their own quirks on full display.

    Kivorn, ever the embodiment of laziness, dragged his feet, barely lifting them off the ground. His heavy eyelids drooped, and he let out a long, exaggerated yawn.

    "Why are we walking? Can¡¯t we just... I don¡¯t know... teleport or something?" His words were slow, almost slurred with fatigue. "This is so much effort..." He motioned vaguely to the snow around them, as if the very idea of continuing was more than he could handle.

    Zyphira, clearly not suffering from the same exhaustion, let out a loud laugh and elbowed her twin brother, Sethrak, who walked beside her, his posture regal and unbothered.

    "Quit your whining, Kivornie! We¡¯ve barely started, and you¡¯re already acting like you¡¯re about to pass out!" She swayed slightly as she walked, taking a swig from the flask that seemed to magically appear in her hand. ¡°Besides, when we get to town, the real fun begins! Drinks, dancing, maybe a good brawl or two!¡± She drunk another swig of her hidden bottle of alcohol.

    Kivorn blinked slowly, as if struggling to process her words. "My name is Kivorn¡­and You know what sounds better than all that? A nap. Right here. Right now."

    Zyphira cackled, while Sethrak rolled his eyes, his expression one of calm superiority. His voice dripped with condescension, yet somehow remained elegant.

    "Typical. While you dream of drunken brawls and Kivorn fantasizes about collapsing into the nearest snowbank, I shall be contemplating something far more sophisticated." He smirked, his tone cutting like a blade wrapped in silk. "Perhaps I¡¯ll enjoy a night of intellectual conversation, though I doubt anyone in this group is capable of such a thing."

    Zyphira shot him a sideways glance. "Intellectual conversation? You mean listening to yourself talk about how great you are?"

    Sethrak¡¯s smirk widened. "Precisely. It¡¯s a topic that never fails to be fascinating."

    Ilyana, ever the peaceful priestess, floated between the two of them like a gentle breeze, her face bright with a smile that could melt the coldest snow.

    ¡°Now, now. Let¡¯s not bicker¡ªit¡¯s such a beautiful sunset, isn¡¯t it?¡± Her voice was soft, like a blanket of warmth in the freezing air. "The stars are shining, the air is crisp, and Xyenn is safe. Isn¡¯t that something to celebrate?"

    Zyphira chuckled, taking another swig from her flask. "Celebrate what? That Kivorn hasn¡¯t collapsed yet?"

    Kivorn, eyes half-closed, raised a hand weakly. "I can still hear you."

    Ilyana giggled, patting Kivorn gently on the back. "You¡¯re doing great, Kivorn. Just a little further. And Zyphira, you¡¯d feel so much better if you focused on the little things¡ªlike how beautiful the snow looks, or how lucky we are to be together. It¡¯s all beautiful.¡±

    Zyphira rolled her eyes and waved her flask. "Yeah, yeah, appreciate the snow. Whatever you say, sunshine."

    Sethrak, sensing an opportunity, chuckled softly. "Yes, sister, why not focus on the snowflakes? I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll be fascinating after another drink or two. Drunkard.¡±

    Draeven, who had been hanging toward the back of the group, shifted nervously. His dark cloak billowed slightly as he fidgeted with his hands, his glowing eyes darting between the others.

    "Um... m-maybe we should... you know... just keep walking quietly?" His voice was barely above a whisper, laced with anxiety. He tugged his hood lower over his face, as if trying to hide from the conversation entirely.

    Zyphira, as expected, wasn¡¯t about to let him off the hook so easily. ¡°Stop being such a shadowy little wreck. Lighten up there. Have a drink with me!¡± She shoved the flask toward him, grinning.

    Draeven¡¯s eyes widened, and he waved his hands frantically. ¡°N-no, no, no! I¡¯m good! Really! No poison for me, thanks.¡±

    Zyphira shrugged, taking another swig. ¡°Your loss, shadow boy.¡±

    At the front of the group, Gorran marched in grim silence, his eyes constantly scanning the surroundings. His massive greatsword, Xenith, rested on his back, its red, spiraling eyes glowing faintly, as though always watching. His focus, however, was entirely on Yuuna, who continued bouncing ahead with reckless abandon.

    ¡°Yuuna,¡± he growled, his voice low and gravelly. ¡°Stay focused. We¡¯re still in dangerous territory. I¡¯ll keep you safe if anything happens.¡±

    Yuuna, barely paying attention, turned around mid-skip and blew a raspberry at him. ¡°Focus, schmocus! We¡¯re fine! Look, nothing¡¯s gonna happen!¡± She threw her arms out wide, spinning in a circle, snow flying everywhere.

    Gorran¡¯s scowl deepened. He gripped Xenith tightly, his knuckles turning white. ¡°You¡¯re being reckless. If we attract anything hostile¡­l

    Zyphira, watching the scene unfold, burst into laughter. ¡°Gorrannnn. You¡¯re like a grumpy old man watching over his kids at a festival.¡±

    Sethrak¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. ¡°Indeed, Gorran, perhaps you¡¯re better suited to babysitting than wielding that oversized sword of yours. Careful, or you might throw your back out.¡±

    Gorran glared at him. ¡°Say that again, and I¡¯ll show you just how ¡®oversized¡¯ this sword can be.¡± His hand twitched, ready to draw Xenith.

    Ilyana stepped in quickly, her voice as soothing as ever. "Let¡¯s not be hasty. It was just a little fun, right? Isn¡¯t Yuuna¡¯s energy just contagious? It¡¯s wonderful, really.¡±

    Gorran¡¯s eye twitched. ¡°Wonderful? It¡¯s a liability. But it is my duty to be near her at all times.¡±

    As they continued onward, the banter carried through the cold night air, Kivorn dragging his feet, Zyphira and Sethrak trading insults, Ilyana trying to keep the peace, and Draeven nervously wishing he could vanish. Gorran, ever vigilant, kept his eyes trained on Yuuna, though his patience was tested at every turn by her wild antics.

    The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a silver glow over the vast stretch of snow-covered land. The wind whispered through the trees, and in the distance, a large, imposing structure began to take shape through the frost-filled air¡ªa mansion, long and sprawling, its dark silhouette rising against the backdrop of the snowy forest. The Tyrants trudged toward it, their exhaustion palpable after hours of walking, their breaths visible in the cold night.

    The mansion¡ªonce the grand estate of the Velmire noble family¡ªstood as a testament to a bygone era. Built centuries ago, it had housed generations of Velmires, a powerful lineage known for their wealth, influence, and mysterious dealings in both politics and magic. Now abandoned, the mansion had become a silent, frozen monument to their fall. Its stone walls were thick and rugged, covered in snow and ivy, and its windows, though dark, still held traces of their former grandeur with intricate carvings around the frames. The mansion boasted over 200 rooms, each one said to have been designed with meticulous attention to detail, though now most sat empty, collecting dust from years of disuse.

    The main entrance was a set of enormous double doors, weathered but still standing strong, flanked by stone gargoyles that seemed to watch over the estate. The roof was steep and jagged, its edges lined with snow, and several towering chimneys stretched toward the sky, promising warmth within.

    As the group approached, the sight of the mansion reenergized them. The idea of warmth and shelter after hours of walking through the snow sparked a frenzy, as if the exhaustion that had plagued them moments before had suddenly vanished.

    Zyphira, despite her drunken state, was the first to dart forward, her eyes wide with excitement. ¡°I call first! Move!!¡± she yelled, her voice echoing through the cold air, as she bolted toward the doors, stumbling slightly but regaining her balance with surprising agility.

    Kivorn, who had been practically sleepwalking, suddenly found a burst of energy. ¡°I¡¯m calling the room with the biggest bed¡­and blankets..¡± He yawned mid-sprint but somehow managed to keep pace with Zyphira.

    Sethrak, ever the strategist, smirked. ¡°As if any of you have the taste to choose the best room.¡± He moved swiftly, his long cloak billowing behind him as he made a beeline for the mansion¡¯s entrance.

    Draeven, though nervous, didn¡¯t want to be left behind. ¡°W-wait! There¡¯s enough rooms for everyone!¡± But his protests fell on deaf ears as the others stormed ahead.

    Ilyana, ever the optimist, smiled serenely. ¡°Oh, this is going to be so much fun. So many rooms to choose from.¡± She skipped after them, her cheerful demeanor completely unfazed by the chaotic rush.

    Gorran, however, had a different priority altogether. He marched forward with purpose, his expression serious as always, his eyes locked on Yuuna, who still led the pack. ¡°I¡¯ll take the room closest to Yuuna,¡± he declared, as if it were already decided.

    Zyphira, hearing his declaration, snickered. ¡°She¡¯ll be fine. You don¡¯t need to stand guard over her like some overprotective father.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not interested in your opinions,¡± Gorran snapped, his grip tightening on the hilt of Xenith. ¡°I will be by her side, whether you approve or not.¡±

    ¡°Ooh, scary.¡±

    But Yuuna¡ªYuuna had her own plans. She grinned mischievously, eyes darting toward Xyenn, who was still slung over Mertha¡¯s shoulder, pretending to be unconscious. She jogged over to him, her energy seemingly boundless despite the long day.

    ¡°Alright, everyone!¡± Yuuna called out, waving her hand. ¡°Me and Xyenn are sharing a room, so don¡¯t even think about it!¡± Her declaration was loud and confident, leaving no room for argument.

    Xyenn, who had been feigning sleep, felt his heart skip a beat. He had been doing his best to keep his eyes closed, his body limp, but with every passing moment near Yuuna, his senses were on high alert. Her scent, her voice, even the way she carried him¡ªit all made his pulse race, his cheeks flushing with warmth. He was supposed to be out cold, but his body betrayed him at every moment Yuuna was near.

    ¡®Hold yourself together¡­Xyenn!¡¯

    Gorran¡¯s brow furrowed in disapproval. ¡°Yuuna, that¡¯s¡ª¡±

    ¡°Nope! No arguments!¡± Yuuna cut him off with a playful wave, already lifting Xyenn from Mertha¡¯s arms with surprising ease. She swung him over her shoulder like he weighed nothing, even though he was taller and heavier than her. ¡°Come on, sleepyhead,¡± she teased, bouncing him slightly. ¡°Top floor! We¡¯re taking the most super secluded room, and none of you are invited!¡±

    Sethrak crossed his arms, one eyebrow raised, suspicion dancing across his features. ¡°Convenient, isn¡¯t it, that Xyenn¡¯s supposed to be unconscious, yet he manages to blush every time you touch him? Seems Haldrek really did mess up his head.¡±

    Zyphira leaned in conspiratorially. ¡°You sure he¡¯s not just faking it, Yuuna?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m gonna find out.¡± Yuuna laughed, already halfway up the grand staircase that led to the upper floors. And with that, she disappeared around the corner, Xyenn¡¯s face completely flushed as he continued his act of feigned unconsciousness.

    ¡®I¡¯m doomed! She¡¯s gonna rip me apart this time..¡¯

    The room Yuuna chose was at the very top of the mansion, far from the others, just as she¡¯d said. It was large, with a slanted ceiling and a wide window that overlooked the snowy landscape outside. The bed was massive, draped in thick blankets and furs, with a roaring fireplace that crackled softly in the corner, casting a warm glow around the spacious room.

    With a gentle motion, Yuuna laid Xyenn down on the bed, her movements surprisingly tender given her usual chaotic energy. She sat beside him, her expression softening as she watched him. Her earlier excitement faded, replaced by something deeper, more solemn.

    For a long moment, she just watched him, her eyes tracing the lines of his face. Her hands trembled slightly as she gripped the edge of the bed, her knuckles white with tension. Slowly, her gaze softened even further, and a single tear slid down her cheek. It fell silently, landing on Xyenn¡¯s face.

    Xyenn, who had been doing a commendable job of pretending to sleep, felt the tear hit him, and his heart ached at the emotion behind it. He resisted the urge to open his eyes, but the moment he felt Yuuna¡¯s hand gently wipe the tear from his face, he couldn¡¯t help it. His eyes fluttered open, meeting hers.

    Yuuna froze, her hand still resting on his cheek.

    Their eyes locked.

 Chapter 14: My First Time

    Yuuna said, ¡°Haldrek killed you..didn¡¯t he? I felt it¡­the same feeling I felt when I brought you back, the day we fought Death.¡±

    ¡°Tch. Over and over. I couldn¡¯t beat him. Not in this state. It¡¯s so annoying. So crappy, I couldn¡¯t even look at you.¡±

    ¡°Why, idiot..¡±

    ¡°Too embarrassed. That guy kicked my ass badly. Threw me into a village, and villagers died because I couldn¡¯t stop him. If I was merged with you in my dragon form, that wouldn¡¯t have happened. I swear¡­that was embarrassing.¡±

    ¡°Is that why you pretended to be asleep?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I didn¡¯t want to face any of you. They must think I¡¯m some weak and reckless brat.¡± Xyenn turned around covering his face, smashing his head in the pillow. ¡°Ughhhhh! Eat me.¡±

    Yuuna bonked Xyenn on the head, exclaiming, ¡°Stop that, fool! Before I really do eat you!¡± Then she sighed, ¡°But you¡¯re alive, meaning Haldrek knew what to do with us the entire time.¡±

    ¡°But ya know what? I¡¯m glad it happened. Not for the villagers that died, but for mead I know I sound selfish as hell, I still think it¡¯s my fault they died, but I realize now even after that, I can¡¯t be reckless and easily distracted from the task at hand any more.¡±

    ¡°Oooooh! Is this character development?!!¡±

    ¡°Shush! Wait!¡± Xyenn blushed. ¡°I was so obsessed with the strength I had. Damn it felt so awesome. Like a badass. No one could stop me. I was kicking so much butt that I got distracted in some tournament I was in.¡±

    ¡°YOU were in a tournament?! Without me?! You bastard!¡± Yuuna started to choke Xyenn.

    Xyenn gagged, ¡°You dumbass! You left!¡±

    Yuuna let him go fast, saying with a straight, ¡°Oh, right. Hehe.¡±

    Xyenn then sat up in the bed, continuing, ¡°Then before that, I killed around 50 bandits. I wasn¡¯t really keeping count, but it¡¯s just my estimate of when they first approached me.¡±

    ¡°What did they want?¡±

    ¡°Ah ya know. Bandits¡­shitty bandits.¡±

    ¡°I''m just glad you¡¯re alright. Pisses me off I wasn¡¯t there by your side.¡±

    ¡®I want to tell her what happened. I want to tell her how I really felt. How I enjoyed taking lives, but then regretted it after. She¡¯ll probably think it¡¯s her fault, since her darkness is in me, but in reality, it¡¯s not the case. I¡¯ve wanted to be on top for so long, power¡­I often struggle is it really making me a monster? Fucking Haldrek¡­he planted more seeds in my head. I¡¯m nothing like him. But I won¡¯t be revealing certain information to Yuuna, I wanna protect her feelings. She tried to protect mine earlier, she knew I was fake sleeping, she wanted to appear happy around me, she doesn¡¯t like showing her sad side to those she cares about. But then when she laid me down in the bed, it all came out.¡¯

    Yuuna leaned forward, and asked, ¡°Hmmm, you¡¯re thinking quite a lot. What are you thinking about?¡±

    Xyenn looked down, and saw Yuuna was EXTRA close. Her breasts were basically touching his chest, and her hand was pressing down on his privates on accident.

    Xyenn, flustered, looked up, thinking, ¡®No! No! No! Don¡¯t grow! Don¡¯t grow! Not now! She''ll definitely feel it! Think about something dumb! Oh no¡­¡¯

    Down below, Yuuna felt a tug under the blanket, something was oddly growing from underneath the blanket, taking the blanket with it, still covering his privates.

    Yuuna looked down, saying, ¡°Hm? What¡¯s this..¡±

    Suddenly, it grew and grew, even Xyenn was shocked himself.

    ¡°Whaaaaa?!¡±

    Yuuna looked at it, saying, ¡°No way! It¡¯s actually true!¡±

    ¡°Huh?! What¡¯s true?! Don¡¯t hide information from me! Am I gonna explode?! Is this a fluke? It¡¯s never been this big before!¡±

    ¡®Now WHY would I expose myself like that? Stupid stupid stupid..¡¯

    Yuuna laughed, holding her stomach, saying, ¡°Haha! I heard from before that when dragon vessels become one with draconic blood, their bodies undergo significant developments! You couldn¡¯t tell just from you gaining a little muscle and strength?¡±

    ¡°Actually I didn¡¯t notice I¡¯ve become super ripped. But for my junk?! S-Stop staring at it!¡±

    Yuuna laughed hysterically, rolling all over the floor holding her stomach.

    Xyenn was panicking, trying to figure out how to make it shrink. It was standing at 4 feet tall, and Xyenn stood up, saying, ¡°This isn¡¯t happening¡­this isn¡¯t happening!¡±

    Yuuna finally stood up, trying to contain her laugh, saying, ¡°Okay! Let me help you!¡±

    Xyenn backed away, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t touch me! The blanket will fall off and my pants are already ripped!¡±

    ¡®No one¡¯s ever seen it before, I¡¯m way too self conscious to expose myself.¡¯

    ¡°I have to if we¡¯re gonna fix it!¡±

    ¡°No!¡±

    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    Yuuna chased Xyenn around the room, saying with a malicious grin, ¡°Let me fix it!¡±

    ¡°No! You fool!¡±

    Outside the door, Gorron, Illyana, Sethrak, Zyphira, Kivorn, Mertha, and Draeven were leaning against it.

    Gorron said, ¡°Tch! I¡¯ll that vessel brat! He¡¯s probably in there murdering her right now! Let me go, Mertha!¡±

    Mertha said, ¡°You old fart, stop being jealous.¡±

    Gorron looked at her with killing intent, his eyes straining red, gripping his Xenith blade, ¡°I¡¯m not old.¡±

    Zyphira laughed and banged on the door, ¡°Haha! That¡¯s what I''m talking about! Ya want me to bring drinks inside to increase the intimate scenery?¡±

    Sethrak said to her, ¡°Yuuna will maul you.¡±

    ¡°Huh? What are you doing here? Pervert.¡±

    ¡°I only came to see what foolery was going on. I am not interested in that vessel or Yuuna¡¯s situation.¡±

    ¡®Xyenn, wasn¡¯t it? He lasted and actually challenged King Haldrek himself. Boys got guts. But he¡¯s so unprepared.¡±

    Illyana said with a peaceful smile, ¡°This is incredible. I love when two people are bonding.¡± She gave a slight chuckle after, pressing her hands together.

    Kivorn yawned, ¡°I wanna see what¡¯s going on..move our the way¡­¡±

    He tried to open the door, but everyone tackled him, saying:

    ¡°Are you trying to get us killed?!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re trying to set us up!¡±

    Gorron even tried to open the door, saying, ¡°Let me kill that vessel brat!¡±

    Mertha held onto him, saying, ¡°You¡¯re gonna die too!¡±

    Kivorn reached for the door, ¡°Just let me..¡±

    Draeven stood off to the side, rubbing his hands together with nervous gestures, ¡°Guys, maybe we should walk away, y-you know..? Go back to bed¡ª.¡±

    Gorron pointed his blade at Draeven, ¡°Do not order me around. I¡¯ll kill you.¡±

    Draeven backed away in fear, hiding behind Sethrak.

    Then suddenly, it got quiet in Xyenn and Yuuna¡¯s room, and everyone TOOK off, dashing to their rooms. But Gorron stood still there, saying, ¡°I shall now kill the vessel¡ª.¡±

    Mertha and Sethrak snatched him away from the door.

    Inside of the room, Xyenn stood there panting, and Yuuna was panting as well. Xyenn was covered in scars and cuts, knowing how rough Yuuna can get.

    Xyenn said, ¡°Stop¡­chasing me.¡±

    Yuuna licked her lips, ¡°Just let me fix it.¡±

    ¡°How would you even fix it?!¡±

    ¡°Why do you hate it so bad? Do you want a small wee-wee?¡± Yuuna laughed.

    Xyenn staggered back, still covering himself with the blankets, ¡°I-I-I uh¡­¡±

    ¡®I won¡¯t tell her that I didn¡¯t pack much before. But now I¡¯m actually just shocked, I don¡¯t even know if I¡¯m happy about it.¡¯

    Xyenn sighed, ¡°Tell me how to fix it.¡±

    Yuuna approached him slowly, her voice dropping to seriousness, ¡°You have to be still, otherwise, you will die.¡±

    ¡°No way..¡±

    ¡°Shh. Don¡¯t speak either, darling.¡±

    ¡°Oh this is serious¡­¡±

    ¡®I have to do what she says, otherwise it probably could end badly for me..¡¯

    Yuuna got close, saying, ¡°Are you ready?¡±

    Xyenn nodded, knowing he wasn¡¯t supposed to speak.

    Yuuna then did a dance, but it was slow and peaceful, and she smiled the entire time, waving her arms slowly.

    ¡®What¡¯s she planning?!¡¯ Xyenn thought.

    Yuuna then stopped, bowed, and smiled under her bow.

    Xyenn gasped, and before he could do anything, Yuuna kicked him in the privates.

    Xyenn gasped, falling to the floor, holding it, ¡°Agh! You bitch¡­¡±

    ¡°Haha! It''s gonna work!¡±

    Then at that moment, it began to shrink back to its normal state.

    Xyenn was shocked, relieved; it actually worked.

    ¡°It actually worked! Haha!¡± Xyenn turned to Yuuna, running to her and hugging her. ¡°I didn¡¯t trust you at first, but that¡¯s a huge weight off me.¡±

    Yuuna hugged him back, saying, ¡°You''re very welcome.¡±

    She then turned her face to his ear, and nipped it with her teeth, growling at the same time.

    Xyenn was startled, falling on the bed. This was the closest level of intimacy he¡¯s ever had.

    Yuuna then apprehended Xyenn closely, straddling him as her hands softly grabbed his cheeks, and she immediately kissed him.

    Xyenn, he didn¡¯t know what to say. What to do? How do you even do this? Too many thoughts raced in his head, was this sex or something? She had kissed Xyenn before, but it was never this intimate. And Yuuna always kissed him with a maniac gesture.

    Yuuna kissed him even more, her lips moving down to his neck, sucking and licking right in the middle of it.

    Xyenn felt a rush of sensation through his body, he still didn¡¯t know what he was supposed to do.

    He¡¯s never done this.

    Finally, Yuuna stopped, and she got off of Xyenn, saying, ¡°Sorry. I don¡¯t wanna overwhelm ya. Let¡¯s go to sleep.¡±

    Xyenn clenched his fists, thinking, ¡®Nooooo! Fuck! Fuck! I just don¡¯t know what to do! Yuuna acted like she¡¯s done this plenty of times! This is embarrassing! Shit!¡¯

    Yuuna got under the blanket, saying, ¡°By the way, I¡¯ve never done this before either. Just saw a lot of things over the hundreds of years I¡¯ve been alive, by the way.¡±

    She blew a candle out, and the room was dark. Xyenn sat at the edge of the bed, regretting every minute that passed.

    ¡®I gotta do something! I look like a coward! As much as I hate being seen as a kid in front of everyone, as much as I push through my limits to be seen as a man, I look lowly as hell right now. I can¡¯t go to sleep with this on my conscience! I gotta do something.¡¯

    Xyenn crawled on the bed, what was he doing?

    ¡®What am I doing?! I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m doing this, but if I¡¯m gonna be seen as a man and not some brat, I gotta face whatever is thrown at me. I¡¯ll just do what she did to me!¡¯

    Xyenn leaned over Yuuna, sighing softly.

    Xyenn started to slowly lean down, nervous as ever, kiss and suck on Yuuna''s neck, feeling her soft moans and gasps against his lips. As she slowly woke up to the feeling of his lips on her skin, she let out a soft moan and arched her back, pressing her body against his.

    ¡®Don¡¯t get angry at me for this¡­¡¯

    Feeling her response, Xyenn''s hands began to explore her body, running over her curves and finding their way to her breasts. He gently massaged them, feeling her nipples harden under his touch, as he took off her shirt.

    Yuuna let out a low moan and rolled over on top of Xyenn, pressing Xyenn onto his back as she straddled him. She looked down at him with a hunger in her eyes, and then she kissed him deeply, her tongue exploring his mouth as she ground her hips against his growing hardness.

    Xyenn moaned into the kiss, feeling a wave of desire wash over him. He ran his hands over Yuuna''s body, feeling the smoothness of her skin and the curves of her body as she continued to grind against him.

    Yuuna broke the kiss and began to trail soft kisses down Xyenn''s neck and chest, her hands undoing his pants and freeing his aching cock. She looked up at him with a wicked smile before taking him into her mouth, swirling her tongue around the tip as she took him deeper and deeper.

    Xyenn moaned and tangled his hands in Yuuna''s hair, guiding her movements as she sucked and licked him with a skill that belied her innocence. He could feel the heat building in his body, the pleasure coiling in his stomach as she took him to the edge again and again.

    Finally, unable to hold back any longer, he flipped her onto her back and buried his face between her legs, tasting her sweet wetness as he flicked his tongue over her womanhood, and delved into her depths.

    Yuuna cried out and arched her back, her hands fisting in the sheets as Xyenn ate her out with a hunger that matched her own. She could feel the tension building in her body, the pleasure spiraling higher and higher until she thought she might shatter into a million pieces.

    And then, just when she thought she couldn''t take it any longer, Xyenn stopped and looked up at her with a wicked gleam in his eye.

    ¡®I¡¯m not a child¡­¡¯ Xyenn thought.

    Before she could protest, he surged up her body and plunged his manhood into her, filling her in one smooth stroke.

    Yuuna gasped and clutched at him, her nails digging into his back as he began to move inside her, each thrust driving her higher and higher until she was teetering on the edge of that sweet, blissful release.

    Yuuna was lick all over his neck, her draconic grows purring in his ear, her naked thighs rubbing against his side as Xyenn groped them as well.

    Yuuna she went hurtling over the edge in sensation, her body convulsing with pleasure as Xyenn followed her over.

    As they lay there, tangled in each other''s arms, their bodies slick with sweat and their hearts pounding in unison, Yuuna said, ¡°WOW. For a little virgin, you¡¯re¡ª.¡±

    Xyenn was knocked out, snoring.

    ¡°Haha! I win!¡± Yuuna laughed.

    She then thought about how she saw him earlier, covered in his own blood and gore, and then seeing him now.

    ¡°Me and the Tyrants know how hard you fought. This was your treat. And you better not tell anyone.¡±

    ¡®Oh my goodness! I did it with a human?! I never did this before with anyone, but I chose him? I¡¯m really moving up in the world.¡¯

    ¡­.

    The morning sun poured through the wide window, flooding the room with a warm, golden light. Xyenn stirred, the soft crackling of the fireplace and the distant chirping of birds pulling him from the depths of sleep. His eyelids fluttered open, squinting against the brightness as his mind slowly began to register his surroundings. The room was quiet, the heavy furs on the bed warm against his skin.

    Sitting up, Xyenn blinked a few times, letting the events of the previous day settle in his mind. The mansion, the battle, Yuuna¡¯s chaotic energy... it all felt like a blur, a dream almost. As he stretched his arms, groaning slightly, his back a little stiff from the heavy sleep, he took a moment to embrace the peace of the morning. The sun bathed the room in a soft glow, casting long beams of light across the floor, illuminating the dust particles that floated lazily in the air.

    And then, breaking the silence, he heard her voice.

    ¡°Xyenn¡­¡±

    His heart skipped a beat at the sound of her. He turned to his left, a relaxed grin spreading across his face as he responded, ¡°Yes, Dear¡ª¡±

    The words caught in his throat.

    Standing in the sunlight, her figure glowing with the morning light, was Yuuna. But something was different. Something was very different. Xyenn¡¯s eyes widened, his gaze dropping to her stomach¡ªher very large, very round stomach.

    Yuuna stood there, one hand resting gently on her belly, her expression a mix of curiosity and calm. ¡°Xyenn... I¡¯m pregnant.¡±

    ¡°No way¡­¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t think it happened this fast for draconic deities¡­¡±

    ¡°YOU DIDN¡¯T KNOW?!¡±

    ¡°NO!¡±

    For a moment, the room went completely silent. Xyenn¡¯s grin froze, his mind racing, trying to process what he was seeing, what she was saying.

    And then, in a split second, panic hit.

    ¡°Wha¡ªAH!¡± Xyenn fell off the bed screaming, his voice echoing through the room as he flailed backward, falling off the edge of the bed with a loud thud. He hit the floor in a heap of limbs, his legs tangled in the blankets as he scrambled to right himself, his face a mix of shock and disbelief.

 Chapter 15: Love You, Darling

    The morning sun blazed through the window, casting a golden glow across the room as Xyenn scrambled to his feet after his dramatic fall. His heart was still racing from the sight of Yuuna standing there¡ªpregnant. Pregnant! His mind reeled, trying to process what he had just seen. How was this possible? How did it happen that fast? Yesterday, she was fine! Now she had a belly as round as a melon, and she was standing there like it was completely normal.

    Yuuna, for her part, seemed more curious than panicked, one hand resting on her round belly as she stared down at it, her head tilted in confusion.

    "Xyenn," she said, her voice calm despite the chaos brewing in the room, "I think I¡¯m pregnant."

    Xyenn stared at her, his eyes wide, his breath coming in short gasps. "You THINK?! I¡ªhow¡ªwhat?! How did this happen so fast?! You¡¯re a draconic deity! You¡¯re supposed to know these things!"

    Yuuna shrugged, completely unbothered. "I dunno! I¡¯ve never done this before! Besides," she added nonchalantly, "I¡¯ve been pretty busy for the last few hundred years. You know, trying not to get killed by the other dragon gods and goddesses. Kind of hard to focus on pregnancy stuff when you''re being hunted all the time."

    Xyenn threw his hands up in disbelief, pacing back and forth at the foot of the bed. "You¡¯ve been alive for centuries, and you didn¡¯t know goddesses could get pregnant this fast?! Like, overnight fast?!"

    "I didn¡¯t think it¡¯d happen like this, okay?" Yuuna snapped, then grinned. "I mean, it¡¯s kinda cool, right? Like, bam! Pregnant!"

    Xyenn ran a hand down his face, groaning. "This is not cool! This is terrifying! What are we gonna do? What am I gonna do?!"

    Before Yuuna could respond, there was a loud, insistent knock on the door.

    "Goddess Yuuna?" came the serious, gravelly voice of Gorran from the other side. "I heard screaming! I¡¯m coming in!"

    Xyenn¡¯s heart stopped. His blood ran cold as he turned to Yuuna, panic written all over his face. "What do we do?!"

    Yuuna¡¯s eyes lit up, and without hesitation, she pointed to the window. "I¡¯m going out the window."

    "What?!"

    "I¡¯m going to Marlgorn," Yuuna said, referencing the nearest town, a small place known for its rough-and-tumble inhabitants and one particularly friendly dwarf blacksmith named Gridd. "He¡¯ll know what to do! Plus, I don¡¯t wanna deal with Gorran right now. He gets all weird around me."

    With a wild grin, Yuuna whistled a sharp, high-pitched note, then dashed toward the window. Xyenn¡¯s eyes went wide as she **leapt** from the second-story window without a second thought.

    "Wait, what?!"

    Outside, Mertha¡ªthe Tyrants¡¯ battle-hardened, stoic warrior¡ªwas already waiting below. She caught Yuuna effortlessly, her muscular arms cradling the suddenly pregnant deity.

    Mertha¡¯s eyes widened as she glanced down at Yuuna¡¯s belly. "You went and turned that brat into a father that fast?!"

    Yuuna laughed like a maniac, her voice full of chaotic glee. "I didn¡¯t know! Isn¡¯t it wild?!"

    "Wild isn¡¯t the word I¡¯d use," Mertha muttered, already sprinting toward the gates of the mansion grounds with Yuuna in her arms.

    Back upstairs, the door burst open, and Gorran stormed into the room, his jagged greatsword Xenith drawn, its spiraling red eyes glowing ominously. His own eyes were bloodshot and strained, as if he hadn¡¯t slept in days¡ªor maybe like someone who¡¯d just finished crying but didn¡¯t want to admit it.

    "You bastard of a vessel," Gorran growled, his voice low and menacing. "You threw Yuuna out the window. Die."

    Xyenn¡¯s blood ran cold. "Wait, what?! No! I didn¡¯t throw her out the window! She jumped! She¡¯s¡ª"

    ¡®I¡¯m doomed. I¡¯m so screwed.¡¯

    Gorran didn¡¯t wait for an explanation. With a fierce war cry, he charged forward, swinging Xenith in a deadly arc. The blade, wreathed in shadows and glowing eyes, cut through the air toward Xyenn.

    Xyenn¡¯s survival instincts kicked in, and he leapedjust in time, narrowly avoiding the greatsword. But before he could catch his breath, Gorran¡¯s fist connected with his stomach, sending him flying backward. The force of the punch sent both of them crashing through the wall, splintering wood and stone as they tumbled outside into the snow.

    The cold air hit Xyenn like a slap to the face as he rolled through the snow, groaning in pain. He pushed himself up on shaky legs, clutching his stomach, trying to catch his breath.

    "Gorran, wait!" Xyenn wheezed, holding up a hand. "I swear, I didn¡¯t throw her! She jumped! She¡¯s fine!"

    Gorran, his eyes blazing with fury, stalked toward him, Xenith dragging through the snow, leaving a trail of shadows in its wake. "I knew humans were no good. I knew it the moment she took you as her vessel. I should¡¯ve been her vessel."

    Xyenn gulped, his legs trembling beneath him. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his panic. "Guess we¡¯re fighting then. I can¡¯t run anyway, you¡¯ll just chase me down like a LUNATIC.¡±

    ¡°Pfft. You¡¯ll fight in your weak state? After getting killed over and over by king Haldrek? Without Yuuna, you¡¯re the weakest here¡ª.¡±

    Before he could finish, a loud KATHOOM echoed from above as four figures dropped from the mansion, landing between Xyenn and Gorran.

    Kivorn, looking half-asleep as usual, stood at the front, his arms half-raised in a lazy defense stance. "Can¡¯t you guys do this later?" he muttered, yawning. "I was just about to nap."

    Draeven, a nervous wreck, was wringing his hands and shaking like a leaf. "G-Gorran, please! This is a misunderstanding! We don¡¯t need to fight!"

    Zyphira wobbled slightly, flask still in hand, clearly not sober. She grinned at Gorran, unfazed by his murderous aura. "Hey, old man, calm down! Yuuna¡¯s fine! She¡¯s just off doing... whatever it is she does. Probably something weird. Don¡¯t touch the new kid.¡±

    Ilyana, as always, radiated calm and positivity, her peaceful smile never wavering. "Let¡¯s not resort to violence, Gorran. We can talk this out, right? Everyone¡¯s safe. Let¡¯s focus on that."

    Draeven turned around to Xyenn, saying, ¡°H-Hey, Please run..my name''s Draeven by the way..¡±

    ¡®Man, I sound so awkward!¡¯ Draeven thought.

    Illyana said to Xyenn, ¡°Please go with Yuuna, dear boy. When you come back, I¡¯ll have a meal ready for you only.¡±

    Xyenn, seeing his chance, turned and sprinted away, his arms flailing wildly as he dashed across the snow-covered grounds. "Thanks, guys! Bye!"

    ¡®They¡¯re awfully nice to me, besides that old bastard who¡¯s trying to cut my head off!¡¯ Xyenn thought.

    Behind him, Gorran¡¯s voice rang out, full of venom. "Move out of my way, or you¡¯ll die with him."

    Zyphira rolled her eyes and glanced up at the roof, where Sethrak stood, watching the entire scene unfold with his arms crossed behind his back, a calm smirk playing on his lips.

    "Hey, Sethrak! Brotherrrrr,¡± Zyphira called up to him. "You mind coming down and giving us a hand here? We can¡¯t let him kill the new kid!¡±

    Sethrak raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with amusement. "Why would I trouble myself with such a common altercation? You all seem perfectly capable of handling it."

    Zyphira groaned. "Oh, come on! You¡¯re just gonna stand there and look pretty while we deal with Gorran?"

    Sethrak¡¯s smirk widened. "Precisely."

    Meanwhile, Xyenn was already halfway across the yard, arms flailing as he sprinted toward the gates where Mertha and Yuuna had disappeared, his voice carrying on the wind. "Thank youuuu!"

    Back by the mansion, Gorran¡¯s grip on Xenith tightened, his eyes narrowing at the group blocking his path. "This is your last warning. Move, or you all die."

    Kivorn yawned again, stretching his arms lazily. "Man, this is way too much work for this early in the morning."

    Draeven gulped, his knees shaking. "W-we¡¯re all g-gonna die, aren¡¯t we?"

    Zyphira took another swig from her flask, grinning. "Eh, what¡¯s a little death between friends?"

    Ilyana, ever the optimist, smiled brightly. "Let¡¯s all take a deep breath. We¡¯ll get through this together."

    The air around the mansion crackled with tension, the snow-covered ground beneath their feet shifting slightly as Gorran stood, his jagged greatsword Xenith resting heavily on his shoulder, the red eyes on the blade spiraling with dark energy. His menacing gaze flickered between the Tyrants who dared to stand between him and his target. His muscles tensed, and his jaw clenched as he growled out his final warning.

    ¡°Move. Or I¡¯ll cut you all down.¡±

    But they didn¡¯t move. Kivorn, Zyphira, Ilyana, and a trembling Draeven stood their ground, ready for what was to come. The snow beneath their feet seemed to freeze in anticipation, the cold wind howling through the broken windows of the mansion.

    Kivorn, always a bit lazy and disinterested, yawned loudly, stretching his arms before finally taking action. He slammed his hand onto the snowy ground, his fingers crackling with magic as they sank into the earth. ¡°Fine, fine¡­ let¡¯s get this over with.¡± His voice was tired, but his eyes flickered with focus as he whispered in his ancient elven tongue, the words flowing like a gentle stream:

    ¡°Lae''val en'' templa!"

    The ground beneath him glowed with intricate elven runes, glowing a vibrant green. Slowly, a staff of twisted oak and silver emerged from the earth, drawn to his hand as if it had always been there. As Kivorn grasped it, the runes on the staff flared to life, spiraling up the wood and into the air, where a massive circle of runes formed overhead, humming with energy.

    Without warning, the circle exploded with life, launching massive roots from the ground, each one charged with destructive nature magic, aimed directly at Gorran. The roots twisted and shot forward like vipers, seeking to ensnare and crush him.

    Gorran¡¯s lips curled into a savage grin. Without missing a beat, he swung Xenith, the greatsword leaving a trail of black shadows as it cut through the air. The red eyes on the blade flared wickedly as Gorran roared, his voice echoing through the battlefield. ¡°You think your tricks can stop me?! I¡¯ll kill you brutally!¡±

    In a blur of motion, Gorran slashed through the first root, the blade cutting cleanly through the magically charged wood. As the next root came for him, he spun, using the momentum to slice through it as well, his movements fluid and wild, like a beast unleashed. Another root lunged for his leg, but Gorran leaped into the air, flipping over it with unnatural speed before bringing Xenith down in a savage arc, cleaving the root in two.

    His eyes glowed with madness as he charged forward, the snow beneath his feet exploding with every step.

    Draeven, trembling but determined, leaped into the fray. His hands moved in a flurry of martial arts strikes, each one precise and sharp. As his fists moved, smoke seemed to trail behind every punch, swirling and coiling around his arms like serpents.

    With a swift jab, Draeven sent a burst of smoke toward Gorran¡¯s face, hoping to blind him. But Gorran, ever the warrior, simply roared and swung his sword through the smoke, slicing it apart like mist.

    Draeven didn¡¯t flinch. He pivoted on his heel, following up with a spinning kick aimed at Gorran¡¯s ribs, the movement smooth and practiced. The smoke around his leg formed a whip, snapping at Gorran¡¯s side.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Gorran blocked the kick with the flat of Xenith, but the force of the strike sent him sliding back in the snow, his boots carving deep trenches in the ground.

    While Draeven kept Gorran occupied, Ilyana stepped forward, her grimoire floating just above her outstretched hand. Her eyes were serene, but half closed, her usual peaceful smile still on her lips. But her voice had taken on a darker, more chilling tone as she whispered to the book.

    ¡°Let the light of the forgotten shine through me¡­¡±

    Her hand glowed with a soft, radiant light, but the energy felt anything but warm. The light twisted and coiled, forming a spear of pure energy in her palm. Still smiling, Ilyana flung the spear toward Gorran with terrifying speed. The light twisted through the air like a living thing, seeking its target with malicious intent.

    Gorran barely had time to react. He ducked, the spear of light grazing his shoulder as it exploded into the snow behind him, sending a shockwave of light and darkness rippling through the battlefield.

    As Gorran recovered, Zyphira took to the air, her golden wings unfurling with a roar of fire. The black and gold flames that surrounded her body swirled like a cyclone as she hovered above the battlefield.

    ¡°Hey, Gorran! How about a little heat to warm you up?!¡± she yelled, her voice laced with drunken excitement.

    ¡°I¡¯ll murder you!¡±

    ¡°So edgy..¡±

    With a wicked grin, Zyphira plummeted toward the ground, her body transforming into a massive fireball of swirling gold and black flames. She spiraled through the air, aiming directly for Gorran, the heat from her flames turning the snow beneath her to steam.

    Gorran barely dodged in time, throwing himself to the side as Zyphira crashed into the snow, the impact sending a wave of golden fire rippling outward. The ground beneath her exploded in flames, leaving a smoking crater where she landed.

    Gorran, now fully immersed in the chaos of battle, grinned like a madman. His eyes burned with rage as he rushed toward Kivorn, who was already preparing another spell. With a wild charge, Gorran brought Xenith down in a powerful overhead slash, aiming to split the elf in two.

    ¡°Heyy¡­he¡¯s really trying to kill us¡­¡±

    Kivorn, though lazy, wasn¡¯t slow. He sidestepped just in time, the blade crashing into the ground with an ear-splitting clang, sending snow and debris flying. Gorran didn¡¯t stop. He followed up with a series of wild, spinning slashes, each one faster and more unpredictable than the last, the red eyes on Xenith blazing with fury.

    Kivorn ducked and dodged, his body moving with lazy elegance, his staff glowing with runes. ¡°You¡¯re really making me work today, huh?¡±

    As Gorran advanced on Kivorn, Draeven saw his chance. He disappeared into the swirling smoke, his form vanishing completely. Gorran glanced around, his eyes narrowing as he searched for the nervous fighter.

    Suddenly, Draeven appeared behind him, his fist wreathed in smoke. With a burst of speed, he delivered a palm strike to Gorran¡¯s back, the impact sending a shockwave of smoke rippling through the air.

    Gorran snarled and spun around, swinging Xenith in a wide arc, but Draeven was already gone, his form dissolving into smoke once more.

    Ilyana¡¯s grimoire glowed with a dark light as she whispered softly to it, her smile never fading. ¡°Let the sun fall and the shadows rise¡­¡±

    A black orb of light formed in front of her, growing larger and larger until it hovered above her like a dark sun. Still smiling, she thrust her hand forward, and the orb shot toward Gorran, its edges crackling with dark energy.

    Gorran, sensing the danger, swung Xenith in a wide arc, sending a wave of shadows to meet the orb. The two forces collided in midair, the impact sending a shockwave of energy through the battlefield.

    Zyphira, still hovering in the air, grinned as she descended toward Gorran once more. Her tail, covered in golden flames and scales, whipped through the air with terrifying speed. With a roar, she swung it at Gorran like a massive flaming whip, the fire trailing behind it in a brilliant arc.

    Gorran raised Xenith just in time to block, but the force of the strike sent him sliding back across the snow, his boots carving deep trenches in the ground.

    Kivorn, now fully awake and annoyed, raised his staff once more, his voice calm as he whispered another incantation.

    "S¨ªlima! Tae en'' luume!"

    The runes on his staff flared with lightning as a massive bolt of energy shot from the sky, crashing down toward Gorran. The air crackled with electricity as the bolt split the sky, its light blinding.

    Gorran dodged, barely avoiding the strike as it hit the ground behind him, sending a massive shockwave of electricity rippling through the air.

    Gorran snarled, his patience wearing thin. His eyes burned with fury as he raised Xenith, the red eyes on the blade glowing brighter and brighter. With a roar, he unleashed a flurry of wild, spinning slashes, the air around him turning into a storm of shadows and red energy.

    Kivorn, Draeven, and Zyphira dodged and weaved through the storm, the sheer force of Gorran¡¯s attacks turning the battlefield into chaos.

    Draeven, using the chaos to his advantage, formed a series of smoke tendrils around Gorran, each one coiling around his limbs. With a swift motion, Draeven yanked, pulling Gorran off balance.

    ¡­

    The snow crunched beneath their feet as Xyenn, Yuuna, and Mertha made their way toward Marlgorn Village. The cold air bit at Xyenn¡¯s skin, but his mind was too full of questions to notice. Ahead of him, Yuuna walked with her usual chaotic energy, despite the noticeable roundness of her belly. She was giving Mertha directions, her voice carrying easily through the frigid air.

    "Okay, so Gridd is set up just outside the village," Yuuna said, her tone casual despite the gravity of the situation. "He¡¯s building a new forge for his clan after Ashengale in Skjoldar was raided, you know? He¡¯s been working on it for a while now. It¡¯s pretty impressive.¡±

    Xyenn asked, ¡°Who is Gridd?¡±

    "Gridd is a dwarven blacksmith, formally bound to the servitude of Kaldor, the draconic deity of fire and the forge;  and his Iron Beard Clan are good like that. They¡¯re all about quality over quantity, you know? And they don¡¯t stick around in one place for too long." She waved a hand. "Don¡¯t worry, though. Gridd¡¯ll help us when we need him. He¡¯s got our back, but he won¡¯t be too close. Gotta keep him safe."

    Mertha grunted as she kept pace beside them. "Wise. Haldrek¡¯s eyes are everywhere. He knows Gridd¡¯s in the area, too."

    Yuuna shrugged. "Yeah, I figured. I¡¯m sure Haldrek¡¯ll use him too if he needs to. That little dirty guy¡¯s always got a plan."

    Xyenn furrowed his brow, still trying to piece everything together. "What about the other draconic gods and goddesses? The ones trying to kill you? What if they find out we¡¯re here, in V?rdrheim?"

    Mertha¡¯s face darkened, and her voice lowered with anger. "Haldrek¡ªhe¡¯s the vessel of the draconic snow god. You heard him, His power is connected to the snow itself. His eyes and ears are everywhere in this frozen wasteland. If those other draconic deities try to enter V?rdrheim, he¡¯ll know. He won¡¯t let them near us without reason, not when he wants us for himself. If they do show up, Haldrek would either apprehend them or warn us. For now, we¡¯re safe from them¡ªtemporarily."

    Xyenn chewed his lip. He knew that King Haldrek still intended to kill Yuuna, the snow god¡¯s vessel was protecting them for his own purposes. Haldrek¡¯s ultimate goal was to defeat the draconic god of war, Ezrael, in dragon tongue, ¡°Andramaken.¡±

    Xyenn began to think about his fight with Haldrek, his breath shuddered, and his heart pounded, but he shook his head trying to forget it. Xyenn couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that their safety was just a temporary illusion. Were they really temporarily safe?

    Suddenly, faint sounds of battle echoed from behind them¡ªthe distant clash of weapons and shouts carried on the wind. Xyenn glanced back nervously, the sounds growing louder.

    "Soooo, Yuuna," Xyenn asked, his voice tense, "who are they, really? Your Tyrants?¡±

    Yuuna grinned, her fangs glinting in the sunlight, clearly excited to talk about her crew. She stopped walking and turned toward Xyenn, her eyes gleaming. "Oh, you wanna know about my Tyrants? They¡¯re the best! Each of ¡®em is a total freakin¡¯ powerhouse. Let me break it down for ya!"

    She held up a finger, starting with the laziest of the bunch. "First up, Kivorn. That guy¡¯s always tired. Seriously, I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever seen him fully awake. He¡¯s got this crazy strong power, but he¡¯s so lazy, he¡¯d rather sleep through a fight. I¡¯ve had to kick him awake more times than I can count!"

    Mertha grunted in agreement. "Lazy bastard could sleep through an avalanche."

    "Then there¡¯s Zyphira!" Yuuna continued, a wild grin spreading across her face. "She¡¯s a total party animal. Always ready to drink, fight, and dance¡ªsometimes all at once! And her brother, Sethrak...." Yuuna paused, rolling her eyes. "Don¡¯t get me started on him. He¡¯s super arrogant, but, like, in this elegant, I''m-better-than-you kinda way. He insults you with a smile, and somehow, it¡¯s even worse."

    Xyenn blinked. "Sounds... charming?"

    "Charming?" Yuuna laughed. "Nah, he¡¯s a jerk. But he¡¯s wicked strong, so who cares?"

    Mertha nodded. "Those two are dragonkin. Sons and daughters of vessels for the draconic god of gold and wealth. They¡¯ve got the physical traits of their dragonkin blood, but their skills? That¡¯s all thanks to Yuuna. She enhanced their abilities with her own blood, gave ¡®em a little kick of darkness. Her blood brought out the dormant ability that was held back from being dragonkin. But their reasons for joining Yuuna to kill the gods are still unknown to even us, they just wanted to tag along with her. But why?¡±

    Xyenn then remembered how when he was sparring with Mertha, she grew a pink jagged edged halo like Yuuna had before.

    "Yeah, I did give them enhancements!" Yuuna said proudly. "Their dragonkin blood makes them look all cool and draconic, but it¡¯s my blood that makes them really dangerous. Like how I made you dangerous, darling.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s head was spinning. "Wait, so they¡¯re part dragon, but you made them more powerful?"

    "Exactly!" Yuuna clapped her hands together. "They were already strong, but now they¡¯re even better. They¡¯re mine!"

    She moved on quickly, clearly enjoying herself. "Then there¡¯s Ilyana¡ªshe¡¯s super peaceful, always smiling, always wanting to help. She¡¯s like the mom of the group, but don¡¯t let that fool you. Always wants to keep everyone calm, even when things are falling apart. But in a fight, she¡¯s hard to beat.¡±

    Mertha added, "She¡¯s strong. From the continent Kalhalla, a land of pure light, She¡¯s the only one who¡¯s kept Gorran from murdering everyone at least once. Once a priestess and wife of the draconic vessel of the goddess of light, Sephasti, was almost sacrificed to her, as the vessel, her husband, wanted more power. And you know what for?¡±

    Yuuna said, ¡°For me. Clear by now everyone wants my heart, soooo it¡¯s evident that whatever vessel gets my heart will probably be blessed for it. Illyana was never a nice woman, but up until after everything that happened, she had a different view of life. And wanted to come with me to kill the draconic gods. All she sees is a world controlled by the dragons, where everyone is in constant fear, she has overcome her own fear after the sitsuon with her husband. So she decided to change her perspective and appreciate everything before she dies. I did not give her my blood, cause¡¯ my darkness and her light don¡¯t correlate very well.¡±

    Xyenn said, ¡°Whoa¡­¡±

    "Next! Speaking of Gorran," Yuuna continued, her grin widening, "he¡¯s the serious one. Always grumpy, hates jokes, won¡¯t laugh at anything. He¡¯s got that big, scary sword of his¡ªXenith. It¡¯s covered in red, spiraling eyes and black shadows. He¡¯s always pulling it out, even when it¡¯s not necessary. Honestly, I think he¡¯s married to that sword.¡±

    ¡°HE¡¯S A LUNATIC!¡±

    "Haha! I know!," Yuuna laughed, waving her hand dismissively. "He hates everyone. Thinks everyone is a nuisance. But he¡¯s useful, so I keep him around. He¡¯s another whose past I don¡¯t know about either. He doesn¡¯t open up to anyone. He won¡¯t even open up to me despite being obsessed with keeping me safe.¡±

    "And then there¡¯s Draeven," Mertha added, her tone shifting into something more teasing. "Poor guy¡¯s a nervous wreck. He¡¯s always shaking, always stuttering, but he¡¯s got skills. When he¡¯s not freaking out, he can be really stealthy. I mean, he¡¯s awkward as hell, but I like him."

    Xyenn shook his head, marveling at the wild mix of personalities Yuuna had gathered around her. "They must really hate the draconic gods, huh?"

    Mertha, who had been listening quietly, nodded. "They¡¯ve all got their reasons. Each of them has a vendetta against the draconic gods and goddesses. Some lost family, some were betrayed by their own kind. Yuuna brought them together, gave them purpose. They fight for her now, and in return, she gives them the power they need to get their revenge."

    Yuuna puffed out her chest proudly. "That¡¯s right! We¡¯re a big, dysfunctional family of Tyrants. And we¡¯re gonna smash every last one of those draconic gods who messed with us!"

    Suddenly, Yuuna winced, clutching her belly. Her face twisted into a mix of discomfort and amusement. "Whoa, hold on¡ªthe kid¡¯s kicking!¡±

    Mertha and Xyenn arched an eyebrow. "Already?!"

    Yuuna laughed, though her voice was strained. "Yeah, guess he¡¯s excited or something. Or maybe he¡¯s just mad that I haven¡¯t had breakfast yet. Either way, it feels weird."

    Xyenn stared at her, half in awe, half in disbelief. "I¡¯m so screwed..I¡¯m already about to be a father¡­¡±

    "Why not?" Yuuna chuckled. "It¡¯s kinda funny! I mean, I didn¡¯t even know I could get pregnant, and now I¡¯ve got a little dragon-human hybrid kicking me from the inside. You¡¯d be a great dad, Xyenn! I¡¯m glad it¡¯s you though.¡±

    Xyenn, flustered, looked away. ¡°Hmph. I don¡¯t even know how to raise a child.¡±

    Mertha shook her head, clearly used to Yuuna¡¯s antics. "You¡¯re insane, Yuuna."

    As their conversation dwindled, they finally reached the outskirts of Marlgorn Village. The village was a small, rugged place, with snow-covered rooftops and smoke rising from the chimneys of the few homes scattered around. The people here were used to the harsh conditions of V?rdrheim, their lives built around survival in the snow and ice.

    Yuuna scanned the area, her eyes narrowing. "Gridd should be around here somewhere. We¡¯re looking for the abandoned stable. He¡¯s been using it as a temporary workshop while he sets up his new forge."

    Xyenn glanced around, still trying to wrap his head around everything he¡¯d just learned. "And you¡¯re sure we¡¯re safe here?"

    "For now," Mertha said, her voice low. "But don¡¯t get too comfortable."

    Yuuna grinned at him, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Come on, Xyenn! Let¡¯s go find our favorite dwarf!"

    The cold wind howled across the snowy plains as Xyenn, Yuuna, and Mertha finally passed through the heart of Marlgorn Village and moved toward the outskirts where they could see the beginnings of a massive structure taking shape. Dozens of stocky, gruff dwarves were hard at work, their beards dusted with snow and their tools clanging loudly as they hammered away at beams, stone, and metal.

    In the center of the activity stood Gridd, his stout frame unmistakable. Though shorter than the humans and other beings around him, the dwarf radiated authority and grit; he was arguing with a group of soldiers clad in armor made of glistening ice and snow¡ªKing Haldrek''s soldiers.

    The two groups faced off, the dwarves looking irritated, while the soldiers stood stoically, their frosty armor reflecting the pale sunlight like mirrors.

    "We don¡¯t need yer help!" Gridd bellowed, his voice thick with a dwarven accent. "This forge is bein¡¯ built by Iron Beard Clan hands and Iron Beard Clan hands alone! Go tell yer frozen king we can manage without his lot stickin'' their noses in our business!"

    One of the soldiers, his face hidden beneath a helm of ice, replied coldly, "King Haldrek has ordered us to assist. You don¡¯t have a choice in the matter."

    Gridd¡¯s face turned red as he clenched his fist. "I don¡¯t care what yer king says. This is our forge! We don¡¯t need help from a bunch o¡¯ frost-bitten lackeys!"

    As the argument escalated, Xyenn, Yuuna, and Mertha approached the scene. Xyenn could feel the tension in the air, and for a moment, he wondered if they were about to walk into a brawl. But when Gridd¡¯s sharp eyes flickered toward them, the dwarf¡¯s expression changed.

    "Oi!" Gridd shouted, his voice echoing across the worksite. "There ye are! Yuuna¡ªget over here and scare these frost-brained soldiers off fer me, eh?"

    Yuuna smiled, ¡°I¡¯d LOVE too, but we have bigger issues!¡±

    But before Yuuna could respond, Gridd¡¯s eyes widened as he finally noticed her belly¡ªround, large, and unmistakably pregnant.

    The tough, no-nonsense dwarf¡¯s jaw dropped, and for a moment, his usual stern demeanor completely dissolved. He blinked rapidly, as if trying to make sure he wasn¡¯t seeing things.

    "By the beard o¡¯ the ancestors..." Gridd muttered, his voice barely a whisper. "Yuuna... yer... yer pregnant?"

    Behind him, the other dwarves stopped what they were doing, their eyes widening in shock as well. Over four dozen dwarves stared at Yuuna¡¯s belly, their hammers and tools going still in their hands.

    Yuuna, never one to miss an opportunity to stir the pot, grinned mischievously. "Yeah, me and Xyenn did it¡ª"

    But before she could finish, Xyenn, completely flustered, slapped his hand over her mouth, his face turning bright red. "Yuuna! That¡¯s not what¡ª! I mean, yes, but¡ª¡°

    Even Mertha chuckled, shaking her head. "Well, she¡¯s not wrong, is she?"

    Mertha slapped Xyenn on the back hard, grinning, ¡°My little brat is finally becoming a man! Good shit, Xyenn!¡±

    Xyenn looked at Mertha, ¡°AGHH! Damn you! I am a man!¡±

    Gridd, still in a state of shock, finally regained some of his composure, though his eyes kept darting back to Yuuna¡¯s belly. "I... I thought draconic deities couldn¡¯t have offspring with humans. This... this should be impossible."

    Yuuna just shrugged, looking as confused as anyone else. "Yeah, I thought so too. But hey, here we are!" She patted her belly with a grin. "Guess we broke some rules!"

    Xyenn groaned, rubbing his temples. "This is insane."

    ¡®This is insane! My brain can¡¯t handle all of this! I¡¯m actually becoming a father?! Of a baby hybrid?! I wonder what the child would look like. Can¡¯t deny the fact that I wanna see him, or her. Whatever.

    Gridd shook his head in disbelief again before snapping out of his stupor. "Alright, alright, enough gawkin''!" he barked at the other dwarves, who quickly looked away, pretending to go back to their work. Gridd turned to a few of the more reliable-looking dwarves and pointed toward the back of the construction site. "Take her to that partially built area o'' the forge. Make sure she¡¯s comfortable, keep her calm, and fer the love o¡¯ the ancestors, make sure she breathes."

    A couple of dwarves hurried over, guiding Yuuna toward the more sheltered part of the forge where they had already set up some temporary structures. Yuuna, still grinning like a maniac, waved over her shoulder as she was led away. "Don¡¯t worry about me! I¡¯ll just be over here, ya know, having a dragon-human baby. No big deal!"

    Xyenn, watching her go, felt his heart racing. "Wait... is she... is she about to go into labor?"

    Gridd gave him a withering look. "Ye just NOW noticed, lad? Look at her belly! That baby¡¯s ready t'' pop out any minute now!¡± Then Gridd waved at Mertha, ¡°Hello, lass.¡±

    Mertha slammed her fists together, ¡°When can we have another sparring match, beardy?¡±

    ¡°When I¡¯m 100 years younger.¡±

    Xyenn paled. "Um, HELLO? What do we do?!¡±

    Gridd grabbed Xyenn by the arm, dragging him toward the village. "Ye¡¯re comin¡¯ with me, lad. We need t'' gather things from the Amalborn Villa¡ªsupplies, materials, and magic herbs that¡¯ll help with the birth."

    Xyenn stumbled after him, still in a state of shock. "She¡¯s¡­ really about to give birth now¡­!"

    "Aye!" Gridd growled. "That kid¡¯s knockin¡¯ on the door, ready t'' come out! We¡¯ve got no time t¡¯ waste."

    As they walked, Gridd began listing the items they would need. "First, we¡¯ll need some snowroot leaves from the market. They grow only in the frozen soil o'' V?rdrheim but are perfect fer calming nerves and pain. Then, we¡¯ll need glimmerberry pulp¡ªit¡¯s a rare fruit that helps speed up recovery after childbirth. And... we¡¯ll need moonstone dust. It¡¯s a magical powder¡ªwhen mixed with water, it creates a soothing elixir that¡¯ll help Yuuna with her labor."

    Xyenn tried to keep up, his mind spinning with all the information. "And where do we get all this?"

    "We¡¯ll have t¡¯ visit the Amalborn traders. They deal in rare magical goods. They¡¯ll have what we need, but it won¡¯t be cheap."

    Xyenn swallowed hard. "I¡¯ll figure it out. I just... I want her and the baby to be safe."

    Gridd gave him a rare, serious nod. "Aye. We¡¯ll make sure o¡¯ that."

    As they reached the edge of the village, Xyenn glanced back at Yuuna, who was reclining in the partially built forge, looking entirely too relaxed for someone about to give birth. She caught his eye and flashed him a manic grin.

    "Be safe, Xyenn!" she called out, her voice high and cheerful. "Love you, darling!"

    Xyenn¡¯s face flushed again, but he managed a small wave before hurrying after Gridd.

    As Xyenn and Gridd disappeared into the village, the sound of a thunderous impact echoed across the worksite. Gorran had landed in the middle of the forge under construction, his massive greatsword Xenith drawn and glowing with its eerie, spiraling red eyes. His face was twisted with fury, and his eyes were bloodshot, as if his rage had reached a boiling point.

    Behind him, the other Tyrants were scrambling to hold him back. Kivorn was barely awake, his eyes half-closed as he leaned on his sword, covered in dirt and clearly uninterested in the ongoing struggle.

    "Can¡¯t you just... calm down?" Kivorn muttered, yawning as he wiped the dust from his face. "This is way too much effort."

    Zyphira, clearly drunk, staggered toward Gorran, laughing as she tried to grab his arm. "Come on, big guy! Let¡¯s just have a drink instead, yeah? No need to break any more walls!"

    Draeven, a nervous wreck as usual, was darting around Gorran, trying to avoid getting hit, but not sure what to do. "P-p-please, Gorran! W-we don¡¯t need to fight anymore!¡±

    Sethrak, standing a few feet away, watched the chaos with his usual calm, arrogant expression. His clothes were spotless, despite the dirt and dust flying around. He smirked, his hands clasped behind his back. "How quaint," he said dryly. "The brute¡¯s having another tantrum. Shall we just let him tire himself out?"

    Ilyana, the ever-peaceful one, was trying to mediate, her voice calm and soothing despite the dirt and chaos. "Gorran, dear, let¡¯s not resort to violence. We¡¯re all family here, right? Let¡¯s talk this through."

    Gorran, however, was beyond reasoning. His sword swung through the air, the red eyes on Xenith glowing as he roared in fury. "Where is he?! Where is that bastard?!"

    The Tyrants, all covered in dirt and exhausted from trying to hold Gorran down, could only watch as their comrade''s rage continued to boil over.

 Chapter 16: The First Tyrant

    Xyenn and Gridd strode through the heart of Malgorn Village, the largest settlement Xyenn had seen in V?rdrheim. The village sprawled out in all directions, nestled within a valley surrounded by sharp, ice-covered cliffs. Wooden structures lined the narrow streets, their roofs buried beneath thick layers of snow, with smoke curling from chimneys into the frigid sky. The buildings, though humble, were sturdy and well-constructed, made to withstand the biting cold. The air smelled of burning wood and animal fat, and the villagers were busy with their daily tasks, their breath visible in the cold air.

    As they walked, Xyenn noticed the unique architecture¡ªstone foundations, wooden beams reinforced with iron, and intricate carvings of beasts and ancient symbols that adorned the walls of nearly every building. Despite the harsh conditions, the people of Malgorn moved with purpose, their faces weathered but strong. They wore thick furs and leathers, some of which were dyed in bright colors, standing out against the otherwise muted tones of the village.

    Xyenn broke the silence as they passed a group of villagers repairing a cart. ¡°This place is huge¡­ I didn¡¯t expect a village this size in a land like V?rdrheim.¡±

    Gridd grunted in agreement, his heavy boots crunching through the snow. ¡°Aye, it¡¯s one of the biggest villages in V?rdrheim, but it¡¯s still not as strong as it needs to be. This here is the Malgorn Tribe¡ªthey¡¯ve been around for centuries, but they¡¯re barely tied to any of the ancient lore. They¡¯re distantly related to the old stories of Kragvyr, but not enough to be of any real importance.¡±

    Xyenn glanced around, listening as villagers spoke to one another in low voices, their language thick with the local dialect. ¡°So, they¡¯re not under Kragvyr¡¯s protection...they don¡¯t worship Kragvyr, do they?¡±

    Gridd shook his head. ¡°No. Majority of tribes don¡¯t. Nomads if ye say, lad. Like dear Mertha. Kragvyr¡¯s influence is strong here, even remembered in the carvings and old tales. The real power of this village lies in its people¡¯s resilience. But even with all that, they don¡¯t have the weapons or armor to defend themselves if somethin¡¯ big came knockin¡¯. That¡¯s why I set up my forge nearby. These folks need proper gear if they¡¯re gonna survive what¡¯s comin¡¯.¡±

    Xyenn could hear the pride in Gridd¡¯s voice, and it made sense. The dwarves of the Iron Beard Clan were known for their craftsmanship, and Gridd was no exception. He had seen firsthand the quality of the armor he wore, and now it made more sense why Gridd was so protective of the forge they were building.

    Gridd¡¯s voice softened as they continued through the village. ¡°I used to hate helpin¡¯ outsiders, ye know. If ye weren¡¯t part of my clan, ye didn¡¯t get a thing from me. But after helpin¡¯ Yuuna, well¡­ things changed. She¡¯s the draconic goddess of darkness, and she earned my respect. I figured if I could help her, then maybe those in need deserved a little help as well.¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯re actually a good guy?¡±

    ¡°Nope. Never.¡±

    Xyenn nodded, watching the villagers as they went about their day. Some were working on harvesting the thick ice that clung to the cliffs, while others were busy tanning hides from large, furred beasts. Children ran across the snow, their laughter echoing through the streets as they threw snowballs at each other. It wasn¡¯t bustling, but there was a quiet energy to the place that felt alive, despite the harshness of the environment.

    As they passed a group of villagers gathered around a fire, Xyenn heard snippets of conversation that caught his attention.

    ¡°Did ye hear about the dragon deity of rain? They say he died in front of his whole kingdom¡ªfell right there on the steps of his own palace in Draes¡¯thar. Lack of worship, they say.¡±

    ¡°Aye, I heard. But he was reborn a few days later, like nothin¡¯ happened. You know how it goes.¡±

    As they walked deeper into the village, the buildings grew more spaced out, and the streets widened. Larger structures stood here, likely homes for the village leaders or communal halls. The people of the Marlborn Tribe continued to move with purpose, some gathering in small groups to barter or trade goods. Xyenn noticed that instead of coins, they exchanged furs, meat, and tools. It was a village deeply rooted in nature and survival, relying on what the land provided rather than currency.

    Xyenn asked Gridd, ¡°So what do you think the others think of me?¡±

    ¡°Why should ye care?¡±

    Xyenn scratched the back of his head, ¡°Well, uh..ya know. Things.¡±

    ¡°Like?¡±

    ¡°I want to make a good impression on them, I never had friends before so I wanna know how I¡¯m doing.¡±

    ¡°Aye. Talk to em¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Yeah I should. But I¡¯m not talking to that psycho Gorran.¡±

    ¡°Gorran is a wild lad, harbors a deep hatred for the dragon gods.¡±

    ¡°Yuuna told me each Tyrant of hers has a reason for being with her here.¡±

    ¡°All got their own stories, lad. And ye do too.¡±

    Gridd reached into his pocket, pulling out a small, metallic cube that seemed to shimmer in the pale light. He held it out in front of him, muttering something under his breath. The cube expanded, unfolding into a series of intricate plates that hovered in the air, glowing with a faint, magical light.

    Xyenn, amazed, said, ¡°Whoa¡­that¡¯s awesome. What is that?¡±

    ¡°Ye see this?¡± Gridd said, holding the cube up for Xyenn to see. ¡°This is a Valkor¡¯s Prism, a handy little tool for us dwarves. It¡¯s enchanted to hold more than it should, like a bottomless chest if ye know how t¡¯ use it.¡±

    With a flick of his wrist, Gridd reached into the cube, his hand disappearing into the shimmering light. After a moment, he pulled out a set of armor¡ªa dark, gleaming suit crafted from blackened steel with streaks of deep pink and crimson running along the edges. The breastplate was smooth but reinforced with intricate etching along the chest, and the pauldrons were sharp, angular, giving the whole suit a menacing yet refined appearance. The armor also came with a black cape, its fabric shimmering like shadows caught in the wind, and a pair of gloves that seemed to hum with faint magical energy.

    ¡°This,¡± Gridd said, holding the armor up to Xyenn, ¡°was made just for ye. The colors match yer aura, and the enchantments on it will help suppress those thoughts ye keep havin¡¯¡ªthe ones that make ye go insane.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes widened as he took in the craftsmanship. ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know what to say. This is incredible.¡±

    Gridd grunted, crossing his arms. ¡°Aye, it is. But ye¡¯ll need it, lad. I¡¯ve heard about yer little run-in with Haldrek¡ªhow ye died over and over again fer Yuuna¡¯s sake. Ye¡¯re a brat, Xyenn. No experience, no idea what ye¡¯re doin¡¯ half the time. But that? Dying over and over fer the woman ye love? That¡¯s what a real man does.¡±

    Xyenn felt a surge of pride swell in his chest. He had always been seen as a kid in the eyes of those around him, someone inexperienced and na?ve. But hearing this from Gridd¡ªa dwarf who rarely gave compliments¡ªmeant more than he could put into words. Without thinking, Xyenn threw his arms around Gridd in a tight hug. ¡°Thank you! Thank you so much! I knew it! Haha! Now I want you to say to¡ª.¡±

    Gridd¡¯s eyes widened in surprise before he let out a growl and shoved Xyenn off with enough force to send him rolling into the snow. ¡°Get off me, ye fool! I ain¡¯t here fer hugs!¡±

    Xyenn landed in the snow, holding his stomach saying, ¡°Owwww why did you do that?¡±

    Gridd muttered something under his breath, clearly embarrassed by the display. ¡°Aye, well, don¡¯t go makin¡¯ a habit of gettin¡¯ super excited around me. Especially after ye had sensual relations with Yuuna¡ª.¡±

    ¡°I had to prove myself! I had to show her I¡¯m not some scared kid¡­anymore. After that fight with Haldrek, I learned not to be as reckless as I was before. I learned to take certain seriously.¡±

    ¡°Tch. Bein¡¯ a man doesn¡¯t just mean growin¡¯ from thing. All yer issues must be dealt with, controlled, lad. I don¡¯t expect ye to know this anyway, since you probably had no real father figure, no offense.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡±

    ¡°Ye been fending for yourself?¡±

    ¡°For years yeah.¡±

    ¡°And how do ye feel now?¡±

    ¡°¡­Great. Even after all the shit I went through.¡±

    Xyenn remembered how he killed those bandits, how he battled the urge to enjoy killing, how he almost allowed himself to be consumed by his own darkness that day. It wasn¡¯t Yuuna¡¯s darkness, but his own internal impulses that triggered his emotions to be unstable at that moment.

    Xyenn continued, ¡°Yuuna¡­being around her makes me happy in general. I know it sounds super corny¡ª.¡±

    ¡°It does.¡±

    ¡°H-Hey! I know!¡± Xyenn growled with a flustered face. ¡°But she¡¯s the one who showed me more love than even my parents. I latched onto her fast. Including Mertha. She trained me a little, and she was worried about me after everything. She¡¯s like a mother to me. I won¡¯t take any of this for granted.¡±

    ¡°As long as ye keep that in mind, ye¡¯ll be alright.¡±

    ¡°Thanks. Guess you¡¯re not so bad¡ª.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t get used to it, brat.¡±

    ¡°D-Damn you!¡±

    As they moved through the market, Gridd began gathering the ingredients they needed for Yuuna¡¯s upcoming labor. He traded with the villagers, pulling out animal skins, carcasses, and other goods from the Valkor¡¯s Prism. Each time, the villagers accepted the trade without question, clearly accustomed to dealing in such materials.

    ¡°This village,¡± Gridd explained, ¡°doesn¡¯t accept gold coin. They deal in nature¡ªanimal skins, bones, meat. It¡¯s how they survive in these parts. V?rdrheim¡¯s a harsh land, and every village is different. Over in Thornyell, they deal in iron and ore, while the folks in Keplok prefer enchanted trinkets and magical artifacts. Then ye¡¯ve got places like Hevmek where the only thing they¡¯ll trade for is knowledge¡ªmaps, books, things that hold value to the mind.¡±

    Xyenn nodded, absorbing the information. ¡°It¡¯s amazing how different each place is.¡±

    ¡°Aye,¡± Gridd said, handing over the last of the animal carcasses to a trader. ¡°In V?rdrheim, ye either adapt or ye die. Every village has its own way o¡¯ doin¡¯ things, and ye¡¯d best learn ¡®em quick if ye want to survive.¡±The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    With their supplies gathered, Xyenn and Gridd began the walk back toward the forge, the snow crunching beneath their feet once again. Xyenn¡¯s thoughts drifted to Yuuna, wondering how she was faring. The idea of becoming a father still felt surreal, and the weight of it settled on his chest as they made their way through the village.

    As they neared the outskirts, Gridd gave him a sideways glance. ¡°Yer nervous, lad.¡±

    Xyenn nodded. ¡°Yeah. I just¡­ I don¡¯t know what to expect.¡±

    Gridd grunted. ¡°Ye¡¯ll figure it out. If ye can die fer the woman ye love, ye can handle bein¡¯ a father.¡±

    Xyenn got flustered again, ¡°Love?! That¡¯s a strong word.¡±

    ¡°It is, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡®I never felt real love before, is this what it feels like? To really care about someone this much? To want to protect them and even die for them? I was actually willing to die for that crazy goddess against Haldrek..¡¯

    With the village of Marlgorn fading behind them, they made their way back to where Yuuna waited, the forge still under construction, and the snow falling softly around them.

    The snow crunched beneath Xyenn and Gridd¡¯s boots as they returned to the forge, both carrying bags filled with the ingredients needed to help Yuuna through her labor. The dwarves had been quick to gather the materials from the Amalborn Villa, and now they were ready. As they approached the partially built area of the forge, the air was thick with tension and the sound of Yuuna¡¯s heavy breathing could be heard even from outside.

    Gridd barked orders as soon as they stepped inside. ¡°Everyone, clear out! Give us space! Last thing we need is a crowd of ye gawkin'' around while the lass brings a new life into this world.¡±

    The other dwarves quickly shuffled out of the area, leaving only the female dwarves who had experience with childbirth. They began preparing the herbs and magical ingredients they¡¯d gathered, mixing the snowroot leaves into a calming elixir and grinding the glimmerberry pulp into a paste. The moonstone dust sparkled in a small bowl, ready to be mixed with water for its soothing effects.

    Gridd turned to Xyenn, his eyes narrowing. "Lad, ye sure ye¡¯ve got the stomach for this? Might not be what ye expect. Childbirth¡¯s no game, and it¡¯s not pretty.¡±

    Xyenn, determined, squared his shoulders. "I¡¯m not a kid, Gridd. I can handle it."

    Before Gridd could respond, a black-scaled tail suddenly whipped out from the side of the makeshift bed where Yuuna was lying. The tail coiled around Xyenn¡¯s neck like a serpent and yanked him forward with surprising strength. He stumbled, nearly dropping the supplies, as Yuuna grinned at him, her face flushed but still full of her usual chaotic energy.

    ¡°Xyenn¡¯s mine,¡± she growled playfully, her grip tightening on his throat as she pulled him close.

    Xyenn gasped for air, his face turning red both from the lack of oxygen and his embarrassment. "AGH! Someone save me!¡±

    Gridd let out a gruff laugh. "Looks like ye¡¯re in for more than ye bargained for, lad."

    The dwarves laughed as well, Draeven gave a small chuckleoff to the side, then stopped when Sethrak looked at him.

    Sethrak said, ¡°Hmm, did I just catch you giggling?¡±

    ¡°N-No¡­¡±

    The female dwarves bustled around Yuuna, laying out the ingredients and preparing for the next stage of the labor. Yuuna winced, feeling the first intense waves of pain, but the elixirs and herbs began to work almost immediately. The snowroot eased her tension, and the glimmerberry paste was applied to keep her strength up. Still, her tail remained wrapped around Xyenn¡¯s neck as she squeezed tighter with each contraction.

    ¡°Yuuna,¡± Xyenn wheezed. ¡°Are you trying to kill me?!! Let go of me!¡±

    But Yuuna only grinned, her eyes gleaming. "Not a chance, darling! You¡¯re staying right here with me!"

    ¡°I won¡¯t run! I swear!¡±

    ¡°Nahhh, you got that look in your eye, darling.¡±

    Outside the forge, the rest of the group¡ªMertha, the Tyrants, and the other dwarves¡ªwaited in tense silence. Ilyana sat on a stone nearby, her grimoire open as glowing chains of light extended from it, holding Gorran securely in place. The massive warrior was still fuming after his earlier outburst, his black sword Xenith buried in the ground next to him.

    Ilyana smiled gently, trying to keep the mood calm. "Breathe, Gorran. Everything is going to be fine. Yuuna¡¯s strong, and she has help. Xyenn is such a fine young man, isn¡¯t he?¡±

    Gorran growled, his eyes fixed on the forge. "I don¡¯t like this. I don¡¯t like any of this. And don¡¯t ever say that again¡­¡±

    Zyphira, swaying slightly with a flask in her hand, laughed and clapped Gorran on the back. "Don¡¯t be such a grump! It¡¯s not every day you get to see something like this. Cheer up! I get to witness more crazy shit!¡±

    Sethrak, standing off to the side, crossed his arms and smirked. "It¡¯s amusing, isn¡¯t it? The great Yuuna, reduced to the pains of childbirth. It¡¯s almost poetic. And with a human by her side at that..who would¡¯ve thought?¡±

    Kivorn, rubbing his eyes, asked Sethrak, ¡°..Are you finally surprised?¡±

    ¡°Yes. And I¡¯m surprised you just approached me without my permission.¡±

    ¡°..That doesn¡¯t make sense.¡±

    Draeven, pacing nervously, wrung his hands. "W-what if something goes wrong? I mean, what if the baby is¡ª"

    "Relax," Mertha cut in putting Draeven in a headlock. "Gridd knows what he¡¯s doing. Besides, Yuuna can handle herself.¡±

    Inside, Yuuna¡¯s labor continued, the tension rising with each moment. Her face twisted in pain, but she gritted her teeth and kept her focus. The female dwarves worked quickly and efficiently, their hands moving with the precision of centuries of experience. The soothing elixirs dulled the sharpest of her pains, but Yuuna¡¯s tail remained tightly coiled around Xyenn¡¯s neck, tightening each time she felt a contraction.

    Xyenn, nearly choking, tried to breathe through the pressure. "Yuuna, I¡¯m... I¡¯m right here! Could you maybe loosen up a little?"

    Yuuna let out a strained laugh. "Nope! You¡¯re not going anywhere. You¡¯re mine, remember?"

    ¡°You¡¯re enjoying this?!¡±

    ¡°Mhm!¡±

    Gridd, standing back but overseeing the process, shook his head in amusement. "Lad, ye look like yer about to faint. Maybe ye should have stayed outside."

    "I¡¯m... fine!" Xyenn croaked, his face red but determined to stay by Yuuna¡¯s side. ¡°I¡¯m a man!¡±

    The dwarves laughed at him again, and Xyenn scoffed, ¡°Pfft! I¡¯ll show you all..¡±

    The final stage of the labor arrived swiftly. With one final, intense push, the baby emerged into the world, and the dwarves quickly wrapped the newborn in a soft woolen cloth. The tiny infant let out a small, sharp cry, its voice surprisingly strong for such a small creature.

    ¡°He¡¯s beautiful..¡±

    ¡°He looked better than I expected him to look¡ª.¡±

    Gridd shoved her arm, making her say, ¡°Ow, what? It¡¯s true.¡±

    The dwarves handed the baby to Yuuna, who looked down at her child with wide, amazed eyes.

    The baby was unlike anything they had ever seen. Its hair was a striking combination of white and black, streaked through with natural patterns that seemed almost too perfect to be random. Its eyes were a deep, vivid red, with slit-thin pupils that glowed faintly in the dim light of the forge. The baby¡¯s skin was smooth but slightly scaled in places, hinting at its draconic heritage. Its tiny fingernails were sharp, almost like claws, and when it opened its mouth to yawn, they could see small sharp teeth already forming.

    Xyenn stared at the baby in awe.

    ¡®No way¡­I¡¯m actually¡­a dad? That fast? Fuck I feel old. I wanna hold him. Will she let me hold him? Of course she would.¡¯

    The newborn turned its head toward him and let out a small burp¡ªa puff of smoke escaping its lips and drifting into Xyenn¡¯s face.

    Gridd chuckled. "Looks like the little one¡¯s already got some fire in ¡®em."

    Xyenn took the baby in his arms, feeling a strange warmth spread through his chest. His eyes began to well up, but this wasn¡¯t just from the miracle of birth. As he looked down at the child, memories of his own childhood surfaced¡ªmemories of cold rain and loneliness. He had never been held like this. No one had cradled him with love or care. His earliest memories were of abandonment, of being left out in the elements to fend for himself.

    But now, here he was, holding his own child, and the warmth of the baby¡¯s tiny body against his chest filled him with a sense of belonging he had never known.

    The baby blinked up at him with those red, slit-pupil eyes. Then, as if sensing Xyenn¡¯s emotions, the baby reached out a tiny hand and touched Xyenn¡¯s face.

    ¡®Agh! Too much cute shit is happening! I really am some dad now, no way this is really happening. What should I name him? How will I take care of him in the middle of this mess?¡¯

    Gridd asked, ¡°Let me hold em¡¯ now. I¡¯m technically the uncle.¡±

    ¡°Oh here you go.¡±

    Gridd held the baby, thinking, ¡®Gross. Cuteness.¡¯

    The area was silent for a moment, everyone watching this tender moment¡­ until Yuuna¡¯s voice broke the quiet, her tone confused and almost¡­ distant.

    ¡°Who the hell are you?¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s heart dropped. He stared at her, frozen in place. "What?"

    Yuuna blinked, her eyes narrowing as she looked at him with complete unfamiliarity. "I said, who the hell are you?"

    Xyenn, panic rising in his chest, tried to laugh it off. "Yuuna... come on, stop kidding around. It¡¯s me,."

    But Yuuna¡¯s face remained blank. "Never heard of you. Never heard of a Xyenn..¡±

    The room went deathly silent. The female dwarves exchanged nervous glances, unsure of what to do. The Tyrants, outside, felt the shift in the atmosphere and began to edge closer to the entrance.

    Gridd sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead. "The lass was afraid o'' this¡­"

    Xyenn turned to him, his voice a mix of fury and desperation. "Afraid of what?"

    Gridd met his gaze, his face grim. "Draconic deities can¡¯t fall in love with humans. It''s one o'' their oldest rules. Ye¡¯re a human, and she¡¯s... well, ye know what she is. When she pulled ye close earlier, it must¡¯ve been the moment she fell in love with ye. She was afraid somethin¡¯ like this might happen, but didn¡¯t know exactly what it¡¯d be."

    Xyenn¡¯s fists clenched, his body trembling. "What do you mean she was afraid?"

    Gridd sighed again, his eyes dark. "She didn¡¯t know what the consequences would be, lad. But it looks like the cost was her memory of ye¡ªof the one she fell in love with."

    Outside, Kivorn said, ¡°No way¡­¡±

    Sethrak said nothing.

    Before Xyenn could process what Gridd had said, the sound of flapping wings and a sudden gust of wind filled the air. The light dimmed as a figure descended from the sky, his presence casting a long shadow over the forge.

    King Haldrek, his ice-cold aura palpable, landed with a thud, his snow armor shimmering in the dim light. His expression was serene, his face unreadable as he approached.

    "Draconic deities cannot fall in love with humans," he said in a calm, almost soothing voice. "It is an ancient law, one that transcends even my own reign. The reason is simple: when a deity¡¯s heart is given to a mortal, the balance of power is disrupted. Love is a force too powerful for mortals and deities to share."

    Xyenn¡¯s anger flared at the sight of Haldrek. His hatred for the king, already deep-seated from past encounters, now boiled to the surface. "You," Xyenn growled, his voice low and dangerous. "How do we fix this?"

    ¡°¡­.Let me ask you this, whepling. Are you willing to sacrifice a piece of yourself?¡±

    ¡°I did it over and over, remember?¡±

    Haldrek¡¯s icy blue eyes flickered with a hint of hesitation. "A witch.¡±

    Mertha stepped forward, her voice sharp. "Where is this witch?"

    Haldrek turned his gaze toward her, his expression unchanging. "She resides in a place known as Soulcaris.¡± Haldrek¡¯s eyes gleamed with a cold, deadly light. ¡°But that is outside of V?rdrheim. If you leave, I cannot protect you. You know I cannot allow darkness in my kingdom. But outside of here, I have no business meddling in a dragon gods affairs¡­unless I¡¯m aiming to kill them. Soulcaris is a deserted barren continent, Only the dragon god of the sun resides there, with no vessel.¡±

    The weight of his words hung in the air, the menace in his calm, emotionless tone chilling everyone present.

    Xyenn said, ¡°I don¡¯t care about any of that! Take me to her!¡±

    ¡°Why should I help you when you haven¡¯t decided to help me cleanse this world of war?¡±

    ¡°Whatever¡­fine we¡¯ll do it. I need to restore her memory of me now! We¡¯ll help you kill Ezrael, the dragon god of war.¡±

    Everyone looked at him in shock, this boy just made a group decision, of helping someone as vile as king Haldrek.

    Gorran exclaimed, ¡°You bastard¡­that isn¡¯t your decision to make!¡±

    He turned to Zyphira, Sethrak, Mertha, Illyana, Kivorn, Draeven, and Gridd, and continued, ¡°We¡¯re seriously gonna let some weak brat make our decisions?!¡±

    Illyana, her fingers shook, saying, ¡°It¡¯s¡­the only way. I like seeing others happy, and when Yuuna is happy¡ª.¡±

    ¡°¡ªNo! You¡¯re wrong. This kid just got here, we¡¯ve known each other for years! He can¡¯t make any decision for us! Keep in mind¡­this wouldn¡¯t be happening if he weren¡¯t here! He¡¯s a nuisance.¡±

    Mertha replied, ¡°Xyenn is not a nuisance. Do not say that about him. Unlike you, he knows where he messes up and tries to conquer his own fear and struggles, but you¡­you still cling onto the past. Xyenn has a heart.¡±

    ¡°You traitor¡­¡±

    Kivorn added, ¡°¡­But we¡¯re Tyrants for a reason¡­we need to kill the dragon gods who aim to kill Yuuna for her heart¡­that¡¯s what we¡¯re here for.¡±

    ¡°So what?! Other things are important! How do we know Yuuna was going to agree anyway?! Bunch of fools!¡±

    Sethrak stepped up, saying, ¡°Though I do not agree with this boy making decisions for us, even if we said no, he would make his own way for helping Yuuna. He¡¯s strange indeed.¡±

    Draeven didn¡¯t say anything, he was too fearful of Gorran.

    ¡®I can¡¯t say anything¡­Gorran might really let loose on me, knowing how I am! I¡¯ll stay quiet, but I¡¯ll side with Xyenn. He has the bravery I wish I had. Maybe if I stick with him..¡¯

    Zyphira, serious this time, said, ¡°Gorran, buddy. You¡¯re talking as if you¡¯re leading this group.¡±

    ¡°I was the first Tyrant! She chose me first! I still don¡¯t know why she didn¡¯t make me her vessel¡­but chose some brat over me! A little kid who died over and over for nothing.¡±

    Yuuna was confused, and she asked, ¡°I don¡¯t even know who that kid is, why are we arguing about some random guy? Did he just come up claiming to be our friend or something?¡±

    Gridd said to her, ¡°Ye fell in love with a human, lass. And this was yer fate.¡±

    ¡°Huhhh? Me? Fall in love with some human?! Yeah that¡¯s a lie! Haha! I would never!¡±

    Gridd sighed, ¡°It¡¯s worse than we thought.¡±

    ¡®That Xyenn¡­he really did change her.¡¯

    Xyenn just stood there, soaking it all in. His fists were clenched, Gorran was bringing him over the edge.

    Gorran snapped. His rage, barely contained until now, bubbled over. He broke free from Ilyana¡¯s light chains, his eyes burning with fury as he pointed his massive sword Xenith at Xyenn.

    "You should have never been her vessel!" Gorran roared, his voice shaking the ground. "You took advantage of her! You don¡¯t deserve to live after this!"

    Before anyone could react, Gorran moved with blinding speed, his jagged blade swinging toward Xyenn in a deadly arc.

    Kivorn exclaimed, ¡°Stop him!¡±

    But Xyenn, already consumed by his own fury, dodged the attack with ease, his body moving faster than anyone expected. He grabbed Gorran by the face in one swift motion and slammed his head into the ground with a deafening thoom.

    The earth shook, and a crater formed where Gorran¡¯s body hit. The other Tyrants gasped in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief.

    ¡°What the¡ª?!¡± Yuuna said, trying to stand, but Gridd held her still.

    ¡°Do not get involved. This has to happen.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on¡­Gridd..¡± Yuuna she¡¯s a tear, and she looked at her own baby, adding, ¡°Is he..mine?¡±

    ¡°Yes, he is. Ye had him with that human over there.¡±

    ¡°¡­Impossible..¡±

    Xyenn stood over Gorran, his body trembling with rage. His teeth had sharpened into fangs, and his breath came out in visible steaming clouds. His skin began to change, patches of black dragon scales emerging along his arms and neck. A single black wing sprouted from his back, unfurling with a menacing hiss. And he grew a black dragon horn on the corner of his head, and he grew a dragon tail.

    "I wasn¡¯t able to do this before," Xyenn growled, his voice deepening with draconic power. "When you kept killing me over and over, Haldrek. But now... I can finally let loose."

    Gridd, handing the baby to Yuuna, rushed forward, his face pale. "Lad! Put on the armor, now!"

    Xyenn glanced at him, his eyes glowing with fiery intensity. "No."

    Gorran, dazed but not beaten, slowly rose to his feet, his grip tightening on Xenith. His face was twisted with rage, but also with a hint of admiration at Xyenn''s newfound power.

    Xyenn continued, ¡°I don¡¯t want Yuuna forgetting about me. She¡¯s the one who found me when I was at my lowest, she gave me a chance to feel important. I won¡¯t let that go to waste, not after all the fucking shit I¡¯ve been through in these past days.¡±

    "I¡¯m gonna kill you," Gorran snarled, lifting his massive blade. ¡°Your efforts will be in vain. Those who attack me with killing intent never live.¡±

    Xyenn smiled, his lips curling into a malicious grin. "Try it¡­.i''ve been waiting for this. I just met you, and you already make me sick.¡±

    The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. The other Tyrants, the dwarves, and even Mertha stood frozen, unsure of what to do. She wanted to reach out for him, she didn¡¯t want him losing himself again like before, she was already missing that brat smile and laugh and train hard with her. After seeing her son and husband die, she didn¡¯t want to lose what reminded her of them, what kept her from lashing out on the world. She noticed how it wasn¡¯t Yuuna¡¯s darkness that made him go berserk, it was all his pent up emotions. The fact that Xyenn is allowing those emotions to tie in with Yuuna¡¯s darkness, willingly.

    ¡®Xyenn..¡¯

    The sheer power radiating from Xyenn was overwhelming, and for the first time, they realized just how much he had been holding back.

    Yuuna, still lying on the makeshift bed, looked at Xyenn with wide, confused eyes. Her voice was softer now, almost vulnerable. "Why... does he share my power?"

    There was a long moment of silence.

    Sethrak, usually the one to make a cutting remark, said nothing. His face was drawn, eyes narrowed, as he watched the exchange between Xyenn and Gorran in stunned silence. Draeven¡¯s hands shook, his nervous energy now replaced with cold fear. Zyphira, who had never been one to hold her tongue, simply stared, her flask halfway to her mouth, forgotten.

    Gorran exclaimed, ¡°No one interferes! I¡¯ll show Yuuna I¡¯m the only true vessel. I deserve it more than him. He hasn¡¯t suffered as much as I have. My battle scars are created new everyday, he can¡¯t compare to that.¡±

    Zyphira said to Kivorn, ¡°We need to stop them..¡±

    ¡°¡­Can¡¯t. It¡¯ll make it worse.¡±

    Gridd said to Illyana, ¡°Be ready with yer chains of light, Illyana. If Xyenn gets too out of control, only ye can contain them.¡±

    Illyana, nervous, nodded peacefully.

    Haldrek was gone as well, and Gridd noticed, saying to Mertha, ¡°He dipped.¡±

    Mertha responded, ¡°No. That asshole is still watching from afar.¡±

    Gorran dashed towards Xyenn again, saying, ¡°That bloodlust coming from you¡ª.¡±

    ¡°Yes¡­¡± Xyenn grinned. ¡°I¡¯m going to kill you.¡±

 Chapter 17: Spiral

    Gorran remembered something.

    Gorran stood in front of his father, his small hands trembling as they reached out to touch the hilt of Xenith. His father, a towering man who had always seemed invincible, covered in blood, with swords already pierced through his back, knelt down, his eyes hollow, burdened by the weight of the decision he was about to make. The sword, gleaming and pure, was not yet the dark, cursed weapon it would become due to Yuuna using her darkness on it.

    ¡°Gorran¡­¡± his father whispered, his voice thick with regret. ¡°Do not worship them.¡±

    The memory dissolved, and the world snapped into focus. Gorran¡¯s eyes, now fierce and hardened, flicked open. His grip on Xenith tightened, but the blade was no longer the shining beacon of hope it once was. It had been consumed by darkness¡ªblackened, twisted, and covered in spiraling red eyes that blinked and twitched like living things. Shadows coiled around the blade as if it were alive, feeding off Gorran¡¯s own bloodlust.

    ¡°I¡¯m nothing without the blade,¡± Gorran muttered under his breath, his voice low and cold. His muscles tensed as he prepared to strike. ¡°And if I die¡­ the blade still comes with me.¡±

    With a burst of speed, Gorran dashed toward Xyenn, Xenith raised to deliver a fatal blow¡ªbut Xyenn was already moving.

    Gridd thought, ¡®This has to happen.¡¯

    Xyenn darted behind Yuuna, his claws closing around her throat in a swift, brutal motion. He didn¡¯t speak, didn¡¯t need to. Her body tensed for a moment, then her essence began to pour into him. The air around them crackled with unnatural energy, and the atmosphere darkened as the transformation began.

    Everyone gasped, and Mertha called out, ¡°Yuuna!¡±

    Gridd stopped her, saying, ¡°This needs to happen.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you see¡ª.¡±

    ¡°I see, lass. But with our power, we cannot get in the middle.¡±

    ¡°What if one of them dies?¡±

    ¡°..They won¡¯t. Gorran will be humbled. Xyenn won¡¯t kill em¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Gridd, beardy, I¡¯ve seen Xyenn in this state before¡ª.¡±

    ¡°Did the lad kill ya¡¯?¡±

    ¡°No, but¡ª!¡±

    ¡°Ye lot are goin¡¯ out and huntin¡¯ dragon gods to kill for Yuuna, eh? You¡¯ll all be a team, and it¡¯ll only function if there is mutual respect amongst ye. After this, these two knuckleheads will think differently of one another. Where there is strife, there is division.¡±

    ¡°I just can¡¯t sit here and allow Xyenn to be in that state! I¡¯ve seen what it did to him before. I just wish there was more I could do. Knock the hell out of his gigantic head? I wasn¡¯t even useful to my own clan and my family. I won¡¯t make the same mistake again. I won¡¯t be a waste of space, not anymore.¡±

    ¡°Ye are doin¡¯ something. Yer lettin¡¯ this play out. Deep down, ye know Gorran needs some humblin¡¯. And ye know if ye want to build yer kingdom here, you need everyone. That can¡¯t happen if there is division. This fight needs to happen, lass. As of right now, those two are sworn rivals.¡±

    The ground trembled as Xyenn¡¯s body warped and expanded. His wings erupted from his back, massive and leathery, casting a shadow over the battlefield. His horns grew longer, twisting like jagged spires of bone, and his eyes glowed with a savage light. Three dragon tails unfurled from his spine, each one tipped with barbed spikes that whipped through the air with lethal precision. Above his head, a dark pink halo formed, jagged and pulsing with chaotic energy.

    Yuuna¡¯s single eye blinked open on Xyenn¡¯s chest, radiating an eerie glow. Her alien voice whispered in the ancient language of the dragons, and the halo above his head expanded with her words, crackling with fire and dark energy.

    Sethrak, watching, was now amused, saying, ¡°Hmm. Yuuna is still helping Xyenn when she¡¯s lost her memories of him?¡±

    By the time the transformation was complete, the earth around them had shattered into fragments. The battlefield had shifted¡ªa ruined stone citadel now loomed in the distance. With a single beat of his wings, Xyenn propelled himself toward the ruins, his new form casting an ominous shadow over everything.

    Gorran, undeterred by the change, followed, his eyes narrowing as he prepared for the chaos to come.

    The ruins became the perfect arena¡ªgreat stone covered in remnants of snow and frost, pillars broken and scattered, the air thick with dust and decay. As Gorran landed amidst the crumbling structures, he immediately set his plan into motion. He swung Xenith in a lightning quick slash, and the spiraling red eyes on the blade blinked to life, scattering across the battlefield like sentient shadows. They latched onto the stone pillars, the walls, the ground itself, warping the terrain around them. In an instant, the battlefield shifted, twisting and spiraling as the eyes distorted the landscape, creating unpredictable terrain that would throw Xyenn off balance.

    ¡®Xenith was nothing but a blade that could warp the structure of anywhere I want, besides individuals with potent dragon mana. Since it¡¯s been corrupted by Yuuna¡¯s mana, it¡¯s more dangerous, and her shadows linger to give it a buff. This is the only skill I use against those who are strong; those who I aim to take down. A blade forged from the skin of the dragon god of spiral itself, it¡¯s been passed down from my family for years, symbolizing the Xenith Clan¡¯s ability to turn everything around for our own success. For a clan of assassins mastering the magic of spiral, they have never lost until that one day. And now it¡¯s landed on me. I¡¯ll use it to defeat this brat and show Yuuna and everyone else where I stand. If I lose, it¡¯s a dishonor to the Xenith. Therefore without this blade, without the spiral, I¡¯m nothing.¡¯ Gorran thought prepping another attack. ¡®This boy has only fought Haldrek and died over and over, he doesn¡¯t stand a chance in an all out fight against me, the abandoned son.¡¯

    But Xyenn was no stranger to chaos. With a snarl, he charged forward, his wings propelling him through the air. His four arms brandished dark, jagged scythes, each one radiating with dark pink and black energy. He descended upon Gorran like a storm, all four scythes slashing in crescent strike patterns.

    Gorran dodged two of the strikes, but the third and fourth scythes found their mark, carving deep into his side and shoulder. Blood sprayed across the stone floor, but Gorran gritted his teeth and retaliated. He swung Xenith, shadows trailing, and the spiraling eyes blinked in unison, warping the ground beneath Xyenn¡¯s feet. The stone shifted, spiraling inward, pulling Xyenn off balance.

    For a moment, Xyenn staggered¡ªbut then, with a growl, he beat his wings and leapt into the air, avoiding the deadly trap. His tails lashed out, barbed tips slicing through the air toward Gorran¡¯s throat.

    Gorran barely managed to duck, the tails missing him by inches, but one of the spikes grazed his cheek, drawing a thin line of blood. He countered with a brutal upward slash of Xenith, aiming to sever one of Xyenn¡¯s tails.

    ¡®Tch! He¡¯s not even thinking when he fights!¡¯

    Xyenn blocked with two of his scythes, sparks flying as the blades clashed.

    Xyenn¡¯s patience snapped. With a roar, he summoned Yuuna¡¯s power again, her eye glowing brighter on his chest. The jagged halo above his head expanded, and seven swirling orbs of black, red, and pink fire materialized around him. Each orb crackled with destructive energy, spinning faster and faster as Xyenn began to move in a deadly, ancient draconic dance.

    The orbs shot toward Gorran one by one, each moving faster than the last. Gorran sidestepped the first two, leaping over a crumbling pillar to avoid the third. The fourth orb slammed into the ground beside him, exploding in a shower of stone and fire. Gorran rolled to his feet just in time to block the fifth with Xenith, the blade absorbing the brunt of the impact. But the sixth orb was too fast¡ªit grazed his leg, searing through flesh and muscle with a sickening hiss.

    Gorran grunted in pain but didn¡¯t slow down. He strafed Xenith in a wide slash, shadows trialing once more, and the spiraling eyes blinked again, warping the space around Xyenn. The ground twisted beneath Xyenn¡¯s feet, pulling him toward a spiraling vortex of stone and shadow.

    For a split second, it looked like Gorran had the upper hand.

    But Xyenn was already adapting. With a powerful beat of his wings, he zipped forward, using the momentum to break free of the spiraling trap. His scythes flashed in the dim light of the ruins as he descended on Gorran, slashing in a deadly cross pattern.

    Gorran managed to block with Xenith, but the force of the blow sent him skidding backward, blood dripping from his wounds.

    ¡®Why¡­?¡¯

    Gorran knew he couldn¡¯t match Xyenn¡¯s raw power in a head-on clash. He needed to use his skills more strategically. With a deep breath, he closed his eyes for a moment, focusing on the shadows around him. The spiraling red eyes on Xenith blinked in sync, and the shadows around the ruins began to twist and writhe.

    Gorran lunged forward at full speed, his movements becoming erratic, unpredictable. Each step he took warped the battlefield further, the stone pillars twisting into spirals and the ground beneath them shifting like liquid. He moved between the warped spaces, appearing and disappearing within the shadows, using the distorted terrain to his advantage.

    But Xyenn wasn¡¯t deterred. His wings flared wide, and with a powerful beat, he launched himself into the air. His tails lashed out like serpents, their barbed tips aimed to impale Gorran as he moved. Gorran dodged the first tail, but the second caught him in the ribs, the barbs tearing through flesh and bone. He gasped, blood pouring from the wound, but he didn¡¯t stop.

    ¡®Why can¡¯t I beat this fucking kid¡­¡¯

    With a low growl, Gorran swung Xenith strategically, the shadows and spiraling eyes warping the space around Xyenn again. This time, the ground beneath Xyenn¡¯s feet collapsed inward, creating a spiraling pit that tried to pull him down.

    But Xyenn¡¯s wings kept him aloft. He hovered above the collapsing ground, his eyes glowing with fury as he raised all four scythes. With a snarl, he dove toward Gorran, his wings propelling him forward like a missile.

    Xyenn¡¯s dive was relentless, his scythes slashing through the air with deadly precision. Gorran barely managed to block the first two strikes, but the third scythe carved deep into his shoulder, and the fourth slashed across his chest, leaving deep, bloody gashes.

    Blood sprayed into the air as Gorran staggered, but he refused to fall. With a growl, he swung Xenith upward, aiming to cleave Xyenn¡¯s head from his shoulders. Xyenn blocked with two of his scythes, but the force of the blow sent him spinning through the air.

    ¡®I got him!¡¯ Gorran thought as he pressed the attack, leaping into the air after him. He slammed Xenith down toward Xyenn¡¯s back, but Xyenn twisted mid-air, his wings folding around him like a shield. The blade clanged against his wings, sparks flying as metal met scale.

    Xyenn retaliated with a brutal kick to Gorran¡¯s chest, sending him crashing into a crumbling pillar. The impact shattered stone and bone alike, but Gorran gritted his teeth and forced himself to his feet.

    ¡®I am nothing without the blade..¡¯

    From the shadows of the ruins, a dirty prophet watched the battle with wide, crazed eyes. His body convulsed with excitement, his hands twitching in strange, erratic gestures. ¡°The day of reckoning! The titans clash! Blood will spill, and the gods will tremble!¡± he shrieked, his voice high and frantic.

    He danced around the edges of the battlefield, his fingers tracing strange symbols in the air. ¡°The blade and the dragon! They will tear the world apart! And I will watch it burn!¡±

    His voice grew louder, more frenzied. ¡°Blood! Fire! Death! The day of reckoning is upon us!¡± He cackled, his laughter echoing through the ruins as the battle raged on.

    Xyenn had had enough. With a roar that shook the ruins, he summoned Yuuna¡¯s power once more. Her eye blinked open on his chest, glowing with an eerie light as she whispered in her alien tongue. The halo above Xyenn¡¯s head expanded, crackling with dark energy as seven new orbs of fire materialized around him.

    But this time, Xyenn didn¡¯t send the orbs toward Gorran. Instead, he used them to enhance his own body. The orbs swirled around him, fusing with his wings, his tails, his scythes. His entire form became a swirling mass of fire and destruction, his scythes burning with black and pink flames.

    Gorran¡¯s eyes widened as Xyenn charged forward, his wings propelling him like a comet of destruction. Gorran swung Xenith, but Xyenn¡¯s scythes met the blade with terrifying force. The impact sent shockwaves through the ruins, and Gorran was thrown back, crashing through crumbling stone as Xyenn pressed the attack.

    Xyenn¡¯s tails lashed out, one of them wrapping around Gorran¡¯s leg and yanking him into the air. Gorran tried to slash at the tail, but Xyenn¡¯s scythes were already descending. One scythe slashed across Gorran¡¯s chest, drawing a spray of blood, while another carved deep into his side.

    Gorran¡¯s body was on the verge of collapse, but he refused to give in. He raised Xenith high, the spiraling red eyes on the blade blinking in unison as they warped the battlefield around him once more. The ground twisted and spiraled, the ruins collapsing inward as Gorran prepared to deliver a critical strike.

    Gorran said, ¡°You don¡¯t deserve that power¡­how is Yuuna helping you even when she lost her memories?!

    Xyenn continued with a smug grin, ¡°Shut up and fight..you tried to kill me, remember?¡±

    ¡°Like me, you deserve it.¡±

    The once-proud stone ruins stood desolate, their ancient walls cracked and crumbling under the weight of time. The battlefield had long since quieted, leaving only the distant rumble of storms and the faint whisper of wind through the hollowed stone. In the heart of this broken place, Xyenn stood tall, his wings half-spread, casting a dark shadow over the rubble below.

    His clawed hand gripped Gorran''s throat, pinning him against the cold stone wall, his nails digging into the soft flesh of Gorran''s neck. Xyenn''s eyes blazed¡ªone moment burning with rage, the next flickering with doubt. His mouth twisted into a smile, foam trickling down the corner of his lips as he stared at his enemy. His three tails swayed slowly behind him, like the movements of a predator preparing to strike.

    Blood dripped from Gorran¡¯s wounds, staining the stone beneath him. His breaths were shallow, his body limp, but his eyes¡ªthose defiant eyes¡ªnever looked away from Xyenn¡¯s face.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    Far in the distance, the Tyrants could be seen, racing toward the ruins, but they were too far. The ground beneath them trembled as they pushed forward, desperate to reach Xyenn and Gorran.

    Without warning, a shadow fell over Xyenn from behind.

    A familiar presence.

    Haldrek appeared, his tall, imposing figure stepping from the shadows, his hand lightly resting on Xyenn¡¯s shoulder. He leaned in, his breath hot against Xyenn¡¯s ear, his voice low and dripping with menace.

    ¡°You¡¯re hesitating,¡± Haldrek whispered, his tone almost mocking. ¡°You¡¯ve got him right where you want him, and yet¡­ you¡¯re holding back.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s grip on Gorran¡¯s throat tightened, but his smile faltered. His eyes flickered again, the malicious grin slowly fading as doubt crept into his mind.

    ¡°We are the same. As I explained last time.¡± Haldrek continued, circling around Xyenn like a predator. ¡°You think you¡¯re not a monster? Look at what you¡¯ve become. You¡¯ve killed before, haven¡¯t you? You remember¡­ the bandits?¡±

    Xyenn flinched, the memory crashing into him like a wave. The day he¡¯d slaughtered those bandits¡ªhow their blood had stained his hands, how he¡¯d felt nothing but cold satisfaction. His heart raced, his expression twisting between a smile and a grimace as he struggled with the memory.

    ¡°Fuck off..¡± Xyen growled.

    Haldrek¡¯s voice was like poison, seeping into his thoughts.

    ¡°Now you¡¯re letting your emotions control you. Pathetic.¡± Haldrek¡¯s laugh was a dark, jagged thing. ¡°You¡¯re just like me, Xyenn. A killer. A monster. You want to be taken seriously so you can be at the top, we¡¯re so used to being at the bottom. And the only way¡ª¡± He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a dark whisper¡ª¡°the only way to redeem yourself.. is to take his life. You¡¯ll then feel like you¡¯re on top of the world.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s grip tightened further, his claws drawing blood from Gorran¡¯s neck. His mind swirled with darkness, his breathing erratic. He was teetering on the edge, the temptation to end it all flooding through him.

    Smiling.

    Not smiling.

    Haldrek¡¯s voice echoed in his skull, mingling with his own thoughts. He could hear the screams of the bandits, the rush of blood. He saw Gorran¡¯s defiant eyes staring back at him, a challenge, almost daring him to finish it.

    Xyenn¡¯s smile returned, but it was hollow, trembling with uncertainty. His mind was a battlefield. His hand quivered.

    But something deep within him resisted.

    His breath came in ragged gasps as he thought of Yuuna¡ªthe way her darkness had mixed with his, how he had let it consume him, how he had used her power to destroy. The feeling of losing her, the fear of never getting her back, the fear of being alone again; had driven him to this moment. He wanted to be strong, to be feared, to be a man in the eyes of everyone. To really be on top.

    His mind flickered to that day in the forest, the bandits¡¯ blood on his hands. The satisfaction of their deaths had been fleeting. And now, with Gorran¡¯s life in his hands, he felt that same emptiness clawing at him.

    ¡°I¡­¡± Xyenn¡¯s voice was strained, barely a whisper. His hand shook violently as he lifted Gorran higher, about to end it. ¡°I¡¯m not a killer..but those who are my enemy will die. The dragon gods are my enemy. Those who are evil are my enemy. If I¡¯m going to kill the dragon gods¡­I¡¯ll prepare myself, but not like this.¡±

    Haldrek scoffed, ¡°Even when this human tried to kill you, a vessel, you won¡¯t take his life?¡±

    ¡°No. He¡¯s Yuuna¡¯s Tyrant. I¡¯ve done enough damage to him. And I¡¯m glad I did. I won¡¯t kill him, for Yuuna too.¡±

    Suddenly, the air around them crackled with energy. Illyana appeared first, her chains of light shooting from her grimoire, wrapping around Xyenn¡¯s arms and wings. The glowing chains tightened, pulling him back from Gorran and binding him in place. The light was soothing, but it was not enough to hold back the overwhelming darkness within him.

    ¡°Kivorn,¡± Illyana called out, her voice steady.

    The elven mage appeared next, his staff of elemental magic glowing as he summoned vines and plants from the ruins. The tendrils wrapped around Gorran¡¯s body, binding him to the ground, preventing him from moving.

    With a blur of motion, Draeven dashed in, his martial arts a whirlwind of precise, graceful strikes. He leaped into the air, wrapping Gorran further with his own body wraps, securing him tightly. The wraps spun mid-air, creating an intricate web of bindings around Gorran.

    Zyphira and Sethrak stepped into the center of the scene, their eyes scanning Xyenn¡¯s bound form. Zyphira¡¯s voice, cold and calculating, cut through the tension.

    ¡°This should be enough.¡±

    Sethrak nodded, his arms crossed, his eyes narrowed. ¡°For now.¡±

    From the shadows, Mertha darted in, followed closely by Gridd, the female dwarf gently cradling Xyenn and Yuuna¡¯s child in her arms. The baby, oblivious to the chaos around him, slept soundly, his tiny fingers curled into fists.

    Gridd, his massive frame clad in ornate armor, approached Xyenn slowly, his expression grim. His hands were steady as he began to place the heavy armor upon Xyenn¡¯s trembling form.

    ¡°Be still, lad.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s breath was ragged, his body shaking as he felt the weight of the armor settle over him. His mind was still racing, but the light from Illyana¡¯s chains, and the presence of Gridd, knowing he was the one who had all the advice for everyone, began to calm him, if only slightly.

    He closed his eyes, letting out a slow breath. The darkness still pulsed within him, but now, it was quieter, more distant. He was shocked at himself¡ªat how far he had let himself fall, how much of himself he was willing to sacrifice just for the sake of his anger. How he had allowed the fear of losing Yuuna to twist him, to control him, even when a solution was presented in front of him, he still kept on allowing himself to be cornered by rage.

    Behind them, Yuuna stirred, slowly standing with the help of Mertha. Her eyes fluttered open, her body fragile but alive. She looked around at the scene in front of her¡ªGorran bound, Xyenn restrained, and the group of Tyrants surrounding them.

    Her gaze softened when she saw Xyenn. She approached him cautiously, her voice quiet, uncertain.

    ¡°Xyenn¡­¡± she murmured, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°Who are you really?! Why¡­ why do we have a child together?!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s heart clenched at her words, but he didn¡¯t answer. He couldn¡¯t. He felt the weight of her question, the confusion in her voice, but he couldn¡¯t bring himself to face her.

    Instead, he turned away.

    ¡®I wanna be alone right now.¡¯

    As Xyenn began to walk away, the others watched in silence. Illyana¡¯s chains of light slowly faded, but her eyes remained on Xyenn, her lips moving as she whispered peaceful mantras, hoping to soothe the storm within him.

    ¡°Kivorn,¡± she said softly, ¡°let Gorran go.¡±

    The elven mage nodded, his vines retreating back into the earth. Draeven unwrapped his bindings, his movements quick and precise.

    ¡®Does this mean Gorran will stop trying to kill Xyenn? I hope so¡­¡¯

    The group exchanged glances, each member processing what had just happened in their own way. Sethrak crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. ¡°Well, that was pleasant.¡±

    Zyphira whispered, ¡°Psst! Read the room!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re outside.¡±

    As Xyenn walked away, his mind was a whirlwind of shame and anger. He could still feel the weight of Haldrek¡¯s voice in his head, taunting him, calling him a monster. His jaw clenched, his hands trembling as he replayed the moment over and over in his mind.

    Was he really a monster? Or was he just a child, letting his emotions control him? He wanted so badly to be seen as strong, as a man.

    ¡®I immediately went into a temper tantrum like a child when Yuuna lost her memories. Can it be justified? Yes, but I could¡¯ve handled it more maturely like everyone else did, they were calm, but I immediately went into a spiral of rage. A solution was presented before, and yet there I went crazy. I was the only one who acted like that, that¡¯s what makes it all the more embarrassing. I even forced Yuuna to merge with me, I didn¡¯t even feel like I was in control during the fight, but my own emotions and anger. I¡¯m sorry Yuuna, that I did that. And then fucking Haldrek¡­he keeps trying to press his ideology and philosophy on me, to make me see things eye to eye with him. He can¡¯t make me like him. Never. I won¡¯t be a monster just to be above everyone..right?¡¯

    He thought of Gorran, and felt a twisted satisfaction. Gorran would take him seriously now. He had to. But was that enough? Was that what he really wanted?

    As these thoughts churned in his mind, he felt a soft tug at the cape of his armor.

    Yuuna.

    She was following him, her hand gripping the edge of his cape, her eyes wide with confusion and hurt. She tugged again, her voice small but insistent.

    ¡°Xyenn¡­ please. Who are you? Why¡­ why do we have a child together? Talk to me, damn human..¡±

    He didn¡¯t turn around. He couldn¡¯t. His chest tightened, and he tried to block out her voice, to ignore the weight of her question. But the tugging continued, her soft voice growing more desperate with every step.

    ¡®Nothing I say to her will matter. But..¡¯

    Finally, Xyenn stopped, his body tense, his eyes closed. He took a deep breath, then spoke, his voice low and filled with determination.

    ¡°I¡¯ll restore your memory.¡±

    There was no hesitation in his words. And with that, he continued walking, Yuuna stopped and let him go as she felt something too.

    Xyenn leaned heavily against the rough bark of an ancient tree, his breathing steady but his mind still swirling with thoughts. The cold air swirled around him, the wind pushing strands of his hair across his face, but he didn¡¯t feel the chill. His body, hardened and altered by the merging with Yuuna, was impervious to the winter¡¯s bite. His from shimmered down to his normal appearance, But still, there was a heaviness¡ªa weight in his chest that even the cold couldn¡¯t numb.

    Before him stretched a vast expanse of snow-covered wilderness, untouched by man but teeming with life all its own. The ground was a pristine white, the snow soft and undisturbed, save for the delicate paw prints of the strange creatures that roamed this part of the world. Xyenn watched as one such creature¡ªa snow-dappled cervidae, its antlers twisting into intricate spirals¡ªgalloped gracefully across the plains. Its fur shimmered in the pale moonlight, like ice crystals woven into its coat.

    From the corner of his eye, he spotted a group of frostfeathera raptors, their sleek, bird-like bodies covered in a fine layer of silver feathers. Their wings flapped lazily as they glided close to the ground in search of prey, their talons leaving faint marks on the snow. Further in the distance, a glacier stag¡ªa massive beast with crystalline horns and ice-blue eyes¡ªstood motionless, its breath visible in the cold air as it scanned the horizon.

    Xyenn was familiar with most of them. He¡¯d seen these majestic beings many times before during his time in the wilderness. They were part of this land, just as he was, ethereal and fierce, surviving in their own way. Yet, even in their grace, they reminded him of something he¡¯d been avoiding: he was no different from them, fighting for survival, driven by instinct.

    His thoughts wandered back to the madness that had overtaken him¡ªhow he had lost control, how everyone had seen him fall apart so easily. He clenched his fists, the bark of the tree biting into his palms. They had all witnessed his desperation, his rage. He had let his emotions, his fear of losing Yuuna, consume him in front of them all.

    Like a child. Now, after everything, he felt like nothing more than an impulsive boy, lashing out because he couldn¡¯t handle the fear. He had spazzed out, broken down completely over Yuuna, and they had all seen it.

    He thought of Gorran again.

    Gorran had deserved it, hadn¡¯t he? Everyone knew that. That made Xyenn¡¯s lips curled into a faint, bitter smile. Gorran was already a thorn in his side and they just met, a reminder of everything Xyenn wanted to overcome. Breaking Gorran, even for a moment, had felt right. He didn¡¯t feel as bad about that. Gorran would finally take him seriously now.

    But still¡­

    There was an emptiness in that victory, and it gnawed at him. He had felt it even as he held Gorran¡¯s life in his hands¡ªsomething hollow, something that hadn¡¯t been filled. Was that what it meant to be a man? Was this the strength he had been chasing?

    With a heavy sigh, Xyenn let his body relax against the tree. The wind rustled through the barren branches above him, and he closed his eyes, letting the cold, crisp air wash over him. For a moment, just a moment, he allowed himself to forget everything. The world faded away, and silence took over.

    ¡®Fuck it all.¡¯

    When Xyenn opened his eyes again, the world around him had completely changed.

    He was no longer leaning against the tree, no longer standing in the snow-covered wilderness. Instead, he found himself floating¡ªhis body suspended in a vast, white void. The air was thick with a strange, soothing energy, and everything was bathed in a soft, luminous glow. The ground beneath him wasn¡¯t solid; it was as if he stood on the surface of a vast cloud, white and ever-shifting, but impossibly stable underfoot.

    ¡°Where am I?¡± Xyenn asked himself, his voice echoing in the blank distance.

    The sky above was a pale, endless white, but there were no stars, no sun¡ªonly a faint, pulsing light that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. The horizon stretched into infinity, as if this place had no boundaries, no edges. It was beautiful, serene, and utterly alien.

    Delicate crystalline formations floated around him, shifting and shimmering like diamond dust caught in the wind. They spiraled lazily through the air, reflecting the soft light in every direction, casting gentle rainbows across the void. In the distance, glowing white vines twisted and curled through the air, their tendrils reaching toward the sky as if they were growing from some unseen source far below. They radiated a gentle warmth, their glow pulsing in time with the rhythm of the space itself.

    And then he saw her.

    Before him, a figure began to take shape¡ªa woman, vast and resplendent, her form slowly materializing from the light itself. She towered over him, her body aglow with a brightness that was almost too intense to look at. Her skin was pure white, flawless and radiant, as if carved from the very light that surrounded them. She was naked, her breasts and vaginal area were exposed, but her form seemed almost ethereal, her body more a suggestion of flesh than something physical. Her presence was overwhelming, both beautiful and terrifying in its grandeur.

    Her wings stretched wide behind her¡ªa pair of enormous, feathered appendages that shimmered with a pearly brilliance. Each feather was long and elegant, catching the light and refracting it into a thousand different hues. Her wings spanned the entire horizon, as if they could envelop the whole of this strange dimension if she willed it.

    Her halo hovered above her head, a perfect circle of light adorned with diamonds and crystals, spinning slowly and casting a soft, warm glow down onto her face. It wasn¡¯t the jagged, chaotic halo that Xyenn had known from his time merged with Yuuna, but something far gentler, far more pure.

    Her eyes were the most striking feature. They were like diamonds, glowing with an inner light that pierced through the void. They sparkled with intelligence, with power, with an ancient wisdom that made Xyenn feel small in comparison. She looked at him, her gaze unblinking, and though her face was serene, there was something deeply unsettling about the way she seemed to see through him.

    Surrounding her were other beings, all of them men and women, their forms less defined but no less radiant. They floated around her like a celestial court, their bodies made entirely of light, their features barely distinguishable beneath the brilliance that emanated from them. Their wings, though smaller, were equally beautiful, and their eyes¡ªthough not as piercing¡ªglowed with the same diamond-like intensity.

    Each of them was a being of purity and light, their bodies shifting and shimmering with every movement, as if they were only half-real, like reflections on the surface of a still lake. Their figures were slender, graceful, and they moved with a fluidity that was almost hypnotic, as if they were dancing in slow motion, suspended in the air.

    The entire dimension felt alive, but not in the way the physical world did. It pulsed softly, a rhythm that Xyenn could feel deep in his chest, in time with his own heartbeat. The air was thick with a sense of peace, of timelessness. There was no danger here, no conflict, no chaos¡ªonly serenity.

    ¡®How did I even end up here..:everything is so damn radiant¡­peaceful, like the feeling I get when I¡¯m around that Illyana woman.¡¯

    But despite the beauty, despite the calmness, Xyenn couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that he didn¡¯t belong here.

    He floated there, suspended in the vast nothingness, staring up at the woman and the radiant beings that surrounded her. He didn¡¯t know who she was, or what this place was, or why he had been brought here. But her eyes¡ªthose diamond eyes¡ªseemed to hold the answers.

    Xyenn asked, ¡°Who are you all? And why did you steal me?¡±

    The woman spoke, ¡°We are the Lysf?dt. Dragon gods of Radiance and Beauty. Also called the Light Born. I am their mother, the ones around me. And you, Xyenn, will be the destroyer of this world.¡±

    Xyenn responded, ¡°What are you talking about?¡±

    ¡°You have Yuuna, the dragon goddess of darkness, who is one of the most powerful deities in Kyrrin. She has the power to¡ª.¡±

    ¡°¡ªYeah yeah I know, I know all of this. I''m tired of people beating me over the head with it. What do you want¡ª?¡±

    ¡°¡ªWith her, you will not only destroy the world of Kyrrin, but the people of it. Everyone knows Yuuna plans on going through Kyrrin and killing all the gods before they kill her and take her heart. But you do not know what you are doing. Without the concepts of life¡¯s systems, the world can''t function, it will be destroyed. King Haldrek, vessel of Kragvyr, wants to destroy the Dragon god of war and the branches of gods who connect to the concept war itself, achieving that would kill the very concept of war, there won¡¯t be any left. And that goes for the rest of them. Yuuna wants to use you to kill them, not knowing the First Dragon used all dragon gods and their concepts to create Kyrrin. Yuuna is selfish. Therefore, continuing to help her, would be your demise, and Kyrrin¡¯s. You aim to free the humans from the oppression of the gods, not knowing you will be destroyed. You battled Death, yet you will seek to aid him in collecting souls. The world is crafted from these concepts and ideals, if they are killed, they won¡¯t hold Kyrrin any longer. Physically as well.¡±

    Xyenn didn¡¯t talk, he kept his mouth shut.

    ¡®Yuuna just wants to survive, she doesn¡¯t want to die. I already promised to keep her safe, there¡¯s no way I¡¯m letting her down. Who are these bastards really? What¡¯s their role with the First Dragon?¡¯

    The deity continued, ¡°Furthermore, I can tell you wish to defy us. To defy the natural law of Kyrrin. I will persuade you. The Primordial Dragons struck down the First Dragon in a cataclysmic war, driven by pride, fear, and the desire to control the universe without the oversight of their creator. However, they didn¡¯t realize that the death of the First Dragon would not result in true freedom. The very act of slaying the being that defined the laws of creation unraveled the divine order. The Cycle of Rebirth was born from the First Dragon¡¯s death, a curse that ensured no god or dragon could ever truly die or live. This cycle became a prison, tying the gods and dragons to the whims of mortal worship, and forever denying them true freedom or eternal peace. Amidst this chaos, the heart of the First Dragon¡ªits most sacred and powerful fragment¡ªdisappeared. It was not destroyed, as the Primordial Dragons had intended, but instead hidden away by the cosmic forces of creation themselves, as if reality itself refused to allow the heart¡¯s destruction. The heart of the First Dragon was now in Yuuna¡¯s chest. As for Yuuna, it is still a mystery how she acquired the heart, and unlike the dragon gods, who were reincarnations of previous deities, Yuuna was never truly born with dragons at all, but from Hell itself. Her power and soul combined with the demonic forces that lurked beyond the edges of reality. The first Dragon used his own divine blood and breath to use her as a vessel of darkness, to ensure balance in Kyrrin. She was sick of being in Hell, she was with The First Dragon even during the days of the Primordials. And even after the war broke. Yuuna was not a natural part of the divine order. She was chaos incarnate¡ªa goddess and blight born from demonic power, a force that existed outside the laws of creation. Hell. This made her both a goddess of immense power and a paradox¡ªa being who was both divine and demonic, both of creation and outside its bounds.¡±

    Xyenn, overwhelmed with all of this information, thought, ¡®There¡¯s even stronger forces outside of the draconic deities?! Hell¡­? Didn¡¯t I hear that from Haldrek? That was Yuuna¡¯s domain?¡¯

    The woman floated downward, and continued, ¡°You need to kill Yuuna before it is too late. The Cycle of Rebirth is necessary to keep Kyrrin alive. If you fail to kill her, we will have no choice but to interfere. For we are the vessels of the First Dragon. His former council.¡±

    Xyenn yelled, ¡°Why me?! Huh?! Why can¡¯t you all just come down and do whatever?!¡±

    ¡°Watch your tone, human.¡±

    ¡°Fuck it! I don¡¯t care! I¡¯m not gonna sit here and let you say all this without having a say in anything. I¡¯m no one¡¯s puppet.¡±

    ¡°But you are a puppet for the Dragon god of snow. And for Haldrek. You are a mere puppet human. You will be given a hidden time limit to kill Yuuna before it¡¯s too late. Deliver her heart to us, we will reincarnate the First Dragon and allow him to govern Kyrrin again. If you do not do as we ask, we will forcefully come down ourselves. And everyone will pay. Even that horrid hybrid son of yours.¡±

    ¡°Screw you all¡­I¡¯m not gonna let anything get in my way¡­¡±

    ¡°The fact that you¡¯re willing to save one life over an entire world¡­over love? Now that is a child¡¯s dream.¡±

    FWOOSH!

    Xyenn opened his eyes again, screaming as he found himself outside in V?rdrheim again. He took deep breaths over and over, and he saw Yuuna was in front of him kneeling, alongside her Tyrants, and Gridd, and the other Dwarves.

    Yuuna said, ¡°Heyyy, wake up! Whoever the hell you are! Thanks for kicking Gorran¡¯s ass, but I have questions¡ª!¡±

    Xyenn immediately hugged her, grabbing her tight.

    ¡®Screw whatever that glowing woman was saying. Yuuna didn¡¯t wanna be in Hell anymore, she sided with the First Dragon, apparently Hell¡¯s enemy. Now, she doesn¡¯t wanna die. She was desperate for survival; it cost her the lives of many whom she chose as vessels. I already made a promise. I intend to keep it. I don¡¯t want the world to be destroyed because of me, there has to be something I can do. The Lysf?dt¡­divine vessels of The First Dragon himself..and they made themselves draconic deities. Can I even fight them? What if they¡¯re right?¡¯

    Yuuna immediately backed away from Xyenn, and asked, ¡°Name ONE thing about me, punk! Since you know me!¡±

    Xyenn replied with a grin, ¡°You have a birthmark on your as¡ª.¡±

    KATHOOM!

    Yuuna sent Xyenn flying in the air with an uppercut while flustered at the same time, saying, ¡°Shut up! Shut up!¡±

 Chapter 18: Gabrielâ€™s Ladder

    The battlefield had long since cooled. The dust had settled, the blood had dried, and the ruins of their epic clash stood silent in the aftermath. Yet, amidst the eerie calm of the stone ruins, something far less serious¡ªfar less epic¡ªwas happening.

    Yuuna, hair still wild from the recent fight, was wrestling Xyenn to the ground. Her voice rang out, loud and unapologetic, as she straddled him with a mischievous grin plastered across her face.

    "Come on, Xyenn!" she laughed, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Whip it out already! Show me your human snake!"

    Xyenn, his face flushed with both indignation and restrained anger, scowled up at her. "What the hell are you on about, crazy woman?! Get off me! I¡¯m not whipping anything out here!¡± He flustered.

    Yuuna was relentless, her hands darting toward his waist, trying to pull at his pants like an overexcited child. ¡°What do you call it? Your dragon dagger? No, no¡ªyour serpent staff? C¡¯mon, why are you so shy? Maybe it¡¯ll make me remember something!¡±

    Xyenn, as always, played the delinquent perfectly, his brows furrowed in frustration. He grabbed her wrists to stop her, his voice dripping with annoyance. "No! You wanna end up in a grave?!" He twisted, trying to shove her off him, but Yuuna was surprisingly strong, and she was having none of it.

    ¡°How did you know I like being grabbed by the wrists?,¡± Yuuna teased, her voice sing-songy. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s see what you¡¯re working with. Maybe it¡¯ll jog my memory!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s face turned an even deeper shade of red. ¡°W-Why the hell would showing you my dick help you remember anything?!¡±

    ¡°Because,¡± Yuuna said, pushing her forehead against his, her eyes wide and wild, ¡°maybe you¡¯ve got a memorable package! Something special! You know¡ªlike a dragon¡¯s jewel or something! Since we already have a child together, you wouldn¡¯t mind showing me, right?!¡±

    Xyenn thought, ¡®She¡¯s gone mad! I¡¯m not whipping my junk out in front of all these people!¡¯

    Not far away, the other Tyrants watched the ridiculous scene unfold, their expressions ranging from amusement to disbelief.

    Kivorn, as usual, was leaning lazily against a nearby pillar, his eyes half-lidded. He yawned, scratching his head. ¡°I swear, she¡¯s gonna kill him one of these days. I¡¯m too tired for this. Even when she¡¯s lost her memories¡­she is still attached to him.¡±

    Zyphira, the ever-drunken party queen, was already halfway through a jug of ale. She raised it in a mock toast, a grin splitting her face. ¡°I¡¯ll drink to that! Hell, I¡¯ll drink to anything. But hey, at least it¡¯s entertaining, right?¡±

    ¡°Hey¡­where did you get that from?¡±

    ¡°I always have one on me! Duh. You know me, and you always ask that.¡±

    Her twin brother, Sethrak, stood beside her, his arms crossed over his chest, watching the chaos with a smirk of elegant disdain. ¡°Entertaining? More like pathetic. Honestly, even  if her memories are tied to that, she¡¯s beyond saving.¡± He chuckled coldly, his words cutting like a knife. ¡°But then again, I suppose it would be fitting for her if Xyenn¡¯s only contribution was, well¡­¡± He trailed off, his smirk widening as Zyphira punched him in the arm.

    Ilyana, ever the peaceful one, clapped her hands together, her smile serene. ¡°Sethrak. Let them have their fun. It¡¯s all in good spirits, right? Maybe it¡¯s their way of bonding.¡±

    Mertha, the battle-hungry warrior, stood with her arms crossed, her muscular frame towering over the others. Her face remained stoic, but her lips twitched as if trying to hold back a grin. ¡°Bonding? This is just Yuuna trying to wrestle him into submission. I¡¯d wager she¡¯s already won. And knowing Xyenn, it¡¯s too adorable to watch!¡±

    Draeven, as expected, was a wreck, nervously glancing between Yuuna and Xyenn, his hands fidgeting. ¡°Uh, should we¡­ um¡­ should we stop them? I mean, isn¡¯t this a bit too¡­ personal? What if he really pulls it out¡ª.¡±

    Mertha put Draeven in a headlock, ¡°Yeah that¡¯s not happening! Look at him!¡±

    Gorran, leaning against a tree on the far edge of the clearing, was silent. His eyes, narrowed and cold, remained fixed in the distance. He said nothing, brooding as always, clearly uninterested in the antics of the others. His hand rested on the hilt of Xenith, the spiraling red eyes on the blade occasionally flickering as if in response to his emotions.

    ¡®How could they act like this after what happened¡­? They never take anything seriously. Tch, it¡¯s that damn woman Illyana. It always happens, whenever she¡¯s around, she¡¯s doing something to keep everyone sane..but I won¡¯t let her fuck with my head. Her light magic, it¡¯s not brainwashing, or possession, it¡¯s soothing the soul, is that she called it. She can¡¯t stand to see division, as she experienced. She doesn¡¯t wanna go through that again. But she¡¯s still annoying like everyone else. She¡¯ll be the main one getting in my way if I try and get my revenge on that brat Xyenn.¡¯

    Meanwhile, a group of dwarves had gathered around Xyenn and Yuuna¡¯s newborn hybrid son. The baby, a strange but adorable mix of human and dragon features, giggled and flailed his tiny arms, coughing out puffs of smoke with each laugh. His dark pink eyes gleamed with joy as the dwarves showered him with affection.

    ¡°Look at ¡®im!¡± one of the dwarves exclaimed, his beard shaking as he laughed. ¡°Strong lungs on this one! Already spittin¡¯ smoke like a proper dragon!¡±

    Another dwarf handed the baby a small carved toy, shaped like a dragon. The baby grabbed it eagerly, chewing on it with his tiny fangs. ¡°Aye, he¡¯ll be a fierce one, no doubt. Just like his mother¡ª.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t let Yuuna hear us! She¡¯s deranged..¡±

    The dwarves slowly turned their heads to Yuuna, and Yuuna was staring at them with a malicious smile and staggered away in fear.

    The baby¡¯s laughter filled the air again, followed by another puff of smoke that sent the dwarves into fits of laughter. ¡°Hah! We¡¯ll spoil ya rotten, lad. Don¡¯t worry about a thing!¡±

    Suddenly, the air shifted. A familiar presence made itself known as Haldrek, the old strategist with the sharp mind and sharper tongue, appeared at the edge of the clearing. His dark cloak billowed in the wind as he walked toward the group, his eyes sharp as ever, though a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips at the sight of Yuuna still wrestling Xyenn.

    ¡°Well, now that the savages have finished their little scuffle,¡± Haldrek said, his voice dripping with sarcasm, ¡°perhaps we can move on to more important matters.¡±

    Yuuna, still sitting on top of Xyenn, waved a hand dismissively. ¡°What¡¯s the rush, old man? We¡¯re just getting started!¡±

    Ignoring the banter, Haldrek stepped forward, his tone turning serious. ¡°Listen closely. Now that your little brawl is over, we need to move quickly. Yuuna¡¯s memories must be restored as soon as possible. Once they return, we will pave the way to attack Ezrael, the Dragon God of War. Our window of opportunity is closing.¡±

    The mention of Ezrael caused a ripple of silence to pass through the group. Even Gorran, leaning against his tree, shifted slightly, his eyes narrowing.

    "But before any of that happens," Haldrek continued, his voice taking on a more thoughtful tone, "we must talk about Gabriel¡¯s Ladder.¡±

    Haldrek paused, letting the weight of his words settle before continuing. His eyes scanned the group, making sure he had everyone¡¯s attention, especially Xyenn, who had never heard of Gabriel¡¯s Ladder before.

    "Gabriel¡¯s Ladder," Haldrek began, "is how the Dragon Gods travel from one continent to another in Kyrrin. It is an ancient, mystical structure that predates even the gods themselves. Each Ladder is a massive, towering mechanism, built into the very bones of the world. Think of it as a grand elevator, but not one for mortals to use. It''s said to stretch into the heavens and deep into the earth, connecting the realms beyond our comprehension."

    He gestured to the sky. "The Ladders are scattered all over Kyrrin, on the fringes of the next continent''s borders, hidden in places mortals cannot locate. They are impossible to locate unless one possesses the guidance of the gods themselves. Mortals travel by foot, magic, or horse, but the gods travel differently, but if a mortal can travel through Gabriel¡¯s ladder, then he can choose whatever continent they want to go through with ease, and land anywhere in that continent. It¡¯s beneficial for a mortal, heavily.¡±

    Haldrek¡¯s voice became darker, more ominous. "The Dragon Gods use these Ladders to travel between continents, to wage war, to conquer. And for Ezrael, we certainly will use one.¡±

    There was a heavy silence as Haldrek finished, the weight of his words settling on everyone¡¯s shoulders. Even the ever-lazy Kivorn looked more awake now, his eyes widening slightly.

    ¡°So,¡± Haldrek said, breaking the silence, ¡°now that you understand, we must restore Yuuna¡¯s memories and prepare. We are on a time limit.¡±

    Xyenn sat there, thinking, ¡®Gabriel¡¯s Ladder. I¡¯ve heard of those. Like some sort of portals to other continents, how the dragon gods travel. But for someone like a human to find one and use it, it¡¯s a time saver once someone finds every ladders location. Adventurer guilds sometimes spend most of their lives looking for these ladders, they could land on pretty cool shit when using one, it¡¯s like they can navigate through Kyrrin with ease. Knowing how dangerous the waters are or traveling by land, I wouldn¡¯t blame anyone for spending their life looking for Gabriel¡¯s Ladders. Being able to be an adventurer and in a guild, searching for the ladders could mean easier and faster travel through the world, even some explorers live and die for it.¡¯

    As everyone began to prepare for departure, the group gathered near the dwarves and the hybrid baby. Gridd, the leader of the dwarves, stepped forward, his gruff but kind face looking down at the tiny child in his arms.

    ¡°I¡¯ll watch over the lad,¡± Gridd said, his voice full of sincerity. ¡°He¡¯ll be safe here. Trust us.¡±This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Yuuna, her usual chaotic energy momentarily softened, nodded. ¡°Thank you, Gridd. Keep him safe. STILL can¡¯t believe he¡¯s mine, butttt I¡¯ll roll with it. Damn human probably touched me in my sleep¡ª.¡±

    Xyenn dashed up to her, ¡°¡ªNo I didn¡¯t! That¡¯s horrible!¡±

    ¡°Haha! I¡¯m kidding! Look at your wittle face awww..¡±

    Xyenn, face red, looked away, ¡°Tch. Whatever.¡±

    Gridd grinned. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, lass. He¡¯ll be spoiled rotten by the time ye return.¡±

    Xyenn, standing beside Yuuna, peered down at their child, still in shock that they had a baby together. ¡°I still don¡¯t get how this even happened,¡± he muttered, scratching his head. ¡°And you don¡¯t even remember¡­¡±

    Yuuna leaned down, poking the baby¡¯s cheeks gently. ¡°He¡¯s got your eyes,¡± she said, her voice soft for once.

    Xyenn smirked. ¡°Yeah, and your attitude.¡±

    The baby giggled, coughing out another puff of smoke.

    Yuuna suddenly grabbed Xyenn by the ear, pulling hard. ¡°Are you TRYING to poke a hole in my child¡¯s face?! Savage human¡­¡±

    Xyenn yelped, swatting her hand away. ¡°Eh?! Buzz off, crazy goddess! I¡¯m not gonna hurt him! And he¡¯s mine too!¡±

    Yuuna grinned wickedly, letting go of his ear. ¡°You better not, or I¡¯ll make you regret it.¡±

    Xyenn rubbed his ear, glaring at her. ¡°Tch. You¡¯re the one who¡¯s gonna regret it if you keep pulling that crap.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know you, yet, I feel like you love me.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s because I do.¡±  Xyenn flustered.

    Yuuna was shocked to hear that, her breaths came in ragged, and she said, ¡°Crazy..how do I not know you, but I feel something between us.¡±

    ¡°Because¡ª.¡±

    Without warning, Yuuna lunged at him again, and the two started wrestling, rolling around on the ground like children. The other Tyrants watched, shaking their heads.

    As the group began to leave, they said their goodbyes to the dwarves, and Gridd gave one last parting promise to keep the child safe.

    Yuuna and Xyenn, still bickering and wrestling, trailed behind the rest of the group as they set off on their journey once more.

    ¡°This has to be a joke! Tell me more about myself!¡± Yuuna yelled.

    ¡°Get off me and I will!¡±

    As the group made their final preparations to leave, Gridd, the stout and gruff leader of the dwarves, stood off to the side, his arms crossed over his barrel-like chest. The baby hybrid still cooed in its makeshift crib, surrounded by the dwarves who had taken it upon themselves to spoil him. But Gridd¡¯s sharp eyes were fixed on Xyenn as the dragon hybrid prepared to board the ship.

    ¡°Oi, Xyenn!¡± Gridd called out, his thick, assertive dwarven accent cutting through the noise like a hammer striking an anvil. He stomped his way over, his heavy boots thudding against the ground with each step.

    Xyenn, who had just finished wrestling Yuuna to the ground for the fifth time, looked up, rubbing his neck. ¡°What?¡± he muttered, though there was a flicker of respect in his tone as he straightened up.

    Gridd came to a stop in front of Xyenn, his eyes narrowing as he stared up at the much taller dragon hybrid. The air grew thick with tension, and for a moment, it seemed like Gridd was about to impart some ancient dwarven wisdom¡ªsomething profound, something that would spark a change in Xyenn¡¯s rebellious heart.

    Gridd cleared his throat, his serious expression unwavering. ¡°Lad, listen well,¡± he began, his tone deep and solemn. ¡°I¡¯ve seen many warriors come and go through the ages. Some fell to their own arrogance, some to the blades of their enemies, and some... to the curse of their own blood. But ye...¡± He paused dramatically, letting the weight of his words hang in the air.

    Xyenn blinked, tilting his head slightly. ¡°Yeah...?¡±

    Gridd continued, his voice growing even more somber. ¡°Ye¡¯ve got a long road ahead, filled with danger and deceit. The path yer about to walk will test ye in ways ye¡¯ve never imagined. It¡¯ll tear at yer soul, challenge yer mind, and force ye to confront truths about yerself that ye may not be ready to face.¡±

    Xyenn raised an eyebrow, slightly intrigued. ¡°Alright... And?¡±

    ¡®He¡¯s gonna pour some good advice, I already know! Man I need it. I¡¯m a young father, and I¡¯m dealing with a bunch of other stuff¡ª.¡¯

    Gridd took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving Xyenn¡¯s. ¡°So I¡¯ve got one piece of advice for ye, lad. One thing ye need to take to heart if ye wanna survive what¡¯s comin¡¯.¡±

    Xyenn leaned in slightly, waiting for the grand revelation.

    ¡®This is it¡­¡¯

    Gridd¡¯s eyes narrowed further, his voice dropping to a near whisper as he finally delivered his wisdom. ¡°Don¡¯t fuckin¡¯ die. I don¡¯t like kids.¡±

    Xyenn blinked, his face caught somewhere between disbelief and confusion and an awkward smile, ¡°Huh?¡±

    Gridd jabbed a thick finger into Xyenn¡¯s chest. ¡°That¡¯s right. Ye come back and take care of yer seed. I¡¯ve got no time to be changin¡¯ diapers and teachin¡¯ a dragon whelp how to swing a hammer. That¡¯s yer job.¡±

    Xyenn stared at him for a long moment, then snorted. ¡°You did all that build-up just to say that?!¡±

    Gridd grinned, his beard twitching as he chuckled. ¡°Aye. That¡¯s all ye need to hear.¡± He gave Xyenn a hearty slap on the back, nearly knocking the dragon hybrid off balance. ¡°Now go on. And keep that armor on at all times, eh? Ye look like the type to get skewered for fun.¡±

    Xyenn shook his head, rubbing the back of his neck, chuckling, ¡°Fine. Fine. And thanks Gridd.¡±

    ¡°Yep. Don¡¯t forget, keep Yuuna sane.¡±

    ¡°Her?¡±

    ¡°Ye know what I mean, lad.¡±

    Haldrek approached Xyenn with his usual cold, unwavering presence. He was a figure that made Xyenn¡¯s scales itch¡ªa man of icy control and unreadable intentions. The two had never liked each other, not since their first encounter, and the tension between them was palpable. Haldrek¡¯s pale eyes, frigid as the peaks of V?rdrheim, studied Xyenn as he handed over a scroll¡ªa map, bound in silver-threaded leather and crackling faintly with magic.

    ¡°This is your route,¡± Haldrek said, his voice as cold as the wind that swept through the fjords. ¡°It will guide you to Gabriel¡¯s Ladder.¡± He held the scroll out to Xyenn, but there was something in the way he did it¡ªsomething that made it seem like he didn¡¯t expect Xyenn to return.

    Xyenn eyed the map suspiciously before taking it. The parchment was old, crackling faintly as if it held the weight of centuries. Etched onto its surface was not only the terrain but a series of glyphs¡ªarcane symbols that shifted in the light, alive with latent power. An enchantment, no doubt, to guide them.

    ¡°An enchanted map, huh? You really want me dead, don¡¯t you?¡± Xyenn sneered, tucking the scroll into his belt. ¡°Bastard¡­¡±

    Haldrek¡¯s lips tightened, but his voice remained calm, almost patronizing. ¡°If you think I¡¯d waste my time plotting your demise, you give yourself too much credit. If I wanted you dead, I would¡¯ve done it when I beat you. The Ladder is not something you find without aid.¡±

    Xyenn rolled his eyes, ¡°What else?¡±

    Haldrek¡¯s gaze flicked over him, cold and assessing, before he turned toward the horizon. ¡°You¡¯ll reach the Ladder by the Third Veil of Morningrise tomorrow.¡± His tone was matter-of-fact, as though he were stating the time of a routine meeting. ¡°The moons will have already passed their zenith, and the Veil will part with the first light of dawn.¡±

    The words were familiar to Xyenn. The time system in Kyrrin¡ªacross all its continents¡ªwas marked by the movements of the celestial bodies. Unlike other worlds, Kyrrin¡¯s time was not governed by hours, but by the phases of the sun and moons as they passed through Veils. There were Four Veils that marked each segment of the day: Morningrise, Sunsfall, Eventide, and Duskveil. The Third Veil of Morningrise was just before the sun fully broke the horizon¡ªa time when the sky was still veiled in twilight, and the air was thick with the lingering chill of night.

    Xyenn didn¡¯t need Haldrek to explain it. He knew the system well enough. The Third Veil meant they¡¯d be arriving just before full dawn.

    ¡°I get it,¡± Xyenn said, already turning away.

    Haldrek¡¯s icy stare followed him. ¡°If the winds are in your favor,¡± he added, almost as an afterthought, ¡°and if you don¡¯t upset the Veils.¡±

    Xyenn paused for a moment, his hand tightening on the map, but he didn¡¯t look back. ¡°Leave me alone now, I got what I need from you.¡± he muttered, his voice laced with irritation. He had no patience for Haldrek period.

    Without another word, Xyenn walked back to the group, leaving Haldrek standing in the cold, his pale eyes glinting with something unreadable.

    Haldrek and Gridd stood side by side, and Haldrek said, ¡°Such a horrid baby. An abomination.¡±

    Gridd replied, ¡°Worry about keepin¡¯ yer kingdom safe, ye bastard.¡±

    ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for the fact that Yuuna and her Tyrants and Vessel are helping me, I would kill you and your clan of dwarves.¡±

    ¡°Ye know you can¡¯t beat full powered Yuuna and her Tyrants all at once, they¡¯ll hunt ye down.¡±

    ¡°¡­I am stronger than them.¡± Haldrek¡¯s snow covered dragon wings spread, and he took off.

    Minutes later, the Tyrants, Xyenn, and Yuuna were aboard a large, ornately designed wooden boat that had once belonged to Haldrek. The ship was covered in intricate carvings of frost and snowflakes, its hull glistening as if it were made of ice itself. Haldrek¡¯s soldiers, clad in gleaming snow-white armor, stood stoically along the deck, their gazes fixed on the horizon.

    Zyphira, the ever-reckless alcoholic, wasn¡¯t about to let the soldiers off easy. She sauntered up to one of them, a large bottle of Frokell Mead from the northern regions in one hand. The liquid inside the bottle shimmered with a strange blue hue, as if it were alive with frozen flames. She sloshed the bottle toward the nearest soldier, grinning.

    ¡°Hey, you! Armor-boy! Have a drink with me, huh? Don¡¯t be so stiff! You¡¯re on a boat! We¡¯re on an adventure! Live a little!¡±

    The soldier didn¡¯t even glance at her, his posture remaining rigid. ¡°I¡¯m on duty, ma¡¯am.¡±

    ¡°Duty, shmooty!¡± Zyphira slurred, waving the bottle in his face. ¡°This is a party boat now! Don¡¯t be so boring!¡±

    Sethrak, her ever-sarcastic twin brother, stood nearby, leaning lazily against the mast with a smirk on his face. ¡°You¡¯re wasting your time, Zyphira. These soldiers have more discipline in their pinky fingers than you¡¯ve got in your entire body.¡±

    Zyphira narrowed her eyes at him. ¡°Shut it. You¡¯re just mad because no one wants to drink with you.¡±

    Sethrak¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°On the contrary, I prefer my company to be a bit more... refined. Unlike yours.¡±

    As Zyphira continued to harass the soldiers, Ilyana, the ever-peaceful and tranquil Tyrant, approached Xyenn and Yuuna, her hands full of a tray of treats she had baked herself. Her soft smile never wavered as she held up the tray.

    ¡°Xyenn, Yuuna,¡± she said in her sweet, smiling, melodic voice, ¡°I made these for everyone. Would you like to try?¡±

    The treats were unlike anything Xyenn had seen before. They were delicate, wrapped in translucent leaves that seemed to glow faintly in the dim light. Inside, the dough was a deep, glistening golden color, like honey trapped in amber. Each treat was infused with subtle, swirling colors¡ªblues, silvers, and greens¡ªas if they had been crafted from the very essence of the northern lights. They smelled of wintermint, spiced berries, and something else¡ªsomething ancient, like the scent of an old forest touched by frost.

    Xyenn barely had time to respond before Yuuna tackled him from behind, locking him in a headlock. ¡°Tell me more about me!¡± she demanded, tightening her grip around his neck. ¡°You¡¯ve been holding out on me, dragon boy! Spill the beans!¡±

    Xyenn grunted, trying to pry her arms off him. ¡°Would you stop attacking me every five minutes?! And I already told you everything I know!¡±

    Ilyana, still smiling peacefully, held out one of the glowing treats to Xyenn, who was currently half-choking from Yuuna¡¯s grip. ¡°Here, try a homemade biscuit. It¡¯s made with the essence of the **Lunarbloom** flower, which only grows under the twin moons. It¡¯s said to restore clarity and focus.¡±

    *I don¡¯t need clarity, I need her hands off my neck,* Xyenn thought, finally managing to twist out of Yuuna¡¯s hold. ¡°I¡¯m not hungry,¡± he muttered, rubbing his neck.

    Yuuna, grinning like a cat, ignored his protests. ¡°Come on! There¡¯s gotta be more! Tell me some embarrassing stuff! Did I ever do anything stupid? When we were doing it, what was it like?¡±

    ¡°It was¡­¡±

    Xyenn remembered that night, that night he thought he had become a man by engaging with Yuuna sexually. Xyenn easily shook his head, saying, ¡°It was great.¡±

    ¡®It was the best day ever actually. I¡¯m such a lewd person..¡¯ Xyenn covered his face. ¡®But would I do it again? Yep.¡¯

    Ilyana patiently kept holding out the biscuit, her smile never faltering. ¡°It also helps with stress. Try some.¡±

    Xyenn, still catching his breath, sighed and took the pastry, biting into it with a grunt. The second it hit his tongue, his eyes widened. The biscuit melted in his mouth, releasing a cool, soothing sweetness that spread through his entire body. It was like eating a piece of the moon itself¡ªethereal, calming, and just a little bit magical. He hated to admit it, but it was *delicious.*

    ¡°Alright,¡± Xyenn muttered through a mouthful of pastry, ¡°this is actually really good.¡±

    Ilyana¡¯s smile brightened. ¡°I¡¯m glad you think so.¡±

    While the chaos unfolded on one side of the boat, Draeven, Sethrak, and Kivorn stood near the ship¡¯s railing, discussing Gabriel¡¯s Ladder  with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never actually seen it,¡± Draeven said, his voice shaky as he fidgeted nervously. ¡°I mean, I¡¯ve heard the stories, but no one really knows what it looks like, right?¡±

    Sethrak, ever the arrogant scholar, scoffed. ¡°Of course no one¡¯s seen it. It¡¯s a divine artifact, beyond mortal comprehension. Only the most foolish would dare try to find it. Wandering forever.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, well, people have tried, they always try..¡± Kivorn murmured, his eyes half-lidded as usual. ¡°Adventurers, bandits, even kings. They all end up dead or missing. Some say the Ladder pulls them into another dimension, others say they¡¯re just crushed by its weight.¡± He yawned, stretching lazily. ¡°Soooo many rumors about Gabriel¡¯s Ladder a scattered across Kyrrin, no one knows the truth about them once they get there. So excited¡­yay.¡±

    High above them all, Gorran stood in the crow¡¯s nest of the ship, his eyes fixed on the horizon. His hand rested on the hilt of Xenith, the cursed blade¡¯s red eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. He scowled as he watched the antics of the other Tyrants below, his disdain for their nonsense palpable.

    ¡°They¡¯re all fools,¡± he muttered to himself, his grip tightening on his sword. ¡°Every single one of them.¡±

    He had no time for their games, no patience for their banter. His mind was fixed on one thing: revenge. He would have his vengeance on Xyenn, no matter how long it took.

    Even Mertha was by herself, at the other end of the ship, leaning against edge, deep in thought.

    Xyenn, finally having a chance to relax, looked at everyone the boat carry on, and even saw Yuuna bombard Mertha and ask her how she met Xyenn, and Mertha laughed hysterically and started to reply on her.

    Xyenn began to think about what the Light Born said to him, the Lysf?dt. The beings of radiance who wanted him to kill Yuuna to save the world.

    ¡®I¡¯m really gonna not be alone anymore, all these people around me¡­I don¡¯t wanna throw it away. I Can¡¯t kill Yuuna. I just can¡¯t. Looking at her, she¡¯s happy to be alive. I¡¯m fighting myself a lot, if I¡¯m a monster, like these dragon gods. If I don¡¯t save the world, if everyone dies because of me, will I really be a monster? The day I killed those bandits, the time I laughed and enjoyed killing them, made me question my own morality for the first time ever. Those Light Born. They don¡¯t know what it¡¯s like to be me. Even if I do what they told, the Tyrants will leave me, and I won¡¯t have Yuuna. I¡¯ll be alone again..I can¡¯t go though that anymore. I refuse to. But I don¡¯t want to become what I seek to destroy. I don¡¯t wanna be a monster¡ª¡®

    Illyana kneeled in front of him at that moment, offering him a steel cup of steaming liquid, saying, ¡°Drink. It¡¯s not good to be sad.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±

    ¡°Something to help you calm down.¡±

    Xyenn immediately drank it, trusting Illyana as she was too peaceful with that tranquil smile. Illyana smiled as she asked, ¡°How does it taste?¡±

    ¡°Hmm, it tastes good¡ª.¡±

    THOOM.

    Inside, Xyenn immediately felt like he was having a buzz, his eyesight and head woozy, everything swirling around him.

    ¡°What¡­what did you do to me? Ahhh my head..¡±

    Illyana smiled as she continued, ¡°Alchemy. A potion made for sedating. You ponder on your sadness too much, that¡¯s not good. And I don¡¯t like it. I can feel it. I hate that feeling, it reminds me of too much.¡±

    ¡°You¡­you drugged me?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I drugged you.¡±

    ¡°¡­You traitor..¡±

    Illyana walked away continuing with that same peaceful smile, ¡°I really, really hate sadness, Xyenn. And it¡¯s okay, nothing bad will happen. It¡¯s the good stuff.¡±

    ¡°Goodness..I got drugged by a priestess..I¡¯m doomed.¡±

    ¡°If you''re sad again, just know, I¡¯ll murder you.¡± Illyana chuckled, finally walking away.

    ¡®KILL?! SHE CAN¡¯T BE A PRIESTESS! SHE¡¯S EVIL. I have to JUMP OFF THIS BOAT NOW! Wait, I can¡¯t even swim. Damn. Fine. I¡¯ll try to stop thinking so much about my issues, that too is distracting. Weird ass priestess, thanks I guess.¡¯

 Bonus Chapter

    On the shimmering expanse of the Sea of Drekkir, a body of water renowned for its treacherous whirlpools and ghostly fogs, a small boat cut through the waves. The boat, though modest in size, was packed with men¡ªseventeen in total¡ªeach one clad in heavy, battle-worn armor. Their gear was a patchwork of steel and leather, adorned with intricate carvings of wolves, serpents, and eagles. The curved iron plates of their helmets bore horns, not for decoration, but for intimidation, and their cloaks were made of thick, fur-lined pelts that draped over their broad shoulders. Their shields, round and battered from countless battles, were stacked near the boat¡¯s prow, each one painted with symbols of their guild¡ªa guild feared and respected across the lands.

    These warriors, seasoned adventurers, hailed from the Hall of the Rimeborne, a legendary guild known for their cold-hearted resolve and their penchant for taking on the most dangerous of creatures. At the center of the boat sat a grisly trophy: the severed head of a griffon, its once majestic eyes now glassy and lifeless, its beak chipped from the ferocity of its final battle. Blood still stained its feathers, but that didn¡¯t stop the adventurers from celebrating their victory.

    The warriors were singing, their voices carrying over the waves in a deep, hearty chorus. The leader, a towering man with a braided beard and eyes the color of storm clouds, was leading the shanty. Beside him sat his only son, a small boy of no more than nine winters, wearing a much smaller version of the same fur-lined cloak. The boy¡¯s bright eyes gleamed as he clutched a small wooden sword, slashing at the air in time with the rhythm of the song.

    The men sang of their triumph over the griffon, their voices booming in time with the steady beat of the waves:

    "We faced the beast on the cliffs of Brannskor,

    Its talons like daggers, its wings wide as war!

    But with axe and with spear, and with heart full of might,

    We brought down the beast in the dead of the night!"

    The boy sang along, his high-pitched voice mingling with the deeper voices of the men. He was grinning ear to ear, his face flushed with excitement. Beside him, one of the older guild members, a man with a bushy white beard and a missing eye, leaned down.

    ¡°You like that one, lad?¡± the old warrior asked, his voice gruff but kind.

    The boy nodded enthusiastically. ¡°I do! I love that song! You really killed it, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Aye, we did,¡± the old man replied with a chuckle, giving the boy¡¯s shoulder a gentle squeeze. ¡°But that¡¯s not the only song we sing. There are others¡ªsongs of the old ways, of great heroes and ancient places.¡±

    The boy¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Like Gabriel¡¯s Ladder?¡±

    The old man nodded, casting a glance toward the leader, who was now guiding the men into a new song, this one slower, more solemn.

    "The Ladder stands tall, at the world¡¯s lonely edge,

    Where the gods meet the stars at the end of the ledge. Only the worthy may climb and ascend,

    But most meet their fate, where the Veils never end."

    A few of the guild members were playing instruments as they sang¡ªone strumming a lyre carved from the bones of a sea beast, another tapping out a rhythm on a hand drum made from stretched griffon hide. There was even a flutist, his notes rising and falling like the gentle roll of the waves.

    The boy turned back to the old man, his curiosity piqued. ¡°Who writes these songs?¡±Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    The old warrior smiled, his single eye gleaming with pride. ¡°Some of them are as old as the world itself, passed down from our ancestors. Others, well, they¡¯re written by the Skalds of Rimehold, poets and storytellers who travel the lands, singing of our deeds. There¡¯s one famous skald, Bjornir the Wordweaver, who wrote the song we just sang. He¡¯s known across the V?rdrheim for turning battle into legend.¡±

    The boy¡¯s face lit up. ¡°One day, I want them to sing about me. I¡¯ll climb Gabriel¡¯s Ladder!¡±

    The old man chuckled, ruffling the boy¡¯s hair. ¡°Aye, lad. But maybe grow a bit bigger first, eh?¡±

    As the men continued their singing, the leader of the guild knelt down beside his son, resting a heavy hand on the boy¡¯s shoulder. His voice, deep and gruff, softened as he spoke.

    ¡°We¡¯ll be reaching the shores of Mount Hragvorn soon,¡± he said, his eyes watching the boy carefully. ¡°You remember what I told you about your mother?¡±

    The boy nodded, his expression growing more serious. ¡°We¡¯re going to spread her ashes.¡±

    The leader smiled, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. ¡°Aye. It¡¯s what she wanted. She always loved the mountains. Said the peaks of Hragvorn were the closest thing to touching the gods. After we finish our business in Skjaldor, we¡¯ll climb to the top, and we¡¯ll lay her to rest where the sky meets the snow.¡±

    The boy¡¯s eyes filled with a quiet reverence. ¡°She¡¯ll be happy there.¡±

    The leader nodded, pulling the boy into a brief, tight embrace. ¡°She will,¡± he said softly. ¡°And so will we.¡±

    The boat rocked gently on the waves as the men launched into another song. This one was a bit more festive, and a few of the warriors couldn¡¯t help but stomp their feet in time with the beat.

    "From the halls of Hrafnsfjord to the peaks of Lundrheim,

    We¡¯ve traveled the world and we¡¯ll do it again!

    With sword in our hand and a song in our heart,

    We¡¯ll fight till the end, and never depart!"

    The boy was laughing now, clapping along with the men as they sang. The guild members were smiling, some of them slapping each other on the back, their spirits lifted by the camaraderie.

    But amidst the revelry, one of the guild members¡ªa wiry man with a face as sharp as his tongue¡ªwas trying to speak. He had been attempting to get the others¡¯ attention for some time, but each time he opened his mouth, another verse of the song drowned him out.

    ¡°Oi! Fellas!¡± he called, his voice struggling to rise above the chorus.

    "The bards will sing of our deeds far and wide,

    From the shores of Frostmere to the Everside!"

    ¡°Oi! We¡¯ve got a bit of a¡ª¡±

    "We¡¯ve slain the beasts and we¡¯ve conquered the land,

    Now all that remains is a drink in our hand!"

    The man¡¯s face flushed with frustration as he tried again, waving his hands. ¡°Oi! I¡¯m tryin¡¯ to¡ª¡±

    But again, the men launched into another verse, their voices booming across the waters.

    Finally, unable to take it any longer, the man stood up, throwing his hands into the air and screaming at the top of his lungs. ¡°WE LEFT GILFREK BACK AT THE TAVERN!¡±

    The entire boat fell silent. The only sound was the gentle lapping of the waves against the hull.

    The leader turned slowly, his face a mask of confusion and irritation. ¡°What?¡±

    The man, still standing, his face red from the effort of shouting, pointed back toward the horizon. ¡°We left Gilfrek! He was still at the tavern, passed out drunk!¡±

    There was a collective groan from the rest of the guild. Several of the warriors slapped their foreheads, while others just shook their heads in disbelief.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say something earlier?¡± the leader growled, crossing his arms.

    ¡°I tried!¡± the man protested, throwing his hands up. ¡°But you lot were too busy singing about griffons and ladders to listen!¡±

    The leader sighed, rubbing his temples. ¡°That drunk fool... It¡¯s not the first time he¡¯s gone missing.¡±

    One of the other warriors, a burly man with a braided beard, leaned over the side of the boat and spat into the sea. ¡°He¡¯s always disappearing. Last time we found him in a bloody chicken coop.¡±

    The leader shook his head, turning to the rest of the men. ¡°Alright, turn the boat around. We¡¯ll go get him.¡±

    As the warriors began to adjust the sails, the leader¡¯s son crossed his arms and pouted. ¡°But I don¡¯t want to go back! We were going to the mountain!¡±

    The leader shot his son a stern look. ¡°Sit down before I throw you overboard myself.¡±

    The boy¡¯s eyes widened, and he quickly sat back down with a huff, muttering under his breath. ¡°Stupid Gilfrek... always ruining everything.¡±

    As the boat turned, the warriors glanced across the sea. Other vessels dotted the horizon, their sails billowing in the same wind that carried the guild¡¯s boat. Most were merchant ships, their decks laden with crates of exotic goods from far-off lands. There were ships from Gorhald, their hulls painted with bright colors and their sails adorned with the symbols of trade guilds. Others were smaller fishing boats, their crews hauling in nets heavy with the bounty of the sea.

    One ship, in particular, caught the guild¡¯s eye¡ªa sleek, narrow vessel with black sails, its deck packed with barrels and crates. It was a smuggler¡¯s ship, no doubt carrying contraband from the southern shores of Branthor, where the laws were more flexible, and the goods more dangerous.

    The men watched as the ship passed, its crew giving them a wide berth. The guild¡¯s reputation was well-known, and no one in their right mind would risk crossing them.

    As the guild boat continued its slow turn back toward the shore, the songs quieted, replaced by the grumbling of the men as they prepared for the inevitable scolding Gilfrek would receive when they found him.

    But despite the detour, the spirits of the men remained high. They were adventurers, after all, and every journey¡ªwhether to slay a griffon or retrieve a drunken comrade¡ªwas just another story to be sung by the fireside.

    And so, as the boat sailed back toward the distant coastline, the boy leaned against his father, his small wooden sword resting in his lap, and he smiled.

 Chapter 19: Sunflower

    (King Haldrek¡¯s Palace)

    (V?rdrheim)

    The royal bedchamber, a place that should evoke pleasure and desire, was transformed into a realm of terror and submission as King Haldrek, his eyes burning with an unholy fire, entered the chamber. Eight naked women, their bodies a canvas of fear and resignation, lay before him, knowing full well the consequences of their presence. Haldrek, a towering figure cloaked in an aura of rage, made his intentions clear with every ferocious step.

    ¡®That damn goddess Yuuna¡­¡¯

    With a savage growl, he lunged at the nearest woman, his hands grabbing her by the throat. He lifted her off the ground, her feet dangling in the air, and with a cruel smug, he began to choke her, his eyes glittering with malevolence. The woman, understanding her fate, made no sound, her eyes wide with a silent plea for mercy. Haldrek, unmoved by her silent plea, tightened his grip, his fingers digging into her flesh, leaving red imprints.

    As the woman''s face turned red, then purple, Haldrek''s rage seemed to intensify. He thrust his body against hers, his movements erratic and violent. He bit into her neck, not gently, but with the force of a wild animal, drawing blood. The woman, knowing resistance was futile, offered no struggle, her body limp in his grasp. Haldrek, with a sudden movement, flipped her onto her stomach, and with a roughness that bordered on cruelty, he entered her from behind, his thrusts relentless and painful.

    ¡®She lost her memories¡­¡¯

    The other women, witnessing this carnal display, remained silent, their eyes downcast, understanding the consequences of any show of fear or pain. Haldrek, as if sensing their silent compliance, became more daring in his actions. He grabbed another woman by her hair, yanking her head back, and with a barbaric grin, he proceeded to bite and suck on her exposed neck, leaving a trail of painful love bites. His hands, like claws, grasped and squeezed her breasts, his nails digging into her tender flesh.

    ¡®Damn it all! Yuuna and her Tyrants might not even make it back with that target on their heads! And I let them go?!¡¯

    The women, their bodies now a canvas of pain and fear, offered no resistance. They knew that Haldrek''s wrath knew no bounds, and any display of emotion would only invite further torment. As he moved from one woman to another, his anger fueled his every action. He thrust himself into them with an unnatural force, his body slamming against theirs, leaving bruises and marks. He kissed them, but his kisses were brutal and forceful, his teeth often breaking the skin.

    Haldrek continued to think, ¡®I need them to kill the dragon god of war! I can¡¯t win without them! But with Yuuna¡¯s memories of Xyenn gone¡­they won¡¯t help me unless I help them. Damn it all! On top of that¡­Vessels and their draconic deities are stronger due to their bond, without her memories of him, they have no mutual bond! Damn love, she had to go and fall in love with that damn human! Breaking the rules! I need her full strength!¡¯

    Haldrek, in a fit of rage, grabbed a woman by her legs and lifted her up, her body hanging upside down. He proceeded to enter her from above, his weight bearing down on her, his movements painful and unyielding. The woman, her eyes now closed, offered no resistance, her body limp and submissive. Haldrek, with a final thrust, released himself, his body heaving with the effort and rage.

    ¡®Of course, she¡¯s from Hell, the eternal rivals of the First Dragon and the pantheon of the draconic soul¡­she felt succumbed to the lust of the world?! I can¡¯t create the perfect world without them! How much time do we have left?! That brat¡­that damn brat! Xyenn! It¡¯s his fault! I should¡¯ve seen how far he would go once he fought me like a fool! Knowing I surpass him in strength and power! Dumb kid!¡¯

    As he stood up, his eyes still burning with an otherworldly fury, the women, their bodies bruised and battered, lay silent, knowing their role was not yet complete. Haldrek, without a glance, marched towards the door, his footsteps heavy with the weight of his rage. The two knights, their armor glistening in the dim light, stood guard, their faces pale with fear. Haldrek, with a menacing growl, grabbed them by their heads, and with a sudden yank, ripped their heads off, blood and bone shattering in a flair and crunch, splatting against the wall, their bodies collapsing to the ground, lifeless.

    Haldrek, his mission of carnal dominance and terror complete, left the bedchamber, his footsteps echoing through the castle, leaving behind a trail of broken bodies and shattered souls. The women, knowing their fate, remained silent, their eyes fixed on the ground, awaiting their next command, or their inevitable demise.

    The halls of King Haldrek¡¯s castle, were as cold and imposing as the man who ruled within them. Ice-crusted pillars lined the corridors, their surfaces smooth and reflective, catching the pale light of the enchanted sconces that burned with blue flame. The walls were etched with intricate carvings of battles long past¡ªscenes of conquest, loss, and bloodshed immortalized in ice. The faint sound of the wind howling outside the castle walls echoed faintly through the corridors, as if the very mountain mourned the weight it bore.

    ¡®What have I done? I am the savior of the world! I¡¯m the only vessel wanting equality! War must be eliminated in order for there to be peace in Kyrrin! Yuuna and her brag vessel Xyenn must hurry back. I can¡¯t leave my post, my kingdom unattended when I¡¯m the most powerful here. The second I turn away from my kingdom, Ezrael the dragon god of war will definitely invade! I¡¯ll be the true villain! I¡¯m a monster, but I have embraced my darkness for the sake of the world, and that is perfection. I will use it to cleanse the world and make it pure!¡¯

    Haldrek strode down the hallway, his snow-covered white robe billowing behind him like a storm cloud. His steps were deliberate, heavy, and filled with purpose. The air around him seemed to darken, and with each step, the temperature dropped further. His teeth were gritted, his jaw tight, and his hands clenched into fists beneath his robe. There was no mistaking the aura that radiated from him¡ªan oppressive, almost tangible bloodlust.

    The knights stationed at the end of the hallway felt it before they saw him. The weight of their king¡¯s fury pressed down on them like an avalanche. Their breaths quickened, and beads of sweat formed on their foreheads despite the freezing air. They stood at attention, their armor gleaming in the flickering light, but their eyes betrayed their fear. The closer Haldrek came, the darker the aura around him grew, like a shadow that consumed the very light.

    One knight swallowed hard, his throat dry. Another gripped the hilt of his sword so tightly that his knuckles turned white. None of them dared to speak as their king approached. His eyes burned with unspoken rage, and his presence alone threatened to crush them where they stood.

    When Haldrek stopped in front of them, the hall fell deathly silent. The knights braced themselves, their hearts pounding in their chests. They could see the tension in their king¡¯s jaw, the way his breath exhaled in sharp, frosty plumes. He raised a hand, and they flinched. His fingers twitched, curling into a claw-like grip as if he were about to reach out and take their lives.

    Haldrek¡¯s hand hovered in the air, trembling with unsuppressed rage. The dark aura around him seemed to pulse, growing heavier. His knights stood their ground, but their fear was palpable. They had served him faithfully, but they weren¡¯t fools¡ªthey knew what he was capable of when his temper flared.

    He stepped closer, his towering frame casting a long shadow over them. His fingers twitched again, tightening into a fist. The knights closed their eyes, bracing for the inevitable.

    But then, a small voice rang out behind him, soft and sweet, cutting through the tension like sunlight breaking through a storm.

    ¡°Papa?¡±

    Haldrek froze. His hand dropped to his side, and the oppressive aura around him dissipated almost instantly, like a storm breaking apart in the wake of a gentle breeze. Slowly, he turned around.

    There, standing in the middle of the icy hallway, was a little girl no older than eight years old. She was small, delicate, and impossibly adorable, with a peaceful, round face framed by long, wavy braided locks of silvery-white hair that shimmered like spun moonlight. Her skin was pale, almost translucent, as if carved from the purest snow, and her bright blue eyes sparkled with innocence and warmth. She wore a simple dress of powder blue, trimmed with white fur, and her tiny boots left faint footprints in the frost-covered floor. In her hands, she carried a wicker basket filled with brushes, their bristles dusted with snow and etched with glowing runes that pulsed faintly with magic.

    ¡°Papa,¡± she said again, tilting her head to the side, her voice soft and curious. ¡°You promised to paint with me today. Did you forget?¡± Her lips curled into a small pout, and she hugged the basket closer to her chest.

    Haldrek¡¯s anger melted away like ice under the sun. He stared at her for a moment, his expression softening as the weight of his fury was replaced by something far more profound: love. He knelt down in front of her, his snow-covered robe pooling around him like a blanket.

    ¡°Espen,¡± he said softly, his voice no longer cold, but warm and gentle. ¡°I¡­ I didn¡¯t forget. I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    She beamed at him, her smile lighting up the icy hallway. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Papa! Let¡¯s go now!¡± She grabbed his hand with her tiny fingers, tugging him eagerly toward the end of the hall.

    The knights, still frozen in place, watched in stunned silence as their king, the man they feared more than any other, allowed himself to be pulled away by a little girl with a basket of brushes.

    His daughter.

    Haldrek didn¡¯t even glance back at them. He followed his daughter, his expression unreadable, but the faintest hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

    Espen led her father to a room deep within the castle, a place she called the Snow-Crested Atelier. The chamber was a large, circular space with walls made entirely of enchanted ice, their surfaces shimmering like crystal. The ceiling was domed, with intricate carvings of snowflakes and constellations that glowed faintly in the dim light. The floor was smooth and polished, reflecting the soft radiance of the room.

    In the center of the room was a large, circular canvas¡ªa blank sheet of frost-covered ice that shimmered with latent magic. Around it were jars of colorful paints, brushes of various sizes, and small piles of snow infused with magical energy.

    Espen skipped over to the canvas, her basket swinging in her hand. She set it down and began laying out the brushes, humming a cheerful tune as she worked.

    ¡°I¡¯m ready!¡± She laughed. ¡°Your so slowww!¡±

    Haldrek stood near the entrance, watching her silently. For a moment, the weight of his responsibilities, his anger, and his burdens felt distant¡ªlike a storm that had passed. In this room, with his daughter, there was only peace.

    ¡°Papa, come on!¡± Espen called, waving at him. ¡°You promised you¡¯d help me make something beautiful!¡±

    Haldrek smiled faintly and walked over to her, kneeling by the canvas. He reached for one of the brushes, its handle cool to the touch, and dipped it into a jar of shimmering blue paint.

    ¡°What are we painting today, little snowflower?¡± he asked, his tone soft.

    Espen giggled. ¡°A happy world! A world where everyone is smiling and playing and there¡¯s no fighting. Like the stories you tell me.¡±

    Haldrek hesitated for a moment, then nodded. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s make it together.¡±

    As they painted, Espen chattered excitedly, her voice filling the room with warmth. She painted little figures of people holding hands, animals playing in snowy fields, and castles made of ice that sparkled in the sunlight. Haldrek added his own touches, his strokes precise and deliberate, as he brought her vision to life.

    Haldrek said with a smile, ¡°This is true beauty, Espen.¡±

    ¡°Papa,¡± Espen said suddenly, her voice thoughtful. ¡°What¡¯s true beauty?¡±

    Haldrek paused, his brush hovering over the canvas. The question caught him off guard. He set the brush down and looked at her, his expression unreadable.

    ¡°True beauty¡­¡± he began, searching for the right words. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ difficult to explain.¡±

    ¡°Is it flowers? Or snowflakes? Or paintings?¡± she asked, tilting her head.

    Haldrek smiled faintly. ¡°Those things are beautiful, yes. But true beauty is¡­ more than that.¡± He took a deep breath, as if steeling himself. ¡°True beauty is a world where no one has to suffer. A world without woeful death, without war, without kings or peasants. A world where everyone is free and equal.¡±If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    Espen blinked, her eyes wide. ¡°No kings? But you¡¯re a king, Papa.¡±

    Haldrek chuckled softly, but there was a sadness in his voice. ¡°Yes, I am. But I wish I didn¡¯t have to be. I wish there was no need for kings or armies or castles. I wish there was no need for death, a death delivered to someone who is caught up in someone else¡¯s warfare.¡±

    His voice grew more serious, his tone heavy with emotion. ¡°I¡¯ve seen too much pain, Espen. Too much bloodshed. Too many lives lost for the sake of power, for the sake of greed. I don¡¯t want that for you. I want a world where you can grow up happy, where you don¡¯t have to see the things I¡¯ve seen. A world where everyone is treated fairly, where no one has to fight to survive. Where there are no ranks. No bullies.¡±

    As he spoke, his anger began to rise again. His hand tightened around the brush, and his voice grew louder, more intense. ¡°I want a world where people aren¡¯t divided by wealth or status! Where no one is born into suffering, and no one dies for someone else¡¯s ambition. I want¡ª¡±

    Before he could continue, Espen dropped her brush and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly.

    ¡°Papa,¡± she said softly, her voice muffled against his chest. ¡°It¡¯s okay. You¡¯re here. You can make that world happen.¡±

    Haldrek froze, his anger dissipating in an instant. Time seemed to stand still as he looked down at his daughter, her tiny arms wrapped around him. Her warmth, her innocence, her love¡ªit was enough to calm the storm inside him.

    ¡°I love you, Papa,¡± she whispered.

    Haldrek¡¯s eyes softened, and a single tear slipped down his cheek. He hugged her back, his large arms enveloping her. ¡°I love you too, Espen. More than anything.¡±

    ¡®I will be a hero for her..and only her. I will bring war to those who cause war, and for that¡­the concept will be eliminated from reality. Even if something happens to me, the world will reflect my daughter Espen: perfection.¡¯

    When Espen pulled away, Haldrek glanced at the wall they had been painting. It was only then that he really focused and noticed what they had created. The canvas was no longer just a collection of shapes and colors¡ªit was a vision of a perfect world. The people in the painting were smiling, their faces filled with joy. There were no weapons, no castles, no barriers¡ªonly freedom and happiness.

    Haldrek stood and walked toward the painting, his hand trembling as he reached out to touch it. As his fingers brushed the surface, he felt a strange pull, and suddenly, the room around him faded away.

    He was standing in the middle of a vast, snow-covered landscape. The wind howled around him, but he felt no cold. He looked down and realized he was naked, his body exposed to the elements. But he wasn¡¯t alone¡ªeverywhere he looked, there were others. Men and women, all naked, all walking through the snow.

    There were no kings, no peasants, no soldiers¡ªonly people. They moved together, their faces free of fear or pain. The snow beneath their feet sparkled like diamonds, and the air was filled with a sense of peace unlike anything Haldrek had ever known.

    He whispered to himself, his voice trembling. ¡°This¡­ this is freedom. This is beauty.¡±

    The vision began to fade, and Haldrek found himself back in the atelier, his hand still resting on the painting. He turned to look at Espen, who was smiling up at him.

    ¡°Papa?¡± she asked. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    Haldrek knelt down and pulled her into another hug, holding her tightly. ¡°Yes, my little snowflower. I¡¯m okay.¡±

    And for the first time in years, he truly meant it.

    ¡­

    The great doors of the throne room groaned as they swung open, revealing the towering figure of King Haldrek. His snow-covered robe trailed behind him, leaving a faint trail of frost on the cold stone floor. The room was vast, its high ceilings supported by massive pillars of ice, each carved with ancient runes that shimmered faintly under the pale blue glow of enchanted torches. The throne itself sat upon a raised dais at the far end of the hall, a jagged creation of blackened steel and frost-bitten wood, majestic and unyielding.

    But Haldrek¡¯s attention wasn¡¯t on the throne. His brow furrowed as he stopped just inside the doorway, his sharp gaze sweeping across the occupants of the room. His cleric, a man cloaked in robes of deep crimson and gray, stood near the foot of the dais. His face was gaunt, with hollow cheeks and piercing green eyes that gleamed with an unsettling mixture of wisdom and unease. His name was Malrik, a figure as enigmatic as he was feared. His bald head shone under the torchlight, and the intricate tattoos etched across his scalp seemed to pulse faintly with magical energy. A heavy staff made of blackened oak rested in his hands, the tip adorned with an orb of swirling dark mist.

    ¡°Malrik,¡± Haldrek said, his voice firm and commanding, reverberating through the icy chamber. ¡°What is going on here?¡±

    The cleric lifted his head, his expression as unreadable as ever. ¡°Your Majesty,¡± he said, bowing slightly. ¡°The Velmires have gathered.¡±

    Haldrek¡¯s eyes narrowed as he shifted his gaze to the far side of the room. There, clustered together like a horde of scavengers, stood the Velmire family. Their presence filled the chamber with an air of tension, their whispers and mutterings barely audible but persistent. At the front of the group was Lord Gorvhan Velmire, the fat, wiry man with a nervous energy that seemed to make his very skin crawl. His blubber lips perpetually twisted into a forced smile. His greasy eyes darted around the room like those of a cornered animal.

    ¡®Tch, he¡¯s finally here after ruining my tournament with that massacre. Does he feel no remorse for that? He put a bad rep on my family¡¯s name! But I won¡¯t tell him that, I like being alive!¡¯

    ¡°Your Grace!¡± Gorvhan called out, bowing deeply but clumsily. ¡°I¡ªI¡¯ve taken the liberty of gathering the family leaders, as you requested.¡± His voice was high-pitched and shaky, and he wrung his hands together as he spoke, his long, fat fingers twisting like gnarled roots. ¡°As you have me-mentioned before, we will help with this war. For we as a noble family are very successful in our operations!¡±

    Haldrek descended the steps of the dais, his robe flowing behind him. His presence alone silenced the room, and the Velmires instinctively drew back, their murmurs ceasing as they turned their attention to their king. Gorvhan visibly shrank under Haldrek¡¯s gaze, his forced smile faltering.

    ¡°You¡¯ve gathered them,¡± Haldrek said, his tone cold and cutting. ¡°Just know I despise everyone who is of nobility. Meaning I despise myself as well. But I am still a hero. You all make me sick.¡±

    After he said that, uncomfortable ease filled everyone up, daring not to say anything.

    Haldrek continued, ¡°You will be used accordingly, and according to your strengths. But remember. Our main weapon is Yuuna and her vessel, Xyenn. They are our trunk card, and if anyone has an issue with that you will not leave here alive.¡±

    Haldrek¡¯s eyes swept over the assembled Velmires. Some of them stood tall and proud, their lineage evident in their regal bearing. Others seemed less composed, their unease palpable in the way they shifted their weight or avoided his gaze. Among them were faces that carried the weight of their family¡¯s storied history.

    Syrus Velmire, the Iron Warden, had forged their dynasty centuries ago, and his legacy was etched into every member of the family. His iron gauntlet, now a revered heirloom, was said to have crushed countless foes in the Tournaments of Chaos. Lady Verena Velmire, the Blood Queen, had solidified their power through her mastery of blood magic, securing their dominance with rivers of blood and fire. Tyros Velmire, the Silent Blade, had expanded their influence into the shadows, making them masters of espionage and intrigue. And now, Lord Valen Velmire, the Silver Lion, stood as the head of the family, his presence commanding even as whispers of his personal losses haunted the air.

    The Velmire family members were as distinct and striking as their storied lineage. Beside them stood Lord Valen Velmire, the Silver Lion, with his sharp silver hair, piercing steel-gray eyes, and a regal, weathered face framed by a short, neatly trimmed beard that hinted at his years of battle. Lady Kaerith Velmire, Valen¡¯s sister, had fiery red hair braided with gold bands, her amber eyes glowing like embers against her freckled, tawny skin; her confident smirk suggested she was as dangerous with words as with a blade. Tyros Velmire¡¯s descendant, Lord Ardyn Velmire, was a tall, shadowy figure garbed in dark blues and blacks, his deep indigo eyes shrouded in a constant haze of suspicion, with sharp cheekbones and a scar running from his temple to his jaw. Finally, Lady Teryn Velmire, a distant cousin, stood apart with her snow-white hair cascading in waves, her violet eyes almost luminous against her smooth, dark bronze skin, her elegant posture concealing a predatory cunning that made her presence impossible to ignore. Each member bore an heirloom or token of their heritage¡ªrings, blades, or pendants that whispered of Velmire¡¯s history.

    Valen himself stood near the center of the group, his silver hair falling in sharp contrasts against his dark armor. His expression was stoic, his sharp features betraying nothing of his thoughts. He radiated a quiet strength, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of unease as they met Haldrek¡¯s.

    Before Haldrek could speak further, the Velmires began whispering amongst themselves. Their voices were low, barely audible, but the king¡¯s keen ears caught fragments of their conversation.

    ¡°¡­the ritual¡­ forbidden¡­ the draconic gods¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­Kragvyr will not stand for this¡­¡±

    ¡°¡­to summon darkness itself¡­ he risks everything¡­¡±

    Haldrek¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Enough,¡± he said, his voice cutting through their whispers like a blade. The Velmires fell silent, their eyes falling to the floor.

    Turning back to Malrik, Haldrek spoke with calm authority. ¡°Prepare the ritual of Zahul.¡±

    The room seemed to grow colder, the weight of his words settling over the gathered nobles like a shroud. Malrik hesitated for the briefest of moments before bowing his head.

    ¡°Your Majesty,¡± he said cautiously, ¡°the ritual is¡­ forbidden for a reason. To summon such darkness is to invite the wrath of the draconic deities. Kragvyr himself¡ª¡±

    ¡°I know what it entails,¡± Haldrek interrupted, his tone brooking no argument. ¡°And I know the risks. Do as I command. If any of you defy me once more¡­¡±

    Malrik hesitated, his fingers tightening around his staff. ¡°As you wish, Your Majesty.¡±

    Gorvhan, on the side, thought, ¡®Oooh this is bad! We all might get clobbered! And the other family leaders¡­I bet they still hate me right now. They¡¯ll never trust me again. I have to keep my composure, I think Haldrek feeds off fear! But for those rituals..rituals are roots from hell itself, darkness is from hell, in which Yuuna¡¯s escape from hell and the First Dragon¡¯s act of implanting darkness in the world for the sake of balance, they can be altered and used to summon anything from hell if done right. It¡¯s because of Yuuna, and the things she did to try and stop the dragon gods on her own, made things worse with the darkness she spread through kingdoms!¡¯

    The cleric turned and began issuing orders to the sorcerers who had gathered near the edges of the room, their dark robes blending into the shadows. The Velmires exchanged uneasy glances, but none dared to speak against the king. Even Lord Gorvhan, who had been fidgeting nervously, remained silent.

    The preparations for the ritual began in earnest. The sorcerers moved with practiced precision, drawing intricate runes on the floor in a mixture of ash and blood. The air grew heavy with the scent of iron and burnt incense, and the faint hum of magical energy filled the room. At the center of the runic circle, a stone altar was placed, its surface etched with ancient symbols that seemed to pulse with a life of their own.

    As the ritual neared completion, Haldrek stepped forward, his expression resolute. Malrik approached him, his face pale and drawn.

    ¡°Your Majesty,¡± the cleric said quietly, ¡°to complete the ritual, you must¡­ you must draw near death to yourself.¡±

    Haldrek nodded, his gaze unwavering. ¡°I know.¡±

    Malrik hesitated. ¡°The timing must be perfect. If it is not¡­ you risk losing everything.¡±

    ¡°I will not fail,¡± Haldrek said firmly.

    The cleric bowed his head and stepped back, his hands trembling slightly as he raised his staff. The sorcerers began chanting, their voices low and guttural, weaving a dark melody that echoed through the chamber. The runes on the floor began to glow, their light shifting from red to black as the energy within them grew.

    As the chanting reached its crescendo, Haldrek stepped onto the altar, his white robe falling away to reveal the simple black tunic beneath. He drew a dagger from his belt, its blade as black as the void, and held it aloft.

    In the back of his mind, a voice roared¡ªdeep, guttural, and filled with fury. It was Kragvyr, his draconic deity, screaming at him to stop.

    ¡°Haldrek! You defy the natural order! You defy ME! Cease this madness!¡±

    But Haldrek ignored the voice. His grip on the dagger tightened, and he raised it to his chest.

    ¡°For my kingdom,¡± he whispered. ¡°For my daughter. I need everything I can get. I will eliminate war.¡±

    And with that, he plunged the blade into his heart.

    The pain was immediate and all-consuming, a burning agony that radiated through his entire body. Blood poured from the wound, pooling on the altar and spilling into the runes below. The sorcerers cried out, slicing their own palms and letting their blood drip onto the floor, their magic amplifying the ritual.

    The room was engulfed in darkness. The torches flickered and died, and the chanting was replaced by an oppressive silence. Haldrek felt himself falling, his body weightless as the world around him faded away.

    ¡®Falling¡­¡¯

    ¡®Falling the same distance I fell¡­.when I became a vessel of purity..¡¯

    ¡®But I ended up falling in the hands of a god¡­¡¯

    When he opened his eyes, he was no longer in the throne room. He was sitting on a stone platform, surrounded by an endless void of blackness. The air was cold, and the silence was deafening.

    Before him sat a figure on a throne of shadow and bone. Death himself.

    The same Death who fought Xyenn.

    His form was draped in a black cloak that seemed to devour the light, the edges trailing shadows that twisted and writhed like living things. His face was a skull, his hollow eyes glowing faintly with an otherworldly light. Long black hair spilled over his shoulders, and two curved horns jutted from his skull, framing his fearsome visage. From his back sprouted massive black wings, their feathers tattered and dripping with darkness. In his hands, he held a scythe, its blade jagged and adorned with black roses that seemed to bloom and wither in an endless cycle.

    The figure leaned forward, his voice a deep, resonant growl that seemed to echo within Haldrek¡¯s very soul.

    ¡°Ahhh,¡± Death said, his lips curling into a skeletal grin. ¡°A vessel. How¡¯s my rival Xyenn doing? Is he doing great? I hope so. I¡¯ve heard from a powerful source that he¡¯s working with you, eh?¡±

    ¡°The Prophet..that grizzly old buffoon?¡±

    ¡°Nevermind that, no one knows his origins anyway. But he sure talks a lot. It¡¯s like he sees everything.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to summon you, I¡ª!¡±

    ¡°You wanted to summon something from hell, is that right? You must know I have now become the god of death, the seven Monarchs of hell picked me up after Xyenn defeated me, it was embarrassing honestly. But I feel so new!¡±

    ¡°You lost¡­to Xyenn?! That brat?!¡±

    ¡°They came to me, offered me power, power of the very concept of death, and beyond it. I¡¯m too powerful now!¡±

    ¡°The Monarchs¡­?¡±

    ¡°They saw that I was a pawn of the First Dragon. The Cycle of Rebirth is just a thorn in my side, they said. So, I ask you, what was it you wanted? Some kind of demon war horse? A demon bear? Take your pick. Times running out.¡±

    ¡°Give me a Monarch!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re willing to summon a being from hell, just so you can erase war?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll do whatever it takes¡­.i''ll use all the power I can!¡±

    ¡°Ahh. I can¡¯t give you a Monarch, they can only come here once the gates of hell open again, their power is too great; in which it needs a human link to connect them to your side of life. Monarchs are the ones who are the all powerful beings of pure darkness, the First Monarch however, an ancient enemy of the First Dragon, seeks things beyond your understanding. Even when the First Dragon was betrayed by his own kin because they got greedy and scared of the First Monarch, Hell still lingered, thinking that would be the time to come through to Kyrrin, but the cycle of rebirth and the balance of the world keeps them from coming here. The First Dragon Gabriel is so smart, I give him credit for it. The First Monarch can swallow your world whole by just looking at it. Crazy right? I¡¯m so glad I¡¯m in the ranks with them. They even have power over me!¡±

    ¡°Give me a Monarch! Tell them to come here, to me! What do I have to give up?!¡±

    ¡°Ehhhh, you¡¯re annoying me. Even after all I told you, you¡¯ll still be fine with this? The use of rituals, the use of darkness itself, it paves the way for the gates of hell to reform in your world easier, it makes the human who¡¯s connecting the link to hell and Kyrrin to create it faster, better, more effectively.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll find the human, and take them down. Hell won¡¯t be summoned.¡±

    ¡°¡­Hmm. How about this?! When you wage war with the dragon of war, draw near death upon yourself again, and I will be summoned.¡±

    ¡°What do you want?¡±

    ¡°Xyenn. The boy who beat me for the first time in millennium. But just know, once you summon me at near death like now, and I form into the world, you will die permanently.¡±

    Haldrek thought about his daughter, and the paintings, and thought, ¡®I am a hero. I can do this. For her. I can cut the link from Hell to Kyrrin, I can make the world perfect. I won¡¯t give up. I¡¯ll do whatever it takes! Even if the gates open, Yuuna will deal with them. She hates them anyway, and she has to be as strong as them. As long as Espen lives in a world without war¡­¡¯

    Haldrek said, ¡°Yes. Do it. I will summon you on the day of battle, and you will help me conquer my foes.¡±

    ¡°Annnnd get my revenge on Xyenn! I really really want his soul..¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a deal.¡±

    Death smiled, and said, ¡°Then let me finalize the contract!¡±

    SLASH!

    Death slashed Haldrek¡¯s head off with his scythe, black roses growing from the spot his head got lopped off in.

    Haldrek then opened his eyes, back in the throne room as everyone gasped:

    ¡°He¡¯s back!¡±

    ¡°I wonder what he saw!¡±

    ¡°Who did he summon?!¡±

    Haldrek stood, and said, ¡°Someone deliver a dove to Yuuna and her Tyrants and vessel. Those who are closest to the gates of hell and the power of darkness are witches themselves. Learning how to manipulate the forces of darkness and rituals with honed technique and sacrifices. Tell them to look for the witch who¡¯s connecting the link to hell and Kyrrin.¡±

 Chapter 20: Monster Hunter!

    The grand hall of the throne room was silent as death itself. Haldrek stood before the gathered nobles, his presence casting a shadow over even the most arrogant among them. His white robe, now stained with blood and streaked with black from the ritual, hung heavily on his broad shoulders. The piercing cold in his eyes swept across the Velmire family leaders, freezing them in place. The memory of what they had just witnessed¡ªthe impossible ritual of Zahul¡ªstill lingered in their minds like a nightmare. None dared to speak.

    The air was thick with tension as Haldrek began to speak.

    "The abominations are spreading through V?rdrheim," he said, his voice deep and commanding, echoing through the icy chamber. "Ezrael, the dragon god of war, has tainted what was once harmless. Beings created to serve, to assist, and to sustain life have been twisted into weapons of destruction. Five towns¡ªtowns under my protection¡ªare under siege. The people are dying, their homes turned into slaughterhouses. And you," he gestured to the Velmires, "will clear them out."

    The nobles shifted uneasily, their pride clashing with their fear. They were pillars of nobility, masters of bloodlines forged in chaos and war, yet in Haldrek¡¯s presence, their so-called dignity felt like brittle ice on the verge of shattering.

    Haldrek¡¯s icy gaze swept across them. "You will go not out of loyalty or respect. I know you too well for that. You will go because you fear me. And because I command it."

    Lord Valen Velmire, the Silver Lion, took a step forward, his polished armor glinting faintly in the torchlight. He bowed slightly, his voice measured. "We will comply, Your Majesty. The Velmires do not shirk from duty or battle."

    The others nodded in agreement, though their expressions were tight with suppressed disdain. They held their noble postures, their training in aristocratic composure keeping them from showing too much weakness. But Haldrek could see the fear in their eyes, the way their hands tensed at their sides.

    Haldrek turned his back to them, pacing toward the window that overlooked the snow-covered peaks of V?rdrheim. "You will divide your forces and cleanse these towns. The scourge cannot be allowed to spread further."

    He raised his hand, his voice cutting like a blade. "The towns are as follows: Krythgard,  nestled in the shadow of the cliffs. Mornhollow, near the edge of the Pines. Drelskov, a fishing village on the frozen shores of the Blackglass Sea. Varrowstead, hidden within the crags of the Ashen Divide. And finally, Kalthaven,  at the foot of the Emberglow Land."

    The room was silent, save for the faint crackle of the torches. The names hung heavy in the air, each one carrying the weight of lives in peril. Haldrek turned back to face the nobles, his icy glare settling on Lord Gorvhan Velmire.

    "And you," Haldrek said, his voice low and deliberate, "are coming with me."

    Gorvhan¡¯s pale face grew even paler. He opened his mouth as if to protest, but the words died on his tongue. The room felt colder, the weight of Haldrek¡¯s presence pressing down on him like an avalanche. He nodded quickly, his head bobbing like a nervous bird. "O-of course, Your Majesty. Whatever you command."

    ¡®Dammit! Why me?! I mean, it¡¯s better than being around the noble family leaders. They hate me right now since I conducted a tournament for Haldrek¡¯s cause, because I was so scared. The other noble leaders didn¡¯t even know, and it¡¯s because of me that I dragged them into this.¡¯

    The other nobles cast brief glances at Gorvhan, some smirking at his misfortune, others relieved that they were not the ones singled out. But none of them dared to speak.

    Lord Valen cleared his throat. "We will split up," he said, addressing the other nobles. "It¡¯s the only way to handle this efficiently."

    Lady Verena Velmire, the Blood Queen, smirked faintly, her crimson lips curving into a grin. "Splitting up also means less competition for glory, doesn¡¯t it?"

    "Or survival," muttered Tyros Velmire, the Silent Blade, his voice barely audible. His dark eyes flickered with something unreadable as he adjusted the hood of his cloak.

    "Enough," Valen snapped. "We have our orders. Let¡¯s move."

    ¡®Damn Gorvhan dragged our family into this, he couldn¡¯t grow a backbone against King Haldrek. If Haldrek talks to me with disrespect, I will show him I¡¯m not a pushover. I¡¯m only agreeing to help because the other leaders are. I don¡¯t want them to be put in jeopardy. But would he even do anything to us? He¡¯ll need us.¡¯

    The nobles exchanged curt nods, their pride preventing them from showing any further hesitation. As they turned to leave, they muttered among themselves, their voices fading as they exited the throne room.

    "Try not to die out there, Verena," Tyros said dryly, disappearing into the shadows.

    "Likewise, dear cousin," Verena replied, her tone dripping with venomous amusement.

    And with that, the Velmire leaders scattered, each heading toward their assigned town. The hunt for the abominations of war had begun.

    Krythgard ¨C Valen Velmire, The Silver Lion

    The snowy cliffs of Krythgard loomed over the small mining town, their jagged peaks casting long shadows over the bloodstained streets. Valen strode into the town square, his silver armor gleaming even in the dim, overcast light. His blade, Ashfang, rested on his shoulder, its edge glinting with a faint orange hue as if still holding the heat of dragon fire.

    The abomination revealed itself as he approached the center of the square. It was a grotesque amalgamation of stone and flesh, a failed golem meant to assist miners in their work. Its body was a hulking mass of cracked stone, its veins pulsing with molten red energy. What had once been a docile creature now roared with mindless rage, its massive hands, once used for excavating rock, now smeared with the blood of townsfolk.

    Valen wasted no time. "Come, beast," he growled, raising Ashfang. "Face me."

    The golem charged, its molten core glowing brighter as it swung one of its massive fists. Valen sidestepped the blow with practiced ease, his movements a perfect balance of strength and precision. He brought Ashfang down in a sweeping arc, the blade biting deep into the creature¡¯s stone arm. Lava-like blood sprayed from the wound, hissing as it hit the snow.

    The golem roared, swinging wildly, but Valen was relentless. He ducked under another blow, driving his blade into the creature¡¯s molten chest. The heat was unbearable, but Valen held his ground, twisting the blade as the golem let out a final, deafening roar. Its core shattered, and the abomination collapsed in a heap of stone and ash.

    Valen wiped the sweat from his brow, his breath visible in the freezing air. "One down," he muttered, sheathing his blade. "Four more to go."

    Mornhollow ¨C Lady Verena Velmire, The Blood Queen

    The Whispering Pines surrounding Mornhollow were eerily quiet, the usual sounds of wildlife replaced by the faint, wet squelching of something moving through the shadows. Verena stepped into the town, her crimson robes billowing around her. Her hands glowed faintly with the power of her blood magic, and the scent of iron filled the air.

    The abomination emerged from the woods¡ªa humanoid mass of vines and thorns, its body writhing with unnatural life. Once a harmless forest guardian, it had been twisted into a predator. Its elongated limbs ended in sharp, thorny claws, and its face was a grotesque tangle of vines, its hollow eyes glowing faintly green.

    Verena smirked. "Oh, you¡¯re going to bleed beautifully," she purred.

    The creature lunged at her, its claws slicing through the air. Verena raised her hand, and a crimson shield of blood magic formed in front of her, deflecting the attack. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a tendril of blood snaking toward the creature, wrapping around its limbs and tightening like a vice.

    The abomination screeched, thrashing against her magic, but Verena only laughed. She raised her other hand, and the blood tendril tore the creature¡¯s limbs from its body in a spray of green sap. The abomination collapsed, twitching, as Verena stepped closer, her eyes alight with sadistic glee.

    "Through chaos, we find strength," she whispered, driving a dagger into the creature¡¯s chest. The abomination let out one final shriek before falling silent.

    Drelskov ¨C Tyros Velmire, The Silent Blade

    The frozen shoreline of Drelskov was eerily quiet, the icy waves of the Blackglass Sea lapping gently against the jagged rocks. Tyros Velmire moved like a shadow through the desolate fishing village, his black cloak blending almost seamlessly with the surrounding darkness. The scent of blood hung thick in the air, and the once-bustling harbor was littered with the mangled remains of fishermen and townsfolk. Their boats, now splintered wrecks, bobbed aimlessly in the water.

    Tyros crouched low, his sharp eyes scanning the fog that rolled in from the sea. He had heard the whispers before arriving¡ªof a creature unlike any other, a horror born of twisted experimentation. The abomination did not keep him waiting.

    From the gloom emerged a towering figure, its grotesque form illuminated by the faint glow of bioluminescent pustules dotting its bloated body. It was once a creature of the sea, engineered to help fishermen haul in their catches. But now, it was a monstrosity. Its skin was a sickly gray-green, stretched tight over a hulking frame. Where its face should have been, there was a gaping maw filled with rows of needle-like teeth. Its elongated arms ended in jagged claws, and its legs were twisted, malformed stumps that dragged heavily across the ground, leaving trails of viscous black ichor.

    Tyros watched silently as the creature lumbered toward him, its grotesque body twitching with unnatural spasms. The Silent Blade lived up to his name¡ªhe unsheathed his weapons, a pair of curved daggers, without a sound. Their edges shimmered faintly with poison, a gift from the Velmires¡¯ alchemists.

    The abomination let out a guttural screech and lunged forward, its claws raking the air. Tyros sidestepped, his movements impossibly fast and fluid. He ducked under a swipe, slicing one of his daggers across the creature¡¯s exposed side. A spray of black ichor erupted from the wound, sizzling as it hit the icy ground.

    The abomination roared, swinging wildly, but Tyros was relentless. He ducked under another blow, driving his blade into the creature¡¯s molten chest. The heat was unbearable, but Tyros held his ground, twisting the blade as the golem let out a final, deafening roar. Its core shattered, and the abomination collapsed in a heap of stone and ash.

    Tyros wiped the sweat from his brow, his breath visible in the freezing air. "One down," he muttered, sheathing his blade. "Four more to go."

    ¡®Ehhh. I hate this. I feel like Ezrael could bombard us any moment, sending abominations just to tease. Will we survive? It¡¯ll be a fight against dragon gods and vessels, lives will be lost. Maybe even this side of Kyrrin.¡¯

    Varrowstead ¨C Verena Velmire, The Blood Queen

    Verena¡¯s crimson robes billowed around her as she stepped into the narrow canyon of the Ashen Divide. The jagged rock formations loomed high above, their sharp edges casting sinister shadows over the small, burning village of Varrowstead. The scent of smoke and charred flesh filled the air, and the screams of the dying echoed off the canyon walls.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

    The abomination stalking the village was a grotesque fusion of man and insect. It had been created to assist farmers, its original form crafted to act as a pollinator and harvester. Now, it was a nightmare. Its body was slender and insectoid, its thin, elongated limbs tipped with razor-sharp claws. Its head resembled that of a locust, with bulging, multifaceted eyes and mandibles that dripped with venom. Its thorax was segmented and pulsating, and a pair of translucent wings buzzed loudly as it hovered over the burning rooftops.

    Verena raised her hands, channeling her blood magic. A crimson aura surrounded her, and tendrils of blood snaked through the air, writhing like living things. The abomination turned toward her, its mandibles clicking loudly as it let out a high-pitched screech.

    ¡°Well,¡± Verena said with a smirk, ¡°you¡¯re certainly uglier than I expected.¡±

    The creature lunged at her, its claws slicing through the air. Verena raised her hand, and a barrier of blood formed in front of her, deflecting the attack. She retaliated with a whip-like tendril of blood, wrapping it around the abomination¡¯s leg and yanking it to the ground.

    The creature thrashed, its wings buzzing furiously as it tried to free itself. Verena stepped closer, tightening the tendril until it severed the limb entirely. The abomination screeched in pain, ichor spraying from the wound.

    ¡°You¡¯re not so fearsome now, are you?¡± Verena taunted, her voice dripping with mockery.

    The creature lashed out with its remaining limbs, but Verena was already moving. She extended her arms, and two more tendrils of blood shot forward, piercing the abomination¡¯s thorax. With a cruel twist of her fingers, she tore the creature in half, its body collapsing in a heap of twitching limbs and viscera.

    Verena wiped a speck of ichor from her cheek, her expression one of satisfaction. ¡°Through chaos, we find strength,¡± she murmured, turning away from the carnage.

    ¡­

    Malgorn Village was a somber sight. Smoke rose from the chimneys, and the village seemed untouched by the chaos plaguing the rest of V?rdrheim. But as Valen Velmire accidentally approached the outskirts on his way back to the palace, his instincts told him something was wrong.

    The first thing he noticed was the bodies¡ªdozens of them, scattered across the snow-covered ground. They were not human. These were once harmless creatures, engineered to assist with pest control and crop maintenance. Now, they were grotesque humanoid squirrels, twisted and misshapen. Their bodies were elongated and sinewy, their fur patchy and matted with blood. Their faces were warped, their black, beady eyes bulging unnaturally from their sockets. Their mouths were filled with jagged, yellowed teeth, and their clawed hands were stained with gore. The sight was disturbing, their corpses lying in unnatural positions, as though frozen mid-twitch.

    The villagers were all safe, hugging onto each other, saying:

    ¡°The dwarves..¡±

    ¡°They saved us¡­¡±

    Some of the villages had enchanted weapons and armor, gifted to them by Gridd and the dwarves himself. Some of the villagers were covered in blood, finishing off a monster.

    ¡®Hm. They¡¯ve already been dispatched. Is that why that psycho Haldrek didn¡¯t inform us of this village? Seems dwarves have helped this defenseless village and turned them into combatants.¡¯

    Valen stepped carefully over the bodies, his hand resting on the hilt of Ashfang. The Silver Lion was no stranger to horrors, but there was something particularly unsettling about these creatures. The air was thick with the acrid stench of decay, and he could hear faint voices coming from the center of the village.

    ¡®Disgusting creatures..nothing but vile.¡¯

    As he rounded a corner, he saw them: dwarves. At least two dozen of them, clad in heavy armor and bristling with weapons. Their weapons were unlike anything Valen had ever seen¡ªmasterfully forged and adorned with glowing runes, each one radiating an aura of power. At their center stood a stout, imposing figure: Gridd Ironbeard, the known leader of the Ironbeard Clan.

    In Gridd¡¯s arms was a child. No, not just a child¡ªa dragon hybrid. Xyenn and Yuuna¡¯s child. The infant¡¯s scaled tail flicked lazily, its golden eyes gleaming with an unnatural light. Its small, clawed hands clutched at Gridd¡¯s armor.

    Valen¡¯s expression twisted into one of disgust. He stepped forward, his voice cold and commanding. ¡°What in the name of the gods is that thing?¡±

    Gridd turned to face him, his expression unchanging. ¡°Buzz off, noble. Ye¡¯re not touchin¡¯ the lad.¡±

    Valen¡¯s hand tightened on the hilt of his sword. ¡°You know who I am, dwarf? Do you know the family I represent?¡±

    ¡°Aye,¡± Gridd replied with a grunt. ¡°Velmire, right? Cutthroats and connivers, the lot of ye. Don¡¯t mean I care. Hosts dumb tournaments. Who doesn¡¯t know ye?¡±

    Valen narrowed his eyes, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. ¡°That creature is a threat. You¡¯re harboring darkness, dwarf. I¡¯ve been forced and tasked to eliminate monsters. I won¡¯t leave extra¡¯s hanging around, I don¡¯t want to hear Haldrek¡¯s rage in my eardrums. Hand that demonic baby over.¡±

    Gridd¡¯s eyes flicked to the child in his arms, then back to Valen. ¡°Darkness or not, he¡¯s a babe. Ye¡¯ll not lay a finger on him.¡±

    The other dwarves shifted, their hands resting on the hilts of their weapons. The air grew tense, the faint hum of enchanted steel filling the silence. Valen could feel the power radiating from their weapons, but he was undeterred. He unsheathed Ashfang, the blade glowing faintly with an orange hue.

    ¡°I¡¯ll not let it grow into something worse,¡± Valen said coldly. ¡°Stand aside. It resembles the monsters here. And you¡¯re harboring the monster.¡±

    Gridd didn¡¯t move. ¡°Ye¡¯ve got gall, damn noble. But if ye think I¡¯ll let ye harm him, ye¡¯ve lost yer mind.¡±

    Valen stepped forward, his blade raised. The dragon hybrid looked up at him, its golden eyes locking onto his. For a moment, there was silence. Then, faster than Valen could react, the infant¡¯s tail lashed out. It struck Valen¡¯s forehead with pinpoint precision, the sharp tip piercing his skull.

    For a split second, Valen stood frozen. Then his head exploded in a shower of gore and brains, his body crumpling to the ground. The dwarves recoiled in shock before erupting into laughter.

    Gridd looked down at the hybrid, his expression one of mild surprise. ¡°Huh. Didn¡¯t think ye had it in ye.¡±

    The infant cooed softly, its tail curling back around its body. Gridd shook his head, smirking. ¡°Well, guess that¡¯s that. Velmires always were a bit too high an¡¯ mighty for their own good.¡±

    ¡°Snowfall.¡±

    Gridd and the dwarves gasped looked up, seeing snow pour onto Valen¡¯s body.

    Valen¡¯s body began to rise and be reformed, and he looked as good as new.

    ¡°W-What was that?!¡±

    Haldrek was ascending down upon everyone wearing his white robe, saying, ¡°If I hadn¡¯t activated my godly gift Snowfall in time, your soul would¡¯ve been lost forever with Death. You are all ordered not to harm the hybrid baby. If anyone refuses to comply, it will mean instant retaliation on my end. That baby is to be protected at all costs. Do you understand, fool?¡±

    Valen gritted his teeth, saying, ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Good. Leave. There are more villages and towns that are about to be overrun, go.¡±

    Valen gave one last look at Gridd and the dwarves and the hybrid baby before taking off.

    Haldrek gave Gridd a look, then said, ¡°Giving villagers weapons and armor¡­for free?¡±

    ¡°Yep. We dwarves of the Ironbeard look out for those who need it.¡±

    ¡°Mm.¡±  Haldrek then vanished off into the distance.

    A dwarf approached Gridd, saying, ¡°Did Haldrek just defend the baby?!¡±

    Another dwarf added, ¡°That¡¯s gotta be a fluke. Right?!¡±

    Gridd explained, ¡°Haldrek knows he needs Yuuna and Xyenn. If he touches this hybrid lad, then he¡¯ll be facin¡¯ then in battle.¡±

    ¡®I hope those two brats are doing alright¡­this baby is getting stronger ... .when dragonkin children of vessels aren¡¯t supposed to have a vessel''s power¡­only his traits¡­times are changin¡¯.¡¯

    ¡­

    The gentle hum of magic filled the stillness of the ship¡¯s lower deck. Illyana sat cross-legged on the floor, her serene smile never wavering as she cradled Yuuna¡¯s head in her lap. Yuuna, for all her manic energy, had finally passed out, her arms loosely sprawled across Illyana like a child clinging to her mother.

    Illyana¡¯s glowing hand hovered just above Yuuna¡¯s tangled hair, exuding a soft, golden light. The light rippled and shimmered, flowing down into Yuuna¡¯s body as it worked to soothe her restless spirit. Despite the chaos of the others above deck, Illyana remained unfazed, humming a soft, melodic tune that seemed to calm everything around her. The other Tyrants had long since learned not to question her strange ability to bring peace in even the most absurd of situations.

    Yuuna stirred faintly in her sleep, murmuring something incoherent, and Illyana giggled softly. ¡°Rest well,¡± she whispered. Her touch was as light as a feather, and her magic flowed like a gentle stream, washing away any tension. Even in the midst of their journey, Illyana found joy in these small moments of peace.

    Meanwhile, above deck, the sound of gritted teeth and strained muscles filled the air as Mertha and Sethrak locked hands in an intense arm-wrestling match. The sheer force of their struggle caused the thick oak table beneath them to creak and groan under the pressure. Around them, a small crowd of soldiers had gathered, cheering and shouting bets as the two combatants refused to back down.

    ¡°I got my gold on that big brute!¡±

    ¡°I got mine on that dragonkin!¡±

    ¡°Add another 100 gold coins!¡±

    ¡°Aye, aren¡¯t we supposed to be standing guard?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s boring! We gotta let loose, we¡¯re with a goddess and her Tyrants and vessel! What do we really need to stand guard for?!¡±

    Mertha¡¯s muscular frame was hunched forward, her biceps bulging with raw power. Her stoic expression remained firm, but there was a slight grin tugging at the corner of her lips. Sethrak, on the other hand, leaned back in his chair, his face calm and collected, though his arm trembled slightly from the strain. His arrogance refused to let him show any sign of true struggle.

    ¡°You¡¯re not bad, dragon boy,¡± Mertha said, her voice steady and low. ¡°But you¡¯re not making me break a sweat yet. Hear those knights cheering for me?¡±

    Sethrak smirked, his voice dripping with condescension. ¡°Sweating is for the undisciplined. I prefer to win with elegance.¡±

    Mertha chuckled, her grin widening. ¡°You talk too much. Elegance this, elegance that! Gross..¡±

    ¡°And you grunt too much,¡± Sethrak shot back, his calm demeanor intact. ¡°Do you always sound like an ox when you¡¯re trying to win?¡±

    Mertha¡¯s grin turned predatory. ¡°You¡¯re about to find out what an ox can do.¡± With a sudden surge of strength, she tries to slam Sethrak¡¯s arm down onto the table, the impact of the force shaking the entire deck.

    Nearby, Zyphira leaned against the ship¡¯s railing, a bottle of Frostfire Mead in her hand. She had been trying for the past fifteen minutes to get Kivorn to drink with her, and to her growing frustration, the elf showed no signs of intoxication despite downing three bottles himself.

    ¡°You¡¯ve gotta be cheating, Kivorn!¡± Zyphira exclaimed, her voice slurring slightly as she pointed an accusatory finger at Kivorn. ¡°Nobody drinks this much mead and stays sober! You¡¯re just pretending, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Kivorn, who sat slouched against the railing with his usual half-lidded expression, let out a long, exaggerated sigh. ¡°I¡¯m not pretending,¡± he said, his voice as slow and tired as ever. ¡°Elves... don¡¯t get drunk.¡±

    Zyphira stared at him, her jaw dropping. ¡°What do you mean, ¡®elves don¡¯t get drunk¡¯? That¡¯s impossible! Everyone gets drunk!¡±

    Kivorn lazily swirled the contents of his bottle and took another sip. ¡°Our bodies are too... refined,¡± he said, pausing to yawn mid-sentence. ¡°Alcohol doesn¡¯t affect us the way it does you other races. It¡¯s part of the blessing of the Dragon God of the Elves, Vael¡¯tharion. He gifted us with clarity of mind so we could always remain vigilant.¡±

    Zyphira blinked, then burst out laughing. ¡°Clarity of mind? You? You¡¯re half-asleep all the time!¡±

    Kivorn shrugged. ¡°Clarity doesn¡¯t mean enthusiasm.¡±

    Zyphira groaned, slumping against the railing. ¡°You¡¯re no fun. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m stuck with a drinking buddy who can¡¯t even appreciate a good buzz.¡±

    Kivorn took another sip of his mead, his expression unchanged. ¡°I appreciate it. Just not the way you do.¡±

    At the bow of the ship, Xyenn sat cross-legged on the deck, the enchanted map spread out before him. The glyphs etched into the parchment shimmered and shifted, rearranging themselves every time he thought he was beginning to understand them. His brows furrowed in concentration as he muttered to himself.

    ¡®I¡¯m so confused! Dammit all!¡¯

    ¡°What the hell are you even saying? This doesn¡¯t look like a map. It looks like someone spilled ink on a piece of paper and called it art!¡± He jabbed a clawed finger at one of the swirling symbols. ¡°Is that supposed to be a mountain? Or a giant snail? Ugh, I hate magic.¡±

    He leaned back, running a hand through his hair in frustration. ¡°Okay, Xyenn, think. You¡¯re a powerful vessel. You¡¯ve fought king Haldrek, you can figure out a stupid map.¡±

    He stared at it for a long moment, then slammed his fists down on the deck. ¡°WHY ARE YOU MOCKING ME, PIECE OF PAPER?!¡±

    ¡®Oh my goodness. I look insane..right now.¡¯

    Off to the side, Draeven stood awkwardly, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt as he watched Xyenn spiral into madness. He wanted to help, but the thought of approaching the dragon hybrid¡ªa warrior who exuded strength and confidence¡ªmade his stomach churn with anxiety.

    ¡°Come on, Draeven,¡± he muttered to himself, clenching his fists. ¡°You can do this. Just walk over there and offer to help. He¡¯s not going to bite your head off... probably. You¡¯re part of the team. You¡¯re supposed to be brave, like everyone else. You can¡¯t just stand here forever.¡±

    He took a hesitant step forward, then stopped. ¡°But what if he laughs at me? Or worse, what if he doesn¡¯t even notice I¡¯m there? Ugh, I¡¯m such a mess...¡±

    Before he could talk himself out of it again, Xyenn suddenly turned to him, his eyes wide and slightly manic. ¡°You,¡± he said slowly, pointing a clawed finger at Draeven. ¡°Do you know how to read enchanted maps?¡±

    Draeven froze, his face turning pale. ¡°Uh... y-yes?¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s expression softened slightly, though his frustration was still evident. ¡°Good. Get over here and help me before I lose my mind. Pleaseee.¡±

    Draeven hesitated for a moment, then hurried over, kneeling beside the map. As he began to decipher the glyphs, he glanced nervously at Xyenn. ¡°Um... so... what¡¯s your favorite food?¡±

    Xyenn blinked, caught off guard. ¡°Huh? What did you say?¡±

    ¡°Your favorite food,¡± Draeven repeated, his voice trembling slightly. ¡°I-I just thought it¡¯d be nice to, you know, get to know each other.¡±

    Xyenn frowned, but after a moment, he shrugged. ¡°I dunno. Roast venison, maybe. With some good spices.¡±

    Draeven¡¯s face lit up. ¡°Really? Mine¡¯s honey-glazed rabbit! It¡¯s so good, especially when it¡¯s cooked over an open fire. Oh, and bread. I love bread. Do you like bread?¡±

    Xyenn stared at him for a long moment, then chuckled softly. ¡°Yeah, I like bread.¡±

    Draeven beamed. ¡°That¡¯s awesome! Hey, uh... do you wanna be bros?¡± He bowed slightly, sticking out his hand.

    Xyenn hesitated, then reached out and shook Draeven¡¯s hand. ¡°Sure, why not.¡±

    ¡®This Draeven¡­hidden under wraps, eyes glowing red and smoke coming from under the wraps¡­what is he? But he seems cool. I''m really really moving up in the world. That¡¯s another one added to my friends list.¡¯

    As soon as their hands parted, Draeven silently pumped his fist in celebration, his face glowing with pride.

    The celebration was short-lived, as Mertha¡¯s towering frame loomed over them. Her muscular arms were crossed, and a wide grin spread across her face. ¡°Looks like you two seem buddy-buddy,¡± she said, her voice filled with amusement. ¡°Good. Let¡¯s get to work.¡±

    Xyenn raised an eyebrow. ¡°Work?¡±

    ¡®Oh god. Out of all times, here?! Now?! This oaf!¡¯

    Mertha leaned down, her grin turning predatory. ¡°Don¡¯t forget, dragon boy. We still have a deal. I¡¯m going 100% this time. Remember what you promised me, Xyenn.¡±

    Xyenn remembered the day they first trained, then remembered he promised to make sure Mertha got the killing blow on Haldrek, and to help her have her own kingdom. He knew Mertha was always haunted by her clan and family''s loss, and she was the leader of the clan. He noticed also Mertha is someone who wants to be of help any way she can, he noticed from when she instantly cooked him food, and instantly tried her hardest to train him, and how she blamed herself for what happened with Haldrek. Mertha was the one to want to try and work harder so she wouldn¡¯t have a repeat of before.

    Xyenn chuckled, and said, ¡°Hell yeah! Bring it. I¡¯ll kick your ass this time. Won¡¯t we Draeven?¡± Xyenn bumped Draeven playfully with a grin.

    Draeven stumbled over, ¡°Y-Yeah! I think¡­? Mertha is very strong at 100%¡­she¡¯s using Yuuna¡¯s mana at 100%.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll still win. We¡¯ll both go all out.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t wanna¡­wake Yuuna up and merge with her?¡±

    Mertha scoffed at Draeven, ¡°Oy! That¡¯s overkill! Don¡¯t give him ideas!¡±

    Draeven hid behind Xyenn.

    Xyenn, still grinning, replied, ¡°Don¡¯t need it. I¡¯ll get stronger the more I train without being merged with Yuuna, right? Even if we lose the fight, I¡¯m getting something out of this. We both are.¡±

    ¡°Xyenn¡­¡±

    ¡®If only I had that confidence¡­maybe I can gain it by staying good bros with him!¡¯

    Mertha then turned to Kivorn, who was leaning lazily against the mast. ¡°Kivorn! Make the arena.¡±

    Kivorn let out a long sigh, rubbing his eyes. ¡°Why does everything have to be so loud?¡± He grabbed his staff and tapped it against the deck, muttering a spell under his breath. Vines erupted from the wood, weaving together to form a massive dome with a raised platform in the center.

    Mertha stepped onto the platform, her hands glowing with dark pink energy as she summoned jagged spirit gauntlets around her fists. A jagged halo of the same color appeared above her head, crackling with power. She pointed at Xyenn and Draeven. ¡°Both of you. Come at me.¡±

    Xyenn cracked his knuckles, stepping into a fighting stance. Draeven, though visibly shaking, managed to steady himself and stand beside him.

    Watching from the sidelines, Sethrak smirked. ¡°This should be entertaining.¡±

    Zyphira cheered, raising her bottle. ¡°Get her, Xyenn! I¡¯m on your side! If you win, I¡¯ll let you taste my mead! And maybe even give ya a kiss on the¡ª.¡±

    FWIP!

    Yuuna, even in her sleep, lashed her draconic tail out at Zyphira, and started choking her.

    Zyphira said, ¡°Ow! Ow! Ow! You don¡¯t even have any memory of him! And you¡¯re still jealous?!¡±

    Illyana waved at Xyenn and Draeven, saying with a smile, ¡°Good luck you two, don¡¯t let up, okay?¡±

    Xyenn and Draeven nodded at her.

    Draeven was ready, he was definitely being watched. He has to go all out as well.

    Illyana smiled, gently cradling a still-sleeping Yuuna, said again, ¡°Good luck!¡±

    High above, Gorran watched through a small hole in the dome, his hand resting on Xenith¡¯s hilt. He said nothing, his brooding gaze fixed on the combatants below.

    Mertha slammed her fists together, the energy around her fists flaring. ¡°Don¡¯t hold back. I won¡¯t.¡±

    Xyenn walked forward, smiling, ¡°I won¡¯t. I couldn¡¯t wait for this rematch, Mertha.¡±

    Draeven walked with him, saying to himself, ¡°I¡¯m actually walking beside Xyenn like we¡¯re bros!¡±

    Kivorn and Sethrak stood on the side leaning against the vine wall, and Sethrak said, ¡°This is the first time Draeven has been like this.¡±

    ¡°Yep¡­looks like he found another bro.¡±

 Chapter 21: Day Of Arrival

    The vines that wove the arena glistened faintly with Kivorn¡¯s magic, the dome pulsating with life as if reacting to the tension inside. The massive circular platform of roots beneath them creaked ominously, a testament to the collision of power that was about to unfold. Kivorn stood lazily at the edge of the dome, his half-lidded eyes flickering with faint annoyance every time the structure shuddered from Mertha¡¯s mere presence.

    Mertha cracked her knuckles, her muscular frame towering over her opponents. Her jagged, dark pink halo flickered as if anticipating the carnage she was about to unleash. The spirit gauntlets around her massive fists gleamed faintly, and her stoic yet predatory grin was enough to make even the bravest feel small. ¡°You boys ready?¡± she asked calmly, her voice carrying a quiet confidence that bordered on terrifying.

    Xyenn crouched low, his black-and-dark-pink aura rippling faintly around his body like a living flame. His sharp claws tapped against the ground, his tail lashing behind him like a whip. Beside him, Draeven tightened the wraps around his forearms, the cloth gliding over his skin with precision. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead, but his stance was steady.

    ¡°Draeven,¡± Xyenn muttered, his voice low. ¡°We can¡¯t overpower her. She¡¯s too strong. So¡ª.¡±

    Draeven nodded, his eyes darting toward Mertha¡¯s imposing frame. ¡°¡ªThen we outsmart her.¡±

    Xyenn grinned, his fangs flashing. ¡°Exactly.¡±

    ¡®It¡¯s like this guy read my mind.¡¯

    Xyenn asked Draeven, ¡°So what¡¯s your skills and stuff?¡±

    ¡°I-I can reinforce my wraps onto certain parts of my body to increase its strength and toughness, I''m really good at martial arts, and I can manipulate the smoke from my body.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡±

    ¡®That makes me wonder¡­he doesn¡¯t have Yuuna¡¯s blood, her draconic mana, does he? Nothing in his arsenal screams darkness¡­what is he really? Where is he from?¡¯

    Xyenn leapt forward first, his body a blur of movement as he sprinted low to the ground, claws scraping against the platform. Mertha¡¯s sharp eyes tracked him, but she didn¡¯t move. She stood her ground, her massive body radiating an aura of unshakable power.

    ¡®Tch! I forgot how stable she was. Maybe we can use that-¡® Xyenn thought.

    The moment Xyenn was within striking distance, he pivoted sharply on his left foot, twisting his body into a wide, sweeping kick aimed at her ribs. Mertha didn¡¯t flinch; she stepped into the kick, her left arm rising to block it. The impact was bone-crunching, Xyenn¡¯s shin slamming into her forearm, but Mertha didn¡¯t budge an inch. Instead, she grabbed his leg mid-motion with her free hand.

    ¡°Too obvious,¡± she muttered, her muscles flexing as she swung him like a ragdoll.

    ¡®I know Xyenn wants me to go 100%, but I cannot. After the condition he ended up in last time, if we run into any danger, and he isn¡¯t able to merge with Yuuna, he¡¯ll be too weak to fight. I hate seeing you half dead, brat.¡¯

    Xyenn twisted mid-air, slashing at her face with his claws as she hurled him toward the ground. Mertha leaned back, the claws barely grazing her cheek, and slammed him into the platform with earth-shattering force. Splinters flew as the roots cracked beneath him.

    ¡°Xyenn!¡± Draeven shouted, but there was no time to check on him. Mertha had already turned toward him, her heavy footsteps thundering as she closed the distance in a flash. Draeven ducked low as her fist came flying toward his face¡ªa quick, brutal jab that whistled past his head and struck the air with a force that made his ears ring.

    Draeven spun on his heel, twisting his body into a low roundhouse kick aimed at her knee. Mertha shifted her weight at the last second, her balance impeccable, and brought her other leg up in a brutal stomp aimed at his head. Draeven threw himself backward, the stomp narrowly missing his face and leaving a deep dent in the platform.

    As Draeven rolled to his feet, Xyenn came barreling back into the fray, a trickle of blood running down his temple but his grin wider than ever.

    ¡°She hits like a damn mountain,¡± Xyenn growled, wiping the blood away. ¡°Awesome¡­!¡±

    Draeven darted to his side, his breath heavy. ¡°We need to throw her off balance. She¡¯s too grounded.¡±

    ¡®He¡¯s happy?! Mertha is a barreling tower of war and Xyenn is laughing and smiling¡­he sure is a weird friend!¡¯

    ¡°I¡¯ve got an idea,¡± Xyenn said, his aura flaring slightly. ¡°Follow my lead.¡±

    Xyenn charged again, but this time his movements were erratic, unpredictable. He zigzagged across the platform, his claws raking sparks from the ground as he feinted left and right. Mertha¡¯s eyes narrowed, her body tensing as she prepared to intercept him.

    But just as Xyenn reached her, Draeven darted in from the opposite side. He threw a quick jab at her ribs, his fist wrapped tightly in reinforced cloth. Mertha caught the punch on her forearm, her stoic expression unchanging as she countered with a brutal elbow aimed at Draeven¡¯s jaw.

    Draeven ducked just in time, and Xyenn capitalized on the opening. He dropped to all fours and sprang upward like a coiled spring, his claws slashing upward toward Mertha¡¯s chin. The strike landed, blood spraying into the air as his claws left three jagged lines across her jaw.

    Xyenn, gritting her teeth, ¡®Got her!¡¯

    Mertha¡¯s head snapped back slightly, but her grin widened. ¡°Not bad,¡± she said, her voice calm despite the blood dripping from her face. ¡°But you¡¯ll need more than that.¡±

    ¡°Damn. Of course you¡¯d say that.¡±

    She lashed out with a backhand that caught Xyenn mid-air, the impact sending him skidding across the platform. The force of the blow rattled the entire dome, and Kivorn groaned from the sidelines, his staff glowing brighter as he reinforced the structure.

    ¡°This is getting annoying,¡± Kivorn muttered, his tired voice carrying over the sounds of battle. ¡°If they break this thing, I¡¯m not rebuilding it.¡±

    Mertha didn¡¯t give them time to recover. She charged forward, her fists a ray of motion as she unleashed a barrage of punches aimed at both Xyenn and Draeven. The two scrambled to dodge, Mertha¡¯s fists striking the ground and leaving cracks in the platform with every missed blow. Xyenn and Draeven were avoiding the heavy blows as they even jumped and rolled over each other and twisted behind one another to avoid attacks.

    This action made Gorran, who was up high, think, ¡®They¡¯re dodging Mertha¡¯s blows while avoiding bumping into each other, basically dodging each other as well¡­?¡¯

    ¡°Keep moving!¡± Xyenn shouted, ducking under a hook that would¡¯ve taken his head off. ¡°Don¡¯t let her pin us down!¡±

    ¡°Y-Yeah!¡± Draeven grinned a little.

    He was having fun. Seeing Xyenn was enjoying this, made him enjoy this as well. He didn¡¯t wanna look all gloomy and ruin the mood like he used too as a child.

    Draeven darted behind her, his wraps extending to catch her ankle. He yanked hard, trying to pull her off balance, but Mertha simply stomped down, snapping the reinforced cloth like thread. She spun around, her elbow crashing into Draeven¡¯s chest and sending him sprawling.

    ¡°Draeven!¡± Xyenn yelled.

    Xyenn took the opportunity to attack, his claws slashing at her exposed back. Mertha twisted at the last second, catching his wrist mid-swing. Her grip was like iron, and she yanked him forward, slamming her knee into his stomach. Xyenn coughed up blood, but he gritted his teeth and grabbed her arm with his free hand, digging his claws into her flesh.

    ¡°Persistent,¡± Mertha muttered, shaking him off with a flick of her arm.

    ¡®He¡¯s grown since the first day we trained. He¡¯s able to adapt like I am, able to see better oppunrtied and use his brain more.¡¯

    Draeven staggered to his feet, clutching his ribs. ¡°We can¡¯t keep this up,¡± he said, his voice strained. ¡°She¡¯s too fast.¡±

    Xyenn wiped the blood from his mouth, his aura flaring brighter. ¡°Then we make her come to us.¡±

    ¡°What are you¡ª¡± Draeven started, but Xyenn was already moving.

    He charged Mertha again, but this time his movements were slower, more deliberate. Mertha raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. ¡°Giving up already?¡± she asked, throwing a quick jab at his face. ¡°Keep running like that, I¡¯m gonna blow you away!¡±

    Xyenn ducked under the punch, stepping into her range as if inviting her to attack. Mertha obliged, her fists flying in a relentless barrage of punches and kicks that Xyenn narrowly dodged or deflected. Blood dripped from his arms where her strikes grazed him, but he didn¡¯t retreat.

    Draeven saw his chance. He darted in from the side, his wraps extending to reinforce Xyenn¡¯s arms. ¡°Now!¡± he shouted.

    Xyenn caught Mertha¡¯s next punch with both hands, his reinforced arms holding firm against her immense strength. He grinned through gritted teeth. ¡°Gotcha.¡±

    Draeven leapt over Xyenn¡¯s back, his fist glowing faintly as he drove a reinforced punch straight into Mertha¡¯s gut. The impact finally made her stagger, a wheezing sound escaping her lips as she took a step back.

    Illyana gasped, ¡°They hit her¡­and Mertha¡¯s going at least 50%.¡±

    For the first time, Mertha¡¯s grin faltered. She wiped the blood from her lips, her jagged halo flickering faintly. ¡°Not bad,¡± she said, her voice tinged with genuine respect. ¡°But playtime¡¯s over.¡±

    ¡®Not a lot of space in this arena, I can¡¯t go too crazy. I¡¯ll up my strength to at least 55%.¡¯

    She surged forward with renewed ferocity, her fists a blur as she attacked both of them simultaneously. Xyenn and Draeven moved in perfect sync, dodging and countering as best they could, but Mertha¡¯s speed and power were overwhelming.

    Xyenn ducked under a sweeping hook, his claws slashing at her ribs, while Draeven aimed a spinning kick at her knee. Mertha caught the kick with one hand, twisting Draeven¡¯s leg and hurling him into Xyenn. The two crashed to the ground in a heap, blood dripping from their mouths.

    ¡°She¡¯s insane,¡± Zyphira muttered, downing a swig of mead. ¡°How are those two still standing?¡±

    Sethrak smirked, his arms crossed. ¡°They¡¯re not bad. But Mertha¡¯s just built different. Literally. She is strong.¡±

    Illyana watched with a serene smile, cradling Yuuna in her lap. ¡°They¡¯re learning. That¡¯s what matters.¡±

    Kivorn groaned as the dome shuddered again. ¡°If they don¡¯t end this soon, I¡¯m letting the whole thing collapse¡­.¡±

    Illyana said to Kivorn with a smile, ¡°Aww, it¡¯s okay. They¡¯ll be sure to handle it with care.¡±

    ¡°Obviously not..look how they¡¯re trying to¡ªwaittt..:you¡¯re being sarcastic aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Mhm!¡± Illyana chuckled.

    Xyenn and Draeven pulled themselves to their feet, bloodied but unbroken. ¡°One last shot,¡± Xyenn said, his voice ragged. ¡°Let¡¯s give her everything we¡¯ve got.¡±

    Draeven nodded, his wraps tightening around his fists. ¡°Right behind you.¡±

    They charged together, their movements perfectly synchronized. Xyenn led with a feint, his claws aiming for Mertha¡¯s face before dipping low to slash at her legs. Draeven followed up with a rapid series of punches, each one aimed at her vital points.

    Mertha blocked and countered with devastating efficiency, but the two fighters pressed on, their relentless assault finally forcing her back. Xyenn slipped behind her, his tail whipping around to catch her off guard, while Draeven reinforced his arms for one final strike.

    The punch landed squarely in Mertha¡¯s chest, sending her skidding back. She grinned, blood dripping from her lips. ¡°Well done,¡± she said, before stepping forward and delivering a devastating uppercut that knocked both of them out cold.

    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    The dome finally collapsed, its vines crumbling as Kivorn let out a long, exasperated sigh. ¡°About time.¡±

    Mertha stood over her fallen opponents, her grin wider than ever. ¡°Not bad, boys. Not bad at all.¡±

    Xyenn and Draeven laid there, catching their breath.

    ¡°Welp¡­we¡¯re not dead.¡± Xyenn joked.

    ¡°Haha, yeah.¡±

    Xyenn raised his fist slowly at Draeven, looking for a fist bump. Draeven saw it, and was shocked to see it so quickly. Draeven fist bumped him back.

    Xyenn then thought, ¡®It¡¯s weird, but I can feel myself getting stronger. This is good, if I can train to be on Haldrek¡¯s level¡­nah forget it. That old man has, like, 400 years of cultivating his draconic mana. He didn¡¯t even need to let Kragvyr merge with him. But this is good for me. The stronger I am when I¡¯m not merged with Yuuna, the stronger me and Yuuna will become..¡¯

    In the world of Kyrrin, worshippers of the Dragon Gods are granted a fragment of their deity''s essence¡ªDragon Blood, a divine substance imbued with Draconic Mana, the primordial force that flows through all of creation. This blood is both a blessing and a burden, for it ties the worshipper to the nature of their chosen Dragon God, shaping their magic, body, and soul in profound and often irreversible ways. Through rigorous training, meditation, rituals, and personal growth, these individuals can cultivate and refine the Dragon Mana within them, unlocking greater powers over time.

    The ship drifted quietly over the vast expanse of the waters, its hull cutting through the gentle waves with a rhythmic lulling sound. The night sky above them was a canvas of infinite stars, their light so bright and vivid it cast faint reflections on the dark waters below. Two moons hung high, one a luminous silver disk, the other a faint, ghostly blue crescent. Between them, faint streams of cosmic light spiraled and intertwined, as if the heavens themselves were alive with motion.

    Occasionally, the sea itself would ripple with an unnatural glow. Mythic creatures stirred beneath the surface¡ªlong, serpentine shadows that danced just beyond sight, their faint bioluminescence casting eerie but beautiful patterns in the water. Every so often, a massive silhouette would break the surface: a Blue Skywhale, its fins adorned with glimmering silver scales, breached the water with a soundless grace, vanishing moments later into the depths.

    Above, the sky was no less alive. Strange, bird-like creatures with translucent wings soared silently, their feathers shimmering like prisms in the moonlight. A distant ghost-like ship floated across the horizon, its ghostly sails glowing faintly as it passed like a mirage. Somewhere far off, the faint melody of a siren¡¯s song drifted through the air¡ªa hauntingly beautiful sound that sent shivers down spines, even in sleep.

    The ship¡¯s crew and the Tyrants were all resting now, their earlier chaos and battle worn down into an exhausted stillness. The only sounds were the creak of wood, the soft lap of waves, and the faint, serene breathing of those aboard.

    Xyenn and Yuuna were curled up against one another near the center of the deck. Yuuna had unconsciously latched onto Xyenn in her sleep, her arms wrapped loosely around him like a child clutching a beloved toy. Her face, usually animated and chaotic, was now calm and peaceful, her breathing steady. Xyenn had leaned back against a crate, his head tilted slightly to the side as he dozed off.

    The two of them, despite their often combative and chaotic interactions, looked oddly at peace together¡ªa rare and fleeting moment of calm between them.

    Gorran walked quietly across the deck, his heavy boots making almost no sound against the wooden planks. His hand rested on the hilt of Xenith, the blade of darkness that never left his side. The sword¡¯s jagged edges and spiraling red eyes glowed faintly, casting ominous shadows that seemed to writhe and pulse like living creatures. Gorran barely noticed; his mind was elsewhere, clouded by memories that refused to stay buried.

    He stopped a few feet away from Xyenn and Yuuna, his cold, brooding eyes narrowing as he stared down at them. His grip on Xenith tightened.

    The world around Gorran blurred and shifted, and he was no longer on the ship. He was a child again, standing in the dim, torch-lit halls of the Xenith Clan¡¯s hidden stronghold. The air was thick with the smell of sweat, blood, and the faint metallic tang of weapons.

    He could hear the voice of his father, Vorrak the Phantom, echoing through the chamber. Vorrak was the leader of the Xenith Clan, a towering and ruthless man whose very presence demanded obedience. His words were sharp and brutal, cutting through Gorran¡¯s young mind like the blade of a dagger.

    ¡°Strength is all that matters, Gorran,¡± Vorrak growled, his voice a low, rumbling snarl. ¡°If you are not strong, you are nothing. If you cannot kill, you deserve to die.¡±

    Gorran, barely ten years old, was on his knees, blood dripping from his split lip and bruised face. He had been sparring with older clan members¡ªgrown men who held back nothing despite his age. His small frame trembled, but he didn¡¯t cry. He wouldn¡¯t give his father the satisfaction of seeing him break.

    ¡°Stand up,¡± Vorrak commanded, his shadow looming over Gorran. ¡°Stand up and fight, or I¡¯ll kill you myself.¡±

    Gorran forced himself to his feet, his vision blurred from the blows he had taken. The room spun around him, but he steadied himself, his small hands tightening into fists. The older clan member he was sparring with, a man twice his size, smirked and stepped forward.

    ¡°Come on, boy,¡± the man sneered. ¡°Show me what the Phantom¡¯s whelp can do.¡±

    Gorran didn¡¯t hesitate. He lunged forward with a speed that belied his size, his movements precise and calculated. He ducked under the man¡¯s swing, driving his elbow into his opponent¡¯s ribs with enough force to stagger him. The man grunted, but before he could recover, Gorran swept his legs out from under him and drove a dagger into his throat.

    The room went silent. Gorran stood over the man¡¯s lifeless body, his small chest heaving with effort. Blood dripped from his dagger onto the cold stone floor.

    Vorrak¡¯s voice broke the silence. ¡°Good. Remember this, Gorran: kill those who would kill you. Show no mercy. Weakness will destroy you.¡±

    As the years passed, Gorran became the clan¡¯s youngest and most dangerous assassin. His father¡¯s praise was rare but fierce, and Gorran lived for it. He never failed a mission, never hesitated to take a life. He was a weapon, forged in blood and sharpened by pain.

    But that life ended in fire and screams. He was there when the Xenith Clan was slaughtered¡ªambushed by enemies they had underestimated. Gorran had fought to the bitter end, watching his clanmates and his father fall around him. In the end, he was the only one left, standing amidst the ruins of everything he had ever known.

    The flashback faded, and Gorran was back on the ship. He stood over Xyenn and Yuuna, his grip on Xenith tight as shadows began to swirl around the blade. The red eyes embedded in the sword glowed brighter, their gaze fixed on Xyenn as if they hungered for his blood.

    Gorran¡¯s heart pounded in his chest as memories of his training and his father¡¯s words echoed in his mind. ¡°Kill those who would kill you. Show no mercy.¡±

    Xyenn had defeated him before. He had spared him¡ªhumiliated him. Gorran¡¯s entire being screamed for vengeance, for the chance to reclaim his honor. He raised Xenith, the blade trembling in his hand as the shadows around it writhed like living things.

    But then, he hesitated.

    ¡®Why¡­.?!¡¯

    Moments later, Gorran found himself alone at the bow of the ship. The cold night air bit at his skin, but he barely noticed. He had sheathed Xenith, but the blade still called to him, whispering dark thoughts into his mind.

    He pulled the sword free again and held it against his chest, the jagged edges pressing lightly against his skin. His hands trembled as he gritted his teeth, his voice a low growl. ¡°Why couldn¡¯t I do it? Why couldn¡¯t I kill him?¡±

    ¡®No way I feel sympathy for that brat¡­?! Seeing Yuuna happy around him?!¡¯

    Memories of his father flashed through his mind¡ªhis father¡¯s praise, his father¡¯s lectures, his father¡¯s disappointment. ¡°I¡¯m a failure,¡± Gorran muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I let him live. I let *him* win. Father... I¡¯ve let you down.¡±

    He tightened his grip on the blade, his breathing ragged as he prepared to drive it into himself. But before he could, a hand grabbed his wrist.

    ¡°You¡¯re a fool,¡± Sethrak¡¯s calm, arrogant voice cut through the silence.

    Gorran turned sharply, his eyes blazing with anger. ¡°Let go of me, dragon,¡± he snarled. ¡°Or I¡¯ll kill you too.¡±

    Sethrak smirked, completely unfazed. ¡°Oh, please. Spare me the melodrama. You¡¯re not going to kill me. You¡¯re not going to kill yourself, either¡ªnot if you think about it for more than two seconds.¡±

    Gorran¡¯s glare intensified. ¡°You don¡¯t know anything about me.¡±

    ¡°I know enough,¡± Sethrak said smoothly, releasing Gorran¡¯s wrist but stepping closer, his tone dripping with condescension. ¡°If you kill yourself now, you¡¯re giving Xyenn the ultimate victory. He beat you, humiliated you, and now you¡¯re going to let him live rent-free in your head while you throw your life away? Pathetic. And just know, I¡¯m pretty sure if you even were able to kill Xyenn, for all we know, Yuuna would probably unlock her memories of him back and slaughter you and devour the entire world. You know Yuuna is a ticking stick of dynamite, she¡¯s unpredictable.¡±

    Gorran¡¯s hand tightened on his sword, but he said nothing.

    ¡°And let¡¯s not forget,¡± Sethrak continued, gesturing lazily toward the sleeping Yuuna. ¡°If you die, Yuuna¡¯s going to lose her mind. She¡¯ll go on a rampage, and do you know who¡¯s going to have to deal with that? The rest of us. You want all of us to die because you couldn¡¯t handle a bruised ego? She cherishes us Tyrants. We¡¯re the only family to her. Don¡¯t ruin it for the sake of your childhood and ideology of revenge. It¡¯s disgusting. It clouded your mind, you didn¡¯t even think of the consequences.¡±

    Gorran growled low in his throat. ¡°Get out of my sight, dragon.¡±

    Sethrak smirked, turning to walk away. ¡°Whatever you say, assassin. Just remember: you can¡¯t win if you¡¯re dead. And you¡¯ll face him again, won¡¯t you? Ask him for a rematch when the time is right. If we all survive.¡±

    Gorran watched him go, his mind a storm of conflicting emotions. He wanted to ignore Sethrak¡¯s words, to silence the voice in his head that told him the dragon was right. But the truth gnawed at him.

    He sheathed Xenith and whispered to himself, his voice low and determined. ¡°I¡¯ll face him once again.¡±

    The morning sun broke over the horizon, its light spilling across the jagged cliffs and dense forests that surrounded the Tyrants¡¯ ship. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of dew and the faint rustle of leaves in the wind. The group stood on the deck, staring ahead as their destination came into view.

    What lay before them wasn¡¯t just a ladder¡ªit was an awe-inspiring structure, carved from ancient, dark stone that seemed to shimmer faintly in the light as if it held some latent magic. It was massive, towering over the surrounding landscape, and its architecture spoke of an age long past.

    The outer structure resembled a sprawling citadel built into the side of a sheer cliff. Massive statues encircled the structure, each one carved with intricate detail. There were dragon gods, their wings spread wide as if they were shielding the sanctum, their expressions regal and fierce. Between them stood colossal robed men and women, their faces serene, hands clasped in silent prayer. Each statue¡¯s surface was weathered with time, vines curling upward like veins of nature reclaiming the ancient stone.

    At the heart of the structure, hidden behind layers of towering arches and colonnades, was Gabriel¡¯s Ladder. Not a simple ladder as the name suggested, but an ivory spiral of light and energy, barely visible from the ship. It shimmered faintly, almost like a mirage, and seemed to hum with a divine resonance.

    Yuuna, perched on the ship¡¯s railing, was the first to spot it. Her golden eyes widened, and a grin broke across her face as she pointed, nearly tipping over the edge. ¡°There it is! There it is!¡± she shouted, her voice brimming with excitement. She leapt down onto the deck, rushing toward Xyenn and grabbing his arm.

    She practically hung off him, shaking him. ¡°Do you see it?! That¡¯s it, right? That¡¯s where I¡¯m gonna get my memories back!¡± Her excitement was contagious, though Xyenn tried to keep his composure.

    ¡°Yes, I see it,¡± Xyenn said, his voice calm but with a small smile tugging at his lips. ¡°You don¡¯t have to shake me like a lunatic!¡±

    Yuuna elbowed him in the ribs, still grinning. ¡°I¡¯ll shake you all I want if you don¡¯t hurry up! Come on, this is huge! We¡¯re finally here, dragon boy!¡±

    Xyenn rolled his eyes but let out a small laugh. ¡°Alright, alright. Just calm down before you accidentally throw yourself overboard. Please. I can¡¯t swim.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t either. We''re definitely soulmates then, that¡¯s why I really want my memories of you back, apparently I lost them.¡±

    ¡°And I promised I¡¯d get them back. And I will.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re so determined, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s because¡­¡± Xyenn blushed.

    ¡®Man up! You¡¯re a man, Xyenn!¡¯

    Xyenn gulped, ¡°I¡ª.¡±

    Mertha charged in, saying, ¡°Xyenn loves you so much and you two have a child together, and¡ª.¡±

    Xyenn covered Mertha¡¯s mouth, exclaiming with a flustered face, ¡°I WAS ABOUT TO SAY THAT.¡±

    As the ship drew closer to the cliffs, Sethrak leaned against the mast with a smug grin on his face. ¡°You know,¡± he began, his tone dripping with condescension, ¡°it¡¯s a miracle we made it here at all, considering our fearless leader can¡¯t even read an enchanted map without needing his nervous little assistant.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s head snapped toward him, his eye twitching. ¡°What did you just say?¡±

    Sethrak¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°Oh, I just meant it must¡¯ve been so hard for you, struggling with a piece of paper. Truly, your greatest battle yet.¡±

    Xyenn growled and took a step forward, his fists clenched, but before he could charge, Kivorn and Draeven quickly stepped in front of him.

    ¡°Whoa, whoa¡­Easy there, guy,¡± Kivorn said, lazily holding up a finger to stop him. ¡°He¡¯s not worth the effort¡­.¡±

    Draeven, meanwhile, was flailing his arms frantically. ¡°P-please don¡¯t! You¡¯ll break the ship, and I don¡¯t think Haldrek would appreciate that!¡±

    Sethrak chuckled, crossing his arms. ¡°See? Even they know you can¡¯t handle me.¡±

    Xyenn glared over their shoulders, his voice low. ¡°You¡¯re lucky they¡¯re holding me back.¡±

    As the ship docked near the cliffs, Zyphira tossed the last of her mead overboard with a dramatic sigh. She squinted up at the towering statues surrounding the structure, her head tilting as she tried to make sense of them.

    ¡°Alright,¡± she said, pointing with a lazy wave of her hand. ¡°Can someone tell me who the hell these are supposed to be? They all look the same to me. Dragons, humans, robes¡ªwhatever. They could be random farmers for all I know.¡±

    Illyana, ever tranquil, stepped beside her and gazed up at the statues with a soft, thoughtful smile. ¡°No, not farmers. That one there¡ª¡± she pointed to a particularly striking statue of a robed woman, her hands outstretched as if she were offering something to the heavens, ¡°¡ªis Kyunkun, the primordial Dragon of Mercy. She¡¯s said to have tended to the wounded during the Dragon Wars, even healing her enemies. They say her wings glowed with light so bright it could blind armies. That war when the dragons betrayed Gabriel, the First Dragon.¡±

    Zyphira blinked, then shrugged. ¡°Huh. Neat, I guess. Still looks like a farmer to me.¡±

    Kivorn, standing nearby with his usual tired expression, chimed in. ¡°The statues represent the Dragon Gods and their mortal followers. Each dragon had a purpose¡ªmercy, strength, wisdom, chaos, and balance. Kyunkun was the merciful one, yes, but that one¡ª¡± he pointed to a towering dragon statue with jagged, flame-like wings, ¡°¡ªis Xaroth, the primordial Dragon of Chaos. He¡¯s the one who was one of the generals in leading the rebellious dragons against the First Dragon.¡±

    Zyphira raised an eyebrow. ¡°So... nice dragons and not-so-nice dragons. Got it.¡±

    Kivorn sighed. ¡°There¡¯s more to it than that, but I¡¯m too tired to explain.¡±

    Xyenn asked, ¡°So the First Dragon was betrayed by the Primordials¡­¡±

    ¡®From what I heard from the Light Born, those Lysf?dt, Hell has something to do with all of that. What¡¯s their role? Did the Primordials betray Gabriel the First Dragon because he took in Yuuna? A literal being of darkness from hell? Was it because of fear? The First Dragon wanted Yuuna¡¯s dark nature to balance the world, it¡¯s gotta be deeper than that right?¡¯

    As the group disembarked, Xyenn hung back for a moment, letting the others take in the majesty of the structure. He stared up at the colossal statues and the faint glow of Gabriel¡¯s Ladder in the distance, a rare grin spreading across his face.

    One step closer, he thought. One step closer to getting her memories back.

    Yuuna, still buzzing with excitement, leaned against his side, resting her head on his shoulder. ¡°Your heart is pounding,¡± she said softly, her voice teasing but warm.

    Xyenn stiffened, glancing down at her with a faint blush. ¡°I... it¡¯s just the excitement,¡± he muttered.

    Yuuna smirked, her breaths soft against his back as she leaned in closer. ¡°Sure it is. And hey, I have a question.¡±

    ¡°Hm? What is it?¡±

    ¡°Do you love me?¡± She asked quietly.

    Xyenn froze. Why was she asking this? Is she feeling something deep? Is she maybe getting dejavu? Maybe to confirm she wasn¡¯t going crazy? Even though she lost her memories of him, maybe she was trying to figure something out.

    Xyenn said, ¡°I do.¡±

    And he meant it.

    Yuuna didn¡¯t say anything to that, she just looked ahead.

    ¡®He loves me¡­¡¯

    As they approached the structure, the Tyrants were greeted by the sight of dozens of adventurers and guilds gathered in front of the golden gates that marked the entrance to Gabriel¡¯s Ladder. The gates were massive, covered in intricate carvings of dragons and celestial patterns, but they were sealed shut.

    The adventurers were a diverse crowd. Some wore gleaming plate armor, etched with runes that glowed faintly in the light. Others were clad in flowing robes, their staffs adorned with glowing crystals. There were beastfolk with thick fur and sharp claws, dwarves with massive warhammers, and even a few tieflings with horns curling back over their heads. One particularly striking mage wore a long, dark cloak that seemed to shift like smoke, his staff topped with a pulsating orb.

    They were all arguing, their voices overlapping as they debated how to open the gates.

    Kivorn glanced around the crowd, his half-lidded eyes showing a rare glimmer of curiosity. ¡°Huh. Didn¡¯t expect this many people.¡±

    Sethrak, standing beside him, raised an eyebrow. ¡°Neither did I. Gabriel¡¯s Ladder is supposed to be nearly impossible to find. How did all these idiots manage to stumble across it?¡±

    Kivorn shrugged. ¡°Luck? Or maybe they¡¯ve been here for weeks. Either way, it¡¯s going to get crowded.¡±

    Xyenn said, ¡°What the hell¡­there¡¯s so many people!¡±

    Illyana added, ¡°It¡¯s strange actually..¡±

    King Haldrek¡¯s soldiers were shocked at what they saw, but more so of the structure and actually being this close to the place that held Gabriel¡¯s Laddr.

    ¡°It¡¯s so beautiful..¡±

    ¡°This beats being back at the palace..¡±

    ¡°I can second that.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s like a dream, my family wanted to come here for so long. Wanted to be this close to Gabriel''s Ladder.¡±

    At the center of the chaos was a towering man clad in obsidian armor, his helmet shaped like the snarling head of a dragon, complete with jagged horns and glowing red eyes. His voice boomed across the crowd as he barked orders to his guild. His name was Gunthr.

    ¡°Come on, you lot!¡± he shouted, gesturing toward the gates. ¡°Doesn¡¯t anyone here have a brain? We need this riddle solved! Now!¡±

    His guild, a group of six warriors and mages clad in matching crimson and black armor, stood at attention, though they looked equally frustrated.

    Yuuna grabbed Xyenn¡¯s hand, pulling him toward the crowd. ¡°Come on!¡± she said, her golden eyes gleaming with determination.

    Xyenn, caught off guard, stumbled slightly. ¡°What are you doing?¡±

    Yuuna turned back with a wide grin, raising her free hand and waving. ¡°We can!¡± she called out, her voice cutting through the noise.

    The crowd turned to look at them, and Xyenn felt his face flush as Yuuna¡¯s grip tightened on his hand.

    Gunthr pointed at them, booming, ¡°Open those doors! We need an entrance inside¡ª!¡±

    Gorran stepped up, pointing his Xenith blade at Gunthr, saying, ¡°Watch your tone. Let them open it.¡±

 Chapter 22: False Angel

    The golden gates loomed over the crowd, glowing faintly as ancient runes shimmered across their surface. Carved into the metal were abstract images: a dragon coiled in flames, a phoenix in flight, a claw clutching a gemstone, and a coffin wreathed in shadow. Above it all, an inscription was etched in ancient Draconic, its letters shifting and swirling as if alive.

    Xyenn stood in front of the gates, arms crossed and brow furrowed in deep concentration. Beside him, Yuuna bounced on her heels, her golden eyes scanning the riddle with a mix of excitement and exasperation.

    ¡°What does it even mean?¡± Xyenn muttered, narrowing his eyes. ¡°A dragon, fire, a phoenix, a claw, and a coffin? Who even writes riddles like this? It¡¯s like they threw random words together and called it a day.¡±

    Yuuna smirked, patting his arm condescendingly. ¡°Aw, is the big, tough dragon boy confused by a little word puzzle?¡±

    Xyenn shot her a glare. ¡°I¡¯m not confused. I¡¯m... analyzing.¡±

    ¡°Analyzing, huh?! Haha! I like you!¡± Yuuna leaned closer, grinning. ¡°Looks more like staring blankly and hoping it solves itself.¡±

    ¡°Do you have any better ideas, your majesty?¡± Xyenn shot back with a grin.

    Yuuna rolled her eyes and turned to the gate, her expression shifting to one of focus. ¡°Okay, listen. This isn¡¯t just a random mess of symbols. It¡¯s metaphorical. The dragon and fire? That¡¯s power and destruction¡ªvery on-brand for dragons. The phoenix represents rebirth, obviously. The claw... hmm, that could mean greed or protection. And the coffin... well, that¡¯s death. Darkness. Something final.¡±

    Xyenn blinked at her. ¡°How do you know all that?¡±

    Yuuna threw her hands up. ¡°Hello? Draconic dragon goddess of darkness here. It¡¯s kind of my thing.¡±

    Before Xyenn could respond, a loud, booming voice interrupted them.

    Gunthr stomped toward them, his obsidian armor clanking with every step. His dragon-shaped helmet gleamed in the sunlight as he pointed a gauntleted finger at Yuuna. ¡°Enough of this! You two are wasting time! If you can¡¯t solve it, step aside and let someone with a real brain handle it!¡±

    Yuuna froze mid-thought, her jaw tightening. Slowly, she turned to him, her golden eyes narrowing. ¡°Excuse me?¡± she said, her voice low and dangerous.

    Gunthr crossed his arms, puffing out his chest. Behind him, his guild muttered in agreement, their matching crimson and black armor trying (and failing) to make them look intimidating. ¡°You heard me. You¡¯re clearly out of your league. Let the professionals handle this.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s expression flattened, her tone dripping with annoyance. ¡°First of all, fuck off. Second, you¡¯re messing up my thought process¡ªwhich, by the way, isn¡¯t impressive in the first place.¡±

    The crowd of adventurers burst into laughter, several of them pointing and snickering at Gunthr. One of them, a man in gleaming armor, slapped his knee. ¡°Did ya hear that? She told him to piss off like he was a stray dog!¡±

    Another adventurer, a woman in mage¡¯s robes, grinned. ¡°Pretty bold for someone who hasn¡¯t solved it either.¡±

    Gunthr¡¯s face turned red beneath his helmet. ¡°Silence!¡± he barked, but the crowd only laughed harder.

    Before Gunthr could retort, Gorran stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade, Xenith. He unsheathed it slowly again, the weapon gleaming with a faint, ominous glow. With a single swift motion, Gorran pointed the blade at Gunthr¡¯s chest, his dark, brooding eyes locking onto the guild leader.

    ¡°Step back,¡± Gorran said flatly, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable weight of authority. ¡°Last warning.¡±

    Gunthr flinched, but he quickly straightened, trying to save face. ¡°You dare threaten me?! Preposterous!¡± he shouted, though his voice cracked slightly. His guild rallied behind him, drawing their weapons¡ªplain, unenchanted steel that looked woefully inadequate compared to the draconic might of Xenith.

    Gunthr raised his sword, his guild forming a shaky line behind him. ¡°Show this fool the strength of the Crimson Claws!¡± he shouted, charging at Gorran. ¡°We are based out of the volcanic kingdoms of Eldrskar! We¡¯re super violent! It¡¯s nothing but violence there! And we survived!¡±

    Gorran didn¡¯t move. He waited until Gunthr was mere inches away before sidestepping with effortless grace, letting Gunthr stumble past him. One of Gunthr¡¯s guildmates swung wildly with a mace, only for Gorran to block it with a slight flick of Xenith. The force of the block sent the mace-wielder sprawling to the ground.

    Another guild member lunged with a spear, screaming with a cracked voice, ¡°Dieee!¡±

    But Gorran casually spun, letting the spear sail harmlessly past him. He nudged the attacker with his foot, sending them tumbling into a nearby bush.

    ¡°H-He tried to cut my head off! Kill em¡¯!¡± The guild member said overreacting.

    Gunthr roared, swinging his sword in a wide arc. Gorran ducked under it, his expression as stoic as ever, and gave Gunthr a light tap on the back with the flat of his blade. Gunthr yelped and stumbled forward, nearly dropping his weapon.

    The crowd of adventurers roared with laughter, some of them doubling over. ¡°Is this a joke?¡± one of them shouted. ¡°I¡¯ve seen toddlers with better coordination!¡±

    Another adventurer, a burly orc, smirked. ¡°Someone tell the Crimson Claws their weapons are supposed to hit the guy, not the air.¡±

    Gunthr¡¯s guild regrouped, their breathing heavy. ¡°We¡¯ll... we¡¯ll get you next time!¡± Gunthr shouted, retreating with his humiliated guild in tow.

    Gorran sheathed Xenith, his expression unchanged. ¡°Pathetic. Do not approach the queen anymore.¡±

    Zyphira leaned against the gate, watching the spectacle with a smirk. ¡°Well, that was embarrassing. I almost feel bad for them.¡±

    Illyana stood beside her, a soft smile on her lips. ¡°Almost?¡±

    Zyphira shrugged. ¡°Eh, not really.¡±

    ¡°Hmmm. How are you feeling about all of this?¡±

    ¡°Eh. It¡¯s whatever. Outside, not really great. I wanna see the INSIDE. Some goodies might be in there! Aren¡¯t you excited!¡± Zyphira put her arm around Illyana.

    Illyana smiled, ¡°Haha, yes. I can¡¯t wait.¡±

    ¡°Awww, you don¡¯t sound too excited.¡±

    ¡°Mm? Oh! It¡¯s nothing, Zyphira. I see you didn¡¯t bring your drink with you.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah I wanna be sober for this at least. Though it¡¯s super hard for me.¡±

    Illyana smiled, ¡°Focus on other things, not what haunts you.¡±

    ¡°Tch. Mhm. Mead is the only shit that keeps me distracted from everything in my head. Can¡¯t believe I¡¯m risking it here.¡±

    Nearby, Draeven chewed his lip nervously. ¡°Do you think Xyenn and Yuuna can actually solve it? What if the answer¡¯s too complicated?¡±

    Kivorn stifled a yawn. ¡°Relax. If anyone can figure it out, it¡¯s them. Well, probably Yuuna. Xyenn¡¯s just there for moral support.¡±

    Xyenn turned around to Kivorn, ¡°I HEARD THAT! I¡¯M PRETTY SMART YA KNOW?!¡±

    Kivorn waved with a grin, ¡°Just kidding!¡±

    Draeven rooted Xyenn on, ¡°You got this, bro!¡±

    Meanwhile, Sethrak had managed to surround himself with several female adventurers, who were giggling and fawning over him. ¡°So,¡± he said, flashing a charming smile, ¡°what brings such lovely ladies like you to a place like this? Surrounded by so much vile beings?¡±

    One of the women twirled her hair. ¡°You¡¯re so handsome! Are you a prince or something?¡±

    Sethrak chuckled. ¡°Oh, nothing so mundane. I¡¯m just a humble warrior... with a touch of royalty in my blood.¡±

    One asked, ¡°Is that dragonkin girl over there your sister? You two look exactly the same!¡±

    ¡°Haha, no.¡±

    Zyphira heard him, throwing a flaming gold fireball at him, ¡°Liar!¡±

    Sethrak caught it with one hand, dissolving it, saying, ¡°I guess she is my sister then.¡±

    ¡°Damn right I am. Love ya!¡±

    Mertha, was on the side, wrestling with larger muscular adventurers. She was always the one who wanted action, liked a challenge, no matter what it was.

    ¡°Damn she¡¯s strong!¡±

    ¡°What is she?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t she the owner of that pub in that one town? I can¡¯t think of the name.¡±

    ¡°Yeah I think that¡¯s her, her workers are looking over the place now it seems, I was just over there.¡±

    Mertha slammed the adventurer down with a thud, laughing, ¡°Alright! Who¡¯s next?!¡±

    Back at the gate, Xyenn rubbed his temples in frustration. ¡°Okay, so the dragon is power, the phoenix is rebirth, the claw is greed, and the coffin is death. How do we put that together?¡±

    Yuuna paced back and forth, muttering to herself. ¡°Think, think, think. Power leads to destruction. Rebirth comes from fire. Greed... greed takes, but... oh! That¡¯s it!¡±

    Xyenn blinked with excitement, ¡°What?! What is it?!¡±

    Yuuna turned to the gate, her voice confident. ¡°The dragon burns everything to ash. The phoenix rises from the ashes. The claw clutches what remains, and the coffin holds what¡¯s left behind. It¡¯s a cycle. Destruction, rebirth, greed, and death¡ªall tied together!¡±

    The runes on the gate flared brightly, and the golden doors began to rumble. Slowly, they swung open, revealing the interior of Gabriel¡¯s Ladder.

    Xyenn laughed, ¡°Haha!¡±

    The inside of the structure was breathtaking. The walls were lined with towering statues of dragons and mortals alike, their surfaces inlaid with gold and gemstones. Massive chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their crystals refracting light in a dazzling display. The floors were polished marble, and every inch of the space was adorned with intricate carvings.

    Treasures lay scattered throughout the hall¡ªchests overflowing with gold, ornate weapons displayed on pedestals, and banners woven with threads of silver and crimson.

    Yuuna turned to Xyenn, her eyes shining with triumph. She threw her arms around him, squeezing him tightly. ¡°We did it!¡± she said, her voice filled with joy.

    Xyenn froze for a moment before patting her awkwardly on the back. ¡°Yeah... we did.¡±

    Yuuna tackled Xyenn, grinning his ears, ¡°You better hug me right!¡±

    Xyenn exclaimed, ¡°Ow! ow! I¡¯m sorry!¡±

    ¡®I¡¯m not really a big fan of showing affection in public, I look so weird. Maybe I¡¯ll grow out of it the more I¡¯m with Yuuna. It¡¯s sooo much easier doing it in private. DO it in private? My thoughts are so lewd.. look what Yuuna turned me into. But that riddle¡­isn¡¯t it a bit too on the nose with our situation? Did the First Dragon really create these structures for the Ladder? It¡¯s named after him.¡¯

    As the group entered, the doors slowly closed behind them with a low, resonating boom. The air inside was heavy with magic, and the path ahead seemed to beckon them deeper into the sanctum.

    The golden doors groaned open, revealing the breathtaking interior of Gabriel¡¯s Ladder. The crowd of adventurers surged forward, their awe silencing the usual chatter. The cavernous hall stretched far into the distance, illuminated by an ethereal glow emanating from the walls. Towering statues of dragons and mortals alike lined the path, their carved faces solemn and reverent. Intricate mosaics of gemstones adorned the walls, depicting scenes of battles, triumphs, and the rise and fall of empires. The ceiling arched high above, its surface encrusted with shimmering crystal stalactites that refracted light into every corner.

    On the ground, a smooth path of polished obsidian led deeper into the structure. Flanking it were piles of gold, jewels, and ancient relics¡ªornate weapons, glowing artifacts, and bits of armor that hummed faintly with power. Some adventurers immediately darted toward the treasures, greedily stuffing bags full of gold and trinkets. Others shouted at them, accusing them of arrogance and greed.

    ¡°Do you have no respect for the sanctity of this place?¡± a robed mage barked at a pair of rusty looking adventurers who looked more like bandits, who were arguing over a jeweled chalice.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Sanctity?!¡± one of them shot back. ¡°You can keep your sanctity, I¡¯ll keep the bloody gold!¡±

    The mage shook his head in disgust while others in the crowd simply looked on, some amused, others disgusted.

    The Tyrants moved as a unit, their presence commanding attention as they strode through the hall. Yuuna, as always, clung to Xyenn¡¯s back, her arms loosely wrapped around his shoulders. She swung her legs playfully as if the sacred atmosphere of Gabriel¡¯s Ladder was just another playground to her.

    ¡°You¡¯re heavy,¡± Xyenn muttered, though there was no frustration in his voice.

    Yuuna grinned. ¡°If you¡¯d just admit you like carrying me, we could skip the whole fake complaining thing. Is this how you carried me when we were¡ª.¡±

    ¡°AYE AYE AYE!¡± Xyenn blushed, then his voice dropped to a whisper, ¡°Kinda. I mean, it was like this, but in reverse?¡±

    ¡°Oooh that¡¯s cute. Was it your first time?¡±

    ¡°Yes..¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be so ashamed!¡± Yuuna laughed, kicking Xyenn on the side. ¡°Aren¡¯t you glad you were able to lose it to me?¡±

    ¡°¡­I am actually.¡±

    ¡°Mmmm. I really want my memories back of you now. I don¡¯t know jack about you, or how we met, or why I decided to give some young human my draconic blood and make him my vessel. Oh well, guess time will tell. That probably explains why I¡¯m always on you, maybe my subconscious is screaming at me telling me we¡¯re supposed to be so close and connected. I keep getting that feeling, Xyenn. Do you get it?¡±

    ¡°No, I don''t really. I didn¡¯t lose my memories of you. You told Gridd that you were afraid of what would happen if you fell in love with me. Since it¡¯s forbidden.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re such a stalker. Put me down.¡±

    ¡°HUH?! STOP TALKING CRAZY, PSYCHO!¡±

    Behind them, Kivorn and Draeven walked side by side, their contrasting energies almost comical. Draeven, ever the nervous wreck, chewed on his lip as his eyes darted around the room.

    ¡°Do you think they¡¯ll be able to solve the next challenge?¡± Draeven asked, wringing his hands. ¡°I mean, Yuuna kind of brute-forced her way through the last one, and what if¡ª¡±

    ¡°Relaxxxx. Stop worrying so much,¡± Kivorn interrupted, yawning. ¡°If they can¡¯t, Mertha will just punch the problem until it solves itself.¡±

    Mertha, walking just ahead of them, overheard the comment. The stoic, muscular woman smirked as she cracked her knuckles, her eyes scanning the crowd for anyone foolish enough to cross her path.

    ¡°Damn right,¡± she muttered.

    Further back, Gorran trailed silently, his dark, brooding eyes fixed straight ahead. Yet behind him, the familiar clatter of armor and grunting signaled the relentless persistence of Gunthr and his guild.

    ¡°Get him!¡± Gunthr roared, swinging his sword¡ªa plain, unimpressive weapon with no magical enhancement.

    One of his guildmates lunged at Gorran with a spear, only for Gorran to side-step effortlessly. The spear-wielder stumbled, and Gorran tapped him lightly on the shoulder with the flat of his blade, sending him sprawling into a pile of gold.

    ¡°Stand still!¡± another shouted, slashing wildly at Gorran¡¯s back. Gorran turned, blocked the strike with Xenith, and delivered a slight kick to the attacker¡¯s chest, sending them skidding back into a pillar.

    Gunthr charged again, his sword raised high. Gorran caught the blade with his own, pushing it aside with almost no effort. He leaned in close, his voice low and threatening.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t stop this nonsense,¡± Gorran growled, ¡°I¡¯ll slice you all in half and let Xenith devour the rest.¡±

    Gunthr and his guild froze, their faces pale. ¡°Retreat!¡± Gunthr shouted, his voice cracking. The group stumbled back, screaming like frightened children as the crowd of adventurers laughed around them. ¡°We will ambush him later!¡±

    As the group ventured deeper, whispers and conversations filled the air.

    ¡°Have you ever seen anything like this before?¡± a young elf asked her companion, her eyes wide as she gazed at the towering statues.

    ¡°Never,¡± the older man replied, his voice reverent. ¡°This place... it¡¯s like walking through the history of the world.¡±

    Meanwhile, Sethrak was walking with Mertha, asking, ¡°Before I go talk to Yuuna, I wanted to see if you felt it too.¡±

    Mertha nodded, ¡°Aye. It¡¯s like a weird force..¡±

    ¡°Something isn¡¯t right then?¡±

    ¡°That. And feels like something or someone got here before we did.¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s to say this place isn¡¯t guarded by some sentinel or something. After that first puzzle, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. Take this up with Yuuna. She has to feel something. But she¡¯s staying neutral which is odd.¡±

    ¡®Perhaps it could be something guarding this place. Or am I underestimating this feeling? The same feeling I got when my clan went under¡­my family¡­I have to warn the others. In everything, I will do something. I won¡¯t keep my mouth shut or hang back, I will put maximum effort in everything I do. I won¡¯t underestimate anything ever again. I don¡¯t care if I seem paranoid.¡¯ Mertha thought, moving to talk to the other Tyrants.

    Up ahead, Yuuna tilted her head, watching Xyenn¡¯s expression change. His usual calm demeanor shifted into something more uncertain, his jaw tightening as his eyes focused on a figure in the distance.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Yuuna asked, her voice losing its playful edge.

    Xyenn hesitated before answering. ¡°That guild... the one with the blonde guy in green armor. That¡¯s Lancelot.¡±

    Yuuna frowned. ¡°And?¡±

    Xyenn exhaled slowly. ¡°Before... when I was powerless, they were the ones who mocked me. They weren¡¯t the only ones, just one of the groups who liked to bother and annoy me. They¡¯d kick me around, call me weak. They made sure I knew I didn¡¯t belong. Along with the others. They were the main guild, the main adventurers for the king of Borskal in the Southern Lands. Under the guidance of the dragon god of the serpent. They¡¯re super sanctioned in curses and poisons.¡±

    ¡°Didn''t the dragon god of the serpent die?¡±

    ¡°You killed him, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Then he went through the cycle of rebirth days later. But ignoring that, those humans kicked you around, right?¡± Yuuna¡¯s eyes darkened, a snarl forming on her lips. Her tail twitched with barely contained rage. ¡°Well, let¡¯s go slaughter them up!¡±

    ¡°Noooo no no,¡± Xyenn said quickly, grabbing her by the arm before she could leap forward.

    Before Yuuna could protest, Lancelot approached, his guild following closely behind. His blonde hair gleamed under the light, and his dark green armor was polished to perfection. His guildmates, clad in similar gear, flanked him with smug expressions.

    ¡°Well, well,¡± Lancelot said, his voice dripping with false friendliness. ¡°Xyenn. It¡¯s been a while.¡±

    Xyenn said nothing, his throat tightening. Memories of humiliation and mockery surfaced, rendering him speechless.

    ¡°Lancelot.¡± Xyenn said without looking him in the eyes.

    Lancelot smirked. ¡°You¡¯ve changed a bit. I almost didn¡¯t recognize you. Remember when you used to trip over your own feet? Or that time you cried because we broke your wooden sword? Good times. All for laughs though. Don¡¯t take it so seriously.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s eyes narrowed, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. ¡°Yo. Are you the one who bullied my supposed darling?¡±

    Lancelot turned to her, his smirk widening. ¡°Darling? Him? You must be¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish, Yuuna¡¯s tail lashed out, wrapping around his throat like a vice. Her draconic eyes flared with an otherworldly glow, and her voice dropped to a terrifying snarl. ¡°Stay away from him.¡±

    Lancelot¡¯s guildmates reached for their weapons, but Lancelot raised a hand, stopping them. ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± he rasped, his eyes wide with fear as he stared at Yuuna¡¯s halo, which flickered with draconic power. ¡°She¡¯s... she¡¯s a deity.¡±

    Yuuna tightened her grip slightly before releasing him, letting him stumble back. Xyenn stepped forward, his confidence returning as he looked Lancelot in the eyes.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know why I froze up there,¡± Xyenn said, his voice steady. ¡°Maybe I was thinking about what you guys did to me. Mocking me and all that, making me feel super horrible, which sucked.¡±

    Lancelot opened his mouth to respond, but his words caught in his throat as he noticed the others. Kivorn, Draeven, Mertha, Sethrak, Zyphira, and Illyana stood ready, their expressions cold and unyielding.

    Lancelot said, ¡°So that¡¯s how it is? You found you a group that pitied you¡ª.¡±

    Xyenn punched Lancelot in the face, sending him darting to the side, and bashing into the wall.

    ¡°They didn¡¯t PITY me, bitch. We¡¯re god slaying assassins, who take pity on those who are oppressed by them. Like I was against you humans.¡±

    Lancelot thought, ¡®That strength¡­he really sold his soul to that goddess of darkness!¡¯

    ¡°Look at you, saying humans like that. Your pupils are slit, and your fingers are sharp, and your teeth are sharp. You¡¯ve really become a vessel for a villain. Everyone knows that jagged halo of Yuuna. Why do you think no one mentioned it this far into this place? They¡¯re scared she¡¯ll kill them.¡±

    ¡°Yuuna¡¯s not some murderer. So leave.¡±

    Lancelot scoffed, trying to mask his unease. ¡°Tch. Fine. I¡¯ll go. I¡¯ll see you outside of here eventually. I want you to have the same energy¡ª.¡±

    Mertha said to Lancelot, ¡°Buzz off, runt. He said leave.¡±

    Lancelot looked at Mertha and the Tyrants, and laughed. ¡°Let¡¯s go then.¡±

    ¡®If I leave and inform the dragon god of the serpent that Yuuna is here. Wait. He won¡¯t know who Yuuna is, only from hearing it from the people or the other dragon gods. Even his vessel, the king, is dead. The dragon gods who''ve lived for hundreds of years and are still alive are the ones who are plotting to kill Yuuna and seize her heart, right? The elder dragon gods. From what I heard from some scholars. I can tell king Haldrek! Yeah! I¡¯ll show that brat Xyenn¡­and I¡¯ll laugh at him again and again once I see him down on the ground. Haldrek and dragon god of snow Kragvyr are a part of that elder conclave, living amongst us for more than 400 years, and he¡¯s one of the strongest! They¡¯ll raid this place and kill them both. I won¡¯t be humiliated like that again. Knowing my reputation as one of the kings strongest and most achieved adventurers!¡¯

    As Lancelot and his guild turned to leave, grumbling erupted among his members.

    ¡°We came all this way just to walk out?¡± one of them hissed.

    ¡°Shut up,¡± Lancelot snapped. ¡°We¡¯ll come back later. We¡¯re gonna make a stop to King Haldrek. He¡¯ll show them.¡±

    ¡°Hell yeah. Let¡¯s do it.¡±

    As they neared the entrance, Gunthr and his guild mocked them loudly. ¡°Look at the cowards running off!¡± Gunthr jeered.

    ¡°Say that again!¡± Lancelot snarled, lunging at Gunthr and making him stagger back into a pile of coins.

    But when Lancelot reached the doors and tried to open them, they didn¡¯t budge. Panic set in as his guild pushed and shoved at the doors, to no avail.

    ¡°Hm? Why won¡¯t it open?!¡± one of them shouted. ¡°The riddle¡¯s already solved!¡±

    Then, in the blink of an eye¡ªSLASH!

    A white flash zipped through the air. Blood sprayed across the golden doors as Lancelot and his guild froze. Their bodies were grotesquely sliced in half, their torsos sliding apart with wet, sickening sounds. Entrails spilled onto the floor, pooling in a messy, visceral heap. The crowd gasped, some screaming, others too shocked to move.

    The light faded as silence fell over the hall. Whatever force had done this... it was watching. Waiting.

    And the doors remained closed.

    The Tyrants and the other adventurers ascended the spiral staircase, their boots echoing faintly against the cold, smooth stone. The steps themselves were ancient and uneven, worn down by centuries of time, yet they glimmered faintly with faint traces of draconic runes. The air grew heavier with each step, saturated with a strange energy that seemed to hum in their bones.

    The staircase twisted endlessly, coiling up like the spine of a great beast. Along the walls were massive murals and carvings, depicting the story of Gabriel the First Dragon and his war against the gods. Each level they passed told a new chapter:

    -The Birth of Gabriel: A massive mural of a colossal dragon emerging from a storm of fire and light, his scales shimmering like molten gold. His wings stretched across the heavens, and his roar shattered the stars.

    -The Rise of the Light Born: A depiction of the Lysf?dt, the Vessels of Gabriel, standing proud and radiant. Their forms were angelic, with flowing hair, jeweled eyes, and halos of light. They wielded weapons forged from pure light and magic, their griffins at their sides.

    - The Fall of Gabriel: The final mural showed the great dragon¡¯s demise. His body was shattered, his wings torn, his light extinguished. Scattered around him were the broken bodies of the Lysf?dt, their weapons splintered. The mural radiated sorrow, as if the stone itself mourned the events it depicted.

    Each member of the Tyrants reacted differently. Mertha ran her hand along the carvings, her stoic expression softening ever so slightly. Draeven kept muttering to himself about the scale of the artwork. Kivorn, as usual, looked unimpressed, his exhaustion seeming to increase with every step.

    Zyphira glanced at the murals but quickly turned her attention back to the group. ¡°Why is it always stairs? Couldn¡¯t they have built an elevator or something?¡±

    Illyana chuckled softly. ¡°Perhaps they wanted us to earn our way to the top.¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah? Who?¡±

    As they climbed higher, the air grew colder, and the walls became more metallic, as if the stone was being overtaken by rusted silver. The faint, melodic hum of energy grew louder with every step, vibrating in their chests.

    Xyenn looked down at his hands, seeing that his fist was burning, and he grinned, thinking, ¡®That was just one, Lancelot. And many others who mocked me like that. That felt so awesome¡­I¡¯ll do that to everyone who¡¯s mocked me before when I was powerless. I held back on Lancelot though, I could¡¯ve punched his head off. I fought it, I did. I wanted to, but I didn¡¯t. I won¡¯t be like king Haldrek. If he was here, he would¡¯ve tried to make me kill him. Definitely. I¡¯m better than that¡­right? Yeah I am.¡¯

    Finally, the group emerged from the staircase onto a massive, open walkway. The air seemed to shimmer around them, heavy with an overwhelming presence. The floor was made of cracked, light grey stone, its surface laced with streaks of rust-red corrosion that pulsed faintly, as if alive.

    At the center of the room stood Gabriel¡¯s Ladder, a glowing white spiral of pure energy. It seemed to stretch endlessly into the heavens, its base surrounded by a faint mist that swirled like a living entity. A soft light radiated from the ladder, illuminating the vast chamber in a pale, ethereal glow.

    Gasps filled the room as everyone took in the sight. Even Mertha, usually so stoic, let out a low whistle of admiration.

    Yuuna stared, wide-eyed. ¡°That¡¯s... that¡¯s it?¡± she whispered, her voice trembling.

    Xyenn, however, froze completely. His heart pounded in his chest, the sound deafening in his ears. His breathing quickened, and a cold sweat broke out across his skin. His legs felt like lead, refusing to move.

    This was beyond anything he¡¯d imagined. The sight of the Ladder was overwhelming, but that wasn¡¯t what rooted him in place. It was the overwhelming presence he felt in the room¡ªsomething ancient, powerful, and utterly terrifying.

    Before anyone could move closer to Gabriel¡¯s Ladder, the air itself seemed to ripple. A sudden pulse of light filled the room, blinding and oppressive. When it faded, all eyes turned to the base of the Ladder.

    Sitting there, atop a massive glowing griffin, was a figure that made the entire room fall silent.

    The woman was impossibly tall, her form radiating an unnatural beauty that was both mesmerizing and terrifying. She was around eleven feet tall, with long, flowing white hair that seemed to shimmer like liquid light. Her eyes were glistening jewels, shifting between colors as they caught the light. A halo adorned her head, encrusted with crystals and jewels that sparkled with an otherworldly brilliance.

    Her griffin was just as awe-inspiring. Its body glowed with an intense, radiant light, its lion-like legs adorned with golden armor. Its four tails swayed lazily, each one tipped with a crystalline blade. Its claws scraped against the stone, leaving faint scorch marks, and its wings, massive and feathered, shimmered with the same light as the Ladder.

    Gasps filled the room again as the adventurers collectively realized what they were looking at.

    ¡°Is that..¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a Lysf?dt,¡± one whispered. ¡°From those carvings on the wall back there!¡±

    ¡°No way,¡± another said, trembling. ¡°They were supposed to be dead¡ªgone with Gabriel.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s eyes were wide, her usual humor and bravado gone. ¡°How is this possible?¡± she murmured.

    Xyenn, however, stared at the Lysf?dt with a mix of fear and anxiety, ¡°It¡¯s a Lysf?dt,¡± he said, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Those Light Born¡­¡±

    His heart pounded, like a large drum bearing against his soul, his body felt hot, sweat was brewing up already. He could barely stand, his fists clenched.

    ¡®No¡­.they¡¯re here¡­now..? It hasn¡¯t even been two days! No¡­no please¡­.¡¯

    Yuuna turned to him, her expression serious. ¡°How do you know that? Light Born is what the First Dragon called them only, it was his special name for them. He never told anyone else, I only overheard him say it. And They¡¯ve been dead for centuries¡ªsince the First Dragon fell.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s voice cracked as he answered, ¡°They came to me in a dream... They¡¯re the ones who want me to kill you¡­Yuuna please I was gonna tell you¡ª.¡±

    Yuuna froze. Slowly, she stepped away from him, her eyes narrowing. ¡°Are you playing me? Why didn¡¯t you say anything? I have hard trust issues¡­ya know? What if you were trying to soften me up, to catch me off guard?¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Xyenn said, his voice desperate. ¡°I refused their offer. I told them no! Yuuna, I¡ª¡±

    ¡°Xyenn¡­Why didn¡¯t you tell us this before?¡± Mertha¡¯s voice cut through the tension. The other Tyrants looked at Xyenn, their expressions a mix of suspicion and caution.

    Gorran approached, adding, ¡°I knew it! I knew he couldn¡¯t be trusted! We should kill him now!¡±

    Xyenn yelled, ¡°Listen to me! I told them no! I didn¡¯t accept it! They want me to kill her!¡±

    Draeven was surprised, saying, ¡°I believe you, friend.¡±

    Kivorn said, ¡°Damn. Why does it have to be like this? Now? Dammit, Xyenn. I believe you though. Especially After what happened with Haldrek..¡±

    Yuuna, her head down, commented towards the Lysf?dt, ¡°I didn¡¯t know the Lysf?dt would be alive and well, vessels if the First Dragon made their dumb appearance again.¡±

    Illyana, her smile gone away, asked Xyenn, ¡°Talk to us, and calm down Xyenn. No ones against you, I¡¯m not.¡±

    Xyenn seemed to be hyperventilating, his breathing fast, he felt like everyone was about to kill him, he felt the pulsating state of the lady Lysf?dt, he could feel Yuuna¡¯s growing animosity towards him. If Yuuna had her memories of Xyenn back.

    ¡°How the hell was I supposed to say anything?!¡± Xyenn shouted, his voice echoing in the chamber. ¡°If I told you, you wouldn¡¯t trust me¡ªand rightfully so¡ªbut I swore to you, I¡¯m not going to do it! Especially Yuuna, I know she walked this world for hundreds of years, not trusting a soul. Even the slightest bit of betrayal could set her off, and rightfully so, but I swear¡­.I told them no.¡±

    Zyphira and Sethrak looked at each other.

    Sethrak stepped up, ¡°I believe the kid. The fight with Haldrek showed me that this kid doesn¡¯t play around.¡±

    Zyphira snarled, ¡°But this could be a trap.¡±

    ¡°Whose side are you on?¡±

    ¡°Xyenn¡¯s. They tried to manipulate him, thinking since he was so young, but I know Xyenn wouldn¡¯t give her up. He was faced with death right in front of King Haldrek, and he still didn¡¯t give her up.¡±

    Gorran heard what Zyphira said, and he struggled within himself, thinking, ¡®Is that why I couldn¡¯t kill that damn brat last night?! Deep down, do I really pity him? Do I really believe he¡¯s on our side? Seeing him try to fight a 400 year old Draconic vessel¡­.did that make me see him differently? Damn it all!¡¯

    Mertha said, ¡°Don¡¯t instantly jump on Xyenn!¡± She got close to Xyenn, adding, ¡°Don''t pin any of this on him. It¡¯s possible for a vessel to kill their own dragon god they are linked with, but it would kill him too! Their souls..their very lives are connected!¡±

    Xyenn didn¡¯t know that. That¡¯s something Yuuna never mentioned.

    ¡°What¡­?¡± Xyenn scoffed. ¡°Even if I were to beat Yuuna in their eyes¡­¡±

    ¡®I still lose in the end?!¡¯

    The tension in the room was palpable. Before anyone could respond, one of the adventurers¡ªa nervous-looking man in a tattered leather jacket¡ªstepped forward, laughing nervously.

    ¡°Hey, uh, miss Lysf?dt,¡± he said, his voice shaking. ¡°I¡¯m sure there¡¯s some kind of misunderstanding here. You¡¯re, uh, really beautiful, by the way. Maybe we could¡ª¡±

    The Lysf?dt moved faster than anyone could react. In the blink of an eye, she closed the distance between them, her massive hand wrapping around the man¡¯s torso. With a sickening sound, she ripped him in half, his blood spraying across the stone floor.

    The room erupted in screams as the Lysf?dt held the two halves of his body in the air, her expression cold and unfeeling. The glowing blood from his corpse began to coalesce, transforming into a massive, glowing white axe. The weapon shimmered with jewels and crystals, still dripping with gore.

    The Lysf?dt¡¯s voice was soft but carried an undeniable weight of authority. ¡°You are taking too long to kill her, Xyenn. We will continually visit you until you do it. To convince you to do it. Doing this, we will avoid the destruction of Kyrrin. You are our vessel for bringing Gabriel back.¡±

    Xyenn trembled, his fear almost overwhelming. ¡°And you¡¯re here because¡ª¡±

    ¡°This is not my true form,¡± the Lysf?dt interrupted, her tone calm. ¡°You see only a fragment of me. If I were to descend fully, death would follow in my wake. Destruction would be inevitable. Even the form you saw in your dream was not my real self. That was the form of your world¡¯s lust¡ª¡± she gestured to the jewels encrusting her body, ¡°¡ªobsession with riches...¡± she glanced at her axe, ¡°...cravings for control...¡± and finally, she looked at her own glowing, perfect body, ¡°...and indulgence in lust.¡±

    ¡°I told you no. I won¡¯t do it. And now you¡¯re showing up here trying to force answers out of me¡­?¡±

    ¡°This will show you what is to come. Only a fragment of my body will give you a glimpse of what¡¯s to happen if you refuse to do what we say.¡±

    ¡°Fuck you..fuck all of you! I¡¯ll kill every last one of you!¡±

    Xyenn turned to Yuuna, his voice shaking. ¡°Yuuna... please. Merge with me.¡±

    Yuuna stared at him, her expression unreadable. Then, she whispered, ¡°¡­

    The hurt in her voice was unmistakable.

    The Lysf?dt floated into the air, her massive wings spreading wide. She pointed her axe forward, her jeweled eyes locking onto Xyenn. ¡°Fetch,¡± she commanded.

    The griffin rose, its light intensifying. The room was filled with a blinding radiance as its wings unfurled to their full span. Its four tails lashed the air, leaving streaks of glowing energy in their wake. The adventurers and Tyrants scrambled to prepare for the incoming attack, their weapons drawn.

    The griffin let out a deafening screech, its voice like the roar of a storm. It reared back, its claws glowing with an intense heat, and launched itself forward with terrifying speed. And then suddenly, it roared loudly like a lion, and more clones of himself bursted from his back, lashing out on the adventurers, each step causing ripples in the air and thooms on the ground.

    The Tyrants braced themselves.

    Mertha yelled, ¡°Xyenn!¡± Until she was snatched up, but alive, going against a Griffin.

    The fight was about to begin.

    Xyenn by himself, walked towards The Lysf?dt, saying, ¡°Fine then. I¡¯ll show you, Yuuna. I don¡¯t blame you for having trust issues, especially if you lost your memories of me. And after all you¡¯ve been through, I don¡¯t blame you. I¡¯ll fight even if I¡¯m not merged with you, to show you how much I won¡¯t tolerate these fuckers trying to ruin my happiness. A happiness I¡¯ve been seeking since I was a child. Even if I have to make myself a monster. I won¡¯t lose.¡±

    He was about to rip his armor off, but then, Yuuna watched him, and she had a quick memory of Xyenn limping towards her when she went all out in her dragon form, when they stood in front of Haldrek.

    ¡®What was that memory? That was him¡­calming me down?¡¯

    Xyenn was preparing to take the armor off as the Lysf?dt was slowly descending upon him, ready to fight.

    ¡°Xyenn¡­¡±

    Xyenn heard Yuuna¡¯s voice, and Yuuna was hugging Xyenn from behind, saying, ¡°If you mean what you say, then kill this bitch with me. You really were about to lose yourself and possibly kill yourself to prove a point to me¡­? You¡¯re crazier than I am.¡±

    ¡®He really is like me. All we want..is happiness.¡¯

    Xyenn nodded, and they began to merge. His dragon tail coming out, his draconic wings flapping, the jagged edged halo forming above his head, parts of his skin turning into dragon scales, and the multiple arms stretching from his back, holding multiple scythes glistening in dark pink and black flames, and Xyenn crouched low.

    The Lysf?dt said, ¡°We are the vessels of Gabriel. We are still powerful. Come at me. I will show you just a fragment of my power. Maybe then, you¡¯ll see that saving the world is necessary. Even if you die alongside this wretch of darkness.¡±

    Yuuna roared from inside Xyenn, ¡°Now you idiots want my heart to keep the Cycle of Rebirth going? To bring Gabriel back? That¡¯s really funny!¡±

    ¡°Nothing is funny. You¡¯ve bested Death, not he¡¯s in the palm of hell¡¯s eternal flame.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?!¡± Yuuna spoke from Xyenn¡¯s body.

    ¡°¡­¡±

    The Lysf?dt zipped forward at Xyenn, and Xyenn zapped ahead as well.

    The fight had began.

 Chapter 23: Griffinâ€™s Blade

    The moment the Griffins multiplied, their crystalline long swords glowing with malevolent light, the air turned suffocating. Dozens of them now filled the chamber, their forms barely more than streaks of white light as they darted through the battlefield. The sound of their crystalline swords scraping against the ruined stone floor, the shrieks of dying adventurers, and the tearing of flesh created a cacophony of death.

    The Tyrants, surrounded on all sides, braced themselves. They had no choice but to fight, even as the odds stacked higher against them. Every movement mattered now¡ªevery misstep meant death.

    Mertha was immediately swarmed by three Griffins. Their glowing swords, clenched between jaws of jagged crystal, swung with lethal precision in a coordinated assault. The first Griffin lunged low, its blade aimed for her knees, while the second came from her right, its sword carving an arc toward her throat. The third Griffin leapt directly overhead, its massive crystal blade poised to drive straight down into her skull.

    Mertha growled, her pink halo flaring brighter, and slammed her black and pink flaming gauntlets together. The ground beneath her cracked as she ducked low, narrowly avoiding the first blade aimed for her legs. She twisted her body mid-duck, catching the second blade with her flaming gauntlet. Sparks and shards of crystal exploded from the impact as her gauntlets ground against the sword, the force driving her back a few inches.

    ¡°Come at me! I¡¯ll kill every last one of ya!¡±

    Before she could counter, the third Griffin dove. She threw herself to the side, rolling across the blood-slick floor as the beast¡¯s blade stabbed deep into the stone where her head had been. The Griffins didn¡¯t relent, their movements quick and surgical.

    ¡°Damn it!¡± Mertha snarled, forcing herself to her feet.

    The first Griffin lunged again, this time feinting left before spinning its entire body mid-air, its sword cleaving horizontally in a deadly spiral. Mertha surged forward into the attack, her flaming gauntlets igniting as she caught the spinning blade with both hands. The impact nearly drove her to her knees, but she held firm, her muscles straining as the flames licked up her arms.

    With a roar, she wrenched the blade aside, using the Griffin¡¯s momentum against it. The beast¡¯s body twisted awkwardly before she drove her gauntlet into its exposed side, shattering its crystalline ribs with a sickening crunch. It let out a shriek, blood spraying from its mouth as it collapsed.

    The second Griffin didn¡¯t wait. It dashed forward, its blade swinging low for her midsection. Mertha slammed her foot into the ground, pivoting sharply to avoid the strike. She countered with a brutal uppercut, her flaming gauntlet smashing into the beast¡¯s jaw. The force of the blow sent shards of crystal and teeth flying, but the Griffin didn¡¯t fall.

    Before she could finish it off, the third Griffin was on her. Its sword drove into her side, the jagged blade cutting deep. Blood poured from the wound as Mertha hissed in pain, her eyes narrowing. She grabbed the blade with her bare hands, the flames of her gauntlets flaring violently as she melted through the crystal.

    With a guttural scream, she pulled the sword free from her body, turned it around, and drove it into the Griffin¡¯s throat. The beast gurgled as it slumped to the ground, but Mertha staggered, clutching her side.

    ¡®No¡­.i''m not done yet. I still have too much left to do!¡¯

    Zyphira ascended into the air, her golden wings sharp and radiant, as three Griffins circled her like vultures. Their swords glimmered, catching the light of Gabriel¡¯s Ladder as they darted toward her in a synchronized attack.

    ¡®Based on the carvings in the walls before, these were the beasts the Lysf?dt rode into battle with! This is impossible! No..don¡¯t give up so easily. We can do this, can¡¯t we? We¡¯re Tyrants..¡¯

    The first Griffin came head-on, thrusting its sword with brutal force. Zyphira twisted her body, her gilded wings folding inward as the blade scraped past her chest, cutting just deep enough to draw blood. She retaliated with a roar, opening her mouth wide and unleashing a massive, fire-wreathed projectile.

    The golden fireball engulfed the first Griffin, melting its crystalline form mid-flight, but the other two Griffins were already moving.

    The second Griffin closed in from beneath her, its blade rising in a deadly arc aimed to cleave her from the waist up. At the same time, the third Griffin dove from above, its sword spinning like a saw as it aimed for the back of her neck.

    Zyphira snapped her wings outward, the sharp edges cutting into the second Griffin¡¯s blade mid-swing. Sparks exploded as her wings fought against the weapon¡¯s edge, but the sheer force of the attack sent her spiraling upward, blood trailing from her waist. She wasn¡¯t fast enough to block the third Griffin¡¯s strike.

    The blade grazed her stomach, carving a deep gash into her draconic flesh. She screamed, her golden flames flaring wildly as she folded her wings and dove straight at the Griffin. Her speed turned her body into a living spear, her sharpened wings piercing through the beast¡¯s chest.

    As the Griffin thrashed beneath her, its claws scraping at her legs, she opened her mouth again and let loose another fireball, burning through its skull.

    The second Griffin, still intact, charged at her again, but Zyphira met it mid-air. She twisted into a tight spiral, her wings slicing through the beast¡¯s legs before she grabbed its head with both hands. With a savage roar, she drove her knee into its jaw, shattering it, before impaling the creature on her wings.

    Sethrak flew high above the battlefield, his golden dragon wings shimmering as two Griffins chased him relentlessly, their swords spinning like wheels of death.

    The first Griffin surged ahead, it''s blade from its mouth stabbing forward in a deadly thrust. Sethrak turned mid-air, his hands moving in intricate patterns as he chanted in the ancient tongue. A fiery wheel, glowing with golden light and cloaked in darkness, appeared behind him.

    The Griffin¡¯s blade came within inches of his chest before Sethrak twisted sharply, his claws catching the flat of the blade and redirecting it downward. He followed through with a brutal counterattack, slamming his knee into the Griffin¡¯s neck. The beast choked, but the second Griffin was already upon him.

    The second Griffin swung its sword in a rapid slash, forcing Sethrak to release the first beast and dodge backward. The blade grazed his wing, cutting through the golden membrane and leaving a trail of crystals.

    Sethrak snarled, his chants growing louder as the fiery wheel behind him spun faster. He thrust his palms forward, and a barrage of small fireballs shot out fast, each one streaking toward the Griffins.

    The first Griffin dodged, weaving through the projectiles with uncanny speed, but the second wasn¡¯t as lucky. One fireball struck its wing, igniting it in golden flames. The beast shrieked as it spun out of control, crashing into the ground below.

    Sethrak charged the remaining Griffin, his hands glowing with golden fire. The beast met him head-on, its sword slashing downward in an overhead strike. Sethrak caught the blade between his palms, the flames of his hands melting through the crystal as he drove his knee into the Griffin¡¯s chest.

    The beast staggered, but Sethrak didn¡¯t let up. He grabbed the Griffin by the head, his fiery claws digging into its skull, and tore it apart with a savage twist.

    More small fireballs raced from the flaming wheel behind him, but those golden fireballs formed into golden flaming clones of Sethrak, and they attacked the griffins, their claws and sharp kicks slashing the beasts, shattering them into crystals, golden beams of flames exploding from their body each time the clones attack.

    Draeven fought on the ground, his body wrapped in the same cloth that now glowed faintly with runic symbols of darkness, Yuuna¡¯s darkness. Two Griffins circled him, their swords in their beaks cutting through the air in precise, deadly arcs.

    The first Griffin lunged, its blade carving an upward slash aimed to split him in two. Draeven sidestepped, his movements sharp and efficient, and countered with a spinning back-kick. His reinforced leg struck the beast¡¯s jaw, cracking the crystal and sending it stumbling backward.

    The second Griffin attacked from behind, its sword thrusting toward his spine. Draeven dropped to the ground, the blade whistling over his head, and rolled forward. He came up with a powerful uppercut, his wrapped fist slamming into the Griffin¡¯s stomach and shattering its crystalline ribs.

    The first Griffin recovered, leaping at him with its sword raised high. Draeven ducked low, dodging the strike, and grabbed the beast¡¯s leg mid-air. With a roar, he swung it into the second Griffin, the impact shattering both beasts into pieces.

    ¡°There¡¯s so many¡­each time we take one down, more show up!¡±

    Gunthr and his guildmates were hiding behind destroyed pillars, keeping their heads down as they saw the massacre happening.

    The chamber was chaos incarnate. Blood sprayed in thick screams across the desecrated stone floor as adventurers were butchered by the crystalline horde. Screams of terror and agony filled the air, mingling with the shrill, otherworldly screeches of the Griffins. Their crystalline swords, glowing with malevolent light, cut through the strongest armor and flesh with ease.

    Gorran stood at the center of it all, his Xenith blade humming with dark, hungry power. The blade itself seemed already alive, its edges rippling with shadows and spiraling red eyes that blinked open and shut like the watchful gaze of a thousand demons. Where the blade struck, spirals of black and crimson tore through the air, rippling like distorted wounds in reality itself.

    But Gorran was surrounded. Dozens of Griffins circled him, their crystalline swords shimmering like death itself. The corpses of adventurers lay scattered around him, their bodies mangled and lifeless. Blood pooled beneath his boots. He tightened his grip on the Xenith¡¯s hilt, his teeth gritted against the pain of the deep gashes already carved into his sides and arms.

    This was no victory march. This was survival.

    Four Griffins rushed him at once, their swords gleaming as they darted in from different angles. Gorran¡¯s eyes flicked from one to the next, his muscles tensing as he anticipated the onslaught. The first Griffin came high, its blade slashing downward in an overhead strike meant to cleave him in two.

    Gorran pivoted, narrowly avoiding the blade, and countered with a diagonal slash of his Xenith. The blade moved like a whisper, cutting through the Griffin¡¯s side as if it were paper. The spiraling red eyes on the weapon blinked open, and a foul ripple tore through the Griffin¡¯s body. Its crystalline form began to crack and rot from within, black veins spreading like a disease. It let out a shriek before collapsing, its body dissolving into a steaming, heap of blood and crystals.

    But the second Griffin was already there. Its sword came low, aimed for Gorran¡¯s knees. He jumped back, but the blade caught his shin, slicing through flesh and muscle. He grunted in pain but retaliated with a vicious upward slash. The Xenith tore through the Griffin¡¯s jaw, the spiraling eyes along the blade leaving burning, bleeding crystal wounds in their wake. The beast staggered, but Gorran didn¡¯t stop. He spun, delivering a horizontal strike that decapitated the creature in one clean motion.

    ¡°I¡¯m not letting you bastards take me down!¡±

    The third and fourth Griffins attacked together, their swords carving through the air in a deadly, synchronized pattern. Gorran raised his blade to block, the Xenith catching one of the swords. Sparks flew as the two weapons clashed, but the second blade found its mark, slicing straight through Gorran¡¯s shoulder. Blood sprayed from the wound, but Gorran roared in defiance, slamming his boot into the chest of the first Griffin to create distance.

    He lunged forward, his Xenith carving through the second Griffin¡¯s chest. As the blade exited, spiraling eyes opened along the beast¡¯s torso, the creature collapsed, twitching violently as its body fell apart.

    Nearby, a human swordsman tried to face off against a single Griffin. He was quick, his longsword flashing as he parried the beast¡¯s strikes. But it wasn¡¯t enough. The Griffin feinted, its crystalline sword darting to the side before plunging straight through the man¡¯s chest. The adventurer gasped, blood bubbling from his mouth as the Griffin yanked its blade free.

    Before Gorran could intervene, another adventurer¡ªa stoic cleric¡ªwas struck down. The cleric had raised his shield, chanting prayers to his dragon gods, but the Griffin¡¯s sword shattered the shield in one swing. The next strike cleaved straight through the clerics skull, splitting his head down the middle. Brain matter and blood splattered across the ground as the Griffin moved on to its next victim.

    Gorran grimaced but had no time for anything else. Three more Griffins charged him, their blades spinning towards him..

    ¡®Damn pests¡­they¡¯re strong! I¡¯m using my strongest skills on them¡­each time one goes down, another one grows from its body. It has to be That Lysf?dt woman! She¡¯s the link, if Xyenn and Yuuna can kill her fast¡­that would help us. I don¡¯t think we can hold off against these bastards any longer..¡¯

    The first Griffin zipped for his chest, its sword aimed to impale him. Gorran strafed to the side, swinging the Xenith in a curve. The blade hummed with dark energy, its spiraling red eyes leaving a ripple in the air where it passed. The slash struck the Griffin¡¯s side, carving through its ribs. A spiraling distortion opened in the wound, and red eyes blinked into existence along its body. The beast shrieked as crystals and black ichor poured from the spirals, its body collapsing into a heap of steaming rot and crystals.

    The second Griffin was faster. Its sword slashed across Gorran¡¯s back, tearing through his armor and drawing a spray of blood. He stumbled forward, his vision blurring from the pain, but he turned in time to see the third Griffin coming down on him.

    ¡®I didn¡¯t go this hard against Xyenn before, I really held back against that brat? And he held back against me¡­guess me and that fool aren¡¯t so different.¡¯

    With a desperate roar, he raised the Xenith, catching the Griffin¡¯s sword mid-swing. The impact sent a shockwave through his arms, but he held firm. But the impact made blood burst from his eyes, nose, and mouth, and ears.

    ¡°I¡¯m not losing to you beasts! Damn bastards!¡±

    ¡®Me and the other Tyrants¡­our skills are tainted with Yuuna¡¯s darkness, there¡¯s no way we can lose. I won¡¯t be a disappointment, not even to myself. I was born into perfection, failure is not an option.¡¯

    The spiraling eyes along his blade blinked open, releasing a burst of shadowy energy that rippled through the Griffin¡¯s weapon. The crystalline sword cracked, and Gorran shoved the beast back before delivering a brutal downward slash.

    The Xenith carved through the Griffin¡¯s head, splitting it in half. Blood, diamonds, and crystal shards exploded from the wound as the beast collapsed.

    All around him, adventurers were dying. A halfling rogue, quick and nimble, managed to dodge a Griffin¡¯s first strike but was caught by its second. The crystalline blade impaled him through the stomach, lifting him off the ground. The Griffin shook him violently before tossing his mangled body aside like trash.

    A towering minotaur, wielding a massive warhammer, roared as he brought his weapon down on a Griffin. The blow shattered the beast¡¯s wing, but another Griffin struck from behind, its sword severing the minotaur¡¯s head in one clean cut. Blood sprayed like a fountain as the headless body crumpled to the floor.

    Gorran¡¯s breathing was ragged, his body covered in wounds, but he refused to stop. He spun, his Xenith carving through another Griffin¡¯s legs. As the beast fell, spiraling eyes opened along its wounds, devouring its flesh from within.

    Across the battlefield, Sethrak had been fighting with deadly precision, his golden flames tearing through Griffins. But then he saw her¡ªZyphira, lying on the ground, blood pooling beneath her. A Griffin stood over her, its crystalline sword raised high, ready to deliver the killing blow.

    Time seemed to slow.

    Sethrak¡¯s mind was dragged back to another moment, one burned into his memory forever.

    Zyphira was just a child, no older than six. Their father, a towering draconic vessel, loomed over her. His eyes, filled with lust and cruelty, made Sethrak¡¯s stomach churn as Sethrak burst through the doors.

    The father sneered, saying, ¡°You are ready, to become a woman¡ª¡°

    Sethrak had acted on instinct, grabbing a hidden dagger from his father¡¯s belt and driving it into his ribs. He had stabbed him again and again, blood spraying across the walls, until the monster collapsed.

    The memory ignited something primal in Sethrak. His golden flames turned darker, tinged with black, as he let out a roar that shook the chamber.

    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    ¡°I won¡¯t let anyone take advantage of her¡­¡±

    He launched himself at the Griffin standing over Zyphira, his body a blur of golden fire. The Griffin¡¯s sword came down, but Sethrak caught it with his bare claws, the golden flames searing through the crystalline blade. He drove his teeth into the beast¡¯s neck, tearing out its throat in a spray of blood.

    Another Griffin charged him, but Sethrak turned, his flames exploding outward. The beast was incinerated before it could even strike.

    He tore through the horde, his claws ripping flesh and his flames consuming everything in his path. Blood, jewels, and ash coated the ground as he screamed in fury, killing anything that dared approach.

    As Sethrak prepared to charge again, Zyphira¡¯s weak voice stopped him. ¡°Brother¡­¡±

    He froze mid-step, his flames flickering. Zyphira reached out, her trembling hand grabbing his. ¡°Keep your head on¡­ please¡­ for me.¡±

    Sethrak¡¯s eyes widened, tears mixing with the blood on his face. He was pulled back again, to the memory of them running away together, hand in hand, after killing their father.

    The battlefield seemed to go silent for a moment, the chaos fading into the background. Sethrak knelt beside Zyphira, gripping her hand tightly.

    ¡°I¡¯ll protect you,¡± he whispered, his voice trembling. ¡°Always.¡±

    Then he stood, his golden flames reigniting. The fight wasn¡¯t over. Not yet.

    The Griffins swarmed like a tide of death, their crystalline swords glowing with an unholy light as they closed in on Kivorn. His body ached, his wounds oozing blood, but he planted his staff into the ground, holding his ground like a lone bastion against the onslaught.

    The runes on his staff pulsed faintly, flickering under the strain of his magic. His voice rose above the sound of clashing blades and shrieking beasts, chanting in the ancient elven tongue. The words were guttural and melodic, each syllable pulling the elements closer to his call. The air around him thickened, laced with fire, wind, and shards of splintered stone.

    But the Griffins didn¡¯t hesitate. They sensed his power, and they wanted him destroyed.

    The first Griffin darted forward, its sword swinging like a menace toward Kivorn¡¯s side. He spun his staff just in time, the strike deflecting with a shower of sparks. The force of the blow jolted his arms, nearly sending him to his knees. Before he could recover, two more Griffins lunged from opposite directions, their blades aimed to tear him apart.

    Kivorn whispered a desperate chant, his staff glowing as the ground beneath him erupted. Jagged pillars of stone shot upward, spearing one of the Griffins mid-leap, its body shattering in a rain of crystal and blood. The other two Griffins adjusted instantly, one darting low while the other leapt high to flank him.

    The low Griffin¡¯s blade came for his legs, and Kivorn barely managed to twist his body to avoid the strike. The other¡¯s sword screamed down toward his head, and he raised his staff to block. The impact knocked him back, his boots skidding across the blood-slick stone.

    He roared, slamming the butt of his staff into the ground. Fire erupted in a ring around him, blackened flames licking at the edges of the chamber. One Griffin caught in the inferno shrieked as its crystalline body melted, but the others surged through the flames, relentless.

    A sword grazed his side, tearing through his robes and cutting into his flesh. Kivorn hissed in pain, clutching the wound as blood seeped through his fingers. Another Griffin struck from behind, its blade slicing toward his spine.

    Kivorn spun, his chant rising into a shout. The fire around him surged into his body, merging with him. His skin glowed with molten light, and his eyes burned like embers as the flames consumed him. His staff turned into a weapon of destruction, the fire coursing through it as he swung it in a wide arc. The attack left a burning crescent in its wake, incinerating the Griffin in front of him and forcing the others to back away.

    But they weren¡¯t done. More Griffins surged forward, their swords carving through the air.

    ¡®Are they getting stronger?! The more they fight¡­the more we kill¡­this can¡¯t be won! Not like this!¡¯

    Kivorn¡¯s breathing was labored, his body trembling from the strain of channeling so much power. The Griffins came in a coordinated assault now, five of them charging at once. Their blades gleamed with light, and their movements were too fast, too precise.

    He couldn¡¯t block them all.

    One blade slashed across his shoulder, slicing deep into his flesh. Another struck his thigh, nearly dropping him to his knees. Blood poured from his wounds, pooling at his feet, but Kivorn gritted his teeth and slammed his staff into the ground.

    The air around him exploded into a maelstrom of wind and darkness. The wind howled like a living thing, tearing through the chamber with ferocious force. Shards of stone and debris whipped through the air, slicing into the Griffins¡¯ bodies and leaving trails of blackened, festering wounds.

    The storm didn¡¯t stop. Kivorn¡¯s chant grew louder, his voice raw as the wind wrapped around him, merging with his body. His limbs became spectral, his arms and legs shrouded in a swirling vortex of darkness and razor-sharp currents. His staff became an extension of the storm, glowing with electric fury.

    The Griffins fought through the storm, their swords carving paths through the wind. One of them lunged, its blade aimed for Kivorn¡¯s heart. He twisted, the wind carrying him sideways, and countered with a swing of his staff. The strike didn¡¯t just hit¡ªit detonated. The Griffin¡¯s body was torn apart by a violent burst of compressed air, blood and shards of crystal spraying across the battlefield.

    Another Griffin came from above, its sword poised to cleave his head in two. Kivorn raised his arm, the storm coiling around it like a shield. The blade struck the wind, and the Griffin was flung backward, its body spinning wildly before slamming into the ground.

    But the strain of the storm was too much. Kivorn faltered, the wind around him flickering. One Griffin took advantage, its blade stabbing into his side. The pain was blinding, and he gasped, his chant breaking for just a moment.

    It was enough. The storm collapsed, and the Griffins closed in.

    Kivorn fell to his knees, blood pouring from his wounds. The Griffins surrounded him, their crystalline swords raised high. He gripped his staff tightly, his knuckles white as he whispered a final chant.

    ¡®No joy in this..¡¯

    The elements roared in response. Fire, wind, earth, and darkness surged toward him, merging with his body. His flesh turned to stone, cracks glowing with molten light. His arms ignited, flames trailing from his fingers like living things. The air around him swirled with a deadly current, and shadows coiled at his feet, writhing like serpents.

    The Griffins struck all at once, their swords carving through the air in perfect unison. Kivorn didn¡¯t block¡ªhe just moved. His body blurred with elemental speed, the wind carrying him between the strikes. He reappeared behind one of the Griffins, his stone fist smashing into its back. The beast crumpled, its body crushed into blood and jewel shards.

    Another Griffin lunged, and Kivorn countered with a blast of molten fire. The flames consumed the beast, melting its crystalline body into slag.

    Two more came from his sides, their swords swinging in deadly arcs. Kivorn raised his arms, the stone cracking as spikes of earth erupted from his body, impaling both Griffins mid-strike. Their blood sprayed across him as he pulled the spikes back into his body, his stone flesh reforming.

    The final Griffin circled him, its sword glowing brighter than the rest. It lunged with terrifying speed, its blade aimed for his heart. Kivorn didn¡¯t dodge. Instead, he raised his staff, channeling the full force of the elements into a single point.

    When the sword struck, the explosion ripped through the chamber. Fire, wind, and darkness erupted outward in a violent wave, consuming the Griffin and leaving nothing but ash.

    Kivorn stood in the aftermath, his body trembling as the elements receded. The chamber was silent, save for the crackle of flames and the sound of his ragged breathing. Blood dripped from his wounds, pooling at his feet, but he remained standing.

    ¡®Hopeless¡­why do I feel this way now? Is it my time..?¡¯

    Kivorn¡¯s eyes flickered as the chaos of the present dimmed for a moment, the blood-soaked battlefield around him giving way to the cold, quiet memories of another time¡ªa distant pain he rarely allowed himself to revisit.

    ---

    He was always moving, always laughing, always alive.

    The village of the Svren Elves was a place of grace, its inhabitants the embodiment of elegance and balance. Anything that was an anomaly, was considered a curse in their eyes, a breaking of the origins of tranquility and peace they achieved over years of existence. The towering silver trees of their home whispered to the wind, the streams wove delicate paths through the earth, and the air was charged with the quiet hum of elemental magic that bound all things. Among these serene people, Kivorn was a storm of vibrant chaos.

    It was when he was a small elf child, he darted through the village like a spark of wildfire, his laughter ringing out over the tranquil melodies of the elder¡¯s chants. He¡¯d race along the smooth branches of the silver trees, flipping and tumbling without care, his white hair a wild mess, his bright eyes filled with mischief. He¡¯d splash through the sacred streams, turning their crystal waters into waves of joy. While the other children practiced their precision with elemental fusion, their hands weaving water and fire with perfect poise, Kivorn would hurl boulders of flame into the sky, laughing as they exploded into harmless sparks.

    ¡°He¡¯s always happy..¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s weird.¡±

    ¡°Think he¡¯s joking around? The elders won¡¯t be so happy..¡±

    The elders of the village watched him from their council circle, their expressions cold and disapproving. To the Svren Elves, the mastery of elemental magic required not just skill but grace, a reflection of their devotion to the nameless dragon god they worshipped. They believed themselves chosen, their magic a gift from the divine beast, and Kivorn, with his wild, unrestrained energy, was seen as a blemish on their perfection.

    ¡°He is an anomaly,¡± one elder muttered, her voice laced with disdain. ¡°A curse born of chaos.¡±

    Another elder nodded, his voice grave. ¡°If he is not corrected, the dragon god will see us as unworthy. His punishment will be swift.¡±

    But others, softer in their approach, spoke of a solution. ¡°Perhaps the boy can be fixed. His spirit... tamed.¡±

    And so, the decision was made.

    Kivorn ran through the village one last time, his laughter echoing through the trees, oblivious to the gathering of the adults. His parents stood silently among them, their expressions unreadable. He waved to them, his grin as wide as ever, but they didn¡¯t wave back.

    ¡°Kivorn,¡± one of the elders called, their voice stern but calm. ¡°Come here, child.¡±

    He bounded over, his boundless energy radiating off him like sunlight. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± he chirped, his voice bright and unguarded.

    ¡°We have a task for you,¡± the elder said, gesturing toward a massive, hollowed-out tree stump in the center of the village. The hollow was large enough to fit a person inside, its bark etched with shimmering runes that pulsed faintly. Kivorn tilted his head, curious.

    ¡°What¡¯s in there?¡± he asked, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

    ¡°Your chance to help the village,¡± the elder replied, their tone cold and calculated.

    Kivorn didn¡¯t hesitate. He trusted them. The elders were wise, and his parents stood with them. Whatever this was, it had to be important. He climbed into the hollow, his small hands brushing against the runes etched into the bark. The magic pulsed against his skin, warm and alive.

    As soon as he was inside, the elders began their chant. The air grew heavy, the light dimmed, and the ground trembled. From the shadows of the trees, a figure stepped forward¡ªa witch, draped in tattered robes, her face obscured by a hood. Her hands moved with unnatural precision, weaving threads of dark magic into the air.  Witches, experts in harnessing draconic dark magic for their own ambition..

    The curse she summoned had a name: Ekven¡¯s Grasp, a spell forbidden even among the Svren Elves. It was a binding of the soul, a siphon of joy and vitality meant to crush the spirit without breaking the body. The witch¡¯s voice was a rasping whisper, her words twisting through the air like smoke:

    "To the restless soul, we bind stillness. To the bright flame, we cast shadow. To the storm of joy, we bring silence. By the will of Ekven, let the fire dim and the mind quiet¡­¡±

    The runes on the tree stump glowed brighter, their light turning a sickly green. Kivorn felt the magic coil around him, slipping into his skin like needles of ice. At first, he laughed¡ªit tickled, and he thought it was part of some game. But then his laughter caught in his throat.

    Something was wrong.

    The magic dug deeper, wrapping around his heart and mind. His boundless energy, his joy, his fire¡ªall of it began to drain away, as if siphoned into the glowing runes. His limbs grew heavy, his thoughts slowed, and the vibrant colors of the world dulled to gray. He tried to call out, to ask what was happening, but his voice was weak, trembling.

    And still, they kept chanting.

    His parents watched in silence, their faces blank. He looked at them, confusion and betrayal flickering in his dimming eyes. The runes flared one last time before their light faded, leaving the stump cold and lifeless. The elders stepped back, their expressions satisfied.

    ¡°Leave him,¡± one of them said. ¡°The curse will take hold fully in time. We will return in three days.¡±

    For three days, Kivorn sat alone in the hollow. The first day, he tried to laugh, to sing, to move, but the curse clung to him like a weight. His joy felt distant, as though it were locked behind a wall he couldn¡¯t reach. By the second day, he stopped trying.

    When the elders finally returned on the third day, they found him sitting perfectly still. His once-bright eyes were dull and tired, his green hair limp. Tear tracks stained his cheeks, though no more fell¡ªhe was too exhausted to cry.

    The elder leaned closer, studying him. ¡°Kivorn,¡± they said, their tone almost gentle. ¡°How do you feel?¡±

    He looked up at them, his voice flat, hollow. ¡°Fine.¡±

    The elders smiled.

    The other villagers murmured their approval. Even Kivorn¡¯s parents managed small, tentative smiles.

    ¡°He is quiet now,¡± one elder said. ¡°The dragon god will be pleased. He is normal like us. We won¡¯t allow him to be the downfall of a tranquil peace we have cultivated for centuries. For only through peace and tranquility are we able to truly harness the elements of the world. If that tranquility is thrashed, then we as a race will perish alongside it. Our power will lie in ruin. We will not let him be the cause of our downfall like our founding fathers.¡±

    Kivorn didn¡¯t respond. He sat there in the hollowed tree stump, staring at the ground, his small hands limp in his lap. Somewhere deep inside, he knew something had been taken from him. Something he might never get back.

    But all the village saw was a child who wasn¡¯t laughing anymore.

    Kivorn, now out of his own head and memories, looked down at the ground, blood draining from his body:

    ¡®Pure joy¡­why is everything trying to stop me? Even if I smile, it¡¯s not real. Every time I turn, something is keeping me from my goal, to experience true joy. As long as the dragon gods are around, with their dumb rules and concepts, I can¡¯t achieve it. I¡¯m trying so hard to survive. Joy will come one day, is what Yuuna told me if I stuck with her, I¡¯m gonna survive to see that day happen.¡¯

    Back in the structure where Gabriel¡¯s Ladder was, the chamber was in ruins. Blood pooled across the cracked stone floor, mixing with the shards of shattered crystal and the charred remains of Griffins. The air was heavy with the stench of death, the metallic tang of blood mingling with the acrid scent of burning flesh. Every breath was a struggle, every movement a reminder of the wounds carved into their bodies.

    Mertha stood in the center of the battered group, her flaming gauntlets dimmed, the once-roaring flames reduced to flickering embers. Her jagged halo flickered above her head, cracked and unstable. Blood streaked her face and arms, dripping from the gaping wound on her side. She swayed slightly but planted her feet firmly, refusing to fall.

    ¡°Everyone, circle up! Now!¡±

    ¡®I¡¯ll lead if I have to..¡¯

    Around her, the Tyrants gathered. Gorran leaned heavily on Xenith, the dark blade still pulsing with malevolent energy, the spiraling red eyes blinking lazily as if hungering for more. His armor was rent in several places, exposing deep gashes across his chest and arms. His breath came in ragged gasps, but his eyes burned with defiance.

    Kivorn limped to the group, his staff acting as a crutch. The elven mage¡¯s robes were torn, his once-pristine appearance now soaked in blood and grime. His hands trembled as he leaned against his staff, the glow of his magic flickering weakly.

    Draeven sat on the ground, his back against a shattered pillar. His fists were still wrapped, though the enchanted cloth was soaked with blood, its runic symbols nearly invisible beneath the stains. His chest heaved with effort, his muscles trembling from exhaustion.

    Zyphira landed beside them, her golden wings tattered and bloodied. The radiant flames that usually surrounded her were gone, leaving her looking dim and vulnerable. One of her wings hung at an awkward angle, the membrane torn and oozing blood.

    Sethrak stood a short distance away, his fiery wheel spinning sluggishly behind him. His dragon wings drooped, and his body was covered in burns and cuts, his golden scales dulled and cracked. He clutched his side, where a deep gash seeped blood onto the ground beneath him.

    Illyana knelt beside her floating grimoire, her hands glowing faintly as she stitched a wound on her arm with healing magic. Her face was pale, her dark light energy flickering weakly as she glanced around the group. Her entire frame and face were covered in blood and shattered crystal shards.

    They were all alive, but barely.

    Mertha looked at each of them, her breathing heavy but steady. She clenched her fists, reigniting the dying flames of her gauntlets.

    "This isn¡¯t over," she said, her voice low and hoarse but filled with authority.

    Gorran scoffed, spitting blood onto the ground. "It sure as hell feels over," he muttered, straightening despite the pain. His dark blade hummed in his hands, the spiraling eyes along its length blinking as if eager for more bloodshed. ¡°These are the ancient beasts the Lysf?dt used in the war, defending the First Dragon, no wonder they chose them. Damn bastards..¡±

    "It¡¯s not over!" Mertha snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut through the haze of exhaustion. "We¡¯re holding this ground. We¡¯re not running. We¡¯re not dying here."

    Zyphira winced, touching the torn membrane of her wing. "You¡¯re planning to hold this against that?" She gestured to the far end of the chamber, where the horde of Griffins was already gathering again. Dozens¡ªno, hundreds¡ªof them, their crystalline swords glowing like a forest of death. Their shrieks echoed off the walls, each one a promise of annihilation.

    Mertha nodded, her eyes hard. "We¡¯re holding. Xyenn and Yuuna will handle that Lysf?dt. It¡¯s defeat will break this. The Griffins aren¡¯t natural¡ªthey¡¯re tethered to her power. They¡¯ll vanish when she falls."

    Kivorn frowned, his voice quiet but tinged with doubt. "And¡­ if Xyenn and Yuuna don¡¯t win?"

    Mertha¡¯s gaze snapped to him, sharp and unyielding. "Then we¡¯ll keep fighting. Until we can¡¯t anymore. But I believe in them. They¡¯ll win. Xyenn won¡¯t lose.¡±

    Sethrak hissed through clenched teeth, his golden eyes narrowing. "Belief alone isn¡¯t going to stop that," he growled, nodding toward the advancing horde. The Griffins moved as one, their crystalline swords scraping against the stone as they marched forward, their movements impossibly fast and precise. ¡°But we can¡¯t just doubt at the same time..¡±

    Illyana stood, her grimoire floating beside her, the faint glow of her magic growing stronger. "If we¡¯re going to hold, we need a plan. We can¡¯t just charge in and hope for the best."

    Mertha smirked, though it didn¡¯t reach her eyes. "We don¡¯t need hope. We¡¯ve got each other. That¡¯s enough. Just kick ass.¡±

    She turned to Gorran. "You take point. Your blade cuts deeper than anything we¡¯ve got. Keep their attention on you and give us an opening."

    Gorran nodded, gripping Xenith tightly. "Whatever. Just point.¡±

    Mertha looked to Zyphira. "You¡¯re aerial support. Keep their fliers off us as long as you can."

    Zyphira hesitated, glancing at her injured wing, but nodded. "I¡¯ll manage."

    "Kivorn, Illyana," Mertha continued, "we need barriers and suppression. Keep the pressure off us and watch for stragglers."

    The two mages exchanged a glance before nodding in unison.

    "Draeven, Sethrak," Mertha said lastly, "you¡¯re with me. We¡¯re taking the brunt of this."

    Draeven cracked his knuckles, his blood-soaked wraps tightening around his fists. ¡°O-Okay..?

    Sethrak simply nodded, his fiery wheel spinning faster as his wings flared slightly.

    The Griffins shrieked, their crystalline swords raised high as they charged. The ground shook beneath their stampede, the sound of their blades scraping against the stone like nails on a chalkboard.

    Mertha turned to her team, her voice rising above the chaos. "This is it! No one dies here! We hold this line until the end!"

    Kivorn said, ¡°Please¡­stop screaming¡­in my ear..¡±

    The Tyrants straightened, drawing on whatever strength they had left.

    The battle was chaos incarnate. The chamber, once a grand hall of stone and divine light, had become a brutal arena soaked in blood. Dozens of Griffins surrounded the Tyrants, their crystalline long swords gleaming with unnatural light as they stalked forward. The air was thick with the iron tang of blood and the crackling energy of magic. Each Griffin moved with terrifying speed and precision, their glowing forms flitting like specters in the haze of destruction.

    The Tyrants regrouped, their bodies battered and bloodied. They stood shoulder-to-shoulder, their breaths ragged, but their eyes locked with grim determination. Gorran stood at the center, his Xenith blade humming with dark energy. The weapon radiated an ominous aura, the spiraling red eyes along its edge shifting and blinking as if alive.

    Gorran roared, his voice cutting through the chaos. His dark blade pulsed in his grip, rippling with shadows that coiled around his arm like serpents.

    Mertha spat blood onto the floor, her jagged pink halo flaring above her head. "I¡¯ll take the ones on the left!" Her flaming gauntlets crackled as she slammed her fists together, sparks flying.

    Zyphira hovered above the group, her golden flames wreathing her body as her sharp wings gleamed like blades. Sethrak¡¯s fiery wheel spun behind him, golden and dark flames licking at the edges. He nodded to Gorran.

    Sethrak said to Zyphira, ¡°Watch yourself, sister.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, thanks. You too.¡±

    Illyana¡¯s grimoire floated beside her, pages flipping as dark and light magic swirled around her hands. "I¡¯ll keep their blades off you. Kivorn, back me up!"

    The elven mage gripped his staff tightly, elemental energy crackling at its tip. "Understood."

    Draeven said nothing. He rolled his shoulders, his enchanted wraps tightening as smoke curled around his fists. His eyes burned with focus.

    The Griffins shrieked as they charged, their crystalline blades shining like death itself.

    Gorran moved first. His Xenith blade carved a black arc through the air, the spiraling red eyes along its edge blinking open. As he slashed, a ripple tore through the space in front of him, spiraling outward like a vortex. The nearest Griffin, lunging with its sword aimed for Gorran¡¯s heart, was caught in the expanding ripple. The spiraling eyes opened along its body, burning into its flesh with a searing heat that made the beast scream.

    The Griffin faltered, its crystalline sword dropping as its body began to rot from within. Gorran didn¡¯t hesitate. He stepped forward with brutal efficiency, driving Xenith into the beast¡¯s chest. The blade pulsed, and the Griffin¡¯s body imploded, blood and shards of crystal spraying across the battlefield.

    "Mertha, left flank!" Gorran barked, spinning to parry another Griffin¡¯s blade.

    Mertha was already moving. She ducked under the sweeping strike of one Griffin¡¯s sword, her flaming gauntlets igniting as she surged upward with a savage uppercut. Her fist collided with the beast¡¯s jaw, the force of the blow shattering the crystalline structure and sending shards flying. A second Griffin lunged for her back, but she twisted mid-step, catching its blade between her gauntlets.

    "Zyphira, take it out!" Mertha shouted, holding the Griffin¡¯s sword in place as blood dripped from her arms.

    Above them, Zyphira dove like a golden comet. Her sharp wings sliced through the air, carving into the Griffin¡¯s neck with surgical precision. Blood sprayed in an arc as the beast crumpled to the ground, its head severed.

    Three Griffins broke off from the pack, charging Sethrak from different angles. Their swords gleamed with deadly intent, slashing through the air in coordinated strikes. Sethrak¡¯s fiery wheel spun faster as he chanted in the ancient dragon tongue, his hands weaving intricate symbols.

    "Coming at you, Seth!" Kivorn shouted, raising his staff. A surge of water erupted from the ground, forming a barrier that slowed one of the Griffins.

    The other two Griffins closed in. Sethrak thrust his hands outward, and two fireballs shot from the wheel behind him. The fireballs twisted mid-flight, morphing into flaming dragonkin clones that collided with the Griffins mid-charge.

    One of the clones tore into a Griffin, its flaming claws raking through its chest and leaving deep, molten wounds. The beast shrieked, but Sethrak didn¡¯t let up. He chanted louder, and the clone exploded, the force of the blast ripping the Griffin apart.

    The second Griffin struck the remaining clone with its blade, shattering it, but Sethrak was already moving. He leapt into the air, his golden wings propelling him forward as he grabbed the beast by the head. His sharp teeth sank into its neck, tearing out its throat in a spray of blood before he dropped it to the ground.

    Illyana stood at the back, her hands glowing with light and darkness as her grimoire floated beside her. A Griffin charged her, its blade swinging wide, but she raised her hand, summoning a barrier of dark light. The blade struck the barrier, the impact sending cracks rippling through it.

    "Kivorn, now!" she shouted.

    Kivorn raised his staff, channeling a surge of lightning that arced through the air. The bolt struck the Griffin, coursing through its body and leaving it convulsing. Illyana followed up with a spell of her own, summoning chains of light and shadow that wrapped around the beast¡¯s limbs.

    The Griffin struggled, but the chains tightened, digging into its flesh. Kivorn stepped forward, slamming his staff into the ground. A pillar of earth erupted beneath the Griffin, impaling it through the chest.

    Draeven moved like a storm, his wrapped fists striking with deadly precision. Two Griffins came at him from opposite sides, their swords carving through the air in deadly arcs.

    The first blade came for his head, but Draeven ducked low, his body twisting as he delivered a brutal punch to the Griffin¡¯s knee. The beast staggered, its leg shattering from the impact. The second Griffin swung its sword in a downward strike, but Draeven rolled forward, coming up behind it.

    He wrapped his arm around the beast¡¯s neck, his smoke-covered wraps tightening like a vice. The Griffin thrashed, but Draeven held firm, using its body as a shield as the first Griffin recovered and lunged again.

    The second Griffin¡¯s blade struck its own ally, cleaving through its chest. Draeven released the dying beast and drove his fist into the first Griffin¡¯s face, shattering its skull.

    Gorran and Mertha stood back-to-back, surrounded by four Griffins.

    "Left!" Gorran shouted, slashing with Xenith. The spiraling eyes along the blade blinked open, and a ripple of burning energy tore through one Griffin¡¯s side.

    Mertha lunged at another Griffin, catching its blade with her flaming gauntlets. She twisted the weapon out of its mouth and drove her fist into its face, caving in its skull.

    Gorran spun, his blade carving through the air. The spiraling red eyes opened along the ground where he slashed, creating burning fissures that caught a Griffin¡¯s legs. The beast stumbled, and Mertha finished it off with a brutal stomp to the head.

    The Tyrants continued to fight as one, their movements perfectly coordinated. Gorran¡¯s Xenith carved through the Griffins with deadly precision, each slash leaving trails of burning rot and spiraling red eyes that consumed the beasts.

    Zyphira rained fire from above, her sharp wings cutting through any Griffin that dared to take flight. Sethrak¡¯s fiery clones wreaked havoc, tearing through the beasts with savage ferocity. Illyana and Kivorn provided support, their magic keeping the Griffins at bay, while Draeven moved through the battlefield like a ghost, his fists shattering bones and crystal alike.

    The Griffins were relentless, their glowing swords cutting deep into the Tyrants¡¯ flesh. Blood poured from their wounds, but they refused to fall. Together, they pushed forward, their combined strength turning the tide of the battle.

 Chapter 24: Flame Dance

    The heavens above Gabriel¡¯s Ladder were a battlefield of chaos and destruction. The once serene atmosphere was now a hellish stage of fire, blood, and glowing radiance. Xyenn, merged with Yuuna, soared through the air like a draconic harbinger of death, his jagged dark pink halo crackling with power, while the Lysf?dt, a radiant and terrifying vessel of the First Dragon, moved with divine precision, her every action a testament to her overwhelming presence and power.

    Yuuna¡¯s voice echoed in Xyenn¡¯s mind, calm but firm.

    "She¡¯s stronger than you, Xyenn. Let me guide you.¡±

    "Yeah, no kidding!¡±  Xyenn grunted as he twisted his torso to narrowly avoid a crystalline blade that stretched from the Lysf?dt¡¯s arm. It sliced through the air where his chest had been just a moment ago.

    "Listen to me! I¡¯m not just here to chant spells and sit pretty in your body. You have to let me guide your movements. Don¡¯t get too reckless!"

    ¡°What are you saying?!¡±

    Yuuna sighed in exasperation but focused, her presence merging more deeply with Xyenn¡¯s as he adjusted his grip on his four scythes.

    Yuuna said, ¡°The Light Born..The Lysf?dt..vessels of the First Dragon Gabriel. They were his prized possession, his council, he treated them like children. And I¡¯ve been around them. I can help you a little, but you HAVE to listen to me. Or else you¡¯ll die.¡±

    ¡°Okay..okay.¡±

    ¡®We¡¯re not as strong as before, since our bond is what made us strong. But we have to make do with what we have!¡¯ Xyenn thought.

    Yuuna continued, ¡°They¡¯re able to manifest here because of the First Dragon''s essence becoming mana for the other dragon gods'' power, to give to the people and beings of this world. The Light Born are tied to him, they are direct creations of him, he wanted them to be beautiful, and radiant, like he made the world in his eyes. Even with me, darkness, filling in a space here, he always said balance no matter good or evil is what makes perfection and beauty.¡±

    The Lysf?dt hovered in place, her glowing wings spread wide as her crystalline arm morphed into a massive spiked claw. It extended toward Xyenn with terrifying speed, the jagged edges gleaming like shattered glass.

    ¡°¡ªDon¡¯t block it! Move now!" Yuuna shouted in Xyenn¡¯s head.

    Xyenn folded his wings and dropped like a meteor, narrowly avoiding the claw as it snapped shut where he had been. The Lysf?dt¡¯s arm stretched further, the claw turning into a massive drill-like appendage that whirled toward him.

    "Counter her reach!" Yuuna commanded.

    "On it!"

    He spun mid-air, twisting his body as his tail whipped upward. The spiked tip of his tail struck the Lysf?dt¡¯s crystalline arm, cracking its structure. Before she could retract, Xyenn¡¯s four scythes swung in unison, severing the claw from her arm.

    The Lysf?dt let out a guttural, inhuman growl as radiant blood sprayed into the air. But she didn¡¯t flinch. Her severed arm reformed within seconds, reshaping into a massive serrated scythe of her own.

    "She¡¯s adapting," Yuuna muttered.  ¡°But so can you, darling. Since you trained with Mertha, you¡¯ve gotten stronger. We can do new shit. You can tap into my base power more, and it¡¯s even stronger. Just follow my lead!¡±

    The Lysf?dt flew at him, her scythe-arm sweeping in a wide arc. Xyenn twisted his body, his wings folding around him as he spiraled through the air. The scythe missed, but just barely, grazing his shoulder and tearing through his scales. Blood sprayed into the air, but Xyenn used the momentum to slash at her exposed side with two of his scythes.

    The blades bit deep, carving into her radiant flesh. The Lysf?dt retaliated by swinging her massive axe upward, catching Xyenn across his abdomen and nearly slicing him in half. He coughed up blood but managed to kick off her chest, creating distance between them.

    ¡°Xyenn!¡± Yuuna exclaimed.

    Xyenn replied, ¡°That damn thing in her forehead!¡°

    The ruby embedded in the Lysf?dt¡¯s forehead began to glow brighter, and Xyenn immediately averted his gaze.

    "Don¡¯t look at her ruby! She¡¯ll crystallize you again!" Yuuna warned.

    "Yeah, I remember the nosebleed massacre from thirty seconds ago!¡±

    ¡®If this is just us fighting a piece of the Lysf?dt body, I can¡¯t even imagine how powerful she is¡­¡¯

    The Lysf?dt raised her crystalline arm, which split into dozens of jagged chains, each tipped with a razor-sharp hook. The chains shot toward Xyenn, seeking to ensnare him.

    "Use the crests! Now!" Yuuna yelled. ¡°Stab yourself!¡±

    ¡°Stab myself?!¡±

    ¡°Do it! Trust me!¡±

    Xyenn stabbed himself in the chest with one of his scythes, activating the flaming crests around him. The black and pink fiery circles materialized in the air, forming a chaotic ring around the battlefield. Xyenn darted through the crests at blinding speeds, teleporting from one to another to evade the incoming chains.

    ¡®This is one of the new abilities¡­seems Mertha was right for real..!¡¯

    The Lysf?dt¡¯s chains pursued him relentlessly, twisting and turning mid-air to follow his movements. Xyenn darted through one crest, then another, leaving trails of black and pink flames in his wake.

    "Now counter!" Yuuna shouted.

    Xyenn reappeared directly behind the Lysf?dt, his wings flaring out as he brought all four scythes down on her back. The blades tore through her radiant wings, severing one completely. The Lysf?dt let out a piercing scream as she tumbled forward, blood spilling from the wound.

    But she wasn¡¯t done. The ruby on her forehead pulsed, and Xyenn felt the familiar, searing pain as radiant jewels began to grow on his arms and legs.

    "FUCK!" Xyenn roared, slashing at the crystals with his scythes to break them apart. Blood poured from his wounds as he tore the jewels from his flesh, but he managed to free himself.

    "You can¡¯t keep looking at her, darling!" Yuuna snapped. ¡°Please try..I don¡¯t want you dying, I barely know you.¡±

    "I have to see where she is!" Xyenn shot back. ¡°She¡¯s fast, and if I¡¯m trying to track her with my eyes, she¡¯ll use that stupid crystal shit.¡±

    ¡°Keep following my lead, Xyenn. Just flow with me, with new abilities, I can guide your mind to doing them, but it¡¯s up to you to fully draw it out. Like this..¡±

    Xyenn shot upward, his scythes spinning around him as he created the insanely large flaming star of black and pink energy. The star burned brightly, its edges crackling with destructive power.

    ¡®Another new ability!¡¯

    The Lysf?dt¡¯s crystalline arm morphed again, this time into a massive bow. She pulled back on the string, which formed from radiant light, and fired a barrage of glowing arrows toward Xyenn.

    He darted around the battlefield, weaving through the arrows as the star grew larger and larger.

    "Launch it! Now!" Yuuna commanded. ¡°Slash the star up!¡±

    Xyenn slashed the star with all four scythes, sending dozens of flaming dark pink and black swords made out of dragon teeth hurtling toward the Lysf?dt. The swords tore through the air, leaving trails of dark flames as they closed in on her.

    The Lysf?dt raised her axe, which expanded into a massive shield, blocking the first wave of swords. But the remaining blades struck her body, piercing through her crystalline arm and embedding themselves in her torso. Blood sprayed from the wounds, but the Lysf?dt didn¡¯t falter.

    She flapped her wings once, sending out a blinding burst of light that disintegrated the remaining swords.

    "Let me take over," Yuuna said suddenly.

    "What?!" Xyenn shouted.  ¡°You can do that?!¡±

    "Just trust me! I can¡¯t do it for long. Only for a few seconds. Remember we¡¯re connected.¡±

    The Lysf?dt, floating there, said, ¡°Such a child, Xyenn. So lovestruck.¡±

    ¡°Shut up!¡±

    Xyenn hesitated but relented, letting Yuuna guide his movements. Her eyes appeared across his body, but multiple of them, glowing with an eerie pink light as she chanted in her alien language.

    Xyenn¡¯s halo expanded, and seven massive fireballs materialized around him, swirling faster and faster. Yuuna¡¯s voice echoed in his mind, guiding him through the draconic dance.

    Xyenn¡¯s movements became fluid and precise, his wings flaring as he spun through the air. The fireballs launched one by one, each aimed with deadly accuracy.

    The Lysf?dt dodged the first three, her movements graceful and swift, but the fourth struck her directly in the chest, blasting away part of her crystalline armor. The fifth and sixth fireballs followed, tearing through her remaining wing and shattering her axe.

    The final fireball detonated against her torso, sending her spiraling downward in a trail of blood and light.

    Yuuna broke from temporary control, ¡°Damn, I thought I could go longer!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s because of your lost memory of me. It has to be tied to our natural bond.¡±

    ¡°Aghhhh! Not fair. Let¡¯s hurry and kill her so we can get my memories of you back. I feel so underpowered..¡±

    The Lysf?dt crashed into the ground below, but she wasn¡¯t finished. Her crystalline arm reformed into a massive spear, and she hurled it toward Xyenn with all her remaining strength.

    Xyenn folded his wings and dove toward her, spinning like a drill as he dodged the spear by mere inches.

    "End it!" Yuuna screamed.

    Xyenn roared, his scythes glowing with dark flames as he swung all four blades at once. The Lysf?dt raised her crystalline arm to block, but the scythes tore through it, severing her arm completely.

    Blood sprayed into the air as Xyenn¡¯s  strike carved through her torso, splitting her body in two.

    Xyenn said, ¡°We did it¡­.?¡±

    ¡®That was too easy¡­.it can¡¯t be¡­we won that fast? Was all that training really that broken? I gained two new abilities, unlocking more of Yuuna¡¯s arsenal of draconic magic, giving her base abilities twice as much power in this merged form¡­we can be unstoppable..¡¯

    Xyenn grinned when he thought that.

    Yuuna said, ¡°Xyenn¡­¡±

    Xyenn happily said, ¡°Yes, Yuuna?¡±

    Xyenn panted, blood dripping from his mouth as he hovered in the air, his wings trembling from the exertion. His jagged dark pink halo crackled ominously, his four scythes burning with black, red, and pink flames. Below him, the battlefield was chaos¡ªa swirling storm of flames, blood, and destruction. But his focus remained entirely on the Lysf?dt.

    ¡°No way¡­I thought we killed her¡­:¡±

    Fear crept into Xyenn¡¯s will, his body getting hot, his heart thumping¡ª.

    ¡°Xyenn! Snap out of it! I can feel your fear... You get scared a lot, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Xyenn remembered when he was truly scared, after fighting Haldrek, but when he killed those bandits, his first time taking a life, he was scared of himself for a quick second. That fear of becoming a monster like the gods he sought to kill. But every situation he¡¯s been in so far tested his morality and thoughts, testing his perseverance. And with Haldrek in his ear every second, it made it worse.

    She floated before him, her radiant form flickering like a dying star. Her wings were shredded, her crystalline arm fractured, and her once-pristine white feathers were stained with shimmering blood that fell like molten silver. Stolen novel; please report.

    The Lysf?dt smiled, ¡°Aww, your heart is thumping. You should¡¯ve known this wouldn¡¯t be easy. As a radiant vessel of Gabriel, we are not to be underestimated. What is your answer? Will you kill this vessel of darkness? This child of the First Monarch? The demoness of hell?¡±

    ¡°How many times I gotta tell you bastards no? I won¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°If you had a good relationship with your parents, you would¡ª.¡±

    ¡°Shut up. Don¡¯t mention them. Those fuckers sold me off because I was useless. It¡¯s hard for me to be brave because of the things I went through growing up. I get scared easily because of my past, I¡¯m starting to be scared of myself, maybe I am turning into a monster, and with everything feeling like it¡¯s up to me, with all this weight on my shoulders, so much pressure on me, the way my past is bearing on my body, I think I might lose it. But I still hold on to what keeps me sane.¡±

    ¡°Oooh, your bloodlust is flowing. Do you want to kill? You can¡¯t kill a piece of my body, so you can go berserk for me. Just so you can get more of a glimpse of the darkness that will proceed over this world if you do not act. When Gabriel brought in that demon Yuuna, I was tempted to betray him myself because of it. But he created us in radiance, in perfection. That¡¯s how he wanted the world. Even with darkness in the mix. I even thought he was choosing her over us. She¡¯s just a runaway child. You see she¡¯s not talking much to me. She¡¯s scared of us. Of me.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not. She¡¯s not scared of anyone.¡±

    Yuuna didn¡¯t say anything.

    The Lysf?dt continued with a smug grin, ¡°See? She can¡¯t talk much. She witnessed our power during the battle, she knows what I¡¯m capable of, all of the Light Born. She doesn¡¯t compare to my true body. All of the other dragon gods in this world are scared of the Light Born. It¡¯s natural. We¡¯re remnants of Gabriel. And we aim to preserve the balance of this perfect world. With the Cycle of Rebirth, it¡¯s the only way. We need possession of Yuuna¡¯s heart, raise Gabriel, and you know what comes next.¡±

    ¡®Is Yuuna really scared¡­? Now, I can feel her fear..why exactly is she scared of them?¡¯

    But then, the ruby on the Lysf?dt''s head pulsed brighter, and a horrifying transformation began.

    The shattered fragments of her body began to glow, reassembling with a sickening crackle. Her crystalline arm reformed, jagged shards twisting and reshaping into something far more brutal: a massive bladed whip covered in serrated edges. The ruby embedded in her forehead expanded, growing into a crown of glowing red crystals that pulsed with an intense, otherworldly energy.

    Her wings, once fragile and tattered, now burned with radiant white fire as they regrew. The sheer force of her power caused the air around her to distort, and the sky itself seemed to tremble.

    "She¡¯s getting stronger," Yuuna said in Xyenn¡¯s mind, her tone sharp with urgency.

    ¡°She¡¯s annoying..¡± Xyenn growled, his claws tightening around his scythes.  ¡°Yuuna, are you..¡±

    ¡°¡­Yes. I am. If we face her at full power, she''s too strong. We can¡¯t fight her true body.¡±

    Xyenn thought, ¡®Is that what it is..? She¡¯s scared of losing? Does she think her journey will end if the Light Born comes? I can even feel her heart thumping in my body..alongside mine.¡¯

    Xyenn gritted his teeth, his eyes narrowing as the Lysf?dt let out a deafening, guttural cry that shook the heavens.

    The Lysf?dt¡¯s newly-formed bladed whip lashed out with terrifying speed, a blur of gleaming edges that screamed through the air. Xyenn barely managed to twist his body in time, the whip grazing his side and tearing through his dragon scales like paper. Blood sprayed from the wound, and the pain was immediate and searing.

    "She¡¯s faster than before," Yuuna warned.

    "Yeah, I noticed!" Xyenn growled, flapping his wings to gain altitude. ¡°I have to keep up! And not make eye contact!¡±

    ¡®If I can attack and keep my eyes away from her when she uses that skill, I can land a good blow. But what will it take to kill her?!¡¯

    The Lysf?dt didn¡¯t let up. The whip lashed out again, this time splitting into multiple tendrils mid-air, each one aiming for a vital part of Xyenn¡¯s body.

    "Fold your wings and dive!" Yuuna commanded.

    Xyenn obeyed without hesitation, folding his wings around himself and dropping like a meteor. The tendrils followed him, slicing through the air with deadly accuracy.

    "Now!" Yuuna shouted.

    Xyenn unfurled his wings at the last second, halting his descent and flipping upside-down. His tail lashed out like a whip, catching one of the tendrils and yanking it toward him. Before the Lysf?dt could retract it, Xyenn slashed at the tendril with all four of his scythes, severing it completely.

    The Lysf?dt screamed in pain, radiant blood spraying from the severed tendril, but she retaliated immediately. Her crystalline arm morphed again, this time into a massive, jagged claw that extended toward Xyenn with brutal speed.

    He darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the claw, but it caught his tail, snapping it with a sickening crunch. Xyenn roared in pain, blood pouring from the wound as he spun in the air, but he didn¡¯t let the injury slow him down.

    The ruby crown on the Lysf?dt¡¯s head began to glow brighter, and Xyenn immediately averted his gaze.

    "Don¡¯t look at her! You know what happens!" Yuuna shouted.

    But the Lysf?dt was relentless. She flung her bladed whip upward, forcing Xyenn to block with two of his scythes. The collision sent a shockwave rippling through the air, the sheer force of it knocking Xyenn back several feet.

    Before he could recover, the crystals on her crown began to shimmer, and dozens of radiant shards shot out in every direction like bullets.

    "Shit!" Xyenn cursed, twisting and spinning through the air to avoid them. Despite his speed, several shards tore through his wings and shoulders, leaving deep, bloody wounds.

    "She¡¯s forcing you to move erratically. Don¡¯t fall for it!" Yuuna warned.

    Xyenn gritted his teeth, his mind racing. He flapped his wings hard, propelling himself toward the Lysf?dt at high speed. She swung her whip at him, but he folded his wings around himself again, becoming a spiraling drill of black, red, and pink flames.

    The whip struck his spinning form, but the flames burned through it, severing another section of the weapon. Xyenn burst forward, slamming into the Lysf?dt with all his weight.

    The impact sent her flying backward, but she retaliated instantly, her crystalline arm reshaping into a massive hammer. She swung it upward, catching Xyenn in the chest and sending him hurtling skyward.

    Xyenn coughed up blood as he stabilized himself mid-air, his chest heaving from the pain. The Lysf?dt was already closing in on him, her hammer raised for another strike.

    "Activate the crests!" Yuuna yelled.

    Xyenn stabbed himself in the chest with one of his scythes, summoning the flaming crests around him. The black and pink fiery circles materialized in the sky, surrounding the battlefield.

    The Lysf?dt swung her hammer at him, but Xyenn teleported through one of the crests, reappearing behind her. Before she could react, he slashed at her back with all four scythes, carving deep gashes into her flesh.

    Blood sprayed into the air, but the Lysf?dt spun around, her hammer morphing into a massive spiked flail. She swung it wildly, forcing Xyenn to teleport again.

    The two continued their deadly game of cat and mouse, Xyenn teleporting through the crests while the Lysf?dt lashed out with her ever-changing weapon. Both combatants were covered in blood, their movements growing more desperate with each passing second.

    Yuuna thought, ¡®That¡¯s right. I am scared of that bitch. All of those Light Born. They always hated me, plotted against me. I witnessed firsthand how oeierfuk their true forms were. I don¡¯t even compare to them. What if they truly take me down? Using a youngling boy to even take me out? I¡¯ve seen evil in Hell, that¡¯s right on the lines of what they¡¯re doing. Manipulating to kill. Heh. I wasn¡¯t so different, was I? I used powerless humans like Xyenn before to get stronger, and they died because of me. My mind is haunted by this Light Born, will they be the ones to make me pay for my own sins? I was a monster, but I¡¯m trying to be better, something in me wants me to help people more. I now want to save humans from the oppression the dragon gods are putting them through. Why is that?¡¯

    It was when she saw Xyenn in action the first time they met. That was the very day she had decided she wanted to change. But since her memory of Xyenn was gone, she couldn¡¯t remember her own motivation.

    ¡®Now I feel it¡¯s my fault for the pressure on this boy. He¡¯s in love with me, but has to deal with the Lysf?dt targeting his young nature and mind, to manipulate him. If I gave myself up to them, then he wouldn¡¯t go through this, right? I feel like I¡¯m holding him hostage. I can¡¯t shake this horrible feeling¡­¡¯ Yuuna thought even more.

    The Lysf?dt¡¯s ruby crown pulsed again, and this time, Xyenn wasn¡¯t fast enough to avoid its curse. Radiant jewels began to grow on his arms and legs, piercing his flesh and locking his movements.

    "Damn it!" Xyenn roared, slashing at the jewels with his scythes.

    ¡®I messed up! Again! I¡¯m being reckless again! Focus, Xyenn!¡¯

    "Stop panicking, Xyenn!¡± Yuuna shouted. "Calm down!¡±

    ¡°Okay¡­okay¡­¡±

    ¡®Her voice¡­¡¯

    Xyenn gritted his teeth, using his remaining strength to tear the jewels from his body. Blood poured from the wounds, but he managed to free himself just as the Lysf?dt closed in on him.

    She raised her crystalline arm, now reshaped into a massive, jagged spear, and thrust it toward his heart.

    Xyenn twisted his body at the last second, letting the spear graze his side. The pain was excruciating, but he retaliated immediately, slashing at her exposed side with all four scythes.

    The blades bit deep, carving through her crystalline armor and sending radiant blood spraying into the air.

    The sky around them was a hellish storm of flames, blood, and destruction.

    The Lysf?dt raised her axe, which had grown to an enormous size, and swung it downward with all her strength.

    Xyenn crossed his scythes in front of him, blocking the strike, but the force of the blow sent him crashing into the ground below.

    As he lay there, struggling to stand, Yuuna¡¯s voice echoed in his mind.

    "This is it, Xyenn. One last push."

    Xyenn growled, his claws digging into the ground as he forced himself to his feet.

    "I hate this woman¡­¡±

    He launched himself into the air, his wings flaring as he began to spin. His scythes glowed with black, red, and pink flames as he performed the draconic dance one final time.

    The Lysf?dt flew toward him, her crystalline arm reshaping into a massive blade. The two clashed in mid-air, their weapons colliding with a deafening roar.

    Blood sprayed from both combatants as they landed blow after blow, each strike aimed to kill. The sky burned around them, the sheer intensity of their battle shaking the heavens.

    The sky hung heavy with silence, an eerie calm settling over the battlefield. Blood and feathers floated like ash in the air, the shattered fragments of the heavens reflecting the destruction below. Xyenn, his body battered and his breath ragged, hovered unsteadily in the air, his wings barely keeping him aloft. Across from him, the Lysf?dt floated, her radiant form flickering but far from defeated. Her glowing ruby crown pulsed ominously, her crystalline arm reforming into a jagged, brutal shape.

    For a moment, it seemed as though the fight was over. The Lysf?dt¡¯s glowing gaze locked onto Xyenn, her voice cold and sharp.

    "This is getting annoying." The Lysf?dt smiled.

    With no warning, she darted forward at blinding speed. Before Xyenn could react, her crystalline fist smashed into his chest.

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes widened as the world seemed to stop. The blow didn¡¯t hurt¡ªnot physically¡ªbut it felt as though something had been torn from him. His jagged halo cracked and shattered, and a sickening pulse of energy erupted from his chest as Yuuna¡¯s form was violently ripped from his body.

    Yuuna was flung into the air, her body glowing with black and pink flames as she twisted mid-flight. She caught Xyenn before he could plummet to the ground, cradling his limp form with one arm.

    Xyenn¡¯s head lolled against her shoulder, his eyes half-lidded and dazed. "Yuuna¡­ what the hell¡­?" His voice was weak, barely audible.

    Yuuna didn¡¯t respond. She shifted Xyenn onto her back, holding him securely with one hand as she turned her gaze toward the Lysf?dt. Her expression was cold, her eyes burning with fury. Dark flames crackled around her fists as she clenched them tightly.

    The Lysf?dt smirked, her crystalline arm shifting back into a humanoid hand. Her fists glimmered with radiant jewels and jagged crystals as she raised them, ready for the next round.  ¡°The First Dragon¡¯s essence is in us as it is in the draconic mana flowing through this world, and the essence he pointed into Yuuna when he crafted this world. And as vessels, our power is beyond your imagination.¡±

    No words were exchanged. There was no need for them.

    Xyenn said, ¡°She punched me out of Yuuna¡­¡±

    ¡®This can¡¯t be happening¡­are they really that strong?¡¯

    Yuuna adjusted Xyenn on her back, her wings flaring wide as she launched herself toward the Lysf?dt.

    Yuuna said to the Lysf?dt, ¡°Come at me.¡±

    The Lysf?dt chuckled, ¡°Oh? With one hand? Don¡¯t want to hand him off to your Tyrants who''re fighting for their li¡ª.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯ll survive. You¡¯re not the real body of the Lysf?dt, I don¡¯t have to be scared right now. It¡¯ll just make this worse. Gotta push that stuff to the side for right now. No time to sit back and whine. I¡¯m doing this for you, You¡¯ve got too much on your plate.¡± Yuuna looked at Xyenn.

    Xyenn exclaimed, ¡°Yuuna¡ª.¡±

    ¡°Shhh, I got this, darling.¡± Yuuna smiled widely.

    Yuuna¡¯s fist, blazing with black and pink flames, collided with the Lysf?dt¡¯s jeweled knuckles. The impact created a deafening crack, and the sheer force of the blow sent shockwaves rippling through the air. Both women were sent skidding backward, but neither hesitated.

    Yuuna darted forward again, her punches coming in rapid succession. Each strike was precise, aimed at vital points¡ªher opponent¡¯s jaw, ribs, and throat. The Lysf?dt blocked with her forearms, the crystal-covered surface absorbing the flaming blows, but even her radiant protection began to crack under the relentless assault.

    The Lysf?dt retaliated with a quick upward jab, her crystalline fist slamming into Yuuna¡¯s stomach. The blow lifted her off the ground, but Yuuna twisted mid-air, using the momentum to bring her flaming fist crashing down onto the Lysf?dt¡¯s shoulder.

    The Lysf?dt staggered but recovered quickly, her jeweled knuckles flashing as she swung a brutal hook toward Yuuna¡¯s face. Yuuna ducked low, her wings folding tightly against her back as she spun and delivered a devastating elbow to the Lysf?dt¡¯s ribs. The crack of breaking crystal echoed in the air, followed by a spray of radiant blood.

    The fight became a blur of movement, both fighters moving with inhuman speed and precision. Yuuna¡¯s fists burned brighter with every attack, each strike leaving trails of black and pink flames in the air. The Lysf?dt¡¯s jeweled fists glimmered with sharp edges, each punch threatening to tear through flesh and bone.

    Yuuna swung a flaming uppercut, aiming for the Lysf?dt¡¯s chin. The Lysf?dt tilted her head just enough to avoid the blow, countering with a brutal knee to Yuuna¡¯s abdomen. The impact forced the air from her lungs, but Yuuna didn¡¯t falter. She grabbed the Lysf?dt¡¯s leg mid-knee and twisted, flipping her opponent mid-air.

    The Lysf?dt rotated gracefully, landing on her feet with a sharp skid. She lunged forward immediately, her fists a blur as she unleashed a flurry of punches. Yuuna blocked with her forearms, the black and pink flames crackling as they absorbed the strikes. But the sheer force of the blows pushed her back, her boots scraping against the bloodstained sky.

    Yuuna retaliated with a spinning backfist, the black flames trailing behind her knuckles like a comet. The blow connected with the side of the Lysf?dt¡¯s head, sending her staggering to the side. Yuuna pressed the advantage, driving her flaming fist into the Lysf?dt¡¯s stomach, then twisting upward into a brutal haymaker that shattered part of her crystalline jaw.

    The Lysf?dt spat radiant blood, her glowing eyes narrowing as she swung a sharp, jagged punch toward Yuuna¡¯s ribs. The blow connected, the crystals tearing through Yuuna¡¯s side and drawing a spray of dark blood. Yuuna gritted her teeth, ignoring the pain, and countered with a brutal knee to the Lysf?dt¡¯s chest.

    The Lysf?dt was lifted off the ground, but she retaliated mid-air, bringing both of her fists down on Yuuna¡¯s back. The impact sent Yuuna crashing into the ground below, cracks spiderwebbing across the sky as if it were glass.

    Before the Lysf?dt could follow up, Yuuna exploded upward, her wings propelling her at breakneck speed. She slammed into the Lysf?dt, her flaming fist driving into her opponent¡¯s abdomen and sending her flying backward.

    Blood rained from both fighters as they clashed again, their fists moving too fast for the eye to follow. Each strike landed with devastating force, bones cracking and blood spraying with every hit.

    Yuuna¡¯s face was smeared with blood, her breathing ragged, but her eyes blazed with unrelenting determination. The Lysf?dt¡¯s body was battered and broken, shards of her crystalline armor falling away with each movement. But her jeweled fists still gleamed, each punch heavier and sharper than the last.

    The two fighters charged at each other one final time, their fists colliding in a thunderous impact that shattered the air around them. The force of the blow sent both women skidding backward, blood pouring from their wounds.

    Yuuna was the first to recover. She adjusted her grip on Xyenn, who still hung limply on her back, and darted forward with a final burst of speed. Her flaming fist struck the Lysf?dt directly in the chest, the black and pink flames exploding outward in a burst of raw power.

    The Lysf?dt staggered, blood spilling from her mouth as cracks spread across her crystalline body. She swung one last punch, but Yuuna ducked low, driving her knee into the Lysf?dt¡¯s stomach and following up with a brutal right hook to her jaw.

    The Lysf?dt¡¯s body shattered like glass, her radiant form disintegrating into the blood-soaked sky.

    Yuuna hovered in the air, her chest heaving as she clutched Xyenn tightly. Blood dripped from her fists and stained her wings, but her expression was calm, resolute. She glanced down at Xyenn, who groaned weakly.

    The air was thick with the scent of burning magic and blood, the battlefield below engulfed in silence. High above the structure, Yuuna floated with Xyenn cradled in one arm. Her wings, dark and expansive, beat gently against the sky, holding them aloft. The night was still, the stars above muted by the glow of Gabriel¡¯s Ladder far below.

    Beneath them, the crystalline form of the Lysf?dt fell slowly, descending like a broken star. Her once-imposing figure was shattered, the jagged edges of her crystalline body refracting the faint light like a dying beacon. Yet even in her defeat, her voice echoed¡ªnot from her shattered form, but from everywhere. It resonated in the air, in their bones, in the very essence of the world around them.

    ¡°Radiance¡­¡± The Lysf?dt¡¯s voice was calm, serene, yet filled with an unrelenting power. It emanated from all directions, making it impossible to locate its true origin. ¡°Radiance is the purity of existence. It is perfection, untainted by shadow, unmarred by doubt or despair. It is the light that burns away imperfection¡­ the fire that cleanses the worlds of their decay.¡±

    Yuuna hovered in the air, her eyes narrowing as the words washed over her. Xyenn, bloodied and barely conscious, could only listen, his heartbeat thundering in his ears.

    ¡°To be radiant is to be whole,¡± the Lysf?dt continued, her voice soft yet commanding. ¡°It is to live without fear, without hesitation. Radiance does not waver. It does not falter. It shines, eternal and unwavering. Darkness¡­ darkness is the absence of radiance. It is the nothingness that festers in the hearts of the weak. It is chaos, despair, destruction. Darkness is the antithesis of beauty, and it has no place in a world meant to thrive.¡±

    Her voice grew sharper, more resolute. ¡°You, Goddess of Darkness, are a parasite. You cling to that which you cannot understand, feeding on the fears and doubts of those who would otherwise bask in the light. You are the shadow that stains the brilliance of this world. And you, Xyenn¡­¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s grip on Xyenn tightened as the Lysf?dt addressed him directly.

    ¡°You are meant to be our vessel. You are the harbinger of balance¡­ and yet you hesitate. You linger in indecision, caught between what must be done and what you *wish* to be true. We pity you, for you are lost. But know this: we will return. Stronger. Brighter. More radiant than you can comprehend. And when we do, you will see the truth. You will see that the only way to save this world is to kill the Goddess of Darkness¡­¡±

    Her final words were softer, almost a whisper, yet they carried across the battlefield like a chilling wind.

    ¡°¡­Yuuna.¡±

    The voice trailed into silence, leaving only the faint hum of the Ladder far below.

    On the ground, the remaining Tyrants leaned against one another, bloodied and battered, their breaths labored as they struggled to stay upright. The battle had taken everything from them¡ªboth physically and emotionally.

    Mertha, her stoic expression unbroken despite the blood dripping down her temple, was the first to speak. Her voice was low, steady, but filled with conviction. ¡°I told you¡­ we wouldn¡¯t lose.¡±

    Gorran, his face grim and brooding, wiped the blood from his blade, Xenith, before leaning it against his leg. His breathing was heavy, his voice filled with quiet resolve. ¡°This wasn¡¯t a victory,¡± he said, his tone as sharp as his blade. ¡°This was survival. And survival isn¡¯t enough.¡±

    Illyana knelt on the ground, her usually serene face pale and streaked with blood. Her hands trembled as she pressed them against her knees, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°If she returns¡­ I don¡¯t know if we¡¯ll survive it next time.¡±

    Draeven was huddled against the wall, his eyes wide with fear. He clutched his staff tightly, his knuckles white, his voice shaking. ¡°A Lysf?dt¡­¡±

    Kivorn sat beside him, his usual tired expression replaced by a grim seriousness. ¡°Doesn¡¯t¡­matter what else is out there. We¡¯re alive. Barely, but alive. That¡¯s all that matters for now.¡±

    Zyphira, her dragon scale armor cracked and scorched, spat blood onto the ground. ¡°Alive, sure. But for how long? If she comes back stronger, we¡¯re screwed. And you all know it.¡±

    Sethrak, for once, had no quips to offer. His normally smug demeanor was gone, replaced by a rare moment of silence as he stared at the glowing Ladder in the distance, he didn¡¯t say a word.

    The group looked at one another, their exhaustion and injuries weighing heavily on them. For the first time, there was no laughter, no teasing, no bravado¡ªonly the shared understanding of how close they had come to death.

    High above, Yuuna turned to Xyenn, her expression unreadable. Her dark wings kept them aloft, the wind whispering around them as the remnants of the battle faded into silence. She cupped his bloodied face with both hands, her golden eyes locking onto his.

    ¡°I want my memories of you back,¡± she said softly, her voice trembling ever so slightly. ¡°I don¡¯t know who you are to me¡­ but I need to know. You¡¯re bearing so much weight for me. I feel as if I¡¯m holding you hostage. I¡ª.¡±

    Xyenn, his face pale and streaked with blood, stared into her eyes. He nodded, his voice quiet but firm. ¡°Even when you had your memories of me, you probably thought this as well. I¡¯m here on my own accord. If I wanted out, I would fuck off and you would never see me again. But I¡¯m here. I made a promise to you that¡­you definitely don¡¯t remember B-BUT! I carry out my promises.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s sweet but I still can''t shake these thoughts.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll break you out of them. Even when you get your memories back.¡±

    Far away, yet somehow impossibly close, a figure floated in the air. That same old grizzly dirty man, that same old Prophet,  his body thin and frail, his tattered robes fluttering in an unseen wind. His face was gaunt, messy dirty beard, his skin covered in dirt and grime, but his eyes were pits of endless black, tears of blood streaming down his cheeks.

    The Prophet mumbled incoherently, his words flowing like a broken stream, their meaning fragmented but haunting.

    ¡°Shattered stars¡­ the scales tilt¡­ the black sun rises¡­ nothing can hold it¡­ the Ladder twists, the Ladder falls¡­ light burns, but shadows linger¡­¡±

    His voice grew louder, more coherent, as the blood dripped faster from his eyes.

    ¡°Fate¡­ has changed.¡±

    As his final words echoed, a deep, resonant bell tolled across the land. The sound was impossibly loud, vibrating through the air, the ground, the very marrow of every living thing. The bell tolled again, slow and deliberate, its mournful sound carrying on the wind that began to blow fiercely across the battlefield.

    The Tyrants, Xyenn, and Yuuna, still battered and leaning against one another, froze as the bell¡¯s sound reached them. None could see the Prophet, but the tolling bell filled them with an indescribable dread.

    The wind howled as the bell tolled again and again, its slow, deliberate rhythm marking the end of something¡ªand the beginning of something far worse.

 Chapter 25: The New Continent

    ¡®The Lysf?dt¡­they¡¯re gonna bombard me at random moments until I do what they say? They¡¯ll get stronger each time, giving me glimpses of what¡¯s to come when they fully descend to Kyrrin. Am I really being selfish? I¡¯ve never loved anyone before, I never felt true love with anyone either. I¡¯m being selfish with being on Yuuna¡¯s side? No¡­no. Why the hell did I even think that? I truly feel a certain way about her, I do love her. More than anything honestly, why would I even have those thoughts? I¡¯m with Yuuna in freeing the people from their oppression and chained souls to the fleeting worship of those draconic god and goddess bastards. Will we really destroy the world from doing it? If Yuuna dies though, then there I go along with her. Damn it all! I¡¯m trying to push through all of this, there¡¯s so much pressure on me, I could give up. Here and now. Yuuna doesn¡¯t have any memory of me right now, I could get away with it, right¡­? I wouldn¡¯t have to deal with so much shit. No¡­why did I think that too¡­? Yuuna would probably randomly gain her memories back of me, probably would trigger some things in her head, and she¡¯ll go berserk. Why would I even do anything that dumb? My mind is all over the place right now? I¡¯m with Yuuna until the end. The Lysf?dt..Haldrek¡­no one can convince me to fuck off and betray her. Her happiness makes me happy. And it¡¯s a feeling I craved for years. She actually completes me, and I¡¯ll stick with her no matter how many Light Born or draconic deities we face.¡¯

    As everyone was standing around Gabriel¡¯s Ladder, Illyana was using the light from her grimoire to heal everyone.

    Gorran refused her healing magic, stepping away from her, but Illyana forced it on him anyway by giving him a deadly stare.

    No one said anything. Mertha, though, was satisfied. Why? She felt like a true leader, she felt she contributed, she felt her commands and her strategy played a big part. But she could feel the unease in everyone else.

    Kivorn stayed to himself as well after being healed, Draeven nervously looked at everyone, clearly feeling the tension.

    ¡®It¡¯s not awkward, just quiet. Sethrak fought brutally, and Zyphira had to keep calming him down. I noticed a lot, Sethrak doesn¡¯t care about himself as much as he says he does, in any fight, he¡¯s always close to his sister Zyphira. Something must¡¯ve happened during the fight. And Kivorn¡­my other bro, he looks distraught. What triggered him¡­?¡¯

    Suddenly, Gunthr and his guildmates were nearby, walking away slowly, then running towards the exit, they didn¡¯t even wanna go near the dead remnants of the Lysf?dt, and seeing Xyenn and his group.

    Gunthr exclaimed, ¡°We¡¯ll come back!¡±

    His guild mates said:

    ¡°But Gunthr! The Ladder is right there!¡±

    Gunthr nervously replied, ¡°Yeahhhh, you see, they look a little tense right now it seems rude to ju-just HOP in and use the ladder right there in front of them!¡±

    ¡°Ohhhh! Makes sense! You¡¯re always thinking things through! You¡¯re so smart!¡±

    ¡°Tch! I know I am! Whelps! Follow me!¡±

    Xyenn and his group walked towards Gabriel¡¯s Ladder, and the moment they stepped near the glowing spiral of light, a strange force surrounded Xyenn and the Tyrants. Their bodies were lifted effortlessly into the air, as though cradled by unseen hands. The world around them dissolved into radiant streams of light, a vast expanse of swirling stars and shimmering clouds opening beneath their feet. They floated in silence, suspended in a breathtaking void where time and space seemed to blur together.

    ¡®It¡¯s beautiful¡­¡¯ Xyenn thought.

    The ladder itself was no longer visible¡ªonly its essence, a quiet, pulsing hum that resonated deep in their souls, guiding them upward. The air was warm but gentle, like a summer breeze brushing against their skin, carrying with it the faint aroma of something nostalgic yet unplaceable. Around them, faint images of continents and worlds danced in the streams of light, as if inviting them to choose.

    No one spoke. The beauty of the moment demanded reverence, and even the most talkative among them found themselves awestruck. Then, a voice broke the silence. It was calm, neutral, and genderless, yet it reverberated in their minds as though it came from everywhere and nowhere at once.

    ¡°Where do you wish to go?¡±

    Xyenn, without hesitation, answered. ¡°Soulcaris. Continent of Soulcaris.¡±

    ¡®Who¡¯s speaking? Voice sounds weird, and deep..¡¯

    The voice seemed to pause, as if considering his words. The swirling lights shifted, colors deepening, and the hum grew louder. Then, in an instant, the light around them began to change direction, pulling them forward.

    Xyenn sighed, and finally spoke out loud to everyone, ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­everyone.¡±

    Everyone looked at him, floating near him.

    Xyenn continued, ¡°I should¡¯ve told you all about this, about the Light Born. And how they came to me. Damn, I feel responsible for all of this.¡±

    Mertha asked Xyenn, ¡°You want to kill Yuuna?¡±

    Xyenn immediately answered, ¡°No. Never. We have a child..and stuff.¡± Xyenn blushed.

    ¡°Then this isn¡¯t your fault. You made a choice, a choice we all would make if we were in your shoes, boy. Though this is a dire situation.¡±

    Gorran said, ¡°If Yuuna succeeds with killing the dragon gods of Kyrrin, then we¡¯ll be destroying the entire work, is what that Light Born said.¡±

    Sethrak added, ¡°We all heard her.¡±

    Yuuna said, ¡°I know about this¡­I always knew about it. Always knew. Gabriel used us to create this so-called radiant and perfect world. Dragon gods are the foundation of it. The pieces that hold it together. But nothing is perfect, people, humans, races of all kinds are used as pawns to keep the dragon gods alive. If anyone is sorry, it should be me. For keeping information from you all. If you all want to leave me, I¡ª.¡±

    Xyenn gritted his teeth m, saying, ¡°No one is leaving you at all. I chose this, though..there were times, quick moments of me regretting everything since I met you. That¡¯s my human side of me. But deep down, every time I''m around you, I¡¯m motivated again. A feeling I don¡¯t want to ever give up. I hate myself for the thoughts that creep in my head, doubting everything I promised to you. I¡¯m in an eternal battle with myself, but I know if I keep going, I¡¯ll be alright.¡±

    ¡®That sounded manlier in my head.¡¯ Xyenn thought.

    Kivorn commented, ¡°I..want the joy my own kin took from me back. The Svren Elves were under the dragon god of elves, if not for him, they wouldn¡¯t have been driven to do what they did to me. I¡¯ll be joyous, once the darkness is purged.¡±

    Yuuna said, ¡°Kivorn¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m gonna be even stronger, to stay alive; I don¡¯t wanna die before I get my joy again. I¡¯ll do whatever it takes. I¡¯ll see where I mess up in fights or training with you guys, I¡¯ll work on anything I need. There¡¯s..a reason I¡¯m here Yuuna, with you. With all..of you. I think almost dying to the Griffin¡¯s really¡­woke me up again. Even in dire situations¡­I¡¯ll try not to doubt myself in it. So I have no reason to leave.¡±

    Gorran wanted to add his own thoughts, but he said nothing. Keeping it all to himself.

    ¡®¡­.¡¯

    Illyana peacefully said, ¡°I wanna keep us together. I don¡¯t trust anyone but you guys. You¡¯re the only family I have. Times when we seem like we¡¯re gonna separate, times when we¡¯re all distraught, I don¡¯t like seeing it. I saw these same signs with my husband, the vessel, once he tried to offer me as a sacrifice. Everything shattered, I was distraught, depressed for months and months. It¡¯s like a dark space you can¡¯t escape. Maybe I even enjoyed it for a while, but still hated it. I will keep us together, so we can get rid of these draconic gods, and maybe find a way to keep the world stable even without them. I will make sure we¡¯re all in our right mind, I don¡¯t want anyone to be how I was. I know how that dark place is. I¡¯ll do everything I can to make sure we¡¯re all okay and together.¡±

    Xyenn then had remembered when Illyana told Xyenn she hated sadness on the boat.

    Sethrak didn¡¯t say anything, he had a lot on his mind though, saying, ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m with you.¡±

    Zyphira, a lot on her mind as well, kept her thoughts to herself, not really saying anything. The thought that went through both of their minds, and as when the Griffin hovered Zyphira.

    Draeven raised his hand slightly, ¡°I-I¡¯m not going anywhere¡­Yuuna.¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Mertha smiled, ¡°You already know where I stand, Yuuna.¡±

    Yuuna froze, and she smiled, ¡°G-Great! I¡¯m glad we¡¯re all on the same page!¡±

    Xyenn asked Yuuna, ¡°About what Illyana said, do you think it¡¯s possible to save this world from destruction even if we kill the dragon gods?¡±

    ¡°Ehhhh, no. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s possible. But I could be wrong. We just have to see, right?¡± Yuuna tilted her head and smiled.

    And Xyenn smiled back.

    Yuuna inspected Xyenn, grinning, ¡°Hmm. I like your smile.¡±

    Xyenn frozen, thinking, ¡®Think, Xyenn! What can I say back that¡¯s smooth? Shit, I¡¯m not good at sweet talking, honestly. Think of something cool to say..¡¯

    Xyenn gulped, and he said, ¡°You too.¡±

    Yuuna replied, ¡°You too?! WHAT KIND OF REPLY IS THAT?!¡±

    ¡®No! I keep thinking I¡¯ll sound awkward and weird if I say something all mushy. Crap!¡¯ Xyenn thought as he panicked. ¡®How can I call myself a man?!¡¯

    But Yuuna liked seeing Xyenn like that. She thought it was adorable, but Xyenn thought he himself looked ridiculous.

    As they were swept along the glowing currents, Xyenn scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. ¡°So, uh¡­ I don¡¯t really know exactly where we should land in Soulcaris. Kinda forgot to ask for specifics.¡±

    The serene silence was shattered as the group collectively groaned.

    ¡°Whaaaaaaaat do you mean you don¡¯t know where to land?¡± Zyphira shot him a disbelieving glare, crossing her arms.

    Xyenn nervously replied, gesturing his hands to calm her down, ¡°Relaxxxx¡ª!¡±

    Draeven clutched his head, pacing mid-air as though the floating void had a floor. ¡°We¡¯re going t-to end up in the middle of nowhere, aren¡¯t we? We¡¯re screwed¡­.¡±

    Xyenn said to Draeven, ¡°DON¡¯T LOSE HOPE¡ª!¡±

    Kivorn raised an eyebrow, his usual calm demeanor tinged with sarcasm. ¡°Haha..You didn¡¯t think¡­ to threaten Haldrek for more details¡­? We definitely have the upper hand on him. We have you..and Yuuna..¡±

    Xyenn threw up his hands defensively. ¡°Yeah, well, threatening Haldrek is one thing. Asking him an endless series of follow-up questions? That¡¯s just suicidal. The guy¡¯s terrifying.¡±

    Yuuna, who had been uncharacteristically quiet during the argument, suddenly threw her hands in the air and yelled with glee, ¡°Just take us to the entrance of Soulcaris! Who cares where we land? Let¡¯s just go already! Woo hoo!¡±

    A ripple of energy surged around them, and the void responded to her command. The light began to shift again, this time pulling them toward a single point in the distance. The hum grew louder, the currents wrapping around them like a cocoon, and they were carried forward with an almost dreamlike grace.

    They emerged from the light as if stepping through a veil, their feet gently touching solid ground. The sun blazed above them, harsh and unrelenting, casting long shadows over a barren wasteland. The air was dry, and the landscape stretched endlessly around them¡ªa scorched, post-apocalyptic kingdom, crumbling under the weight of time.

    Ruined towers jutted out of the cracked earth like jagged teeth, their stone facades blackened and scorched. Shattered bridges hung precariously over dried-up rivers, their once-grand arches now crumbling into dust. Rusted remnants of siege weapons lay scattered across the terrain, their wood and metal skeletons a testament to forgotten wars. The horizon was marked by a faint shimmer, as if the heat itself distorted reality.

    The group stood in silence, taking in the desolation. There was no sign of life¡ªno birds, no animals, not even the faintest whisper of wind. It was as though the entire continent had been swallowed by death and decay.

    ¡°This is¡­¡± Draeven trailed off, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°This is Soulcaris?¡±

    ¡°Feels like we stepped into the end of the world,¡± Kivorn said, his voice unusually somber.

    Zyphira kicked at a piece of rubble, her lips curling into a frown. ¡°I¡¯ve seen ruins before, but this? This is something else. Sucks here.¡±

    Illyana folded her hands in front of her, her expression unreadable. ¡°There¡¯s something... wrong here. It feels heavy, like the air itself is mourning.¡±

    Yuuna, however, seemed unfazed. She tilted her head, a faint grin playing on her lips. ¡°The Dragon God of the Sun rules this place. No vessel. Just him, basking in his own glory.¡±

    Xyenn said, ¡°This place¡­I¡¯ve heard of it, just heard how dangerous the sun is¡­¡±

    ¡®It¡¯s horrible..it smells like ash and sulfur here, and even heat.¡¯

    Before Yuuna could say more, a figure appeared in the distance, running toward them at an unnatural speed. The figure was humanoid, though their head was a literal flaming sun, flickering and crackling with intense heat. They waved their arms wildly, their voice frantic as they screamed.

    ¡°Cover your eyes! Cover your eyes! Help¡­ help!¡±

    The group tensed immediately, weapons raised. Gorran stepped forward, his hand on the hilt of Xenith, his dark eyes narrowing. ¡°I don¡¯t trust it. I¡¯m cutting it down.¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Yuuna shouted, surprising everyone. Gorran turned to her, his expression showing rare shock.

    ¡°They¡¯re screaming for help,¡± Yuuna said, her tone uncharacteristically serious. ¡°Don¡¯t kill them.¡±

    Gorran hesitated but kept his hand on his blade, his eyes flicking back to the frantic figure.

    ¡®Strange. Because of Xyenn, Yuuna wanted to change and actually help humans as well as helping herself. She¡¯s probably confused as to why she¡¯s like that, since she doesn¡¯t have memories of Xyenn. Wouldn¡¯t her lost memories of Xyenn affect her motivations..?¡¯

    Before the flaming figure could reach them, the ground erupted beneath its feet. Dark, thorny vines shot up from the earth, writhing like living serpents. They coiled around the figure, binding it tightly. The flames on its head flickered wildly as it thrashed, but the vines held firm. They were black as pitch, pulsing with dark magic.

    The group¡¯s attention was drawn upward as a shadow passed over them. A massive black crow descended from the sky, its wings outstretched. The bird was blindfolded, its eyes covered by a strip of cloth, and its movements were graceful despite its blindness. On its back sat an old woman clothed in black sackcloth, her long, gray hair flowing in the wind. She, too, was blindfolded, her wrinkled skin marked with faint scars. Despite her age, there was an undeniable beauty to her, a strange, otherworldly elegance.

    ¡°Greetings, Tyrants. Goddess of Darkness,¡± the woman said, her voice calm and measured. ¡°You¡¯re here for me, aren¡¯t you? I am Haelga.¡±

    Xyenn stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. ¡°How do you know that?¡±

    The witch chuckled softly. ¡°The prophet came to me. Told me you¡¯d be coming. Told me you¡¯d need my help.¡±

    Yuuna laughed, ¡°Mannn that prophet is such a tattletale!¡±

    Xyenn asked Yuuna, ¡°Who is the prophet?¡±

    ¡®Even though I¡¯ve seen and heard of him¡­no way he is actually important in our situation, right? Impossible..¡¯

    Yuuna smiled, ¡°The Prophet is an unknown being, he¡¯s so annoying though! He¡¯s everywhere! He travels without using Gabriel¡¯s Ladder!¡±

    Xyenn glanced back at the group, his expression uncertain. Then looked at the witch, ¡°We do need your help. Can you¡ª¡±

    The witch raised a hand, ¡°Very well. I may have some use for you yet. Follow me.¡±

    With that, the crow turned, its massive wings flapping as it began to glide across the desolate landscape.

    The massive crow¡¯s wings beat against the thick, sun-scorched air, carrying the group high above the barren landscape of Soulcaris. The bird¡¯s feathers shimmered faintly with dark magic, and the blindfold over its eyes gave it an eerie, somber presence. The witch, Haelga, sat at the front on a saddle of twisted black vines, her posture rigid and impatient as she leaned slightly forward, urging the crow to fly faster.

    Behind her, the Tyrants clung to whatever they could find. The crow¡¯s back was wide, but the occasional gust of wind or sudden shift in direction made staying steady a challenge. Xyenn, in particular, was having the hardest time. He gripped the crow¡¯s feathers tightly, his knuckles white as he tried to avoid slipping off its smooth, shifting surface.

    ¡°Hold still!¡± Xyenn barked at the crow, his voice tinged with panic. The bird, of course, didn¡¯t respond. ¡°You¡¯re definitely doing this on purpose!¡±

    Yuuna, sitting comfortably beside him, glanced over with a smirk. ¡°You¡¯re a dragon vessel, Xyenn. You¡¯ve literally flown before. What¡¯s the problem?¡±

    ¡°That was me flying!¡± Xyenn replied, nearly losing his grip as the crow banked sharply to the left. ¡°This is a giant blind bird! And can¡¯t just trigger my wings out that easily! It takes some serious focus! Unless I¡¯m letting the darkness take over and stuff, that¡¯s the only way!¡±

    The witch said to Xyenn, ¡°My Salazar is doing that on purpose to those he¡¯s fond of. He usually doesn¡¯t like outsiders.¡±

    ¡°Soooo, he tries to kill the people he likes?¡±

    ¡°Mhm.¡±

    Yuuna rolled her eyes, sighed dramatically, and grabbed Xyenn by the back of his collar just as he started to slide dangerously close to the edge. ¡°You¡¯re so useless sometimes,¡± she said with a grin, hauling him back upright like he weighed nothing.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± Xyenn muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

    Meanwhile, Haelga¡¯s voice cut through the wind, sharp and hurried. ¡°Listen carefully, Tyrants. You¡¯re in Soulcaris now. This land isn¡¯t like the others. The sun here is alive¡ªaware. It is the draconic deity known as the Sun-Drake, an ancient being whose light once blessed this land with life. But that was long ago.¡±

    The group listened intently, though some more than others. Zyphira leaned back casually, her arms crossed, while Sethrak sat beside her with his usual air of detached arrogance. Draeven, on the other hand, was gripping the crow¡¯s feathers so tightly his fingers trembled, and he looked like he was trying very hard not to scream.

    ¡®I..don¡¯t wanna fall either.¡¯

    ¡°Once,¡± Haelga continued, ¡°the Sun-Drake¡¯s light was a gift. It nurtured the fields, gave warmth to the people, and protected them from darkness. But over time, the Sun-Drake grew restless. It desired more¡ªmore worship, more offerings, more power. Its light became a curse.¡±

    She gestured down at the wasteland below them. ¡°Everything you see now is the result of its madness. The sun burns too bright, too harsh. Those who gaze upon it for too long are lost. They become Berserkers of the Flame¡ªmindless, savage beings driven by the Sun-Drake¡¯s will. Their heads ignite, and they burn with an eternal fire, their sanity consumed.¡±

    Kivorn, who looked half-asleep despite the dire explanation, yawned and lazily raised a hand. ¡°So, what you¡¯re saying is¡­ don¡¯t look at the sun?¡±

    Haelga shot him an irritated glare, though her blindfold made it hard to tell. ¡°It¡¯s not that simple, elf. The Sun-Drake is cunning. Its light isn¡¯t stationary. The sun moves erratically, shifting where its rays fall. Even those who wear blindfolds are not entirely safe. If you stand in its light for too long, the heat alone can burn away your blindfold, leaving you exposed.¡±

    ¡°Wait,¡± Zyphira interjected, leaning toward Sethrak with a smirk. ¡°So you¡¯re telling me the sun¡¯s basically a giant, angry toddler, throwing tantrums and setting people on fire?¡±

    Sethrak answered, ¡°A rather crude way to put it, but not entirely inaccurate. Though I doubt you¡¯d fare much better against a ¡®toddler¡¯ that can incinerate you with a glance.¡±

    ¡°Oh, please,¡± Zyphira shot back. ¡°I¡¯d look fabulous with a flaming head.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d look like roasted chicken,¡± Sethrak said, smirking.

    Haelga¡¯s voice grew softer, tinged with something that almost sounded like sadness. ¡°There are still settlements in Soulcaris, though their survival is tenuous at best. Some have built their homes underground, hiding in vast tunnel systems where no light can reach. Others cling to the ruins of old cities, using enchanted blindfolds to shield themselves.¡±

    She hesitated, then added grimly, ¡°And then there are those who have given up entirely. Cults that worship the Sun-Drake directly, offering themselves as sacrifices to avoid the slow decay of madness. They believe that by surrendering, they will be reborn as something greater.¡±

    Ilyana, ever the optimist, clasped her hands together. ¡°That¡¯s so sad. Do you think we could help them somehow? Maybe bring them to safety?¡±

    Gorran snorted. ¡°Safety? In this place? They¡¯d be better off throwing themselves into the sun now and saving themselves the trouble.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s awful!¡± Ilyana protested, frowning.

    ¡°It¡¯s the truth.¡±

    Meanwhile, Xyenn was still struggling to hold on, his grip slipping again as the crow hit a patch of turbulence. He let out a startled yelp, flailing wildly as he nearly toppled off the bird¡¯s back.

    ¡°H-Help! THIS CROW IS TRYING TO THROW ME!¡±

    ¡°For gods¡¯ sake!¡± Yuuna groaned, grabbing him by the arm and pulling him upright¡ªagain. She wrapped her arms around his waist tightly, pressing herself against his back to keep him steady. ¡°There. Problem solved. You¡¯re like a big big baby!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s face turned bright red. ¡°Thanks..¡±

    ¡®I¡¯m so spoiled. Why do I let myself be spoiled like this? I gotta be a man. Do I have some weird fetish?¡¯

    Yuuna grinned mischievously, resting her chin on his shoulder. ¡°What? You¡¯re the one who can¡¯t sit still. I¡¯m just making sure you don¡¯t fall and embarrass yourself.¡±

    The rest of the group immediately pounced on the opportunity.

    ¡°Oh, look at the little lovebirds,¡± Zyphira teased, smirking.

    ¡°Adorable,¡± Sethrak added dryly. ¡°Truly heartwarming.¡±

    Even Draeven managed a nervous laugh. ¡°I-I mean, it¡¯s not like you¡¯re making it obvious or anything¡­¡±

    Mertha laughed, ¡°Haha! Xyenn cradled like a baby! Seems I have to toughen you up more.¡±

    Xyenn buried his face in his hands, thinking, ¡®Dammit!¡¯

    As the crow flew lower, they spotted movement on the ground below. A group of Berserkers of the Flame was chasing a small cluster of humans, their flaming heads bobbing wildly as they sprinted after their prey. The humans were screaming, barely managing to stay ahead of the monsters. One stumbled, and a Berserker pounced, tearing into them savagely. The others followed, their claws rending flesh as they devoured the body with horrifying speed.

    The group watched in grim silence as the Berserkers finished their grisly meal. Then, as if on cue, the remains of the victim dissolved into glowing particles of sunlight. The particles floated upward, disappearing into the sky.

    Yuuna broke the silence, her voice uncharacteristically calm. ¡°That¡¯s how the Sun-Drake receives worship. The Berserkers kill, eat, and then the energy of the dead is returned to the sun. It¡¯s a way of sustaining its worship. Those who sustain the sun enough will turn back to normal. All the draconic gods do it in their own way. They¡¯ll do anything to avoid the Cycle of Rebirth.¡±

    Xyenn asked Yuuna, ¡°You¡¯ve been here before..?¡±

    ¡°Not here, but I know HIM. The Sun-Drake.¡±

    Suddenly, Xyenn¡¯s ears twitched. He heard screaming again¡ªmore humans being chased by another group of Berserkers. He leaned forward, his expression darkening. ¡°Yuuna¡­¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement. ¡°Guys, stay up here! Me and Xyenn are gonna save those humans!¡±

    Haelga turned sharply, her voice urgent. ¡°No! There¡¯s no time! We need to¡ª¡±

    But Yuuna was already on the move. She grabbed Xyenn by the hand, her grin turning wild and slightly unhinged. ¡°Come on, Xyenn! Let¡¯s go!¡± Without waiting for a reply, she leapt off the crow, dragging him with her. They plummeted through the air, Yuuna flipping gracefully as Xyenn flailed behind her.

    Haelga let out an exasperated sigh. ¡°She¡¯s insane.¡±

    Zyphira smirked. ¡°Yeah, you probably won¡¯t be able to stop her. That¡¯s just how she is.¡±

    ¡°Psychotic, you mean,¡± Sethrak added with a smirk.

    Haelga muttered something under her breath but urged the crow to circle above as Yuuna and Xyenn descended toward the chaos below.

 Chapter 26: Berserkers Of The Flame

    Xyenn stood in the shadow of the sun, the Berserkers of the Flame barreled toward him and Yuuna, their flaming heads roaring with destructive energy as their twisted bodies surged forward with inhuman speed. The ground beneath them cracked, molten veins spreading outward with every step they took. Their cries rang out¡ªa mix of agonized screams and guttural roars, some calling out incoherent words, others just shrieking in despair.

    The sun above burned brighter, as if feeding off the chaos below.

    Xyenn¡¯s hands trembled ever so slightly. He could feel the heat pressing against his skin, but it wasn¡¯t the flames that made him hesitate. It was the faces¡ªonce human faces¡ªhalf-melted and lost in the fire. He could still see fragments of their former selves in the way some stumbled, as if struggling against the madness that consumed them.

    ¡°They¡¯re still innocent people¡­¡± Xyenn murmured under his breath as he watched the horde approach. His voice was barely audible over the roar of the flame-born creatures. ¡°Killing them¡­¡±

    Yuuna, standing beside him, tilted her head, her wild grin faltering slightly as she glanced at him. ¡°Xyenn¡ª¡± she began, but before she could say more, Haelga¡¯s voice cut through the air like a blade.

    ¡°Killing them is the only way to save them!¡± the witch shouted from above, her crow circling overhead like an omen of death. ¡°No one wants to be a Berserker! They can¡¯t help what they¡¯ve become! Some even kill willingly to sustain the sun, hoping to keep the curse at bay. But in the end, they are lost. Killing them is a mercy! You are freeing them, not condemning them.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s shoulders sagged slightly as her words settled over him. He exhaled, his breath shaky. ¡°Mercy¡­¡± he whispered, the word tasting bitter on his tongue. He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this wasn¡¯t right, that there had to be another way. But the Berserkers didn¡¯t stop. They wouldn¡¯t stop.

    They can¡¯t stop.

    Until they sustain in the sun.

    Yuuna stepped closer, her voice calm yet firm, standing out against the chaos. ¡°Xyenn, listen to me. You¡¯re not a monster. You¡¯re not doing this because you want to. You¡¯re doing this because you have to. These people¡ªthey¡¯re already gone. But we can still help them. We can end their suffering. Yeah?¡±

    Her words steadied him. He clenched his jaw, forcing the turmoil in his chest to the back of his mind. ¡°Alright,¡± he said softly, his voice hardening. He raised his scythe, its dark blade glowing faintly with an ominous light.

    The Berserkers were close now, their flames licking at the air around them, their twisted screams shaking the ground. Xyenn took a deep breath, his grip tightening.

    ¡°Let¡¯s save them.¡± At that movement, Yuuna merged with Xyenn.

    ¡®I won''t go so hard. They don¡¯t deserve it. I¡¯ll try to end it quickly. Using one scythe will suffice.¡¯

    The first Berserker lunged, its body a blur of molten fury. Fire erupted from its fists, each blow detonating like a miniature sunburst. Xyenn sidestepped the first swing, his movements fluid, almost dance-like. As the second punch came, he leaned backward, the fiery fist grazing past his chest. Then he spun, his scythe flashing in a wide arc.

    The blade sliced clean through the Berserker¡¯s torso, the severed halves flying apart in a burst of blood and flames. The creature¡¯s head flickered, the fire sputtering out as it fell to its knees.

    ¡°Th... thank you¡­¡± it rasped with its final breath before collapsing into a pile of ash and blood.

    Xyenn paused, his chest tightening at the words. But the next wave came immediately, giving him no time to dwell.

    ¡®He said thank you..¡¯

    Two Berserkers charged him from opposite sides, their clawed hands glowing with molten sun energy. One leapt into the air with a scream, while the other aimed a fiery strike at his legs. Xyenn crouched low, sweeping his scythe in a wide circle. The blade hummed with dark energy as it cleaved through the legs of the grounded Berserker, sending it collapsing face-first into the dirt.

    Without missing a beat, Xyenn spun on his heel, flipping the scythe behind his back as the airborne Berserker descended. He thrust the blade upward in a deadly, serpentine arc, the edge catching the creature mid-flight. Blood and ash sprayed across the battlefield as its body split in two, the halves falling lifelessly to the ground.

    The legless Berserker crawled toward him, molten blood dripping from its stumps. ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t¡­ want to die¡­¡± it whimpered.

    Xyenn hesitated for a moment, his scythe hovering above the creature¡¯s neck. Yuuna¡¯s voice echoed in his mind, soft but resolute. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Xyenn. Calm down. We¡¯re saving them.¡±

    He exhaled sharply and brought the blade down, silencing the Berserker¡¯s cries.

    ¡°Fuck it all¡­if I would¡¯ve known it was THIS bad in other continents..¡±

    ¡°But you didn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°And you did¡­¡±

    ¡°Now you see why the dragon gods need to die.¡±

    ¡°Damn right I do.¡±

    Three Berserkers surrounded him, each one glowing brighter as they began to channel explosive bursts of sun magic. One raised its hands, summoning a fiery orb that grew larger with every passing second. The other two charged forward, their bodies radiating heat so intense that the air around them shimmered.

    Xyenn planted the base of his scythe into the ground and vaulted upward, flipping over the charging Berserkers. He twisted mid-air, his scythe spinning like a deadly wheel. The blade caught both attackers across their spines, slicing through them with surgical precision. They collapsed in a heap of blood and ash.

    The third Berserker hurled the sun orb at him, the projectile streaking toward him with a deafening roar. Xyenn landed gracefully on the ground, then dashed forward, the orb exploding behind him in a wave of fire that barely missed his back. He closed the distance in a heartbeat, his scythe spinning like a whirlwind. The Berserker didn¡¯t even have time to scream as Xyenn¡¯s blade tore it apart.

    A massive Berserker, easily twice the size of the others, charged at Xyenn like a living meteor. Its flaming fists slammed into the ground, sending molten cracks spiderwebbing outward. Xyenn leapt into the air just as the ground beneath him erupted in a fiery explosion.

    The Berserker roared, swinging its massive arms wildly, each strike creating shockwaves that flattened the surrounding terrain. Xyenn landed on its arm, running up its body with impossible agility. He flipped over its head, spinning his scythe like a wheel of death, and brought it down in a devastating vertical slash. The creature¡¯s flaming head split in two, the fire extinguishing as it toppled forward with a thunderous crash.

    Four Berserkers worked in tandem, slamming their fists into the ground to create a massive wall of flames that surged toward Xyenn. The inferno roared, consuming everything in its path.

    Xyenn dashed toward the wall, his body low to the ground. At the last moment, he twisted his scythe, the blade glowing with dark energy. He slashed upward, the force of the swing parting the flames like a curtain. He emerged on the other side, his scythe spinning in a deadly flourish. The Berserkers barely had time to react before he cut through them in a blur of motion, their bodies collapsing into pools of molten blood.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    Off to the side, a group of humans knelt in prayer, their enchanted blindfolds shielding them from the sun¡¯s gaze. Their voices were steady, even as the battle raged around them. Xyenn glanced at them briefly, his heart tightening.

    ¡®Who are they praying to? And are they praying for me? They can¡¯t see the fight, but they can hear it..¡¯

    The last wave of Berserkers came all at once, their numbers overwhelming. Xyenn tightened his grip on his scythe, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He charged into the horde, his blade carving through them with brutal efficiency. Blood sprayed across the battlefield as he spun, flipped, and darted between his enemies, his movements fluid and lethal.

    One Berserker tackled him to the ground, its claws digging into his shoulders as its flaming head roared inches from his face. Xyenn gritted his teeth and drove the butt of his scythe into its chest, knocking it off balance. He flipped backward, bringing the scythe down in a vicious overhead slash that bisected the creature.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Xyenn said.

    When the last Berserker fell, Xyenn stood alone in the center of the battlefield, his body drenched in blood and ash. His scythe hung loosely in his hand, its glow fading. He looked around at the carnage, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath.

    ¡®I did the right thing, I saved them. I did. Even Yuuna said so, and that scary witch. It¡¯s not like the bandits, they weren¡¯t innocent.¡¯

    He forced a shaky smile, but it didn¡¯t reach his eyes.

    ¡®The hell am I trying to force it for? Trying to calm myself down with a fake smile? That doesn¡¯t help. Only Yuuna has that gift to be able to aid herself positive and psycho after something crazy happens.¡¯

    Yuuna emerged from him in a flash of dark energy, her wild grin softening as she stepped toward him. She placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice uncharacteristically gentle. ¡°You did good, Xyenn. We saved them!¡±

    He looked at her, his expression conflicted. ¡°Saved..yeah. Still sucks though. Wish there was another way.¡±

    Yuuna shrugged, her grin returning. ¡°But you did the right thing! That¡¯s what matters. And it¡¯s SUPER crazy I¡¯m talking like that right now. But no need to be so sad now, they¡¯re not suffering anymore! They¡¯re families would¡¯ve wanted this, I already know.¡±

    ¡°Your strongest attribute is being able to be so positive about things, even after coming from a dark place. How the hell do you do it?¡±

    ¡°Just stick with me, darling.¡± Yuuna kissed Xyenn on the cheek.

    She stepped back, throwing her arms in the air and spinning in a circle. ¡°Now come on! Stop being so mopey! We¡¯ve got people to save, bad guys to fight, and¡ª¡± She leaned in close, her eyes sparkling with mischief. ¡°¡ªyou¡¯ve got me to keep you from falling apart.¡±

    Despite himself, Xyenn let out a small, exhausted laugh. ¡°You¡¯re insane.¡±

    ¡°And you love it,¡± Yuuna replied with a wink.

    ¡°Duh. We¡¯re close to getting your memories back.¡±

    Above, Haelga smirked, ¡°Poor boy.¡±

    The crow descended through a dense fog as the air seemed to thicken with magic. The group murmured in amazement as Haelga¡¯s home came into view: a massive, ancient tree, its bark dark as night and etched with glowing red runes that pulsed faintly like a heartbeat. Shadows coiled around the roots, twisting and writhing like living things, while the branches stretched out in unnatural angles, clawing at the sky. The entire tree radiated an oppressive aura, a reminder of the power it housed.

    Yuuna, still clinging tightly to Xyenn¡¯s arm, let out a gasp. ¡°Ohhhh I sense so much darkness here!¡±

    Gorran said, ¡°Hmph. It reeks.¡±

    Zyphira smiled, ¡°FINALLY. We can get her memories, head back to Haldrek, kill the dragon god of war, and then kill Haldrek. Easy!¡±

    Haelga turned her head slightly, her blindfold giving her an eerie, detached presence. ¡°The tree was grown, goddess of darkness Yuuna¡ªfed with that same darkness, blood, and sacrifice.¡± Her voice was calm but carried an edge of unease. ¡°This is not a creation of beauty or pride. It is a necessity, born from the shadows you yourself unleashed.¡±

    Yuuna tilted her head, thinking, ¡®I helped them indirectly¡­¡¯

    ¡°Of course Not directly,¡± Haelga corrected, stepping down from her crow¡¯s saddle. ¡°But the darkness you spread across the continents, yes. It is the essence of the hells themselves, and we, the witches, learned to harness it. With great cost. Now onward, we have much to discuss. I help you, you help me.¡±

    As the crow landed gracefully near the base of the tree, Xyenn slid off the saddle with a relieved sigh. ¡°Finally, solid ground¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish, Salazar, the massive crow, turned its head sharply and nipped at Xyenn¡¯s shoulder, causing him to yelp and stumble back.

    ¡°Hey! What¡¯s your problem, you oversized chicken?!¡± Xyenn barked, rubbing his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll eat you alive!¡±

    Salazar clicked its beak menacingly and flapped its wings, ruffling its feathers in what could only be described as smug defiance.

    Yuuna burst into laughter, doubling over against Xyenn¡¯s arm. ¡°I think he really doesn¡¯t like you, Xyenn! I think he can smell your fear!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of a bird,¡± Xyenn grumbled, glaring at Salazar, who nipped at him again for good measure. ¡°Okay, now he¡¯s just being a jerk. Hey witch lady, control your bird or he¡¯s feeding me for a week.¡±

    ¡°Salazar only bites those he likes,¡± Haelga said dryly, walking past them toward the base of the tree. ¡°Perhaps he senses something in you. He does like you though.¡±

    ¡°Funny. He likes someone who can rip him apart if he keeps clicking at me!¡±

    The rest of the group chuckled at Xyenn¡¯s expense, except for Gorran, who stood silently with his arms crossed, completely uninterested in the banter. Xyenn just sighed, trying to shake off Yuuna¡¯s relentless giggles as she clung to him even tighter.

    Draeven reached for Xyenn, ¡°Do you need help..?¡±

    Xyenn replied, ¡°Hmph. If he nips at me again, punch a hole through him.¡±

    ¡°That sounds brutal¡­¡±

    Sethrak bumped Draeven on the back, snickering, ¡°You¡¯re talking about brutal? After all we¡¯ve been through? The lives you¡¯ve taken? The things you¡¯ve seen?¡±

    ¡°I mean..well¡­¡±

    Mertha put Draeven and Xyenn in a headlock, saying with a stoic grin, ¡°These two still need some toughening up.¡±

    Xyenn scoffed, ¡°Damn oaf! I¡¯m tough now!¡±

    Mertha squeezed tighter. ¡°Yep, I believe you.¡±

    ¡°You¡­and Yuuna are trying to crush me to death!¡±

    ¡°Nope!¡± Yuuna replied cheerfully. ¡°You¡¯re too much fun to mess with.¡± She gave him a playful nudge, nearly throwing him off balance again. ¡°Besides, I¡¯m your bodyguard now. What if Salazar comes back for round two?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s a bird,¡± Xyenn groaned.

    Trailing behind, Zyphira walked with Illyana.

    Illyana said, ¡°Zyphira, dear..¡±

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°Your hands are shaking.¡±

    ¡°I just need something. Gimme one of those things you gave Xyenn on the boat, the one that drugged him. Yeahhhh I saw. Cough it up.¡±

    Illyana smiled, ¡°Oh that? I ran out.¡±

    ¡°Damn. These thoughts¡­I need some distraction.¡±

    ¡°This is good for you. Keep talking to everyone. Keep getting involved with things.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s hard, I grew up loved but tore down and all that cliche stuff. And Xyenn, I don¡¯t see how he does it. He¡¯s so motivated to be better, I can tell. He pushes through these things he goes through and yet, and me being dozens of years older than him, I can¡¯t progress. I can¡¯t stop thinking about everything. But even though I want to progress and stuff, it¡¯s what drives my hatred for the dragon gods. That¡¯s the only plus about it. I¡¯m screwed aren¡¯t I? TELL ME I¡¯M SCREWED, I WON¡¯T CRY.¡±

    ¡°Trauma and internal conflict affect people in different ways, Zyphira. Do not compare yourself to others. If anything, you can find a moment to talk to Xyenn about it, when the time is right. Or talk to¡ª.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t talk to my brother. Sethrak¡­wouldn¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°Hm?¡±

    ¡°He doesn¡¯t care about himself at all, no matter how arrogant he may sound. He doesn¡¯t have his own goal, it''s his goal. The events that took place when we were kids made him that way. It made him not wanna take care of his own well being. I worry for him. I wanna know what goes through his thick fucking skull. I can¡¯t talk to him about this either, he¡¯ll get pissed off and probably go hunting for bandits to incinerate and hang their dirty ass corpses in front of a village.¡±

    ¡°Haha, yeah that sounds like him. But for now, Zyphira, just get involved with everything.¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    The group followed Haelga into the tree, stepping through a heavy, curved doorway made of entwined roots. Inside, the hut was equal parts unsettling and mesmerizing. The walls were lined with shelves carved directly into the wood, each one filled with jars of strange, glowing liquids, dried herbs, and bones of all shapes and sizes. The air smelled of incense and something faintly metallic, like blood. Red and black runes glowed faintly on the floor, forming intricate patterns that pulsed with a quiet, steady rhythm. A cauldron bubbled in one corner, its contents an inky black liquid that reflected no light.

    Above them, thick roots hung from the ceiling like chandeliers, each one cradling a cluster of dimly glowing orbs that cast eerie red light across the room. Shadows flickered unnaturally, moving as if they had minds of their own. And Haelga had taken off her blindfold, revealing her dark purple eyes.

    ¡°Whoa,¡± Draeven whispered, his voice trembling. ¡°This place is... definitely haunted. Yup. Haunted.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not haunted,¡± Sethrak said with a smirk, his tone insufferably calm. ¡°Though I can see why someone with your... delicate constitution might think so.¡±

    ¡°Delicate?!¡± Draeven hissed, his voice cracking. ¡°I¡¯m not delicate! I just... don¡¯t like creepy trees, okay?¡±

    Mertha, who had remained stoic for most of the journey, glanced around the room and nodded approvingly. ¡°Efficient,¡± she said simply. ¡°A place of purpose. I like it.¡±

    ¡°Purpose,¡± Zyphira repeated with a snort. ¡°Yeah, if that purpose is to freak people out.¡±

    Xyenn looked around, thinking, ¡®My first time in a witches hut. I¡¯ve always heard of witches, and their conclave called the Coven. I think they¡¯re all over the place. And I would¡¯ve thought there would be more witches in here. But it¡¯s just Haelga?¡¯

    Haelga continued walking to the center of the room where a circular rune was carved into the floor. She gestured for the group to gather around her. ¡°This is where the ritual will take place,¡± she said, her voice steady but tinged with urgency. ¡°But before we begin, you must understand what you are about to be part of.¡±

    Haelga stood tall, her hands clasped in front of her. ¡°The coven of witches was not born of noble intent. We are not heroes, nor have we ever claimed to be. We were created for one purpose: to defy the gods, at any cost.¡±

    Her voice grew quieter, almost sorrowful. ¡°When the Sun-Drake¡¯s madness began to consume this land, we sought power to fight it. That power came from the darkness¡ªyour darkness, Yuuna. It seeped into the cracks of this world and called to us, offering strength in exchange for sacrifice. And we... accepted.¡±

    ¡°What kind of sacrifice?¡± Ilyana asked hesitantly, her face pale.

    Haelga¡¯s blindfolded gaze turned toward her, and her voice grew cold. ¡°The kind you would call unforgivable. Men, women, children, animals¡ªnone were spared. We tore their souls from their bodies to fuel the spells and potions needed to combat the draconic gods. We bind ourselves to hell, knowing full well that our actions condemned us. Our souls are already condemned there. That goes for the entire Coven.¡±

    The room fell silent. Even Yuuna stopped fidgeting, her grin fading slightly as she listened.

    ¡°Each continent has its witches,¡± Haelga continued. ¡°Each coven harnesses the darkness in its own way. But none of us are saviors. We are monsters, fighting monsters. And when all is done, we will pay for our sins.¡±

    ¡°You sound like you want to die,¡± Kivorn said lazily, leaning against the wall. ¡°¡­That¡¯s not very witchy of you.¡±

    Haelga¡¯s lips curled into a faint, humorless smile. ¡°Perhaps I do. But not before this is finished. Not before I undo what I¡¯ve done.¡±

    Yuuna looked down, his smile diminishing, saying to herself, ¡°The darkness I spread years ago¡­being used for this.¡±

    ¡®Who am I to judge¡­? I was a monster. A true monster. I¡¯m no better than these witches, the Coven. They hid from the world for years, they must be new, because I never ran into them before. Only heard. But not none of this stuff. Just keep a good attitude, Yuuna. Don¡¯t get distracted, don¡¯t get all sad. You got this.¡¯

    Yuuna grabbed Xyenn, putting her arm around him, saying to Haelga, ¡°We got this! I¡¯m ready to have my memories back of this brat!¡±

    Xyenn pinched Yuuna on the hip, saying, ¡°Who¡¯re you calling a brat?!¡±

    ¡°You!¡±

    Xyenn then looked at Haelga, and asked, ¡°What do I have to sacrifice?¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what..I was told. I made up my mind that I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to make Yuuna remember me, and the things we went through and did together. What¡¯s your price?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re mistaken, boy. The price isn¡¯t up to me, but the severity of the ritual, tethered and latched with darkness. One can¡¯t just harness the dark magic and not be able to understand its flow of energy, its flow from this world and its flow from Hell itself. I¡¯ve been doing this for years. The price should always be the same weight as the deed done. So what are you willing to give up? What do you think will match the severity of the ritual? Choose wisely, son.¡±

 Chapter 27: Dragon Arm

    The room fell silent as Haelga¡¯s words echoed through the shadows of the tree. Her voice, steady and cold, carried the weight of centuries of sacrifice.

    ¡°The price isn¡¯t up to me, boy,¡± she repeated, her blindfolded gaze seemingly fixed on Xyenn. ¡°The severity of the ritual is tethered to the darkness itself, latched and bound with the energy it draws from this world... and from Hell. You cannot harness dark magic without understanding its flow¡ªits origins, its cost. Every deed must carry an equal weight. So, I ask again: what are you willing to give up? What do you think will match the severity of the ritual? Choose wisely, son.¡±

    The air seemed to grow heavier, the flickering shadows on the walls stretching and twisting unnaturally. Everyone was watching Xyenn now, their faces a mixture of concern and unease. Even Yuuna, who was usually buzzing with energy, had grown still, her grip on his arm tightening slightly.

    Only Gorran stood apart, his expression as stoic and unreadable as ever.

    Xyenn¡¯s jaw tightened. His hands clenched at his sides as he stared at the runes carved into the floor, their faint red glow reflecting in his eyes. The weight of Haelga¡¯s question pressed down on him, forcing him to delve into the depths of his own soul.

    ¡®A risky sacrifice, huh? What could I give up? Something important? Maybe one of my emotions? My fear¡­my doubts¡­? My anxiety? Can I get rid of those? I won¡¯t feel them anymore, I won¡¯t be so damn conflicted in the head, right? I won¡¯t torment myself over and over, my own morality, my own character, my recklessness, the same recklessness I promised to work on. The weight on my shoulders, if I can get rid of those, all of them, I¡¯d be fine¡­right?¡¯

    Xyenn smiled under his thoughts.

    His mind drifted back to a memory he had tried so hard to bury.

    He was a boy again, no more than ten years old, sitting in the back of a rickety wooden wagon as it bumped along a muddy road. The rain was falling in sheets, cold and relentless, soaking through his torn clothes. The two men driving the wagon¡ªgreedy, fat, and reeking of ale¡ªwere laughing and jeering as they flicked the reins of their horses.

    ¡°Blame the dragons, boy,¡± one of them sneered, his bloated face splitting into a wicked grin. ¡°They promised your parents riches, didn¡¯t they? Promised your whole village prosperity. But the gods have grown picky, see? They don¡¯t bless just anyone anymore. Takes a special kind of blood, a special kind of *offering*. And lucky for us, you¡¯re worth more as a worker than a son, eh?¡±

    The other man cackled, his laugh wet and phlegmy. ¡°Hard times, lad. Hard times. Don¡¯t take it personal. Just the way the world works.¡±

    Xyenn didn¡¯t speak. He couldn¡¯t. His throat was tight, his chest hollow. He stared at the broken wood of the wagon floor, his small hands trembling as his parents¡¯ faces flashed in his mind¡ªhis mother¡¯s tearful goodbye, his father¡¯s grim expression as they handed him over to these men.

    They didn¡¯t even hug him.

    The memory blurred, and suddenly he was older, his hands blistered and bleeding as he swung a pickaxe in a dark, miserable mine. The air was thick with dust and the stench of sweat and rot. The overseers barked orders from above, their whips cracking against the backs of anyone too slow to obey.

    ¡°Move faster, brat!¡± one of them snarled, kicking Xyenn to the ground.

    He gasped as the air was knocked out of him, his pickaxe clattering to the stone floor. Before he could recover, the overseer struck him across the back with a heavy club, and he cried out in pain.

    The other miners didn¡¯t even look at him. They couldn¡¯t. They were too broken, too afraid.

    That night, under the cover of darkness and pouring rain, Xyenn ran. His feet were bare, his body battered, but he didn¡¯t stop. Tears streamed down his face as he stumbled through the forest, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.

    Finally, he collapsed beneath a large tree, curling into himself for warmth. He wasn¡¯t cold¡ªnot really. The chill he felt came from within, from the emptiness in his chest.

    Hugging his knees to his chest, he whispered through his sobs, ¡°Damn dragons... why can¡¯t you help me?¡±

    But there was no answer. There never was.

    The flashback faded, and Xyenn realized his hands were trembling. His knuckles were white, his nails digging into his palms. He looked up at Haelga, his expression hardening.

    ¡®I can¡¯t¡­I can¡¯t give it up.¡¯

    Xyenn stood there, his heart pounding in his chest like an anvil under a hammer. All eyes locked onto him, awaiting his decision, sensing the gravity of the moment. The runes before him whispered of darkness and power, their eerie glow seeping into the very air he breathed.

    He closed his eyes and muttered to himself, his words barely audible, a private confession spilling from a soul on the verge of fracture.

    ¡°What am I willing to sacrifice? Can I just strip away my fear, my anxiety? Throw out my doubts like they¡¯re nothing but trash?" His voice broke, a jagged edge cutting through the silence. "Those torments¡­ they claw at me, drag me down into chaos. But¡ªif I cast them aside, who am I then? Just a shell, a husk driven by impulse without thought, without feeling?"

    His fists clenched as he wrestled with the tempest within. "No," he whispered fiercely, his eyes snapping open, reflecting the faint, ominous red of the runes. "These fears, these doubts¡ªthey¡¯re me. They¡¯re the raw, messy guts of who I am. The pain, the struggle¡ªit¡¯s mine. My story¡­ All of it, it¡¯s shaped every step I¡¯ve taken, every breath. Who I am... who I want to be. I can¡¯t sell my emotions¡ªmy soul. They¡¯re mine to contend with, mine to conquer. Every scar, every tear¡ªthey¡¯re badges, damn it. Testaments of battles fought and still fighting. And yeah, it''s hellish, it¡¯s exhausting¡­ but it¡¯s my path to walk. No shortcuts. Fuck that.¡±

    The resolve hardened in his expression, his stance. "I¡¯ll face it all¡ªhead on. I¡¯ll weave my regrets, my joys, my entire journey into strength. Because one day, I want to stand under the damn sun and say, ¡®Good fucking job, Xyenn. You faced the darkness¡ªwith all your broken pieces¡ªand you came out stronger.¡¯ That¡¯s the magic I choose. The magic of being unyieldingly, uncompromisingly me.¡±

    Zyphira shed a tear heading that, thinking, ¡®Xyenn¡­¡¯

    Gorran even looked away, but those words did cut deep.

    ¡®That kid¡­is that why I couldn¡¯t kill him that night? Did I see myself in that brat?¡¯

    Taking a deep breath, Xyenn stepped forward again.

    Instead, he grabbed his left arm.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Yuuna asked, her voice rising in alarm.

    Xyenn didn¡¯t answer. With a guttural roar, he ripped his arm from his body in a brutal, bloody motion. The sound of tearing flesh and cracking bone filled the room, and blood pooled on the floor as Xyenn fell to his knees, holding his severed arm out to Haelga.

    The room was silent, save for Ilyana¡¯s horrified gasp and Yuuna¡¯s panicked cry.

    ¡°Haelga...¡± Xyenn said, his voice shaking but resolute. ¡°Take my arm. Is that enough?¡±

    Haelga¡¯s lips curled into a grin. ¡°Ohh... interesting kid.¡±

    Haelga took the arm and began drawing a magic crest on the floor with her own blood. The runes around the room flared to life, casting the space in a harsh red glow. As the crest activated, Yuuna stepped forward, her hand bleeding as she poured her own blood into the ritual.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t just your sacrifice,¡± Haelga explained. ¡°Yuuna¡¯s blood¡ªthe blood of a demon¡ªis rich with darkness, potent enough to sustain the ritual alongside your offering. Together, they balance the price. She had to pay a sacrifice as well. Her demon blood is her own life force. That was enough for her toll and half of yours.¡±

    Xyenn said to Yuuna, ¡°Why¡­? You could¡¯ve gave a strand of hair or something, that¡¯s gotta be as valuable isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Yuuna smiled, her eyes weary, ¡°You did all of this for me, it¡¯ll be super awakened if I didn¡¯t do the same.¡±

    Mertha, alongside everyone else, watched with conviction.

    ¡®He¡¯s come a long way¡­¡¯ Mertha thought.

    The crest began to swirl with dark energy, and Xyenn¡¯s severed arm dissolved into the magic. A moment later, his empty bloody arm socket was replaced by a black-scaled dragon¡¯s arm.

    ¡°Your dragon arm, birthed from the blood of Yuuna¡¯s price,¡± Haelga said. ¡°It¡¯s darkness given form. The only thing you¡¯ll feel is ten times the pain if attacked in that spot.¡±

    Xyenn nodded, his expression calm despite the pain.

    ¡°Everyone else, leave,¡± Haelga commanded. ¡°The ritual isn¡¯t done. Only Xyenn and Yuuna will remain.¡±

    As the others hesitated, Yuuna knelt beside Xyenn, her eyes soft but determined. ¡°You¡¯re an idiot,¡± she whispered, her voice trembling.

    ¡°I know,¡± Xyenn replied, managing a weak smile.

    And as the others left, the room filled with swirling darkness, the ritual truly beginning.

    The room radiated an oppressive energy, the kind that seeped into the marrow of one¡¯s bones and whispered of forbidden things. The blood crest drawn by Haelga pulsed like a living heart, its red glow growing richer, darker, as the runes spiraled outward. The air shimmered with heat and power, a strange scent¡ªlike burning iron and charred wood¡ªfilling the space. The darkness within the hut grew tangible, curling and twisting like smoke, as if Hell itself had opened its maw to observe.

    Haelga stood at the crest¡¯s edge, her blindfolded face turned toward Xyenn and Yuuna, who knelt side by side in the center of the sigil. Her voice was low, a chant in a language older than time, more a vibration than words. As her voice grew louder, the shadows in the room seemed to recoil, then surged inward, consuming the light.

    Xyenn¡¯s black-scaled dragon arm began to ache, a deep, searing pain that pulsed like a second heartbeat. He gritted his teeth, sweat beading on his brow as he resisted the urge to cry out. Beside him, Yuuna kept her eyes closed, her claws digging into her thighs as her own blood fed the ritual.

    A sudden, overwhelming pull yanked at Xyenn¡¯s soul, and before he could react, the world around him melted into nothingness.

    Xyenn was weightless, tumbling through an endless void of shadow. The darkness was beautiful in its vastness, a swirling mass of black and crimson, speckled with faint, eerie glimmers of light like dying stars. His breathing was ragged as he flailed, trying to find something¡ªanything¡ªto hold onto.

    In the distance, a faint silhouette appeared.  Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    It was Yuuna, her shape glowing faintly against the dark backdrop. Her body was wreathed in black and red flames that danced like living things, licking at the air around her. Despite the chaotic energy, there was a small light embedded in her chest, faint but steady, pulsing in rhythm with the void.

    ¡°Yuuna!¡± Xyenn called, his voice echoing into the abyss.

    Her silhouette didn¡¯t respond.

    Xyenn surged forward, his body twisting through the void as he darted toward her. The closer he got, the more the details of the scene began to sharpen. Shadowy figures began to emerge around Yuuna, their forms massive and imposing, seated on dark, jagged thrones that seemed to grow out of the void itself.

    The silhouettes of the Demon Monarchs surrounded Yuuna, their presence suffocating. Though their forms were indistinct, their power was undeniable. The flames surrounding Yuuna seemed to shrink in their presence, as if bowing before them. At the center of the thrones sat a figure larger than the rest, his silhouette darker, his aura more menacing.

    The First Monarch.

    One of the Monarchs spoke, their voice deep and resonant, like the grinding of stone.

    ¡°The time is near. She will ascend, as it was always meant to be. The blood of the First flows through her veins, and no mortal race¡ªElves, Dwarves, humans, dragonkin, beastkin¡ªnone of them will stop her.¡±

    Another voice joined, smoother, colder.

    ¡°The dragon gods, our eternal enemies, will burn before her might. Their fire cannot outshine the darkness we have forged within her.¡±

    The First Monarch leaned forward, his silhouette towering over Yuuna.

    ¡°Your mother paid the price to make this possible,¡± he said, his voice low and thunderous. ¡°Her soul of darkness was crushed, her essence forged into the shard that pierces your heart. It is because of her sacrifice that you will have the power to take my place, to lead Hell¡¯s legions into Kyrrin. Once the link between our realms is complete, you will become the bridge, the conqueror. You will bring Hell to the mortal plane.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s chest tightened as he listened, his mind racing. He tried to call out to Yuuna, but his voice was swallowed by the void.

    The Monarchs faded, their thrones dissolving into the darkness, leaving only Yuuna¡¯s silhouette standing in the distance. Xyenn pushed forward, desperate to reach her.

    But as he drew closer, Yuuna turned and ran.

    The void shattered like glass, and Xyenn found himself on a battlefield, the ground beneath him scorched and cracked. The sky was a swirling storm of black and red, lightning flashing like veins of molten fire. A cacophony of roars, screams, and the clash of metal filled the air.

    In the distance, he saw Yuuna, her form cloaked in black flames as she tore through the battlefield. Dragons of all sizes surrounded her, their scales glittering like jewels, their roars shaking the earth.

    Yuuna was merciless.

    With a flick of her hand, a dragon¡¯s own weapon¡ªa massive spear forged from its bones¡ªpierced its chest. She shifted seamlessly into her dragon form, a sleek and terrifying creature of shadow and flame, and unleashed a torrent of dark fire that consumed everything in its path. She shifted back into her humanoid form mid-air, landing on the back of another dragon and driving her claws into its neck. Blood sprayed like rain as she wrenched the creature¡¯s head back and snapped it clean off.

    Even the dragon gods themselves joined the fray, their massive forms clashing with each other as they tried to kill Yuuna. But she was unstoppable, her movements fluid and deadly, her magic tearing through them like paper.

    Xyenn ran through the chaos, dodging falling bodies and bursts of flame as he called out to her. ¡°Yuuna! Stop! It¡¯s me!¡±

    A knight in dragon-scale armor emerged from the smoke, their form wreathed in dark fire. They lunged at Xyenn with a massive sword, but Xyenn slid under the attack, twisted, and grabbed the weapon. With a swift motion, he struck back, only for the knight¡¯s form to dissolve into nothingness.

    A memory.

    As Xyenn continued to chase Yuuna, a booming voice echoed across the battlefield.

    ¡°My own daughter... siding with our eternal enemy? This is an issue...¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s heart pounded as he pushed forward, the voice fading away as the battlefield dissolved into darkness once more.

    The void was quiet now, save for the soft sound of a woman¡¯s voice.

    Xyenn saw a small figure¡ªa young Yuuna, no older than five¡ªcurled up in the arms of a woman. The woman¡¯s silhouette was faint, but her human features were clear. Her hands trembled as she cradled Yuuna, her tears falling silently as she spoke.

    ¡°My little star, my little light,

    Even in darkness, you shine so bright.

    Though shadows call and darkness sings,

    Know that you are loved, in all things.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s eyes fluttered closed as she drifted to sleep, her small hands clutching at the woman¡¯s dress. The mother¡¯s voice cracked as she continued, her tears falling faster.

    ¡°My heart is yours, forevermore,

    Even as Death knocks at my door...¡±

    Behind her, the figure of Death loomed, his scythe raised.

    Crows swirled around Xyenn, their wings beating like thunder. Within their storm, images flickered¡ªmemories of him and Yuuna.

    He saw himself standing at the edge of a deep pit, his body trembling as he prepared to jump. Yuuna appeared, her presence stopping him. She had been the one to pull him back, to save him when he had given up.

    He saw her clutching her chest whenever she was near him, her face flustered, her heart pounding.

    He saw heated moments between them, their passions igniting as they shared something deeper than words.

    In the vast emptiness of a dark void, they had found each other, their love igniting a fiery passion that defied the vast nothingness around them. Xyenn approached Yuuna, her beauty glowing even in the darkness. Their eyes met, and a spark of desire ignited, setting the stage for an erotic dance.

    Xyenn, with a gentle yet confident smile, reached out and cupped Yuuna''s face, his fingers tracing her delicate features. Their lips met in a soft, tender kiss, their breath mingling as if they were sharing a secret. Yuuna, with a soft moan, wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, their bodies now pressing against each other, feeling the warmth and desire that flowed between them.

    Their kisses became more passionate, their tongues exploring each other''s mouths, dancing in a rhythmic symphony. Xyenn''s hands roamed Yuuna''s body, his touch gentle yet firm, as if he were memorizing every curve and contour. He stroked her soft skin, his fingers gliding over her hips and waist, sending shivers down her spine. Yuuna, in a display of unadulterated lust, ran her hands through Xyenn''s hair, her fingers intertwining with his, as if she were claiming him as her own.

    As their passion intensified, Xyenn grabbed Yuuna''s waist, pulling her closer, their bodies now grinding against each other. Their lips parted, and Yuuna, with a seductive smile, began to trail kisses down Xyenn''s neck, her soft lips leaving a path of fire on his skin. She nibbled gently on his ear, her teeth grazing his sensitive flesh, making him groan softly. Xyenn, in a display of his own desire, grabbed Yuuna''s buttocks, squeezing and caressing them, his fingers digging into the soft flesh, as if he were marking her as his.

    Yuuna, with a look of pure pleasure, bit softly on Xyenn''s neck, her teeth leaving small marks. He moaned, his hands now roaming her body with more urgency, his fingers tracing every inch of her divine form. Their bodies, floating in the void, moved in a sensual dance, their passion igniting the darkness around them. Yuuna, with a playful grin, began to grind her thigh against Xyenn''s manhood, her movements sending waves of pleasure through his body. He responded by grasping her firmly, his hands roaming her body, exploring her curves with a hungry touch.

    Their lips met once more, their kisses becoming more desperate, their tongues tangling in a passionate embrace. Yuuna, with a soft moan, began to suck and lick Xyenn''s neck, her mouth exploring every inch of his skin, leaving a trail of wet kisses. Xyenn, in a display of raw desire, grabbed Yuuna''s hips, pulling her closer, their bodies now pulsating together, their passion building with every movement. Their eyes, locked in a deep gaze, reflected the intense love and lust they shared.

    As their passion reached new heights, Xyenn''s kisses became more fervent, his lips exploring Yuuna''s face, neck, and shoulders, leaving a trail of soft kisses. Yuuna, in a state of pure bliss, arched her back, offering herself fully to Xyenn. He responded by running his hands down her body, his fingers tracing her curves, his touch both gentle and demanding. Their movements became more rhythmic, their bodies moving in perfect harmony, as if they were one entity floating in the void.

    The void seemed to glow with a soft light, as if the universe itself was witnessing their passionate encounter. Yuuna, with a look of pure love, wrapped her legs around Xyenn''s waist, pulling him closer, their bodies now locked in a tight embrace. Xyenn, in a final display of his love, grabbed Yuuna''s face, his eyes full of adoration, and kissed her deeply, their souls merging in that moment.

    As their passion finally found its release, Xyenn and Yuuna, their bodies glistening with sweat, lay floating in the void, their hearts beating as one. The darkness around them seemed to recede, and a soft glow illuminated their exhausted yet satisfied forms. They smiled at each other, their eyes filled with love and contentment, knowing that their bond was one of pure, unadulterated passion and romance.

    And then, everything went dark.

    ¡°I love you,¡± Yuuna¡¯s voice whispered.

    Xyenn and Yuuna both awoke with a start, their screams echoing through the hut. Their bodies were tangled together on the floor, their breathing ragged.

    ¡°AGHH!¡± They both exclaimed, breathing heavily as both of their faces were red.

    Xyenn turned his head, his eyes meeting Yuuna¡¯s. Before he could say a word, Yuuna tackled him, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace.

    ¡°Idiot,¡± she whispered, tears streaming down her face. She pulled back just enough to look at him, then kissed him deeply, her lips soft but insistent, her claws digging lightly into his shoulders.

    Xyenn froze for a moment, then melted into the kiss, his good arm wrapping around her waist.

    When they finally broke apart, Yuuna rested her forehead against his. ¡°Did you see it?¡± she asked, her voice trembling.

    Xyenn nodded.

    ¡°I remember everything,¡± Yuuna said, her voice thick with emotion. ¡°Gabriel¡¯s Ladder, the fight with Gorran, the Lysf?dt... everything. Even...¡± She hesitated. ¡°Even our child.¡±

    ¡°How did it even feel¡­?¡±

    ¡°Felt like you were always there, but you weren¡¯t? I could feel something was missing. Like you were there but not there, I can¡¯t explain it.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s heart raced.

    ¡°You have no idea how much I needed you, Yuuna. Sounds super gross coming from me, but damn I needed you.¡±

    ¡®I did it. I actually did it. I got her memories back. Without dying, fighting the Light Born, everything. Now things are back to where they were. With the same crazy ass psychotic ass Yuuna that I can¡¯t stand being away from.¡¯

    ¡°Awwwwwwww! Say it again!¡± Yuuna said manically, grabbing Xyenn¡¯s cheeks.

    ¡°You¡¯re gonna rip my face off?!¡±

    ¡°Maybe. Maybe even wear it.¡±

    ¡°Someone help!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes widened, but Yuuna smiled softly, brushing his hair back. ¡°But honestly, darling. No one¡¯s ever gone this hard for me,¡± she murmured.  She pulled away slightly, her expression turning sheepish. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I never told you about being a human-demon hybrid.¡±

    Xyenn smirked. ¡°It was obvious. You look more human than most humans.¡±

    Yuuna blinked with a psychotic smile, then punched his shoulder lightly. ¡°Ohhhh so now you¡¯re COMPARING me to those other women? What¡¯s her name?!¡±

    ¡°OW! BASTARD! WHO SAID ANYTHING ABOUT OTHER WOMEN?!¡±

    ¡°YOU BASICALLY DID!¡± Yuuna put Xyenn in a chokehold, wrapping her legs around him.

    As the others burst into the room, bombarding them with questions, Xyenn¡¯s attention drifted. Something felt... wrong.

    He stood, his steps unsteady as he wandered through the hut. The air grew colder the further he went, the runes on the walls dimming.

    ¡®That witch¡­where could she run off to? Didn¡¯t she want something from us after this?¡¯

    Finally, he reached Haelga¡¯s private quarters.

    There, hanging from the ceiling, was Haelga. A dried crow was strapped around her neck, its wings spread as if in flight.

    Xyenn froze, his breath catching in his throat. His fists clenched at his sides as he stared at her lifeless form, his mind racing.

    A note was clutched in her hand, its edges stained with blood.

    Xyenn reached out, his fingers trembling as he took the note.

    The room was eerily silent, save for the faint creak of Haelga¡¯s lifeless body swaying gently from the ceiling. Xyenn sat down on the cold, rough wooden floor in front of her dangling corpse. His dragon-scaled arm twitched involuntarily, but he ignored it. His eyes were locked onto the note clutched in her pale, lifeless fingers.

    For a moment, he simply stared at the parchment, as if it might bite him. The sight of Haelga¡¯s broken form¡ªher scarred, weathered body once brimming with dark knowledge and cryptic wisdom¡ªnow reduced to a lifeless husk, stirred something deep in him.

    He reached out, his hand trembling slightly, and gently pried the bloodstained parchment from her hand. The weight of it felt heavier than it should, as if the words scrawled across it carried the burden of her final moments.

    Xyenn unfolded the note, his heart pounding as he began to read.

    Haelga¡¯s Letter:

    To the ones left behind,

    By the time you read this, I will no longer walk the cursed path of this world. You know as well as I do that the price of harnessing the dark arts is steep. Many believe it is simply the cost of blood, soul, or sacrifice, but it is far more insidious than that. Every time we channel the darkness, every time we conduct a ritual, we tether ourselves more deeply to Hell. It is not a mere transaction¡ªit is a binding contract signed with every spell we cast.

    For years, I have felt the pull, the gnawing at my soul. It has been subtle, then relentless, until now. I can no longer evade it. My time has come, as it will for all who dare to meddle in the abyss. I have pre-written this letter, knowing the ritual tonight would be my final offering.

    Like others who came before me in the coven, I have chosen to go out on my own terms. Suicide is our last rebellion against the chains of Hell, a way to sever our physical ties before we are dragged into the eternal torment that awaits us. My death was not in vain; it was my gift to you all. I hope you honor it.

    But there is more, Xyenn, more than just my death and the cost of our dark powers. There is something greater at stake, something far worse than even the gates of Hell opening upon Kyrrin. This world teeters on the edge of calamity¡ªone that even Hell itself would struggle to control.

    The sun is no longer a distant celestial object. It is alive, a deity of fire and wrath that has slumbered for millennia. But now, it stirs. Its true form is the Sun-Drake, a colossal, skeletal dragon wreathed in eternal flame. It desires domination over the mortal realm, but it cannot manifest without a vessel.

    That vessel is a woman named Quinara. She carries the Mark of the Eternal Flame, a curse passed down through the bloodline of a forgotten royal house. Unbeknownst to her, she carries within her the embryo of the Sun-Drake¡¯s rebirth. If the Sun-Drake is reborn, it will scorch Kyrrin to ash, leaving nothing but a realm of fire and ruin.

    There is hope, but it is fragile. You must seek out the Blind Oracle, a woman whose face bears the scars of her encounter with the sun¡¯s wrath. She will guide you to the Blood Maidens, a secretive sect hidden deep within the Shaded Ruins, where the sun cannot reach. These Maidens are steeped in ancient blood magic, and they alone hold the knowledge to sever Quinara¡¯s connection to the Sun-Drake and prevent its rebirth.

    You must deliver a bundle of sunflowers to them. These flowers are said to carry the last vestiges of the Dragon Goddess of the Moon¡¯s protection, a faint but potent magic that can shield against the Sun-Drake¡¯s influence.

    Be warned, for the Sun-Drake¡¯s servants are already searching for Quinara. Sun-Berserkers, Burning Knights, and sun-blinded cultists scour the land, leaving destruction in their wake. If they find her before you do, she will die, and her death will bring forth the apocalypse.

    But there is more.

    One of my own¡ªParcy¡ªhas been deceived. She is young, brash, and full of ambition. She believes her actions are her own, but I fear she is being used to connect the link between Kyrrin and Hell. If she succeeds, the gates will open, and the demons will pour forth, conquering this realm. I do not know the full details of her plan, but I know she has been working in secret, gathering pieces for a ritual of immense power.

    I saw her as a daughter, and it breaks my heart to know I failed her. If you find her, tell her I am sorry. Tell her I only wanted to protect her.

    The map included will guide you to the Oracle and Quinara. Follow it closely, for time is short. You must succeed¡ªnot just for Kyrrin, but for yourselves.

    Our souls are bound to Hell, but perhaps yours can still be saved.

    ¡ª Haelga

    ---

    Xyenn finished the note, his hands trembling as he set it down. He lowered his head, staring at the floorboards beneath Haelga¡¯s swaying feet.

    ¡°She believed in us,¡± he whispered to himself. ¡°Even if I didn¡¯t know her well... she sacrificed everything to help us. This is how I repay her. I¡¯ll see it through.¡±

    ¡®I just met this woman. But I feel a certain way about this, the note, and then seeing her like this. Shakes me up like crazy. Pisses me off even. And I don¡¯t know why.¡¯

    His voice broke slightly, but he steadied himself. Slowly, he stood, gripping the note tightly in his hand.

    Footsteps echoed behind him. Xyenn turned to see Yuuna, Gorran, Sethrak, Draeven, Kivorn, Mertha, Zyphira, and Illyana standing in the doorway, their expressions a mix of shock and horror as they stared at Haelga¡¯s lifeless body.

    Sethrak said, ¡°Shit..¡±

    Draeven looked away, this was a sight all too familiar.

    Kivorn watched, in shock with a face that was rather emotionless on the outside.

    Mertha shook her head, leaning against the wall.

    ¡®She paid a price as well..a price she knew.¡¯

    Zyphira was the first to speak, her voice soft but urgent. ¡°Xyenn... what are you holding?¡±

    He glanced down at the note in his hand, then back up at her. ¡°Our payback to her,¡± he said simply. ¡°It¡¯s what she wanted us to do. I bet she didn¡¯t expect her own price to catch up to her this fast. But she was prepared.¡±

    The group gathered closer as Xyenn gave them a brief rundown of what was written in the letter. He explained the Sun-Drake, Quinara, the Oracle, the Blood Maidens, and the looming threat of Parcy¡¯s betrayal.

    Gorran frowned, his arms crossed. ¡°This is madness,¡± he muttered. ¡°We¡¯ve wasted enough time here. We should already be on our way back to V?rdrheim.¡±

    That¡¯s what he wanted to say.  But he didn¡¯t.

    Yuuna, however, was firm. ¡°We can¡¯t let this slip by.¡± She turned to Xyenn, her expression resolute. ¡°What do you think?¡±

    Yuuna couldn¡¯t really focus. She was focused on Haelga¡¯s body. If it wasn¡¯t for her spreading darkness years ago¡­it wouldn¡¯t have led to this.

    She gritted her teeth, thinking, ¡®Calm down Yuuna, calm down. You have the opportunity to fix this.¡¯

    Xyenn answered, ¡°We need to split up. V?rdrheim is still vulnerable, and if Ezrael, the Dragon God of War, strikes while we¡¯re gone, it¡¯ll be a massacre. Illyana should go back with Sethrak, Draeven and Kivorn. Her light magic will be more useful there, and she¡¯s a healer too. The others are strong, strong enough to hold them off if anything happens.

    Yuuna nodded. ¡°Agreed. Me, Xyenn, Gorran, and Mertha will stay here and handle this. Illyana, you¡¯ll get the others back to V?rdrheim.¡±

    Illyana hesitated, but eventually nodded. ¡°I understand.¡±

    Before anyone could move, a loud, piercing caw shattered the tense silence. A massive shadow burst through the doorway, feathers swirling around the room. It was Salazar, Haelga¡¯s enormous crow companion.

    The bird landed in the center of the room, lowering itself slightly as if offering to carry them.

    Mertha asked, ¡°Yuuna, you must know the Sun-Drake personally, or whatever. But how does this connect to the Cycle of Rebirth? What do you think?¡±

 Chapter 28: The Prophet

    In the sky, riding on the back of Salazar, Yuuna (clinching onto Xyenn¡¯s back with her arms and legs around him) mentioned, ¡°I don¡¯t know The Sun-Drake too well, actually. But he was always the one who wanted to avoid the Cycle Of Rebirth. These lands weren¡¯t always like this, he got desperate. Remember, Xyenn? How I told you how these dragon gods will go as to causing genocide so they won¡¯t die. The people years ago hated worshipping him, went as far as blocking off Gabriel¡¯s Ladder and ports to keep people from leaving.¡±

    Xyenn replied, ¡°Damn¡­¡±

    Gorran asked, ¡°Who Informed him about the Cycle of Rebirth?¡±

    Yuuna answered, ¡°Most Likely, the elder dragon gods. Such as Haldrek and Kragvyr. Those are the main ones trying to take my heart. And once a new dragon god dies and is reborn, they let them know about it, showing them proof, and possibly ways to avoid it. It¡¯s sickening.¡±

    Mertha grumbled, ¡°He needs to die..¡±

    Yuuna chuckled, ¡°It¡¯s crazy. He wasn¡¯t really sinister when I first saw him with the First Dragon. But those elder dragon gods¡­¡±

    Xyenn added, ¡°Haldrek has to die still, we all know that right?¡±

    ¡°In due time, darling. Right when he¡¯s done using us and we¡¯re done using him. And I know Mertha can¡¯t wait to get his head.¡±

    Mertha nodded, ¡°You¡¯re damn right.¡±

    Yuuna continued, still latched onto Xyenn, ¡°Based on everything I¡¯ve picked up with my hundreds of years in Kyrrin avoiding death, I¡¯ll make an observation. Here¡¯s what I think: The key to the Sun-Drake¡¯s plan probably lies in the Mark of the Eternal Flame, a curse passed down through the bloodline of an ancient, forgotten royal family. The Mark is not a mere symbol; it is a fragment of the Sun-Drake¡¯s essence, a shard of its divinity that was embedded into the bloodline many years ago during one of its earlier cycles. This act was not intentional¡ªit was a byproduct of its fiery death during a long-forgotten rebellion. As the Sun-Drake''s body burned to ash, a piece of its soul latched onto the blood of the royal family who had led the uprising. Sometime later, the Mark of the Eternal Flame has manifested in Quinara, a woman who carries within her the embryo of the Sun-Drake¡¯s rebirth. The embryo is no ordinary child. While it may appear to be a natural pregnancy, it is, in truth, the culmination of the Sun-Drake¡¯s fragmented essence embedded within the Mark. Over generations, the Mark has gathered enough of the Sun-Drake¡¯s latent power to create a vessel, and Quinara¡¯s unborn child is that vessel. This child is not a traditional reincarnation of the Sun-Drake; it is a fusion of its fragmented essence and a mortal form, a hybrid that will allow the Sun-Drake to return to the world with its full memories and power intact.¡±

    Xyenn replied nervously, ¡°That¡¯s a¡­VERY detailed observation.¡±

    ¡°WELL IF YOU MUST KNOW, I¡¯m not completely ignorant to this. I¡¯ve been around for a while.¡±

    Mertha stated, ¡°Maybe the elder gods helped him with this.¡±

    Xyenn added onto that, ¡°I doubt Haldrek did. All he cares about is getting rid of war. That crazy bastard wouldn¡¯t waste his time with another dragon god. Trust me.¡±

    Gorran replied to Xyenn, ¡°For once I agree with your deductions.¡±

    Yuuna added, ¡°If anything, The child is the Sun-Drake¡¯s solution to the Cycle of Rebirth. By transferring its essence into a mortal vessel, the Sun-Drake will bypass the curse entirely. No longer bound to the divine framework that forces dragon gods to die and be reborn, the Sun-Drake will achieve a permanent, unbroken existence. However, the child is not merely a vessel¡ªit is a new form of existence, one that the Sun-Drake can control. By merging its divine essence with mortal flesh, it will gain the ability to grow stronger over time, unbound by the limitations of its former godhood. It might also gain immunity to the Cycle of Rebirth, as the curse applies only to full-blooded dragon gods, not hybrids. Gabriel, the First Dragon, never created hybrids. I was the first one who he poured his own essence in.¡±

    Xyenn, with a curious gesture, suggested, ¡°That explains why you, a dragon¡­demon¡­human¡­ hybrid, don¡¯t suffer from the Cycle of Rebirth like you mentioned before.¡±

    ¡®It¡¯s still surprising Yuuna is a hybrid, with her mother being a human. How did that even happen? Was Yuuna ever gonna tell me about this if not for the ritual?¡¯

    ¡°Ding! Ding! Ding! Exactly! See how smart we are?¡± Yuuna smiled.

    ¡°And If the dragon gods are finding ways to avoid the Cycle of Rebirth¡­that¡¯ll be good for you, ain¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Mmmmm, can¡¯t be too sure. Some have a grudge against me. A lot of them do. But I¡¯m not surprised the dragon gods use their essence to complete what they want, like how Gabriel did, it''s the reason the dragon gods are able to fish out power to their worshippers.¡±

    Gorran added, ¡°The elders are probably watching the non elders, implanting their own rugged plans in them to see if they work before doing anything risky.¡±

    Mertha looked at Gorran, ¡°Manipulation at its finest.¡±

    Yuuna smiled, ¡°AND THAT''S WHY WE CAN¡¯T LET THEM GET AWAY WITH THINGS. Even if they''d find a way, it will cost the people of your world! So, Xyenn, since Draeven taught you how to read enchanted maps, where are we going?¡±

    Xyenn read the map from the note, squinting his eyes, seeing the moving enchanted map figures and markers.

    ¡°Uhhh, uhhhh¡ª-.¡±

    Yuuna mocked with a smile, ¡°Uhhhh UHHHH¡ª!¡±

    Xyenn exclaimed with flustered cheeks, ¡°Stop that!¡±

    ¡°Hahaha! I like when you¡¯re mad at me.¡±

    Xyenn read the map more, and smiled, ¡°We have to pass by a town called the Bard¡¯s Grove.¡±

    Mertha stood up, and stretched her body, ¡°A town? Sounds unbelievable especially in this hot ass place!¡±

    Gorran held his blade Xenith, saying ¡°We still have to watch out. Enemies will be on that pregnant woman¡¯s tail. Cultists..the note said? And some subordinate warriors of the Sun-Drake?¡±

    ¡°Yep! I¡¯ll crush all their heads if we come across them. No big deal.¡± Mertha grinned. ¡°But back to that pregnant woman, she must be expecting us, right? If so, she¡¯s probably good at hiding herself if the cultists are after her. What do those cultists even want with her?¡±

    Xyenn shrugged, ¡°I figure she is. And about those cultists, I hope they don¡¯t want to dissect her and take the baby. You¡¯d be surprised what cults can do. I¡¯ve heard of so many. But those cultists could be trying to win favor from the Sun-Drake, trying to secure her along with the Sun-Drake¡¯s warriors.¡±

    Yuuna became excited, waving her fist, ¡°Then we have no time to waste! I wanna get this done because I hate being in Soulcaris!¡±

    Xyenn read the map even more, and stated, ¡°Oh! Wait. We might have to pass through the Bard¡¯s Grove. To get to where she is. It might be under it, it looks like.¡±

    ¡®If this woman has been avoiding being secured, she¡¯s gotta be strong..¡¯

    Yuuna crossed her arms, her legs still wrapped around Xyenn, ¡°Oh no..I don¡¯t wanna walk through a town full of annoying singing and dancing Bards. I¡¯ll wait on the crow!¡±

    Gorran nodded, ¡°I guess it can¡¯t be helped. I¡¯ll wait as well.¡± He held his blade Xenith out, his eyes getting big. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure nothing takes us by surprise¡ª.¡±

    Xyenn stepped in, ¡°No no. I¡¯M staying with Yuuna. We have a child together.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Don¡¯t start with me again, brat. I¡¯ve always wanted a rematch with you, wanna do it now?¡±

    ¡°Yes! I mean, No. My dragon arm takes double damage, remember? I¡¯m not ready. Let it cool down some. You were in the witches hut too.¡±

    ¡°So? You started it.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t.¡±

    Mertha laughed, ¡°Okay! Seems like the town is down there! We¡¯re ALL going. We¡¯re already split up as it is. No more splitting up.¡±

    ¡®Look at me, giving orders. I get so obsessed with taking control and taking the lead. Wanting to be involved and useful. I hope Yuuna doesn¡¯t claw my lungs out for it, knowing she¡¯s technically the boss of me¡ª!¡¯

    Yuuna smiled, ¡°Okay. Fine. Let¡¯s do it then. I wanna get this whole thing situated fast!¡± She hugged onto Xyenn, making him nervous again.

    Indeed she was clingy, but Xyenn didn¡¯t mind.

    (V?rdrheim)

    (Malgorn village)

    The forge of the Ironbeard Clan was a sight to behold¡ªa vast, sprawling labyrinth of molten fire and clanging steel, where the air shimmered with heat and magic. The heart of the forge, known as *The Embermaw*, was a massive, enchanted furnace that roared like a living beast. Its flames weren¡¯t ordinary fire; they danced with hues of blue, green, and violet, the result of ancient dwarven enchantments that infused the metal with unique properties. Thick pipes and chimneys snaked upward into the icy skies of V?rdrheim, vomiting plumes of black smoke that mingled with the perpetual snowstorm above.

    Inside, the forge was alive with activity. Dozens upon dozens of dwarves toiled tirelessly, their faces ruddy from the heat, their beards singed and sweat-soaked. The rhythmic clang of hammers on anvils created a symphony of industry, a chaotic yet oddly satisfying melody. The walls were lined with racks of weapons and armor, each piece uniquely crafted, gleaming with enchantments.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    A dwarf near the entrance was hard at work on a massive battleaxe, the blade etched with glowing runes that pulsed faintly like a heartbeat. Another dwarf hammered away at a breastplate, its surface shimmering like liquid silver. A group of apprentices worked on smaller weapons¡ªdaggers that dripped with venomous enchantments and crossbow bolts tipped with blackened steel that could pierce dragon scales.

    ¡°Hey!!¡± one dwarf bellowed over the din. He was hefting a hammer the size of a small boulder.

    ¡°What is it, Thrain?¡± the other dwarf growled, his voice gruff.

    ¡°Ya call that a blade? Looks more like a mother¡¯s butter knife!¡±

    Thrain barked out a laugh, his thick fingers holding up a sharpened longsword. ¡°Better than that oversized club ye¡¯re hammerin¡¯ on! What¡¯s that for, a troll¡¯s toothpick?¡±

    The dwarves broke into laughter, their banter light despite the grueling work. Nearby, a younger dwarf struggled to enchant a pair of gauntlets that kept sparking wildly. ¡°Careful, lad!¡± an older dwarf warned. ¡°Ya want to blow yer beard off?¡±

    A massive stone table in the center of the forge served as the planning station, where sketches of weapons and armor were sprawled out, pinned down with heavy ingots. Beside it, a dwarf was working on a shield imbued with frost magic, the surface of which shimmered like ice, exhaling a cold mist.

    ¡°Oi, don¡¯t forget the shipment for the northern villages by the waters, eh!¡± a foreman shouted, pointing at a pile of finished weapons near the door. ¡°They¡¯re expectin¡¯ it by sundown, they¡¯ve been dealing with a lot of nosey bandits and those humans don¡¯t have magic to defend themselves. Refuses to worship Kragvyr for it. I don¡¯t blame them.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m on it, don''t rush!!¡± another dwarf grumbled. We¡¯re the best damn smiths this side of Kyrrin!¡±

    ¡°Aye,¡± the first dwarf replied, smirking. ¡°And don¡¯t ye forget it!¡±

    Above this cacophony of fire and steel stood Gridd, the leader of the Ironbeard Clan. He towered (by dwarven standards) on a raised platform overlooking the forge. In his arms, he cradled the human-dragon hybrid baby of Xyenn and Yuuna.

    The baby squirmed slightly, its tiny wings fluttering as faint wisps of smoke curled from its nostrils. Gridd looked down at the child with a mixture of sternness and fondness.

    ¡°Ye don¡¯t even have a name yet,¡± he muttered, his thick dwarven accent rolling like gravel. ¡°Odd, that is. A wee lad like yerself, no name... but I suppose yer parents are out savin¡¯ the world or whatever nonsense they¡¯re up to.¡±

    The baby gurgled in response, its bright eyes blinking up at him.

    Gridd sighed, shifting the child slightly in his arms. ¡°The Ironbeard Clan, lad, we¡¯re not like the rest. We don¡¯t just sit on our arses hoardin¡¯ gold or fightin¡¯ over scraps like some other dwarves. No, we help those in need. We craft weapons and armor for the villages, keep ¡®em safe from the beasts and the cold. That¡¯s what we stand for¡ªduty, loyalty, and a good pint of ale at the end of the day. These villagers, most villages of V?rdrheim don¡¯t worship Kragvyr, therefore leaving them powerless and vulnerable for bandits and beasts to raid em¡¯. Sad honestly. Why am I tellin¡¯ a baby this?¡±

    ¡®Maybe I¡¯m trying to implant some good deed in this brats head. If he¡¯s like his parents, he¡¯ll be straight. I should¡¯ve done this with my firstborn¡­after seeing how he turned out. He¡¯s the reason I now help humans and others as much as I do now.¡¯

    The baby let out a tiny burp, and a jet of flame shot out, engulfing Gridd¡¯s beard in fire.

    ¡°AGH!¡± Gridd bellowed, his voice echoing through the forge as he ran in circles, frantically patting his beard. The other dwarves stopped what they were doing, watching with wide eyes as their leader, now a fiery blur, darted around the room.

    ¡°Boss is on fire again!¡± one dwarf shouted, dropping his hammer.

    ¡°Someone get the water barrel!¡± another yelled.

    Gridd finally found a large crate of water and dove in headfirst, the flames hissing as they were extinguished. He emerged moments later, his beard thoroughly soaked and slightly singed.

    The baby, meanwhile, had flown out the door using its tiny dragon wings, laughing gleefully as it pushed the heavy door open with surprising strength.

    Gridd wiped water from his face, his eyes narrowing as he heard the baby¡¯s stomach gurgle ominously. His expression turned from annoyance to alarm.

    ¡°If his burp set me on fire, what in the nine hells happens when he shits?!¡±

    He turned to the nearest group of dwarves. ¡°I want two squads o¡¯ ye to intercept that wee beast before he burns the whole bloody village down! Move!¡±

    The dwarves scattered, forming two squads as they barreled out of the forge. The baby was already soaring through the snowy streets of Malgorn, its wings flapping furiously as it giggled with delight.

    ¡°Cut him off at the market square!¡± one dwarf shouted, leading his group down a side street.

    ¡°I¡¯ll set up a net at the southern gate!¡± another yelled.

    The dwarves tried everything¡ªnets, traps, even a makeshift catapult to launch one of their own into the air¡ªbut the baby was too quick, darting and weaving through the air with surprising agility.

    ¡°Oi, he¡¯s headin¡¯ for the tavern!¡±

    ¡°Not the tavern, for the love o¡¯ ale!¡±

    The villagers of Malgorn watched the chaos unfold with bemusement. ¡°What in the frostbitten hell are they chasin¡¯ now?¡± one man asked, leaning on his shovel.

    ¡°Looks like a baby with wings,¡± another replied.

    ¡°How do you guys not notice? That¡¯s that kid Xyenn¡¯s son, and the goddess with him. One of dwarves told us.¡±

    ¡°What do ya know? A human and a dragon goddess having a baby ? Never heard of that one before.¡±

    ¡°Times really are changing, aren¡¯t they?¡±

    As the baby soared over the village square, Gridd climbed onto the roof of a nearby building, his singed beard still dripping water. He waited for the perfect moment, his eyes locked on the flying infant.

    ¡°Come on, ye little terror...¡± he muttered.

    When the baby swooped low, Gridd leapt from the roof with a ferocious battle cry, tackling the child mid-air. The two of them crashed to the ground in a snowdrift, the baby landing on Gridd¡¯s chest, unharmed and laughing.

    Gridd groaned, holding the baby up above him. ¡°Damn adorable brat,¡± he muttered, a grudging smile tugging at his lips. ¡°Reminds me of my firstborn. Ye¡¯re gonna be trouble, aren¡¯t ya? Better not be. I¡¯ll be the one to kick yer arse myself if you turn out bad, understand?¡±

    The baby laughed in his face.

    Before he could catch his breath, a voice spoke from behind him.

    ¡°Still harboring the monster baby, hmm?¡±

    Gridd turned his head, scowling as he saw Valen of the Velmire noble family standing there, his expression one of distaste.

    Gridd stood, cradling the baby protectively. His dwarves gathered behind him, their faces hard as stone.

    ¡°Fuck off, will ye?¡± Gridd said, his tone flat. ¡°He¡¯s not a monster.¡±

    Valen sighed, clearly unimpressed. ¡°As much as I hate to be in a rundown town like this dump, King Haldrek has need of you and two of your trustees. You are to accompany me and my family in a meeting with the king.¡±

    Gridd¡¯s scowl deepened. ¡°And what if I refuse?¡±

    Valen¡¯s smirk was cold. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t recommend it. Haldrek demands this.¡±

    Gridd grumbled under his breath but finally relented. ¡°Fine. But I¡¯m takin¡¯ the baby with me. I won¡¯t let him outta my sight.¡±

    Valen waved dismissively. ¡°Do what you wish. Come.¡±

    Gridd turned to two of his most trusted allies: an older dwarf with a thick, braided beard streaked with silver named Durvold and a wise older dwarven woman with sharp eyes and a no-nonsense demeanor named Thaldrin.

    Durvold grunted. ¡°A meeting with the king, eh? Sounds like a waste of time. But it¡¯s smart to just go and not waste time, knowing how Haldrek is.¡±

    Thaldrin smirked. ¡°And yet, here we are, being dragged into it anyway. What could he possibly want with us?¡±

    Gridd nodded. ¡°Aye, but we¡¯ve got no choice. The rest of ye,¡± he barked, turning to the other dwarves, ¡°keep things runnin¡¯. The villages depend on us, so make sure the shipments go out on time. No slackin¡¯.¡±

    The dwarves saluted, and with that, Gridd and his trustees prepared to leave, the baby still squirming in his arms.

    ¡­

    The air in the throne room was heavy, not with the weight of grandeur but with unspoken tension. Haldrek sat at the head of the room, his presence radiating raw power. Around him, his clergy and knights stood silent and unmoving, clad in gleaming snow armor that seemed to radiate a cold, ethereal light. Their weapons glimmered faintly, enchanted with frost runes that whispered with icy winds. Flanking the room were the Velmire nobles, their presence overwhelming.

    Syrus, Lady Verana, Lord Tyros, and Lord Valen stood tall, their commanding presence a stark contrast to the fidgety Gorvhan, who shifted uncomfortably, his beady eyes darting nervously. Behind them, a horde of Velmire family members filled the room, a battalion of assassins, spies, warriors, clerics, rogues, and alchemists. Their sheer numbers surrounded the space, their expressions unreadable but their loyalty to the Velmire name palpable.

    The Ironbeard dwarves arrived just as the silence was becoming unbearable. Gridd strode into the room first, his trustees Durvold and Thaldrin close behind him. Gridd carried the dragon-baby in his arms, its tiny wings tucked against its sides. The child was calm for now, its bright eyes darting curiously around the imposing assembly.

    ¡®Full house. What could I possibly have to do with this? Unless¡­¡¯ Gridd thought.

    Haldrek didn¡¯t waste time with pleasantries. The second the dwarves entered, he began.

    ¡°I have summoned you here,¡± Haldrek began, his voice a cold, commanding rumble, ¡°to address a matter of grave importance. The Land of Conquest lies to the south, the seat of Ezrael, It is time for the Velmires to move. I will once again be utilizing your full abilities for my sake, and the sake of a peaceful world without War.¡±

    The Velmires stirred slightly. Even Syrus, who carried himself with calm authority, seemed uneasy. Valen¡¯s jaw clenched, and his fists tightened at his sides, but he said nothing. Gorvhan, meanwhile, looked like he was about to faint.

    Haldrek continued, his tone steady but with an undercurrent of menace. ¡°Ezrael has been on a campaign. Three continents have fallen already, each of their gods slain by his hand. He will not stop until all of Kyrrin bows before him.¡±

    The Velmires exchanged glances, and Lady Verana raised a brow. ¡°Which continents?¡± she asked, her voice sharp and cutting.

    Haldrek leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing. ¡°The first to fall was Jorrvek, the land of storms. Its god, Thranis the Thunder Maw, was a serpent of lightning and tempest. Ezrael struck him down in open skies, tearing him apart with his vessel¡¯s blade. Jorrvek¡¯s people now worship Ezrael, their storms silenced, their skies blackened with ash.¡±

    The room was silent.

    ¡°The second was V?lnir, the land of windswept sands, home to Rynaka the Golden Shade. A goddess of shadows and shifting dunes, she ruled from her ephemeral palace of mirages. Ezrael¡¯s armies burned her realm to glass, dragging her from the sands and cutting her down.¡±

    ¡°And the third?¡± pressed Syrus, his voice tense.

    Haldrek¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Eidr, the land of eternal dusk. Its god, Reinven the Twilight Warden, was a dragon of twilight and dusk, ruling from his floating citadel. Ezrael ripped the skies apart with his armies, brought the citadel crashing down, and slew him amidst the ruins.¡±

    The Velmires were quiet, their disbelief giving way to grim acceptance.

    Haldrek¡¯s tone darkened. ¡°Ezrael hasn''t been around for long, and has possibly been informed of the Cycle of Rebirth. But not by me, an elder vessel of a dragon god. Someone like me. A vessel of a god. But unlike the others, he does not await the Cycle of Rebirth. I believe he seeks to escape it entirely, to grow stronger with each god he slays, with each continent he conquers. He is drawing the conquered peoples to his lands, forcing them to worship him, to feed his power. He thrives on war itself, drawing strength from the endless bloodshed. He gains strength from demanded war, war commanded and overseen by him in his territory or radius. That¡¯s another way he gains worship from the people. When he commands war.¡±

    He paused, letting his words sink in. ¡°It is not unlike the Sun-Drake of Soulcaris, who draws power from the souls of the dead through his Berserks of the Flame to feed the sun. Ezrael¡¯s methods are different, but the principle is the same. He is building an empire of war and death.¡±

    Haldrek turned his gaze to the Velmires. ¡°I want you to send your agents into the Land of Conquest. Spies, assassins, warriors¡ªwhatever you deem necessary. Scout the land. Learn Ezrael¡¯s movements. His armies. His tactics. His vessel. I have not set foot in those lands for centuries, and I do not know how the landscape has changed. But I need answers. And if your men die, then it would¡¯ve been a waste. My trump card, Xyenn and Yuuna, aren¡¯t present¡­I would¡¯ve sent them. But as soon as they return, we¡¯ll use whatever intel you all have gained on the Lands and invade.¡±

    The Velmires were silent for a long moment. Finally, Syrus nodded. ¡°We will do as you ask, though it will take time to prepare. The Land of Conquest is vast, and Ezrael¡¯s forces will not take kindly to intrusions.¡±

    Haldrek nodded curtly. ¡°Good. You have your orders. Go.¡±

    As the Velmires began to file out, Valen lingered for a moment, his eyes narrowing at Haldrek. His lips parted slightly, as if he were about to speak, but he stopped himself. The weight of his family¡¯s reputation kept him silent. With a frustrated glare, he followed the others out.

    ¡®That bastard../making me look low in front of my family. But I¡¯m too fearful to say anything, fuck.¡¯ Valen thought.

    Syria thought, ¡®Can¡¯t believe we''re actually doing this. Everyone knows not to go to the Land Of Conquest. I¡¯ve heard stories of that place. Damn Gorvhan, getting us into this! We¡¯re really risking us¡­bastard is making us do this..even if we say no, he¡¯ll find a way to get what he wants. It¡¯s no use.¡¯

    Gorvhan watched from a distance, looking away as his family looked at him.

    ¡®Don¡¯t stare at me! If they think about it, it¡¯s all of your faults for helping this family be so great, then Haldrek wouldn¡¯t have anything to do with us!¡¯

    When the Velmires were gone, Haldrek turned his attention to Gridd. ¡°Now, to you.¡±

    Gridd crossed his arms, his expression defiant. ¡°What do ye want from me, Haldrek? I don¡¯t have time for yer madness.¡±

    Haldrek¡¯s voice remained calm, but his words carried a dangerous edge. ¡°I want weapons, Gridd. Armor. Over one hundred thousand pieces, forged by the finest smiths in Kyrrin. I will provide the enchanted materials. The Velmires will assist in the logistics.¡±

    Gridd¡¯s eyes widened slightly, and he let out a bitter laugh. ¡°Are ye out o¡¯ yer mind? What in the bloody hell do ye need that many weapons for?¡±

    Haldrek¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°I will force them into the hands of every man, woman, and child who can wield them. This is a time of war. There is no room for innocence. No room for weakness. The strong will rise, and the weak will be forged into strength. This is the path to equality.¡±

    Gridd stared at him in disbelief. ¡°Equality? Ye¡¯re talkin¡¯ about slaughterin¡¯ innocents, forcing children to fight yer wars! Ye¡¯ve lost yer damn mind!¡±

    Haldrek¡¯s tone grew colder. ¡°There are no innocents, Gridd. Everyone is complicit in their own way. I was mocked, pushed, and ridiculed as a child. I have seen the depths of human cruelty. Equality is the only way to end it. My daughter, Espen, will grow up in a world where everyone is equal, where no one will suffer as I did.¡±

    Gridd shook his head, his voice trembling with anger. ¡°Ye think yer noble? Ye¡¯re a bloody tyrant. I¡¯ve spent my life helpin¡¯ people, even when I didn¡¯t want to. The situation with my son¡­it taught me to look past my hate for humans in general, to be better. I¡¯ll not be a part of this madness!¡±

    ¡°Are you testing me?¡±

    ¡°You won¡¯t do anything to us. You need Xyenn and Yuuna.¡±

    Haldrek¡¯s aura grew more oppressive with every word. The room seemed to darken, the air growing heavy. His knights and clergy stood silent, their faces unreadable, as Haldrek¡¯s bloodlust began to seep into the room.

    Gridd glanced down at the baby in his arms, its tiny face oblivious to the danger. He thought to himself, Why am I such a bloody fool? Arguin¡¯ with this maniac, knowin¡¯ he could kill me and the lad in an instant. I vowed to never be foolish again¡­ and here I am, slippin¡¯. Sorry little one.¡¯

    Before Gridd could say another word, the ceiling above them exploded. A figure crashed through, landing heavily on the ground. Dust and debris filled the air as the man straightened, his fists clenched.

    The figure was a filthy, grizzled man, his beard wild and unkempt, his clothes little more than a sackcloth robe. His hair hung in dirty strands over his face, obscuring his eyes. He stood tall, his presence incongruously commanding despite his ragged appearance.

    ¡°I have come with fate-changing news,¡± the Prophet declared, his voice booming through the shattered throne room.

    Gridd gasped, his trustees stepping back in shock. ¡°That Prophet¡­?¡±

    ¡®What¡¯s he doing here?!¡¯

    Haldrek¡¯s bloodlust surged. Without warning, he darted toward the Prophet, his fist flying with enough force to shatter stone. The Prophet twisted at the last moment, narrowly dodging the blow. Haldrek¡¯s fist connected with the wall behind him, obliterating it in a deafening explosion of stone and ice.

    ¡®He dodged it? A punch from me?¡¯

    The room was left in ruins, the cold wind howling through the gaping holes in the walls.

    Haldrek stated, ¡°I knew you were no ordinary rugged grizzly man. What are you?¡±

    The Prophet said, ¡°Violence is not necessary. I can hear¡­Death himself in your head, telling you I am the Prophet who¡¯s come to him. Kragvyr isn¡¯t even in your head anymore¡­odd. You¡¯ve made a deal with the devil.¡±

    ¡°You will fight me. And you will be mine. You will help me erase war from the aspect of life. Even if I have to force you.¡±

    ¡°You cannot force fate.¡±

 Chapter 29: Death Of Ashfang

    The throne room was a crumbling battlefield on the verge of collapse. Haldrek stood in its center, his draconic body radiating a primal, suffocating power. His breath came out in slow, controlled puffs of white mist, his hulking figure framed by the debris and wreckage of his earlier skirmishes with the Prophet. The Prophet still loomed in the distance, calm and untouchable, evading every strike Haldrek threw with an eerie, otherworldly precision. Not a word had passed between them, no exchange of blows had landed¡ªHaldrek¡¯s attacks tore apart the palace itself, but the Prophet danced through them unscathed.

    But this was not the only battle brewing.

    Syrus Velmire, the Iron Warden, stood at the forefront of his family¡¯s gathering, his expression grim. His iron gauntlet creaked as he flexed his hand, a symbol of his unyielding resolve. Around him stood the pride of the Velmire family: warriors, assassins, mages, clerics, and alchemists¡ªgenerations of power and skill that had kept the family at the top of the noble hierarchy. They have had enough, and had endured Haldrek¡¯s guise, watching as destruction came and razed towns and villages in pursuit of twisted abominations born of Ezrael¡¯s dark power. They had fought to clear the aftermath, out of fear, the fear of death, the fear of loss of leadership.

    But they had stayed their hand, unwilling to challenge him directly. Until now. This could be the perfect moment, or the very end. Either way, Syrus, the founder, has declared years ago that the Velmire noble family doesn¡¯t serve the masses, but it¡¯s own self conscious. ¡°Selfish need be, as could be for the reign of the world.¡± Was their saying.

    The Velmire family endured due to their own strength, which is why the Tournament of Chaos was born. These family members aren¡¯t tied to one draconic deity. But many others. They have the freedom to decide which dragon god would give them power from their worship. Adding to their complexity of usefulness and power to the masses of the Velmire.

    ¡°This is our chance,¡± Syrus growled, his voice like grinding stone. ¡°The Prophet has him distracted. He¡¯s never been vulnerable before. If we strike together, we will restore the honor of our family. We weren¡¯t built to serve. Never was. Even if we go out in death, we will uphold our honor. We just needed the right time to strike. We dishonor and tarnish our own name out of fear, like every human does. We used it to dictate our goals, and our very being and mindset. I built this family to avoid it all, and I somehow let it get the best of me. We may win or lose, we still win in the end.¡±

    Lady Verena, her crimson eyes gleaming, crossed her arms. The Blood Queen¡¯s voice was sharp and bitter. ¡°And who do we thank for dragging us into this mess? Gorvhan.¡± Her eyes flicked to the portly man standing at the back of the room, his face flushed with guilt and sweat.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± Gorvhan stammered, his voice trembling. ¡°Look, I know I¡¯m not the brightest one out of us all, but I have some uses. I should¡¯ve fought against him when he recruited me. For the sake of the family, I should have. Risking my life¡­I wasn¡¯t ready to die. Not when there¡¯s money to be made in the tournaments! But let me prove myself here.¡± He balled his fists, his gluttonous magic causing his aura to swell, a faint shimmer of dark energy rippling around him. ¡°But I¡¯ll fight. I¡¯ll fix this. I¡¯ll stand with the family.¡±

    ¡°Will you, Gorvhan?¡± Tyros Velmire, the Silent Blade, hissed from the shadows. His voice was cold, his dagger-like eyes glinting as he stepped forward. ¡°I wanted to slit your throat myself. But my blade belongs to someone else¡¯s death it seems.¡±

    ¡°Enough!¡± Valen Velmire¡¯s voice cut through the tension like a blade. The Silver Lion¡¯s hand rested on the hilt of Ashfang, the ancestral sword glowing faintly with its dragonfire edge. ¡°We¡¯re all in this together. If we hesitate, we die. If we fight, we might still die¡ªbut we¡¯ll do it as Velmires. I hated this prick Haldrek anyway, there¡¯s no honor in being stomped on! That¡¯s not what we¡¯re about. We are accomplished veterans, we¡¯re not gonna let a 400 year old man child with anger issues tell us anything. There is strength in our numbers, the reason we had worshipped different dragon gods. We won¡¯t be taken advantage of due to the fear of death no longer. This is the perfect opportunity.¡±

    Syrus raised his gauntlet, his voice carrying the weight of leadership. ¡°For the family. For honor. For strength. For chaos.¡±

    The Velmires roared their agreement, their voices echoing through the collapsing palace. And then they charged.

    The Velmires attacked in unison, a coordinated assault that would have overwhelmed any mortal opponent. Warriors thundered forward, their weapons raised high, while assassins and rogues darted along the outskirts, their daggers flashing in the dim light. Above them, mages unleashed a flurry of spells, and alchemists hurled volatile concoctions that erupted into flames and smoke. Clerics chanted behind the lines, their magic fortifying their kin and filling the air with a golden glow.

    Haldrek didn¡¯t move until the first warrior reached him. The man swung a massive glowing run etched warhammer with spikes on it, aiming to crush Haldrek¡¯s skull in a single blow. But Haldrek¡¯s movements were impossibly fast. He caught the hammer mid-swing with one hand, the metal groaning as his grip crushed it like paper. Without hesitation, he yanked the warrior forward and drove his knee into the man¡¯s chest, shattering his ribs and spine. Blood sprayed from the man¡¯s mouth as his lifeless body crumpled to the floor.

    Haldrek went back to trying to fight The Prophet, and Syrus exclaimed, ¡°Don¡¯t let him breathe! Don¡¯t attack one at a time!¡±

    Two assassins lunged at Haldrek from behind, their daggers aimed at his neck. Haldrek twisted his body, his movements fluid and precise. He grabbed one by the wrist, snapping it with a sickening crack, and used the broken arm to impale the second assassin through the throat. The rogue gurgled, blood pouring down his chest as Haldrek discarded both bodies like trash.

    Each time Haldrek killed one, there he was attacking the Prophet again.

    Above, the mages unleashed their spells¡ªfireballs, electric lances, and chains of lightning converging on Haldrek. But he moved through them with uncanny ease, his body weaving through the chaos like a predator through tall grass. One mage, a young woman with trembling hands, tried to conjure a barrier as Haldrek closed the distance. He reached her before the spell was complete, his hand closing around her head. With a single, brutal motion, he crushed her skull, the blood and brain matter splattering across the floor.

    The alchemists tried to fall back, hurling more explosives in desperation. Haldrek caught one mid-air¡ªa glowing vial of acid¡ªand flicked it back into their ranks with only his finger. It detonated with a hiss, melting flesh and bone. The screams of the dying filled the room.

    Lady Verena and Tyros struck next, their movements perfectly synchronized. Verena¡¯s blood magic lashed out in crimson tendrils, coiling around Haldrek¡¯s limbs like serpents. At the same time, Tyros moved through the shadows, his dagger aimed for Haldrek¡¯s heart.

    ¡®We have him!¡¯

    For a moment, it seemed they had him. Verena¡¯s tendrils tightened, her voice rising in a triumphant chant. ¡°You¡¯re strong, but even gods bleed.¡±

    Tyros appeared behind Haldrek, his blade gleaming as he thrust it forward.

    ¡°It¡¯s over.¡±

    But Haldrek moved faster. His hand shot out, grabbing Tyros by the throat before the blade could connect. He turned, using Tyros¡¯ body as a shield against Verena¡¯s blood magic. The crimson tendrils tore into Tyros instead, ripping him apart in a gruesome display of gore.

    ¡°No!¡± Verena screamed, her magic faltering. Haldrek dropped Tyros¡¯ mutilated corpse and advanced on her. She tried to summon her magic again, but Haldrek was already upon her. He grabbed her by the throat and lifted her off the ground, his grip tightening as the frost on his skin began to seep into her flesh. Her screams turned to choking gasps, and her body froze solid. With a casual flick of his wrist, Haldrek shattered her into a thousand crimson shards.

    Valen roared in fury, his dragonfire sword blazing as he charged Haldrek. ¡°You will not dishonor this family!¡± he bellowed, his strikes coming fast and heavy. Each swing of Ashfang left trails of searing light, the heat melting the frost that clung to Haldrek¡¯s body.

    But Haldrek was unrelenting. He dodged each strike with ease, his movements almost mocking in their precision. Valen¡¯s fury grew with each miss, his attacks becoming more desperate.

    ¡°Even going out like this is better than being walked over and manipulated or another.¡±

    Finally, Haldrek caught Ashfang mid-swing, the blade¡¯s flame sputtering as his grip extinguished its magic. Valen¡¯s eyes widened in shock as Haldrek twisted the blade out of his hands and drove it through his chest. The Silver Lion gasped, blood bubbling from his lips as Haldrek ripped the blade free and let him fall.

    Gorvhan, trembling but determined, stepped forward. ¡°You won¡¯t kill me so easily!¡± he roared, his gluttony magic surging. His body swelled, his muscles bulging grotesquely as he consumed the energy of the fallen around him. His hands became claws, his teeth sharpened into fangs.

    ¡®Ahh. Wasn¡¯t I a coward a few days ago? Are we dumb? What are we doing..? Dying..? Doom? There¡¯s no killing this vessel, an elder dragon god vessel¡­what were we thinking? Syrus knew..he knew. Valen noticed even¡­the look in their eyes showed me that we can¡¯t be manipulated for long. The Velmire family name is noticed throughout Kyrrin, imagine if they heard about us being Haldrek¡¯s lapdogs? No one would take us seriously. We live for the family, and for the family..¡¯

    He lunged at Haldrek, his massive frame crashing into the god-king. For a moment, it seemed he had the upper hand, his strength pushing Haldrek back. But Haldrek¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. He grabbed Gorvhan by the arm and twisted, the bone snapping like a twig. Gorvhan howled in pain, but Haldrek didn¡¯t stop. He tore Gorvhan¡¯s arm clean off and used it to bludgeon him to death.

    The remaining clerics gathered, their prayers rising in desperate harmony. A golden light surrounded them, their magic forming a barrier that shielded the survivors. They chanted louder, their voices trembling as Haldrek approached.

    He didn¡¯t slow. He walked through the barrier, his draconic power shattering it like glass. The clerics screamed as he descended upon them, his hands tearing through flesh and bone. Blood soaked the floor as the last of the Velmires fell.

    By the end, Haldrek stood alone, his body drenched in blood. Around him lay the broken bodies of the Velmire family, their legacy reduced to nothing. The palace groaned, its walls crumbling under the weight of the destruction.

    Through the haze of dust and blood, the Prophet stepped forward. Untouched, unbothered. He stood before Haldrek, silent and calm, as the world fell apart around them.

    The castle groaned like a dying beast, its ancient stones splintering and tumbling under the strain of Haldrek¡¯s wrath. The throne room had become a graveyard; the lifeless bodies of the Velmire family lay scattered across the blood-slicked floor. The air was thick with the acrid stench of death and burning wood, the sunlight from the crumbling roof casting jagged rays into the carnage below.

    Gridd held the hybrid baby tightly against his chest as he sprinted through the shuddering corridors, his boots slamming against the cracked marble floor. He could feel the child¡¯s small hands gripping his tunic, its dragon-like eyes wide with confusion and fear. Behind him, his trustees, Durvold and Thaldrin, followed as fast as their legs could carry them, their faces marred with panic and streaked with soot from the falling debris.

    ¡°Keep yer feet movin¡¯, lads!¡± Gridd barked in his deep dwarven voice, his words sharp but steady. A massive chunk of stone crashed down behind them, narrowly missing Thaldrin, who stumbled but kept pace. "This whole bloody castle¡¯s comin¡¯ down faster than a drunkard on a greased slope!"

    The baby whimpered softly, its clawed fingers clutching at Gridd¡¯s beard. He glanced down, his heart clenching. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, wee one,¡± he muttered, his voice softening for the first time. ¡°Uncle Gridd¡¯ll get ye outta this mess. Just hold on tight.¡±

    Ahead of them, the corridor began to collapse, massive blocks of stone tumbling to seal their only way out. Dust and rubble filled the air, choking the last rays of daylight from the passage. Gridd skidded to a halt, his trustees stopping behind him.

    ¡°Blast it!¡± Durvold cursed, slamming her fist against the wall. ¡°We¡¯re boxed in! What now?¡±

    ¡°We move this rubble!¡± Thaldrin growled, already throwing his weight against a boulder. ¡°We¡¯ve no time to waste!¡±

    Gridd turned toward the baby, his eyes narrowing with determination. ¡°Ye hear that, lad? We¡¯ll make it through. Just gotta clear this path.¡±

    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    Amid the chaos, Gridd¡¯s ears caught a wet, rasping sound behind him. He turned to see a Velmire family member, an assassin, barely alive, dragging himself across the blood-soaked floor. His legs were mangled beyond recognition, one arm snapped at an unnatural angle, but his eyes still burned with fierce determination. Blood smeared the ground behind him as he clawed his way forward.

    ¡°¡­You¡­dwarf..¡± the man croaked, his voice weak but urgent. ¡°Listen to me¡­ You have to warn¡­ the final leader¡­¡±

    Gridd knelt beside him, still clutching the baby. ¡°Warn who? Speak plain, lad!¡±

    ¡°The other leader. The abandoned son of Syrus. One who..rejected his role to the family,¡± the Velmire gasped. ¡°He must know. Haldrek¡­ If he¡¯s desperate¡­ he¡¯ll come for him next. He¡¯s been waiting¡­ too long¡­ His dreams¡ªhis ambitions¡ªthey¡¯ve festered. Corrupted him.¡±

    The man coughed violently, blood spilling from his lips. ¡°If Xyenn and Yuuna don¡¯t return soon, they won¡¯t stand a chance. But maybe¡­ the son..he might be strong enough¡­ to kill him.¡±

    Gridd¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Breathe, lad. Where do I find ¡®em?¡±

    The Velmire¡¯s bloodied hand reached for Gridd, trembling as he clutched at his arm. ¡°He¡­ can only be summoned¡­ with the Mythic Ram¡¯s Horn. It must be blown¡­ three times¡­ at the first stronghold¡­ of the Velmire family¡­¡± His voice faltered, but he forced himself to continue. ¡°In the city of Svarthelm, in the continent of J?rvaldr¡­ The crypt beneath Vardyrs Keep. That¡¯s where you¡¯ll find it.¡±

    Gridd¡¯s expression hardened. He looked down at the baby, who stared up at him with innocent, unblinking eyes, and then back at the dying man. ¡°Aye¡­ I¡¯ll do it. If this is what it takes to stop that beast, I¡¯ll see it done. Rest easy, lad.¡±

    The Velmire¡¯s bloodied lips curled into a faint smile. ¡°Thank you¡­¡± he whispered. His head fell back, his eyes staring into nothing as the life left his body.

    ¡®A dying man''s wish..I didn¡¯t even hesitate to help the poor lad. The old me would¡¯ve rejected him. Maybe i''m letting myself influence the kid I¡¯m holding¡­don¡¯t want him turning out like my own flesh and blood¡­¡¯

    Behind them, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the collapsing hall. Gridd turned to see the Prophet descending the crumbling staircase with slow, deliberate steps, his tattered robes flowing like shadows behind him. The air around him seemed to warp, as if reality itself bent to accommodate his presence.

    Haldrek¡¯s voice boomed from the ruins of the throne room, his rage uncontained. ¡°You! You¡¯ve always known!¡± His draconic voice reverberated, shaking the crumbling walls further. ¡°You¡¯ve seen everything! You can change everything! And still, you say nothing to me! Death told me about you¡­you¡­telling everyone what¡¯s going on, maybe even telling the enemy my plans. You Prophets¡­I know you bastards have caused wars.¡±

    The Prophet stopped, his shadowed face unreadable. ¡°It is not my place to change what must be. We only carry the future out. But when fate is tethered¡­there must be sacrifice.¡±

    Haldrek¡¯s fists clenched, his body trembling with barely restrained power. The snow around his feet began to melt, his sheer heat radiating outward. ¡°You go to the others! You tell them of their fates, their futures! But never me. I am left out. Forgotten. Unworthy! You have no idea what It felt like..going through what I went through as a child. I deserve everything!¡±

    The Prophet tilted his head slightly, his voice calm. ¡°Perhaps it is because you believe you deserve everything¡­ that nothing has been given to you. Fate works in mysterious ways, our prophecies carry it out.¡±

    Haldrek¡¯s roar of fury shook the entire castle, but before he could move, another door creaked open. A small figure stumbled into the room, her steps unsteady.

    ¡°Father¡­?¡±

    Haldrek¡¯s rage evaporated instantly. He turned, his eyes softening as he saw his daughter, Espen, standing in the doorway. Blood trickled down her forehead, but she seemed otherwise unhurt.

    ¡°Espen¡­¡± Haldrek¡¯s voice was no longer a roar but a whisper. He knelt before her, his massive form shrinking as he reached for her. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±

    Espen rubbed her head, looking up at him with innocent confusion. ¡°There was noise¡­ I was scared¡­¡±

    Haldrek gently pulled her into his arms, cradling her small frame as if she were a fragile bird. His wings, massive and draconic, unfurled from his back, snowflakes forming along their edges. The air around him changed, becoming serene and calm. A sunflower, its petals made of pure snow, bloomed from the aura surrounding him. Espen reached for it, her little fingers brushing against its icy surface.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay now,¡± Haldrek murmured, holding her close. ¡°I¡¯m here.¡±

    Haldrek then looked at Gridd, saying, ¡°I should end you now, but I bowed to never take a life in front of my little girl. I will be seeing you again.¡±

    Without another word, he spread his wings and took off, soaring through the collapsing roof. The castle trembled one last time as the god-king disappeared into the afternoon sky, leaving behind silence and death.

    Gridd watched Haldrek vanish, his eyes narrowing. He turned to the Prophet, who remained motionless in the debris. ¡°I¡¯ve seen ye before,¡± Gridd said, his voice gruff. ¡°On the streets. Always mumblin¡¯ ¡®bout the dragon gods an¡¯ their business. What¡¯re ye doin¡¯ here?¡±

    The Prophet¡¯s glowing eyes shifted toward Gridd. ¡°The Prophets have always been on every side¡­ and on no side. We speak of what is, what was, and what will be. To all but Haldrek.¡±

    ¡°Why not him?¡± Gridd asked, his voice heavy with suspicion.

    ¡°Haldrek¡¯s soul is fractured,¡± the Prophet said. ¡°He believes himself deserving of everything good, but his past has made him bitter. He feels abandoned, unworthy. And so, he takes¡­ and takes¡­ in hopes of filling the void. But no matter how much he gains, it will never be enough. Fate has written has background, this is how it must be.¡±

    Gridd grunted. ¡°An¡¯ what¡¯s this ¡®fate¡¯ ye keep yammerin¡¯ about?¡±

    ¡°The fate of all things,¡± the Prophet said, his voice growing louder, his glowing eyes burning brighter. ¡°The dragons. The Lysf?dt. Death. Hell. The gods themselves. All of Kyrrin is bound by fate, and yet¡­¡± His voice faltered. ¡°Because of Xyenn and Yuuna, the planned timeline is broken.¡±

    ¡°Broken?¡± Gridd asked, his voice rising.

    ¡°Xyenn was never meant to live,¡± the Prophet said. ¡°He was to die to the Light Born in Gabriel¡¯s Tower. But he didn¡¯t. He and Yuuna changed the prophecy. The  Lysf?dt they engaged in battle with, was way stronger than them. Yet, they won. Maybe it¡¯s that human mother of hers¡­no matter. I tried to save it, we don¡¯t do it by violence but by words. We¡¯ve never had any close calls of anomalies. But now¡­we do.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s how Xyenn and Yuuna are, lad. Them and those Tyrants are unpredictable, they¡¯re not easy to beat. Ye understand Haldrek couldn¡¯t fight all of em¡¯, eh? If ye want Xyenn and Yuuna dead so bad, wouldn¡¯t ye just inform the Elder dragon gods of where she is?¡±

    ¡°Now that fate has been broken and must be repaired, unpredictable events will occur. There is no need to tell them anything.¡±

    Before Gridd could respond, the Prophet¡¯s body began to convulse. His glowing eyes flared impossibly bright, and his voice became a strained whisper. ¡°The prophecy must be fixed¡­¡±

    Suddenly, the Prophet¡¯s body exploded in a brutal display of gore. Blood and viscera sprayed across the room, spattering Gridd and his trustees. The baby in Gridd¡¯s arms whimpered, burying its face in his chest.

    From the shredded remains of the Prophet, another figure emerged¡ªidentical to the first but wilder, his eyes burning with madness.

    ¡°Oooh!¡± the new Prophet cackled, stretching his arms wide. ¡°Time to pick up where he left off! Do not fret! I will save fate!¡±

    Gridd stared in stunned silence as the new Prophet began laughing, his voice echoing through the ruins.

    Gridd thought, ¡®Prophets¡­seemingly unknown beings who shape destiny, not by violence but by their voices itself. They know the future¡­and yet, Xyenn and Yuuna defied it? Could it really be Yuuna¡¯s mother? That human woman? Either way¡­I''m proud of them for surviving. Just keep on doing it. Too many forces are against Xyenn and Yuuna and those Tyrants..¡¯

    The grand doors of the palace groaned as they swung open, spilling the group into the cold morning air. The sun hung low, its light cutting through the heavy mist that clung stubbornly to the valley. Gridd adjusted the baby hybrid in his arms, his heavy boots crunching against the frost-kissed stone steps. Behind him, Durvold and Thaldrin followed, their cloaks pulled tightly against the chill. The silence that had filled the palace was broken the moment they stepped outside.

    Durvold was the first to speak, her tone practical as always. ¡°So. A ram¡¯s horn, and the abandoned son of Velmire. Two tasks. Two problems. How long d¡¯ye reckon this¡¯ll take us, Gridd? Weeks? Months? We¡¯re not exactly flush with time.¡±

    Thaldrin grunted in agreement. ¡°Aye, and we¡¯re not talkin¡¯ about somethin¡¯ simple here. Rams are rare enough these days, and the Velmire family doesn¡¯t exactly send out invitations for visitors. Even if we find ¡®em, what¡¯s to say they¡¯ll help?¡±

    Gridd glanced back at them, his expression calm but focused. ¡°It¡¯s the time that¡¯ll weigh on us the most, aye. But as for the rest, it¡¯s not as bad as ye think. Trust me, we¡¯ve got the tools to handle this.¡±

    Durvold raised an eyebrow. ¡°Oh? And how d¡¯ye figure that?¡±

    Gridd adjusted the baby¡¯s blanket before settling into his explanation. ¡°Because we¡¯re dwarves, Durvold. Ye forget what that means?¡±

    She frowned. ¡°I¡¯ve not forgotten. But that doesn¡¯t change the fact that we¡¯re after somethin¡¯ rare and headin¡¯ into lands we¡¯ve no allies in.¡±

    Gridd stopped at the bottom of the palace steps, turning to face his trustees. His voice was steady but carried the weight of authority. ¡°Listen, and listen well. There¡¯s not a thing in this world we dwarves can¡¯t craft or shape. That¡¯s not just pride talkin¡¯¡ªit¡¯s fact. Ye ever wonder why no one can match the work o¡¯ a dwarf? Not men, not elves, not even dragons?¡±

    Thaldrin folded his arms, leaning slightly on the haft of his axe. ¡°Aye, I¡¯ve heard the stories. Kaldor, the draconic god of fire and forge. But ye¡¯ve got a point to make, so make it.¡±

    Gridd smirked faintly, then continued. ¡°It¡¯s not just stories, lad. Kaldor didn¡¯t just teach us how to shape metal or carve stone. He gave us somethin¡¯ far greater¡ªhe gave us the gift to breathe life into our work. Every rune we carve, every hammer blow on the anvil¡ªit¡¯s more than just makin¡¯ a tool or a weapon. It¡¯s creation. That¡¯s why dwarven-forged items are the finest in the world. They¡¯re not just objects¡ªthey¡¯ve got souls, born from the fire, just like us.¡±

    Durvold¡¯s expression softened slightly as she considered this. ¡°Ye¡¯ we can enchant this ram¡¯s horn ourselves, if we can find one?¡±

    ¡°Aye,¡± Gridd said with certainty. ¡°It¡¯s not the horn that matters¡ªit¡¯s the hands that shape it. We can work with anythin¡¯. Metal, stone, bone¡ªKaldor¡¯s flame runs through us, and that¡¯s why we¡¯ll succeed. That¡¯s why we¡¯ve always succeeded.¡±

    Durvold nodded slowly, but her brow furrowed as she thought further. ¡°But that still leaves the question¡ªwhere in the name o¡¯ stone are we supposed to find a ram? And as to how long this is gonna take, we need to at least get info on Gabriel¡¯s Ladder.¡±

    Gridd exhaled deeply, his breath curling in the cold air. He adjusted the baby again, then spoke with a hint of weariness in his tone. ¡°There¡¯s one place I know where we might find what we¡¯re lookin¡¯ for: Svarthelm. In the continent of J?rvaldr. They have them on the outskirts, we got lucky.¡±

    Thaldrin asked, ¡°How do ye know? Y¡¯eve been there before or what?¡±

    Gridd began walking again, his voice steady as he explained. ¡°Years ago, I took a job there. Was hired by one o¡¯ the noble families to forge a set o¡¯ ceremonial weapons¡ªblades made from gold-veined obsidian, inlaid with runes to ward off curses. Spent months there, workin¡¯ in a forge that was colder than the peaks of Highmir here in V?rdrheim. The pay was good, but the place¡­ well, it stays with ye.¡±

    Thaldrin tilted his head. ¡°What¡¯s it like?¡±

    Gridd¡¯s expression darkened slightly, his voice lowering. ¡°Svarthelm¡¯s the crown jewel o¡¯ J?rvaldr, but it¡¯s no place for the faint-hearted. The nobles there are obsessed with wealth and power¡ªgold flows through that city like water, but the streets are colder than the winters outside. It¡¯s a place where every smile hides a dagger, and every deal comes with strings attached. The nobles live like kings, aye, but it¡¯s built on greed and ambition. That¡¯s how the dragon god of wealth and gold receives worship: trade, business, gold flowin¡¯ in an¡¯ out. That¡¯s all made to worship him. Any and all ways that produce gold and coin, the people producing this and carrying these out, is worship to him. Other than them just praying to him, but that¡¯s for every other continent, which people will review less of a blessing that way than actually carryin¡¯ out the actions like trading and making gold.¡±

    Durvold frowned. ¡°And the dragon god, who is it?¡±

    Gridd nodded. ¡°Aye. Vuben. the dragon god o¡¯ gold and wealth, reigns over that land. His influence is everywhere¡ªin the gilded halls, the palaces, even the damned air. His power grows with every coin hoarded, every deal struck. And his Tyrants¡ª**Sethrak** and Zyphira¡ªused to live there I believe. They were born o¡¯ his vessels blood, raised in his shadow. But they saw the truth and escaped. Now they¡¯re allies o¡¯ Yuuna, and by extension, us.¡±

    Thaldrin frowned deeply. ¡°So we¡¯re walkin¡¯ into a land ruled by greed, where a dragon god¡¯s power runs deep, lookin¡¯ for a rare horn we¡¯ve no guarantee we¡¯ll find. Sounds like a fool¡¯s errand.¡±

    Gridd smirked faintly. ¡°Aye, it does. But if there¡¯s anywhere we¡¯ll find a ram¡¯s horn, it¡¯s there. The nobles prize ¡®em for their rarity. They carve ¡®em into trophies or decorations¡ªor hoard ¡®em, like everythin¡¯ else in that blasted place.¡±

    Durvold glanced at the baby in Gridd¡¯s arms. ¡°And what about the wee one? We can¡¯t take him to Svarthelm¡ªit¡¯s too dangerous.¡±

    Thaldrin nodded. ¡°And it¡¯s not safe for him with the clan right now, either. Not with Haldrek breathin¡¯ down our necks.¡±

    Gridd¡¯s voice was quiet but firm. ¡°I know a place. But I worry for my clan, with Haldrek running rampant. We had a hold on em because of Xyenn and Yuuna. But now I don¡¯t know. After we get this baby safe, I¡¯ll need you two back with the clan. And remember to use the flute to contact me if anything happens, eh?¡±

    Durvold and Thaldrin exchanged a glance and nodded.

    ¡°Then let¡¯s move,¡± Durvold said, stepping ahead. ¡°We¡¯ve a long road ahead, and it won¡¯t walk itself.¡±

    The snow-dusted streets of Brimholt were alive with activity, the active of merchants and the rhythmic clamor of blacksmiths echoing through the crisp air. The town, nestled in the heart of V?rdrheim, was a place where adventurers gathered between quests, a waypoint for those seeking respite or glory. Gridd and his trustees¡ªDurvold and Thaldrin¡ªstood outside a modest stone building with a weathered wooden sign swaying gently in the cold breeze. The sign read: Mertha¡¯s Hammer, the letters carved deep, as if to reflect the strength of its patrons.

    Some of the people nearby talked:

    ¡°I heard loud booming¡­did anyone else hear it?¡±

    ¡°Yeah I did too. A buddy of mine said he was near it, it was the kings palace!¡±

    ¡°Oh dear¡­what could¡¯ve happened..? Has the war finally started? I hope not.¡±

    ¡°I hope not too. If a war breaks out here like the rumors suggest all over V?rdrheim, we might as well be digging our own graves!¡±

    Gridd shifted the baby in his arms, the hybrid cooing softly as the faint smell of mead and roasted boar wafted from within. Durvold tucked her cloak tighter around her shoulders, muttering, ¡°We¡¯re wastin¡¯ time standin¡¯ here. Let¡¯s get this lad inside before the cold bites him.¡±

    ¡°Aye,¡± Gridd rumbled, pushing open the heavy oak door.

    The moment the door swung open, the warmth and noise of the tavern enveloped them. A roaring hearth crackled in the center of the room, casting flickering shadows on the stone walls. Long wooden tables stretched across the space, crowded with adventurers sharing stories over tankards of ale. The scent of spiced cider and charred meat mingled with the faint tang of sweat and iron.

    It didn¡¯t take long for the workers¡ªmost of them women¡ªto notice Gridd¡¯s arrival.

    ¡°Gridd!¡± one of them called, her voice carrying over the din.

    ¡°Look who¡¯s back!¡± another chimed, rushing toward him.

    But it wasn¡¯t just Gridd they noticed. The baby, bundled in soft furs against the cold, was nestled securely in his arms, and the moment the women saw him, a collective gasp rippled through the room.

    ¡°Oh! Is that¡ª?¡±

    ¡°Ohh! It¡¯s THEIR baby, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°I heard the rumors¡ªYuuna and Xyenn had a little one!¡±

    ¡°Look at him, he¡¯s adorable!¡±

    ¡°He looks more like Xyenn!¡±

    ¡°He looks more like Yuuna to me.¡±

    In an instant, Gridd and the trustees were swarmed. The women crowded around, their faces alight with curiosity and affection.

    ¡°What¡¯s his name?¡±

    ¡°Does he have Yuuna¡¯s powers?¡±

    ¡°Or Xyenn¡¯s temper?¡±

    ¡°Let me hold him!¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s so big already!¡±

    Gridd, clearly overwhelmed, grunted as he tried to navigate the sea of questions. ¡°Enough! Enough, ye lot! Give me some damned room¡ª¡±

    But his protests fell on deaf ears. The women hovered over the baby, their faces softening as he laughed and reached out with tiny hands.

    One of the servers leaned in, her voice soft as she wiggled her fingers toward the baby. ¡°Oh, look at him! He¡¯s smilin¡¯! Such a happy little lad, aren¡¯t ye?¡±

    The baby giggled, his laughter high and sweet, and the women melted further.

    ¡°Gridd, how¡¯re we supposed to work when ye bring somethin¡¯ this precious in here?¡± one teased, nudging him playfully.

    ¡°Ye¡¯ve got everyone distracted now,¡± another added with a laugh.

    Durvold crossed her arms, smirking. ¡°Ye lot are actin¡¯ like ye¡¯ve never seen a bairn before.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not just a bairn, love,¡± one of the women replied, hands on her hips. ¡°It¡¯s Yuuna and Xyenn¡¯s bairn! That makes him special.¡±

    Gridd finally managed to raise his voice above the chatter. ¡°Aye, he¡¯s special, but we¡¯ve got business to take care of. I need someone to watch him while we¡¯re gone¡ªand I don¡¯t mean just standin¡¯ around gawkin¡¯ at him all day.¡±

    The women practically tripped over themselves to agree.

    ¡°Oh, leave him with us!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll take care of him, Gridd!¡±

    ¡°He¡¯ll be safe here, I promise!¡±

    Gridd glanced at Durvold and Thaldrin, who exchanged amused looks. With a heavy sigh, Gridd carefully handed the baby to the nearest woman.

    The moment the child left his arms, chaos erupted.

    ¡°Let me hold him first!¡±

    ¡°No, me! I¡¯ve got more experience with babies!¡±

    ¡°Ye¡¯re always hoggin¡¯ the cute ones¡ªlet me!¡±

    The women began to playfully jostle one another, each trying to take the baby for herself. The hybrid, oblivious to the commotion, squealed with delight as he was passed from one set of arms to another.

    Gridd pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°Just don¡¯t drop him, for forge¡¯s sake.¡±

    The tavern door creaked open again, letting in a burst of cold air. The noise of the room quieted slightly as five figures entered. They moved with purpose, their presence commanding immediate attention.

    Illyana was the first to speak, a warm smile on her face as she spotted Gridd. ¡°There you are, Gridd.¡±

    Gridd turned, his eyebrows rising in surprise. ¡°By the forge¡­ What¡¯re ye lot doin¡¯ here?¡±

    Before anyone could answer, Zyphira strode to a nearby table, plucking a tankard of mead from a customer¡¯s hand. She raised it to her lips, but before she could take a sip, the man¡ªred-faced and furious¡ªstood up and shouted, ¡°Hey That¡¯s mine!¡±

    Before the situation could escalate, Sethrak, Zyphira¡¯s twin brother, stepped forward. His golden eyes locked onto the man, and without a word, the man sat back down, his face pale. He grinned, taking the tankard from Zyphira and handing it back to the man. He turned to his sister, his tone sharp. ¡°No stealing.¡±

    Zyphira pouted, crossing her arms and muttering, ¡°It was just one drink¡­¡±

    Gridd, still stunned by their sudden entrance, gestured toward them. ¡°So, Yuuna¡¯s Tyrants show up out o¡¯ nowhere, and ye don¡¯t even give me the courtesy o¡¯ tellin¡¯ me why? What¡¯re ye lookin¡¯ for me for?¡±

    Draeven, who had been lingering near the back of the group, stepped forward hesitantly. His usual confidence seemed dulled, his expression tight with unease.

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ It¡¯s Xyenn and Yuuna¡­¡± Draeven began, his voice faltering slightly.

    Kivorn added, ¡°Things¡­have gotten serious..really serious¡­¡±

    The room seemed to quiet, the weight of his words cutting through the lively atmosphere. Gridd¡¯s face darkened, his gaze sharp as he stared at Draeven.

    ¡°What about ¡®em?¡± Gridd asked, his tone low and serious. ¡°And things have gotten serious too here, let¡¯s trade info.¡±

 Chapter 30: The Bards Grove

    They all sat at the table, the workers still spoiling Xyenn and Yuuna¡¯s baby, and the baby burping and almost setting them on fire as they laughed.

    But the Tyrants had explained everything: Gabriel¡¯s Ladder, The Lysf?dt arrival, Soulcaris, the witch, Parcy, the Sun-Drake, cultists, the Blood Maidens, and Quinara. And the plans of the Sun-Drake wanting to be reborn through her baby so he could avoid the Cycle of Rebirth and ascend higher than the other dragon gods. And possibly being manipulated by the elder dragon deities, to see if this would work, so they could even maybe try it themselves.

    Gridd, rubbing his beard, nodded, ¡°That''s all¡­troublesome, lads. If one can find a way to avoid the Cycle, it would make Yuuna a wee bit safe. But there¡¯s other forces that threaten em¡¯ as well. Death himself especially, as Yuuna mentioned the bastard may want to come back and settle the score with Xyenn. The Lysf?dt, wantin¡¯ to kill Yuuna and take her heart so they could secure and use it to possibly bring Gabriel the First Dragon back. And then with my encounter with them Prophets..I swear they¡¯re not even human. I can tell what they are. But they claim to read the future of all things, seein¡¯ a future where Xyenn and Yuuna were supposed to die at Gabriel¡¯s Ladder. And I fear that what ye mentioned about some Parcy witch woman, trying to connect the link to Hell and Kyrrin..Yuuna¡¯s Father will come for her. It¡¯s right for them to stop whatever¡¯s going on down there.¡±

    Draeven spoke, his eyes weary from exhaustion after that long trip to Gabriel¡¯s Ladder to reach V?rdrheim. ¡°The odds are against us, aren¡¯t they?¡±

    Sethrak confirmed, ¡°Hmph. Even if they are. Xyenn and Yuuna won¡¯t go down easily. That goes for the rest of us. Have we all forgotten what we promised to Yuuna? I¡¯m ashamed.¡±

    Zyphira, with her head down, replied, ¡°Fight until we collapse..such a badass quote.¡±

    Illyana added with a nod and a peaceful smile, ¡°We did promise that. In blood actually. It hurt very badly, haha..¡±

    Sethrak and Zyphira whispered to each other:

    ¡°She really said that with a smile..¡±

    ¡°I knew she was insane, I told you, didn¡¯t I?!¡±

    Gridd then asked what they were actually doing here, and Then, Kivorn, answered him truthfully, ¡°Yuuna and Xyenn¡­wants us to stay in V?rdrheim, to help out¡­with everything. Just in case, war happens¡­¡±

    Gridd chuckled, ¡°Yeah, ye¡¯ lot are right on time, aren¡¯t ya? Wars brewin definitely. Haldrek went crazy and slaughtered the Velmire leaders.¡±

    Illyana gasped, covering her mouth, ¡°Oh goodness no..¡±

    Zyphira crossed her arms, stating, ¡°Huhhh? Why would he kill them? Wait, don¡¯t answer that. Nevermind. I¡¯ve seen enough of what he¡¯s capable of. Even fighting my Xyenn..¡±

    Sethrak, Illyana, Kivorn, and Draeven looked at Zyphira and said, ¡°YOUR Xyenn?¡±

    Zyphira waved her hands, ¡°Wait wait wait, I didn¡¯t mean it like that! He¡¯s just too adorable and I hate to see him bloodied up to a bitch like Haldrek.¡±

    Gridd added, ¡°Yep. Haldrek killed those nobles. And he took his daughter and darted off somewhere. Most likely, he¡¯s gonna get desperate. The bastard even tried to get me to make enchanted weapons to give out to innocents. The fuckin¡¯ audacity¡­he¡¯s getting impatient, a war might brew.¡±

    Sethrak asked, ¡°Don¡¯t you worry, dwarf?¡±

    ¡°About what, lad?¡±

    ¡°The safety of that dwarf clan of yours. Haldrek is unpredictable when it comes to his actions.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why I gotta hurry with what I¡¯m about to do, dragonkin. We¡¯ve been notified of a noble family member that¡¯s alive, the last leader. An abandoned son of Syrus. He might be be able kill Haldrek before he does anythin¡¯ that could threaten the lives of my clan, this child, and V?rdrheim itself. And it was a man''s dying¡¯ wish. As a being of honor, I allowed myself to follow it.¡±

    Kivorn asked, ¡°Does this¡­abandoned son have..some insane power¡­to kill a 400 year old draconic vessel¡­?¡±

    ¡°Seems so.¡±

    ¡°Where is he, we can help you find him.¡± Illyana asked Gridd with a soft tone.

    And he replied, ¡°J?rvaldr. Svarthelm. And we gotta get a Ram Horn and enchant it on the spot. Haldrek goin¡¯ crazy set off a short fuse, and before it can speed up the process of a war breakin¡¯ out, he has to die. These people in V?rdrheim don¡¯t deserve to be in the middle of this. At first it was all about raiding the Land of Conquest, but now it might happen here with how desperate he¡¯s gettin¡¯, he might destroy everythin¡¯ himself. With how easily he killed the Velmires, he could do it. I need all yer help. I don¡¯t wanna take any risks. I wanna move fast, find the abandoned son, and kill Haldrek. And I¡¯m worried for my own clan, and that baby boy. I can¡¯t take the risk of Haldrek destroying everything, especially after I rejected his proposal.¡±

    Zyphira and Sethrak silently gasped, their expressions fractured with shock.

    Sethrak, his eyes wide, clenched his fists on the table, saying, ¡°You go. We¡¯ll stay.¡±

    Zyphira added, ¡°I can¡¯t go back there. Sorry, dwarf man Gridd. I can¡¯t¡­I still can¡¯t even get over what the fuck we went through there. Take Draeven and the others.¡±

    Gridd closed his eyes, ¡°I understand, lass. Even though ye two are evildoers, I know ye two would help under any other circumstance.¡±

    ¡°Mhm.¡± Zyphira mumbled.

    ¡®Going back to the place where I suffered the most. The place that made me begin to become addicted to other things instead of reality, to try and protect my mind from it¡­.imagine if I went back¡­? I wouldn¡¯t be able to handle it. And Sethrak¡­knowing how he doesn¡¯t care about himself and only me, would lose it.¡¯

    Illyana stood up, and said, ¡°No. We¡¯re all going. I don¡¯t want us to separate again. It¡¯s time I say this now, while I was hesitant for a while.¡±

    ¡°Illyana¡­¡± Draeven added.

    ¡°We¡¯ve seen Xyenn struggle, and struggle with himself. His battles, his internal ones¡­you saw what I saw at the ritual with the witch. He was determined to face his fears and issues, hoping he could congratulate himself for surviving and enduring them in the end. Though he has a long way to go, he¡¯s not running from what¡¯s chasing him. He¡¯s fighting it.¡±

    Zyphira looked away, and Sethrak did as well, his fist trembling. Zyphira held her brother''s fist tightly.

    Illyana continued, ¡°Same for you two. There¡¯s only so far we can run until we just give the hell up. Like Yuuna did many times but she kept going. Why? Because she wants to live, not die. How can we call ourselves gods slaying Tyrants and face deities and we can¡¯t even face our own issues? I told you all, I hate division. I hate seeing you all down in the dumps, I do. I like peace when it¡¯s time for it.¡±

    Zyphira said with intensity, ¡°Can¡¯t just run and fight your problems..it¡¯s not that easy. I can just get drunk over and over and forget about it all. That¡¯s when I¡¯m happiest. Or when I¡¯m asleep..

    ¡°You say it but you don¡¯t mean it, Zyphira.¡±

    ¡°¡­That man¡­the king is our father there, I was only a child when he tried to take advantage of me. I was only a KID. Looking at me with those lusty old beady fucking eyes. Fat old bastard was so obsessed with wanting me and Sethrak to take over, he wanted to leave that continent for good and explore and shit. Knowing he wasn¡¯t going to come back anyway. He was crazed with making sure we were prepared to handle taking over everything he left. Even though that man had dozens of wives. He¡¯s a lusting hornball. I hate him. If I see him again..¡±

    Sethrak stood up, and walked out, leaving the pub and standing outside as the afternoon sun glared upon his skin.

    He looked out into the distance, thinking, ¡®I don¡¯t care what happens to me. I live to make sure Zyphira stays well, and by my side. Am I failing her? Letting her drink herself to death all the time, watching her drown herself in mead just to forget everything? Am I a good brother for watching her forget her trauma, or am I bad for letting her face her issues this way? Is there a way I can help her? Dammit! Shit is conflicting¡­why? Illyana is saying things I should be saying, right? Maybe I just didn¡¯t want her to look back at the past no matter what, no matter if she died with a flask of mead in her hand. Fuck¡­what is wrong with me¡­? If I saw myself in my position, what would I think of myself? A good brother? Why am I just now realizing¡­that I¡¯m not doing my job? Do I face her issues with her? By her side as her brother? Will we even be at peace if we go back? If we see father, do we kill him? Will I be satisfied? Because as soon as we step back home, he¡¯ll sense us, he¡¯ll know we¡¯re there. There¡¯s no way we won¡¯t encounter him.¡¯This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    Kivorn and Draeven stood at the threshold of the door, watching Sethrak. Both of them whispering and arguing with each other about who¡¯s gonna go try and talk to Sethrak.

    ¡°You go!¡± Draeven spouted with a whispering tone.

    Kivorn yawned, ¡°This isn¡¯t¡­my time to shine. Go¡­¡±

    ¡°I-I¡¯m not good at comforting people!¡±

    Walking through the doors, we¡¯re Gridd and Illyana, and Gridd explained, ¡°If ye don¡¯t wanna tag along, ye don¡¯t gotta¡ª.¡±

    ¡°You know what?¡± Sethrak chuckled. ¡°What am I even doing? This isn¡¯t gonna sound like me. We¡¯re the only ones who can guide you to Gabriel¡¯s Ladder, it¡¯s faster but it¡¯ll take a day. I won¡¯t look like a weakling around any of you fools. Me and Zyphira will go and face this. If it means the death of Haldrek, you¡¯ll need all of us, dwarf.¡±

    Zyphira said to Sethrak, ¡°I can¡¯t! If we go back there, father will sense us easily!¡±

    ¡°And? So what? We¡¯re gonna kill the bastard if he tries anything. We¡¯ll move fast and make it quick.¡±

    ¡®Face our trauma..huh? Such a stupid thing. Sounds dumb and weak. But here I am about to do it. Even though Zyphira¡¯s drunkenness, I see the pain still in her eyes. Just never focused on it too hard, it ruined my mood. I can¡¯t let Xyenn show me up.¡¯

    Zyphira threw a punch at Sethrak, but Sethrak stopped it with his hand, grinning, ¡°You probably hate me now, but I don¡¯t care. Can¡¯t run anymore, can we?¡±

    Zyphira just looked at him, and sighed, ¡°¡­If we see him, we kill him, okay? And his dragon god. Promise¡­?¡±

    ¡°Will killing our tormentor cure us, you think?¡±

    Gridd nodded, ¡°In this case, damn right it will. We¡¯re all in the same boat. Gives us all the more reason to carry this out. Haldrek killed the Velmires, when he knew he needed them greatly, they¡¯re a great asset to anything war related. If he killed them and didn¡¯t even try to raise them, he¡¯ll do anything at this point. I can still feel the bastards rage somehow¡­.that damned glare. Let¡¯s hurry.¡±

    Continent Of Soulcaris

    Bards Grove

    The air seemed to hum as Xyenn and his group approached the Bard¡¯s Grove. It wasn¡¯t the natural hum of cicadas or the distant rushing of rivers, but something magical¡ªa low, resonant vibration that felt alive. The towering trees surrounding the town formed a dense canopy, their leaves shimmering with faint hues of green and gold, as though kissed by sunlight that no longer reached them.

    The Grove itself rested beneath this perpetual shade, its streets lined with smooth, polished stones that glowed faintly with an inner light. Buildings were tall and spindly, crafted from dark wood and twisting vines, their roofs sloping into sharp, musical curves resembling the necks of lutes or violins. The entire town seemed to sway gently, as if the structures themselves were dancing to an unheard melody.

    Suspended high in the air above the Grove, a shimmering dome of faintly glowing notes floated in a slow, swirling rhythm, forming the **Shaded Barrier**. It kept the town cloaked in shadow, sheltering it from the oppressive light of the sun. The notes spun in spirals, some drifting softly to the ground like falling leaves, where they dissolved into faint echoes of music.

    Everywhere, the Bards of the Grove bustled about, their movements fluid and oddly coordinated, as though every step, every gesture, was part of a larger composition. Some played instruments, their fingers gliding over strings or tapping out rhythms on drums, while others sang hauntingly beautiful melodies. These weren¡¯t idle performances, however¡ªtheir magic was woven into the notes, their songs and dances sustaining the barrier that protected the town.

    As Xyenn, Yuuna, Gorran, and Mertha entered the Grove, they were immediately struck by its vibrancy. Bards of all shapes and sizes moved with purpose, their magic flowing effortlessly through their instruments, songs, and dances.

    A group of Bards worked together near the edge of the barrier, their voices rising in a harmonious chant as they spun in a circle. Each Bard held an instrument¡ªa flute, a harp, a violin¡ªand as they played, bright, golden notes drifted upward to reinforce the barrier above. One Bard, a young man with wild green hair, grinned at his companion.

    ¡°Careful,,¡± he teased, his voice carrying a sing-song tone. ¡°You¡¯re flat again. The last thing we need is a wobbly barrier.¡±

    A slender woman with a tambourine, playfully smacked him on the arm. ¡°Flat? You¡¯re the one who keeps lagging on the tempo! Haha! Let¡¯s just enjoy this!¡±

    The two laughed, their banter blending seamlessly with the music around them.

    In another corner, a group of children danced in a line, their movements clumsy but joyful. A tall Bard played a lively jig on his fiddle, his feet tapping in perfect rhythm as colorful sparks burst from the strings with each bow stroke.

    Yuuna, her dark pink eyes sparkling, darted forward, tugging Xyenn along by his arm. ¡°Look at this!¡± she exclaimed, pointing to a trio of Bards juggling glowing, floating orbs that chimed softly each time they were caught. ¡°And over there! Look at that guy¡ªhe¡¯s playing a harp with fire! Actual fire!¡±

    Xyenn groaned, though the faintest hint of a smirk tugged at his lips. ¡°AGH! ARE YA TRYING TO RIP MY ARM OFF?!¡±

    Yuuna turned to him, grinning mischievously. ¡°Maybe! But This place is amazing! Even you can¡¯t pretend this isn¡¯t cool.¡±

    Her enthusiasm was infectious, and Xyenn found himself chuckling despite himself. ¡°It¡¯s too happy here¡­¡¯

    ¡®It¡¯s strange¡­in a way. Something doesn¡¯t feel right. We gotta find this Quinara woman, she has to be here or under?¡¯

    LYuuna gasped and yanked him toward a stall where a Bard chef was flipping sizzling disks of glowing blue dough into the air.

    Meanwhile, Mertha and Gorran walked a few paces behind. Mertha, ever the stoic and battle-hardened warrior, found herself surprisingly enchanted by the Grove¡¯s energy. Her sharp eyes scanned the bustling streets, noting how seamlessly the Bards¡¯ magic enhanced their daily lives. A group of Bards used their voices to levitate crates of supplies, their harmonized humming creating a soft, pulsing glow around the objects.

    ¡°This place...¡± Mertha murmured, her voice tinged with rare wonder. ¡°It¡¯s... alive.¡±

    Gorran, however, was less impressed. His hand rested on the hilt of his massive blade, Xenith, and his golden eyes flicked suspiciously from one Bard to the next. A group of performers twirled past, their tambourines jingling as they tried to coax him into joining their dance.

    ¡°Back up,¡± Gorran growled, halfway drawing Xenith. ¡°Or die.¡±

    One of the Bards, a cheerful woman with a feathered hat, gasped dramatically. ¡°Oh, my! Such a dark and brooding stranger! Surely even you can¡¯t resist the call of music and joy!¡±

    ¡°I can, and I will,¡± Gorran snapped, his tone cold.

    Mertha smirked, crossing her arms. ¡°Relax, Gorran. They¡¯re harmless¡­.right?¡±

    Gorran shot her a glare. ¡°Tch. This place doesn¡¯t seem weird to you?¡±

    ¡°Damn I would hate to be wrong, I don¡¯t know. When I see happy people, it warms my heart, ya know?¡±

    ¡°Gross. Focus on the mission.

    ¡°Aye Aye, captain.¡±

    ¡°Disgusting.¡±

    Yuuna finally let go of Xyenn, her attention stolen by a group of Bard chefs performing an elaborate culinary display. They danced gracefully around a massive stove, their movements precise and rhythmic. Each chef played an instrument¡ªa lute, a flute, and even a set of bongos¡ªwhile singing in perfect harmony. Their music infused the ingredients with magic, causing them to glow and float through the air.

    One of the chefs, a portly man with a booming voice, greeted Yuuna and Xyenn with a wide grin. ¡°Welcome, travelers! What can I craft for you? Something sweet? Something savory? Perhaps a dish that sings in your mouth?¡±

    Yuuna clapped her hands excitedly. ¡°Nothing can sing in my mouth like Xyenn can, but¡ª.¡±

    Xyenn covered Yuuna¡¯s mouth; blushing all over.

    ¡°TOO MUCH INFO! TOO MUCH INFO TO THESE STRANGERS.¡± Xyenn panicked with a nervous smile.

    Yuuna licked Xyenn¡¯s hand with a tap from her tongue, knowing how he would react. Xyenn moved his hand fast, squealing like a girl.

    Yuuna then looked at the chefs, finishing, ¡°Make Something spicy! Like, really spicy!¡±

    Xyenn sighed, shaking his head. ¡°Something simple for me. Just meat. Lots of it.¡±

    The chefs nodded, launching into a lively jig as they began preparing the dishes. The sound of their instruments filled the air, and the food itself seemed to dance along with them.

    Xyenn glared at everything around him, hearing the songs and instruments, the chatter, the children, the laughter..and the Bards and their magic.

    ¡®Feels like someone is right her behind me, but there¡¯s no one there¡­how can Yuuna not mention this? Or does she notice as well? Magic feels heavier every second.¡¯

    Xyenn whispered to Yuuna, ¡°Yuuna, you feel that don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Yes. The woman we¡¯re looking for is DEFINITELY here. Just gotta play into it, we¡¯ll find her.¡±

    ¡°Think they¡¯re holding her captive?¡±

    ¡°Probably to support that barrier protecting this town. It¡¯s too much of a coincidence. Such a pity honestly.¡±

    Xyenn thought, ¡®We came to the conclusion that Quinara was able to avoid those who are coming for all this time, and able to not get touched by the suns gaze from the Sun-Drake. But if she got caught finally, how strong are these people?¡¯

    As the day stretched on, the group found themselves swept up in the Grove¡¯s festivities. A festival was in full swing, with performers on every corner, their music enchanting and intoxicating. It wasn¡¯t long before Xyenn, Yuuna, Mertha, and even Gorran found themselves singing and dancing along, their movements dictated by invisible strings of magic.

    Xyenn tried to resist, his face a mask of frustration as he stomped in rhythm to a jaunty tune. ¡°No... this is wrong. I don¡¯t dance. I don¡¯t sing.¡±

    Yuuna twirled past him, laughing. ¡°Lighten up, darling! You¡¯re actually kinda good at this!¡±

    Mertha, to everyone¡¯s surprise, was enjoying herself immensely, her stoic demeanor melting away as she spun with remarkable grace. Gorran, however, looked like he was in physical pain, his face twisted into a grimace as he half-heartedly clapped along to the beat.

    ¡°I¡¯m gonna kill someone,¡± Gorran muttered, though a faint smile betrayed his enjoyment.

    Xyenn, noticing the smile, pointed at him. ¡°No... Gorran, don¡¯t you dare. Don¡¯t you dare enjoy this.¡±

    Gorran replied, ¡°Damn¡­brat! I hate this¡­!¡±

    Mertha gritted her teeth as she danced, ¡°Magic..damned bards magic¡­it¡¯s messing with us!¡±

    ¡®Powerful enough to even influence Yuuna? Or maybe Yuuna is playing all along this entire time? She¡¯s already crazy enough!¡¯

    The music abruptly shifted, the notes growing darker, more haunting. A figure stepped onto a raised platform at the center of the Grove, drawing all eyes.

    Damsel, the head of the Bard¡¯s Grove, was a striking figure. His hair was a mesmerizing mix of silver and midnight blue, cascading down his back like a waterfall of moonlight and shadow. His eyes shimmered with an otherworldly light, one silver, the other gold. He wore a flowing coat of deep crimson and black, embroidered with patterns of musical notes that seemed to move and shift.

    In his hands was a harp crafted from bone and obsidian, its strings glowing faintly as he plucked them. His music was both beautiful and unnerving, each note vibrating with power.

    ¡°Welcome to the Bard¡¯s Grove,¡± Damsel said, his voice smooth and melodic. ¡°I am Damsel, and this is my domain. I trust you¡¯ve been enjoying our hospitality.¡±

    Beside him stood his wife, a woman with hair that mirrored his own, though hers was braided with silver threads that glimmered like starlight. Her eyes were a piercing violet, and her movements were as graceful as a dancer¡¯s. She wore a flowing gown of sapphire and gold, her presence both alluring and dangerous.

    ¡°I see you¡¯ve caught the rhythm of our town,¡± Damsel continued, his gaze lingering on Xyenn. ¡°Perhaps my wife can help you... settle in.¡±

    The woman stepped forward, her voice a seductive melody. ¡°Choose one of us,¡± she purred, gesturing to a group of dancers. ¡°Make them your concubine, and we shall celebrate your arrival properly.¡±

    One of the dancers approached Xyenn, her movements sensual and deliberate. She brushed against him, her voice a soft whisper as she sang, ¡°Why resist? Let the music take you...¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s face remained stoic, though his lips moved as he sang along, his tone angry and defiant.

    Yuuna, however, was not amused. Her dark pink eyes flared red, burning with jealousy and fury. ¡°Get your grubby fucking hands off him,¡± she growled, her voice cutting through the music like a blade.

    Yuuna shattered the spell easily, her aura of darkness flaring around her.

    Yuuna then zipped in speed, dashing towards the danced in Xyenn, and with a manic smile, she slashed the woman with her claws, and ripped the woman¡¯s head off brutally, blood spraying everywhere as Yuuna slid on the ground still holding the head.

    Yuuna held the head towards Damsel, ¡°Where is Quinara?¡±

    Damsel smiled, ¡°Oh dear..you''ve killed my mistress. That one was good.¡±

    Damsel sang one note, and the woman¡¯s body concisely and her body glowed bright, as music played from her corpse, and formed into a glistening violin, and someone was holding it, a child, saying, ¡°Yay!! I got a new powerful instrument!¡±

    Yuuna gritted her teeth, and Xyenn said, ¡°That magic¡­!¡±

    ¡®Turned her corpse into an instrument? No, a weapon? I can feel such wrath in that instrument, they¡¯re gonna use it on us¡­¡¯

    Damsel grinned, ¡°What a pity, thinking you can come in here and ruin the happiness we share? A happiness you probably never experience in your little lifetime.¡±

    Yuuna grabbed Xyenn, her arm wrapping around his back, hugging him close,, and held him, saying, ¡°This is it right here! My happiness is this funny boy right here, you bastards! And screw all your little evil bastard children! All those instruments are people¡­ aren¡¯t they?¡±

    ¡°Awww, they are. We survive because the pregnant Quinara woman guides us too. We won¡¯t let anyone have her.¡±

 Chapter 31: No Dancing In The Sunlight

    ¡°Oh? That halo above your tranquil head¡­you¡¯re the goddess of darkness. Yuuna. Right? Yeah you¡¯re definitely not her. There¡¯s no way the famous villain Yuuna would be here. Not in Soulcaris. Randomly in MY town. She¡¯s too infamous to be in public so easily. Nice outfit though.¡± Damsel mocked. ¡°But How gracious of you all to join my town of music and happiness!¡±

    Yuuna nodded fast, ¡°Damn right I am and this is my darling vessel!¡± She hugged Xyenn, their faces mushing together.

    Damsel continued, ¡°Are you all part of those cultists?! We figured someone would come looking for the pregnant woman. Thus, you wouldn¡¯t fall for the trance like the other poor souls here. There¡¯s  been a rumor through Soulcaris. A famous rumor. Those damned cultists looking for a pregnant woman. Making themselves known throughout, burning people alive for the sake of trying to find favor within the Sun-Drake¡¯s vision. They¡¯re scared of course, but why can¡¯t they just alllll come here and live in happiness?¡±

    Mertha scoffed, ¡°So you put everyone who comes through here in a trance? And those who broke out of the trance..¡±

    ¡°Become a powerful instrument for all the ones who just let go and be happy! I¡¯m a hero for dragons sake. Saving them in death and life. Either way they don¡¯t have to suffer. And with that pregnant woman supplying us with protection with whatever blessing she has upon her, then¡ª.¡±

    Xyenn, looking down at the ground, saying, ¡°You¡¯re a monster. Nothing more. You don¡¯t deserve to live.¡±

    Mertha whispered to Xyenn, ¡°Psst. Look at their eyes.¡±

    Xyenn looked around fast, seeing everyone¡¯s eyes were dull. No pupils, nothing. Just smiles and happiness holding their magical instruments.

    ¡®The ones with the dull eyes they¡¯re under the trance. And we broke it, unlike them.¡¯

    Yuuna pointed at Damsel, ¡°You¡¯re stealing people¡¯s freedom to live, dummy. And killing when they resist. Using your dumb jolly magic on them.¡±

    ¡°Am I?! Some of them even came to me and asked for this! How dare you try and break it!¡±

    Gorran added, ¡°First, we didn¡¯t come here to save anyone of these people, we don¡¯t even know them or anything about this place.¡±

    Damsel grinned, holding his chest, ¡°Oh? Haha, you aren¡¯t here to destroy my dream of creating a paradise for the greater good? Phew, that¡¯s a relief honestly¡ª.¡±

    Mertha snarled, ¡°But you¡¯ve taken lives to create this. You handed people instruments created from the body of dead people. People that resisted. That¡¯s not how a leader makes himself useful.¡±

    ¡°Yes they do, muscular woman. But the true question is, are you all going stop me¡ª.¡±

    Xyenn, Mertha, Gorran, and Yuuna stated at the same time, ¡°¡ªYes.¡±

    Damsel, staggering back dramatically, said with an overreaction dramatic flare, holding his face, ¡°Oh, no! Someone! Help! They¡¯re trying to steal our joy from us! They want us to turn into those wild sun head people! We¡¯re safe and sound on solid ground! I¡¯m a hero, and th-they¡¯re trying to defeat the hero! St-stop them! Turn them into harps!¡± Damsel grinned mischievously right after.

    Mertha exclaimed, ¡°These people are under a trance! Knock them out. Don¡¯t kill!¡±

    ¡®I¡¯m giving orders like I''m the leader again¡ª!¡¯

    Yuuna turned around and put a thumbs up to her, ¡°Okay! Good call! But I¡¯m just gonna sit back and watch because I suck at trying to knock someone out because I¡¯m too strong soooo, good luck!¡±

    Mertha grinned, saying, ¡°Leave it to us!¡±

    Yuuna raised her hand high, her dark pink eyes glowing with delight as she smirked and yelled above the rising tension, ¡°Brutally slaughter the leader! Knock everyone else out!¡±

    Her voice rang out across the Bard¡¯s Grove like a battle cry, catching the attention of every Bard in earshot.

    Gorran, wasting no time, fully unsheathed Xenith, the massive, jagged blade glinting ominously under the faint light of the shaded dome. The Bards began to react, their singing voices rising in a harmonic cacophony as they attempted to unleash their bardic magic. But Gorran, stone-faced and resolute, stabbed Xenith into the ground with enough force to shatter the cobblestones.

    A violent, warping spiral of energy erupted from the blade, tearing through the streets and sending debris flying. Smoke billowed into the air, obscuring visibility as the ground beneath them shook violently.

    Through the dust and chaos, Gorran¡¯s voice cut through like the edge of a blade. ¡°They can¡¯t use their bard magic on you if they can¡¯t see you. As an assassin of the Xenith clan, I¡¯ve had too many run-ins with these kinds of people. This isn¡¯t new to me.¡±

    ¡®But it was strong enough to subdue me for a second, even with Yuuna¡¯s draconic blessing¡­¡¯

    The Bards, now blind in the swirling haze of destruction, stumbled and coughed in confusion. But Gorran was already gone, vanishing into the smoke like a predator stalking prey.

    Mertha cracked her neck, her stoic expression hardening into grim determination. She slammed her fists together, and with a resonating hum, two glowing gauntlets of black and pink energy materialized on her hands. The aura around them shimmered with raw, destructive power.

    ¡°Move fast,¡± Mertha growled, her voice calm but commanding. ¡°Hit them before they can react. Knock them out. If they¡¯re still standing, they¡¯ll just keep singing.¡±

    Without another word, she surged forward into the smoke, her movements swift and precise, leaving behind faint streaks of black and pink light as her gauntlets cut through the air.

    Xyenn turned to Yuuna, his golden eyes narrowing. ¡°I¡¯m going to find Quinara,¡± he said firmly, his voice steady but grim. ¡°She¡¯s here somewhere. I need to find her.¡±

    Yuuna, still grinning despite the madness around them, grabbed his arm and leaned in close. ¡°I¡¯ll come with you,¡± she offered eagerly. ¡°We¡¯ll find her together!¡±

    But Xyenn shook his head. ¡°I got this, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m badass now.¡±

    Yuuna blinked, her grin faltering for just a moment. She studied his face, saw the determination in his eyes, and sighed. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll trust you. But...¡± She raised a finger theatrically, her tone suddenly playful, ¡°If you need me, give me a signal!¡±

    Xyenn tilted his head, eyebrows raised. ¡°What kind of signal?¡±

    Yuuna smirked, mockingly cupped her hands around her mouth, and let out an exaggerated scream, pretending to flail. ¡°Like that! Just scream like you¡¯re dying, and I¡¯ll come save you!¡±

    Xyenn groaned, rolling his eyes. ¡°IT¡¯LL PROBABLY BE TOO LATE BY THEN!¡±

    Yuuna chuckled, her laughter cutting through the chaos like a light in the dark. She suddenly stomped the ground with enough force to crack the earth beneath her boots. A jagged hole opened up, revealing a hidden staircase spiraling downward into the shadows.

    She gave him a thumbs-up, her pink eyes glowing with confidence. ¡°Remember, dull eyes mean they¡¯re in on this crazy music shit. Knock them out if you can, but if they¡¯re with the crazy man, end them. Don¡¯t hesitate. Good luck, darling! You can do it! Don¡¯t be reckless either!¡±This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    Xyenn smirked faintly, nodding. ¡°It won¡¯t take long.¡± Without another word, he leaped into the hole, vanishing into the crypt below.

    The crypt-like space was damp and cold, lit only by flickering candles that lined the stone walls. The faint, haunting echoes of music drifted through the air, eerie and dissonant. Xyenn darted down the stairs, his boots barely making a sound as he moved with purpose.

    He muttered to himself, his voice low but tinged with nervousness. ¡°Alright, Xyenn. You talked big. No backing out now. You¡¯re technically a god. You¡¯ve got this. No problem. Just... find the pregnant lady, bash enemy skulls, and get out.¡±

    ¡®They¡¯re villains. Definitely villains. They killed people and turned them into instruments. Taking them down means i''m avenging those people. Yeah, that¡¯s it. I¡¯m still trying to contemplate in my mind if I¡¯m doing the right thing? I have to stop. No way I¡¯m showing even the slightest bit of sympathy for an enemy.¡¯

    As he reached the bottom of the staircase, he entered a large, open chamber. The walls were covered in faded murals depicting strange, musical rituals. At the center of the room stood a figure¡ªa tall, slender jester dressed in an elegant but unsettling outfit.

    The jester¡¯s outfit was a patchwork of deep reds, purples, and blacks, with intricate gold embroidery that shimmered faintly in the candlelight. His face was painted white, with a permanent, eerie grin drawn across his lips. His eyes, dull and lifeless, were framed by dark, shadowy makeup, giving him a ghostly appearance. In his hands, he held a strange, stringed instrument that looked like a fusion of a harp and a guillotine, its strings glowing faintly.

    The jester tilted his head, his grin widening unnaturally as he raised the instrument. His fingers plucked the strings, and a haunting, dissonant melody filled the air. The music pulsed with magic, aiming to ensnare Xyenn¡¯s mind.

    ¡°Come on! Dance and sing with me! No fighting¡ª!¡±

    But Xyenn was quicker. He noticed the dullness in the jester¡¯s eyes and realized instantly that he was under the same trance as the others. Without hesitation, Xyenn darted forward, twisting through the air with inhuman agility.

    ¡°Not today, clown,¡± Xyenn growled.

    He palmed the jester¡¯s face mid-air, slamming him through the stone wall with enough force to knock him out cold. The jester crumpled to the ground, unconscious, his eerie instrument clattering beside him.

    Xyenn stepped through the hole he had created, finding himself in another chamber. This one was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of old stone and burning wax. At the far end of the room stood a grotesquely large Bard, his body draped in layers of colorful, gaudy fabric that barely concealed his immense frame. His face was round and sweaty, his double chin jiggling as he sneered. His hair was a greasy mix of blonde and pink, tied back in a chaotic mess of braids.

    In his massive hands, he held a strange, one-handed instrument¡ªa drum-like object that shimmered with faint, arcane light. The Bard¡¯s other hand gripped a large birdcage, and inside it sat a pregnant woman.

    Quinara¡¯s appearance was striking, even in her weakened state. Her skin was a deep, rich red, glowing faintly in the candlelight. Her golden eyes, though weary, burned with defiance. Her long hair, made of black, leaf-like strands, hung limply around her shoulders. She clutched her swollen belly protectively, her breaths shallow and labored.

    The fat Bard chuckled darkly, his voice a deep, mocking rumble. ¡°Take another step, and she dies,¡± he said, raising the cage slightly. ¡°She¡¯ll dance and sing in a pool of fire! Haha!¡±

    Quinara turned her weak gaze toward Xyenn, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Huh¡­?¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing.

    ### The Final Confrontation: Xyenn Versus the Fat Bard

    The crypt was silent except for the faint crackle of candlelight and the heavy breathing of the grotesque Bard. The fat man¡¯s face glistened with sweat as Xyenn slowly stepped forward, his expression utterly calm, as if the Bard¡¯s threats meant nothing.

    ¡°Stop there!¡± the Bard bellowed, his deep voice shaking slightly as he raised the cage higher, making the bars rattle. Inside, Quinara grimaced, her weak arms bracing against the cage¡¯s sides. ¡°One more step, and the woman with child dies! Like the other who dared to defy our joyous symphony! Their blood spilled because they refused to sing!¡±

    The Bard¡¯s voice turned into a panicked, sing-song rhyme as his eyes darted to Xyenn¡¯s face.

    ¡°Move no closer, boy, or you¡¯ll regret!

    I¡¯ve killed before, don¡¯t make me fret!

    She¡¯ll bleed like the rest, her joy all gone!

    One word from me, and her life is done!¡±

    Xyenn didn¡¯t flinch. He didn¡¯t stop. He kept walking toward the Bard, his boots clicking softly against the stone floor. His golden eyes never left his target, unblinking and cold.

    Quinara¡¯s voice trembled as she screamed, her hands gripping the bars of the cage. ¡°No! Stop! Run, boy! You don¡¯t understand¡ªhe¡¯ll kill me! Just go!¡±

    Xyenn ignored her protests, his pace steady, his body relaxed. The Bard¡¯s face twisted in frustration, his fingers tightening on his enchanted drum-like instrument. The glowing runes on it flared, magic brewing as he prepared to unleash a deadly tune.

    ¡°I said STOP!¡± the Bard roared, his desperation evident. He raised the instrument, ready to strike its surface, but before he could play a single note¡ª

    ¡ªXyenn¡¯s body flickered.

    At lightning speed, Xyenn dashed to the left, then to the right, then across the room in rapid, unpredictable bursts. His movements were so fast they seemed to distort the air around him. The Bard¡¯s eyes widened in panic, shifting wildly as he tried to keep track of Xyenn, knowing that his bard magic required a clear line of sight to work.

    ¡°WHERE ARE YOU?!¡± the Bard bellowed, spinning in place, his hands trembling as he clutched his drum.

    Quinara, still trapped in the cage, stared in shock and awe. Her golden eyes followed Xyenn¡¯s blinding movements, disbelief etched onto her face. ¡°What... what is he?¡± she whispered to herself.

    With a burst of speed, Xyenn shot forward like a bullet, his body a blur of motion. He plowed straight through the Bard, his hand piercing the man¡¯s chest like a blade. Blood sprayed violently, splattering across the stone floor and walls as Xyenn¡¯s arm tore through flesh and bone.

    The Bard let out a guttural scream, his eyes bulging in shock as his body convulsed. Xyenn ripped his arm free, dragging the Bard¡¯s entrails with it. The fat man collapsed to his knees, blood pouring from the massive hole in his torso. His drum-like instrument clattered to the floor, its runes flickering before dimming entirely.

    The cage slipped from the Bard¡¯s grip, but before it hit the ground, Xyenn caught it effortlessly. He set the cage down carefully, blood still dripping from his hands.

    The Bard gasped weakly, his voice a pitiful whimper as he stared at Xyenn with fading eyes. ¡°You... you monster...¡±

    Xyenn, standing still for a brief moment as he looked down at his hands. His fingers trembled slightly as he realized what he¡¯d just done. ¡°I¡¯m not a monster. I¡¯m not. You¡¯re a bad guy, so this is on you. This is for them.¡±

    Xyenn didn¡¯t respond. He reached into the Bard¡¯s pocket, pulling out a small, rusted key. Without a word, he unlocked the cage, the door swinging open with a creak.

    Quinara fell forward, too weak to stand, but Xyenn caught her before she hit the floor. Her body was light in his arms, her red skin glistening with sweat. Her black-leaf hair clung to her face, and her golden eyes looked up at him with a mix of exhaustion and disbelief.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Xyenn asked, his voice surprisingly soft.

    Quinara nodded weakly, leaning against him for support. ¡°They... they used me,¡± she rasped, her voice barely above a whisper.

    Xyenn furrowed his brow. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Quinara closed her eyes, struggling to catch her breath. ¡°My body... it¡¯s imbued with the blessing of the Draconic Moon Goddess. She gave me her moonlight, her energy, to protect me from the Flame. The sun... it turns people into Berserkers, consumed by rage and fire. But with my blessing, they used me... to create the dome. My energy is what keeps this town in shadow.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°The Moon Goddess?¡±

    Quinara opened her eyes, her gaze distant as she spoke. ¡°The Moon Goddess¡­ she is a deity of balance. Where the sun burned with rage, she cooled with serenity. Her principles were harmony, protection, and resistance against the sun itself. The Moon and the Sun, they are polar opposites. Where the sun can¡¯t reach past the blessing of the moon, in the content where the moon goddess is, the sun could prevail. That¡¯s how it¡¯s designed. Like war and peace: places where there is war, peace can bleed through the aftermath. In places where there is war, peace can drift in over those who are meeting their end if they are comforted. My skin... my blood... it carries her blessing from my worship to her, you know how it goes. It¡¯s why they needed me to sustain the barrier. Without me, this town would fall to the Flame easily like the others. The dragon goddess of the Moon and the dragon of the Sun, the Sun-Drake, are mortal enemies.¡±

    Xyenn clenched his jaw, anger stirring within him. ¡°And the Oracle? Where is she?¡±

    Quinara¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Dead. That witch¡¯s disciple came out of nowhere. She killed the Oracle in cold blood. She tried to take me, too, but the Oracle sacrificed herself to let me escape.¡±

    A single name flashed through Xyenn¡¯s mind: ¡®Parcy? If the Oracle was supposed to lead us to the Blood Maidens, and now she¡¯s dead, how are we supposed to get there now?!¡¯

    Before he could respond, Quinara¡¯s expression shifted. Her golden eyes sharpened, a glint of bloodlust flashing within them. With surprising speed, she raised her hand and struck at Xyenn¡¯s head in a chopping motion, her hand sharpening.

    Xyenn¡¯s draconic instincts kicked in immediately. He caught her wrist mid-swing, his grip firm but controlled. He pinned her against the wall, careful not to apply too much pressure.

    Quinara glared at him, her voice trembling with rage. ¡°You... you¡¯re one of them, aren¡¯t you? From that cult! No one fights like you unless they¡¯ve been trained by them! Tell me the truth!¡±

    Xyenn sighed, exasperated. ¡°I¡¯m not with any cult, and I don¡¯t have time to explain! Calm down! We¡¯re here to help you!¡±

    ¡®She talked my ear off to throw me off guard?!¡¯

    She struggled against his grip, her strength wavering. Her eyes burned with suspicion and fury, but before she could say another word, Xyenn struck the back of her neck with a precise tap. Her body went limp, and she collapsed into his arms, unconscious.

    Xyenn let out a sigh of relief. ¡°Dammit.¡±

    As Xyenn turned around, he froze. Yuuna stood in the doorway, her arms folded, her pink eyes glowing faintly as she tapped her foot. A smirk played on her lips, though there was a sharp edge to it.

    ¡°Oh, such a hero, aren¡¯t you?¡± she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Giving you a hug and everything...¡±

    Xyenn chuckled nervously, holding Quinara in his arms. ¡°It¡¯s not what it looks like! I had to knock her out¡ªshe tried to kill me!¡±

    Yuuna raised an eyebrow, her smirk softening into a teasing grin. ¡°Hmph. Okay. I forgive you... this time. Good job, Xyenn. You did do what you said you would, you found her.¡±

    ¡°Haha! Yes! Acknowledge me!¡±

    ¡°Never mind. You ruined it.¡±

    ¡°Aww?

    On the surface, the battle had ended. The smoke was clearing, revealing dozens of unconscious Bards scattered across the ground. Gorran sat nearby, Xenith sheathed on his back, his expression as brooding as ever.

    Mertha stood over Damsel, who was kneeling on the ground, his face pale with fear. Despite his theatrical pleas, there was a seriousness in his voice as he begged for his life.

    ¡°Please... you don¡¯t understand!¡± Damsel cried. ¡°I didn¡¯t have a choice! The music¡ªit consumes us! I had to keep them safe!¡±

    Mertha¡¯s face hardened, her glowing gauntlets sparking faintly. ¡°Safe? The blood of those innocent people is on your hands.¡±

    ¡°Damn you! I¡¯m a hero! People can¡¯t leave because of the Berserkers of the Flame! And Gabriel¡¯s Ladder is impossible to find! And if I offer them death, I¡¯m saving them as well even if they scream and cry and beg and¡ª.¡±

    Mertha punched him square in the face, her fist connecting with a sickening KATHOOM. Blood sprayed into the air and a splattered as a huge pool on the ground as Damsel¡¯s body flew hundreds of feet far in the air.

    Gorran raised an eyebrow. ¡°Subtle.¡±

    Mertha shrugged. ¡°He deserved it. Now then, him being disposed of should break everyone from their trance.¡±

    Suddenly, a faint whistle cut through the air. Both Mertha and Gorran turned, their eyes narrowing as they saw a massive crow¡ªSalazar¡ªdescending from the sky. The crow landed near the edge of the town, lowering its head as a figure climbed onto its back.

    The figure was cloaked in black, with wisps of shadowy energy flickering off their robes like fire. Their hands were wrapped in white bandages, runes etched into the fabric glowing faintly red and black. A hood obscured their face, but a detailed, runic mask covered their features completely, its crimson markings glowing like embers in the fading light.

    Mertha¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Someone¡¯s stealing our ride!¡±

    As Salazar took off, Yuuna appeared behind them, holding a single black feather. ¡°Relax,¡± she said, grinning. ¡°This feather¡¯s made of darkness¡ªcreated by Haelga herself. I can track it. Haelga created the crow with it. Smart right? I¡¯m a genius, I know.¡±

    Xyenn stepped forward, cradling Quinara carefully. ¡°That might be the one Haelga was talking about. That Parcy witch. Quinara mentioned her as well, not by name but

    Yuuna¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Then let¡¯s follow them!¡±

    At that moment as they proceeded, Mertha looked at Xyenn, and said, ¡°Good work, runt.¡±

    Xyenn replied, ¡°Went from brat to runt? For you, I¡¯m gonna go from oaf to a musclebound golem.¡±

    ¡°Okay that was kinda harsh. I won¡¯t train you anymore.¡±

    ¡°Fine!¡±

    ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°¡­No please I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°Nope. Nope. Nope. Find another golem to train you.¡±

    ¡°You called me a runt! That¡¯s worse.¡±

    Gorran, listening to their comedic banter, looked away, saying to himself, ¡°..Mm.¡±

 Chapter 32: Sanctuary

    Quinara lay unconscious on the cold ground, her red skin glistening faintly under the sun. The group hovered around her, unsure of how to proceed. Xyenn sighed, holding a waterskin in his hand.

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s wake her up,¡± he muttered.

    Yuuna grinned mischievously. ¡°Make it dramatic!¡±

    Xyenn raised an eyebrow but complied, pouring the water over Quinara¡¯s face.

    ¡°Are you alright? Can you wake up a little bit more? Sorry I knocked you out¡ª.¡±

    The reaction was immediate.

    Quinara shot up like a cat drenched in rain, letting out a blood-curdling scream that echoed through the area. Her arms flailed wildly, her hair of black leaves whipping through the air as she shrieked and hollered like a banshee.

    ¡°AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!¡± she screamed, her golden eyes wide and wild.

    The group just... stared.

    ¡°AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!¡±

    Mertha blinked, folding her arms. ¡°How long is this gonna go on?¡±

    ¡°AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!¡±

    Yuuna stifled a laugh, covering her mouth. ¡°Oh no, don¡¯t stop her now. This is gold.¡±

    ¡°AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!¡±

    Gorran sighed, arms crossed, his brooding face completely unamused. ¡°Tch. I¡¯ve seen people lose limbs and scream less. I¡¯ll end her quick to shut her up.¡±

    ¡°AAAAAAAA¡ªWait¡­¡± Quinara blinked, her screaming tapering off as she suddenly noticed the group. Her breathing was ragged as she looked at them with suspicion, her body tense. ¡°Who the hell are you people?!¡±

    Xyenn raised his hands defensively. ¡°Hey, relax. We¡¯re not¡ª¡±

    ¡°Wait! Don¡¯t tell me!¡± Quinara interrupted, pointing a shaky finger at them. ¡°Are you... those cultists?!¡± Her eyes narrowed.

    The group exchanged glances.

    ¡°Or...¡± Quinara¡¯s voice dropped to a trembling whisper. ¡°Bandits?! Are you here to take advantage of my body?!¡±

    Yuuna snorted, trying¡ªand failing¡ªnot to burst into laughter.

    Quinara kept going, her voice rising again. ¡°Or worse! Fighters for the Sun-Drake? Is that it?¡±

    Yuuna held up her hands, still laughing. ¡°Okay, okay, calm down! We¡¯re not any of those things! We¡¯re here to help you!¡±

    Quinara squinted at her, still suspicious. ¡°Help? What kind of ¡®help,¡¯ huh?¡±

    Yuuna grinned widely. ¡°Oh, you know, the kind where we use you to stop the Sun-Drake from being reborn from your pregnant belly! That sort of thing.¡±

    Quinara¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°...That¡¯s not exactly comforting.¡±

    Gorran stepped forward, his towering frame casting a shadow over Quinara. His brooding expression deepened, and his eyes glinted with a steely resolve.

    ¡°Enough,¡± he said, his voice low and commanding. ¡°I can handle this.¡±

    Xyenn immediately frowned. ¡°Uh, Gorran, I don¡¯t think¡ª¡±

    Gorran ignored Xyenn, unsheathing Xenith with a dramatic flourish. The massive blade hummed with dark energy, and shadows spiraled up from its jagged edges like smoke. His eyes glowed faintly as he loomed over Quinara, who leaned back nervously.

    ¡°I was a top assassin for the Xenith Clan,¡± Gorran said, his voice dripping with intensity. ¡°My methods of interrogation work. Every. Time. You will speak.¡±

    Quinara blinked. ¡°Wait, what¡ª¡±

    Before she could finish, Gorran crouched down, bringing Xenith close to her face. The shadows from the blade seemed to swirl around her, and his eyes took on a hypnotic, spiraling effect.

    ¡°WHERE IS THE ORACLE?!¡± Gorran barked, his voice booming.

    Quinara jumped, startled. ¡°She¡¯s dead, I¡ª¡±

    ¡°What species are you?! What are you hiding?!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m trying to¡ª¡±

    ¡°How did you get trapped here so easily?! Answer me!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯M TRYING TO ANSWER!¡± Quinara yelled back, ¡°STOP CUTTING ME OFF¡ª.¡±

    But Gorran wasn¡¯t done. He switched positions dramatically, flipping Xenith over his shoulder and pointing it at her from a different angle, the blade still humming with dark energy.

    The banter continued, with Gorran firing off question after question while Quinara struggled to get a word in; Gorran kept switching positions over and over with each one ended with his blade pointed at the woman. Xyenn and Mertha exchanged a look before finally stepping in.

    Xyenn said, ¡°She¡¯s pregnant, she can¡¯t deal with so much pressure¡­¡±

    ¡°Huh? No way you¡¯re telling me to stop?¡± Gorran scoffed.

    ¡°I am. So?¡±

    Mertha grabbed him from the other side, pulling him back as he waved Xenith dramatically in the air. ¡°Come on, brooding boy. Let¡¯s give her a chance to actually answer.¡±

    Yuuna, meanwhile, was doubled over with laughter, clutching her sides. ¡°Oh my gods, that was the funniest thing I¡¯ve ever seen! But yeah, let¡¯s get to the answering questions part and track the woman down.¡±

    ¡®Holding this crow''s feather..the crow stopped moving. He¡¯s stationery. Why..?¡¯ Yuuna thought.

    As Gorran was dragged away, Quinara let out an exasperated sigh. ¡°I was willing to talk from the beginning!¡±

    Gorran shrugged nonchalantly, sheathing Xenith. ¡°It works every time, fools.¡±

    He then looked at Xyenn, like he was competing.

    Xyenn gave Gorran a smug look, a look that said, ¡°You¡¯re not better than me.¡±

    But the words didn¡¯t come out of Xyenn¡¯s mouth.

    Finally, Quinara took a deep breath, calming herself. ¡°Alright, listen up. My name is Quinara. I¡¯m a Quen.¡±

    Xyenn tilted his head. ¡°A...Quen? Never heard of it.¡±

    Quinara nodded. ¡°We¡¯re a rare race, born from moonlight and shadow. Our bodies are imbued with what you might call... lunar energy. It¡¯s why my skin glows faintly in the dark and why my hair looks like leaves¡ªit¡¯s all connected to the cycles of the moon.¡±

    Yuuna tilted her head, fascinated. ¡°That¡¯s so cool! What else can you do?¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± Quinara said, brushing her hair aside, ¡°we¡¯re fast healers, and our bodies adapt quickly to ensure survival. That¡¯s why...¡± She hesitated, her cheeks flushing slightly. ¡°...our pregnancies are... unusually fast.¡±

    Mertha raised an eyebrow. ¡°How fast are we talking?¡±

    Quinara sighed, clearly embarrassed. ¡°If I had a baby two weeks ago¡­ it could be delivered in another two weeks.¡±

    The group stared at her in stunned silence.

    Xyenn blinked. ¡°Wait. How long has it been since you got pregnant?¡±

    Quinara looked thoughtful for a moment before answering, ¡°Two weeks.¡±

    The realization hit the group like a thunderclap.

    ¡°WHAT?!¡± Yuuna yelled, her pink eyes wide.

    Mertha took a step back, her fists clenching. ¡°Are you saying that thing could pop out any second now?!¡±

    Quinara shrugged innocently. ¡°Well... yeah.¡±

    Panic ensued immediately, with everyone scrambling in different directions, shouting over each other about what to do.

    ¡®What damn luck. She¡¯s about to give birth any moment! Though it¡¯s not guaranteed if she¡¯ll give birth to him, it¡¯s still not a 0% chance. A chance I¡¯m definitely not willing to take.¡¯ Xyenn thought. ¡®If I have to face him, would he be as tough as Haldrek? Or worse? I¡¯m getting nervous even thinking about it. Gotta break that habit too. Getting all nervous. When enemies have the potential to be as strong as Haldrek, it fucking scares me. I don¡¯t wanna fear anything. How do I break out of that? Or is it impossible?¡¯

    Mertha said, ¡°Haha! I¡¯ve heard of the Quen. Me and my clan used to trade with them a lot. Good times..¡±

    Quinara was sitting on the ground, her black-leaf hair cascading around her shoulders. Her golden eyes glimmered faintly as she drew intricate symbols into the dirt with her finger. The group watched in silence as the runes began to take shape, each one precise, complex, and ancient.

    ¡°These,¡± Quinara began, her voice steady but tinged with sorrow, ¡°are the Runes of the Moon¡¯s Grace, gifted to my people by Sevyini, the Dragon Goddess of the Moon. Sevyini was not like the Sun-Drake. She was a goddess of balance, a being who cherished the night¡¯s calm as a counter to the sun¡¯s fury. Her light was cool, protective, and nurturing¡ªa shield against the chaos of flame and rage.¡±

    She glanced at the group, her finger pausing on the final stroke of a crescent-like rune. ¡°Sevyini¡¯s power is what kept my people, the Quen, safe for generations. Her moonlight imbued our bodies with her blessings, making us resistant to fire, immune to the Sun-Drake¡¯s influence, and deeply connected to the cycles of the moon. But her protection isn¡¯t infinite. It¡¯s fading now, and soon... it may be gone entirely.¡±Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    Quinara gestured to the runes she had drawn, her voice taking on a teacher-like tone as she explained their meanings.

    Lun¡¯thar: She pointed to a crescent-shaped rune, its curves sharp and elegant. ¡°This is Lun¡¯thar, the Rune of Reflection. It absorbs harmful energies, especially those of fire and chaos, and redirects them harmlessly. Without this, my body would have been consumed long ago.¡±

    Selveth: Next, she indicated a rune shaped like a starburst surrounded by concentric circles. ¡°This is Selveth, the Rune of Serenity. It calms the mind, shielding it from corruption and madness. Sevyini knew that fire doesn¡¯t just destroy the body¡ªit burns the soul.¡±

    Threnn¡¯kai: Her finger traced over a jagged, angular rune that seemed to resemble the outline of a mountain. ¡°This is Threnn¡¯kai, the Rune of Endurance. It strengthens the body, allowing us to heal rapidly and endure physical strain. Without it, I wouldn¡¯t have survived carrying...¡± She hesitated, her voice catching. ¡°...this thing inside me.¡±

    Noctirith: Finally, she drew attention to a spiral rune, its edges curling inward toward a single point. ¡°This is Noctirith, the Rune of Binding. It is the most important of all. It anchors Sevyini¡¯s blessing to my body, creating a link between the moonlight and my soul. But...¡± She sighed, her hand falling to her side. ¡°It¡¯s weakening. The link is almost gone. When Sevyini died, her light began to fade, and now... I¡¯m running out of time.¡±

    Quinara stood, brushing the dirt from her hands. ¡°The Sun-Drake¡¯s plan revolves around the Mark of the Eternal Flame, a curse that has existed for thousands of years. It¡¯s not just a symbol¡ªit¡¯s a fragment of the Sun-Drake¡¯s essence, a shard of its godly power.¡±

    Quinara placed a hand on her stomach, her golden eyes filled with pain. ¡°I carry that Mark now. The Sun-Drake¡¯s essence and a piece of his spirit before he died before has manifested inside me as an embryonic form of its rebirth. This... thing inside me will grow until it consumes me completely, and when it¡¯s ready, it will destroy my body to be reborn into the world.¡±

    Yuuna commented, ¡°Huh. Then it¡¯s confirmed then.¡±

    Xyenn asked, ¡°What¡¯s confirmed then?¡±

    ¡°The Sun-Drake placed the curse before he died, it HAD to have been overseen by the elder dragon gods. They¡¯re manipulating gods who suffer the cycle of rebirth constantly and using their own plans on them to see if they work, so they could possibly try it. And it just seems like they don¡¯t wanna have to take my heart.¡±

    ¡°Bastards don¡¯t wanna take unnecessary risks. Who are the elder dragon gods, Yuuna?¡±

    ¡°About 100. More or less. There¡¯s sooo many. It''s gross.¡±

    Xyenn and Mertha exclaimed, ¡°100?!¡±

    Xyenn covered his face, ¡°We''re screwed. It was nice knowing you all.¡±

    Gorran asked Quinara, ¡°Why were you specifically chosen?¡±

    ¡°The reason I was chosen,¡± Quinara continued softly, ¡°is because of my people¡ªthe Quen. We were Sevyini¡¯s chosen ones, her protectors and her children. Our bodies were shaped by her light, making us uniquely resistant to the Sun-Drake¡¯s influence. The Sun-Drake can¡¯t fully manifest in just any body. It needs one that can endure its divine essence long enough for it to grow strong. That¡¯s why it chose me.¡±

    Her voice cracked slightly as she added, ¡°My people... they feared me. They saw the Mark of the Eternal Flame on my body and knew what it meant. They thought I was cursed, a harbinger of death. Even my husband...¡± She paused, her eyes welling with tears. ¡°Even he abandoned me. They all did. They left me to die because they were too afraid of what I might bring upon them.¡±

    Quinara¡¯s hands trembled as she clenched them into fists. ¡°I loved them. I loved my husband, my family, my people. I didn¡¯t want to bring death to them¡ªI wanted to protect them. But they threw me away like I was nothing. Now, the only thing I have left is my baby. And I refuse to let the Sun-Drake take it from me.¡±

    Mertha, who had been silent until now, clenched her own fists, her knuckles turning white. Her voice was low and angry as she said, ¡°They shouldn¡¯t have abandoned you. They should have fought for you.¡±

    Quinara shook her head bitterly. ¡°It was for the best. But that doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t hate them for it.¡±

    Xyenn noticed Mertha¡¯s emotions.

    ¡®After what happened with her and her clan, of course she would feel like this. Family is closer to her than anything. Every once in a while, I can see she¡¯s trying to be a leader, to make herself useful in every situation. She didn¡¯t think she was a good enough leader for them, so she¡¯s trying to piece herself around us, and herself. Of course hearing what Quinara said would set her off on the inside. Family means everything. Funny¡­I never even had that thought once.¡¯

    Xyenn wanted to reach out to her, but he kept his hand down. He doesn¡¯t even know why.

    Quinara took a deep breath, composing herself before continuing. ¡°After my people abandoned me, I sought help from the witch Haelga. Heard so many things about her, the coven and all. The coven being the group of witches who harnessed dark magic with the bargain of their souls, that type of thing. She was the only one who didn¡¯t see me as a monster. She told me that if anyone could sever the connection between me and the Sun-Drake, it would be the Blood Maidens.¡±

    Yuuna tilted her head. ¡°Blood Maidens? That sounds... creepy. After being here for more than 100+ years, I never heard of them.¡±

    Xyenn asked, ¡°Really?¡±

    Yuuna held Xyenn¡¯s hand, saying, ¡°Kyrrin is really big, darling. To travel the entire world once would take someone 80 years.¡±

    ¡°Whoa¡­¡±

    ¡®I didn¡¯t even know that. And there¡¯s people out here dedicating their lives to being adventurers. Talk about dedication.¡¯

    Quinara nodded. ¡°They are... unsettling. Blood Maidens are ancient, powerful blood mages with centuries of experience. They specialize in manipulating the body¡ªits flesh, its blood, its very essence¡ªto create powerful magic. They can break curses, heal wounds, and even reshape the body entirely. But their methods...¡±

    She hesitated, her expression darkening. ¡°Their methods are not for the faint of heart. Blood mages use blood as a conduit for their magic. They draw it from their own veins, or sometimes from others, and use it to fuel their spells. The blood connects them to the body¡¯s life force, allowing them to manipulate it directly. That¡¯s how they¡¯re able to sever curses¡ªthey can isolate the part of the soul or body that¡¯s been corrupted and cut it away, like a surgeon removing a tumor.¡±

    Xyenn frowned. ¡°That sounds... painful.¡±

    ¡°It is,¡± Quinara replied bluntly. ¡°And it¡¯s not always successful. Haelga told me that the Blood Maidens would need a rare flower called Vyreth¡¯s Bloom to amplify their magic. It¡¯s a crimson flower that only grows in places where great bloodshed has occurred. Without it, they won¡¯t have the power to sever the Mark of the Eternal Flame.¡±

    Quinara¡¯s voice faltered as she finished. ¡°We were on our way to find the Blood Maidens when the Oracle was killed. Now... I don¡¯t know if I can make it in time. The Sun-Drake is growing stronger every day. If we don¡¯t sever the Mark soon...¡± She trailed off, her hand instinctively moving to her stomach.

    Mertha¡¯s voice was cold but determined. ¡°We¡¯ll get you to the Blood Maidens. No matter what.¡±

    Yuuna grinned, trying to lighten the mood. ¡°And we¡¯ll find that Vyreth¡¯s Bloom, too. How hard can it be to find a flower that grows in blood-soaked places?¡±

    Quinara managed a weak smile, but her eyes remained troubled. ¡°The flowers were already found, by me and the Oracle. But that witch woman stole them when she killed her. She has them. If you all can say we can track her, we can take them off of her.¡±

    Gorran asked, ¡°And those flowers are the last pieces of the dragon goddess of the moons power, in which the Blood Maidens will need to help you as well as their blood magic, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Right before her death, this is all I had.¡±

    ¡°Tch. Why would that Parcy woman want the flowers?¡±

    Yuuna tilted her head, her playful grin fading as she looked at Quinara with genuine curiosity. ¡°Okay, but... why? Why your race? Why you specifically? I mean, out of all the people and bloodlines in the world, why would the Sun-Drake choose you? There has to be a reason, right? I just kindaaaa want a more detailed explanation.¡±

    Quinara¡¯s golden eyes flickered with a mixture of thoughtfulness and sorrow. She sat back on the stone floor, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of the crescent rune she had drawn earlier. After a long pause, she began to speak, her tone measured and deliberate, as if piecing together a puzzle that had haunted her for years.

    ¡°From what Haelga talked about, my race, the Quen was chosen because we were the natural counter to the Sun-Drake¡¯s power,¡± Quinara began, her voice steady but tinged with bitterness. ¡°As I said before, the Quen were created under the blessing of Sevyini, the Moon Goddess. Our bodies were designed to resist fire and chaos. We were supposed to be the guardians of balance in the goddesses continent, the ones who could stand against the Sun-Drake and its destructive cycles. But that blessing... it had unintended consequences.¡±

    She paused, her finger drawing a new rune in the dirt¡ªa jagged flame encircled by a crescent moon. ¡°Sevyini¡¯s blessing didn¡¯t just make us resistant. It also made us compatible. Our bodies are uniquely attuned to divine energy, whether it comes from the moon or the sun. That¡¯s why we could carry her protection so strongly. But that same compatibility makes us vulnerable to the Sun-Drake¡¯s corruption. It can latch onto us in ways it couldn¡¯t with other races, feeding off our lunar energy to sustain its own rebirth.¡±

    Quinara¡¯s gaze darkened as she continued. ¡°The Sun-Drake didn¡¯t choose me or my people randomly¡ªit was strategic. It needed a vessel that could contain its essence without being destroyed in the process. Most mortals would burn to ash the moment the Mark of the Eternal Flame manifested in them. But the Quen... we¡¯re different. Our bodies can survive the strain. We can endure the fire long enough for the Sun-Drake to grow and regain its strength. And that¡¯s why it chose me.¡±

    ¡°Okay, fine,¡± Yuuna said, crossing her arms. ¡°But why you specifically? There¡¯s gotta be more to it than just ¡®oh, you happen to be a Quen.¡¯ What makes you so special?¡±

    Quinara hesitated, her expression conflicted. ¡°That¡¯s... harder to explain. I don¡¯t have all the answers, but I¡¯ve spent a lot of time thinking about it. And I¡¯ve come up with a few reasons why I, of all people, was chosen. Maybe! Don¡¯t judge me if I sound dumb.¡±

    ¡°Go ahead.¡±

    ¡®We still have time. That crow is still stationary. Like it¡¯s hovering. But it¡¯s nowhere near us. I really wanna understand this. Probably help me understand the elder dragon gods intentions from if they have plans in the future to avoid the cycle of rebirth.¡¯

    Quinara gestured to the runes on the ground. ¡°Not every Quen is blessed equally. Some of us carry more of Sevyini¡¯s light than others. I always thought I was... special. My endurance, my healing, my connection to the moon¡ªit¡¯s stronger than most Quen I¡¯ve ever met. It¡¯s possible that the Sun-Drake sensed that strength and saw me as the perfect vessel. My lunar energy is strong enough to sustain its divinity without breaking apart.¡±

    Quinara¡¯s voice softened, and she placed her hand protectively over her stomach. ¡°And then there¡¯s this. I was pregnant when the Mark manifested in me. The Sun-Drake... it¡¯s not just rebirthing itself¡ªit¡¯s using my child as a medium. I think that¡¯s why it chose me specifically. It needed a Quen strong enough to carry its essence, but it also needed someone who could bear life. My pregnancy gave it the perfect opportunity to grow and manifest without drawing attention to itself¡ªat least, not until it¡¯s too late.¡±

    ¡°But there¡¯s more to it than just me,¡± Quinara continued, her voice growing heavy with grief. ¡°This wouldn¡¯t have been possible if Sevyini was still alive. Her death is what allowed the Sun-Drake to act so boldly. The Moon Goddess was our protector, the one who shielded us from the Sun-Drake¡¯s influence. When she died, her light began to fade, and the Sun-Drake saw its chance. Without her, the Quen were left vulnerable. And without her, I was left vulnerable.¡±

    She looked up at the group, her eyes filled with sorrow. ¡°I think the Sun-Drake didn¡¯t just choose me because of my strength¡ªit chose me because of my weakness. It knew I couldn¡¯t fight back without Sevyini¡¯s blessing. It knew I was alone.¡±

    Quinara shuddered, ¡°I¡¯m glad I told someone this. Haven¡¯t been able to talk to anyone in days. I¡¯m really scared.¡±

    Yuuna clenched Xyenn¡¯s hand as she held it, her other first clenched.

    Xyenn said, ¡°Our fates align then.¡±

    Quinara asked, ¡°How? If I may ask? What do you gain from this? From helping me?¡±

    Yuuna added, ¡°We¡¯re gonna kill the fucking Sun-Drake. That¡¯s what we gain. And I have the devourers heart, as I told Xyenn before. Any dragon god I kill or consume gives me power. This is perfect.¡±

    Mertha cracked her knuckles, ¡°A puny witch named Parcy, a former witch of the coven with Haelga seeks to connect Hell to Kyrrin. How? Don¡¯t know. But we¡¯re here to stop her as well.¡±

    Quinara wiped her eyes, ¡°So that¡¯s why you want to use me?¡±

    Yuuna corrected herself, ¡°I¡¯m sorry I said that. Not use you, not manipulating you. I didn¡¯t mean to say it like that earlier. Forgive me.¡±

    At that moment, Xyenn looked at Yuuna, thinking, ¡®She told me before she didn¡¯t want to be that person any longer. A manipulator of the weak, she even took back her own joke. This really means a lot to her. The way she¡¯s changing¡­¡¯

    Mertha continued, ¡°I¡¯ll always help the oppressed when needed.¡±

    Gorran rolled his eyes.

    Quinara pointed at Yuuna, ¡°Wait, aren¡¯t you Yuuna?¡±

    Yuuna pointed at herself, shocked, ¡°Mm? Me?¡± She frowned, ¡°What did you hear?¡±

    ¡°Word travels fast around here. You saved some people from Berserkers of the Flame. And they said you were a villain. Are you a good guy now? You¡¯re way too comfortable out in the open like this.¡±

    Yuuna smiled happily, and she tackled Xyenn, hugging and choking him, saying, ¡°She said I saved people! I''m becoming famous again but in a good way! This is great!¡±

    Xyenn, being choked to death, grinned, saying, ¡°That''s awesome¡ªACK! YOU¡¯RE CHOKING ME, DAMMIT!¡±

    ¡®After all she¡¯s done¡­was that all she needed to hear? It seems like it. But I can feel her happiness. She¡¯s starting to be looked at in a positive light, no matter if it¡¯s billions of people against her, only took a few people to see her as something other than evil.¡±

    (The Sanctuary)

    The sanctuary was an unholy sight, a decaying cathedral twisted by time and fire. Its walls, once pristine marble, were blackened with soot, cracked with age, and etched with flaming runes that pulsed faintly in the dim light. Rows of cultists in white robes sat in pews carved from charred wood, the runes on their garments glowing like embers. Over their faces, glowing talismans hung like masks, each inscribed with draconic symbols that flickered with yellow flame.

    At least two dozen of them sat nodding in eerie unison as the leader stood at the front of the sanctuary. Draped in an elaborate robe of molten gold and crimson, the cult leader held a massive Flame Codex, a tome bound in what appeared to be molten leather, its pages emitting faint trails of smoke. His voice boomed through the room, equal parts sermon and madness, as his congregation swayed to his words.

    ¡°In the name of the eternal flame, we are cleansed!¡± the cult leader bellowed, his voice cracking with fervor. ¡°The Sun-Drake watches, his blazing eyes upon us! Only through fire shall we burn away the sins of the flesh and ascend to his eternal glory!¡±

    The congregation erupted in cheers, their voices trembling with manic devotion.

    ¡°Shir lathrask! Naxthar kal¡¯vyr!¡± the leader intoned, his voice dipping into the guttural tones of the draconic tongue.

    ¡°Shir lathrask!¡± the cultists echoed, their voices trembling with fanaticism.

    The leader¡¯s eyes burned with zeal as he gestured toward the center of the sanctuary. There, two bodies hung in a grotesque display¡ªa naked couple tied to gnarled, rotting trees that had grown unnaturally from the very stone floor. Their flesh was blackened and cracked, still engulfed in flickering flames that hissed and crackled. The air reeked of charred meat and sulfur.

    The leader pointed to the burning corpses, his voice growing louder and more frenzied. ¡°Behold! The sinners who rejected the Sun-Drake¡¯s light! Their flesh is ash, their souls purified in his eternal flame!¡±

    The cult cheered wildly, some of them rising from their seats and chanting in unison.

    ¡°To the flame, we sacrifice! To the flame, we rise!¡±

    The leader roared, raising the Codex high above his head. ¡°The flame is eternal! The Sun-Drake¡¯s power shall consume the unworthy and reward the faithful! He will reign, and WE SHALL BURN IN HIS GLORY!¡±

    The congregation¡¯s fervor grew. Some cultists began clawing at their own robes, exposing flesh covered in burn scars and tattoos of flaming suns. Others reached toward the burning bodies, as if trying to bask in the heat.

    The leader¡¯s voice turned cold and cruel. ¡°Only the chosen may reign alongside the Sun-Drake. The rest will perish, their bodies fuel for the eternal flame!¡± r

    Before the leader could continue, the ceiling of the sanctuary exploded. Shards of stone and splinters of wood rained down as a massive figure descended into the room.

    The masked woman landed first, her black cloak billowing like smoke as she stood to her full height. Her runic mask glowed faintly red and black, its intricate patterns shifting like living flame. Behind her, a monstrous figure loomed.

    Salazar was no longer the crow they had once known. His form had twisted into something demonic¡ªan amalgamation of bird and nightmare. He now stood upright, his humanoid frame towering over the cultists. Four massive, tattered wings spread wide, their edges glowing with molten light. His once feathery arms were now sinewy and clawed, talons sharp enough to rend flesh from bone. His head, still vaguely crow-like, was adorned with jagged horns that curved backward, and his eyes burned with an unnatural yellow fire.

    The cultists screamed in panic, some falling to their knees while others scrambled to prepare their magic.

    ¡°The blasphemer!¡± one cultist shrieked, pointing at the masked woman.

    ¡°She has brought the cursed light!¡± another shouted, his voice trembling as he clutched his flaming talisman.

    The leader snarled, slamming the Codex shut. ¡°How DARE you defile this sacred place?! We will not be exposed to the light!¡±

    The masked woman stepped forward, her voice cold and mocking. ¡°You worship the Sun-Drake, yet you fear his power. Why try to reign with him when you¡¯re terrified of what he brings?¡±

    Her words struck a chord of terror. The cultists screamed as the light from the shattered ceiling grew brighter. Their robes began to smolder, and their talismans cracked under the strain of the energy.

    ¡°No! No, we mustn¡¯t be exposed!¡± one cultist shrieked, clawing at his own face.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to become one of them!¡± another screamed, his voice breaking.

    The leader¡¯s voice boomed. ¡°HOLD YOUR GROUND! WE ARE THE CHOSEN! THE FLAME WILL PURIFY US!¡±

    But it was too late.

    The cultists began to writhe and scream as their bodies twisted and contorted. Their heads burst into literal flaming suns, their features consumed by fire. Their screams turned into guttural roars as they clawed at their own flesh, flames erupting from their mouths and eyes. The transformation was grotesque, their humanity burned away as they became Berserkers of the Flame.

    ¡°Sun-Drake, SAVE US!¡± one Berserker howled, its voice distorted and inhuman.

    ¡°We sacrificed for you! We BURNED for you!¡± another screamed as flames burst from its chest.

    The Berserkers turned on each other in a frenzy, their minds consumed by the eternal flame. The room descended into chaos as they tore each other apart.

    One Berserker lunged at a cultist who had not yet transformed, ripping his arm clean off. Blood sprayed across the pews as the cultist screamed, his talisman shattering as he succumbed to the flames.

    Another Berserker tackled a fellow creature, its flaming head smashing into its chest. The impact sent a wave of fire cascading outward, incinerating a nearby row of pews and the cultists sitting there.

    A third Berserker grabbed a cultist by the face, its molten claws melting flesh and bone. The cultist¡¯s scream was cut short as his head was reduced to a charred stump.

    Flaming blood splattered across the walls as the Berserkers tore each other limb from limb. One ripped a ribcage open with its bare hands, flames pouring from the exposed cavity. Another smashed through a pile of bodies, its flaming fists pulverizing flesh and bone into ash.

    The sanctuary became a slaughterhouse of fire and blood, the air thick with the stench of burning meat and molten metal.

    When the chaos finally subsided, the sanctuary was deathly quiet. The floor was littered with charred bodies, pools of blood boiling where they mixed with flames. The air shimmered with heat, and the only sound was the faint crackle of dying fire.

    The masked woman walked through the carnage, her boots crunching over ash and bone. Her dark cloak trailed behind her, and Salazar followed, his demonic form casting a long shadow over the destruction.

    At the center of the room, the cult leader¡¯s body lay impaled on a jagged branch of one of the rotted trees. The branch was black and gnarled, its surface pulsing faintly with unnatural energy.

    The masked woman reached out, her gloved hand gripping the branch. With a sharp tug, she pulled it free from the cult leader¡¯s chest. Blood oozed from the wound as she inspected the branch, her head tilting slightly as if in thought.

    The sound of a door creaking open echoed through the sanctuary.

    Xyenn, Yuuna, and Gorran stepped through the front entrance, their eyes widening at the scene before them. Blood, ash, and fire painted the room in a gruesome display.

    Yuuna smiled brightly, her pink eyes locking onto the masked woman. ¡°Parcyyyyy,¡± she said in a sing-song voice.

    The masked woman and Salazar turned to face them.

 Chapter 33: Ghost Of My Weapon

    The masked woman smiled under her mask, raising her hands, ¡°Is that you¡­.?¡±

    Yuuna tilted her head, ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­? You know me or something?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s you!¡±

    Xyenn stepped up, but Yuuna stopped him for a second.

    The masked woman, holding the branch she took from the cultists, looked at it, saying, ¡°I bet that old hag Haelga sent you to save that woman. Typical of her. She never saved people before. She made us kill people to amplify our dark magic in rituals. Human souls were the prices back then.¡±

    Xyenn said, ¡°We know you¡¯re Parcy, lady. Haelga even told us the things she¡¯s done. She was evil, yes. But she came to terms with herself at the end and¡ª.¡±

    ¡°Ended herself? Of course she would do it. She was scared I was gonna come back and take care of her myself. I will not fight any of you. What I¡¯m doing is my own business.¡±

    Yuuna said, ¡°Give us the flowers and tell me why you¡¯re trying to connect Hell to Kyrrin. You don¡¯t realize if you do that, then Hell¡¯s gates will open in this world, and it¡¯ll be catastrophic.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the goal! That¡¯s the entire point! The Coven was meant to be a witch conclave of using your dark magic to kill the dragon gods. To redeem this world of oppression in certain continents! We all came from broken childhoods. And luckily, you had spread darkness all over the place, so it gave us an edge. Then it got to the point where we were the oppressors, and Haelga became desperate and started sacrificing people and other things, we had to go along with it, or she would curse us, our power never compares to hers. And when the other witches had enough, and they confronted Haelga, Haelga killed them. And guess where their souls went?!¡±

    ¡°Hell.¡±

    ¡°Exactly! As Yuuna already knows those who do even a single ritual or try to harness dark magic and succeed are giving their souls up to Hell. I¡¯m opening the gates so I can free them, they didn¡¯t deserve to die so early, to end up there. The branches I¡¯m collecting is a piece of the bridge from Kyrrin to Hell. The mask¡­it¡¯s helping me. Guiding me. It tells me my plan will work, it tells me what to do, what to find. I have to do this!¡±

    Yuuna replied, ¡°That mask!¡±

    Xyenn asked Yuuna, ¡°What is that mask?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a mask from Hell that tames demonic beasts. Since those beasts are born from hellfire itself, they awaken with no one over them, no one they have to answer to. And if this Parcy girl has one¡­¡±

    Gorran stated, ¡°Then Parcy is no human. She made a deal with a Monarch, and she was guided to create the mask, with your darkness Yuuna.¡±

    Parcy sighed, ¡°I made this choice on my own. I was already contemplating and stressing how I would free them, and when I was told how to create the mask itself, I knew hope wasn¡¯t lost. Binding the mask to a dark ritual cost me the ability to lose any physical feelings. I sat down with one of the Monarchs and they guided me.¡±

    Yuuna began to sweat, and exclaimed, ¡°Did the Monarch say its name.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s none of your concern. Just know they have claimed that they will be back to take you¡ª.¡±

    FWOOSH!

    Xyenn and Gorran instantly dashed towards Parcy at the speed of light; with Xyenn¡¯s sharp claws right at Parcy¡¯s face, and Gorran¡¯s Xenith blade at her neck,

    KATHOOM!

    Wing and dust and splinters of wood flew all over the place, Salazar had caught both Xyenn and Gorran¡¯s arms, and Parcy started to float backwards, guided by darkness like wings, and she said, ¡°I always have a plan, it won¡¯t be easy to beat me. I¡¯m not in the wrong here! I just want to see them again! They didn¡¯t deserve to die to that old hag!¡±

    Parcy began to merge with shadows, escaping.

    Her shadow slithered outside on the ground, and she was talking to herself as she was escaping the sanctuary.

    ¡°I¡¯m in the right! I¡¯m saving them! Saving their souls from hell! The coven didn¡¯t need to die! I was promised I could save them once I open the gates! I have to put this last piece of the tree on the bridge!¡±

    BOOM!

    The ground exploded, dark pink and black flames erupted from the ground causing devastating destruction. And Parcy flew forward, and she flipped in the air, sliding on the ground on her feet.

    Yuuna came walking through the destruction, she wasn¡¯t even walking on the ground, she was walking in the air.

    Yuuna asked menacingly, ¡°What was their name?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not gonna to tell you anything! You want to stop me, Yuuna? Queen of darkness? Or is your real name in Hell¡¯s tongue Azhuun?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that. That¡¯s not my name anymore. I¡¯ve abandoned that nasty fucking language. Hell¡¯s native tongue¡­I¡¯m not Azhuun. I¡¯m Yuuna now. Who¡¯s the name in the mask?¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter anyway¡­even if you beat me, the mask will look for a new host. You can¡¯t destroy it, it¡¯s pure magic, pure darkness. YOURS, Yuuna. The reason people like us are able to even make contracts with devils anyway is because of what you¡¯ve done! And I thank you for that, really. The darkness you had spread before, it gave many the key to be able to communicate with creatures from hell. That was the first bride, the first link from Kyrrin to Hell. But I do thank you! Really! Please help me! You probably want to see your family again¡ª!¡±

    ¡°Those bastards aren¡¯t my family! I have a family already. My Tyrants..and my darling Xyenn. And suspiciously our child that we have. That¡¯s all I need.¡±

    ¡°The Monarch said you can¡¯t wait to come back.¡±

    ¡°Damn lies. Who was it?!¡±

    Parcy started to stagger back, saying, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t say.¡±

    She tried to escape, but Yuuna caught up to her.

    The sanctuary was chaos incarnate. Blood pooled in the cracks of the shattered stone floor, flames licked at the edges of toppled pews, and the air was suffocating¡ªthick with ash, smoke, and the metallic tang of fresh blood. Xyenn and Gorran stood side by side, their breaths ragged, their bodies battered and slick with crimson. Before them loomed Salazar, his monstrous form shuddering and pulsing with raw, unrelenting darkness. The twisted crow-demon had already transformed twice during the battle, each new form more terrifying and brutal than the last. His obsidian flesh glistened with molten veins of red, his six serrated wings spread wide, and his clawed hands seemed to drip with shadow that hung unnaturally in the air, twisting and writhing like living creatures.

    Salazar tilted his monstrous head, his glowing yellow eyes boring into the two warriors as if silently judging their worth. The air around him warped, a suffocating aura of malevolence that made every breath feel heavier, every movement slower. Without warning, he lunged forward, his massive claws tearing through the air with terrifying speed.

    Xyenn barely had time to react, his body flickering with inhuman speed as he darted to the side in a flash. Salazar¡¯s claws ripped through the space where he had just stood, carving deep gouges into the stone floor. Behind him, Gorran stepped forward, his grip on Xenith tightening as he slashed horizontally at Salazar¡¯s midsection. The blade¡¯s edge shimmered with spiraling crimson energy, carving a deep gash across the demon¡¯s side.

    The spiraling energy burrowed into Salazar¡¯s flesh, twisting unnaturally before detonating in a shower of molten blood. Salazar staggered but recovered almost instantly, his molten blood sizzling against the stone. His body began to shift, the wound sealing itself as his form grew larger, more grotesque. His wings split further, now eight jagged appendages lined with razor-sharp feathers that shimmered like obsidian glass. His claws thickened, and his beak-like mouth twisted into something more serpentine, lined with rows of jagged teeth.

    ¡°Gotta be damn kidding me!¡± Gorran scoffed.

    Xyenn said, ¡°We need to beat him in one shot¡­¡±

    ¡°No shit.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t get in my way. You¡¯ll only ruin it.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t get in my way. I never asked to fight with you.¡±

    Salazar¡¯s retaliation was immediate. He spun with unnatural speed, his wings slicing through the air like blades. Gorran ducked under one wing, but the second caught him across the shoulder, tearing through flesh and muscle. Blood sprayed in an arc as Gorran stumbled back, his teeth clenched against the pain.

    ¡®Is each form¡­making him powerful?!¡¯

    Xyenn flickered back into view behind Salazar, his claws igniting with black and pink flames. He lashed out with a flurry of strikes, each swipe aimed at Salazar¡¯s vital points. The flames exploded on impact, scorching the demon¡¯s flesh and sending chunks of molten muscle flying. But Salazar didn¡¯t falter.

    ¡®He¡¯s still not down?!¡¯ Xyenn thought.

    The crow-demon twisted his body, his talon-like foot slamming into Xyenn¡¯s chest with bone-crushing force. Xyenn was sent hurtling backward, crashing through a series of broken pews. Splinters of wood and stone rained down as he skidded to a stop, coughing up blood.

    Before Xyenn could recover, Salazar was already on him. The demon¡¯s claws descended in a brutal flurry, each strike aimed to disembowel. Xyenn rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding one swipe, then kicked off the ground, flipping backward as another claw tore through the air inches from his throat.

    ¡°Gorran!¡± Xyenn shouted, his voice strained as he dodged another blow. ¡°Get him now!¡±The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    ¡°Don''t command me to do anything, brat! Just keep using him as bait so I can land a killing blow.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m doing all the work!¡±

    ¡®I¡¯m fighting against a creature made from darkness, made by Haelga, who had more experience with dark magic before me! Why did I zoom in to attack? Maybe I couldn¡¯t help listening to her voice. Maybe Yuuna wanted more info from her, maybe I messed up.¡¯

    Gorran was already moving. He charged forward, Xenith gleaming with spiraling energy as he brought the blade down in a powerful overhead slash. The sword carved into Salazar¡¯s back, and the spiraling energy erupted in a violent explosion, sending molten blood spraying across the battlefield.

    Salazar roared, his body convulsing as it began to shift once more. His wings folded inward, his form collapsing in on itself like liquid shadow before expanding outward in a new shape. His arms stretched unnaturally, thickening into massive, bladed appendages. His legs bent backward, talons digging into the stone floor, and his head elongated, his glowing eyes now set deep within a skull-like visage.

    The transformation was complete in seconds, and Salazar launched himself at Gorran with blinding speed. His massive, bladed arm came down in a sweeping arc, forcing Gorran to raise Xenith in defense. The impact sent a shockwave through Gorran¡¯s body, his knees buckling under the force.

    Salazar pressed the attack, his other arm stabbing forward like a spear. Gorran twisted his body, the blade narrowly missing his abdomen, then countered with a quick slash aimed at Salazar¡¯s neck. The blade connected, cutting deep, but Salazar¡¯s molten blood sprayed across Gorran¡¯s face, burning his skin. Gorran stumbled back, clutching his face as the pain seared through him.

    Xyenn rejoined the fight, his claws igniting with black and pink flames as he darted around Salazar, moving too fast for the eye to follow. He struck at Salazar¡¯s legs, aiming to cripple the demon¡¯s movement. His claws dug deep, and the flames exploded, sending shards of molten bone flying.

    Salazar roared, spinning to swipe at Xyenn, but the dragon hybrid flickered out of reach, reappearing at Salazar¡¯s side. He lashed out again, his claws raking across Salazar¡¯s ribs, each strike detonating in a burst of fiery energy.

    Gorran, still recovering, wiped the blood from his face and charged forward. He and Xyenn moved in tandem, one attacking high, the other low. Gorran¡¯s blade carved deep into Salazar¡¯s shoulder, while Xyenn¡¯s claws tore into his thigh. The coordinated assault forced Salazar to stagger, his body shuddering under the relentless onslaught.

    But Salazar refused to fall. His body twisted and shifted, his wounds sealing as new, more grotesque appendages sprouted. His bladed arms split into four smaller limbs, each one tipped with scythe-like claws. His wings extended outward, feathers hardening into obsidian projectiles.

    With a guttural roar, Salazar unleashed his darkness magic. His wings flared, and the feathers shot out like arrows, each one aimed with deadly precision. Xyenn and Gorran scrambled to evade, the feathers embedding themselves into the stone walls and floor with explosive force.

    One feather grazed Xyenn¡¯s side, carving a deep gash that oozed blood. Another struck Gorran¡¯s leg, the impact nearly bringing him to his knees.

    Salazar capitalized on their injuries, lunging at Xyenn with terrifying speed. His claws slashed downward, but Xyenn blocked with his flaming tail, the force of the clash sending sparks and flames flying. Xyenn twisted his body, using his tail to deflect another strike before countering with a brutal uppercut. His flaming claws raked across Salazar¡¯s chest, leaving deep, smoldering wounds.

    Gorran joined the fray, his blade a quick motion as he slashed and stabbed with relentless precision. Each strike left spiraling energy burrowing into Salazar¡¯s flesh, detonating in bursts of blood and fire.

    ¡°Got him!¡±

    Despite their efforts, Salazar only grew more monstrous. His body expanded, his claws lengthened, and his darkness magic became more destructive. He began summoning shadow-like constructs¡ªmassive, crow-like beasts that attacked with the same ferocity as their master.

    Xyenn and Gorran fought desperately, their movements a blur as they dodged, countered, and struck with everything they had. The battlefield became a whirlwind of blood, fire, and shadow, every clash sending shockwaves through the crumbling sanctuary.

    Xyenn explained, ¡°Each time he¡¯s wounded, he transforms into a more powerful beast!¡±

    Gorran replied, ¡°Then we have to kill him in one strike!¡±

    Xyenn thought, ¡®What¡¯s this thing''s weakness?! A weak point even? Does he do this an unlimited amount of times? Is there a limit? A power cap?! Does this keep going until Parcy is dead?! I only noticed his wounds don¡¯t heal when he transforms¡­There¡¯s so many questions and possibilities, we have to keep fighting to find out. But what if it ends too early for us to find it out? And this arm¡­my left arm..it hurts the more I use it or am attacked on it, that¡¯s a part of the sacrifice. I¡¯m at a full disadvantage right now, but I still won¡¯t lose. I won¡¯t allow myself to.¡¯

    Both warriors were covered in wounds, their breaths ragged, their strength waning. Yet they refused to back down, their determination burning brighter than ever.

    Salazar, now a towering monstrosity of darkness and molten flesh, let out a deafening roar, his body radiating malevolent power. Xyenn and Gorran stood their ground, battered but unbroken, ready to fight until the bitter end.

    The battle raged on, neither side willing to yield.

    The sanctuary was a battlefield drenched in chaos and blood. Every corner of the desecrated space bore the scars of brutality¡ªshattered stone, molten flesh, and ash-painted walls. Xyenn and Gorran, their bodies bloodied, battered and torn from their faces to their legs, stood together, breathing heavily, their eyes locked onto the monstrous Salazar. The crow-demon had evolved multiple times, each transformation more grotesque, more terrifying, and more powerful than the last. His body pulsed with unnatural darkness, his molten, obsidian flesh stretching grotesquely with each shift. Veins of glowing red pulsed like magma beneath his skin, and his eight wings spread out like jagged blades, casting an ominous shadow over his enemies.

    The sanctuary¡¯s air was heavy with tension, thick with the stench of death and the suffocating heat of battle. Xyenn¡¯s left arm hung limply by his side, blood trickling from deep gashes along his torso and legs. Gorran fared no better¡ªhis breathing was ragged, his muscles spasming from exhaustion, and his left leg was barely holding him up, blood pooling beneath his feet. Yet, despite their wounds, they stood ready, their resolve unbroken.

    Salazar crouched low, his glowing yellow eyes narrowing as he sized them up. His twisted claws dripped with shadow-like energy that writhed and hissed like living creatures. Without warning, the demon lunged, his massive frame moving with impossible speed for something so grotesquely large.

    Xyenn darted to the left, his speed a rapid pace of precision, but the effort made his left arm scream with pain.

    Xyenn winced, Salazar¡¯s claws raked through the air just inches from his chest, the sheer force of the swipe blowing chunks of stone from the walls behind him. Gorran moved to intercept, his Xenith blade glowing with spiraling crimson energy as he slashed at Salazar¡¯s side. The blade connected with a sickening crunch, carving deep into the demon¡¯s ribs. The spiraling energy burrowed into the wound, twisting unnaturally before detonating in a violent explosion.

    Salazar roared in pain, but the sound was more fury than agony. His body convulsed as the wound began to seal itself, molten blood bubbling and hissing as it fell to the ground. With each injury, his form grew more abominable. His wings folded inward, their jagged edges fusing together into two massive, bladed appendages. His claws thickened into scythe-like protrusions, and his head elongated, his maw splitting further to reveal rows of jagged, uneven teeth that dripped with black ichor.

    ¡°His body is getting tougher!¡± Gorran yelled.

    Xyenn replied, ¡°Where did you hit him?¡±

    ¡°His ribs!¡±

    ¡°Keep hitting there¡­we can try to hit the same spot over and over.¡±

    ¡°..Can¡¯t believe I¡¯m even considering listening to you. But he¡¯s gonna defend that area with Obote desperation. It fights like he has a mind of his own.¡±

    ¡°He does. Remember when we used him for a ride? He kept nipping at me, he does have a mind of his own. Sentient because of Haelga.¡±

    Before Gorran could react, Salazar spun with terrifying speed, one of his scythe-like arms slamming into Gorran¡¯s chest. The impact sent Gorran flying, his body crashing into the remains of a shattered pew. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he struggled to rise, his chest plate cracked and splintered.

    ¡°Gorran!¡± Xyenn shouted, but he had no time to help. Salazar was on him in an instant, his claws slashing downward in a brutal flurry. Xyenn ducked under the first swipe, then pivoted on his heel to avoid the second, but the third strike grazed his side, tearing through flesh and muscle. He gritted his teeth against the pain, refusing to falter, and retaliated with a powerful swipe of his own. His flaming claws ignited with black and pink flames as he slashed across Salazar¡¯s abdomen. The flames exploded on impact, sending shards of molten flesh flying.

    Salazar staggered, but only for a moment. His molten blood bubbled and hissed as his body twisted and reshaped itself. His torso expanded, his legs thickened into clawed, bird-like limbs, and a tail of serrated, obsidian spikes sprouted from his back. With a guttural roar, he lashed out with the tail, the serrated spikes tearing through the air like a whip.

    Xyenn barely managed to dodge the first strike, but the second caught him across the chest, tearing through his flesh and sending him crashing into the ground. He gasped for air, blood pouring from the deep gash across his torso. His vision blurred for a moment, but he forced himself to focus, his red eyes burning with determination.

    Xyenn stood up slowly, saying, ¡°I¡¯m not losing..¡±

    Gorran had recovered, albeit barely. He limped toward Xyenn, his grip on Xenith firm despite the blood dripping from his fingers. ¡°We can¡¯t keep fighting him like this,¡± he said, his voice strained. ¡°We¡¯re just wearing ourselves down.¡±

    Xyenn coughed, blood dripping from his lips. ¡°You got a better idea?¡± His left arm twitched, the pain flaring as he tried to move it. He winced and clenched his jaw. ¡°We need to hit him together. He¡¯s too fast for us to fight alone.¡±

    Gorran nodded reluctantly. ¡°Fine. But don¡¯t slow me down. I still don¡¯t like you.¡±

    ¡°And I don¡¯t like you at all,¡± Xyenn muttered, pushing himself to his feet.

    ¡°Hit him together. His wounds don¡¯t heal or change when he transforms, meaning we hit the spot where he¡¯s suffered the most injuries.¡±

    ¡°I thought about that earlier. Let¡¯s not waste time!¡±

    The two moved in tandem, their attacks synchronized despite their differing styles. Xyenn flickered in and out of sight, his claws igniting with explosive flames as he struck at Salazar¡¯s legs, while Gorran moved in a wide arc, his blade carving through the air with precision as he aimed for the demon¡¯s neck. Salazar roared, his scythe-like arms lashing out in a whirlwind of destruction. The sanctuary¡¯s floor cracked and splintered beneath the force of his strikes.

    Xyenn darted forward, his claws slashing across Salazar¡¯s thigh. The flames detonated on impact, staggering the demon just long enough for Gorran to strike. Xenith¡¯s blade carved into Salazar¡¯s shoulder, and the spiraling energy burrowed deep into the wound before exploding. The blast sent molten blood spraying across the battlefield, some of it splattering onto Xyenn¡¯s face and burning his skin.

    Salazar howled, his body convulsing as it began to shift again. His tail split into multiple tendrils, each one tipped with jagged spikes that writhed like living snakes. His scythe-like arms elongated further, and his maw split open, revealing a glowing core of darkness that pulsed with malevolence.

    Gorran yelled, ¡°Don¡¯t let up, brat! Keep attacking even in transformation!¡±

    ¡°I was about to say that! Don¡¯t let him fucking breathe!¡±

    Salazar lunged at Xyenn, his tendrils lashing out like whips. Xyenn dodged the first strike, then the second, but the third wrapped around his injured left arm. He screamed in agony as the tendril tightened, the jagged spikes digging into his flesh. Blood poured from the wound, and his vision blurred from the pain.

    ¡°Xyenn!¡± Gorran shouted, charging forward. He slashed at the tendril with Xenith, the blade severing it in a burst of spiraling energy. Xyenn fell to the ground, clutching his arm as Gorran stood over him, his blade raised defensively.

    ¡°You¡¯re a liability,¡± Gorran muttered, his voice cold.

    ¡°Shut up,¡± Xyenn growled, forcing himself to his feet. His red eyes burned with rage. ¡°I¡¯m not done yet. And you¡¯re not doing anything great either.¡±

    The two warriors charged Salazar together, their movements more coordinated now. Xyenn used his speed to distract the demon, darting around him in a blur of motion as his claws ignited with explosive flames. Gorran followed up with precise strikes, his blade carving into Salazar¡¯s flesh with deadly accuracy.

    But Salazar was relentless. His tendrils lashed out in every direction, his scythe-like arms carving through the air with devastating force. One tendril caught Gorran across the back, tearing through his armor and drawing a spray of blood. Another slammed into Xyenn¡¯s chest, sending him crashing into the ground.

    As the battle raged, none of them noticed the grizzled old man sitting in one of the charred pews. His clothes were filthy, his skin weathered and cracked, and his beard was matted with dirt and blood. He watched the fight with a crooked smile, his eyes glinting with amusement as the two warriors struggled against the monstrous Salazar.

    He was the Prophet.

    ¡°Whoooo. Xyenn and his friend are gonna die here. This time, fate will finally be fixed.¡±

    Xyenn and Gorran stood together, bloodied and battered, their breaths ragged. Salazar loomed before them in his newest form, his body a grotesque mass of darkness and molten flesh. His tendrils writhed like living creatures, and his glowing core pulsed with unnatural energy.

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes flicked toward the shattered ceiling, where the sun shone dimly through the smoke and ash. He clenched his fists, his red eyes narrowing. ¡°There¡¯s only one way to end this.¡±

    ¡°The hell are you gonna do?¡±

    Xyenn ignored him. He gritted his teeth and stared directly into the sun, his eyes straining as they began to glow. His head tilted back, and his entire body tensed as flames erupted around him. His head transformed into a literal flaming sun, light and fire pouring from him in waves.

    ¡°What have you done?!¡± Gorran shouted, his voice filled with a mix of anger and fear.

    ¡®He knew as we have Yuuna¡¯s draconic blood, it would take longer for us to become a Berserker from the sun. But Xyenn looked directly into it! He accepted it, he sped up the process, looking directly into it¡­that was caress and reckless¡­but¡­if he¡¯s able to kill the crow, it¡¯s body will be delivered as a sacrifice to the sun! Was it really careless? Smart? Dumb? He¡¯s a kid. Of course he¡¯s dumb. But I won¡¯t take away his willpower to win at costs.¡¯

    Xyenn screamed, his voice raw with rage. The light from his flames illuminated the entire sanctuary, and he turned slowly toward Salazar, his body radiating raw, destructive energy. Gorran tightened his grip on Xenith, preparing for the worst.

    ¡®If he attacks me, I¡¯d be forced to kill him. This brat really sacrificed his sanity to win..against a more experienced enemy¡­is he that determined..? Ah. Yeah I remember. He told all of us that he would never lose again.¡¯

    Xyenn was struggling, his Berserker state making him want to kill Gorran. But Xyenn fought with his life to fight back, to not kill Gorran. Gorran could hear the grunting and pain Xyenn went through to do it.

    Xyenn¡¯s burning gaze locked onto Salazar, and he dashed forward with blinding speed. The ground cracked beneath him as he collided with the crow-demon, their clash sending shockwaves through the sanctuary.

    Gorran stood in shock..

    He had been the golden child of the Xeniths, spoiled rotten while draped in shadows and secrets. Every kill, every mission, his family''s approving gazes engraved deeper his unearned arrogance. They crowed over him, their ideal, their apex predator, ensuring his ego swelled as full and shimmering as the moon.

    But such resplendence leaves an emptiness ¨C a void thrumming beneath the fanfare. Gorran''s true self, buried under the accolades, became nothing more than an echo in a well, overshadowed by the monster they nourished. And now? Those same shadows mock with whispers of his kin long gone, souls taken and debts paid ¨C but not by him. He remembers each face, flickering like candlelight, snuffed out in violent silence while survival¡¯s burden pressed upon his lone shoulders.

    Here lies Gorran, beneath Xyenn''s quivering gaze of death , culminating a rivalry borne from a venom-soaked seed. Jealousy ¨C a silent pestilence that had gnawed relentlessly at the roots of whatever brotherhood might have sprouted between them. Gorran knows envy''s bitter sting; it¡¯s intimate in ways comradeship never could be. Xyenn, blessed with the dragon''s vessel ¨C chosen, while Gorran watched from the fringes, gnashing his teeth in the dark.

    Yet, it¡¯s the eyes that halt him - Xyenn¡¯s eyes, wide with a desperate fight against control, tumultuous with the storm of resisting the dark urging him forward. A battle had raged within Xyenn, every fiber strained to hold back the death he is compelled to deliver. Gorran sees it then, the enormity of his efforts, a Herculean war to preserve Gorran''s life.

    And it hits him¡ªhits deeper than any blade could. Xyenn, his assumed antagonist, fights not against him but himself, for him. It wrenches a choked laugh from Gorran''s heart, a sound he¡¯s unfamiliar with ¨C raspy, incredulous, and cracked across the middle.

    ¡®Pride,¡¯

    Gorran thinks bitterly, ¡®you are the poorest fucking company.¡¯

    Some veil had lifted in Gorran. Slightly, not fully.

    Those endless days cloaked in hubris, squandering moments in shallow pits of victories, surface stark against the raw, blistering effort Xyenn showcases to simply not kill. Not to win, but to not end him. Gorran feels the poverty of his past riches - an empire of dust.

    Is this then, redemption? A chance not to return to the arms of a family lost but to form something truer from the wreckage? In his heart¡¯s hidden chamber, a door creaks; notions of honor and courage, long suppressed, peek through. For the first time, Gorran grasps the mettle needed not just to wield power, but to restrain it - the strength to temper strength.

    Gorran finds himself whispering, "Thank you," to whatever shred of humanity holds Xyenn back, tethering him amidst the tempest. Maybe this isn''t the end but a beginning, a path diverging in the wood of his soul. And perhaps, just perhaps, Gorran may tread softly this time, chasing not the accolades but the absolution, the redemption ¨C the making of a man from the ghost of a weapon.

 Chapter 34: Dark Sun

    The sanctuary was a crucible of annihilation, its holy walls shattered into molten ruin, its air choked with heat and blood. Xyenn¡¯s body burned like a second sun in the center of the devastation, his chest heaving, his claws dripping with molten blood from Salazar¡¯s torn flesh. His head, now a blazing sphere of pure solar fire, cast rays of golden light that burned everything it touched, its radiance so intense it warped the edges of reality itself. Across from him, Salazar had become a nightmare given form¡ªhis body a grotesque armor of obsidian-black muscle, oozing molten streaks of glowing red. His arms had transformed into jagged, scythe-like blades, their edges glowing white-hot with the friction of his sheer speed. His legs, now monstrously elongated birdlike talons, dug deep into the fractured ground with every step, leaving behind glowing craters. His face had dissolved entirely, replaced by an eyeless maw that gaped with endless blackness, a vortex of despair and raw malice. Every breath he exhaled came with a sound like a thousand tortured screams, and the sheer force of his presence caused the air around him to ripple with destructive energy.

    Each time Xyenn fought, he let out a loud battle cry, his tonsils screeching with a lion-like roar into the heavens, a roar that physically shook the ground.

    ¡°RAGGHHHHHH!¡± He roared, launching an explosive attack, colliding into Salazar.

    Gorran stood on the fringes of the battlefield, clutching Xenith tightly, his crimson eyes wide with disbelief. He had fought alongside Xyenn countless times, but now, he couldn¡¯t recognize Xyenn at all. The sheer power radiating from Xyenn made the air itself burn, and every movement Xyenn made seemed to tear apart the sanctuary even further. Gorran could barely keep his footing as the ground beneath him buckled and cracked under the pressure of the clash. He tried to follow the fight, but it was impossible. It wasn¡¯t just fast¡ªit was destructive chaos, each collision between Xyenn and Salazar erupting into bursts of light and sound so violent they left him briefly deafened, blinded, and staggering.

    ¡°RAGGHHH! I won¡¯t lose!!¡± Xyenn screamed from the destruction and chaos.

    Without warning, Xyenn launched forward, his entire body a streak of golden fury. The stone beneath his feet didn¡¯t crack¡ªit detonated, sending chunks of molten rock flying in every direction. He crossed the distance between himself and Salazar in less than an instant, his claws striking Salazar¡¯s chest with cataclysmic force. The impact was like a supernova, golden flames detonating outward in a shockwave that carved a fiery trench through the sanctuary floor, splitting it open like the earth itself was screaming. Salazar staggered, chunks of his obsidian flesh flying off in molten arcs, but he didn¡¯t falter. With a deafening roar, his left blade-arm swung upward, a horizontal slash so fast it ignited the air itself, creating a concussive sonic boom that knocked Gorran off his feet. Xyenn twisted his body to avoid the strike, the burning light of his head flaring brighter as the blade passed within inches of his side. For the first time, it became clear that Xyenn wasn¡¯t dodging to evade pain; he was protecting his left arm, which hung awkwardly at his side, trembling. Any hit to it would destroy him, and Salazar seemed to sense this weakness.

    Gorran shocked, had seeing that scenario, saying to himself, ¡°He¡¯s still keeping his arm from being damaged¡­? He¡¯s halfway in and out of his right mind, how can a brat like that fight a literal god''s power and a being made from darkness at the same time? Both whom are stronger than Xyenn himself? Both whom are dozens upon dozens of years older than him? It has to be Yuuna¡¯s power..¡±

    Salazar pressed the assault, his scythe-arms moving with impossible precision. He brought the right blade down in a vertical chop, aiming to split Xyenn in half. Xyenn caught the blade mid-swing, his claws digging deep into the molten-hot edge. Steam hissed from the contact, and the ground beneath them caved in as the sheer force of their collision compressed the stone. Xyenn¡¯s head flared again, light exploding outward in blinding waves.

    ¡°RAGGHHHHHH! AGHHHH!¡± Xyenn roared angrily.

    The heat melted what was left of the sanctuary¡¯s walls into dripping slag, but Salazar didn¡¯t relent. He jerked his captured blade downward, slamming Xyenn back-first into the ground with enough force to send a geyser of molten stone into the air. Before Xyenn could rise, Salazar¡¯s second scythe-blade came down like a guillotine, aimed straight for Xyenn¡¯s neck.

    The light around Xyenn erupted violently, his solar flames bursting outward in a reactive explosion as he rolled to the side. The blade missed his neck by a hair but carved deep into his shoulder instead, sending a fountain of blood spraying across the ground. Xyenn howled in pain, his voice reverberating like the cracking of the sun itself, but he used the momentum to twist his body and strike. His claws, now wreathed in concentrated sunlight energy, slashed upward into Salazar¡¯s exposed core. The strike connected, and the resulting explosion was so massive that it blew what remained of the sanctuary¡¯s roof clean off, sending molten debris raining down in every direction. Gorran dove for cover, rolling behind what little remained of a toppled pillar as chunks of burning stone slammed into the ground around him.

    ¡°Tch!¡±

    ¡®The both of them are moving at insane speeds¡­I might get taken down if I stay here! But I can¡¯t run off like a coward¡­and let Xyenn take all of the credit. That¡¯s not who I am. I don¡¯t ever ruin either. Ever.¡¯

    From Gorran¡¯s perspective, the fight was incomprehensible. Every second was another explosion, another shockwave, another eruption of light so bright it seared his eyes even through the thick smoke. He could barely make out Xyenn and Salazar¡¯s figures, their movements tearing through the battlefield at speeds that seemed to break the laws of reality itself. One moment, Xyenn was on the ground, bloodied and staggering, and the next, he was in the air, bringing down a flaming claw that split the sanctuary floor in two. Salazar responded with the same ferocity, his scythe-arms carving through the air with such force that every miss sent arcs of molten energy gouging deep into the earth. The sanctuary, once a place of peace, was now a molten wasteland of destruction.

    High above, the old prophet floated in the air, his body convulsing violently. Blood poured from his eyes, his mouth, his ears, but he didn¡¯t stop screaming. His voice was manic, broken, yet it carried an eerie resonance that echoed over the battlefield. ¡°Fate has changed!¡± he howled, his body shaking as though caught in an invisible storm. ¡°The thread is burning! The sun devours the thread! FATE HAS CHANGED!¡± His cries mingled with the thunderous sounds of battle below, a chaotic symphony of destruction and madness.

    Alongside the sound of a bell, ringing through the sky.

    Salazar, now desperate, lunged at Xyenn with everything he had. His scythe-arms came down in a whirlwind of slashes, each strike fast enough to ignite the air, each hit carving massive gouges into the ground as Xyenn dodged and countered. The two collided again and again, their blows sending shockwaves that obliterated everything around them. Xyenn¡¯s claws burned brighter with each strike, the golden light of his solar energy growing more intense, more volatile. He struck Salazar¡¯s core again, and this time, the explosion sent both combatants flying in opposite directions. Xyenn slammed into the sanctuary¡¯s far wall, his body cratering the stone, while Salazar crashed into the ground, carving a molten trench as his body skidded to a halt.

    Xyenn rose first, his body trembling, his blood dripping onto the molten stone beneath him. His red eyes locked onto Salazar, who was still struggling to rise. Xyenn didn¡¯t wait. He roared, his solar flames surging around him as he charged forward one last time. The ground beneath his feet exploded with every step, the fiery light from his head blinding as he closed the distance. Before Salazar could react, Xyenn grabbed him by the arms, his claws sinking deep into the molten flesh. Salazar screamed, a horrific, guttural sound, but Xyenn didn¡¯t stop. With a final, primal roar, Xyenn tore Salazar apart, ripping his body in half with his bare hands.

    Golden flames erupted from Xyenn¡¯s head, shooting outward in massive beams that seared the ground and walls around him. Gorran dove to the side just in time, narrowly avoiding the beams as they carved burning trenches through the battlefield. Salazar¡¯s shattered body began to dissolve, his molten flesh evaporating into glowing particles that floated upward, drawn toward the sun. Xyenn stood motionless, his body trembling, his solar flames flickering as the last remnants of Salazar disappeared into the light. The prophet¡¯s voice, now faint and broken, whispered one last time: ¡°Fate has changed¡­¡± And then, silence.

    Xyenn stood there, breathing heavily, panting fast as he stood still. But as soon as he heard the slightest movement from Gorran, Xyenn turned around to him slowly¡­.

    The sky was electric with tension, charged with a tension that seemed to come alive with each step Parcy took. Her masked face was unreadable, but her movements were fluid, confident, and deliberate. The ground beneath her feet darkened with every stride, the very earth twisting and mutating into grotesque, unnatural forms in her wake¡ªblades of grass blackened into serrated shards, cobblestones shifted into jagged teeth that gnashed and cracked, and puddles of water morphed into shimmering pools of liquid shadow that rippled unnaturally. But Yuuna was relentless. She was close behind, her wings propelling her forward with bursts of power, her claws dripping with heat as flames licked along her fingertips.

    Yuuna said, ¡°You can¡¯t run from me, you know that, right?! Please tell me the name of the Monarch you talked to?!¡±

    Parcy replied, ¡°I can¡¯t..I can¡¯t! I can¡¯t let you ruin everything I worked for! I don¡¯t care if you are a dragon goddess! If I help you¡­then I¡¯d be better off throwing myself off a cliff head first! Please leave me alone!¡±

    Parcy raised a single hand, and the ruins around her responded. The crooked remains of a once-grand cathedral groaned and creaked, its shattered spire twisting unnaturally as it collapsed toward Yuuna like the hand of some ancient, forgotten god. The massive structure fell with violent speed, stone and steel screaming through the air as gravity sought to crush Yuuna beneath it. Without breaking stride, Yuuna tilted her wings sharply, diving low and skimming along the broken ground with impossibly precise agility. The spire crashed behind her, a deafening explosion of rubble and dust filling the air, but she didn¡¯t falter. With a flick of her claws, she ignited the air around her, the dust and stone particles combusting in a brilliant flash of fire that cleared her path instantly.

    Parcy didn¡¯t look back.

    ¡®Please¡­you¡¯ll ruin everything..! I just want them back¡­¡¯

    Her hands moved in intricate gestures, and the landscape answered her commands. From the cracks in the earth, jagged shards of black glass erupted in perfect synchronization, like rows of teeth snapping shut. They formed a corridor of death around Yuuna, rising and falling in a deadly rhythm designed to trap her. Yuuna¡¯s eyes narrowed as she darted forward, her wings folding tight against her back to give her the narrowest profile possible. She weaved through the gauntlet of glass, her body a blur of motion as the shards sliced through the air just inches from her. One of them scraped against her shoulder, drawing blood, but she didn¡¯t slow and it didn¡¯t bother her. Instead, she twisted mid-flight, her claws slashing out in a wide arc. The air around her ignited, and the wave of fire blasted through the corridor, melting the black glass into harmless pools of molten liquid that hissed as they cooled.

    ¡°Haelga wanted to let you know she¡ª.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna know what the old witch said! She¡¯s dead and gone now! Just like I always wanted!¡± Parcy exclaimed.

    Parcy¡¯s voice then echoed faintly, a low, melodic chant that seemed to seep into the very bones of the world. The ruins around them began to shift, the broken remnants of buildings reshaping themselves into towering monoliths of shadow. The structures leaned and bent with an unnatural grace, their forms shifting like liquid as they blocked out the dim, dying light of the corrupted sun. The world seemed to close in around Yuuna, the darkness thickening into an oppressive force that made even the air feel heavy. But Yuuna¡¯s fire burned brighter. She flared her wings, the flames along her claws intensifying as she propelled herself upward.

    ¡®She¡¯s skilled with my darkness¡­I could maybe even use her as an ally..if she¡¯d just stop running! Those damn demon Monarchs really have a hold on her! I have to take the mask off!¡¯

    The monoliths responded, their liquid-like surfaces rippling as they detached from the ground and shot toward her with terrifying speed. They moved like spears, reshaping themselves mid-air to target her trajectory. Yuuna spun, her wings catching the air as she twisted between the projectiles. Each one missed her by a hair, their razor-sharp edges slicing through the space where she had been a fraction of a second earlier. One of them curved unnaturally, angling itself to intercept her mid-flight, but Yuuna anticipated it. She flipped backward, her wings folding tight against her body as the projectile streaked past her chest. In the same motion, she extended her claws, slashing through the monolith with a burst of fire that shattered its form into harmless fragments.

    ¡®She¡¯s getting faster¡­? Using darkness to accelerate her speed. I could go into full dragon form to catch up with her, but it makes me tired at times after transforming, since I''m half human. And who knows what the hell else I¡¯ll run into!¡¯ Yuuna thought.

    Parcy¡¯s pace quickened, her masked face tilting slightly as if to observe Yuuna¡¯s movements. She raised both hands this time, and the ground ahead of her split open, revealing a massive, yawning chasm that seemed to stretch infinitely downward. From its depths, something immense began to rise¡ªa twisted amalgamation of stone, shadow, and corrupted iron that formed into a towering golem. Its body was a patchwork of jagged edges and misshapen limbs, each step it took causing the earth to tremble. The golem swung one massive arm toward Yuuna, its jagged fingers closing in with crushing force.

    Parcy exclaimed, ¡°Why don¡¯t you just take the hint? Oh I forgot. You¡¯re the draconic goddess of darkness! You don¡¯t care about anyone! You don¡¯t care about anything but trying to stay alive, no matter how many you kill in the process!¡±

    Yuuna darted to the side, her wings snapping open as she accelerated past the golem¡¯s reach. The massive hand crashed into the ground, sending a spray of rubble into the air, but Yuuna was already moving. She climbed higher into the sky, her claws glowing with heat as she dove toward the golem¡¯s head. With a single, precise strike, she drove her claws into the creature¡¯s skull, her fire spreading through its body like a virus. The golem groaned, its form cracking and collapsing as the flames consumed it from within. Yuuna kicked off its crumbling body, using the momentum to push herself forward, her eyes locked on Parcy.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ¡°I¡¯m not evil anymore! Promise! I did good today! You can ask my darling Xyenn! He knows who I really am, and so do my Tyrants! I just..¡±

    ¡°You just wanna live, no matter who dies¡ª!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re wrong, brat! I¡¯m tired of running! Tired of manipulating! Now I realized that if an amazing human like Xyenn can fight hard to live, and not let death claim him, I can be the same. But not as evil!¡±

    ¡°Lies! You¡¯re from hell! You¡¯re just lying to get close to me!¡±

    ¡°I could kill you if I wanted, and you know it. If I was such the evil goddess you remember me as, I would¡¯ve enjoyed it by now, right?¡±

    Parcy stood there, her mask grasping her tightly, and she floored in the sky, saying, ¡°You¡¯re trying¡­to manipulate me now! You are!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not! I can help you! I¡¯m not the same Yuuna from before!¡±

    ¡°You think you can j-just turn good after all you did?! You should be helping me open the gates of Hell instead of stopping me!¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t bring back the lives lost to my darkness, but I can save double or tr-triple the amount! I know you can¡¯t trust me after all I did, BUT I¡¯m definitely a hero! I¡¯m awesome!¡±

    Parcy¡¯s fingers moved faster now, the gestures sharp and deliberate. The air around her shimmered as dozens of black orbs materialized, each one pulsing with unstable energy. The orbs shot toward Yuuna in rapid succession, zigzagging unpredictably as they closed the distance. Yuuna swerved between them, her wings tilting sharply as she maneuvered through the barrage. One of the orbs exploded just behind her, the force pushing her forward but doing no damage. Another orb curved toward her, but Yuuna whipped her tail around, the appendage igniting as it struck the orb mid-flight and detonated it harmlessly.

    The chase continued, the landscape growing more twisted and corrupted with every passing moment. Parcy¡¯s movements became more frantic, more desperate, as Yuuna closed the gap between them.

    The mask was whispering to Parcy, and Parcy shook her head.

    ¡®I can¡¯t..listen to her! She¡¯s the goddess of darkness! She manipulated so many weak minded humans! But she won¡¯t get me! I won¡¯t fall for it!¡¯

    The masked woman raised her arm one final time, and from the shadows around her, hundreds of identical figures emerged. They moved in perfect unison, dashing and weaving around each other in a chaotic storm of motion. Each clone mimicked Parcy¡¯s movements exactly, their forms indistinguishable from the original. The swarm surrounded Yuuna, their movements designed to confuse and disorient her as they darted in and out of her vision.

    But Yuuna wasn¡¯t fooled. Yuuna grinned, Her wings flared, and she hovered in place for a split second, her crimson eyes scanning the chaos with precision. Her body tensed, and then, in an instant, she was gone¡ªa streak of light cutting through the storm of clones. The air ignited in her wake, the flames scorching away the shadowy copies as she moved faster than the eye could follow.

    Parcy barely had time to react before Yuuna was upon her. The dragon¡¯s claws shot out, her hand wrapping around Parcy¡¯s masked face with unrelenting force. The clones vanished instantly, their forms dissolving into wisps of smoke as the real Parcy was caught. Yuuna¡¯s fiery gaze bore into her, and for the first time, the chase was over. Parcy struggled against the grip, but Yuuna held her firm, her flames casting an ominous glow over the corrupted wasteland. The only sound was the crackle of fire and the faint, labored breathing of the woman who had finally been stopped.

    Yuuna said, ¡°I¡¯m gonna take off the mask now, okay?¡±

    ¡°Let go of me, devil!¡±

    ¡°Nah, I don¡¯t think I will. I can smell you..you¡¯re not human. You¡¯re a pixie. I can smell the faint pixie dust. But it¡¯s corrupt..from my borrowed power.¡±

    ¡°¡­.Get It over with. I can¡¯t beat you. I can barely scratch you with your own power. But the mask will still find a new host! I only hope that they have the same drive as I have, to finish my mission. Maybe the Monarch can tell them that through the mask.¡±

    Yuuna gasped, thinking, ¡®That¡¯s it! The mask talks to her! If I can speak to it somehow..I can find out the Monarch who¡¯s been fucking up her mind!¡¯

    Yuuna grabbed the mask, and immediately pulled it off with hesitation. And there Parcy was. Burn marks edged the outline of her face from the mask, like literal hellfire touched it.

    Parcy was indeed a pixie.

    Her skin, once a soft, radiant hue of lavender that would have shimmered in the light, was now darkened and ashen, streaked with veins of inky black that pulsed faintly as though alive.

    Her hair, long and silken, spilled out beneath her cracked porcelain mask in a cascade of ghostly white strands. It glimmered faintly, as if traces of her old pixie dust still clung to every strand, though the dust was tainted. Where it should have glittered gold, it was now a dull, sickly green, trailing behind her like a decaying aura. The faint remnants of her pixie wings¡ªonce elegant and gossamer¡ªwere torn and fractured, blackened and warped by dark magic. Faint traces of corrupted pixie dust clung to the jagged edges, dripping like ash as they flickered weakly with dying light.

    ¡°You caught me. I¡¯m a pixie. A beast in the eyes of the Monarch.¡± Parcy said.

    ¡°That¡¯s why he was able to tame you with the mask¡­¡±

    ¡°You see I¡¯m still willing to wear it?! To achieve my goal?! Those girls¡­in the coven¡­they were like sisters to me. Helped me with everything. I¡¯m the last pixie in Kyrrin. The dragon god who ruled over us died to none other than the dragon god of war himself, Ezrael.¡±

    ¡°Huhhhh? Why?¡±

    ¡°Tsk! Why else? All those gods want is power, don¡¯t wanna die like you. They¡¯ll do anything. He knew it only takes one of us to fully worship our dragon god to sustain him forever.¡±

    Parcy¡¯s corrupted, trembling body twitched beneath Yuuna¡¯s grasp, her ashen lips twisting into a faint, bitter smile as her glowing red eyes locked onto Yuuna¡¯s. The faint remnants of her corrupted pixie dust pulsed weakly around her, shimmering like a dying ember before falling to the ground as dark, lifeless ash. Despite her condition, her voice carried a strange sense of clarity and grim authority, as though she was explaining a truth she had carried for far too long.

    Her body shuddered beneath Yuuna¡¯s pressure, but she pressed on, her voice growing steadier, heavier, as though the weight of her words demanded to be heard. ¡°That¡¯s all they are, you know. They¡¯re afraid. Afraid of death. They¡¯ll do anything to avoid it¡­ even if it means destroying everything else in the process. You¡¯ve seen it, haven¡¯t you? The way they cling to us, like parasites. They need us, Yuuna. They need our worship, our belief, our very essence to survive. Without it, they wither. They die. They lose everything they were, everything they are. And then they come back, empty and hollow, like a shadow of what they once were.¡±

    Her glowing eyes narrowed as she coughed weakly, more of the sickly green dust escaping her lips. ¡°But they didn¡¯t just need anyone to sustain them. No. They wanted us. My people. The Feyri¡¯el, the Pixies of the Astral Veil.¡±

    Parcy¡¯s voice shifted, taking on a mournful tone as she spoke of her people. ¡°We were born in the Astral World, a place between worlds, where the unseen and the forgotten thrive. In the heart of that vast, shimmering expanse was our home: Vyrnthal¡¯synla, the Grove of Eternal Light. It was a sanctuary, hidden away from mortal eyes and untouched by the corruption of Kyrrin. Our grove wasn¡¯t just a home¡ªit was a living, breathing fragment of the Astral World itself. The trees, the air, the very ground pulsed with life, with magic. And at its center, the Feyri¡¯el flourished, our presence keeping the grove alive, just as it kept us alive. You see, we weren¡¯t just part of the Astral World. We *were* the Astral World.¡±

    She paused, her chest rising and falling unevenly as her body trembled. ¡°Do you know what it means to be born of the Astral Veil? It means we were created not just to exist, but to sustain. Our very essence¡ªour pixie dust¡ªwas a gift from the First Dragon himself, the one who forged Kyrrin and the Astral World from his own essence. When he created the Feyri¡¯el, he made us to be caretakers of the Veil, to keep the Astral World alive with our presence. Our dust¡­ it isn¡¯t just magic. It¡¯s life. It¡¯s the very essence of creation, a fragment of the First Dragon¡¯s will. And when we worship a god¡ªany god¡ªour dust becomes theirs. It binds to them, sustains them, fills them with the strength to endure. Even one of us, worshiping a dragon god, is enough to sustain them for eternity. That¡¯s the power of our dust.¡±

    Her voice deepened with venom as she spoke the name. ¡°Ezrael. The Dragon God of War. Do you know what he did to us? He came to our grove, demanding worship. Demanding us. He didn¡¯t want our belief out of reverence or love. No, he wanted our dust. He knew the truth. He knew that even one of us, alive and worshiping him, could sustain him forever. He didn¡¯t need a nation. He didn¡¯t need armies. He didn¡¯t need temples. He needed *one*. Just one Feyri¡¯el. That¡¯s all it would take to keep him alive, to keep him from dying, from suffering the rebirth he feared so much.¡±

    Her voice cracked, and her body trembled with rage. ¡°But he was too strong. When he came to Vyrnthal¡¯synla, we tried to resist him. We tried to hide, to protect the grove. But he didn¡¯t care. He was reckless, destructive. He tore through the grove like it was nothing. His power was¡­ unimaginable. He didn¡¯t even mean to kill us. He didn¡¯t have to. He was so strong, so careless, that just his presence destroyed everything. The trees burned. The sky darkened. The air turned to ash. And my people¡­ my people died. All of them. He laughed. He *laughed!* He stood there, in the ruins of our home, and he laughed because he didn¡¯t care. He didn¡¯t need all of us. He only needed one.¡±

    Parcy¡¯s glowing eyes locked onto Yuuna¡¯s, her voice growing sharper, more direct. ¡°Do you understand now? Our dust isn¡¯t just magic. It¡¯s life. It¡¯s creation. It¡¯s the reason the Astral World exists, the reason *we* exist. Without us, the Astral Veil would fade, just like the dragon gods would fade without worship. That¡¯s why Ezrael came for us. That¡¯s why he didn¡¯t care if he destroyed our grove. Because he knew he only needed one of us. Just one. And now¡­¡± Her lips twisted into a bitter smile. ¡°Now I¡¯m the last.¡±

    Yuuna sighed, ¡°Yeahhh. I heard of the Astral World. It¡¯s right before our eyes but we can''t see it. Besides those necromancers that run around everywhere. You pixies and other astral-like beings existed which kept the Astral World. And that went for all beings, right?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. Not that I know of. But the more a deity or anyone who is not astral nature are quicker to die in there. That¡¯s why Ezrael has not been in there to look for other beings. But for some reason now ... .I can''t feel the presence of the Astral World anymore. I can''t see it. Like it¡¯s been hidden on purpose or destroyed. Like it¡¯s gone.¡±

    ¡°Hmmm. Tell me, did you corrupt yourself with my darkness so you wouldn¡¯t be used as a worship tool? I¡¯m smart, I know.¡±

    ¡°Yeah I did. I don¡¯t want them taking me. But my pixie dust is strong, traces of it remain on me, meaning I¡¯m still useful to them.¡±

    Parcy started to stand up. Her body was starting to rot slowly.

    Yuuna staggered back, asking, ¡°What¡¯s¡ª.¡±

    ¡°You took my mask off, which was keeping the darkness and the price of using it from taking me.¡±

    ¡°Agh! I¡¯m sorry! Uh, put it back on!¡±

    Parcy stopped her, replying, ¡°No. I realize this is the fastest way to see the coven and Halega. I have to pay the price for darkness. Please destroy the mask, you¡¯re capable of it. Otherwise if you run around it¡¯ll look for a host. The Monarch has connected his bond to it, thanks to me. I believe you and your darling Xyenn or whatever his name is will do what¡¯s right, hm?¡±

    Yuuna didn¡¯t stop her, and Parcy began to be consumed by crows. But her last words were: ¡°There are other witches through the continents¡­if you run into any, seek their aid! Kill those fucking dragon gods! All of them! You and your group! Please¡­¡±

    Blood poured from Parcy as she finally was gone, and Yuuna stood there, the blood from Parcy, almost touching her feet.

    (The Sanctuary)

    The battle was over, yet the sanctuary felt more like a graveyard than a place of victory. The silence that followed Salazar¡¯s death wasn¡¯t peaceful¡ªit was suffocating, heavy with the stench of blood, ash, and molten stone. The golden flames that had once radiated from Xyenn¡¯s sunlike head had long since died out, leaving only the faint glow of embers that clung to his battered body. He was on his knees in the center of the devastation, his head bowed, his breathing shallow and ragged. Blood streamed from his mouth with every hacking cough, staining the cracked ground beneath him. Red streaks ran from the corners of his eyes, cutting through the soot and grime on his face, as though his very life essence was leaking out of him. His left arm hung limply at his side, twitching uncontrollably, and his entire body trembled like a dying flame in the wind.

    Xyenn gasped for air, but it felt like his lungs were collapsing. Every breath burned his chest like molten glass, and the taste of iron filled his mouth. His vision blurred, the world around him fading in and out of focus. He didn¡¯t feel victorious. He didn¡¯t feel like a hero. He felt like he was clinging to life by the thinnest thread, a body broken by his own recklessness and the overwhelming power he had barely been able to control. His mind screamed at him to move, to get up, to gather the strength to stand, but his body refused to obey. He was trapped in his own pain, drowning in it.

    From a few feet away, Gorran stood still, his grip on his bloodied blade tightening as he watched Xyenn. His breathing was labored, but far steadier than the broken mess in front of him. His crimson eyes, sharp and calculating, lingered on Xyenn¡¯s trembling form. He didn¡¯t move. He didn¡¯t speak. He didn¡¯t even know what to feel.

    Gorran had always been brooding, a man who kept others at a distance. He didn¡¯t trust people, didn¡¯t like people, and certainly never felt pity for anyone. Xyenn wasn¡¯t supposed to be an exception. The two of them were rivals, equals only in the sense that they fought for the same cause but never for the same reasons. And yet, seeing him kneeling there, broken and bleeding, coughing up his life onto the charred stone¡­it didn¡¯t feel like victory. It didn¡¯t even feel satisfying.

    It felt wrong.

    Gorran¡¯s jaw clenched as he fought against the tangled mess of emotions twisting inside him. Fear clawed at the edges of his mind¡ªfear that Xyenn might actually die here, in this ruined place. Anxiety churned in his gut, not because he cared about Xyenn, but because the idea of losing him¡ªof losing the one person who could match him blow for blow¡ªleft a hollow ache he didn¡¯t want to admit was there. Anger bubbled beneath it all, anger at Xyenn¡¯s recklessness, at his willingness to throw himself into oblivion just to win, just to prove something. And then, there was something else. Not pity. Not sympathy. Something colder, sharper.

    Xyenn could¡¯ve killed him. Gorran had seen it in his eyes, in the moment when the sun had consumed him. Xyenn had been seconds away from losing himself completely, from tearing Gorran apart in his blind fury. But he hadn¡¯t. Somehow, he had held back. Somehow, Xyenn had stopped himself.

    Gorran didn¡¯t know what to do with that.

    His eyes narrowed, and his hand twitched at his side. He wanted to walk away, to leave Xyenn here to deal with the consequences of his own recklessness. But his feet wouldn¡¯t move. His mind screamed at him to leave, to let Xyenn rot, but something else¡ªsomething he didn¡¯t want to name¡ªkept him rooted in place.

    ¡°Damn it,¡± Gorran muttered under his breath, his voice low and sharp. ¡°You idiot.¡±

    He stepped forward, his boots crunching over the rubble and ash as he approached Xyenn. His movements were slow, almost reluctant, as though his own body was fighting against him. When he reached Xyenn, he loomed over him, his crimson eyes cold and unreadable. ¡°You look pathetic,¡± he said, his voice dripping with disdain. ¡°What, all that light in your head burn out your brain too?¡±

    Xyenn coughed violently, blood splattering onto the ground as he tried¡ªand failed¡ªto raise his head. His body trembled, and a weak, raspy laugh escaped his lips. ¡°You¡­you always know how to cheer me up, bastard¡± he croaked, his voice barely audible.

    Gorran scowled, the corner of his mouth twitching in irritation. Without warning, he raised his fist and drove it into Xyenn¡¯s stomach with brutal force. Xyenn doubled over, a pained wheeze escaping him as he clutched his abdomen. ¡°Owww,¡± he groaned, his voice cracking. He squinted up at Gorran, his face twisted in pain. ¡°Whyyy did you do that?¡±

    Gorran looked away, his expression unreadable. ¡°Nothing,¡± he muttered, his voice gruff. ¡°Can¡¯t have you dead when I¡¯m supposed to make sure Yuuna stays in good spirits, is all.¡±

    Xyenn let out a weak laugh, shaking his head as he slowly sat up, still holding his stomach. ¡°You¡¯re a real softie, you know that?¡±

    ¡°Shut up.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s hand reached out, grabbing Gorran¡¯s arm. His grip was weak but steady, and his bloodied red eyes locked onto Gorran¡¯s. ¡°I¡¯m reckless,¡± Xyenn admitted, his voice low and strained. ¡°I know it. I hate it. I promised myself I wouldn¡¯t lose again, that I wouldn¡¯t have to push this far just to survive. But I¡¯m not strong enough yet.¡± He coughed, blood dripping from his lips. ¡°I need to be stronger. I need¡­you to train me. You and Mertha. I can¡¯t keep doing this. I can¡¯t keep¡­¡± He trailed off, his voice breaking.

    For a moment, Gorran just stared at him. He saw himself, years ago, kneeling in the dirt, bloodied and broken, begging his father to teach him how to protect his family. The memory hit him like a blade to the chest, and he hated it. He hated seeing himself in Xyenn. He hated the part of him that understood.

    With a sharp exhale, Gorran grabbed Xyenn by the arm and hauled him to his feet. His movements were rough, almost careless, but there was something steady in the way he held Xyenn up. ¡°That¡¯ll give me the opportunity to put a beating on you,¡± Gorran said, his voice sharp and edged with sarcasm. ¡°You¡¯ll regret asking me.¡±

    Xyenn grinned weakly, his voice barely a whisper. ¡°In¡­your fucking¡­dreams.¡±

    The warmth of the sunlight that had once illuminated the ruined sanctuary began to fade. Xyenn and Gorran both turned their heads toward the sky, their battered bodies tensing as they watched in disbelief. The sun, once golden and bright, was darkening. Shadows crawled across its surface like veins, spreading outward until the light was almost completely consumed. The sun turned black, its edges shimmering with an ominous, crimson glow.

    Far outside, Yuuna froze in place, her eyes wide with alarm as she stared up at the darkened sky. ¡°What¡­is this?¡± she whispered, a chill running down her spine.

    Deep within a hidden cave, Mertha and Quinara turned toward the entrance, where the faint light of the sun had turned to shadow. Mertha¡¯s brow furrowed, her hand gripping her staff tightly. ¡°Something¡¯s wrong,¡± she said, her voice low. ¡°Stay low!¡±

    ¡°Impossible¡­something touched the sun, something that had no reason.¡±

    ¡°Darkness it seems. Do you know what will happen?¡±

    ¡°No. Do you?¡±

    ¡°Hell no I don''t, that''s why I¡¯m asking.¡±

    ¡°Ahh. I see.¡±

    Behind them, the shadows shifted, and the blood on the floor began to rise. The blood twisted and coalesced, forming humanoid figures that stood unnaturally still. The Blood Maidens were grotesque, their bodies made entirely of crimson liquid. Their forms were humanoid but imperfect¡ªfeatureless faces, elongated limbs, and bodies that pulsed and rippled like living veins. Their heads dripped constantly, trails of blood falling to the ground and reabsorbing into their feet.

    In the sanctuary, the blood left behind from Salazar¡¯s battle began to move as well, pooling together into more of the Blood Maidens. Outside, Parcy¡¯s lifeless corpse twisted unnaturally, her blood spilling from her body and rising into the shape of yet another Maiden.

    The Maidens spoke in unison, their voices hollow and layered, like a chorus of the damned. ¡°Please come with us, while darkness blocks the sun.¡±

    Xyenn and Gorran froze, their eyes locking onto the figures as the ominous words hung in the air. The tension was suffocating. Something far worse was coming.

    Xyenn clenching his fists, thought, ¡®Who are they?! Are those the Bloodmaidens Halega mentioned?! They have to be! It¡¯s obvious! And they erupted from the blood of the dead¡­even a being who was created? Are they that strong?¡¯

 Chapter 35: Blood Maidens

    The domain of the Bloodmaidens was a confined, crypt-like cavern that seemed to pulse with life, though that life was unnaturally tied to the rivers of blood flowing through its structure. The walls were jagged and uneven, carved from dark stone that glistened with a sheen of blood. Veins of crimson light pulsed through the walls, forming intricate networks of runes that wove across the stone in mesmerizing patterns. The floor was slick with a thin layer of blood, and deep pools dotted the space, their surfaces unnaturally still, reflecting the faint red glow of the room. The ceiling hung low, dripping blood in a rhythmic cadence, the droplets falling into the pools below with a sound that echoed faintly, as though the cavern itself were breathing.

    The Bloodmaidens moved through the space with a liquid grace, their forms constantly shifting between solid and fluid states. Some others were humanoid in shape, distinctly feminine, but their bodies were entirely composed of blood. The liquid that made up their forms dripped endlessly, though it always reconstituted itself, never diminishing. Their movements were unnervingly silent, and their faces were featureless save for faint impressions of eyes and mouths that shifted as they spoke. Their voices were haunting yet elegant, carrying a dialect that was unlike anything natural¡ªtones laced with an ancient, almost musical cadence, similar to a dreadful choir. Their words felt heavy, as though each syllable carried a ritualistic significance. "The blood is not lost," one murmured, her voice soft yet resonant, like a whisper carried on a breeze. "It remembers its purpose. Through the runes, we return it to form. Life is eternal when bound to the flow."

    The runes themselves were carved into the very fabric of the crypt, etched into the walls, the floors, and even the surfaces of the pools. Each rune was a work of art, a complex arrangement of sharp lines, curves, and geometric patterns that seemed to hum faintly with energy. They glowed with a soft crimson light, their designs shifting subtly as though alive. Some were small and simple, while others were sprawling, covering entire walls with their intricate designs. Here are a few examples of the runes:

    ???? This rune resembled a jagged "X" crossed by two vertical lines, with small spirals extending from the ends of each arm. It glowed faintly, pulsing in time with the heartbeat-like rhythm of the crypt. This rune was used to extract the essence of blood from the dead, pulling it into the pools to be reshaped.

    ???? A circular rune, its center marked by a perfect dot surrounded by concentric rings. Sharp, angular lines radiated outward, intersected by smaller crescents that formed a star-like pattern around the edges. This rune was a binding sigil, used to weave the blood of the dead into new forms, reshaping it into Bloodmaidens.

    ???? A triangular rune, its base jagged and uneven, with a crescent moon cradled within its center. Small, branching lines extended outward like veins, connecting to smaller runes around it. This rune was used to purify blood, severing curses or corruption within its flow.

    The Bloodmaidens worked tirelessly, their hands moving with deliberate precision as they traced these runes into the air. The blood obeyed their will, rising from the pools in streams that twisted and coiled into the shapes of the runes before settling into the stone. Each movement was accompanied by soft murmurs, their voices blending into a strange, haunting melody. "The blood flows, and with it, the memory of life," one whispered as she shaped a rune in the air. "Through the runes, it is reborn. Through the flow, it is eternal."

    At the far end of the crypt, Gorran stood with his arms crossed, scowling as he eyed the Bloodmaidens approaching him. His armor was stained with blood, dark streaks running down his side from the wounds he stubbornly refused to let them treat.

    ¡°No.¡±

    The Bloodmaidens only laughed at him, laughing in a weird way that sounded like something popping loudly.

    One of the Bloodmaidens extended a hand toward him, her fingers dripping with blood that coalesced into a glowing rune in her palm. The rune was jagged and angular, resembling a fractured circle with sharp lines cutting through its center. It pulsed faintly as she spoke, her voice calm and melodic. "Your wounds weaken the flow. The blood will mend you, as it mends all things."

    Gorran sneered, drawing Xenith from its sheath with a sharp metallic hiss. "I don''t need your weird blood magic," he growled, pointing the blade at her. "Keep that dripping nonsense away from me."

    The Bloodmaiden laughed and tilted her head slightly, her featureless face rippling as though in amusement. "You bleed, yet you refuse the flow. The stubbornness of the living is endless."

    Gorran swung Xenith in a wide arc, the blade humming with dark energy as it cut through the air. "I said, keep it away!" he barked, his voice edged with irritation. The Bloodmaidens stepped back slightly laughing still, their forms rippling as though offended, but they did not retreat entirely.

    Mertha, watching the scene with her usual stoic intensity, rolled her eyes and stepped forward. Without a word, she grabbed Gorran in a crushing bear hug, lifting him off the ground as though he weighed nothing. Gorran''s composure shattered instantly, his legs kicking wildly as his eyes widened in panic. "Mertha! You oaf! Put me down! PUT ME DOWN!" he shouted, his voice rising to an undignified squeal.

    Mertha smirked faintly, her tone calm but laced with amusement. "Stop squirming, Gorran. You''re going to make it worse."

    The Bloodmaidens took their chance, laughing even more, stepping forward and pressing glowing runes against Gorran''s wounds. The light flared brightly as the runes activated, their shapes shifting and pulsating as they sealed the injuries with eerie precision. Gorran let out a strangled yelp, his face turning red with fury as he glared at Mertha. "Tch! I¡¯ll slaughter everyone!¡±

    Mertha finally released him, letting him drop to the floor with a thud. Gorran scrambled to his feet, his face a mixture of embarrassment and rage. "This isn''t over," he muttered darkly, sheathing Xenith with a sharp click.

    Mertha patted him on the back, saying, ¡°Hmmm what¡¯s gotten into you, old man?¡±

    ¡°What? This is how I usually act.¡±

    ¡°You acted a little flustered earlier, like you were enjoying it. Those Bloodmaidens clearly laughed at you, and you acted like¡ª.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t enjoy it!¡±

    ¡°Sure sure, what happened back at the sanctuary?¡±

    ¡°¡­.Nosey, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°You know me!¡±

    ¡°¡­Xyenn asked me to train him. My own rival. My nemesis. Asking me? He wants both of us to train him at the same time.¡±

    ¡°Let me guess. He did something reckless and dangerous because he didn¡¯t wanna lose?¡±

    ¡°You already know.¡±

    ¡°I know him too well. I¡¯m surprised YOU out of all people accepted his training proposal.¡±

    ¡°Tsk! It¡¯s not like I had a choice. Kid was barely clinging to life. Like I used to¡­I saw that damn look in his eye. A look of desperation. A look I always had, a look I was always praised for. But I was determined to make my family proud of me, I was spoiled rotten to the core. I wanted to get even stronger to keep hearing it. Made me actually feel loved. I¡¯m adopted, and¡ªwait!¡±

    Mertha was just listening, with a shocked face, saying, ¡°No way you¡¯re actually telling me your backstory!¡±

    ¡°Damn you! Forget I said anything!¡±

    ¡°No wait! Come back! Keep going!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll kill you!¡±

    ¡°Haha! Wait up! You don¡¯t even know where to go!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll slice my way out!¡±

    At the center of the crypt, Quinara lay on a stone table, her pregnant form surrounded by several Bloodmaidens who worked with a reverence that bordered on worship. They placed glowing flowers along her body, their petals shimmering with silvery light that seemed to pulse in time with the blood runes carved into the table. These flowers were no ordinary plants¡ªthey were infused with the blessing of the Moon Goddess, their essence steeped in lunar energy. The petals were soft and translucent, like thin sheets of glass, and their stems glowed faintly with an otherworldly light.

    The Bloodmaidens whispered as they worked, their voices low and rhythmic, like a chant woven from ancient secrets. "The moonlight binds the blood, severing the flame''s corruption," one murmured, her hands tracing a circular rune on Quinara''s abdomen. The rune glowed brighter as the flowers'' essence seeped into it, their light merging with the blood to purify it. "The curse is in the flow, tied to the threads of life. Through the moon''s blessing, we unravel its hold."

    The runes carved into the table were complex and beautiful, their shapes resembling constellations traced in blood. One rune, shaped like an elongated crescent moon with jagged lines branching outward, pulsed faintly as it absorbed the energy of the flowers. Another, a perfect circle divided by sharp, angular lines, flared brightly as the Bloodmaidens pressed their hands against it, channeling the lunar energy into Quinara''s veins. The blood carried the essence of the moonlight, spreading through her body and severing the curse''s hold with each pulse.

    Meanwhile, Xyenn sat in a pool of steaming water near the edge of the crypt, the heat soothing his body as he leaned back against the smooth stone. The hot spring shimmered faintly, its surface alive with swirling crimson motes of light that danced just beneath the water. The spring was lined with glowing runes, their shapes resembling flowing rivers of blood that converged into sharp, angular patterns. These runes were designed to finalize the healing process, binding the body and soul together through the energy of the water.

    Xyenn thought, ¡®We joined them without hesitation, basically it was Yuuna who just came old us not to be scared of them as she can smell someone on them. Which was super weird but whatever. Yuuna picked the flowers off Parcy and gave it the BloodMaidens. Apparently, it seemed Parcy kept the flowers so she couldn¡¯t be stopped by someone trying to stop her from connecting the link. She just needed some leverage, something to hold off anyone, she must¡¯ve figured the dragon god of the sun would be born during her task, and she was probably right. It was a good use of a dire situation, and she needed something the cultists had. It wasn¡¯t an ordinary tree branch. And Yuuna was even holding her mask, but when I asked her about it, she basically ignored me and started talking to the Bloodmaidens. Yuuna won¡¯t tell me what she and Parcy talked about. Why? Does she not want me to worry?¡¯

    The warmth of the spring seeped into Xyenn''s muscles, relaxing him as he closed his eyes and let out a sigh of relief. But his peace was interrupted as a group of Bloodmaidens approached, their forms rippling faintly as they moved toward the edge of the spring. One of them stepped forward and spoke, her voice smooth and melodic. "The waters heal, yet the flow completes. Shall we join, to mend what remains undone?"

    Xyenn''s eyes snapped open, and he sat up quickly, his face flushing. "No thanks! I''m fine! Really, no need for... extra company!" The Bloodmaidens tilted their heads, their featureless faces briefly solidifying as though expressing mild confusion, but before they could insist, Yuuna appeared behind them, her grin wide and unnervingly cheerful.

    "Scram, drippy bloody ladies. He¡¯s mine," Yuuna said, waving a hand dismissively. The Bloodmaidens hesitated for a moment before rippling back into the shadows of the crypt, their forms melting away as they cackles in the process.

    Yuuna turned toward Xyenn, her dark pink eyes glinting mischievously as she began to strip without hesitation. She stepped into the water, the crimson motes swirling around her as she sank into the spring. Moving behind Xyenn, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and rested her chin on his shoulder, her bare breasts pressing against his back.

    Xyenn stiffened, his face turning bright red. "Yuuna, what are you¡ª"

    "Relax, dummy," Yuuna interrupted, her voice soft and unusually calm. "You''re too uptight."

    ¡°Is it okay?¡±

    ¡°Hm? For what?¡±

    ¡°To just strip naked here?¡±

    ¡°They won¡¯t come back. They already had a glimpse of what I¡¯m like.¡±

    Xyenn tried to protest, but the warmth of her body, combined with the heat of the water, made it impossible to stay tense. He let out a breath, the tension melting away as the two of them sat in silence for a moment. The crypt seemed to fade around them, the strange, unsettling atmosphere replaced by a quiet, almost sensual energy.

    Yuuna was breathing softly, thinking, ¡®This is something I want to last forever..but it seems so far away.¡¯

    After a few moments, Xyenn frowned slightly, noticing how tightly Yuuna was holding onto him. "Hey," he said softly, glancing over his shoulder. "What''s wrong?"

    Yuuna''s voice was quiet, almost sheepish. "I... can''t swim."

    Xyenn blinked, then let out a soft laugh. "You can''t swim? Why are you even in here?"

    Yuuna''s cheeks flushed faintly as she buried her face in his shoulder. "Shut up. It''s fine as long as I hold onto you. Plus, we have a child. Don¡¯t be so nervous after literally all we did to each other¡ª.¡±

    ¡°HAHA! Yeah! Mhm! Yep! Said that pretty loud, haha.¡± Xyenn chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.

    For a moment, the two of them simply sat there, the warmth of the water and Yuuna''s embrace making the crypt feel a little less grim. The faint glow of the runes around them flickered softly, their light merging with the crimson motes in the spring, creating an atmosphere that, for just a moment, felt peaceful.

    The hot spring was like a sanctuary, nestled deep in the heart of the crypt. The crimson light of the runes lining the stone walls cast a soft, warm glow over the water, which swirled lazily with faint red motes, shimmering like scattered embers. The heat seeped into Xyenn¡¯s muscles, loosening the knots of tension that had been there for what felt like an eternity. For the first time he felt his body relax¡ªtruly relax.

    He leaned against the smooth stone edge of the spring, his hair damp and clinging to his forehead, his breath slow and steady. Across from him, Yuuna sat with her arms locked on Xyenn, her head still resting on his shoulder, her long hair cascading over her shoulders like liquid silk. Her bare skin glistened faintly in the light, her usual manic energy replaced by a rare stillness. The silence between them was comfortable, the kind of silence born from trust and shared hardship.

    Xyenn¡¯s gaze flicked toward her, and his stomach did a little flip. Yuuna wasn¡¯t doing anything particularly dramatic¡ªshe was just sitting there, her eyes closed, her lips set in a soft, content smile¡ªbut something about her presence felt overwhelming. Maybe it was the way she carried herself, even in moments like this, with an effortless confidence that made him feel like she belonged in the heat and fire of battle more than in a quiet moment like this. Or maybe it was the fact that he was nineteen, and no amount of training with women, sitting in a hot spring with a beautiful, half-naked woman. A literal dragon goddess.

    It all seemed too good to be true. But this was his reality.

    He swallowed hard, forcing himself to look away, his face burning.

    ¡®Why do I still act like this after me and Yuuna did lewd things? It¡¯s hard for me to just act normal, especially when I¡¯m not really used to this! But she likes when I act like this¡ªI mean it¡¯s not really an act. It¡¯s just me.¡¯

    Yuuna cracked one eye open and smirked. ¡°You¡¯re staring, Xyenn.¡±

    Xyenn jolted, splashing water in his panic. ¡°I wasn¡¯t staring!¡± he blurted, his voice a little too loud.

    Yuuna laughed, the sound light and teasing, and leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand. ¡°Relax, dummy. I¡¯m not going to bite. Unless, of course, you want me to. We could probably do it quick here.¡±

    Xyenn groaned, covering his face with his hands. ¡°I can¡¯t take you seriously when you¡¯re like this.¡±

    Yuuna grinned, but instead of teasing him further, she leaned back again, her eyes drifting to the glowing runes on the walls. For a moment, she looked peaceful¡ªalmost serene.

    ¡°This is nice,¡± she murmured, her voice softer now. ¡°Just¡­ sitting here. No monsters trying to eat us, no curses to break, no crazy gods throwing fireballs at us.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Xyenn said quietly, his gaze softening as he looked at her. ¡°It really is.¡±

    The heat of the water seemed to wrap around them, pulling the weight of their exhaustion into the depths of the spring. Every battle they¡¯d fought together¡ªthe days they spent running and bleeding just to survive¡ªall of it felt like it was melting away in the warmth.

    Yuuna sighed deeply, her voice carrying a rare vulnerability. ¡°Sometimes, I forget what it feels like to just¡­ stop.¡±

    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    Xyenn nodded, his voice quiet. ¡°Feels like the world is standing still just for this.¡±

    For a while, they sat in silence, letting the moment stretch. But then, as if unable to resist, Yuuna¡¯s mischievous grin returned. She turned to Xyenn, her pink eyes glinting with amusement.

    ¡°Alright,¡± she said, her tone light and playful. ¡°Let¡¯s make this interesting. Tell me something about yourself. Something... normal. What¡¯s your favorite thing to eat?¡±

    Xyenn blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question. ¡°Uh¡­ I guess roasted pheasant. My mother used to make it with honey glaze when I was a kid.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Honey glaze? Fancy boy over here, eating like a noble!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not that fancy!¡± Xyenn protested, his face going red. ¡°It¡¯s just good!¡±

    Yuuna snickered. ¡°Alright, alright. I¡¯ll let you off the hook. Me? I¡¯ll eat anything. As long as it¡¯s not vegetables.¡±

    Xyenn tilted his head. ¡°Wait¡­ you don¡¯t like vegetables? At all?¡±

    ¡°Not even a little,¡± Yuuna said with a dramatic gag. ¡°They¡¯re bitter and gross. I¡¯d rather eat dirt.¡±

    Xyenn laughed, shaking his head. ¡°You¡¯re ridiculous.¡±

    ¡°Ridiculously honest,¡± Yuuna shot back, grinning. ¡°Alright, next question: what¡¯s something you¡¯re terrible at?¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­¡± Xyenn hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. ¡°I guess¡­ dancing?¡±

    Yuuna gasped, her eyes wide with mock horror. ¡°You can¡¯t dance? Xyenn, this is a tragedy! We need to fix this immediately!¡±

    ¡°Wait, no¡ª¡± Xyenn began, but Yuuna was already moving toward him, her grin turning manic.

    ¡°Come on!¡± she said, grabbing his arms and pulling him upright in the water. ¡°Just follow my lead! One, two, three, one, two, three¡­¡±

    ¡°This is not dancing!¡± Xyenn groaned as Yuuna moved his arms back and forth like a puppet.

    ¡°You¡¯re doing great!¡± Yuuna laughed, her voice loud and gleeful. ¡°Look at you! A real ballroom star!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s face burned as Yuuna continued to sway his arms, her laughter echoing through the crypt. ¡°This is humiliating,¡± he muttered, though the corners of his mouth twitched despite himself.

    After a few minutes, Yuuna finally released him, collapsing back into the water as she wiped tears from her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re hopeless,¡± she said between laughs.

    ¡°And you¡¯re insane,¡± Xyenn shot back, though his voice was light, and he couldn¡¯t help the small smile tugging at his lips.

    ¡°Of course I am. You love it.¡±

    Their laughter eventually faded, replaced by a warm, comfortable silence. They drifted closer to each other, their shoulders brushing as they leaned against the edge of the spring.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± Xyenn said quietly after a moment.

    Yuuna glanced at him. ¡°For what?¡±

    ¡°For¡­ this,¡± he said, gesturing vaguely at the spring. ¡°For making things feel¡­ normal. Even just for a little while.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s expression softened, and she smiled¡ªnot her usual mischievous grin, but something gentler. ¡°Anytime, darling. And I had one more question.¡±

    ¡°Hm?¡±

    ¡°What is your biggest fear?¡±

    That question silently shocked Xyenn. More like startled, because this was a question he never even asked himself. Xyenn quickly contemplated on whether he should tell Yuuna the truth, or continue hiding his true feelings. But the warmth of her skin and from the spring caused him to just spill it all out, with a sigh.

    ¡°I¡¯m scared of a lot of things.¡±

    ¡°We got time. Spill.¡±

    ¡°Losing. Losing in general, you probably already noticed by now. I¡¯m capable of doing insanely insane shit to win. Even if it kills me. And I hate that about myself. Something I gotta grow out of. Something new to grow from I guess. I made a promise and I tend to keep it. Even the promise I made to Mertha. If I lose, I¡¯m breaking all the promises I made. And I won¡¯t let that happen.¡±

    ¡°Xyenn¡­¡±

    Xyenn continued, ¡°I¡¯m scared of losing myself. I have trouble with my own morality. Too many things have happened thus far that challenges the very person I am. I killed bandits and sat on their corpses with a smile and laughed. I felt like a psycho, letting my own past almost take over me. And with Haldrek in my ear, seeing that he keeps saying we''re similar, it makes it worse. I don¡¯t wanna be a monster.¡±

    Yuuna slightly gasped at what he said, but she kept quiet for now.

    Xyenn continued, ¡°But I feel like I¡¯m slowly becoming one. And that¡¯s what I fear. Too much is at stake, dragon gods are hunting us, and I¡¯m expecting too much. And the last thing I fear is losing you. You¡¯re the only one who made me see how great love can be and all that, not to sound cringe or anything. But yeah..after this is all over, I want to build with you and everything. If you perish then so do I, that¡¯s how much I¡¯m planning on being close to you. Well, if you die then automatically it¡¯s my turn by draconic law. And I don¡¯t want any of the Tyrants to die either. Sethrak, Illyana, Zyphira, Mertha, Kivorn, Draeven, and even Gorran. Closest thing I had to having friends.¡±

    ¡°What do you really want?¡±

    ¡°What we¡¯re feeling right now. Warmth, peace, stillness. All the things that make up my own happiness. But in order to reach it, I have a long way to go. A lot of things I have to fix about myself. What about you? What¡¯s your biggest fear¡ª?¡±

    ¡°¡ªDying. For the first time in like, forever, I feel truly alive. I didn¡¯t think helping humans would feel so good. Remember when we fought Death? When you fought as hard as you did even when we weren¡¯t merged, it showed me something. Showed me how far you were willing to go to win, to survive. You were helping me, someone who¡¯s evil. And even made a promise to me. It also showed me how I¡¯ve been fighting so hard to stay alive. I told you there were times where I would just think about ripping my own heart out and eating it, but that would be a waste. You hold my heart now, Xyenn. Because of you I¡¯m not the monster I was before. It felt so good when they said I saved someone, it felt super awesome. I don¡¯t wanna die, not until I¡¯ve experienced true peace, by your side. I vowed to myself I¡¯ll be trying my hardest to help people, not hurt them unless they fuck with me first, you know this. I wanna keep growing into a being who defied all the odds against her, with the help from her Tyrants and her darling. I wanna keep doing good stuff so I don¡¯t revert back to the monster I was just for survival. I just wanna be free. I don¡¯t wanna be alone again, not anymore. With you all with me, I feel unstoppable. And when I¡¯m with you alone, I feel safe. It¡¯s crazy as hell, I never saw myself falling for a human. Ever.¡±

    They sat in silence, both of them even closer to each other now physically, after they both spilled heavy amounts of their feelings and worst fears. A topic that would usually be awkward, but here it was on the lines of both of them basically saying to each other: ¡°I trust you with this.¡±

    The moment lingered, warm and quiet, until a deep, rumbling voice broke through the air like thunder:

    ¡°I hope I¡¯m not disturbing.¡±

    Xyenn shot upright, his body tensing as his head whipped toward the shadows. His hand instinctively reached for the sword that wasn¡¯t there.

    ¡®I couldn''t even sense a presence!¡¯

    From the darkness, a small figure emerged¡ªa dragon, no larger than a housecat, composed entirely of shimmering blood. Its body rippled and pulsed as though barely holding its shape, its wings thin and dripping with blood that seemed to evaporate before it hit the ground. Its glowing crimson eyes burned with an ancient intensity, and its voice rumbled again, impossibly deep for such a small creature.

    ¡°I am Orin, the Dragon God of Blood.¡±

    Xyenn stared at the tiny dragon for a moment before letting out a loud, uncontrollable laugh. ¡°That voice¡­ coming out of that?¡±

    Orin¡¯s glowing eyes narrowed, and he bared his tiny fangs. ¡°Silence, mortal! You dare mock me?¡±

    But Xyenn couldn¡¯t stop laughing, clutching his sides as tears streamed down his face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I just¡ªha!¡ªthis is too much!¡±

    Yuuna, on the other hand, remained completely calm. She stood, water cascading off her as black and pink flames erupted around her body, cloaking her bare form. Without a word, she strode toward Orin, her expression unreadable.

    Then, without warning, she smiled in a wide maniac grin, grabbed the dragon by the neck and started shaking him violently. ¡°YOU?! You¡¯re the one who said you¡¯d fight me next time?! Look at you! You¡¯re tiny! What happened¡ªdid you shrink yourself with blood, fool?!¡±

    ¡°Unhand me, you lunatic!¡± Orin screeched, his deep voice cracking into a much higher-pitched tone as he flailed in her grasp.

    Yuuna doubled over with laughter, still holding him by the neck. ¡°Oh, THIS is priceless! You¡¯re not tough at all, are you? You¡¯re just a little blood lizard pretending to be scary!¡±

    Orin huffed, his voice now entirely unthreatening. ¡°I am ancient and powerful!¡±

    ¡°Sure you are,¡± Yuuna teased, finally releasing him. ¡°Ancient and adorable.¡±

    Orin straightened himself with as much dignity as he could muster and growled. ¡°Enough. We have important matters to discuss.¡±

    ¡°Hm?¡±

    Xyenn asked Yuuna, ¡°Who is that?¡±

    Yuuna, keeping the same smile, pointed at Orin, ¡°Oh! This is Orin! The dragon god of blood. He¡¯s an elder dragon deity, like Haldrek and Kragvyr.¡±

    Xyenn got tense, saying, ¡°An elder dragon? That means he¡¯s our enemy! Right? Or¡­?¡±

    ¡°Yep! He is! But not right now. If we fought him, we¡¯d definitely get clobbered at our current power!¡±

    Orin grinned in arrogance, ¡°Hmph. Yeah that¡¯s right. For right now, we are not enemies. Just a proposal.¡±

    Xyenn inspected Orin, thinking, ¡®So he¡¯s the type to act super tough and try to make his voice deep and scary when he¡¯s really not like that in reality? But still had the capability to slaughter all of us? And he mentioned a proposal. Yep, he¡¯s definitely gonna ask us to do something.¡¯

    Xyenn asked Yuuna, ¡°You knew about Orin, but not the Bloodmaidens?¡±

    Orin responded for Yuuna in a deep dark tone, ¡°Foolish human, no one knows of the Bloodmaidens unless they want to be known to certain individuals. That¡¯s all I will say for now. Now then, you all are here. Bringing me that Quen woman. The one who has the cursed rune on her body, the Mark Of The Eternal Flame.¡±

    ¡°Cursed rune?¡± Xyenn asked in confusion.

    ¡°A rune corrupted by darkness. All curses come from Hell if you didn¡¯t know by now.¡±

    ¡°That means a demon was involved with this, right?¡±

    ¡°The astral bridges between the planes of Hell and Kyrrin are nimble. A connection between the desires of the heart and their lust for craving dark guidance. Making a contract or ritual can make you connect with one, for the right sacrifice.¡±

    ¡°I still don¡¯t understand runes all that well.¡±

    ¡®I remember seeing some people wear rune-covered armor and weapons in the tournament a few days ago. And me and Yuuna¡¯s new skill where we trace a runic symbol in the sky is one. The blindfolds people wear to avoid looking at the sun had runes. Some people I met had runes on their entire body. I never understood runes all like that. I¡¯m not some scholar.¡¯

    Orin screamed like a girl, ¡°PATIENCE!¡±

    Yuuna snickered towards Xyenn, ¡°Hehe, he''s mad.¡±

    Xyenn replied with a chuckle, ¡°I know right.¡±

    Orin said, ¡°ENOUGH FOLLY. Anyway, the dragon god of the sun is what the Prophets and Lysf?dt¡¯s call, an anomaly.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s glare darkened, ¡°You¡¯ve been in contact with them, haven¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°I have. But they came to me. They came to me a while back, in a dream. Wanting me to collect the blood of Gabriel and recreate him, and place the soul of a human in the mix, which¡ª.¡±

    Xyenn interrupted, ¡°¡ª-Which would complete their goal for recreating Gabriel so he could rule again. But just any soul?¡±

    ¡°The soul of their champion. A human who showed resilience and leadership. A human who was able to be blessed by the Lysf?dt himself to act as an enforcer of the dragon gods. To wipe out anomalies who try to defy the draconic laws.¡±

    Yuuna asked, ¡°Who is this person?¡±

    ¡°The abandoned son of the noble family called the Velmires. His name is Kassius Velmire.¡±

    Xyenn was shocked to hear that name again, ¡°The Velmires¡­they were supposed to help us wage war on Ezrael.¡±

    Orin continued, ¡°Kassius was born with no power. The Lysf?dt chose him as their champion enforcer. Blessing him with power he¡¯s never had before. Why? Because he¡¯s just like Gabriel was. Resilient, equal, believes in perfect balance, and never gives up.¡±

    Yuuna said, ¡°Waiiiiiit. That sounds a lot like Xyenn. Why wasn¡¯t he chosen? That¡¯s not fair!¡±

    Xyenn agreed, ¡°Y-Yeah! Why wasn¡¯t I chosen?!¡±

    Orin answered, ¡°REFRAIN FROM YELLING AT ME. Also, I don¡¯t know. So let me continue. The Prophets informed the Lysf?dt of anomalies occurring within fates timeline. Like Yuuna and you, for example. But you aren¡¯t the only ones. The Sun-Drake is one. If he is successful with being reborn outside of the Cycle of Rebirth, then he won¡¯t be bound to that curse any longer. It would make him break the draconic law. All draconic deities must stay within it, is an unwritten law. Lest the Lysf?dt arrive and set things straight, but that would mean killing over half the world. The Lysf?dt are too strong to arrive here physically, there would be casualties and war would follow. You all would easily be slain.¡±

    Xyenn remembered when that one Lysf?dt said that same exact thing to him in Gabriel¡¯s Ladder. Well not the full Lysf?dt, just a piece of the main ones body. That made Xyenn realize if he kept rejecting the Lysf?dt¡¯s offer to kill Yuuna and offer them her heart, they would have sent Kassius after them.

    Orin pressed on, ¡°That¡¯s why they needed a champion. And they chose the abandoned son.¡±

    Yuuna asked, ¡°So at the time, the Prophets worked with the Lysf?dt?¡±

    ¡°Ha! They say they don¡¯t work for anyone, not on anyone¡¯s side. But sometimes it''s hard to tell.¡±

    Xyenn asked, ¡°What are you trying to say then? I know you¡¯re gonna ask us to kill him right?¡±

    ¡°No. You need his help to kill an anomaly, King Haldrek.¡±

    Xyenn and Yuuna sat up, ¡°Haldrek?¡±

    Orin said, ¡°Haldrek has now become an anomaly. As the Prophet came to me and told me. This one is more psycho than the last, I miss the old one. But still! If Haldrek isn¡¯t killed, then he could become an unstoppable force. And as an elder dragon god, you know I¡¯m not kidding. Haldrek is extremely powerful and needs to die. If he doesn¡¯t die, fate will change again for the worst, is what the Prophet said, and they never lie. They are forbidden to lie.¡±

    Xyenn let out a breath, ¡°Kill Haldrek¡­?¡±

    He then remembered the horrible beating Haldrek had given to Xyenn, the painful one, remembering how he slaughtered fights and innocents at the arena. Xyenn clenched his fists, and closed his eyes, trying to make himself forget. Yuuna held Xyenn¡¯s hand softly, saying, ¡°Shhh, Xyenn.¡±

    Orin spoke more, ¡°And as for the dragon god of the sun, the Sun-Drake, Kassius was meant to kill him on this day. To get rid of this anomaly. But he¡¯s not able to be summoned. As fate has changed. So now, it¡¯s up to you two to kill the Sun-Drake, and search for Kassius Velmire and get him to help you kill king Haldrek. You will need him, but he¡¯s gone missing.¡±

    Xyenn paused, continuing, ¡°How are we supposed to fight the Sun-Drake? And who are you to give us orders?¡±

    ¡°I need his slain blood. That¡¯s the agreement me and Yuuna have worked out.¡±

    Yuuna gave a thumbs up, ¡°Yep! Have no choice! Don¡¯t wanna die!¡±

    Orin then floated past Xyenn, and said, ¡°Follow. I will show you something.¡±

    Xyenn turned to Yuuna, saying, ¡°Come on¡ª.¡±

    ¡°Ahhhh.¡± Yuuna began relaxing even more, hanging on the ledge of the spring. ¡°You two go ahead, I¡¯ll relax here until you get back.¡±

    ¡°O-Okay.¡±

    Orin screeched like a girl, ¡°HURRY UP.¡±

    Xyenn scoffed back, ¡°Fuck off! I¡¯m coming! Don¡¯t rush me!¡±

    The small blood dragon hovered just a few feet off the ground, his wings dripping faint streams of blood that evaporated before they touched the floor. Though Orin¡¯s body was diminutive, his deep, rumbling voice continued to carry an air of authority¡ªor at least, he tried to make it seem that way.

    ¡°Keep up, mortal,¡± Orin growled, glancing over his shoulder. His crimson eyes gleamed in the dim light. ¡°I don¡¯t have time to wait for your weak human legs to catch up.¡±

    Xyenn rolled his eyes, him fully dressed in his armor Yuuna and Gridd gifted him, his footsteps echoing lightly on the stone floor. ¡°I¡¯m literally right behind you. Maybe if you weren¡¯t the size of a fruit bat, you wouldn¡¯t have to try so hard to sound intimidating.¡±

    Orin bristled, his claws flexing mid-air. ¡°Mock me again, and I¡¯ll drain the blood from your body so fast your heart won¡¯t have time to stop beating.¡±

    ¡°Sure, tough guy,¡± Xyenn muttered under his breath, though he couldn¡¯t help the amused smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

    The corridor opened into a large chamber, its walls etched with intricate runes that pulsed faintly with a deep red light. The carvings seemed alive, moving in subtle, undulating patterns that made Xyenn¡¯s skin crawl. The air here was heavier, thick with the metallic tang of blood and something older, something ancient. At the center of the room stood a raised platform, its surface engraved with countless runes that spiraled outward like veins, converging at the base of a large, bowl-shaped altar.

    Orin landed gracefully on the edge of the altar, his small frame dwarfed by the imposing structure. He turned to face Xyenn, his voice dropping into a low, serious tone. ¡°Do you know what this place is, boy?¡±

    Xyenn shook his head, crossing his arms. ¡°I don¡¯t, but I¡¯m guessing you¡¯re about to give me a history lesson.¡±

    ¡®There¡¯s gotta be a deeper reason for him leading me here. I have to stay on guard just in case. He¡¯s still an elder dragon god.¡¯

    Orin ignored the jab, his glowing eyes narrowing. ¡°This is a Rune Altar. One of the oldest tools of forged magic in existence. It is here that the power of runes is harnessed, where the essence of dragons is bound, and where the Bloodmaidens serve their sacred purpose.¡±

    Xyenn frowned, stepping closer to examine the altar. The runes carved into its surface were unlike anything he¡¯d seen before¡ªjagged yet fluid, their shapes shifting slightly as he looked at them, as though they refused to be fully understood. ¡°The Bloodmaidens¡­¡± he muttered, his voice tinged with curiosity. ¡°What are they re¡±

    Orin¡¯s wings flapped once, sending a faint spray of blood into the air. ¡°The Bloodmaidens are the chosen,¡± he began, his tone carrying a weight of reverence. ¡°Women marked by destiny to bear the burden of dragon blood. Their purpose is sacred, yet grim¡ªthey collect and preserve the blood of slain dragon gods, ensuring that the Cycle of Rebirth continues.¡±

    ¡°Ahh. So you¡¯re like Death himself, without him, the Cycle Of Rebirth can¡¯t happen.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Orin said, his voice deepening. ¡°When a dragon god is killed, its essence does not simply vanish. Dragon gods are eternal beings, fragments of the First Dragon, Gabriel, who shaped the world and gave life to all magic. When one of us dies, our blood becomes the vessel that carries our essence. It is through the work of the Bloodmaidens using my power that this essence is preserved and infused into the cycle, allowing us to be reborn.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s gaze flickered to the runes on the walls. ¡°Infused? How does that work?¡±

    Orin¡¯s tail flicked impatiently. ¡°The runes are the key. They are not mere symbols¡ªthey are forged magic, gifts from Gabriel himself. When the First Dragon created the world, he left behind his essence, fragments of his power that took form as runes. These runes are the foundation of all magic. They carry the will of creation, capable of shaping reality itself.¡±

    Xyenn furrowed his brow. ¡°So¡­ the Bloodmaidens use runes to transfer the essence of a dead dragon god into its new reborn form?¡±

    ¡°Precisely,¡± Orin said, his tone sharp. ¡°Through blood magic, the runes bind a dragon¡¯s essence to the cycle, allowing it to take root in a new vessel. This process ensures that no dragon god¡¯s power is ever truly lost. But the cost is steep. The Bloodmaidens are not merely caretakers¡ªthey suffer greatly for their role. The blood of the dragon gods is not meant to be handled by mortals. It burns them, scars them, breaks them.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s jaw tightened, his fingers curling into fists. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ horrible.¡±

    ¡°It is necessary,¡± Orin said firmly. ¡°Without me and the Bloodmaidens, the cycle would collapse. The balance of the world depends on the rebirth of dragon gods. Without them, magic would wither, and the world would fall into ruin.¡±

    Xyenn took a step back, shaking his head. ¡°This sounds¡­ wrong. Like you¡¯re sacrificing people for the sake of these gods.¡±

    Orin¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°We do not sacrifice them. They choose this path. They understand their purpose, their duty. Just as you and Yuuna choose to go and hunt the gods, they choose to bear this burden.¡±

    Xyenn frowned but said nothing.

    Orin continued, his tone growing darker. ¡°Which brings us to the matter at hand. The Sun-Drake.¡±

    Xyenn stiffened. ¡°Quinara¡­¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Orin said. ¡°The Sun-Drake, the dragon god of the sun, has eluded the cycle. He has found a way to bypass rebirth, to cling to this world by anchoring himself to Quinara¡¯s unborn child. If he is allowed to be born outside the cycle, his power will grow unchecked, and the balance will be shattered. The Mark of the Eternal Flame¡ªthe curse that binds him to Quinara¡ªhas made her his vessel. The Sun-Drake and Haldrek cannot walk this world at the same time.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s stomach turned. ¡°Then we break the curse. We save her. Isn¡¯t that what we¡¯ve been doing since we¡¯ve been here.¡±

    Orin shook his head. ¡°It is not so simple. The Mark of the Flame is not a mere spell¡ªit is a rune. A curse rune. Even the blood runes cannot undo it. The only way to sever the Sun-Drake¡¯s hold is to allow him to be born. We thought we could destroy it, but this cursed rune is stronger than anticipated. Something with powerful dark magic must have forged it and gave it as a gift.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°What?! You¡¯re saying we let him be born? That¡¯s insane!¡±

    ¡°It is the only way,¡± Orin said, his voice cold and unyielding. ¡°If we time it correctly, if we strike the moment he is born, we can destroy him before he fully manifests. But it will not be easy. Quinara¡¯s body will endure unimaginable suffering. She may not survive.¡±

    Xyenn took a step forward, his voice rising. ¡°Then we find another way! You can¡¯t seriously expect me to agree to this¡ªto put her through that!¡±

    Orin¡¯s gaze bore into him, unflinching. ¡°There is no other way. The Sun-Drake¡¯s power is already growing. If he is not stopped here, now, he will consume her completely. She will die regardless¡ªbut if you allow this plan to proceed, there is a chance she may survive.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s fists clenched, his mind racing. ¡°And you expect Yuuna and me to¡­ what? To just let this happen?¡±

    ¡°You and Yuuna are stronger than you realize,¡± Orin said.

    ¡°You¡¯re asking me to gamble with her life,¡± Xyenn said quietly, his voice trembling with anger.

    ¡°I am asking you to save her,¡± Orin replied, his tone softer now. ¡°To save her, and everyone else. The Sun-Drake cannot be allowed to escape the cycle. His rebirth must be stopped here, or the world will burn. He is an anomaly. You will die if he lingers alongside Haldrek.¡±

    Xyenn stared at the altar, his mind a storm of emotions. He hated this plan¡ªhated the idea of putting Quinara through such pain.

    ¡®How will I sit there and look if she¡¯s suffering? And I can''t do anything? She¡¯ll probably think I''m an asshole or a coward. I¡¯ll feel responsible, like I¡¯m the one who caused it. I don¡¯t wanna see that. But if it¡¯s the only way to save her..¡¯

    Xyenn asked Orin, ¡°Why did you want to talk to me about this alone?¡±

    ¡°Yuuna would never agree to do this. And¡ª.¡±

    ¡°You thought I was naive.¡±

    ¡°Yes. You¡¯re insanely young. Who wouldn¡¯t think that?¡±

    The crimson glow of the runes etched along the walls seemed to pulse in rhythm with Orin¡¯s voice as he spoke, the tiny blood dragon perched on the edge of the altar, his wings twitching slightly. Despite his diminutive size, Orin stood¡ªor rather, hovered¡ªwith an air of authority, his deep voice resonating in the chamber like a thunderclap.

    ¡°The runes,¡± Orin began, his tone grave and deliberate, ¡°are the foundation of all magic¡ªof all life. Every soul in this world is infused with runes, fragments of the First Dragon¡¯s essence. Gabriel, the progenitor of all dragons, forged the runes from his very being when he created the world. They are gifts¡ªpieces of his power scattered throughout existence. They are the threads that bind reality together, the lifeblood of magic itself.¡±

    Xyenn leaned back against a nearby stone pillar, his arms crossed as he listened intently. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying everyone has runes in their soul?¡±

    ¡°Precisely,¡± Orin said, his crimson eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°Every living being is born with runes etched into their soul. These runes dictate their connection to magic, their potential to wield it. Some are born with strong, vibrant runes, their essence practically overflowing with magic. These individuals are what you humans call ¡®gifted.¡¯ They are the ones who can manipulate the world around them, shaping fire, water, wind, and earth to their will. And then¡­¡± Orin¡¯s voice dipped slightly, his gaze sharp. ¡°There are those who are born with dormant or fractured runes. They are powerless. Worthless.¡±

    Xyenn stiffened, his jaw tightening. ¡°Worthless? That¡¯s kind of harsh, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    ¡°It is not an insult; it is the truth,¡± Orin said bluntly, his tail curling behind him. ¡°Magic is the lifeblood of this world. Those without it are like empty vessels, unable to contribute to the flow of creation. Unless¡­¡± He trailed off, his glowing eyes narrowing further.

    ¡°Unless what?¡± Xyenn pressed.

    ¡°Unless they forge a bond with a dragon deity,¡± Orin said, his deep voice reverberating through the chamber. ¡°A contract. Through this bond, the deity infuses their essence into the mortal, granting them access to magic. These individuals become vessels for the dragon¡¯s power, their runes ignited by the divine spark. It is a dangerous exchange, for the mortal becomes bound to the dragon¡¯s will. They serve as extensions of the god¡¯s influence, their lives no longer their own.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s frown deepened, his eyes flickering to the glowing runes on the walls. ¡°And what about me?¡± he asked quietly. ¡°I wasn¡¯t born with power. No runes. No blessings. Nothing. Why? If Gabriel created this system, why would he make some people¡­ empty? You don¡¯t know what I¡¯ve been through.¡±

    Orin stared at him for a long moment, his gaze unreadable. Then, with a slow flap of his wings, he hovered closer, his voice dropping into a softer, almost contemplative tone. ¡°Not everyone in this world is meant to wield power, boy. If every soul burned brightly, the balance would collapse. Just as Gabriel created light, he also allowed darkness to exist. Just as there is creation, there is destruction. It is through imbalance that balance is achieved.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°That sounds¡­ contradictory. I still hate all of them for it.¡±

    ¡°You have every right to be angry.¡± Orin huffed, his tail flicking in irritation. ¡°But it is not for you to understand, mortal. Gabriel¡¯s will is beyond comprehension. He allowed some to burn brightly and others to remain in shadow because that is how the world must be. If every soul were gifted, if every being wielded power, the world would tear itself apart. There would be no order, only chaos.¡±

    Xyenn sighed, running a hand through his damp hair. ¡°No wonder none of the gods ever gave me their blessing. They felt as if I wasn¡¯t important enough to have them. Fucking worthless huh? What a joke.¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± Orin said, his voice taking on a smug tone, ¡°perhaps that is because you¡¯re insufferably dull and unremarkable.¡±

    Xyenn shot him a flat look. ¡°Says the talking blood lizard who¡¯s barely the size of my boot.¡±

    Orin¡¯s wings flared dramatically, his claws flexing as he hissed, ¡°I am a dragon god! Do not mock me, boy!¡±

    ¡°Right, right,¡± Xyenn said, waving him off with a smirk. ¡°You¡¯re very scary, Orin. Truly. I¡¯m trembling in my boots.¡±

    Orin growled, his tiny fangs bared. ¡°One more word, and I will boil the blood in your veins.¡±

    ¡°Sure you will,¡± Xyenn said, his smirk widening. ¡°I¡¯m sure that¡¯s exactly what you said to Yuuna before she started shaking you like a ragdoll.¡±

    Orin sputtered, his crimson glow flaring slightly. ¡°That¡­ that woman is a lunatic! Completely unhinged! I was merely¡­ humoring her!¡±

    Xyenn snorted. ¡°Whatever you say, tough guy.¡±

    Xyenn let the words sink in, his mind turning over everything he¡¯d learned. The idea of runes as the foundation of magic, the idea that his own lack of power was part of some grand cosmic balance¡­ it was a lot to take in. But one thing still didn¡¯t sit right with him.

    ¡°If Gabriel created all this,¡± Xyenn said slowly, ¡°then why does it feel so¡­ broken? People like me, people born without power¡­ we¡¯re just supposed to accept that we¡¯re worthless unless we sell our souls to a dragon god?¡±

    Orin¡¯s gaze softened slightly, though his tone remained firm. ¡°It is not a perfect system. But perfection is not the goal. Balance is. There is no light without shadow, no power without sacrifice. You may not have been born with runes, but that does not make you worthless. It simply means your path is different.¡±

    ¡°THAT¡¯S¡­the nicest thing you¡¯ve said to me.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t get used to it. So now you see I¡¯ve taught you about runes. That means you must pay me back and agree to let the Sun-Drake be born, and you convince Yuuna to let this happen as well without trying to stop us. Yuuna can be sensitive to these things¡ª.¡±

    Xyenn pointed. ¡°Y-You damn snake! I knew it! You were talking way too much!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m smart, that''s why. Now begone. We don¡¯t have much time. The sooner we get this done, the sooner you find the abandoned son and kill Haldrek.¡±

    As Xyenn walked out, he thought, ¡®The Lysf?dt have a champion named Kassius, who¡¯s in the Velmire noble family who apparently has the power to beat Haldrek. But it would take all of us to win. And if Haldrek isn¡¯t defeated, then we¡¯ll be screwed. And some demon cursed a rune which placed that curse on Quinara¡¯s family. They¡¯re more involved than I thought. It¡¯s like I can feel them drawing near. And this all reverts back to my number one enemy: King Haldrek.¡¯

 Chapter 36: Unholy Light

    Xyenn walked back to where Yuuna was, and Yuuna was dressed up again, and Xyenn immediately said, ¡°So¡ª.¡±

    ¡°I heard it all.¡±

    ¡°..You did?¡±

    ¡°Let the literal dragon god of the sun be born from Quinara¡¯s womb and possibly kill her or save her, yeah.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. He says it''s the only way.¡±

    ¡°I know. I just hate that we can¡¯t do anything else for her besides going along with this.¡±

    ¡°Darling.¡±

    ¡°Yuuna.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s things we have to talk about before all this goes to shit, okay?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    That tone in her voice was more serious, yet subtle. Xyenn knew this had to mean something to her, but what was it? Was she gonna talk about the mask? Her feelings? The Monarchs of Hell?

    Yuuna explained, ¡°Remember, darling. The dragon god of blood is still an enemy to us. But as of right now, there is a peace treaty. Don¡¯t trust him at all. He¡¯s an elder dragon, he has close ties with the other elders. None of them can be trusted, period.¡±

    ¡°Why work with him then? Ignoring the fact that he could slaughter us easily?¡±

    ¡°This was years ago. He and I made an agreement. That we would spare each other. For right now.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a long story. Even though he has close ties with the elder dragons, he is still disliked by many of them. Whereas I¡¯m hated by all of them.¡±

    ¡°So does he want to use us as vessels of revenge or something?¡±

    ¡°No need for revenge for him, like Death, he can¡¯t die. He told me he fears the powers of Hell. In which that reason right there caused the war against Gabriel. And¡­¡±

    ¡°And what?¡±

    ¡°Most of them didn¡¯t like when he accepted me. After I escaped Hell, I used some crystal to reach Gabriel¡¯s realm, the realm of the draconic deities. Most of the elders hate me for that, saying I¡¯m the reason for Gabriel¡¯s Fall.¡±

    ¡°Do you think you are?¡±

    ¡°¡­A little. Most of the dragon gods waged war due to fear of Hell, as they know Gabriel¡¯s ancient enemy is my Father, the First Monarch of Hell. And seeing me, that¡¯s how most of the Primordials acted, seeing me as a threat, thinking I was there to ruin them. When Gabriel accepted me, they didn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Damn..¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s alright. I have you and the Tyrants. Also, there¡¯s something else. The mask you saw.¡±

    ¡°The mask? Yeah! The mask. Tell me.¡±

    ¡°The voice of a demon Monarch is within it. It guides whoever wears it to finish connecting the link to Hell from Kyrrin. I have to destroy it.¡±

    ¡°It came from Parcy..¡±

    ¡°She was guided to craft it. The darkness I released into this world made that possible. It made curses possible. Either way, I¡¯m responsible for this.  Even for Quinara. Anywho, Parcy was from the Astral World. A separate realm within Kyrrin that was held up by the existence of Pixies, Fairies, and other spiritual beings.¡±

    ¡°The Astral world?! I heard about that place, and heard many have tried to seek it, like necromancers. It¡¯s hard to even find them like it has for people to find Gabriel¡¯s Ladder.¡±

    ¡°Yep! So we have two active missions right now.¡±

    ¡°Destroy the mask and find the Astral World, when we get the chance, right?¡±

    Yuuna smiled, ¡°Damn we really are connected. During our travels I¡¯ll be trying to destroy traces of darkness that I released. We have to keep our hands on the mask or it¡¯ll vanish and look for a host. And something deep inside me wants to put this shit on and talk to it.¡±

    ¡°Do you think it will affect you like it did Parcy?¡±

    ¡°The Monarch¡¯s affinity for dark magic is stronger than mine, so it¡¯s a high chance. A chance I won¡¯t risk. If anything¡ª.¡±

    ¡°We could put it in someone, an enemy, and force answers out of them. Get them to talk to the mask.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­SUPER SMART!¡± Yuuna smiled.

    ¡°You know I¡¯m with you.¡±

    ¡°And me with you, darling. And one more thing.¡±

    ¡°Mhm?¡±

    ¡°We are going to fight against the dragon god of the sun. You know this right?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to, n-not in this type of situation though. We¡¯re gambling on that woman¡¯s life. Yeah she¡¯s part of the Quen race, said to be blessed by the moonlight of the moon goddess, but still¡­it¡¯s risky. What exactly is Orin gonna do to save her?¡±

    ¡°With blood, he can maneuver it to do many things. Being able to do what they can do with it, being a part of the cycle of Rebirth, I''m pretty sure mending and saving a life isn¡¯t hard. It¡¯s just timing it right. The Quen are tough, so that¡¯s a plus. And we will be fighting with everything we¡¯ve got, I know we can win.¡±

    Xyenn took a deep breath, his heart pounded. ¡°Any advice..?¡±

    ¡°If the Sun-Drake is to be reborn through Quinara, then he has to die. One has to die before being reborn. So he won¡¯t have any memories of his past. Which will make him unpredictable.¡±

    ¡°You think he got himself killed so this could happen?¡±

    ¡°Of course. Also you should know, that if a dragon god is killed off, but his worship status and influence was high, they are reborn faster.¡±

    ¡°Those Berserkers of the Flame¡­is pretty sure they¡¯ve racked up quite the fucking influence for him.¡±

    ¡°We only saw a glimpse, Soulcaris is big with places you haven¡¯t even reached.¡±

    ¡°¡­Can¡¯t believe you''ve made it this far. And we¡¯re nowhere near close.¡±

    ¡°The Lysf?dt we¡¯re gonna use a noble to try and finish us off. ¡®Anomalies¡¯ they call us. Kassius was their vessel, a literal vessel of a vessel. A so-called enforcer. I wonder what happened to him, why he hasn¡¯t been around.¡±

    ¡°Orin expects us to team up with a noble who has the potential to beat us? How can we even convince him if we¡¯re so-called anomalies too?¡±

    ¡°Haldrek is an even greater threat to us. As an elder dragon god, he¡¯s getting more powerful with more worship.¡±

    Yuuna walked slowly towards Xyenn, grabbed his hand, and rested her head on his head, saying, ¡°Do you remember when I told you I had the Devourer''s heart?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°Remember what it does? If you¡¯ve forgotten, I¡¯ll claw your little human eyeballs out.¡±

    ¡°Haha! Look look, that heart can¡­ya know¡­eat things?¡±

    ¡°AND?!¡±

    ¡°Take their power.¡±

    ¡°Only the dragon gods. If we can devour the Sun-Drake after we kill him, we¡¯d be super strong. Seriously.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t wanna get it under these circumstances, but we have no choice do we? Either way, this can save that Quen woman.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t like it either. I can¡¯t sit there and watch it, but it has to be done. And we need power.¡±

    Xyenn looked in Yuuna¡¯s eyes, and thought, ¡®I was telling Gorran and Mertha how I needed to be stronger. Not just to save everyone around me and keep my promise, but to save myself.  If we can devour the god of the sun?¡¯

    Xyenn said, ¡°Then we do this right. We got this, like always.¡±

    Yuuna smiled, and she quickly kissed Xyenn, smiling, ¡°Woohoo! Let¡¯s go!¡±

    Xyenn stood there flustered as Yuuna latched onto his back, telling him, ¡°March! No matter what, we¡¯re gonna save that Quen woman! Blessed by that moonlight goddess bitch!¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t like the dragon goddess of the moon, do you?¡±

    ¡°Nope. She hated my guts too. Now let¡¯s march!¡±

    ¡®Even when we¡¯re about to face something crazy, Yuuna is still smiling. Is it to try and keep my spirits up? It¡¯s working¡­¡¯

    As they were outside of the spring in the middle of the crypt, Orin was there, with Mertha and Gorran.

    ¡°Bullshit!¡± Mertha exclaimed.

    Gorran folded his arms, ¡°No other option. I want this done.¡±

    Mertha added, ¡°Why let that woman suffer more than what she already has?!¡±

    ¡°Either way, she¡¯s dead if nothing is done.¡±

    Xyenn approached Mertha, ¡°Mertha.¡±

    ¡°Xyenn!¡± Mertha looked at him. ¡°They¡¯re talking about letting Quinara give birth to the bastard! Saying that¡¯s the only way! There¡¯s got to be another way!¡±

    Xyenn looked away, saying, ¡°I hate it too. I don¡¯t wanna see this either, but¡­¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    ¡°But what? Suffering¡­pain¡­feeling abandoned and small, those don¡¯t sit right with me! You should know, Xyenn. After all I¡¯ve told you.¡±

    Orin interrupted, ¡°This is the only way.¡±

    ¡°Oi, shut up miniature lizard, I¡¯m talking to my student Xyenn.¡±

    Orin squealed, ¡°Fool! I¡¯m stronger than all of you combined!¡±

    Mertha put her hand on Xyenn¡¯s shoulder, ¡°¡­Is there really nothing else? I don¡¯t like the nature of suffering. It reminds me of too much. Things I tend to try and forget, but it¡¯s hard for me to. Pregnancy, giving birth..and then watching it all burn before you. It¡¯s deeper than this. I didn¡¯t think we were gonna have to watch this, I thought she could be saved without all of this extra.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re Big Mertha. It isn¡¯t easy, but we¡¯re saving her this way, I think. Yeah. It¡¯s gonna be ugly as hell, but you have the chance to save her, in which she could possibly start another family and she¡¯ll be able to say you gave her that chance. No more abandonment.¡±

    ¡°Ha. You can tell I¡¯ve always wanted to be a leader. I was one, until you know¡­that happened. I find myself giving orders and suggestions to everyone and it makes me feel good when you and Yuuna and the other Tyrants go along with it either saying it¡¯s a good idea. Or you guys acting on it and it works. I wasn¡¯t the best leader, I felt as if I abandoned myself and my own role, and that led to my clan''s demise. But if I can lead someone into another opportunity to rebuild their generation, then I¡¯m happy. Thanks Xyenn. You¡¯ve always been a listening brat of shit.¡±

    Xyenn nodded, ¡°Back at you, oaf.¡±

    Xyenn and Mertha fist bumped, and Mertha turned around to Orin, ¡°Fine. I¡¯m on board. What about you, Gorran?¡±

    Gorran replied, ¡°It¡¯s whatever. The faster we get this done, the faster we can find this Kassius bastard. Orin already filled us in with everything. I want Haldrek¡¯s head. The sun god is a quick stop.¡±

    Mertha nodded, ¡°Me and you both, brother.¡±

    Orin then finalized with, ¡°Then it¡¯s settled.¡±

    Yuuna raised her hand, asking, ¡°Why did you take the time to ask us this anyway? There¡¯s gotta be a reason.¡±

    ¡°Because during the ceremony of Quinara¡¯s birth, it must be silent. Only I can speak during it, but not even louder than my regular deep tone.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not tough.¡±

    ¡°Shut it! But I didn¡¯t need any of you trying to object during the labor. The runes in the blood domain are sensitive, as they move peacefully, catching the draconic mana and bonding with it. They cannot be disturbed.¡±

    Mertha looked at Yuuna, saying, ¡°We can do this, right Yuuna?¡±

    Yuuna poked Mertha¡¯s Belly, smiling, ¡°Ooooh, of course! You¡¯re with us, right? I¡¯ve never seen you lose!¡±

    Mertha gave Yuuna a hug, crunching her, ¡°Haha! You¡¯re right!¡±

    Xyenn whispered while looking away, ¡°You lost to me though.¡±

    Mertha put Xyenn in a headlock, ¡°Shut it!¡±

    Orin saw this, thinking, ¡®The way Yuuna can change the atmosphere quickly¡­even in her current unhinged state of mind, it¡¯s impressive.¡¯

    ¡°I will create the domain now. Be quiet while within.¡±

    The world around them bled into something unrecognizable. The air turned thick and metallic, suffocating every breath in the sharp, biting scent of blood. A crimson sky loomed overhead, vast and oppressive, its brilliance blinding yet sickly. Black clouds churned and rolled within it like the insides of a festering wound, streaked with veins of dark red lightning that crackled and forked across the sky.

    But it was the runes that dominated the heavens.

    They hung there, etched into the fabric of the blood-red sky like divine sigils carved into the flesh of the world. Each rune glistened with an otherworldly luminance, their jagged shapes sharp and angular, like fragments of shattered glass suspended in midair.

    ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

    Some were simple, their forms clean and deliberate, while others twisted and contorted like writhing scars, their shapes impossible to define. The runes pulsed faintly, casting soft shadows that danced across the blood-soaked field below. They shimmered and shifted, their jagged edges bleeding into one another, alive with a magic that defied comprehension.

    Occasionally, one would flare brighter than the others, its sharp edges glowing as though seared by the heat of a forge. The runes moved, almost imperceptibly, like living entities bound to a higher purpose. Their patterns would ripple and reform as if whispering secrets to the sky itself.

    The blood-soaked field stretched out below, a grotesque expanse of high crimson grass that swayed unnaturally, not with wind, but with the pulse of the domain itself. Each blade of grass shimmered with wetness, its edges jagged like tiny knives. The blood pooling beneath it was thick, viscous, and warm, rippling with unseen movement as if alive.

    The smell was overwhelming, a nauseating combination of iron and decay so thick it made Xyenn''s stomach churn. The ground beneath his boots squelched with every step, the earth saturated with blood that clung to him like a living thing.

    At the center of the field stood the altar¡ªa jagged monolith of bloodstone, its surface polished to an unnerving sheen, reflecting the grotesque scene around it. Its edges were sharp and uneven, jutting upward like the fangs of some great beast. Runes crawled across its surface, slower and heavier than those in the sky, as if burdened by the weight of their purpose.

    ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

    The runes on the altar glowed faintly red, their shapes twisting and merging into intricate patterns. They pulsed in time with the heartbeat of the domain, a steady, oppressive rhythm that echoed through the silence.

    Quinara lay atop the altar, her unconscious body a horrifying centerpiece to the ritual. She was naked, her pale skin slick with sweat and blood. Her pregnant belly had grown grotesquely swollen, stretched far beyond what should have been possible. Veins crawled across her abdomen like dark, pulsing webs, feeding into the mark of the Eternal Flame etched into her skin. The mark burned faintly, its glowing edges pulsating with a sickly, rhythmic light.

    Her face was slack, her breathing shallow, and her body trembled faintly as if caught in the grip of a nightmare. Blood pooled beneath her, dripping from the edges of the altar and feeding the crimson grass below.

    Hundreds of Bloodmaidens surrounded her, their crimson robes clinging to their bodies, soaked with blood that dripped from their faces and hands. They wore veils that obscured their features, yet their frantic breathing was audible, sharp and uneven like animals on the verge of panic.

    Their shoulders rose and fell in perfect unison, their breaths coming faster and faster as the ritual progressed. Their hands trembled as they clutched large, blood-red leaves, each leaf inscribed with pulsing runes.

    ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

    The runes on the leaves glowed faintly, their purpose clear¡ªthey were conduits, tools to redirect and contain the overwhelming power that would soon erupt from Quinara¡¯s body. The Bloodmaidens moved in slow, deliberate circles around the altar, their steps synchronized in a grotesque dance.

    Xyenn watched, his entire body trembling with tension. His fists were clenched so tightly that his nails bit into his palms, drawing blood. Every muscle in his body screamed to act, to do something, but he was frozen, trapped in the suffocating weight of the moment.

    ¡®It¡¯s tense¡­I can feel the tension around me¡­¡¯

    Yuuna clung to his back, her arms wrapped tightly around his shoulders. Xyenn could feel her heart pounding against him, a frantic rhythm that matched his own. Yuuna¡¯s breath was hot against his neck, sharp and uneven. She didn¡¯t speak, but her grip on him tightened with each passing second, as though she feared he might disappear if she let go.

    ¡®If this works¡­there¡¯s no telling how many other dragon gods will try this!¡¯

    Mertha stood a few paces away, her dark pink and black flames flickering around her fists. Her jagged-edged halo hovered above her head, its glow pulsating faintly. Her expression was unreadable, but her body was tense, her flames flaring uncontrollably around her hands as though feeding off her anxiety.

    Gorran gripped his Xenith blade with both hands, his knuckles white as he stared at Quinara. His jaw was clenched so tightly that the muscles in his neck bulged, and his entire body vibrated with suppressed rage.

    ¡®It¡¯s quiet¡­like something is ready to jump out¡­ready to kill.¡¯

    Orin stood at the edge of the altar in his true form.

    He was monstrous now, a towering blood dragon whose body rippled like a living river of gore. His scales were translucent, revealing the blood that flowed beneath them like molten lava. His wings were massive, jagged and torn, dripping streams of blood that evaporated into crimson mist as they fell. His tail swayed slowly behind him, its edges lined with razor-sharp bone spikes.

    His head was crowned with long, curved horns that spiraled outward like the roots of a dead tree, their tips glowing faintly with crimson runes.

    ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

    His eyes burned like twin suns, their searing gaze fixed on Quinara. He spoke in a low, rumbling voice that seemed to shake the very ground beneath them. ¡°The Bloodmaidens will draw her essence away from the vessel as the Sun-Drake emerges. The runes above will bind his power, slowing his manifestation. But it will not be enough. When the moment comes, you must strike. There will be no second chance. We will do everything we can to save Quinara during the process, but the longer the Sun-Drake stays alive, the quicker Quinara dies.¡±

    The silence stretched on, oppressive and unrelenting, broken only by the frantic breathing of the Bloodmaidens and the hum of the runes.

    ¡­

    ¡­.

    ¡­

    Badump¡­

    Badump¡­

    Badump¡­

    ¡®Hearts racing¡­¡¯

    ¡®It¡¯s fear?..¡¯

    ¡®Anxiety¡­?¡¯

    ¡®He¡¯s here¡­¡¯

    And then it began.

    Quinara¡¯s body twitched violently, her back arching off the altar as her breathing quickened. Her swollen belly twisted and bulged unnaturally, the mark of the Eternal Flame glowing brighter with each pulse.

    Then she screamed.

    ¡°AGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!¡±

    The sound was inhuman, raw and guttural, tearing through the blood domain like a blade. Xyenn¡¯s eyes squeezed shut as the scream pierced his skull.

    ¡®Feel like a monster just watching this and letting it happen, but this was the only way¡­I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll make sure you live¡­¡¯

    Yuuna¡¯s grip on him tightened, her nails digging into his shoulders as a tear slipped from her eye, landing on his neck.

    ¡®I¡¯m saving her¡­we¡¯re saving her¡­¡¯ Yuuna thought.

    Mertha turned away, her flames flaring wildly around her fists. She clenched her jaw, her eyes burning with unshed tears as the sound dragged her back to her own nightmares¡ªto the screams of her clan as they were slaughtered.

    ¡®Fight it¡­fight it Mertha!¡¯

    Gorran gritted his teeth, his body trembling with barely contained rage. He wanted to fight, to lash out, but there was nothing he could do.

    ¡®I fucking hate this sound¡­¡¯

    Quinara¡¯s screams grew louder, more feral, as her belly began to split. Blood sprayed across the altar in a violent torrent, coating the Bloodmaidens who continued their ritual without faltering. Her stomach ruptured in a grotesque explosion of gore, the mark of the Eternal Flame erupting in a fiery burst.

    From the bloody mess, her blood began to rise, spiraling upward in thick, writhing streams. Dark sun-like yellow flames merged with the blood, twisting and contorting as they formed the massive, terrifying figure of the Sun-Drake.

    His body was a insanely large towering mass of pitch-black flesh, his skin etched with glowing dark yellow runes.

    ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

    These runes carved across his body like molten veins, their jagged shapes burning with an unholy light. His wings unfurled slowly, massive and jagged, their edges glowing with the same fiery yellow light. A dark yellow halo formed above his head, the runes on its surface spinning and twisting as though alive.

    His eyes snapped open¡ªhuman-like yet utterly alien, glowing with a blazing, searing malice. His horns curled outward from his head, massive and jagged, each inscribed with the same runes that glistened across his body.

    The Sun-Drake let out a low, guttural growl that shook the blood domain to its core.

    The blood domain trembled under the Sun-Drake¡¯s presence, his sheer power radiating outward in suffocating waves. His massive, pitch-black body loomed over the altar, his glowing dark yellow runes flickering like molten brands across his skin. His wings stretched wide, blotting out the blood-red sky, and his human-like eyes burned into Xyenn with an intensity that pierced through his soul.

    ¡®Why¡­why is he looking at me?!¡¯ Xyenn thought, fear coursing through his body.

    Orin¡¯s voice tore through the air like a whip. ¡°NOW! STRIKE! MOVE! BLOODMAIDENS, TO THE ALTAR! DEFEND HER! The Sun God needs to be take care of fast!¡±

    Mertha¡¯s flaming gauntlets ignited with a ferocious roar, and Gorran surged forward, his Xenith blade gleaming fiercely in his hands. Xyenn¡¯s body tensed, his muscles coiled and ready to act, but then the Sun-Drake spoke.

    His voice was calm, yet it carried an unshakable weight, like the voice of a god whose words carved themselves into the fabric of existence. It was deep, resonant, and each syllable seemed to reverberate inside the very marrow of those who heard it.

    ¡°The sun knows no mercy, for it does not give warmth to the undeserving. It scorches, it burns, it cleanses. I am the eternal flame, the light that judges without hesitation.¡±

    As the Sun-Drake spoke, his dark yellow sun runes began to glow brighter, spiraling outward from his body in intricate, twisting patterns. The runes moved like living things, slithering through the air like serpents, coiling around everyone present.

    ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

    The runes encircled Xyenn, Yuuna, Mertha, Gorran, and the Bloodmaidens, latching onto their bodies like glowing chains. Xyenn¡¯s arms jerked upward against his will, his legs locking into place as his body began to rise into the air. His arms stretched outward, his fingers splayed as if in forced praise, and his chest heaved as the Sun-Drake¡¯s unrelenting presence weighed down on him like a mountain.

    ¡°Aghh!!¡±

    The runes tightened around everyone, glowing brighter, their shapes twisting and spiraling over their skin. Each rune burned, their heat searing into flesh and spirit alike.

    The Sun-Drake continued, his voice carrying the weight of prophecy.

    ¡°The sun does not bow. It does not yield. It does not falter. It is eternal, unrelenting, and pure. Those who live beneath its gaze must either endure its judgment or perish in its fire.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s breathing quickened as panic surged through him. His body wouldn¡¯t move. His hands trembled against the invisible force holding him aloft. His heart pounded so violently it felt like it might burst from his chest. He felt small, insignificant, like a speck of dust in the presence of something incomprehensibly vast.

    ¡®I¡¯m not losing here! At all! Move¡­move, dammit! Break free!¡¯

    This was the same fear he had felt before¡ªwhen Haldrek had loomed over him, that overwhelming presence that made him feel like a helpless child. But this was worse. The Sun-Drake wasn¡¯t a man. He was a god.

    Yuuna¡¯s voice broke through his spiraling thoughts, sharp and desperate. ¡°Xyenn!¡±

    Her scream jolted him, but he couldn¡¯t respond. Tears streamed down his face, unbidden, as his eyes locked onto the Sun-Drake¡¯s. He didn¡¯t know why, but he couldn¡¯t look away. The Sun-Drake¡¯s piercing gaze held him there, pinned like an insect under glass.

    ¡®Why¡­why is he only staring at me¡­?¡¯

    The Sun-Drake tilted his head slightly, his gaze unrelenting as he stared directly at Xyenn. His voice, calm and deliberate, carried the weight of finality.

    ¡°I will bring kingdom come. I am ordained without mercy.¡±

    Then, he spoke in a tongue that no mortal could understand. The words were guttural, sharp, and alien, each syllable dripping with power.

    "???? ??? ????. ?? ???? ?????."

    The draconic language rippled through the air, vibrating in their skulls like an unbearable pressure. The runes around their bodies grew brighter, and their limbs stretched further, the pain of being contorted forcefully searing through their nerves.

    Yuuna screamed again, her voice cracking. ¡°Xyenn!¡±

    Her voice cut through the haze of fear, and Xyenn blinked, his eyes darting toward her. She was still clinging to his back, her small frame trembling as she shook him desperately.

    ¡°Xyenn!¡± she screamed, her voice raw and desperate. ¡°We don¡¯t lose, remember?! We don¡¯t fucking lose!¡±

    Her words ignited something in him¡ªa spark, faint but growing. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. He closed his eyes, the tears still streaming, and whispered softly to himself, ¡°I won¡¯t lose¡­¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s voice surged through him, but this time it wasn¡¯t from her lips. It came from within him, merging with his own thoughts, her spirit entwining with his.

    Their bodies began to merge, their energies fusing into one. Xyenn¡¯s body transformed, his flesh shifting and contorting as black dragon scales spread across his arms and chest. His horns erupted from his skull, jagged and black as night. His dark pink halo reformed above his head, its edges sharp and flickering with flames. His tail lashed out, and his dragon arm burned brighter with black and dark pink flames.

    Then, he roared with a draconic screech.

    The sound tore through the domain like a thunderclap, shattering the runes that bound him. The glowing chains around his body cracked and splintered, falling away like shards of glass.

    Xyenn darted forward in a blur, his speed unnatural, as he tore through the air. He struck the runes around Mertha and Gorran first, shattering them with precise, brutal strikes. They fell to the ground, gasping for breath, as Xyenn moved to the Bloodmaidens, freeing them one by one.

    Orin roared from the altar. ¡°FOCUS ON QUINARA! BLOODMAIDENS, TO ME! DRAW THE CURSE OUT OF HER!¡±

    The Bloodmaidens surged toward Quinara, their hands glowing with blood magic as they pressed their palms to her body. The runes on their crimson leaves flared, their purpose now clear as they siphoned the residual energy of the curse from her broken form. Orin¡¯s massive blood dragon form loomed over Quinara, his claws glowing with intricate blood runes as he channeled his power into her.

    ¡°Keep her alive!¡± Orin bellowed. ¡°No matter what it takes!¡±

    Mertha exclaimed, ¡°Tch! Me and Gorran will go out and save as many people as we can! You two take care of that damn dragon god!¡±

    Xyenn replied, ¡°Go! I have a god to kill¡­¡±

    Mertha¡¯s flames surged around her fists as she nodded, determination blazing in her eyes. Gorran gripped his Xenith blade tightly, his jaw set as he moved to stand guard by the altar.

    Mertha and Gorran ran off together, and Mertha said, ¡°I got left! Take anywhere else!¡±

    Gorran nodded, ¡°Truth hurts¡­but I¡¯ll follow the screams.¡±

    Above them, the Sun-Drake tilted his head, his gaze fixed on the blood domain. He raised one massive clawed hand, and with a single motion, the blood domain shattered like glass.

    Orin gasped as the world around them shifted.

    ¡®Impossible¡­even my blood domain found my contain him?!¡¯

    They were back in Soulcaris.

    The once-darkened sky was now pitch black, but the sun burned fiercely overhead, its glow tainted with a dark yellow light. Jagged streaks of shadow twisted across its surface like cracks in glass, and its edges flickered with ominous flames.

    The Sun-Drake rose slowly into the sky, his massive wings spreading wide. He reached upward, his clawed hands stretching toward the corrupted sun. His voice was calm but filled with righteous fury.

    ¡°Who tainted my heart with hell¡¯s darkness? No matter¡­ I am the embodiment of just.¡±

    He stretched his arms and legs outward, his massive body glowing with radiant, fiery power. He appeared to surrender himself to the sun, but it was a false gesture, a mockery of humility.

    Around him, the Berserkers of the Eternal Flame began to rise. Those infected right before all of this happened.

    These Berserks had grown to be at least 45 feet tall, Their heads, literal flaming suns, burned brighter as they ascended into the sky. Their bodies grew, dark yellow robes formed on them, expanding into massive, winged forms covered in intricate, glowing runes.

    ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

    As they ascended, destruction followed in their wake. Flames erupted from their bodies, scorching the ground below. Entire villages were consumed in an instant, the fiery tendrils tearing through stone and wood as though they were paper. Innocents screamed as they were incinerated, their bodies reduced to ash before they could even comprehend their doom.

    ¡°Help!¡±

    ¡°Run!¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s happening to them?!¡±

    ¡°Never seen this from them before!¡±

    ¡°Fuck!¡±

    The Berserkers floated in praying hand formations, their heads bowed, their energy rippling outward in violent waves. Buildings crumbled, forests burned, and the earth split apart as their destructive power spread across Soulcaris.

    Above Xyenn, Yuuna, and the others, the Berserkers continued to rise, their destruction casting the continent into chaos.

    Orin shouted from the altar, his voice filled with urgency. ¡°This is it! This is our chance! If we can keep Quinara alive, we might be able to save her!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s body trembled with fury and determination as he looked upward at the Sun-Drake. Yuuna¡¯s voice echoed in his mind, steady and resolute.

    ¡°We don¡¯t lose.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s seven arms erupted from his body, each one holding a dark pink and black flaming scythe. His jagged halo burned brighter, its edges sharp and unrelenting, as he darted into the sky.

    The Sun-Drake¡¯s glowing eyes locked onto him, and he spoke with disdain.

    ¡°An interloper. I will eliminate the folly from the sun¡¯s gaze.¡±

 Chapter 37: Shattered Star

    The battlefield had no ground. It was the sky itself, a vast and endless expanse of molten gold and swirling black clouds pierced by the oppressive, blinding light of the sun. The air was searing, heavy with the choking heat of the Sun-Drake¡¯s divine flames, and the only solid footing was what Xyenn could create with his wings and momentum.

    High above, the Sun-Drake floated like a god of destruction. His massive form was a silhouette of black, glowing with the golden fire of the sun. Around him, the flaming runes twisted and spiraled in jagged, erratic patterns, their forms sharp and ancient as if carved by the hands of time itself:

    ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

    The runes burned brighter and twisted faster with every word the Sun-Drake spoke. His voice was a deep, resonant vibration that made the sky ripple and tremble like a canvas stretched too thin, each syllable carrying an unbearable weight.

    "The sky is the flame¡¯s cradle. The fire knows no bounds. It consumes, it devours, it purifies."

    Xyenn hovered in the air, his wings outstretched, their reddish-black and dark pink flames licking at the wind. His scythes¡ªfour jagged, curved blades¡ªglowed faintly with the same fiery energy, the edges shimmering as if eager to taste blood. His body bore the marks of the battle already fought: deep, charred gashes where the Berserkers had grazed him, his left arm bloodied and mangled, his flesh burned by explosions of dark sunlight. Yet his eye¡ªhis one remaining eye¡ªburned with unrelenting fury.

    His left eye was gone, the socket bleeding.

    Xyenn¡¯s adrenaline was pumping, he knew his left eye was gone, but that wasn¡¯t going to stop him.

    ¡®I gotta hurry! I¡¯ll save that woman! With Yuuna¡¯s knowledge of the Dragon gods, knowledge about their power and weakness comes in handy.¡¯

    Above him, stretching in all directions, were the Berserkers of the Flame¡ªdozens, if not hundreds of them. They floated in the air, unmoving, their hands clasped in prayer and their heads bowed toward the Sun-Drake. Their forms were eerily still, their glowing cracks of molten light pulsing in time with the Sun-Drake¡¯s voice.

    "Unworthy are we, yet still we burn. Unworthy are we, yet still we serve." They claimed.

    But Xyenn could feel their desire to be free. Being forced to worship the Sun-Drake against their will as Berserkers.

    ¡°Help us¡­¡±

    The words dripped from their mouths in unison, a low, haunting chant that reverberated through the burning sky. Xyenn gritted his teeth, his claws tightening around the handles of his scythes as he stared at them, his ears filling with their whispers.

    ¡®I¡¯m gonna save them¡­I am. We have to win quick, I¡¯ll save everyone. Not doing anything reckless like before, the dragon god of the sun is more powerful now since he manifested outside of the draconic law¡­and the dragon god of blood is trying to help

    Quinara. Why can¡¯t he help us in battle? Doesn¡¯t matter! Doesn¡¯t matter now..I got this. I can¡¯t always be looking for help, there will be times when I have to take care of things myself. Isn¡¯t that..what a man does?!¡¯

    Then the Berserkers moved.

    The stillness shattered in an instant. Their prayer stances snapped into horrifying, jerking motion as they hurled themselves toward Xyenn, their hands outstretched. Dozens of them came at him all at once, their bodies twisting unnaturally as they moved, their speed so blinding it seemed as though they flickered in and out of existence.

    Xyenn roared, his wings propelling him forward as he tore into their ranks. His first scythe slashed clean through a Berserker¡¯s chest, splitting it open as molten blood sprayed across his face and arms. He twisted his body, bringing another scythe upward to sever a second Berserker¡¯s head from its shoulders. The creature¡¯s glowing, cracked face screamed for help even as it disintegrated into ash.

    Another Berserker came for him from the side, and Xyenn spun sharply, his tail cracking through the air like a whip and slamming into its torso. The impact sent the Berserker¡¯s body hurtling into two others, all three of them erupting into explosions of dark sunlight on impact. The force from the blast rocked Xyenn¡¯s body, but he didn¡¯t stop.

    Yuuna¡¯s voice rang in his mind, sharp and commanding. ¡°Xyenn! Don¡¯t let them surround you! You know what happens if they touch you! Keep moving¡ªdon¡¯t give them even a second!¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re keeping me from getting to the Sun-Drake¡­it¡¯s gotta be something dormant in him that knows something about us is strong and won¡¯t take the risk of fighting us himself¡­¡±

    ¡°The dragon gods are cunning. They aren¡¯t idiots. They know when someone is strong. And as for us, we¡¯re strong.¡±

    He snarled in response, his wings snapping open in a burst of fiery momentum as he darted to the side, barely avoiding a cluster of Berserkers that lunged for him. Their hands clawed at empty air, the space where he¡¯d been just moments before.

    But they didn¡¯t stop¡ªthey never stopped.

    Another wave of them came, faster this time, their movements more coordinated. Xyenn brought his scythes up in a deadly, slashing motion, the blades carving through three Berserkers at once. Their bodies erupted into blood and molten chunks, the remains scattering across the sky. Yet for every one he killed, three more took their place.

    ¡®I¡¯m saving them¡­I¡¯m saving them¡­.they scream for help before I slash them¡­but I¡¯m saving them! If there was any other way to do this instead of brutally cutting them down, I¡¯d take it! I¡¯m getting distracted¡­focus!¡¯

    One Berserker came from above, its hands grasping for his neck. Xyenn twisted midair, his tail whipping around to deflect the attack, but another Berserker was already at his back. Its hand grazed his shoulder.

    The explosion of dark sunlight was immediate and devastating. Xyenn roared in pain as the flames tore through his scales and flesh, burning deep into his shoulder. Blood poured from the wound, and for a moment, his vision went red from the pain. He staggered, his wings faltering, but he didn¡¯t fall.

    Above him, the Sun-Drake¡¯s eyes never left him.

    "The flame does not falter. It does not forgive. All things return to its embrace."

    The runes around the Sun-Drake glowed brighter, their jagged shapes twisting into new, sharper patterns. The fiery eye on the surface of the sun pulsed again, and with each pulse, the Berserkers grew faster and more ferocious.

    They swarmed him, dozens at a time, their bodies flickering like shadows as they closed in. Xyenn roared, stabbing one of his scythes into his own chest. The moment the blade pierced his flesh, the black and dark-pink flaming dragon crests erupted around him, their fiery edges forming temporary barriers in the air.

    He darted through the crests at breakneck speed, his body flickering in and out of sight as he moved. Each time he emerged, another Berserker fell, their bodies torn apart by his scythes. Blood and molten chunks rained down from the sky, the air filled with the sound of their dying screams.

    "Help me¡­¡±

    "I don¡¯t want to die..."

    "This isn¡¯t me..."

    ¡°Kill him!¡±

    The voices clawed at his mind, each plea hitting like a dagger to the heart. For a brief, agonizing moment, Xyenn hesitated. His scythes faltered mid-swing as the screams grew louder, and in that instant, a Berserker¡¯s hand grazed his leg.

    ¡®What am I doing¡­?¡¯

    The explosion tore through him. His left leg erupted in flames, the dark sunlight searing through his flesh and bone. Xyenn roared in agony, his wings faltering as he struggled to stay airborne. Blood poured from the wound, but he forced himself to keep moving.

    Yuuna¡¯s voice screamed in his mind. ¡°Xyenn! Darling¡­.Snap out of it! They¡¯re already gone¡ªthere¡¯s nothing left of them! Stop hesitating, or you¡¯re going to die! We can do this! We just need to get up there! We need to reach the sun! That¡¯s his heart!¡±

    He growled, his grip tightening on his scythes as he pushed the voices aside. He couldn¡¯t afford to stop. Not now.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Yuuna.¡± Xyenn pleaded softly.

    Yuuna responded, ¡°You got this, I believe in you. I always have. But you¡¯re the one steering us, you¡¯re in control, I¡¯m just the bridge for our power. We¡¯ve fought many beings, let¡¯s win this one okay?¡±

    Above, the Sun-Drake¡¯s voice thundered again.

    "The unworthy burn. The worthy rise. Through fire, the sun remakes all."

    Another ripple of golden energy surged from the sun, and this time, massive beams of sunlight shot down in rapid succession. The beams tore through the sky, each one exploding on impact and sending shockwaves rippling outward. Xyenn dodged the first beam, his wings propelling him to the side just as the space he¡¯d been occupying erupted into flames.

    ¡®His so-called proverb is commanding the sun to attack us as well! His heart.¡¯

    Yuuna called out, ¡°When he looks at the sun and gives a command, a beam will come for us.¡±

    ¡°OH YEAH?!¡± Xyenn proclaimed sarcastically.

    ¡°Shut up shut up shut up go left and right to dodge them, don¡¯t go up or down, because the beam first pierces the ground then carves its way towards us. To him and his nature, sin begins from the ground up, and once the sun hits it, the heart purges the sun from the land and its people. Always dodge left to right!¡±

    Another beam came immediately after, and Xyenn twisted, his body narrowly avoiding the searing light. But the shockwave from the explosion caught him, sending him hurtling backward. He crashed into a cluster of Berserkers, their hands immediately reaching for him.

    Xyenn roared, his scythes slashing wildly as he tore through them. Blood sprayed across his body, the air thick with the metallic scent of it. But the Berserkers didn¡¯t stop¡ªthey kept coming, their bodies flickering and shifting as they swarmed him.

    One of them managed to grab hold of his face.

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    The explosion was blinding. Xyenn screamed as the dark sunlight tore through his left eye, the searing pain nearly overwhelming him. Blood poured down his face, his vision reduced to a single, burning point of focus.

    Down below, Orin had been yelling to them, he was desperate now. ¡°You can¡¯t let him reach the sun! If he fully absorbs into it at this power, Quinara will die! The mark of the Eternal Flame is still binding her to his power¡ªif he ascends, his energy will flow back through the connection and destroy her from the inside out!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s remaining eye burned with fury. His wings snapped open, flames erupting around him as he charged forward, his scythes tearing through the Berserkers with brutal efficiency.

    Above, the Sun-Drake¡¯s eyes never wavered.

    "The flame purifies. The flame destroys. Through destruction, it is eternal."

    The air around Xyenn was suffocating, the golden light of the sun pressing down on him like the weight of an entire star. His wings, shredded at the edges from countless close calls with the Berserkers, twitched as he hovered midair, blood dripping from the gashes running along his arms and chest. His scythes, glowing faintly with his fiery black and pink energy, were slick with the molten blood of the creatures he¡¯d slaughtered.

    Above him, Yuuna¡¯s voice sounded in his mind, steady yet tinged with urgency.

    ¡°Xyenn, listen. We can¡¯t keep fighting like this. The Berserkers aren¡¯t here to kill you¡ªthey¡¯re here to stall you. The Sun-Drake knows you¡¯re coming for him, and he¡¯s using them to keep you away. But¡­¡± her voice hesitated for a moment, before growing resolute, ¡°I think I know how to end this.¡±

    Xyenn breathed heavily, his remaining eye narrowing as he locked onto the Sun-Drake in the distance. The berserkers were already regrouping, dozens of them floating in the burning sky, their grotesque bodies silhouetted against the molten light of the sun.

    ¡°Spit it out, Yuuna,¡± he growled, his voice rasping with exhaustion.

    Yuuna didn¡¯t waste another second. ¡°The sun isn¡¯t just his source of power. It¡¯s his heart, Xyenn. That¡¯s how he sustains himself, how he fuels his control over the Berserkers. If we destroy the sun, we wound him¡ªcripple him. But we have to get close. Really close.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s wings flared, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten as her words sank in. ¡°You¡¯re saying the only way to beat him is to fly into the sun?¡± There was a bitter edge to his voice, but he already knew she was right.

    ¡®Isn¡¯t that suicide?¡¯

    ¡°There¡¯s no other way. But if we¡¯re going to pull this off, we need to do it smart. No mistakes.¡± Her voice softened, but there was a weight behind her words. ¡°Xyenn, I can transform into my dragon form. It¡¯ll make us faster, tougher¡ªwe¡¯ll have the power to reach him. But it¡¯s risky. Once I shift back, I¡¯ll be out of it for a long time.¡±

    Xyenn grunted, his grip tightening on the scythes. ¡°Then we don¡¯t screw it up. What¡¯s the plan?¡±

    ¡°Damn right, darling.¡±

    The Berserkers were already shifting, their heads bowed in prayer to the Sun-Drake, their bodies flickering with unnatural light as they prepared to attack again. Above, the Sun-Drake continued to watch, his eyes unblinking, his towering, flaming form radiating unbearable heat.

    Yuuna¡¯s voice was calm, focused. ¡°We¡¯ll have to use everything we¡¯ve got. First, we thin the Berserkers enough to create a hole in their ranks. I¡¯ll shift into dragon form at the last second to break through the rest. Once we get close, I¡¯ll handle the speed and maneuvering while you focus on clearing a path. When we¡¯re right on him, I¡¯ll draw his attention. That¡¯s when we make our move.¡±

    ¡°Why not use the crest to get there?¡±

    ¡°The Berserkers are literally shattering them, and their speed is enough to reach us when we come out of them. Their awareness is insanely formidable!¡±

    Xyenn smirked through the pain, flames licking at the corners of his mouth. ¡°No pressure.¡±

    The Berserkers moved.

    Dozens of them broke from their prayer stances, their grotesque forms snapping into motion as they hurled themselves toward Xyenn. Their hands, glowing with the energy of the sun, reached for him, their hollow, glowing eyes locked onto him with unrelenting hatred.

    Xyenn roared, his wings propelling him upward as he charged into their ranks. His scythes swung in wide, brutal motions, carving through the first wave with savage precision. Blood and molten flesh rained down around him as his blades tore through torsos and severed limbs.

    Another wave came from above, and Xyenn spun sharply, his tail whipping through the air like a battering ram and smashing into a cluster of Berserkers. Two of them exploded on impact, their bodies disintegrating into fiery ash, but the rest kept coming.

    Yuuna¡¯s voice cut through the chaos. ¡°They¡¯re trying to pin you down! Keep moving!¡±

    Xyenn growled, his wings flaring as he darted to the side, narrowly avoiding a pair of Berserkers that lunged for his back. He twisted midair, bringing both scythes down in a vicious arc that split one of them in half. Another came at him from below, and he slammed his heel into its face, shattering its skull with a sickening crack.

    But there were too many.

    A cluster of Berserkers swarmed him from behind, their hands grabbing at his wings, his legs, his shoulders. Their collective weight dragged him downward, their molten blood burning into his flesh as they clawed at him. Xyenn roared in fury, his flames surging outward in a violent explosion that sent the creatures flying.

    He was breathing hard now, his body trembling from exhaustion and pain. His vision blurred, the edges of his remaining eye swimming with red.

    Above, the Sun-Drake continued to watch, his gaze cold and unwavering.

    "The flame does not waver. It does not falter. It is eternal. Its light consumes, and through consumption, it creates."

    Xyenn roared, ¡°AGHHH! Stop spouting bullshit! No one¡¯s listening!¡±

    The Sun-Drake raised one massive hand, and the runes around him began to twist and swirl, reshaping themselves into intricate, glowing patterns. The sun itself pulsed violently, beams of light shooting outward in rapid succession, hitting the ground firat, then each one tearing through the sky with devastating force.

    ¡°Xyenn!¡± Yuuna¡¯s voice screamed in his head. ¡°It¡¯s time!¡±

    ¡°Wait! Are you sure we won¡¯t..¡±

    ¡°Go crazy like I did in my dragon form when you were with Haldrek? No. We won¡¯t. I¡¯m not in my rage state, we will be fine. Now come on!¡±

    Xyenn didn¡¯t hesitate. His body erupted in flames, the searing heat blinding as his form began to shift. His wings grew larger, their fiery edges sharper, and his scythes melted into his body as it elongated, twisting into the monstrous, serpentine form of a black and pink flaming dragon. Yuuna¡¯s energy surged through him, her voice becoming one with his as they completed the transformation.

    The moment their dragon form stabilized, they vanished.

    The Sun-Drake¡¯s attack obliterated the Berserkers closest to him, their bodies disintegrating into ash as the beams tore through them, but the Sun-Drake didn¡¯t care. His focus was on Xyenn and Yuuna, his unblinking eyes tracking their movements as they darted toward him.

    The air around them was chaos, beams of sunlight raining down in rapid succession as they twisted and turned, barely avoiding the onslaught. Each near miss left their scales scorched, their flesh torn and bleeding, but they didn¡¯t stop.

    Yuuna¡¯s voice was sharp in Xyenn¡¯s mind. ¡°Hold steady! We¡¯re almost there! We¡¯re gonna blow his heart to bits!¡±

    The Sun-Drake¡¯s hand began to glow brighter, the runes swirling faster as he prepared another devastating attack. His voice boomed, his words a mixture of ancient proverbs and draconic language that tore through the air like a storm.

    "The flame is the beginning and the end. It consumes, it destroys, it gives. In its light, all things are revealed. In its embrace, all things are undone. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?."

    Xyenn gasped, thinking, ¡®His body¡­it¡¯s slowly turning towards us..he¡¯s gonna react to our speed! Yuuna doesn¡¯t even notice! There¡¯s only one thing I can do..this bastard is gonna wait until we get super close to do what he has to, he¡¯s luring us in and we¡¯re falling for it.¡¯

    Xyenn roared, his flames surging as he forced himself to separate from the dragon form at the last possible second. The transformation split like a violent explosion, Yuuna¡¯s dragon form remaining as the kickback pushed her back, as Xyenn¡¯s body launched forward with blinding speed.

    The Sun-Drake¡¯s hand came down, his attack narrowly missing Xyenn as he hurled himself forward, his scythes igniting with black and pink flames.

    ¡°Fuck you!¡± Xyenn roared.

    His scythes struck true, the blades burying themselves deep into the Sun-Drake¡¯s face. The force of the impact sent both of them hurtling backward, their massive forms crashing into the surface of the sun itself.

    The explosion was devastating.

    The sun erupted in a violent shockwave, its golden surface rippling as molten fire and black energy surged outward. Yuuna screamed from above, her dragon form trembling as the shockwave tore through the sky, scattering what remained of the Berserkers.

    ¡°Xyenn!¡±

    ¡®That caught Sun-Drake off guard, but still¡­Xyenn will die in there! Did Xyenn see something I didn¡¯t? He wouldn¡¯t do crazy things like this if he didn¡¯t have a reason, right? If anything, I can continue to destroy the outer layers of the sun, that¡¯ll eventually kill the god completely. I know Xyenn will survive, he always does.¡¯

    When the chaos settled, Xyenn stood, his body battered and broken, his flames flickering weakly. The Sun-Drake, now the same height as Xyenn, rose slowly, his once-massive form diminished but still powerful.

    They both stood in the sun itself, standing on a steaming platform with smoking surrounding them and the cracked domain of the sun around them.

    ¡®Like Orin¡¯s domain, this has to be this god''s domain. But he made it to where he crafted his own heart into a domain, and still linked with it. Yuuna was right..destroying the sun will weaken him and eventually kill him.¡¯

    The Sun-Drake stood there, his eyes staring into Xyenn¡¯s, his body was steaming, causing some parts of his body to crack; the cracks glowing with sunlight. His dragon horns doing the same, and his body wings.

    ¡°How did I get here¡­?¡±

    Xyenn grunted, as he felt that his own body, the wounds he suffered from the Berserkers earlier had caught fire with sunlight flames; being inside of the Sun-Drake¡¯s heart, it was wearing Xyenn as well.

    ¡®I can¡¯t stall¡­but something in me is making me want to hear what he says..zzm

    They locked eyes, their gazes filled with unrelenting resolve. Xyenn¡¯s scythes hung loosely in his hands, his body trembling but still standing.

    ¡°Don¡¯t have long¡­¡± Xyenn muttered, his voice low and rasping. He tightened his grip on his weapons, blood dripping from his wounds as he took a step forward. ¡°Gotta end this quickly.¡±

    The Sun-Drake¡¯s body burned with black flames, his molten form cracking and bleeding light, but his voice was still steady, still unyielding.

    "The flame does not die. It is reborn. Through destruction, it rises anew¡ªAGH!¡±

    Xyenn gasped, the Sun-Drake held his own head, roaring loudly. He heard whispers in his head, whispers that pierced his carnal mind with malicious intent:

    ¡°Get out of my head¡­who the hell are you all?! Speak one at a time!¡±

    Xyenn heard him, saying, ¡°Who¡¯s talking to him¡­?!¡±

    The Sun-Drake stood motionless for a moment, his molten, towering form blazing with golden fire, his once unshakable presence suddenly faltering. His unblinking, godlike gaze shifted as if looking at something unseen, something far away. Then, without warning, his head snapped to the side, his massive claws gripping at his temples.

    Xyenn, battered and bloodied, stood frozen in the sun a short distance away, his remaining eye narrowing as he watched the god¡¯s sudden distress. The Sun-Drake¡¯s booming voice, which had commanded the battlefield with unwavering authority, now cracked and trembled.

    ¡°No... No! I don¡¯t serve you! I work for no one! I AM THE GOD OF THE SUN!¡±

    The words tore through the sky like a thunderclap, but beneath them, faint, eerie whispers seemed to ripple through the air, unheard yet undeniably present. Xyenn¡¯s ears twitched as he caught the faintest sensation of the voices, like a cold wind brushing past his mind. They weren¡¯t speaking to him¡ªno, they were speaking at the Sun-Drake.

    The god¡¯s claws dug into the sides of his head, his molten, flaming form flickering erratically as though he were fighting something deep within. His glowing eyes flared brighter, his voice rising in desperation.

    ¡°GET OUT OF MY HEAD! I AM THE ETERNAL FLAME! I AM YOUR SUPERIOR! I AM ABOVE YOU ALL! You say you paved the way for my freedom..you fucking didn¡¯t!¡±

    The whispers grew louder, though still incomprehensible, and the Sun-Drake¡¯s entire body began to convulse, his molten surface cracking and bleeding streams of black fire. His golden light dimmed, overtaken by a creeping, sinister darkness that spread across his form like a plague.

    Xyenn hovered in silence, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. His scythes hung at his sides, the fiery blades flickering weakly, and for the first time in the brutal battle, a pang of something foreign gripped his heart¡ªfear.

    ¡°Yuuna¡­¡± he muttered through gritted teeth, his voice low and strained. ¡°What the hell is happening to him?¡±

    Before Yuuna could answer, the Sun-Drake¡¯s body erupted in a violent surge of energy. Massive cracks ran along his molten surface, spilling black fire and dark yellow sunlight that twisted and coiled like living serpents. His wings, once blazing with golden flames, disintegrated in a burst of ash before reforming as jagged, skeletal appendages wreathed in pitch-black fire. The runes that circled him dissolved, replaced by a chaotic swarm of black and dark yellow crests that pulsed and twisted around his form like orbiting fragments of a shattered star.

    The transformation wasn¡¯t instantaneous¡ªit was agonizingly slow, every moment filled with the Sun-Drake¡¯s tortured roars and the eerie, unrelenting whispers of the elder dragon gods. His molten form began to stretch and reshape, his limbs elongating, his body twisting into something far more monstrous.

    When the light finally dimmed, the Sun-Drake¡¯s true form stood revealed.

    His body was massive, far larger than before, his serpentine frame coiled like a storm in the air. His scales, once molten and golden, were now a deep, obsidian black, each one etched with faint veins of glowing, dark-yellow light that pulsed like a dying star. His wings, jagged and skeletal, stretched impossibly wide, their edges crackling with dark sunlight that bled into the sky like ink spreading through water.

    His head was draconic, but grotesquely elongated, his jaw lined with serrated, uneven teeth that dripped with molten fire. His glowing eyes were now split into four, arranged in a vertical pattern down his face, each one blazing with a fierce and unrelenting hunger. Above his head floated a black and dark-yellow sunlit halo, jagged and cracked, its edges radiating chaotic energy.

    And when he roared, the sound was deafening, an unholy cacophony of rage and anguish that tore through the sky like a hurricane. Waves of black and yellow fire rippled outward from his body, consuming everything in their path.

    Xyenn remained frozen, his scythes trembling in his hands as he stared at the god-made-monster before him. His instincts screamed at him to run, but his body wouldn¡¯t move. His remaining eye locked onto the Sun-Drake, and for the first time, he felt the full weight of the god¡¯s presence bearing down on him.

    ¡°Xyenn!¡± Yuuna¡¯s voice snapped him out of his daze.

    He turned just in time to see her dragon form hurtling toward him, her massive, serpentine body wreathed in dark-pink and black flames. Without hesitation, he leapt onto her back, his claws digging into her scales as she carried him higher into the sky, away from the Sun-Drake¡¯s destructive aura.

    ¡°What the hell was that?¡± he growled, his voice rough and shaken.

    Yuuna¡¯s voice, usually calm and steady, was filled with anger. ¡°The elder dragon gods. They¡¯re talking to him. They¡¯ve been using him as a test subject, Xyenn. They wanted him to die and be reborn outside the cycle of rebirth¡ªto break free of it entirely. That¡¯s what this is about. You know this already but¡ª.¡±

    Xyenn snarled, his claws tightening on her scales. ¡°And it worked¡­they¡¯ll use this method then¡­¡±

    ¡°They will,¡± Yuuna confirmed, her voice grim. ¡°And I don¡¯t know how to stop it..¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°They¡¯d have to use curses for that, right? I mean, binding someone¡¯s essence like this¡ªthere¡¯s no way they could do it without help.¡±

    Yuuna nodded. ¡°They¡¯d need to make contracts with the Monarchs of Hell. That¡¯s how they cursed Quinara with the Mark of the Eternal Flame. It¡¯s the only way they could bind her essence to the Sun-Drake. Her race of Quen, even though blessed by the moon goddesses moonlight, are able to withstand the soul of a draconic deity. The Sun-Drake..he was made an anomaly by the elders. The Prophets warned the Light Born of it, and they chose Kassius as their enforcer as you know already. He¡¯s supposed to be here and kill him. This was planned all along.¡±

    Xyenn growled low in his throat. ¡°So the elders are working with demons now. Great. Just when I thought this couldn¡¯t get any worse.¡±

    Yuuna didn¡¯t respond immediately, her serpentine body twisting through the air to avoid a stray wave of black fire from the Sun-Drake. Then, as she leveled out, she spoke again, her tone softer.

    ¡°Why did you force the split earlier?¡±

    Xyenn let out a low growl. ¡°He was gonna anticipate our speed, react before we could hit him. I didn¡¯t wanna risk it. We¡¯re running on borrowed time.¡±

    Yuuna was silent for a moment, then nodded. ¡°I get it. Just¡­I don¡¯t wanna lose you again. It scared the shit out of me.¡±

    Xyenn smirked faintly, his claws loosening their grip as he readied his scythes. ¡°Got it got it.¡±

    Below them, the Sun-Drake unleashed another deafening roar, his four eyes locking onto them as his jagged wings stretched wide. The black and dark-yellow crests orbiting his body began to spin faster, their chaotic energy warping the air around him. His halo pulsed with power, and the flames surrounding him surged outward in a violent storm.

    Xyenn and Yuuna didn¡¯t wait.

    With a thunderous roar of her own, Yuuna dove toward the Sun-Drake, her massive wings propelling her forward with blinding speed. Xyenn clung to her back, his scythes igniting with black and pink flames as they closed the distance.

    The Sun-Drake roared in response, his massive form twisting to meet them head-on. His wings beat once, sending a shockwave of dark sunlight rippling outward, and the crests around him flared with violent energy.

    Black and dark-yellow beams of sunlight shot toward Yuuna and Xyenn in rapid succession, each one tearing through the sky with devastating force. Yuuna twisted and turned, her body weaving through the onslaught with breathtaking precision, but the beams came faster and faster.

    One grazed her wing, tearing through the membrane and sending a spray of blood into the air. Another clipped Xyenn¡¯s shoulder, the searing heat burning deep into his flesh.

    But still, they didn¡¯t stop.

    The Sun-Drake¡¯s roar shook the heavens as he raised one massive claw, the halo above his head glowing brighter as he prepared another devastating attack.

    Yuuna surged forward, her flames blazing as she closed the final gap.

    The Sun-Drake lunged to meet them, his massive jaws opening wide as the two dragons collided in a cataclysmic clash of flame and fury.

 Chapter 38: War Distortion

    The sky was bleeding fire.

    Gorran stood at the edge of the first village, his Xenith Blade resting against his shoulder, its spiraling shadows and pulsing red eyes darting in erratic, watchful patterns. The air was heavy, thick with the metallic tang of death and the lingering heat of the Sun-Drake¡¯s influence. The soft murmurs of the blindfolded villagers reached his ears¡ªlow prayers or hopeless cries from those too afraid to flee. He didn¡¯t care for their words. He only cared for the task ahead.

    Or did he really care?

    The first Berserker descended from the blackened sky, its warped body snapping and jerking unnaturally as it landed on the cobblestone street with a sickening crunch. Its hollow, glowing eyes fixed on a blindfolded woman clutching a child to her chest. Her scream rang out as the creature lunged, its clawed hand glowing with the lethal radiance of condensed sunlight.

    Gorran moved.

    The Xenith Blade shifted in his grip, its shadows rippling as if alive. He stepped forward with swift, fluid precision, his blade snapping outward in a downward arc. The air around the Berserker twisted violently as his spiral slash erupted, the distortion bending space itself. The creature froze mid-lunge, its body caught in the twisting force.

    The Berserker didn¡¯t just die¡ªit was unmade. Its torso stretched and warped, its limbs spiraling into impossible shapes before tearing apart in a grotesque explosion of molten black ichor.

    ¡®They¡¯re as strong as those damn Griffin¡¯s from Gabriel¡¯s Ladder. But from that experience, I¡¯ve learned a lot.¡¯

    Without a word, Gorran turned to the woman. Her sobs filled the silence, but he didn¡¯t linger. He never did.

    Another Berserker landed behind him, its jagged form flickering like a broken shadow. Gorran didn¡¯t glance back. His blade swung in a reverse crescent as he pivoted, the motion smooth and deliberate. The spiral distortion that followed sent the creature hurtling backward, its body twisting unnaturally in midair before slamming into a stone wall with a wet crunch.

    ¡®Don¡¯t rush in too much¡­.don''t be slow, but not too fast.¡¯

    Three more Berserkers appeared, their bodies flickering as they closed in from opposite sides. Gorran rolled his shoulders, his grip tightening on the Xenith Blade. The spiraling red eyes along its length blinked rapidly, almost eagerly.

    He charged.

    ¡®Take them down. Analyze the targets..weaknesses? Like a human target: they die like them. Because they are them.¡¯

    His first strike was a feint¡ªa low, sweeping slash that forced the closest Berserker to leap back. Gorran used the momentum to pivot, bringing his blade up in a brutal, vertical slash. A spiral vortex erupted from the tip of his sword, warping the air around the second Berserker. The creature¡¯s body twisted violently, its head snapping backward before the vortex tore it into pieces.

    The remaining two lunged at him in unison. Gorran ducked beneath their attacks, his movements sharp and calculated. His blade swung upward, carving a spiraling arc between them. The distortion didn¡¯t just kill¡ªit bent the space around them, pulling their bodies together mid-motion before they exploded in a shower of molten blood and ash.

    The fight was over in moments, but the village was scarred. The corpses of the Berserkers oozed searing black ichor into the streets, their twisted forms still radiating faint heat. The villagers whispered their thanks, but Gorran didn¡¯t acknowledge them. He sheathed his blade with a low grunt, the shadows around it dimming as the spiraling red eyes blinked closed.

    He didn¡¯t stay to hear their gratitude.

    He knew if he did, his ego would boost, like it did when he was a child. Usually he would boast in it, but something kept him from acknowledging it.

    What the hell was it?

    The next village was already under siege by the time Gorran arrived.

    The blindfolded villagers screamed as the Berserkers descended on them like carrion birds, their glowing hands outstretched. One of the creatures grabbed a man by the arm, and the explosion was instant. The man¡¯s body erupted in a burst of golden light, his blood and flesh disintegrating into molten fragments that rained down around the terrified survivors.

    ¡°No!¡± Gorran exclaimed.

    ¡®I screamed for someone¡­? Me..?¡¯

    Gorran unsheathed the Xenith Blade as he stepped into the chaos. The weapon¡¯s shadows rippled like living smoke, the red eyes snapping open as if sensing the carnage around them.

    The first Berserker to notice him charged, its elegant body flickering as it moved. Gorran sidestepped its lunge, his movements fluid and precise. His blade swung low, slicing clean through the creature¡¯s knees. The Berserker crumpled, its body twisting unnaturally as the spiral distortion from the strike pulled it apart.

    ¡°RAGHHH!¡± Gorran roared.

    Another Berserker leapt at him from above. Gorran planted his foot and slashed upward, his blade carving a spiraling slash through the air. The distortion expanded outward like a shockwave, catching the creature midair. Its body warped violently, its limbs stretching into grotesque shapes before it disintegrated into a spray of molten ichor.

    Two more Berserkers came at him from opposite sides. Gorran exhaled sharply, his grip tightening on the hilt of his blade. He slammed the Xenith Blade into the ground, and a massive spiral zone erupted around him. The ground itself twisted and distorted, the cobblestones warping into jagged, spiraling patterns. The Berserkers were caught in the vortex, their bodies contorting unnaturally as they were pulled inward and shredded into pieces.

    But the Berserkers were endless.  Some reacted almost instantly, dodging the spirals, avoiding them instantly.

    ¡®So some of them are stronger than others¡­faster! I expected this.¡¯

    One of them managed to grab his arm, its glowing hand burning into his flesh. The explosion sent him staggering, his shoulder seared and bleeding. Another came from behind, its punch raking across his back. Gorran growled in pain, his teeth clenched as he spun and drove his blade into the creature¡¯s chest. The spiral distortion tore through its body, ripping it apart in an instant.

    ¡®This is bad¡­some of them are stronger and faster than others¡­making this fight unpredictable!¡¯

    By the time the last Berserker fell, Gorran was battered and bleeding, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He glanced at the villagers huddled in the ruins of their homes, their blindfolded faces turned toward him in silent gratitude.

    Gorran, on his knees covered in a blanket of blood, breathing heavily, turned to them, saying, ¡°Follow the path¡­to the caves. It¡¯s safe..¡±

    ¡°A-Are You sure?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t make me ask you again. All of you go!¡±

    ¡®These new Berserkers don¡¯t move unless provoked. Bastards are pretty busy praying to the sun. The ones escaping to the ruins will be safe for now. But I trust Xyenn and Yuuna, they¡¯re in the sun I see. Battle going on, they better fucking win.¡¯

    He moved into the next area.

    Gorran arrived too late. The Berserkers had already torn through most of the population, their glowing hands leaving trails of destruction in their wake. The air was thick with the stench of burning flesh and molten blood, the streets littered with the charred remains of those who hadn¡¯t escaped in time.

    Gorran¡¯s jaw tightened as he stepped into the carnage, his Xenith Blade already drawn. The red eyes along its length blinked erratically, their spiraling patterns reflecting the chaos around him.

    The first Berserker turned towards him, sending his hostility, charged him, its body flickering as it moved. Gorran met it head-on, his blade carving a spiraling slash through its torso. The distortion bent the creature¡¯s form, twisting it into an unnatural shape before it exploded into molten ichor.  If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    But there were too many.

    The Berserkers swarmed him, their glowing hands reaching for his flesh. Gorran fought with everything he had, his blade moving in a blur of spiraling slashes. Each strike sent shockwaves rippling through the air, the **spiral distortions** tearing through the Berserkers with brutal efficiency.

    But for every one he killed, another took its place.

    One of them grabbed his leg, the explosion ripping through his armor and leaving a deep, bloody gash. Another raked its claws across his chest, its touch searing his flesh. Gorran growled in pain, his movements slowing as the Berserkers overwhelmed him.

    He fought harder, his blade carving through their ranks with desperate ferocity. The Xenith Blade¡¯s spirals warped the battlefield, the distortions twisting the ground and bodies of his enemies into grotesque shapes. But it wasn¡¯t enough.

    By the time the last Berserker fell, the village was silent. Gorran stood amidst the carnage, his body battered and bleeding. The corpses of the villagers surrounded him, their blindfolds still tied tightly over their empty eyes.

    He clenched his fists, his gaze fixed on the bodies. The memories came unbidden¡ªhis clan, the Xenith, lying dead around him. The weight of it all settled heavily on his shoulders, but he didn¡¯t let it show. He couldn¡¯t.

    He heard crying from children, hovering over their wounded father.

    Gorran winced at the crying, gripping his Xenith.

    ¡®Let the dead rest, leave them behind in silence.¡¯

    Is what his father always told him. A man once ambushed by his own morality and innocence at a young age, turned assassin with no care for morality once so ever. Leave the dead behind, he said. Leave the wounded behind, they have no value if their own value is fading from them.

    Gorran turned around to the children and their father, and he instantly picked up the father, saying to the children, ¡°Follow me. Now. No questions. Nothing. Stop that crying shit.¡±

    The children replied: ¡°Please save him..¡±

    ¡°Mm.¡±

    For the first time, he felt something stir deep within him. Regret, maybe. Or guilt. He didn¡¯t know.

    But he didn¡¯t look back. He never did.

    ¡®Leave the dead behind. Leave those who are close to it. They hold no importance in silence. It was embedded in me, changed me. Ruled my conscience. Why leave helpless children behind¡­? Yuuna saw my state when I was a child¡­but she didn¡¯t leave me. I¡¯m not born to be a hero. Wasn¡¯t crafted that way. Xyenn¡­fighting to reshape his ability to handle everything at once, Yuuna is fighting to keep from going back to being a monster, trying to help people more and be better, all because of Xyenn. Even Mertha, not being the leader she thought she was with her clan and ended up losing them all alongside her family, stays trying to give orders to us, to make up for what she thinks was her fault. What about me? The old me would¡¯ve left that wounded man back there. Why the hell¡­do I feel satisfied for helping a weak man?!¡¯

    The screams of the villagers were deafening, a desperate cacophony that pierced through the chaos. Fires raged all around, consuming homes, marketplaces, and fields alike, while the blinding, oppressive light of the sun above seemed to grow darker and more unbearable with each passing second. The Berserkers hovered in the skies above, their immense forms locked in their eternal prayer. Their heads tilted back, hands pressed together in reverence toward the burning sun.

    Their haunting stillness belied their destructive power. Each pulse of radiant sunlight that emanated from them brought devastation¡ªwaves of heat and light distorted the air, warping the earth below into molten ruin. But it wasn¡¯t just their radiant energy that was the true danger. If their hands made contact with anything¡ªbuildings, trees, or people¡ªit erupted in a massive explosion of dark sunlight, obliterating everything in its wake.

    Mertha¡¯s boots pounded against the dirt as she ran toward a group of villagers trapped in the center of the town square. Her body ached from the earlier battles, her dark pink and black flaming gauntlets crackling against her bloodied arms. She felt the heat of the destruction around her, sweat streaming down her face, but she didn¡¯t stop. She couldn¡¯t stop.

    ¡°Run! Get to the northern passage!¡± she screamed, her voice hoarse, her lungs burning. ¡°Don¡¯t stop for anything! Stay together!¡±

    The villagers hesitated, frozen in fear as one of the Berserkers floated closer, its massive praying hands glowing faintly with dark sunlight. The pressure of its radiant energy alone was enough to make the ground beneath it crumble and glow red-hot, threatening to explode at any moment.

    ¡°Go!¡± Mertha bellowed, shoving one of the villagers forward as the Berserker descended lower, its hands tilting slightly as if reaching for the group. ¡°Get moving, or you¡¯re all dead! To the cliffs! They only attack if they feel threatened!¡±

    ¡®It¡¯s like they attack those who are trying to disturb their prayer. That means I can¡¯t hang too close to the group I¡¯m trying to lead out of here, I have to hang back sometimes.¡¯

    Finally, the villagers obeyed, their terrified faces streaked with soot and tears as they scrambled toward the passage she had pointed out. But Mertha didn¡¯t follow. She planted herself between them and the Berserker, her fists igniting with an intense flame as she glared up at the massive creature.

    She grinned, ¡°Come at me then!¡±

    Her heart pounded in her chest, fear clawing at the edges of her mind, but she pushed it down. She couldn¡¯t afford to be afraid. There were people counting on her¡ªinnocent lives that would be snuffed out if she faltered for even a second. She clenched her fists tighter, the flames on her gauntlets flaring brighter.

    ¡°You¡¯re not touching them,¡± she growled, her voice low and filled with venom. ¡°Not while I¡¯m still fucking breathing. Weirdos.¡±

    The Berserker¡¯s hands began to move, slow and deliberate, as though drawn by her defiance. The air around it vibrated with energy, the intense heat causing the very stones beneath its hovering form to melt and drip like wax. Mertha knew what was coming. If those hands touched the ground, the entire square would erupt in a blast of dark sunlight that would kill everyone within a hundred yards¡ªincluding her.

    Without waiting for it to make the first move, Mertha charged.

    Her boots slammed against the ground as she leapt onto a fallen wagon, using it as a springboard to launch herself toward the Berserker. Her gauntlets flared, the flames trailing behind her like a comet as she swung her fist toward its glowing hands. The moment her punch connected, an explosion of sparks and flames erupted from the impact, forcing the Berserker to jerk backward.

    But the creature didn¡¯t falter. Its praying hands remained pressed together, its head tilting slightly as though it barely registered her attack. Mertha didn¡¯t let up. She landed on the ground and immediately launched herself forward again, her fists blazing as she pounded them into the Berserker¡¯s hands, chest, and head. Each blow sent waves of molten sparks flying, but the creature refused to break its formation.

    ¡°Come on!¡± Mertha snarled, slamming her fists into its body with all her strength. ¡°Fight me, you bastard! Stop praying and fight me!¡±

    The Berserker¡¯s head tilted slightly, its glowing form pulsing as if in response to her taunts. Then, without warning, its hands began to descend. Mertha¡¯s eyes widened as she realized what was happening. It wasn¡¯t trying to fight her¡ªit was trying to grab her.

    ¡°Shit!¡± she hissed, throwing herself backward just as the Berserker¡¯s hands slammed into the ground where she had been standing. The resulting explosion was deafening, a massive shockwave of dark sunlight tearing through the square and sending chunks of molten stone flying in every direction. Mertha barely managed to roll out of the way as one of the fragments crashed into the ground beside her, the heat searing her exposed skin.

    ¡®Tch! They fight so weirdly!¡¯

    She scrambled to her feet, her chest heaving as she glared up at the Berserker. Her gauntlets flared again, the flames burning hotter as she prepared to charge once more. But before she could move, she heard a scream.

    Her head snapped toward the sound, her blood running cold as she saw a young boy trapped beneath a fallen beam. The villagers she had sent toward the northern passage were still fleeing, unaware of the child¡¯s plight.

    ¡°Is she gonna be okay?!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s fighting pretty good, but I don¡¯t think she can go on for so long!¡±

    ¡°Trust her! We can¡¯t doubt anyone right now! This might be the end of Soulcaris, we might be free.¡±

    ¡°Free¡­from the god of the sun¡­please let it be true¡­¡±

    Without hesitation, Mertha sprinted toward the Berserker, dodging the molten debris and radiant energy that littered the square. She dropped to her knees beside the boy, gripping the beam with both hands as her gauntlets flared.

    ¡°Hold on, kid,¡± she said through gritted teeth, her muscles straining as she lifted the burning beam off his leg. The flames from her gauntlets melted through the wood, turning it to ash as she tossed it aside. ¡°Can you walk?¡±

    The boy nodded, tears streaming down his soot-streaked face. Mertha grabbed his arm, hauling him to his feet and shoving him toward the passage.

    ¡°Go! Don¡¯t stop until you reach the others!¡± she shouted. ¡°Scream to get their attention!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m scared¡­¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be fucking scared! This is life or death! One false move¡­and it¡¯s over. Please go!¡±

    ¡°¡­Okay¡­¡±

    The boy hesitated for only a second before running as fast as his injured leg would allow. Mertha watched him go, relief flooding through her¡ªuntil she felt the air around her shift.

    She turned just in time to see another Berserker descending toward her, its massive hands glowing with dark sunlight. Before she could react, a massive lance of radiant energy shot from the sky, hurtling toward her like a falling star.

    It struck her with devastating force, piercing through her abdomen and pinning her to the ground.

    ¡°AGHHH! Dammit!¡±

    The pain was immediate and excruciating, her vision swimming as she struggled to catch her breath. Around her, the villagers who hadn¡¯t yet escaped screamed in horror, their faces pale as they watched her fall.

    For a moment, Mertha¡¯s vision blurred, the edges of her world darkening. Memories of her past flooded her mind¡ªher tribe, her failures, the people she couldn¡¯t save. The guilt, the shame, the constant feeling of abandonment. She had abandoned her role as a leader. She had abandoned the people who had once looked to her for guidance.

    ¡®I¡¯ve been doing well leading¡­I have more to do! I¡¯m not a waste at all¡­¡¯

    With a guttural roar, she reached down and grabbed the lance, her gauntlets flaring with dark pink and black flames. The energy from the gauntlets surged into the lance, igniting it with the same fiery power. With a sickening sound, and scream, she ripped the lance out of her body, blood spraying from the wound as she stood, her legs trembling but unyielding.

    The Berserker that had thrown the lance hovered above her, its massive praying hands glowing faintly as if preparing to strike again. Mertha grinned, gripping the flaming lance tightly as she took a step forward.

    ¡°My turn,¡± she growled.

    She hurled the lance with all her strength, the weapon streaking through the air like a meteor. It struck the Berserker in the center, the force of the impact sending a ripple of dark sunlight through its form. The creature¡¯s body convulsed before erupting in a massive explosion, its radiant energy dissipating into the air.

    Mertha didn¡¯t stop. She turned toward the remaining Berserkers, her gauntlets blazing as she charged forward once more.

    As the battle raged on, Mertha came across a crumbling church at the edge of the village. The sound of chanting echoed from within, a haunting melody that sent a chill down her spine. She pushed open the shattered doors, her gauntlets casting eerie shadows on the walls as she stepped inside.

    A group of robed cultists stood in a circle around an altar, their voices raised in praise to the Sun-Drake. Bound and kneeling before them were several villagers, their faces pale with terror.

    ¡°The Sun-Drake will spare us!¡± one of the cultists cried, raising his hands toward the altar. ¡°We offer these souls in tribute! Praise the eternal flame!¡±

    ¡°That same cult!¡± Mertha¡¯s blood boiled. She stormed into the room, her gauntlets flaring as she slammed her fist into the nearest cultist. The force of the blow sent him flying into the wall, his body crumpling on impact, blood splattering from its body.

    The chanting stopped abruptly as the remaining cultists turned toward her, their faces filled with fear and rage.

    ¡°Release them!¡± Mertha roared, her voice echoing through the church. ¡°Now!¡±

    The cultists hesitated for only a moment before one of them lunged at her, a dagger in hand.

    ¡°Die! You won¡¯t stop our salvation! Muscle woman!¡±

    Mertha sidestepped the attack, grabbing his wrist and twisting it until the dagger fell from his grasp. She followed up with a punch to his chest, the flames from her gauntlets igniting his robes as he was bashed through a wall.

    The remaining cultists scrambled to grab their weapons, but before they could attack, the ceiling above them exploded. A Berserker descended into the church, its massive form crashing through the roof. The cultists screamed, their prayers turning into desperate cries for mercy as the Berserker¡¯s radiant energy consumed them, burning them alive as they melted in brutal agony, their skin and blood oozing to the floor.

    Mertha didn¡¯t wait to see what would happen next. She ran to the altar, tearing through the ropes that bound the villagers and pulling them to their feet.

    ¡°Go! Head towards the northern passage! To the cliffs! Don¡¯t fuck around here any longer!¡±

    ¡°Thank you!¡± One woman bowed as she ran past Mertha.

    The villagers fled, and Mertha followed close behind, dodging the explosions that erupted around them as the Berserker¡¯s energy tore through the church.

    Minutes later, they made it to the cliffs, and there were at least a few hundred people rushing inside of it.

    ¡°Don¡¯t push!¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s my baby?!¡±

    ¡°Get out of the way!¡±

    Gorran was there, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t push each other! Be patient!¡±

    By the time Mertha reached the cave at the edge of the forest, she was barely standing. Her body was covered in blood and soot, her gauntlets flickering weakly as the flames began to die.

    The villagers she had saved gathered around her, their faces filled with gratitude and awe. One by one, they murmured their thanks, their voices rising in a quiet chorus that filled the cave.

    A little girl ran up to her, throwing her arms around Mertha¡¯s waist.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± the girl whispered, her small voice trembling.

    Mertha froze for a moment, her breath catching in her throat. Then, slowly, she placed a bloodied hand on the girl¡¯s head, her lips twitching into a faint, weary smile.

    For the first time in what felt like forever, Mertha felt something other than guilt or anger.

    She felt like a leader again.

 Chapter 39: I Killed A God

    The Sun-Drake¡¯s pitch-black form loomed ahead, his four glowing eyes narrowing as his jagged, skeletal wings flexed, scattering dark embers into the molten air. Half of his monstrous draconic body twisted in the flames, while his humanoid torso¡ªripped and godlike¡ªemerged from the dragon¡¯s head. The dark trident in his hand pulsed with the energy of a dying star, its jagged edges glowing with sinister yellow and black light. Every motion he made was deliberate, calculated, and filled with the intent to kill.

    Yuuna roared, her black-and-pink flames exploding outward as her glowing tails whipped behind her like jagged, electrified lances. Xyenn clung tightly to her back, his scythes already dripping with molten blood from the earlier skirmish. His eyes locked onto the Sun-Drake¡¯s humanoid figure, calculating every movement, every weakness.

    ¡°I¡¯ll keep him busy!¡± Yuuna snarled, her voice echoing in Xyenn¡¯s mind as her tails spread wide. ¡°You strike when I open him up!¡±

    ¡°No holding back,¡± Xyenn growled, his claws digging into her scales as the two launched forward together.

    ¡°Do we ever?¡±

    ¡°Yeah we did one time.¡±

    ¡°That was supposed to be a badass line, darling.¡±

    Yuuna surged forward, her tails fanning out in a deadly arc. She twisted her massive body midair, slashing all five jagged tails toward the Sun-Drake like serrated whips. Each tail was aimed at a vital point¡ªhis neck, his torso, his wings, and his humanoid form.

    The Sun-Drake responded immediately, his trident spinning in his hands like a blur. Sparks erupted as tail met trident, the impact sending shockwaves of molten heat rippling through the air. He parried two tails with the shaft of his weapon, dodged a third by twisting his torso unnaturally, and grabbed the fourth with his bare hand. The jagged edges of Yuuna¡¯s tail tore into his palm, black blood dripping from his wound, but he didn¡¯t flinch.

    The fifth tail caught him off guard, slamming into his exposed humanoid chest. The blow sent him hurtling backward, his body smashing into the surface of the sun, creating a crater of molten fire.

    ¡°Now!¡± Yuuna roared. ¡°Go!¡±

    Xyenn leapt from her back, his wings folding around him as he ignited into a flaming drill. Black, red, and pink flames spiraled around him as he darted downward at breakneck speed, aiming directly for the Sun-Drake¡¯s chest.

    The god recovered quickly, his four eyes snapping open as he raised his trident. Twisting his body, he deflected Xyenn¡¯s attack mid-spin, the clash of flames and metal sending molten sparks flying in every direction. Xyenn snarled, unfolding his wings midair to stop himself from being flung away, and slashed upward with one of his scythes.

    ¡®Weird how he has dark magic in his sun abilities¡­!¡¯

    The blade tore through the Sun-Drake¡¯s exposed arm, carving a deep gash that oozed black, molten blood. But the god retaliated in an instant, thrusting his trident forward and impaling Xyenn through his shoulder.

    Blood sprayed into the air as Xyenn growled in pain, clutching the shaft of the trident with one hand while slashing at the Sun-Drake¡¯s face with the other. The scythe grazed one of the god¡¯s four eyes, cutting it deeply and causing an eruption of molten ichor.

    Yuuna dove in from above, her jaws snapping shut on the Sun-Drake¡¯s dragon neck. Her fangs sunk deep, ripping through black scales and flesh as she thrashed violently, tearing chunks of his form away. Her tails lashed at his humanoid torso, forcing him to release the trident and drop Xyenn.

    Landing gracefully on her back, Xyenn ripped the trident from his shoulder, blood dripping down his arm as he swung it experimentally. ¡°This thing¡¯s got some weight. Let¡¯s see how he likes it. And Yuuna!¡±

    ¡°Yeah?!¡±

    ¡°Why does he have dark magic in the sun? Isn¡¯t his only affinity sun magic?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s like the Tyrants! I shared my blood to them, and my blood of darkness merged with their normal affinities. The curse md rune from hell¡­the Mark of the Eternal Flame¡­that curse is still latched onto the Sun-Drake. It¡¯s a part of him, the bridge to his escape of rebirth.¡±

    ¡°Shit¡­¡±

    Yuuna roared, her flaming crests igniting around her. Large fireballs of black and pink flames, crackling with electric energy, began to erupt outward in all directions. The Sun-Drake dodged the first few with inhuman speed, his humanoid form twisting and contorting unnaturally as his dragon body coiled beneath him.

    Xyenn hurled the trident at the god¡¯s humanoid chest, and the Sun-Drake caught it midair. But before he could use it, Yuuna¡¯s tails came crashing down, striking his torso and forcing him to his knees. Xyenn followed up by diving at him, both scythes slashing in an X-pattern aimed at his throat.

    The Sun-Drake caught the first blow with his trident but failed to block the second. Xyenn¡¯s scythe slashed deep into his humanoid chest, black blood spraying as the Sun-Drake roared in fury.

    ¡°Yuuna, take over!¡± Xyenn shouted.

    Yuuna¡¯s eye formed on Xyenn¡¯s chest, glowing ominously. She began chanting in an alien language, her voice reverberating through the battlefield as Xyenn¡¯s halo grew larger around his head. Seven massive fireballs¡ªblack, red, and pink¡ªswirled into existence, crackling with destructive energy.

    Yuuna temporality took control of Xyenn¡¯s magic, forcing him into an ancient draconic dance. His movements were fluid, almost hypnotic, as each orb shot forward one by one, aimed at the Sun-Drake¡¯s vital points.

    The Sun-Drake dodged the first orb, parried the second with his trident, and took the third directly to his dragon wing. The explosion tore through his wing, severing part of it and sending molten blood raining down onto the sun¡¯s surface.

    But the god wasn¡¯t finished. He lunged forward, his humanoid form moving faster than Xyenn could react. The Sun-Drake slammed the butt of his trident into Xyenn¡¯s chest, cracking his ribs, before spinning and slashing at Yuuna with the blade. The jagged trident tore through her shoulder, ripping scales and flesh alike.

    Yuuna roared in pain but retaliated immediately. Her tails whipped forward, two of them wrapping around the Sun-Drake¡¯s humanoid torso while the other three slashed brutally at his exposed dragon body. The jagged edges of her tails tore through his scales, ripping flesh and spilling black ichor.

    Xyenn, despite the pain in his chest, launched himself at the god¡¯s humanoid form.

    ¡°RAGGHHHHH!¡±

    His scythe slashed at the Sun-Drake¡¯s face, each blow aimed to blind or maim. The god blocked with his trident, but one of Xyenn¡¯s claws slipped through, raking across his jaw and tearing it open.

    The Sun-Drake responded by grabbing Xyenn by the throat and slamming him into the surface of the sun. The molten ground cracked and splintered beneath the impact, but Xyenn retaliated, plunging his scythe into the god¡¯s forearm and twisting it violently.

    Yuuna took advantage of the opening, diving down and slamming her massive body into the Sun-Drake¡¯s dragon form. The impact shattered part of the molten sun¡¯s surface, sending cracks spiraling outward. A geyser of molten fire erupted beneath them, engulfing the Sun-Drake and weakening him further.

    ¡°Keep hitting the ground!¡± Yuuna shouted with a grin. ¡°Slash every part of the sun as we fight, darling!¡±

    ¡°Got it..¡±

    Xyenn nodded, slashing at the ground with his scythes and sending more molten geysers erupting toward the god. Yuuna¡¯s tails smashed into the ground repeatedly, creating fissures that destabilized the battlefield.

    ¡®It¡¯s working¡­he¡¯s getting weaker¡­we can fucking win!¡¯

    The Sun-Drake roared in fury, his humanoid form flickering as the destruction of the sun sapped his strength. But even weakened, he fought on, lunging forward with his trident and slashing at Xyenn and Yuuna with brutal precision.

    The battle burned hotter than the core of the sun itself, a clash of godly fury and desperate mortals. Yuuna and Xyenn were battered and bloodied, their movements slower than before, yet no less ferocious. Above them, the Sun-Drake stood in his terrible form, half-dragon, half-god, wreathed in black and dark-yellow flames. His four burning eyes glared down at them, his halo of jagged runes spinning faster, dripping dark sunlight that twisted and warped the sky.

    In his clawed humanoid hands, he conjured more weapons¡ªdark sun weapons, forged from the energy of collapsing stars. Floating around him were jagged scimitars, spears, and long serrated swords, each one shimmering with godly power. The halo above his head fractured briefly, splitting into multiple rings that floated outward into the air like orbiting celestial bodies. From these halos, he conjured more weapons, their edges glowing with the promise of death.

    The Sun-Drake raised his head, roaring with a voice so loud that the sun itself trembled. ¡°I AM NO ONE¡¯S PET! YOU WILL NOT CONTROL ME! I WILL BURN YOU BOTH TO ASH!¡±

    But even as his words roared with divine fury, his claws briefly grabbed at his head. The whispers in his mind were growing louder, relentless. Xyenn and Yuuna could see it¡ªthe way his body flickered, the tension in his movements. The elder dragon gods were still in his head, their voices clawing at his mind, and now, he thought Yuuna and Xyenn were part of it.

    ¡°I AM THE GOD OF THE SUN!¡± the Sun-Drake roared again, his eyes blazing as his form twisted further. His dragon body began to evolve, jagged spikes erupting along his back and neck. His wings, already skeletal, expanded further, their edges sharp like blades. His humanoid torso cracked and shifted, dark tendrils of energy wrapping around his arms as his trident transformed into a massive, curved glaive.

    And then he moved.

    Before Xyenn or Yuuna could react, the Sun-Drake lunged forward, his glaive slicing through the molten air with blinding speed. Yuuna barely twisted her body aside, the blade grazing her side and carving a deep gash into her scales. Blood sprayed into the air, sizzling as it hit the sun¡¯s surface.

    Xyenn, still on her back, leapt off and darted toward the god, his scythes igniting with black and dark pink flames. He slashed downward, aiming for the Sun-Drake¡¯s exposed humanoid torso, but the god spun midair, his glaive intercepting the blow. Sparks flew as metal clashed against metal, the force of the impact sending Xyenn skidding backward in the air.

    The Sun-Drake didn¡¯t stop. He twirled his glaive with inhuman precision, slashing at Xyenn with a series of rapid strikes. Xyenn dodged the first two, blocking the third with his scythe, but the fourth caught him across the chest. The blade tore through his dragon scales, leaving a deep, bloody wound.

    Xyenn hissed in pain, flipping backward to avoid the follow-up strike. But as he landed, he saw the Sun-Drake¡¯s weapons floating around him begin to move.

    ¡°What¡¯s his deal?!¡± Xyenn screamed.

    ¡°He¡¯s using every ounce of power in his arsenal to stay alive! We¡¯re gonna be overwhelmed!¡±

    ¡°Fuck that!¡±

    The Sun-Drake raised his clawed hand, and the floating dark sun weapons¡ªscimitars, spears, serrated blades¡ªshot forward like missiles. Each one twisted and curved toward Xyenn and Yuuna as if alive, their edges burning with destructive energy.

    Yuuna roared, her tails whipping into motion. She spun her massive body in the air, her jagged tails smashing the weapons aside one by one. Sparks erupted as the blades clashed against her tails, but even as she deflected them, a spear slipped through her defenses, stabbing deep into her right shoulder.

    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    Yuuna screamed, twisting her body violently to break the spear in half. But the pain slowed her, and more weapons struck her¡ªone slashed across her wing, another pierced her tail.

    Xyenn dove to her aid, his scythes a blur of motion as he intercepted the remaining weapons. He spun midair, his wings folding around him as he parried and slashed, molten sparks flying with each strike. One blade grazed his arm, another his thigh, but he kept moving, his eyes locked on the Sun-Drake.

    ¡°We need to destroy those halos!¡± Xyenn shouted, blood dripping from his wounds.

    ¡°Ohhhhh ya think so?!¡± Yuuna snapped, her voice strained as she launched herself toward the Sun-Drake.

    The Sun-Drake¡¯s halos floated high above him, their jagged edges glowing with dark sunlight. Yuuna roared, her flaming crests igniting around her as she launched fireballs of dark pink and black flames toward the halos. The fireballs exploded on impact, but the halos absorbed the energy, growing brighter and more unstable.

    ¡°I¡¯ll distract him!¡± Xyenn shouted, darting toward the Sun-Drake.

    The god watched him approach, his four glowing eyes narrowing. ¡°YOU THINK YOU CAN STOP ME?¡±

    The Sun-Drake raised his glaive, slashing downward as Xyenn closed the distance. The blade came down like a guillotine, but Xyenn twisted midair, his wings folding to increase his speed. He spun around the glaive, landing on the Sun-Drake¡¯s humanoid arm and slashing at his shoulder with both scythes.

    The blades bit deep, severing the tendons in the god¡¯s arm. The Sun-Drake roared in pain, his free hand grabbing Xyenn and hurling him toward the surface of the sun.

    Xyenn crashed hard, the molten ground cracking beneath him. He coughed, blood spilling from his mouth as he struggled to stand.

    ¡®Not losing¡­not losing to the gods¡­the dragon gods whom I hate¡­I hate all of them. No way I¡¯ll let them have the last laugh after everything I went through when I was powerless¡­¡¯

    Above him, Yuuna dove toward the Sun-Drake, her tails stabbing at his dragon body.

    The Sun-Drake twisted, catching one of her tails in his clawed hand and slamming her into the sun¡¯s surface. The impact sent molten fire erupting into the air, engulfing them both in a blinding inferno.

    Xyenn staggered to his feet, his body battered and bleeding. He watched as Yuuna struggled against the Sun-Drake, her massive form pinned beneath his claw. The god raised his glaive, aiming to drive it through her skull.

    ¡°No!¡± Xyenn roared, leaping into the air.

    His wings folded around him as he ignited into a flaming drill, spiraling toward the Sun-Drake¡¯s exposed back. The impact sent the god stumbling forward, releasing Yuuna.

    Yuuna took the opportunity, her violent jaws snapping shut on the Sun-Drake¡¯s dragon neck. She thrashed violently, tearing through his flesh, but the god retaliated with a brutal swing of his glaive, slicing across her face.

    Blood sprayed as Yuuna released him, her body collapsing to the ground.

    The Sun-Drake roared in triumph, his halos spinning faster as he conjured more weapons. Dark sun halos appeared in the air around him, bending and twisting under his will. He hurled them at Xyenn and Yuuna, the halos slicing through the air like spinning buzzsaws.

    Xyenn dodged narrowly, one halo grazing his side and leaving a deep, burning wound. Yuuna deflected another with her tails, but the force of the impact sent her sprawling.

    ¡°We can¡¯t keep this up!¡± Yuuna growled, her voice weak.  ¡°He knows he¡¯s dying and getting weaker at a rapid pace, but he¡¯s releasing all of his power at once to even our power out!¡±

    ¡°I have a plan. I know you trust me, I don¡¯t even need to ask you. Do I?¡±

    ¡°Damn right.¡±

    Yuuna and Xyenn launched themselves toward the Sun-Drake one final time. The god roared, his glaive spinning as he darted forward to meet them.

    As they closed the distance, Xyenn suddenly leapt off Yuuna¡¯s back, kicking off her body to propel himself higher. Yuuna dove downward, her tails lashing at the Sun-Drake¡¯s legs.

    The Sun-Drake twisted between them, his glaive slashing upward. The blade caught Xyenn across the face, leaving a deep, bloody gash over his eye.

    Xyenn roared in pain, twisting midair. He let out a guttural battle cry as he spun, his scythes igniting with black and red flames. With a final, devastating slash, he severed the Sun-Drake¡¯s head from his body.

    The god¡¯s headless form staggered, dark flames erupting from his neck as his body began to collapse.

    The sun itself seemed to tremble as the Sun-Drake¡¯s body exploded, a massive shockwave tearing through the battlefield.

    ¡­

    ¡­

    ¡­

    Down below, Gorran and Mertha watched the explosion in horror.

    ¡°No!¡± they cried in unison, their voices echoing across the molten wasteland.

    Xyenn hovered in the air, blood dripping from his body as he stared at the devastation. Yuuna landed beside him, her body battered but still standing.

    The Sun-Drake was no more.

    Mertha, running fast towards them, thought, ¡®No¡­don¡¯t be dead, you two better not be dead! Not you either Xyenn¡­¡¯

    Gorran said ti Mertha, ¡°Stop stressing.¡±

    ¡°How can you say that?¡±

    ¡°At this point, some explosion isn¡¯t gonna kill them.¡±

    ¡°Gorran¡­¡±

    ¡°Xyenn is too stubborn for his own good and Yuuna is too psychotic.¡±

    ¡®Is he right..?¡¯ Mertha thinks.

    The battlefield was silent.

    The remnants of the sun¡ªthe shattered fragments of its molten core¡ªfell from the sky in slow, glowing embers, like snow descending upon a scorched wasteland. The ground was cracked and blackened, the heat still pulsing faintly, but the battle was over. The Sun-Drake¡¯s body lay in the distance, smoldering and broken, his once godlike form now reduced to ruin.

    Xyenn knelt on the ground, his bloodied body heaving with each labored breath. Yuuna was beneath him, no longer in her dragon form. Her delicate, human frame rested under his, her glowing pink eyes locked onto his face. His arms were wrapped around her, his body shielding hers, his blood dripping steadily from his wounds.

    His back was a mess¡ªbloody, torn, and steaming from the intense heat of the battle. Yet he was smiling.

    Yuuna¡¯s voice broke the silence, soft and trembling. ¡°Darling¡­¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s grin widened, his teeth stained with blood as it dripped from his face onto hers. ¡°I killed a god¡­¡± he whispered, his voice rough and weak, but filled with pride.

    Yuuna¡¯s lips quivered, and then, in that same position, she pulled him closer, her arms wrapping tightly around him. Despite the pain, despite the exhaustion, she hugged him fiercely. Xyenn exhaled shakily, his body trembling as his forehead rested lightly against hers.

    Behind them, Mertha and Gorran approached cautiously. The air was thick with the aftermath of battle¡ªthe heat, the smoke, the lingering scent of blood and ash. They stopped a short distance away, their eyes scanning the two warriors who had just defied a god.

    Mertha¡¯s voice was soft, reverent. ¡°You two¡­ you did it.¡±

    Xyenn turned his head slightly to look at her, his grin still present despite the blood smeared across his face. ¡°Damn right we did.¡± His voice was hoarse, but there was a flicker of something in his tone¡ªsomething he hadn¡¯t felt in a long time.

    Mertha knelt beside them, her expression shifting to something softer as she glanced at Yuuna and Xyenn. ¡°We saved so many,¡± she began, her voice steady, though her eyes glistened faintly. ¡°The people¡­ we got them out. I led as many as I could to safety, and Gorran¡ª¡± she paused, glancing at him.

    Gorran stood silently, arms crossed, his face brooding as ever. But there was something unspoken in his expression¡ªa quiet pride, buried deep beneath his stoic demeanor. Nothing arrogant. What was it? This was a feeling Gorran wanted to understand himself.

    Mertha continued, ¡°Gorran saved more than a few himself. I think we made a difference.¡±

    Yuuna turned her head slightly toward them, her lips curling into a warm smile despite the blood on her face. ¡°You¡¯re both amazing,¡± she said softly, her voice carrying a genuine warmth that cut through the heavy air.  ¡°Glad to have you both here with me.¡±

    Xyenn chuckled weakly, his body still trembling with exhaustion. ¡°Even though some lost their lives¡­¡± He paused, his voice catching for a moment. He glanced down at Yuuna, his grin softening, becoming something more real. ¡°We avenged them.¡± He exhaled deeply, his chest rising and falling against Yuuna¡¯s. ¡°I feel pretty good about it.¡±

    His words hung in the air, and for a moment, it felt like the weight of his own inner conflict was lifting. The thoughts that had haunted him¡ªthe fear of becoming a monster, of being nothing more than a weapon¡ªwere fading. For once, he felt like a hero.

    Scratch that, the word hero is cringe to him. Though he thought about it, he never saw himself as a hero.

    Yuuna¡¯s smile widened, her eyes glimmering as she looked up at him. ¡°Are you proud of me?¡± she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I did good¡­¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s grin faded into a tender expression, and he nodded, his bloodied forehead pressing lightly against hers. ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯m proud of you, Yuuna.¡±

    Mertha stood, her hands on her hips, a wide grin spreading across her face.

    ¡®I had led people to safety, saved lives, things I should''ve done with my own tribe. Beginning to feel worth a damn now. I want to keep this feeling, every situation from now on, I¡¯ll continue to lead.¡¯

    Gorran remained silent, his eyes fixed on the horizon where the remnants of the sun still burned faintly. He didn¡¯t say anything, but somewhere deep within him, a faint sensation stirred¡ªa feeling he hadn¡¯t allowed himself to acknowledge in years. The people he had saved flashed through his mind. He didn¡¯t smile, didn¡¯t speak, but the thought lingered: I did something good.

    Is it happiness?

    Is it satisfaction?

    Gorran wanted to know what this feeling was, could it be multiple? He wanted to put a name on it. And because of his confusion in his own head, his mind is conflicted. A thought even popped up, maybe if he kept doing this on his own, he would be able to figure out what it truly is. One thing will lead to the next: maybe the feeling he¡¯s feeling was something that was stolen from him from the Xenith assassins. The more he does this, the more he¡¯ll be able to find out what this feeling truly was.

    Yuuna shifted slightly, her arms still wrapped around Xyenn. ¡°We should move,¡± she said softly, though her voice carried a note of urgency. ¡°There¡¯s something we need to do.¡±

    Xyenn nodded, slowly rising to his feet. His body ached, blood still dripping from his wounds, but he helped Yuuna to her feet, keeping his arm around her for support. Mertha and Gorran followed silently as the four of them made their way toward the Sun-Drake¡¯s fallen body.

    The Sun-Drake¡¯s corpse was massive, even in death. His half dragon body lay sprawled across the battlefield, molten blood pooling beneath him, his jagged wings torn and broken. His humanoid torso, still partially fused with his dragon form, was twisted and lifeless. The black flames that once wreathed his body had faded, leaving only smoldering remnants.

    As they approached, Yuuna stopped, her gaze fixed on the center of the Sun-Drake¡¯s chest. ¡°His heart¡­¡± she said softly, her voice almost reverent.

    Xyenn glanced at her, his brow furrowing. ¡°You told me about this before,¡± he said, his voice low. ¡°The Devourer¡¯s Heart. I didn¡¯t think¡­¡± He trailed off, his eyes flickering with unease.

    Yuuna placed a hand on his arm, her touch gentle. ¡°We have to,¡± she said firmly. ¡°You know what this means. He¡¯s not coming back. ¡°We ended him together, Xyenn. This is ours to take.¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­you¡¯re right.¡±

    He nodded slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing as he knelt beside her. Together, they placed their hands on the Sun-Drake¡¯s chest, feeling the lingering heat of his body. Beneath the charred flesh and broken scales, they could feel it¡ªthe steady, pulsing energy of his heart.

    The whispers began as soon as they touched it.

    Faint, chilling voices echoed in their minds, the language ancient and incomprehensible. Xyenn¡¯s jaw tightened as he glanced at Yuuna. ¡°The elders¡­¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re watching,¡± Yuuna murmured, her voice steady.

    ¡°Orchestrators of this entire battle. They¡¯ll get what coming to them.¡±

    With a shared look, they dug their claws into the Sun-Drake¡¯s chest, tearing through the flesh until they reached the heart. It was massive, glowing faintly with dark yellow light, its surface cracked and pulsing with the remnants of godly energy. The whispers grew louder, more frantic, as they lifted the heart from his chest.

    Xyenn and Yuuna exchanged one last glance. Then, together, they tore the heart in half, the energy within it spilling outward in a blinding burst of light.

    The voices screamed, a final, desperate wail that faded into silence as they each consumed their portion of the heart. The taste was bitter and metallic, the energy burning as it coursed through their bodies.

    As the light faded, the battlefield fell silent once more.

    The heart had been consumed, and the world around Xyenn and Yuuna dissolved.

    For a moment, Xyenn thought he had died. He felt weightless, untethered, and utterly at peace. The battlefield faded, the smoke, the heat, the blood¡ªgone. In its place, there was light. Not the harsh, blazing light of the sun they had just fought on, but a warm, golden radiance that seemed to embrace him like a long-lost friend. He was floating, his body light as air, and when he opened his eyes, he saw Yuuna there with him, her figure glowing softly, her hair flowing as if submerged in water.

    They were surrounded by magic itself.

    Golden runes danced around them, their shapes intricate and impossible to decipher, yet their presence felt ancient and wise. The symbols shimmered like tiny suns, each one pulsing faintly with energy. The runes were circular in design, their edges jagged and jaguar-like, with lines that bent and curled into sharp, angular patterns. They floated in the air, shifting and rearranging themselves as if alive, forming constellations of symbols that spiraled around Xyenn and Yuuna.

    Yuuna looked at him, her pink eyes glowing faintly in the golden light. For once, there was no mischief in her expression, no teasing grin. She was quiet, her lips parted slightly as if in awe. Her hand reached out to him, her fingers brushing his, and when they touched, a surge of warmth spread through them both.

    ¡°Xyenn¡­¡± she whispered, her voice soft and serene. ¡°Do you feel it?¡±

    He nodded, his throat tightening as he struggled to speak. ¡°Yeah,¡± he croaked, his voice low. He looked down at his body, his wounds gone, his scars glowing faintly with golden light. ¡°I feel¡­ everything.¡±

    The runes began to shift, moving closer to their bodies, spiraling around them in perfect sync. Slowly, the light grew brighter, shifting into a golden hue that wrapped around their forms like a cocoon. Xyenn felt the weight of something immense pressing down on him¡ªnot pain, but power. It was as if the essence of the Sun-Drake was flowing into them, reshaping them, making them more.

    Above them, the empty golden sky began to change. The sunlight itself seemed to fracture, breaking into streams of light that swirled and danced around them. The streams wove together, creating a massive rune in the air, its design intricate and breathtaking. It resembled a sun, with jagged rays stretching outward and ancient symbols etched into each ray. The rune descended slowly, settling behind their backs like a mark of divine power.

    Xyenn turned his head slightly, catching a glimpse of the sun rune now etched into his back. Its golden glow was warm, comforting, yet impossibly powerful. Yuuna¡¯s back bore the same mark, the runes pulsating faintly like a heartbeat.

    Yuuna¡¯s voice broke the silence, her tone soft yet filled with wonder. ¡°It¡¯s beautiful¡­ isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Xyenn nodded again, a small smile tugging at his lips. ¡°Yeah¡­ it really is.¡±

    For the first time in what felt like forever, he wasn¡¯t thinking about blood, vengeance, or morality. For this brief moment, he felt peace.

    Yuuna floated closer to him, her pink eyes shimmering as she studied his face. Her smile returned, wide and radiant, her energy bubbling over. ¡°We did it, Xyenn,¡± she said, her voice filled with joy. ¡°We really did it!¡±

    Before he could respond, the golden light began to pull away, the warmth receding. The runes that had circled them faded one by one, leaving only the faint glow of the sun marks on their backs. Slowly, the magic dissolved, and the reality of the battlefield returned.

    Xyenn and Yuuna stood on the scorched ground, the remnants of the Sun-Drake¡¯s body smoldering behind them. The golden glow around them faded, leaving only faint traces of the runic marks on their backs. Xyenn¡¯s right arm now bore golden runes, the intricate symbols etched into his flesh like tattoos. They glowed faintly, their angular designs twisting down his arm like living fire. Yuuna had similar runes on her arms, and she was grinning so widely it looked like her face might break.

    Mertha and Gorran approached cautiously, their eyes wide with a mixture of awe and confusion.

    ¡°Badass..¡± Mertha began, her voice trailing off as she took in their new appearances.

    Gorran crossed his arms, his expression brooding as usual, though his dark eyes lingered on the glowing runes. ¡°You devoured the essence of a dragon god,¡± he muttered, his voice low and sharp. ¡°You know what that means, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Mertha¡¯s eyes widened as the realization hit her. ¡°Our chances of killing King Haldrek just fucking increased,¡± she said breathlessly, her tone filled with a mixture of disbelief and excitement.  ¡°We¡¯re unstoppable now, haha!¡±

    Xyenn flexed his right arm, watching as the runes pulsed faintly with golden light. He grinned, his sharp teeth glinting. ¡°I feel it,¡± he said, his voice low and filled with satisfaction. ¡°I feel so much power.¡±

    ¡®It¡¯s amazing¡­¡¯

    Yuuna, practically vibrating with excitement, threw her arms into the air. ¡°EMERGENCY MEETING!¡± she shouted.

    Xyenn screamed in fear at Yuuna¡¯s sudden outburst, ¡°AGH!¡±

    Yuuna clasped her hands together, closing her eyes tightly as she began to grunt and focus. Her whole body tensed as if she were trying to take a hit, her face scrunching up in concentration.

    Xyenn was on the ground holding his ears, saying, ¡°She screamed right in my damn ear drums!¡±

    Mertha raised an eyebrow, crossing her muscular arms. ¡°She¡¯s doing the thing! Is this it?¡±

    Gorran sighed, his voice flat. ¡°Probably trying to pass a spirit rock or something.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s eyes snapped open, and she glared at them. ¡°Shush! I¡¯m concentrating!¡± she snapped, her tone half-serious, half-playful.

    Xyenn raised a hand, his grin returning. ¡°Take your time, Yuuna. I¡¯m sure Orin and Quinara are expecting us by now.¡±

    Yuuna waved him off, her eyes squeezing shut again. ¡°This¡¯ll be quick, don¡¯t worry!¡±

    Before anyone could comment further, the world around them shifted.

    In an instant, they were standing in a vast, dark void. The space was infinite and silent, but faint, glowing pink light swirled in the distance, illuminating the area like a dreamy aurora. Everyone stood on a solid, invisible surface, though it felt as if they were floating.

    Xyenn glanced around, his eyes narrowing. ¡°This is¡­¡±

    ¡°My mind,¡± Yuuna said brightly, grinning as she stepped forward. ¡°Reserved for those who share my blood. You¡¯re welcome!¡±

    Xyenn thought, ¡®The same place when we fought Death a few days ago..forgot all about this place.¡¯

    Before Xyenn could respond, figures began to materialize around them. Sethrak, Zyphira, Draeven, Kivorn, and Illyana appeared simultaneously, their forms solidifying in the void.

    Everyone seemed to freeze for a moment, looking around in surprise before the chaos began.

    Zyphira darted toward Xyenn, tackling him with enough force to nearly knock him over. ¡°What the hell happened to your eye?!¡± she demanded, grabbing his face to inspect the bloody, empty socket.

    Xyenn groaned, gently pushing her off. ¡°Nice to see you, too, Zyphira,¡± he muttered. ¡°You¡¯re crushing me!¡±

    ¡°I missed you so much!¡±

    ¡°ACK!¡±

    Draeven stood off to the side, his hands clenched nervously. He glanced at Xyenn, opening his mouth as if to say something, but hesitated. Finally, he muttered, ¡°I¡­ I wanted to check on you, Xyenn. You okay?¡±

    Xyenn gave him a half-smile, nodding. ¡°Yeah, Draeven. I¡¯m good. Glad you¡¯re still alive. We just killed a god.¡±

    Draeven and Zyphira said at the same time, ¡°Awesome¡­¡±

    Meanwhile, Kivorn slouched lazily, his tired eyes half-closed as he nudged Gorran with his elbow. ¡°You look like shit,¡± he said bluntly.

    Sethrak, ever arrogant, laughed. ¡°Gorran always looks like shit.¡±

    Gorran glared at them, his voice low and threatening. ¡°I¡¯ll kill both of you.¡±

    Sethrak smirked, leaning in closer. ¡°Oh, come on, Gorran. Don¡¯t act like you don¡¯t enjoy our company.¡±

    Gorran growled, his glare intensifying. ¡°Keep talking, and I¡¯ll enjoy tearing your throat out.¡±

    Sethrak just laughed louder, clearly enjoying himself.

    On the other side of the void, Illyana embraced Mertha and Yuuna in a warm group hug. Despite her peaceful demeanor, her soft voice carried an edge of humor. ¡°Mertha¡­ if you crush me any harder, things aren¡¯t gonna end well, haha.¡±

    Yuuna burst out laughing, her voice echoing through the void. ¡°Illyana, you¡¯re terrifying!¡±

    As everyone caught up, Yuuna suddenly clapped her hands together, drawing their attention. ¡°Alright, everyone! We need to talk!¡±

 Chapter 40: Peace Within The Dark

    After Yuuna explained almost EVERYTHING, Sethrak went on to say, ¡°So we¡¯re chasing the same exact guy? Figures.¡±

    Yuuna asked, ¡°And Gridd was at the castle when this happened, right?¡±

    Draeven raised a finger, ¡°With you an-and Xyenn¡¯s son¡­good thing they got out alive.¡±

    Illyana mentioned, ¡°Gridd stated that when the Prophet arrived, it was his arrival that set off king Haldrek. His daughter kept Gridd and your baby alive.¡±

    ¡°Mm.¡± Yuuna paced back and forth, then latched herself onto Xyenn. ¡°Prophets have been involved with our thing too. The dragon god we killed was supposed to be killed by Kassius Velmire, the one we are all after. The Prophets went to the Lysf?dt and informed them of an anomaly like the Sun God. The Lysf?dt gave Kassius power to kill anomalies, wanting him to be their enforcer. But no one one knows where Kassius is. So it was up to us to kill the Sun God because¡­yeah. Obvious reasons.¡±

    Kivorn yawned, ¡°The Prophets¡­are definitely our enemies now..since we got rid of the Sun God..he''s not coming back¡­.¡±

    Xyenn added, ¡°Exaclty. Sooo how far are you guys from Gabriel¡¯s Ladder?¡±

    Zyphira snickered, ¡°We¡¯ll be there by morning! And Gridd is probably worried about us too.¡±

    ¡°Hm? Why?¡±

    Mertha chuckled, ¡°Because once we¡¯re in Yuuna¡¯s head, our physical bodies are just standing there still, no blinking or breathing or any movement.¡±

    Zyphira laughed, ¡°HAHA! I bet he¡¯s so scared right now. I wanna see his old grizzly dwarf face.¡±

    Yuuna gave off a little laugh, ¡°I¡¯m surprised Gridd is going with you guys. He usually doesn¡¯t do much fighting.¡±

    Illyana bowed slightly, ¡°I tried to tell him to go back, but his knowledge of J?rvaldr is very useful, we could probably find Kassius there in no time. Sorry, dear Yuuna.¡±

    Yuuna waved at her, ¡°Nooo no it¡¯s okay. He¡¯s in good hands with you all. Soooo he¡¯ll be fine until we get there!¡±

    Sethrak put his hand on his chin, asking in curiosity, ¡°And the Lysf?dt were going to use Kassius to kill you, Yuuna. Seeing you and all of us as anomalies, I wonder why they asked Xyenn to kill you if they have¡ªNevermind. Forget I asked.¡±

    Zyphira smirked and pointed at Sethrak, ¡°Dummy! Kassius is missing! They couldn¡¯t use him so they tried to manipulate Xyenn!¡±

    ¡°Shut it, fool! I knew that.¡±

    Gorran, his arms folded, said, ¡°Now onto serious matters.¡±

    Yuuna added, ¡°That Parcy woman was a pixie, straight from the Astral World. The world of spiritual beings like spirits and all that magical stuff.¡±

    Draeven stuttered, ¡°The Astral World?!¡±

    ¡®I¡¯ve been there..¡¯

    Illyana asked Draeven with a smile, ¡°You sound surprised. What¡¯s the matter?¡±

    ¡°Huh? Oh nothing. No-nothing..¡±

    Yuuna explained, ¡°The Astral World apparently is missing, ever since Parcy left, she couldn¡¯t feel it or see it anymore.¡±

    Draeven stated, ¡°No way the Astral World can be gone like that..right? It has t-to still be there. It¡¯s a separate realm from this one..¡±

    ¡°If we can find the Astral World, then we can use it.¡±

    Xyenn asked, ¡°But if we¡¯re not of any spiritual race, how can we even get in?¡±

    ¡°Haha! Plenty of ways!¡± Yuuna smiled manically. ¡°For one way, we could probably cover ourselves in the essence, or gore and blood of a spiritual being and walk right in!¡±

    Everyone looked at each other as Yuuna continued to laugh, saying in unison, ¡°She¡¯s finally lost it..¡±

    ¡°But anyway, if we can use the Astral World to help us beat Haldrek, then yeah we¡¯ll try and reveal it again. But we¡¯ll need the help of a spiritual being of sorts. At first I contemplated on why we should even take him down, but I realized it¡¯s many other reasons why. Me and my darling''s son, he¡¯s definitely important.¡±

    Xyenn was flustered hearing that, ¡°Still can¡¯t believe in a father. Feel so old when I¡¯m so young¡­¡±

    Mertha hit Xyenn on the back laughing, ¡°Damn runt! It ain¡¯t so bad.¡±

    ¡°Ow! You oaf!¡±

    Xyenn turned, and he saw Zyphira looking at him, and Zyphira looked away instantly.

    Which made him think, ¡®This is the third time I¡¯ve caught her looking at me and looking away¡­is there something on my face? I know my left eye is gone but, am I that hideous?¡¯

    Yuuna continued, ¡°Second, Haldrek is unpredictable now. Based on what you told me that Gridd told you all, he¡¯s unpredictable now. Based on the way he¡¯s acting it¡¯s gotta be more than just destroying the god of war. He might even try and destroy every god ever. He''s gone insane and is missing as well, so this is bad. Us leaving is probably the root of it all, and he¡¯s gone unstable. We can¡¯t run from him, everywhere we go we might bring him with us which will lead to more deaths. And as you all kinnnnda already notice, I¡¯m trying to be better. He has to be stopped. I already know that he wants our heads. He may be even stronger now. There¡¯s no doubt.¡±

    Xyenn bowed his head, ¡°I¡ª.¡±

    Illyana put her hand on Xyenn¡¯s shoulder, saying, ¡°Please do not say it¡¯s your fault. Yuuna needed her memories of you so you two could be stronger. And this is the first time in a while I¡¯ve seen Yuuna happy.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. My bad.¡±

    ¡®She¡¯s right. I have to stop blaming myself for a bunch of shit. It was necessary to get Yuuna¡¯s memories of me back. Even if the cost was great.¡¯

    Kivorn asked, ¡°So..what¡¯s the plan now..?¡±

    Yuuna put her hand on her chin, ¡°Hmmm. Oh! We all meet in J?rvaldr. We¡¯ll be there a little after the morning, we¡¯ll be heading out how. And we absorbed the power of the Sun-Drake, so that¡¯s super good.¡±

    Zyphira clapped, ¡°Hell yeah!¡±

    Yuuna then said, ¡°Great! Now that we¡¯re all on track, let¡¯s go then.¡±

    Zyphira looked over at Xyenn once more, inspecting his eye, and his dragon arm.

    Zyphira thought, ¡®I keep finding myself looking at him. Why..? Is it because he inspires me? The things he¡¯s done and the things he¡¯s said, makes me want to be like him. But why do I feel mushy inside? He¡¯s with Yuuna, and if this weird feelings gets exposed¡­I¡¯ll be done for! Seeing how Xyenn is now, all we¡¯ve been through, I can¡¯t like him like that. Yuuna is my best friend, if she knew what I was feeling about Xyenn right now¡­no. These feelings have to be fake, my emotions getting the best of me. I won¡¯t worry about it.¡¯

    Yuuna clapped her hands, saying with a smile, ¡°Good luck, everyone! See you all soon! Byeee!¡±

    ¡­

    The field in Soulcaris was drenched in blood. The high grass that once swayed with unnatural life was now flattened, soaked in gore, and scorched black in patches where the Sun-Drake¡¯s flames had ravaged the earth. The air was thick with the smell of charred flesh, metallic blood, and the faint acrid tinge of burnt runes that had faded after the battle''s end.

    Out of the red haze, Xyenn, Yuuna, Mertha, and Gorran trudged forward, their once-bright armor and clothes now stained with dark crimson. Their breaths were uneven, their bodies heavy with exhaustion, and their faces carried the weary look of those who had just stared death in the face and somehow survived.

    Xyenn dragged his feet, wiping blood off his face with the back of his hand, though it only smeared further. Yuuna clung to him for support, her body trembling with exertion, her once-flawless silver hair matted with blood and sweat.

    Mertha limped slightly, a deep gash across her thigh, though her jagged-edged halo still flickered weakly above her head. The flames on her fists sputtered out, leaving her gauntlets cracked and dark. Gorran¡¯s Xenith blade rested on his shoulder, its edge chipped, and his armor dented, but the man still walked tall, his face set in a mask of grim determination.

    Ahead, Orin stood in his blood dragon form, his massive frame towering over the Bloodmaidens, who were still encircling the altar. They moved slowly now, their ritual complete, their breaths no longer frantic but steady as they knelt in reverence, their crimson veils soaked in sweat and blood.

    As Xyenn and the others approached, Orin¡¯s glowing, molten eyes turned to meet them. His massive wings folded at his sides, still dripping faint streams of blood that hissed and evaporated before hitting the ground. The jagged horns on his head gleamed faintly under the blood-red sky, and his expression, though monstrous, carried an air of authority.

    ¡°Well done,¡± Orin rumbled, his voice resonating through the field like a distant earthquake. He paused, his glowing eyes narrowing. ¡°But¡­¡± He let the word hang in the air, his tone heavy with implication.

    Xyenn¡¯s heart clenched, and Yuuna stiffened beside him. Mertha tilted her head slightly, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten, and even Gorran¡¯s posture shifted as his grip on his blade tightened.

    ¡°What do you mean ¡®but¡¯?¡± Xyenn asked, his voice hoarse and uncertain.

    Orin exhaled deeply, his massive chest rising and falling as he lowered his head slightly. ¡°She wasn¡¯t able to be saved.¡±

    The words hit like a hammer. Yuuna froze, her face pale as her hands trembled. Mertha¡¯s jaw dropped, her eyes widening in disbelief, while Gorran¡¯s fists clenched so tightly that his gauntlets creaked under the pressure.

    ¡°No¡­¡± Xyenn whispered, stepping forward, his voice breaking. ¡°No, that¡¯s not possible. That¡¯s¡ª!¡±

    Orin¡¯s massive form suddenly shook, and a deep, guttural sound rumbled through the air. It took a moment for them to realize what it was. Laughter.

    Fucking laughter.

    The blood dragon threw his head back, his voice booming with amusement. ¡°Just kidding.¡±

    The tension snapped.  This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    ¡°ARE YOU SERIOUS?!¡± Yuuna shouted, her voice cutting through the air as she threw her hands up.  ¡°YOU BASTARD!¡±

    Mertha, bloodied and limping, glared at Orin with disbelief. ¡°What is WRONG with you?!¡±

    Even Gorran, normally stoic, let out a frustrated groan, wiping blood off his face.

    ¡®What a foolish deity..¡¯

    ¡°You¡¯re an ass,¡± Xyenn muttered, his shoulders slumping as the adrenaline drained from his body.

    Before anyone could say more, Yuuna and Mertha stormed toward Orin in perfect unison.

    ¡°You think you¡¯re funny, huh?¡± Yuuna snapped, grabbing one of Orin¡¯s massive horns.

    Mertha grabbed his tail, tugging hard. ¡°Let¡¯s see you laugh now, you oversized blood lizard!¡±

    The sight of the two bloodied women pulling and yanking on Orin¡¯s massive dragon form was absurd enough to make Xyenn and Gorran exchange a tired look. The Bloodmaidens, still kneeling in reverence, glanced upward with what might have been confusion, though their veils hid their expressions.

    ¡°Stop pulling!¡± Orin growled, flapping his wings in protest, but the two didn¡¯t relent, their movements fueled by sheer frustration.

    Finally, Orin twisted his body free, shaking them off with a low grumble. ¡°You mortals have no sense of humor.¡±

    Yuuna and Mertha turned away from him with synchronized scoffs, crossing their arms as they muttered under their breaths.

    But any lingering humor was snuffed out as a faint sound came from the altar.

    Quinara stirred.

    Her eyes fluttered open, their golden irises glowing faintly against the blood-soaked scene around her. The Bloodmaidens immediately focused their attention on her, their hands outstretched as they manipulated the blood pooling around her body. Her stomach, once torn open in grotesque fashion, was slowly mending, the flesh knitting itself back together with threads of crimson magic.

    She blinked a few times, her expression blank and unreadable, before her gaze swept across the destruction and chaos surrounding her.

    ¡°Did it work?¡± she asked, her voice calm and steady, as though she were asking about the weather.

    Xyenn nodded, swallowing hard as he stepped closer. ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s done. He¡¯s gone.¡±

    Quinara sat up slowly, ignoring the Bloodmaidens who continued to work on her wounds. She slid off the altar, her bare feet pressing into the blood-soaked ground, but she didn¡¯t seem to notice or care. Her posture was steady, her movements deliberate.

    She turned to Yuuna, her expression serious as she knelt before her. ¡°I don¡¯t belong to the dragon goddess of the moon anymore.¡± Her voice was steady, but there was a weight behind her words.

    Yuuna¡¯s eyes widened, and she took a step back. ¡°What are you saying?¡±

    Quinara met her gaze without hesitation. ¡°I want to be on your side. I want to fight with you.¡±

    Xyenn, Mertha, and Gorran exchanged surprised looks, but Yuuna remained silent, her eyes narrowing slightly as Quinara continued.

    ¡°My people, the Quen, cast me out the moment I was marked with the curse. They didn¡¯t even try to help me. They abandoned me¡ªcalled me an abomination, something unworthy of the moon goddess¡¯s grace.¡± Her jaw tightened, and for a brief moment, her calm demeanor cracked, a flicker of anger flashing in her eyes.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to go back. I don¡¯t want to belong to her anymore. The moon goddess has been reborn, and when she learns of me, of what I¡¯ve done, I don¡¯t even wanna think about what she would do to me. My people will have told her everything. I can¡¯t go back, I don¡¯t wanna go back to those weirdos anyway.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°Quinara, this isn¡¯t a game. We¡¯re not just fighting gods¡ªwe¡¯re fighting forces that could destroy entire continents. If you join us, you¡¯re as good as dead.¡±

    Quinara didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°I know the risks. I don¡¯t care. I don¡¯t want to belong to the moon goddess anymore. I want to be a weapon¡ªa weapon against them all. Sucks that everything is governed by these deities, having their way with us because they wanna live.¡± She paused, her gaze steady. ¡°I have nowhere else to go.¡±

    Yuuna hesitated, her serious expression softening slightly as she looked to the others. ¡°What do you think?¡±

    ¡®I don¡¯t want to put her life at stake, and then feel responsible for her if she dies¡­I wanna save people now, not doom them. But the other Tyrants were the same way, they know the risks. If I don¡¯t help her, am I still dooming her¡­? What will happen to her¡­!¡¯

    Gorran shrugged, his voice gruff. ¡°If she knows she¡¯s gonna die, let her join. We were the same way.¡±

    Mertha wiped blood from her face, her tone calm but firm. ¡°We all joined for reasons like hers. No reason she can¡¯t be with us.¡±

    Xyenn nodded awkwardly. ¡°Y-Yeah, I agree.¡±

    Quinara turned her gaze to him, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Stop stuttering so much.¡±

    Xyenn glared at her. ¡°Be quiet. I haven¡¯t forgotten about you attacking me.¡±

    Quinara smirked, her voice light with mockery. ¡°Oh, you mean when you pinned a pregnant woman against the wall?¡±

    Xyenn answered. ¡°IT WAS A REFLEX. I¡¯m not letting some random woman hit me! Are you crazy or something?¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s expression darkened, her smile unnaturally wide as she stepped closer. ¡°Pinned her against the wall, huh?¡±

    The air grew heavy as Yuuna¡¯s aura flared, a murderous energy radiating from her that made even the Bloodmaidens flinch. Xyenn and the others staggered back instinctively, their faces pale.

    Yuuna grabbed Xyenn, latching herself onto him possessively. ¡°Mine,¡± she declared, her voice low and menacing.

    The tension hung for a moment before Yuuna¡¯s aura faded, and she stepped back, her expression calm once more. She turned to Quinara. ¡°Fine. You can join us.¡±

    Quinara nodded, her expression unwavering.

    Yuuna stepped forward, drawing a small blade and slicing across her palm. Scarlet blood dripped from her hand, glowing faintly with power. She extended her hand to Quinara. ¡°Drink.¡±

    Quinara hesitated for only a second before leaning forward, pressing her lips to Yuuna¡¯s palm and drinking the blood.

    The air still hung heavy with the aftermath of the battle, but for the first time in what felt like an eternity, there was a strange calmness. The tense energy that had gripped the group moments ago began to dissolve as Quinara stood there, seemingly unchanged, her body straight, her demeanor as cool and steady as ever. She wiped her lips with the back of her hand, her golden eyes glancing between everyone with her usual detached confidence.

    ¡°That wasn¡¯t so bad,¡± Quinara said, her voice calm, almost dismissive. ¡°I don¡¯t see what the big deal is.¡±

    Xyenn thought, ¡®So that¡¯s how they become Tyrants¡­¡¯

    Mertha said, ¡°Phew. Looks weird from this angle. Seems so odd.¡±

    Gorran agreed, ¡°Mhm.¡±

    Yuuna, standing off to the side, suddenly burst into a wide, devilish grin, her eyes glinting with mischievous energy. She clapped her hands together loudly, startling everyone. ¡°Oh, you think it¡¯s over?¡± she said, her voice carrying a giddy laughter that sent a shiver through the group.

    Xyenn¡¯s head tilted, his brow furrowing as he exchanged a wary look with Mertha and Gorran. ¡°What do you mean? What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Yuuna straightened her posture dramatically, pointing a finger at Quinara as if delivering an ominous prophecy. ¡°Side effects.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s face immediately drained of all color. Mertha and Gorran both froze, and the three of them turned to each other, their expressions perfectly synchronized in growing dread.

    ¡°Oh no,¡± they all said in unison.

    ¡°What do you mean, side effects?¡± Quinara asked, her brows knitting together as she placed a hand on her stomach. ¡°Why do I feel so... weird?¡±

    Before anyone could answer, a loud, guttural *burp* escaped Quinara¡¯s mouth, followed by a puff of dark pink flames that shot into the air like a firework. The flames swirled and sizzled ominously, leaving behind a stench so foul that it made Xyenn gag on the spot.

    ¡°What was THAT?!¡± Quinara exclaimed, clutching her stomach as her eyes widened in panic.

    ¡°Oh no, it¡¯s starting!¡± Yuuna said gleefully, clapping her hands as if she were watching a stage play unfold.

    Quinara suddenly bent over slightly, clutching her midsection, and before she could say anything else, a loud *fart* erupted, this one also dark pink flames. The heat was intense, the flames shooting out like a miniature explosion. The group immediately scrambled to dodge it, all while gagging and coughing at the horrendous stench that followed.

    ¡°OH MY GOD, IT BURNS!¡± Quinara shouted.

    Mertha was doubled over, clutching her nose as tears streamed down her face. ¡°Ugh this sucks!¡± She yelled, her voice muffled as she tried to shield her mouth.

    Gorran, standing a little too close, was caught off guard by a particularly loud burst of flames. He stumbled back, waving his hand in front of his face. ¡°Foul¡­¡±

    Quinara, mortified, tried to cover her mouth and rear at the same time, but the effort was futile. ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s happening!¡± she shouted, her voice breaking as another burp of pink flames escaped her. ¡°I feel dirty as hell!¡±

    Yuuna was doubled over, wheezing with laughter. ¡°Oh, this is even better than I imagined!¡±

    ¡°STOP LAUGHING AND HELP ME!¡± Quinara barked, her voice both angry and desperate as her body betrayed her again with another flaming fart.

    Xyenn, his face red from laughing and gagging simultaneously, stumbled backward, clutching his chest. ¡°Yuuna¡ª!¡±

    ¡°This was kinda like you! But you just went crazy and started eating everything like a psycho!¡±

    ¡°Damn I remember that so vividly..it¡¯s like I couldn¡¯t even control myself..¡±

    ¡°DON¡¯T BRING THAT UP!¡± Xyenn shouted, his face turning red as he tried to dodge another fiery outburst from Quinara.

    Gorran, who had been relatively quiet, finally had enough. His patience snapped like a brittle twig. ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± he growled, stomping over to Quinara. ¡°Stop moving!¡±

    Quinara looked up at him, her eyes wide. ¡°What are you¡ª¡±

    Before she could finish, Gorran dashed forward and pointed his blade at her, which caused her to pause.

    ¡®Breaking her side effects with a shift in emotions ... .shes startled.¡¯

    The sudden silence that followed was almost deafening.

    Quinara blinked, her golden eyes meeting Gorran¡¯s piercing gray ones. For a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away. The tension, the flames, the stench¡ªall of it vanished as they stared into each other¡¯s eyes.

    Badump.

    Gorran¡¯s heart slammed against his chest, the sound reverberating in his ears as he found himself unable to look away from her. Quinara¡¯s expression softened slightly, her lips parting as if to say something, but no words came.

    The silence stretched on, heavy and electric, until¡ª

    ¡°Oh no,¡± Yuuna whispered, her voice dripping with mischief as she leaned toward Xyenn and Mertha.

    The three of them huddled together, their faces lighting up with identical grins.

    ¡°Gorran¡¯s in love,¡± Yuuna said in a sing-song voice, covering her mouth with her hand to stifle her laughter.

    ¡°Oh, the mighty stoic warrior,¡± Xyenn chimed in, his tone mockingly dramatic as he placed a hand over his heart. ¡°Brought to his knees by love!¡±

    Mertha clasped her hands together, her voice dripping with theatrical flair. ¡°Look at him, so broody, so serious. And now? A blushing wreck!¡±

    The three of them burst into exaggerated whispers, acting as though they were in a play. Xyenn pretended to swoon while Yuuna fanned herself dramatically. Mertha clutched her chest as if overcome with emotion.

    Gorran¡¯s face turned bright red as he shot them a glare. ¡°Go jump off a cliff, all of you!¡±

    ¡°Aw, don¡¯t be shy, Gorran!¡± Xyenn teased, dodging to the side as Gorran swung his massive Xenith blade toward him.

    Mertha, still laughing, ducked under another swing. ¡°Careful, Gorran, we wouldn¡¯t want your new lady friend to see how insanely violent and murderous you are!¡±

    Yuuna, laughing so hard she had to hold her sides, watched as Gorran chased Xyenn and Mertha around the field. The massive warrior swung his blade with practiced precision but intentionally missed, though his frustration was clearly mounting.

    ¡°Come over here.!¡± Gorran roared, his voice echoing as Xyenn and Mertha darted around the bloodied field, still mocking him between fits of laughter.

    Quinara, who had been watching the chaos with wide eyes, finally let out a soft chuckle.

    Yuuna noticed and walked over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. ¡°Yeah, this is pretty normal for us,¡± Yuuna said, her voice warm and amused. ¡°You¡¯ll get used to it.¡±

    ¡°I love it here already, goddess of darkness.¡±

    Orin¡¯s molten, glowing eyes surveyed them, his expression unreadable. The silence lingered until his deep, rumbling voice finally broke it. ¡°What you did here¡­¡± Orin began, his gaze sweeping across them all, ¡°saved Soulcaris.¡±

    The group stared at him, their expressions shifting from exhaustion to mild disbelief.

    ¡°The dragon god of the sun is dead,¡± Orin continued, his voice heavy with finality. ¡°The people of this land will no longer suffer under his oppressive light. They will no longer burn. No longer starve. No longer live in fear.¡±

    ¡°The people are free now,¡± Orin said, his massive wings folding tightly at his sides. His gaze lingered on the distant horizon, where the darkened landscape of Soulcaris stretched endlessly. ¡°This is not my domain, but it is good to see darkness liberated. But know that since this worked, the elder dragon gods might make a repeat of this and escape the Cycle of Rebirth. You lot will need to be careful as you continue your journey.¡±

    Xyenn asked, ¡°You can¡¯t help us fight them?¡±

    ¡°I am prohibited from combat by any means.¡±

    Yuuna, leaning on her spear with a lazy grin, clapped Orin on his massive forearm. ¡°Yeah, yeah, no need to be so dramatic,¡± she said with a laugh, her voice light, though there was an edge of pride underneath.

    Orin turned his head slightly toward her, his glowing eyes narrowing. ¡°The deal is still on, you know.¡±

    Yuuna laughed loudly, throwing her head back. ¡°I know! I know, geez!¡± She waved him off with a playful grin, though her laugh carried a hint of weariness.

    The others exchanged confused glances, silently wondering what this supposed ¡°deal¡± was, but Yuuna seemed completely unfazed.

    Orin¡¯s massive form shifted slightly, and with a wave of his claw, a shimmering crimson glow began to form in the air. The blood around him swirled and twisted, condensing and shaping itself into a massive creature. The blood hardened, crystallizing into a large griffin. Its wings were broad and sharp, almost blade-like, and its body gleamed with a dark, ruby-like sheen. Its eyes glowed faintly, pulsing with the same energy that emanated from Orin.

    ¡°This will take you to Gabriel¡¯s Ladder,¡± Orin said, nodding toward the griffin. ¡°It will cut your journey by days.¡±

    Yuuna raised her eyebrows, impressed. ¡°A blood griffin, huh? Fancy.¡±

    The griffin let out a low, guttural screech, its wings unfurling as it lowered itself to the ground, inviting them to climb aboard.

    As the group began to approach, one of the Bloodmaidens, her voice soft yet piercing, turned to Orin. ¡°He¡¯s dangerous now,¡± she said, her veiled face tilting slightly toward Xyenn. ¡°Should we be worried about that kid?¡±

    Orin¡¯s glowing eyes followed Xyenn, who was helping Yuuna climb onto the griffin¡¯s back. The dragon¡¯s gaze lingered for a moment before he rumbled softly, ¡°No. We¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    The Bloodmaiden nodded, though there was a faint hesitation in her movements.

    Once everyone was aboard, the griffin stretched its wings wide and let out a powerful screech. With a single beat of its massive wings, it took off into the air, the ground below shrinking rapidly as they ascended.

    The world of Soulcaris unfolded beneath them, illuminated by a strange, ethereal glow. With the sun now gone, the land was bathed in darkness, but it wasn¡¯t the kind of oppressive darkness they had expected. Instead, the magic of the people below lit up the world.

    Small orbs of light floated through the air, glowing softly like lanterns, their colors shifting between soft blues, purples, and greens. The people were emerging from their caves and shelters, their faces upturned as they looked at the darkened sky.

    Below, Xyenn could see families clinging to one another, tears streaming down their faces as they cried out in relief. Some hugged. Others fell to their knees, hands clasped in prayer. Children laughed and ran through the open fields, their laughter carrying faintly on the wind.

    But not all were celebrating. Here and there, people knelt beside makeshift graves, their faces etched with grief as they mourned loved ones lost to the sun god¡¯s tyranny. The mix of joy and sorrow painted a bittersweet picture, one that tugged at the heart.

    Yuuna sat at the edge of the griffin, her legs dangling over the side as the wind rushed past her. Her hair blew wildly around her face, and her eyes stayed locked on the scene below. Her lips trembled, her brows furrowed as if she were trying to hold something back.

    She swallowed hard, her hands gripping the edge of the griffin tightly. She wanted to cry. The sight of these people¡ªtheir relief, their joy, their grief¡ªoverwhelmed her. She had spent her time since meeting Xyenn striving to save people, and now, seeing them free, she felt a weight lift off her.

    But she shook her head, forcing a grin as she let out a soft laugh. ¡°Come on, Yuuna,¡± she muttered under her breath. ¡°You don¡¯t cry in front of people. Not here. Not now.¡±

    Off to the side, Mertha sat quietly, her gaze also fixed on the world below. She whispered softly, her voice barely audible over the rush of wind. ¡°I got this¡­¡±

    Her hand hovered over a locket she wore, her fingers brushing it gently. The memory of her son flickered in her mind, and she took a slow, deep breath, steadying herself.

    Gorran sat alone near the griffin¡¯s back, his hands resting on his Xenith blade as he stared ahead. His mind wandered, images of the Berserkers he had fought flashing before him. He wasn¡¯t someone trained to save people. No, he was trained to kill, to destroy. But now, after saving these people, there was a strange feeling in his chest, one he couldn¡¯t quite place.

    Quinara approached him, plopping down beside him with her usual casualness. ¡°I like that blade,¡± she said, nodding toward the Xenith. ¡°Where¡¯d ya get it?¡±

    Gorran glanced at her, his expression broody as usual. ¡°It¡¯s a long story, rookie.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got time,¡± Quinara said, smirking.

    He sighed, running a hand over the blade¡¯s edge. ¡°Hm.....¡±

    Quinara tilted her head, raising an eyebrow. ¡°You¡¯re not great at this whole ¡®small talk¡¯ thing, are you?¡±

    Gorran scowled slightly but didn¡¯t reply, and Quinara let out a soft laugh, leaning back as she watched the sky. ¡°I like you, your badass. All edgy and stuff. Then when that character development hits, it¡¯s like BOOM!¡±

    ¡°Tch. I¡¯m not badass.¡±

    Badump.

    ¡°Sure sure. Wanna hear about my magic?¡±

    ¡°¡­.Tell it to me. Might need it for combat. Not because¡ª.¡±

    ¡°¡ªNot because you¡¯re curious huh, sureee. Okay so¡­¡±

    Quinara began to explain her powers to Gorran.

    Meanwhile, Yuuna felt someone sit beside her. She glanced over and saw Xyenn, who had quietly joined her. He didn¡¯t say anything, just sat down, letting the wind and the glow of magic below fill the silence between them.

    The world seemed to slow as they sat there, the soft glow from the magic below illuminating their faces. The wind was cool and gentle, carrying with it the faint sounds of laughter and cries from the people below.

    Yuuna leaned her head against Xyenn¡¯s shoulder, her voice soft. ¡°I feel great.¡±

    Xyenn nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon. ¡°Yeah, me too. We really helped these people. Crazy that we didn¡¯t come here to help them, only to get your memories of me back.¡±

    ¡°It all worked out.¡±

    Xyenn had thought back to Haelga, the witch who had hung herself to ensure their success. Her dying wish had been for them to kill the sun god and save Quinara. As he looked at Yuuna, Mertha, and even himself, he felt a flicker of hope. Maybe the promises he had made¡ªpromises to everyone and himself, could be achieved after winning this battle.

    ¡°You did a good job,¡± Yuuna said softly, her eyes growing heavy with sleep. ¡°You¡¯re really growing, aren¡¯t you, darling...?¡±

    Her voice trailed off as she drifted into sleep, her breathing steady against his shoulder.

    Xyenn glanced at her, a small smile touching his lips. He looked up at the darkened sky, illuminated by the faint glow of magic. ¡°Yeah,¡± he said quietly to himself. ¡°I guess I am.¡±

    The peaceful silence lingered for a moment longer before Yuuna¡¯s tail had wrapped itself around his neck and yanked him downward.

    ¡°Go to sleep with me,¡± she mumbled groggily, still half-asleep.

    Xyenn immediately began squirming, his voice panicked. ¡°ACK! You just go STRAIGHT to choking?! Thought you were asleep! The moment was so dramatic!¡±

    ¡°Haha..tricked ya.¡±

 Chapter 41: Godly Nobles

    Arrival in Svarthelm

    (The next morning)

    The gates of Svarthelm loomed high above them, a towering structure of dark iron and polished stone, adorned with intricate carvings of gears, dragons, and serpentine patterns that seemed to move when caught in the right light. The city was nestled within a valley framed by jagged peaks, the skyline dominated by tall spires, gilded domes, and smoke-stacked forges that billowed gray trails into the otherwise clear sky. J?rvaldr¡¯s sun, pale and cold yet unyielding, bathed the city in a stark brilliance, its rays glinting off the polished brass and steel of the city¡¯s machinery.

    Illyana, Sethrak, Zyphira, Gridd, Kivorn, and Draeven¡ªstood at the edge of the city, momentarily taking in the sight before stepping into the chaos. It was a strange, surreal blend of medieval grit and mechanical ingenuity.

    Zyphira held her chest, holding in a deep breath, but Sethrak held his twin sister''s hand, not saying a word.

    The streets were cobbled but uneven, worn down by years of heavy foot traffic and the wheels of carts burdened with goods. The city thrummed with life: vendors hawking their wares, the clinking of tools in the distance, the hissing of steam from valves along the buildings, and the faint hum of automatons moving methodically through the crowds.

    Gridd stated, ¡°So we couldn¡¯t reach the Velmires crypt from Gabriel''s Ladder. Any idea why that is?¡±

    Illyana replied, ¡°Probably because it might be destroyed. Or protected with magic.¡±

    Draeven added nervously, taking in the surroundings around him, ¡°It would, m-make sense..¡±

    Sethrak said, ¡°The Velmires are cunning. If they abandoned their old sanctuary to create a new one, they would have destroyed traces of themselves there.¡±

    Kivorn sighed, ¡°¡­Please don¡¯t tell me¡­we won¡¯t find any good things there?¡±

    Gridd folded his arms, ¡°Only reason yer¡¯ going there is to summon Kassius.¡±

    Zyphira wanted to speak, but she continued to hold her chest, she did not want to be here, being in the same place where her trauma attacked her and stayed. The same place where she was mentally destroyed.

    Illyana said, ¡°We shouldn¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll find him. Even if the Lysf?dt couldn¡¯t get in contact with him, we shouldn¡¯t lose hope.¡±

    Kivorn responded, ¡°Illyana¡­always the one to be all happy.¡±

    Sethrak looked over at Zyphira, and asked, ¡°I¡¯m sorry I made you come here¡ª.¡±

    ¡°No. It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m okay. Xyenn wouldn¡¯t just up and leave.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve been distracted lately.¡±

    ¡°Hm? What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°Xyenn this, Xyenn that. You have feelings for him, don¡¯t you? Even though he¡¯s with Yuuna.¡±

    ¡°¡­.I can¡¯t lie to you, brother. I hate that I feel like this about him. Seeing how he¡¯s able to keep going after dealing with so much, seeing how he¡¯s always sacrificing himself over and over to win, I always wanted to be like that instead of getting super drunk to forget my issues. Coming here after so many years is the first step in doing that. I would run to go get drunk but¡­i''m fighting it so I can deal with this.¡±

    ¡°Abandon these feelings for him.¡± Sethrak said with a serious tone.

    ¡°¡­Alright.¡±

    The automatons were everywhere.

    They stood like silent sentinels at the gates, their brass and iron bodies gleaming in the sunlight. Their movements were jerky and mechanical, yet there was a strange precision to their actions, as if they were guided by an unseen hand. Each automaton was humanoid in shape, but their bodies were composed of interlocking plates, with exposed gears and pistons that hissed and clanked softly as they walked. Their heads were smooth and featureless save for two glowing, circular eyes¡ªcold and unblinking¡ªthat emitted a faint blue or red light depending on their purpose.

    As the group entered the city, they observed the automatons interacting with civilians. One stood at a busy intersection, directing foot traffic with stiff, exaggerated motions, its voice a metallic monotone that echoed through the street:

    > ¡°CITIZENS, PROCEED WITH CAUTION. DO NOT OBSTRUCT THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC.¡±

    Another automaton stood outside a vendor¡¯s stall, scanning the contents of a crate while the merchant argued with it.

    ¡°I got the right amount, ya hear?! You must not know who I am!¡±

    > ¡°ERROR: PAYMENT DOES NOT MATCH REQUIRED AMOUNT,¡± the automaton droned, its glowing eyes flashing red. ¡°ADDITIONAL FUNDS MUST BE PROVIDED.¡±

    Further down the street, a group of automatons marched in unison, dragging a ragged man in chains. The man¡¯s pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears as the automatons pulled him toward an ominous iron tower in the distance, their glowing eyes unyielding.

    Gridd clenched his fists at the sight. ¡°This ain¡¯t right,¡± he muttered, his voice low and simmering with anger. ¡°They¡¯re treatin¡¯ these people like cattle. It wasn¡¯t like this last time I was here. Gotta do somethin¡¯¡ª.¡±

    Sethrak placed a hand on the dwarf¡¯s shoulder, his reptilian eyes narrowing. ¡°Not yet,¡± he said firmly. ¡°If you act now, you¡¯ll die. And you¡¯ll take us with you. Our father spent years using alchemy to create these automatons, magic doesn¡¯t work on them.¡±

    Gridd scowled but said nothing, his gaze lingering on the man as he disappeared into the tower.

    Draeven looked around, his fingers twitching, thinking, ¡®This place makes me feel uneasy.¡¯

    As they ventured deeper into Svarthelm, the stark divide between the wealthy and the poor became painfully evident. The main streets were lined with opulent buildings, their walls adorned with intricate carvings and gilded embellishments. Expensive vendors displayed their wares in elaborate stalls: silks imported from distant lands, rare gems that sparkled like captured starlight, and mechanical trinkets that whirred and clicked with mesmerizing complexity.

    A noblewoman in a flowing crimson gown walked past, her neck draped in pearls the size of marbles. She was flanked by two automatons, their glowing blue eyes scanning the crowd for potential threats.

    ¡°Make sure no dirt gets on me. This is fine leather.¡±

    The automatons responded, ¡°Yes ma¡¯am.¡±

    Nearby, a group of children in tattered clothing begged for scraps outside a bakery. The baker shooed them away with a broom, muttering curses under his breath.

    ¡°Get out of here! Making me look bad!¡±

    In the alleys, the shadows deepened, and the air grew colder. Shady figures lurked in the gloom, their whispered conversations cut short whenever an automaton passed by. One man darted out of an alley, his face pale and desperate, but an automaton intercepted him with terrifying speed.

    > ¡°UNAUTHORIZED ACTIVITY DETECTED,¡± the automaton intoned.

    The man raised his hand, summoning a burst of lightning magic and it hit the automaton, but the automaton didn¡¯t flinch. It lunged forward, its claw-like hands snapping around the man¡¯s throat. With brutal efficiency, it twisted, snapping the man¡¯s neck with a sickening crack, blood shot from the mana eyes and mouth, nose and ears. Blood pooled on the cobblestones as the automaton dragged the body away, its glowing eyes cold and indifferent.

    Another automaton arrived moments later, extending a mechanical arm that sprayed a fine mist over the bloodstain. Within seconds, the mess was gone, leaving no trace of the violent encounter.

    Kivorn¡¯s jaw tightened as he watched. ¡°We¡­could stop this,¡± he growled, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°We¡­don¡¯t need Xyenn or Yuuna. We¡¯re strong enough on our own.¡±

    Zyphira shook her head, her expression grim. ¡°You¡¯re wrong,¡± she said. ¡°We¡¯re outnumbered, outmatched, and we don¡¯t know how these machines work. Magic doesn¡¯t affect them. Charging in without a plan is suicide, duh.¡±

    Kivorn glared at her, his frustration evident.

    ¡®Not strong enough without Xyenn or Yuuna. I hate this. No joy on the faces of the people, only the rich assholes. The same joy I want to have, can only be granted to us by being strong enough. Pains me, I can''t do this on my own.¡¯

    As they continued through the city, Draeven suddenly stopped, his sharp eyes narrowing as he looked up.

    ¡°What-what is that?¡± he muttered, pointing to the sky.

    The others followed his gaze and saw them¡ªiron cages suspended high above the city, barely visible against the bright sky. Inside each cage was a figure, their bodies limp and lifeless. Some were skeletal remains, their bones picked clean by crows that circled overhead. Others were still alive, their gaunt faces staring blankly at the city below.

    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    Illyana covered her mouth in horror. ¡°They¡¯re...keeping them up there?¡±

    ¡°An example,¡± Sethrak said darkly. ¡°A warning to the poor. Step out of line, and that¡¯s where you¡¯ll end up. The nobles here who step out of line are only able to pay a fine of gold coins. Even if they massacre an entirety of people. They need an ass kicking.¡±

    Gridd¡¯s knuckles cracked as he balled his fists. ¡°We¡¯ll save the lot of em¡¯ when we get the chance.¡±

    ¡°You can, and you will,¡± Sethrak snapped, her voice sharp. ¡°Remember to keep your composure here. If you die here, what good will it do? We need to be smart about this. We still have a mission: Find the old sanctuary of the Velmires and summon Kassius.¡±

    Gridd stared at him for a long moment before nodding reluctantly.

    ¡®The lad¡¯s right. I should focus. Not let my moral compass turn me into a fool. I grew out of that, remember?¡¯

    Kivorn noticed how Sethrak and Zyphira are more serious now more than ever. This is the very place they had escaped their perverted father, the place that haunted them for years. Sethrak is known to be brutally honest with a smile while keeping his arrogant demeanor, and Zyphira is usually happy and outgoing without a care in the world. It was completely obvious how this are affects them.

    The group turned a corner and found themselves in a plaza filled with vendors and performers. A man in a gold-trimmed cloak played a harp made of silver, its music hauntingly beautiful. Nearby, a vendor sold finely crafted masks, each one more elaborate than the last. Rich nobles strolled through the plaza, their laughter loud and grating as they purchased trinkets and luxuries without a care in the world.

    But the peace was shattered by a commotion near the plaza¡¯s edge. A group of men, their faces hidden by hoods, had pulled knives on a merchant and were demanding his goods.

    Before the group could react, two automatons arrived, their glowing eyes flashing red.

    > ¡°CRIMINAL ACTIVITY DETECTED. TERMINATION INITIATED.¡±

    The criminals turned their weapons on the automatons, hurling bolts of magic. The automatons didn¡¯t flinch. They advanced with terrifying precision, their clawed hands slicing through the attackers like knives through butter.

    One man¡¯s head was severed cleanly from his shoulders. Another was impaled on an automaton¡¯s extended arm, his body twitching as blood pooled beneath him. The remaining criminal tried to flee, but an automaton caught him, snapping his spine with a single blow.

    The automatons cleaned up the carnage with methodical efficiency, dragging the bodies away and erasing the bloodstains. The nobles in the plaza barely seemed to notice, their laughter and conversation continuing as if nothing had happened.

    >¡°FOR THE GLORY OF THE KINGDOM, ENEMIES HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH.¡±<

    Everywhere they looked, the city was alive with activity. Nobles haggled over rare goods, performers entertained crowds, and automatons patrolled the streets with unyielding vigilance. But beneath the surface, there was a festering rot: the suffering of the poor, the brutality of the automatons, and the oppressive control of the city¡¯s elite.

    Illyana¡¯s heart ached as she looked around. ¡°This place... it¡¯s beautiful, but it¡¯s wrong,¡± she said softly.

    Sethrak nodded. ¡°It¡¯s a gilded cage. Everything looks perfect on the surface, but underneath, it¡¯s a nightmare.¡±

    ¡®I feel watched. We can¡¯t be exposed like this. We have to look for him¡­¡¯

    The farther they walked into Svarthelm, the more alive the city seemed¡ªnot alive in the warm, comforting way of a thriving village, but in the restless, buzzing way of something unnatural, something driven by cold purpose. The distinct hiss of steam valves, the rhythmic clatter of gears, and the sharp metallic whirring of the automatons filled the air. It was a city constantly moving, constantly shifting, as if the very streets were part of a vast machine.

    The streets grew narrower, the buildings taller. Massive stone structures interwoven with metal scaffolding loomed over them, their windows gleaming with polished glass and their walls adorned with intricate patterns of steel and gold. Bridges of dark iron connected the upper levels of these buildings, allowing the wealthy to traverse the city without ever setting foot on the streets below.

    Above, the wealthy elite walked these iron bridges, their laughter and conversation drifting down to the streets like faint echoes. They wore fine silks embroidered with metallic threads, their clothing shimmering with a faint magical glow. Some carried floating crystal orbs that acted as personal assistants, whispering advice or reminders into their ears. Others were flanked by automatons, their movements precise and deferential.

    Below, on the crowded streets, the poor labored in misery. Ragged beggars sat slumped against the walls, their hollow eyes watching as nobles strode past without so much as a glance. Merchants hawked their goods with desperate enthusiasm, their voices hoarse from shouting over one another.

    As the group passed through one of the busier districts, they were bombarded by the sheer cacophony of the city. A vendor with a small stall crowded with glass jars of colored liquids waved them over.

    ¡°Come, come! Elixirs for the weary traveler! Boost your strength, sharpen your mind, make your skin glow like the nobles above! Only 500 gold!¡±

    One person approached, saying, ¡°You fucking scammer!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not even an alchemist! You don¡¯t have the brand on the back of your hand!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll never take me alive!¡± He yelled, running off as automatons chased him.

    Next to him, a jeweler displayed ornate necklaces and rings that gleamed with a faint inner light. ¡°Genuine enchanted gold! Wards off sickness, improves your luck, and guarantees success in love!¡± he called, his voice smooth and practiced.

    Illyana smiled, ¡°Yuuna would love it here.¡±

    Draeven asked, ¡°Hope they get here fast, wonder where they¡¯ll pop up at?¡±

    ¡°Somewhere random. With Yuuna maybe screaming at the nobles or trying to eat them.¡±

    Sethrak added, ¡°Even with her, she will have to be reminded these are very dangerous grounds. This place is unpredictable, ruled over by those of nobility and wealth right under our fathers wing. People see this as a land of opportunity, but don¡¯t know the extreme prejudice once they walk through the gates.¡±

    A crowd had gathered around a performer, a thin man in tattered clothing who juggled small, glowing orbs of fire. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the orbs spinning into the air, where they formed a burning outline of a dragon before exploding into harmless sparks. The crowd erupted in applause, tossing coins at his feet.

    ¡°Haha! I have more to show!¡±

    One rich couple said to each other:

    ¡°We can hire him for our banquet tonight.¡±

    ¡°Oh indeed. He¡¯ll spice up the evening with his theatrics.¡±

    Nearby, a fortune-teller sat behind a small table draped in a shimmering black cloth. Her eyes glowed faintly as she spoke to a nervous young woman. ¡°Beware the second moonrise,¡± she intoned. ¡°It will bring blood and sorrow.¡±

    ¡°Really¡­? Am I that doomed?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid so, darling. That¡¯ll be 200 gold coins.¡±

    ¡°Hey that¡¯s steep isn¡¯t it? You first told me it was 10 gold coins.¡±

    ¡°The worse your fate is, the worse the price gets. I¡¯m a witch, there¡¯s always a price.¡±

    As they moved into a slightly quieter part of the city, the shadows grew longer, and the air grew colder. The alleys here seemed darker than they should have been, as if the light itself avoided them. Figures moved in the gloom, watching silently as the group passed by.

    Sethrak glanced down one of the alleys, his reptilian eyes narrowing. ¡°Careful,¡± he muttered. ¡°This city has its secrets. There are whispers of a guild of thieves that operates in the shadows, stealing from the rich and disappearing without a trace. And where there are thieves, there are assassins.¡±

    Zyphira nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve heard the same. They say there¡¯s a network of vigilantes as well, but whether they¡¯re here to help the poor or just cause chaos, no one knows. Either way, it¡¯s best not to attract attention.¡±

    Gridd scoffed, his voice gruff and tinged with his dwarven accent. ¡°Bah, cowards, the lot of ¡®em. If they had any spine, they¡¯d stand in the open and fight, not skulk around like rats in the dark. But¡­it¡¯s good someone¡¯s doin¡¯ something. Being smart about it anyway.¡±

    As they continued, the group passed a small plaza where a group of automatons was assisting a group of wealthy merchants. One automaton carefully polished a nobleman¡¯s boots, its metallic hands moving with surprising delicacy. Another carried heavy crates of goods, its gears creaking under the weight but never faltering.

    A merchant barked orders at an automaton, demanding it arrange his wares more neatly. The automaton obeyed without question, its glowing blue eyes unblinking.

    ¡°Always good to have these bad boys around. The king really dedicated years to this so it can serve us and this continent.¡±

    On the other side of the plaza, a group of children in tattered clothing tried to sneak past an automaton carrying a tray of food. But the automaton noticed them immediately, its glowing eyes flashing red.

    ¡°UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS DETECTED,¡± it intoned, its voice flat and emotionless. The children scattered, vanishing into the alleys.

    The group passed by a shop selling enchanted wares, its windows filled with glowing trinkets and magical artifacts. A floating quill scribbled notes on a piece of parchment, while a miniature golem made of crystal demonstrated its ability to lift heavy objects.

    As they reached a quieter part of the city, Sethrak and Zyphira gathered the group close.

    ¡°We need to find someone,¡± Sethrak said. Zunoshi the Alchemist. He¡¯s one of the few people in this city who can help us.¡±

    ¡°Help us..: how?¡± Kivorn asked, his lazy frustration evident.

    Zyphira glanced around to make sure no one was listening. ¡°Our father... the King of J?rvaldr... He¡¯s not just a man. He¡¯s the vessel of the Dragon God of Gold and Wealth. If he sees us, he¡¯ll recognize us immediately. There¡¯s no telling what he would do. We barely went to this part of the city, but I know he feels us in his kingdom. We can¡¯t linger on the outside too long.¡±

    Sethrak nodded. ¡°Zunoshi can make us a potion to mask our identities. It won¡¯t last forever, but it¡¯ll buy us enough time to do what we need to do. He¡¯s an alchemist.¡±

    Illyana, Draeven, and Kivorn said in sync, ¡°I mean if you said he¡¯s Zunoshi the alchemist then he¡¯s obviously he¡¯s an¡ª.¡±

    Sethrak scoffed, ¡°I KNOW WHAT I SAID.¡±

    Zyphira chuckled, ¡°Oooh Sethrak¡¯s embarrassed.¡±

    Gridd crossed his arms, his expression skeptical. ¡°And where do we find this alchemist?¡±

    Zyphira smiled faintly. ¡°That¡¯s the easy part. He¡¯s in the Brass Vein Market. The hard part is getting there without drawing attention.¡±

    The group pressed on through the thrumming streets of Svarthelm, weaving through the chaos. The air felt heavier the deeper they traveled, the mechanical hum of automatons blending with the chatter of merchants, the cries of beggars, and the occasional hiss of steam escaping from the city¡¯s many pipes.

    The district they entered was darker, the towering buildings almost blotting out the pale sunlight above. Here, the wealth of the city seemed to fade slightly¡ªnot gone, but noticeably less polished. The streets were still bustling, but the vendors were scrappier, their goods slightly less refined. The rich still passed through on their elevated walkways, but their laughter felt more distant.

    ¡°Where exactly is this bloody market we¡¯re headed to?¡± Gridd muttered, his voice deep and gruff with his dwarven accent. He scratched his thick beard as he glanced at the others. ¡°What¡¯d ye call it again?¡±

    ¡°The Brass Vein¡± Sethrak replied, his voice low and cautious. He motioned for the group to keep moving. ¡°It¡¯s where the alchemists, tinkerers, and collectors of... unconventional goods congregate.¡±

    ¡°Unconventional, eh?¡± Gridd huffed. ¡°Sounds like a bloody mess waitin¡¯ to happen.¡±

    ¡°It usually is,¡± Zyphira muttered, her sharp eyes scanning the streets.

    As they rounded a corner, the group came upon a large crowd gathered in a plaza. People stood shoulder to shoulder, craning their necks to look up at a figure standing atop one of the buildings. The man on the rooftop had his arms spread wide, his booming voice echoing down into the plaza.

    ¡°And that, my friends,¡± the man bellowed, ¡°is why you need someone like me¡ªGunthr of the Crimson Claws¡ªto keep you safe!¡±

    The crowd erupted into murmurs and laughter, most of them mocking him openly.

    ¡°Oh, sure, Gunthr,¡± someone shouted from the crowd. ¡°And what beast did you slay this week? Another rat in the gutters?¡±

    Laughter rippled through the crowd, but Gunthr remained undeterred. His guildmates¡ªclearly his Crimson Claws¡ªcheered loudly from the rooftop around him, clapping and yelling their support like sycophantic jesters.

    ¡°He¡¯s a legend!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, Gunthr¡¯s a beats himself! Show respect!¡±

    ¡°Laugh all you want!¡± Gunthr barked, his voice rising above the crowd. ¡°But when the Abominations of War come clawing at your gates, you¡¯ll be begging for my help!¡±

    The crowd quieted slightly at that.

    Gunthr seized the moment. ¡°You¡¯ve all heard the rumors! These aren¡¯t just beasts. They¡¯re harmless creatures twisted by the power of the war gods, turned into bloodthirsty monsters! They don¡¯t want food or land¡ªthey want to fight! And they¡¯ll tear through your villages, your families, everything you hold dear!¡±

    ¡°Ha! You expect us to believe that?¡± a man in the crowd sneered. ¡°You¡¯re just trying to scare us into hiring you, Gunthr!¡±

    Gunthr¡¯s guildmates, however, roared their agreement.

    ¡°Aye!¡± one of them shouted. ¡°Did you hear him? He said war gods! You think you can fight off a beast corrupted by divine power without us?¡±

    ¡°Aye, Gunthr saw ¡®em with his own two eyes!¡± another chimed in. ¡°And so did we!¡±

    Gunthr raised his hands again, his voice booming. ¡°I¡¯ve faced these creatures! I¡¯ve *killed* them! And if you¡¯ve got any sense, you¡¯ll hire the **Crimson Claws** to protect your homes before it¡¯s too late!¡±

    The crowd wasn¡¯t buying it. More laughter rippled through the plaza, but Gunthr didn¡¯t seem to care.

    As Gunthr continued his tirade, his eyes scanned the crowd. They suddenly stopped on the group¡ªon Illyana, Zyphira, Sethrak, Kivorn, and Draeven.

    ¡°You!¡± he shouted, pointing directly at them. The crowd turned to look.

    Zyphira tensed, her hand instinctively moving toward her weapon. Sethrak muttered a curse under his breath.

    ¡°I¡¯ve seen you before!¡± Gunthr said, leaning forward as if trying to get a better look. ¡°You were at Gabriel¡¯s Ladder, weren¡¯t you?! Who¡¯s that dwarf with you? And the others who were with you?¡±

    The Crimson Claws turned to look at them as well, their eyes lighting up with interest.

    Kivorn sighed, ¡°Oh¡­thats that one guy Gorran beat up..¡±

    Zyphira pointed, ¡°Ooooooh that¡¯s the annoying guy with those yes-men guild mates. He¡¯s funny.¡±

    ¡®If the abominations of war made it here, then Ezrael might be planning to attack this place, but my father hasn¡¯t been telling the people of J?rvaldr. Keeping it under wraps. He¡¯s selfish like that..¡¯

    Illyana smiled, ¡°That¡¯s him? From the outside of the gate? Haha, I thought he got slaughtered.¡±

    ¡°Move,¡± Sethrak hissed, nudging the group forward. ¡°He¡¯ll be the one to screw us over.¡±

    ¡°Oi! Wait!¡± Gunthr called after them, his voice cutting through the crowd. ¡°Don¡¯t walk away! I¡¯m talkin¡¯ to you!¡±

    But the group kept moving, weaving through the crowd as quickly as they could without drawing more attention.

    The crowd, however, wasn¡¯t done with Gunthr. Their interest was piqued by the mention of Gabriel¡¯s Ladder, a name that clearly carried weight.

    ¡°Gabriel¡¯s Ladder?¡± someone in the crowd called out. ¡°You¡¯ve been there?!¡±

    Gunthr hesitated, glancing between the retreating group and the suddenly curious crowd.

    One of his guildmates leaned in, whispering loudly enough for those nearby to hear. ¡°Gunthr, this is it! If we tell ¡®em about Gabriel¡¯s Ladder, they¡¯ll see we¡¯re the real deal! We could make a killing here! Drowning in gold coins before we even know it!¡±

    Gunthr frowned. ¡°But what if that THING is still there?! That naked glowing woman that killed almost everyone?! Their blood will be on us!¡±

    ¡°But think of the gold, Gunthr!¡± another guildmate said, practically salivating. ¡°If they believe we¡¯ve been there, they¡¯ll be beggin¡¯ for our help! We¡¯ll be kings of Svarthelm!¡±

    Gunthr hesitated, clearly torn, but the group didn¡¯t stick around to hear the rest.

    Once Sethrak and the group were far enough away, Kivorn finally spoke, his voice low with disbelief. ¡°I¡­can¡¯t believe Gunthr and his lot made it out of Gabriel¡¯s Ladder alive,¡± he said. ¡°Not after the Lysf?dt breached it¡­he¡¯s tough..¡°They slaughtered almost everyone at Gabriel¡¯s Ladder. Gunthr and his guild shouldn¡¯t have made it out alive. Something¡¯s not right.¡±

    Before anyone could respond, Draeven tensed, his sharp eyes darting to the side.

    ¡°Hey!¡± he said, spinning around.

    ¡®I was careless!¡¯

    In that split second, Draeven had saw it¡ªinvisible hands, faintly shimmering in the light, slipping something out of Draeven¡¯s pouch. The hands darted away, attached to a small figure that giggled as it bolted into the crowd.

    ¡°He can see us?!¡± a high-pitched voice squeaked.

    ¡°We¡¯re screwed!¡± another whispered.

    ¡°Just keep running until we get there!¡±

    Draeven didn¡¯t hesitate. He vanished in a blur of motion, his speed unnaturally fast.

    ¡°Draeven, wait!¡± Illyana called after him, but he was already gone, darting through the crowd after the invisible thieves.

    Sethrak said, ¡°Let him deal with them. Kivorn go with him. We¡¯ll look for the alchemist.¡±

    Kivorn pouted, ¡°Why me..?¡±

 Chapter 42: Pickpocket

    The chaos of the chase began, and Draeven was already on their heels. His body moved with a nervous energy, his smoke-wrapped form agile and unpredictable. He didn¡¯t stop to think¡ªhe hated thinking in moments like this. He hated talking, too, but he muttered under his breath now as the children darted ahead of him, their faint outlines shimmering with magic.

    ¡°Why¡­ why do they always run?¡± he grumbled, his voice barely audible, his tone filled with a kind of awkward frustration. ¡°Why can¡¯t they just¡­ just give it back?..I hate this.¡±

    The children giggled as they turned sharply into a narrow street. One of them, the smallest, slapped a glowing hand against a nearby barrel, and it exploded into a burst of sharp, glittering shards. The shards hovered for a moment, then shot toward Draeven like a swarm of tiny, magical needles.

    ¡®I can¡¯t go all out¡­I don¡¯t wanna attract too much attention. But I can¡¯t let them take what I had. It¡¯s valuable¡­¡¯

    Draeven didn¡¯t falter. The smoke that wrapped around his body surged outward, swirling like a living storm. The needles were caught mid-air, spinning harmlessly in the vortex of smoke before dissolving into nothing. Without missing a step, Draeven twisted his body unnaturally, using the momentum to propel himself forward like a shadowy arrow.

    The children screamed in unison.

    ¡°What?! He just¡ªhe didn¡¯t even stop!¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s too fast!¡±

    ¡°Shut up and run!¡±

    ¡°He has like, smoke magic or somethin¡¯!¡±

    The streets of Svarthelm became ar rapid blur of movement, noise, and light. The children were smart¡ªtoo smart for their own good. One of them waved their hands, conjuring a small, translucent wall of magical glass. It shimmered faintly, refracting the light around it to blend into the environment. A normal pursuer would have slammed face-first into it. But Draeven¡¯s smoke tendrils extended outward, brushing against the illusion like probing fingers.

    ¡°Ah. I seen that before,¡± Draeven muttered, his voice low and reluctant. He hated talking, even to himself, but frustration bled through. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the smoke forward in a sharp, cutting motion. The glass shattered into harmless fragments, and he leapt through the gap without breaking stride.

    The children were visibly panicking now, their giggles turning into frantic shouts.

    ¡°He¡¯s not falling for anything!¡±

    ¡°Okay, okay, Plan C!¡± the smallest one yelled.

    ¡°What¡¯s Plan C?!¡±

    ¡°Just do it!¡±

    The smallest child gestured wildly, and the cobblestones in front of Draeven seemed to ripple like water. Without warning, the ground turned into a shifting, slippery surface, as if coated in invisible oil.

    Draeven skidded slightly but recovered almost immediately, his smoke extending downward to anchor his feet. The tendrils acted like additional limbs, curling and gripping the ground to stabilize him as he continued forward.

    ¡°Plan C sucks!¡± one of the kids shouted.

    ¡°Shut up! Cammy came up with it!¡±

    ¡°So?!¡±

    Before the children could try another trick, Kivorn appeared behind Draeven, finally catching up. His long strides were almost lazy, his staff casually balanced in his hand as he ran.

    ¡°Draeven,¡± Kivorn called in his slow, tired tone. ¡°You¡¯re really gonna burn all your energy on this? They¡¯re just kids.¡±

    Draeven didn¡¯t even glance back, his focus entirely on the chase. ¡°They¡¯re little thieves,¡± he muttered quickly, his voice strained. ¡°It looks weird chasing after children, d-doesn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°It does, yeah.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re not perverts, are we?¡±

    ¡°Hell no. They stole, so we¡¯re getting it back.¡± Kivorn yawned.Stolen novel; please report.

    He twirled his staff once and slammed it lightly into the ground. A faint glow emanated from the staff¡¯s tip as vines sprouted upward, weaving themselves into a mask around his face.

    Moments later, a similar mask began to form over Draeven¡¯s head¡ªthin, organic tendrils of wood wrapping around his face.

    Draeven groaned audibly, his voice muffled now. ¡°Why¡­ why wood? Why can¡¯t it be fire? Fire would be cooler¡­¡±

    Kivorn rolled his eyes, his tone slow and teasing. ¡°Fire? Really? In the middle of a crowded city? You wanna light yourself up like a lantern?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Draeven muttered under his breath, looking away.

    ¡°Huh? What was that?¡±

    ¡°Nothing,¡± Draeven said quickly, his voice rising in nervous frustration.

    Kivorn smirked, his tone dripping with lazy sarcasm. ¡°Did they take what I think they took from you¡­?¡±

    ¡°Th-The stone..yes. I can¡¯t let anyone have it.¡±

    The children turned another corner, this time darting down a street filled with merchant stalls. The area was packed with nobles browsing expensive wares, automatons patrolling calmly among them. The children moved like ghosts, slipping between the stalls and blending into the crowd.

    Draeven slowed slightly, his smoke retracting as he surveyed the area. His sharp eyes darted from face to face, scanning for the faint shimmer of magic that betrayed the children¡¯s presence.

    ¡°They¡¯re hiding,¡± he muttered, his voice low and almost annoyed. ¡°I hate hide-and-seek¡­¡±

    Kivorn strolled up beside him, his staff resting casually on his shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it. Just follow the noise.¡±

    As if on cue, one of the children giggled from behind a nearby fruit cart. Draeven¡¯s head snapped in that direction, and without hesitating, he vaulted over the cart, his smoke tendrils snapping outward to push it aside gently without disturbing the merchant.

    ¡°Damn it!¡± one of the kids shouted. ¡°He¡¯s too fast!¡±

    ¡°Split up!¡± the smallest child yelled.

    The group scattered, each one darting in a different direction. Draeven hesitated for a fraction of a second, his smoke swirling around him uncertainly.

    ¡°Go left,¡± Kivorn said lazily, pointing with his staff. ¡°I¡¯ll handle the other two.¡±

    Draeven nodded quickly, his focus narrowing again as he pursued the smallest child. The kid turned sharply into an alley, slapping a glowing sigil onto the wall as they passed. The sigil erupted into a burst of sticky, glowing threads that filled the narrow space like a spider¡¯s web.

    Draeven didn¡¯t slow down. The smoke around him condensed into sharp, blade-like edges that sliced through the threads as he barreled forward.

    The child glanced back, their eyes wide with disbelief. ¡°You¡¯ve gotta be kidding me!¡±

    Meanwhile, Kivorn pursued the other two children with an almost lazy grace. His staff glowed faintly as he summoned small bursts of wind, using them to propel himself forward with minimal effort.

    ¡°Y¡¯know,¡± he called to the fleeing kids, his tone slow and almost bored, ¡°if you just give up now, we can skip the whole dramatic chase thing.¡±

    ¡°Not a chance!¡± one of the kids yelled, conjuring a small ball of light and hurling it back at him.

    The children laughed together, clapping and giving each other high fives.

    Kivorn sighed, twirling his staff to deflect the attack. ¡°Kids these days¡­¡±

    Seeing the children happy and smiling with genuine joy, it made Kivorn stare at them blankly. He used to be like that as a child, until his joy was stolen. Anytime Kivorn would see people laughing or enjoying anything¡­hurt his heart. His goal of becoming joyful again a hair¡¯s breadth away¡­but always seemed so far.

    ¡®Not now, not now¡­.man I miss it. But I can¡¯t express it. Fake laughs, fake smiling, feel like a machine. Like those automatons. Feel like a soulless piece of bread. What worth is there for something that¡¯s hollow? Like I am..?¡¯

    The chase finally came to a head in a narrow alleyway. The children skidded to a stop, their backs against a dead-end wall. Draeven and Kivorn arrived moments later, both masked and standing side by side.

    ¡°Now what?¡± Draeven muttered, his voice muffled and awkward. ¡°I hate¡­ I hate cornering people. This feels weird. Cornering CHILDREN.¡±

    Before Kivorn could respond, glowing red eyes appeared above them. The group looked up to see automatons perched on the rooftops, their glowing eyes fixed on the children.

    ¡°STAND DOWN FOR INVESTIGATION,¡± the automatons intoned in unison, their voices flat but menacing, their engines within them humming and making their bodies jerk slightly every few seconds.

    The children panicked, yelling back at the machines. ¡°We didn¡¯t do anything!¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t fair!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re just stupid tin cans!¡±

    Draeven shifted nervously, glancing at Kivorn. ¡°Uh¡­ this is bad, right? W-We can¡¯t fight here..¡±

    Kivorn responded, ¡°Uh huh. We¡¯re screwed.¡±

    ¡®A fight happening now¡­these kids will die.¡¯

    Suddenly, a voice rang softly between Kivorn and Draeven. ¡°Please, excuse them.¡±

    The group turned sharply, their eyes widening as a figure appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Mother Faera, dressed in a black priest¡¯s robe, knelt in front of the children with an eerie calm. Her dark blue hair was tied into a neat bun, freckles on her face, and her deep purple eyes glimmered with an unsettling intensity.

    Draeven and Kivorn both stepped back instinctively, startled by her sudden appearance.

    ¡°How¡ª¡± Draeven started, but Kivorn cut him off with a low whisper.

    ¡®She¡¯s fast!¡¯

    The automatons stared at Faera for a long, tense moment. The air felt heavy, as if a fight could break out at any second.

    Finally, the automatons¡¯ eyes flickered. ¡°WARNING ISSUED. DISENGAGING.¡±

    The children let out audible sighs of relief as the automatons climbed back onto the rooftops and disappeared.

    ¡°Thank you, Mother Faera!¡± one of the children said excitedly.

    But Faera turned to them with a chillingly sweet smile. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t thank me yet, dears.¡±

    Before anyone could react, Faera grabbed the nearest child by the ear and bent them over her knee, delivering a loud smack!

    ¡°Ow!¡± the child cried.

    ¡°Did I not tell you,¡± Faera said calmly, spanking the next child, ¡°to stop stealing from strangers?!¡±

    The children yelped and protested, but Faera kept spanking them, her tone never losing its unsettling sweetness. ¡°And what do you have to say for yourselves? Hm?¡±

    ¡°Sorry, Mother Faera!¡± one of them cried.

    Draeven turned away, his face red with embarrassment. ¡°What do we do?¡±

    Kivorn crossed his arms, watching the scene with a lazy smirk. This is entertaining.¡±

    Faera finally stood, dusting off her hands as the children rubbed their sore behinds. ¡°Now, apologize to these gentlemen,¡± she said sternly, motioning to Draeven and Kivorn.

    The children muttered half-hearted apologies, avoiding eye contact.

    Draeven waved awkwardly. ¡°Uh, it¡¯s¡­ fine. Really.¡±

    Kivorn said, ¡°Thanks¡­I guess.¡±

    Draeven whispered to Kivorn, ¡°She reminds me of Illyana.¡±

    ¡°Me too.¡±

    ¡®Earlier she appeared without a trace, she has to be strong.¡¯

    One of the children approached Draeven, and handed him a stone that resembled a gray rusty gate, saying, ¡°Here you go, sorry.¡±

    Draeven took it softly, nodding, ¡°Thanks.¡±

    Faera peacefully said, ¡°My apologies once again for these children. These kids are a part of the orphanage I run. I have some influence here, which is why you were able to get a pass. Though I don¡¯t doubt you could take down a few automatons before dying brutally, yeah?¡±

    Draeven asked, ¡°Who are you? If you don¡¯t mind me asking. Sorry for asking so abruptly..¡±

    ¡°I am Mother Faera. Head of the Choir, orphanage for children who are without parents, and we strive to create a better future for these children. They do deserve a good future right? No matter what they do, right?¡±

    Draeven and Jivorn nodded slowly, both of them confused and a little tense. This random woman was releasing an aura that basically said, ¡°I could kill you both, but I¡¯m too nice to do it.¡± Well, that¡¯s what Kivorn thought about Faera.

    Mother Faera continued, ¡°Influence is everything here in J?rvaldr. The Choir was created by the old king of J?rvaldr. My ancestors kept it going as a way to help children to become better and help them secure a good life. Now about you two¡­¡±

    Faera looked at Draeven and Kivorn with a straight face, asking, ¡°You¡¯re here looking for someone, aren¡¯t you?¡±

 Chapter 43: Steel Sword Race

    Draeven asked Faera, ¡°What makes you think that?¡±

    ¡°Haha, look at you both.¡±

    Kivorn and Draeven looked down at themselves.

    ¡°She¡¯s¡­calling us ugly. Even under our masks.¡±

    Draeven responded with a distressed tone, ¡°Really?¡±

    Faera chuckled and waved her hands, ¡°No no no. Not at all. You both stand out from the people here in Svarthelm. You wouldn''t be here for no other reason unless you¡¯re trying to be rich.¡±

    One of the children scoffed, ¡°Tch! Yeah it is! That¡¯s why we steal¡ª!¡±

    The other kid hit his arm, saying, ¡°SHH!¡±

    Kivorn asked Faera, ¡°That..still doesn¡¯t factor out why you think we¡¯re looking for someone..¡±

    Faera continued to smile, ¡°Mhm. You¡¯re right. In this city, assassins, The Guild of Thieves, and nobles thrive alongside magic. But the one above them all is the king. King Alaric. Vessel of the dragon god of gold and wealth. The way money flows through here and becomes exchanged, people gaining money and giving money, is worship to the dragon god. No matter what way it¡¯s handled. But you two..you two don¡¯t look like the types of people that just walk in here to try and make a name for themselves. Even under those masks, haha. And plus, whatever e child took from you, holds insane power..¡±

    Draeven whispered to Kivorn, ¡°She¡¯s onto us¡­¡±

    Kivorn nodded to Faera, ¡°We appreciate the observation..but we must go.¡±

    ¡°Wait!¡± Faera reached out, which startled Draeven and Kivorn.

    Faera said, ¡°If you two need sanctuary, the Choir can help you. You¡¯ll be on everyone¡¯s radar since you two are new, and no one¡¯s ever seen you here before.¡±

    Kivorn thought, ¡®She really reminds me¡­of Illyana. The same smile, the same peaceful aura. The way she doesn¡¯t even look distressed after everything that just happened. Should I ask her if she knows Illyana? Wouldn¡¯t hurt.¡¯

    Kivorn asked, ¡°Do¡­you know of a cleric named Illyana..?¡±

    Faera paused, and she began to rub her hands together. ¡°You..know her?¡±

    ¡°Uhhh..¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, haha. Don¡¯t answer. She¡¯s a long lost memory of mine. Enjoy your day. And remember I¡¯m right around this corner if you all need sanctuary.¡±

    Faera looked at the children, and smiled, ¡°What do we see to the dear gentlemen?¡±

    The kids poured, ¡°Bye bye.¡±

    And they began to walk away, leaving Draeven and Kivorn alone.

    Draeven released a sigh, saying, ¡°I-I was hoping we wouldn¡¯t have to fight..I¡¯m so relieved.¡±

    ¡°¡­We¡¯re definitely being watched.¡±

    ¡°I-I got the feeling too. We should really head back to everyone.¡±

    ¡°Mhm. You know¡­¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    ¡°We¡­haven¡¯t really been able to enjoy ourselves.¡±

    ¡°What are you trying to say?¡± Draeven twitched his fingers.

    ¡°Let¡¯s explore more.¡± Kivorn expressed lazily, looking around. ¡°We know where the others are¡­it¡¯ll be quick. I saw something on the way here. Hopefully..they haven¡¯t started yet.¡±

    ¡°Oh no..¡±

    ¡°What? What happened?¡±

    ¡°Are there gonna be p-people involved?¡±

    ¡°Yep. Get ready.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t do this..¡±

    The streets of Svarthelm were alive with their usual chaotic energy as Draeven and Kivorn walked side by side, weaving through the bustling crowd. Draeven¡¯s head was slightly lowered, his smoke wrapping loosely around him like a nervous cloak. He didn¡¯t like the open streets, where the noise pressed in from all sides and eyes seemed to follow him. His gaze flickered from face to face, his nerves on edge.

    ¡°I hate th-this place now,¡± Draeven muttered under his breath, trying to keep his voice low enough that only Kivorn could hear.

    Kivorn, in stark contrast, strolled lazily beside him, his staff balanced casually over his shoulder. He looked as though he hadn¡¯t a care in the world, his tired eyes half-lidded as he took in the scene with faint disinterest. ¡°You hate everywhere,¡± Kivorn said in his slow, deliberate tone, his voice almost a drawl. ¡°You hated the last city, too.¡±

    ¡°That city, I-it didn¡¯t have automatons dragging people off the streets,¡± Draeven shot back, his voice rising slightly before he forced himself to lower it again. ¡°I¡¯d rather deal with¡­ I don¡¯t know, wolves. Wolves are less terrifying than this.¡±

    Kivorn shrugged, his tone as sleepy as ever. ¡°Wolves don¡¯t have gold prizes, though.¡±

    Draeven blinked, confused. ¡°What?¡±

    Kivorn didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, he nodded toward a growing crowd up ahead. The noise was louder here¡ªexcited cheers, laughter, and the occasional clatter of something metallic. As they got closer, the source of the commotion became clear: a group of steel horses, sleek and glimmering in the sunlight, lined up in formation.

    The horses weren¡¯t natural animals¡ªthey were mechanical constructs made of polished steel and brass. Their shapes mimicked real horses, though their movements were unnervingly smooth, their legs powered by dozens of small, intricate gears that whirred softly. Steam hissed from vents near their hooves, and faint magical runes glowed along their flanks, keeping the constructs stable. Riders sat tall on their backs, their armor and clothing brightly colored, clearly ready to show off.

    A loud, boisterous voice suddenly boomed over the din.

    ¡°LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, GATHER ROUND!¡±

    Draeven winced at the sheer volume, pulling his hood lower as if it would help block out the noise. Kivorn, meanwhile, barely reacted, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever.

    The voice belonged to a flamboyant announcer standing on a wooden crate in the center of the crowd. He was a wiry man with a shock of wild, untamed hair and a bright orange scarf tied around his neck. His gestures were exaggerated, his arms flailing wildly as he addressed the gathering.

    ¡°FEAST YOUR EYES ON THE GREATEST SHOW IN SVARTHELM!¡± the announcer bellowed, his voice cracking slightly but recovering with dramatic flair. ¡°THE STEEL HORSE RACES! WHERE MEN BECOME LEGENDS AND LOSERS¡­ WELL, LET¡¯S JUST SAY THEY WALK AWAY WITH A LITTLE LESS DIGNITY!¡±

    The crowd roared with laughter at this, some jeering good-naturedly while others nudged each other and pointed at the riders.

    ¡°THAT¡¯S RIGHT, FOLKS! TODAY¡¯S PRIZE IS A WHOPPING FIVE HUNDRED GOLD PIECES!¡± the announcer continued, holding up a sack that jingled loudly, its contents gleaming faintly through the loose weave of the fabric. ¡°ENOUGH TO BUY YOURSELF A NEW HOUSE, A NEW HORSE, OR A LIFETIME SUPPLY OF ALE!¡±

    The riders on the steel horses exchanged cocky grins, some shouting taunts at one another.

    ¡°You won¡¯t even see me at the finish line, Ulric!¡± one rider shouted, his voice dripping with arrogance.

    ¡°Please,¡± another scoffed, adjusting his gloves. ¡°You couldn¡¯t keep up with a bread cart, let alone me.¡±

    ¡°Careful, boys,¡± a third rider chimed in, his tone mocking. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t want you to trip over your egos before the race even starts.¡±

    The crowd laughed and cheered, and the announcer clapped his hands dramatically. ¡°OH, I LOVE THE SMELL OF COMPETITION IN THE AIR! NOW, WHO WANTS TO SEE SOME REAL SPEED?!?¡±

    Draeven and Kivorn stood at the edge of the crowd, watching the scene unfold. Draeven shifted uncomfortably, his smoke curling tighter around him as he tried to avoid drawing attention. ¡°This¡­ this feels like a bad idea,¡± he muttered, glancing nervously at Kivorn.

    Kivorn, his tired eyes lingered on the steel horses, and he tilted his head slightly. ¡°We haven¡¯t done anything fun in a while,¡± he said, his tone as slow and emotionless as ever.

    ¡°Fun?¡± Draeven asked, his voice rising slightly in disbelief.

    Kivorn shrugged. ¡°Could be.¡±

    Before Draeven could protest further, the announcer¡¯s sharp eyes landed on them. His grin widened, and he pointed dramatically in their direction.

    ¡°AH, NEWCOMERS!¡± the announcer shouted, his voice carrying easily over the crowd. ¡°AND WHERE, PRAY TELL, ARE YOUR HORSES?!¡±

    All eyes turned to Draeven and Kivorn. Draeven froze, his face hidden behind his anxiety but his body language radiating panic. ¡°I¡­ uh¡­ we don¡¯t¡­¡± he stammered, his words tumbling over themselves.

    Kivorn, on the other hand, remained completely calm. ¡°We don¡¯t have any,¡± he said flatly, his voice slow and almost bored.

    The crowd erupted into laughter, some people pointing and jeering.

    ¡°No horses? What are they gonna ride, a broomstick?¡±  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Maybe they¡¯ll just run alongside the steel horses!¡±

    ¡°Good luck keeping up, lads!¡±

    The announcer doubled over with exaggerated laughter, clutching his sides as he pretended to wipe tears from his eyes. ¡°OH, I LOVE IT! WELL, DON¡¯T YOU WORRY, MY FRIENDS!¡± he said, regaining his composure and smirking down at them. ¡°WE HAVE *JUST* THE THING FOR YOU!¡±

    He snapped his fingers, and two attendants wheeled out a pair of temporary steel horses. Unlike the sleek, polished constructs the other riders sat on, these were rusty, dented, and barely holding together. One of them was missing an ear, and the other let out a pitiful hiss of steam from a crack in its side.

    ¡°BEHOLD!¡± the announcer declared, gesturing dramatically at the sorry-looking machines. ¡°OUR TRUSTY LOANER HORSES! PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS!¡±

    The crowd roared with laughter, some people doubling over, others shouting taunts.

    Draeven turned to Kivorn, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°We can¡¯t¡­ I can¡¯t do this. This is humiliating.¡±

    Kivorn, still as emotionless as ever, stepped forward and mounted one of the beat-up horses with surprising ease. ¡°It¡¯s perfect,¡± he said simply.

    Draeven stared at him, his eyes wide with disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ joking.¡±

    ¡°Nope,¡± Kivorn replied, his tone unchanging.

    ¡°I should¡¯ve known¡­¡±

    The crowd continued to laugh as Draeven reluctantly climbed onto the other horse, his movements stiff and awkward. He muttered under his breath the entire time, his voice barely audible. ¡°This is the worst idea. I hate this. Why do I let you talk me into these things?¡±

    ¡°You needed this,¡± Kivorn said, adjusting his grip on the reins.

    ¡°I don¡¯t need this,¡± Draeven snapped quietly. ¡°I need to not be here.¡±

    The announcer clapped his hands again, drawing the crowd¡¯s attention. ¡°ALL RIGHT, FOLKS! THE RACE IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!¡±

    Kivorn looked around him, seeing the joy and excitement on everyone¡¯s faces, and thought, ¡®This is more for me than anything. Maybe doing fun things..could bring the joy back in my mind. Maybe if I keep doing things like these¡­¡¯

    He stepped into the center of the makeshift track, his wild hair blowing in the faint breeze as he raised his arms dramatically. The riders lined up, their steel horses hissing and whirring in anticipation. Draeven and Kivorn¡¯s beat-up mounts sputtered and groaned, drawing more laughter from the crowd.

    ¡°ON MY COUNT!¡± the announcer bellowed. ¡°THREE! TWO! ONE! GO!¡±

    The steel horses shot off like bolts of lightning, their mechanical legs churning with incredible speed. Draeven¡¯s horse lurched forward with a loud *clank*, nearly throwing him off as he scrambled to hold on.

    And so, the race began.

    The roar of the crowd was deafening as the racers thundered off the starting line, the steel horses kicking up clouds of steam and dirt. The announcer¡¯s voice boomed over the chaos, narrating every moment with wild enthusiasm, though his words were barely audible over the shouts of the spectators. The track ahead stretched far beyond the city, twisting through rocky terrain, dense forests, and open plains, a grueling test of both skill and ingenuity. At the back of the pack, Kivorn and Draeven¡¯s battered loaner horses wheezed and groaned, already struggling to keep up. The crowd¡¯s laughter echoed behind them like a taunt, but neither of them seemed particularly bothered. Kivorn sat lazily on his creaking mount, his staff balanced casually across his lap, while Draeven leaned low over his reins, his movements sharp and deliberate. The horse beneath him trembled like it might collapse at any moment, but his focus was fixed entirely on the racers ahead.

    The first stretch of the track led into a narrow canyon, the walls rising high on either side and forcing the racers into a tightly packed formation. The lead riders wasted no time showing off their skills. A tall, wiry man with silver hair and a flowing black coat was the first to make a move; with a flick of his wrist, he conjured dozens of glowing orbs that hovered around his horse. The orbs pulsed rhythmically, releasing bursts of energy that propelled his mount forward in sharp, sudden bursts. The crowd roared in approval as he took the lead, his horse darting through the canyon like a streak of light. Behind him, a woman with a braided mohawk and intricate tattoos along her arms tapped her horse¡¯s flank. The air around her shimmered faintly as her horse became a blur, its movements almost too fast to track. She weaved through the other racers with eerie precision, her path unpredictable and serpentine.

    Draeven¡¯s eyes narrowed as he focused on the racers ahead. His battered horse stumbled over a loose rock, and for a moment, it seemed like he might lose control, but with a sharp twist of his body, Draeven shifted his weight, pulling the horse back into balance. His wraps unfurled slightly, fluttering behind him like fragments of shadow as he leaned closer to the horse¡¯s neck. He wasn¡¯t going to let this ridiculous contraption hold him back. The first sharp turn loomed ahead, the canyon walls narrowing even further. The racers jostled for position, their steel horses clanging against each other as they fought to stay on the inside track. The silver-haired man with the energy orbs extended his lead, the glowing spheres around him sparking wildly as he used them to accelerate through the turn. The tattooed woman followed close behind, her blurred movements making it impossible for the others to predict where she would go next.

    Draeven didn¡¯t slow down. Instead, he kicked off one of the stirrups, his body twisting sharply as he crouched low on the side of his horse. His wraps flared outward, snapping like whips as he adjusted his balance with precision. The horse skidded around the turn, the motion impossibly smooth despite its shuddering frame. As the racers ahead struggled to avoid colliding with each other, Draeven darted straight through the chaos, his movements sharp and deliberate. One of the racers, a burly man with glowing chains wrapped around his arms, snarled as he tried to cut Draeven off. With a grunt, he swung one of the chains outward, the glowing links extending like a whip to block Draeven¡¯s path.

    Draeven¡¯s response was immediate. He leaned back sharply, his wraps snapping upward in a defensive arc as he twisted his body in the saddle. The chain passed inches from his face, the glowing links crackling with energy, but Draeven¡¯s movements didn¡¯t falter. He shifted his weight again, his wraps curling around him like a second skin as he maneuvered his horse past the burly man with fluid precision.

    Kivorn, still riding at a steady pace behind the pack, watched the chaos unfold with mild interest. His staff glowed faintly as he tapped it against the ground, and a series of vines sprouted from the earth, twisting around the legs of his horse. The vines pulsed with energy, reinforcing the failing joints of the battered construct and pushing it forward with surprising speed. As the canyon opened up into a wide, rocky plain, Kivorn raised his staff again, and the vines began to spread upward, intertwining with his own body. His arms and legs shimmered as the vines merged with his skin, their glowing tendrils wrapping around him like living armor.

    The racers surged forward, their steel horses kicking up clouds of dust as they crossed the open plain. One of the racers, a young woman with a silver mask covering half her face, reached into a satchel at her side and pulled out a handful of small, metallic discs. She threw them into the air, and they began to spin rapidly, releasing bursts of concentrated soundwaves that pushed her horse forward. The soundwaves rippled outward, disrupting the movements of the racers around her and forcing them to adjust their pace.

    Draeven¡¯s eyes flicked toward the spinning discs, his mind working quickly. He adjusted his grip on the reins, his body shifting fluidly as he guided his horse through the rippling soundwaves. His wraps unfurled again, snapping outward to create a swirling barrier around him. The soundwaves dissipated harmlessly as he pushed forward, his movements impossibly smooth and precise.

    Kivorn, now fully merged with the vines, watched Draeven¡¯s maneuver with a faint smirk. The vines around his body pulsed with energy as he raised his staff, and a series of sharp, jagged roots erupted from the ground beneath the silver-masked woman¡¯s horse. The roots didn¡¯t strike her directly but instead forced her to adjust her path, slowing her momentum.

    The track narrowed again as it led into a dense forest, the sunlight filtering through the canopy in fractured beams. The racers were forced to weave through the thick trees, their mounts dodging roots and low-hanging branches. The tattooed woman with the blurred movements took the lead again, her horse darting through the trees like a shadow. Behind her, the silver-haired man with the energy orbs conjured a series of glowing platforms in mid-air, using them to guide his horse over the uneven ground.

    Draeven¡¯s movements became even more deliberate as he entered the forest. He leaned low over his horse, his wraps curling tightly around his body as he guided the construct through the twisting path. His movements were almost inhumanly precise, every motion calculated to avoid the obstacles ahead. As a fallen tree loomed in his path, Draeven kicked off the stirrups again, his body twisting sharply as he flipped backward onto the horse¡¯s hindquarters. His wraps snapped upward, catching a low branch and using it to slingshot him forward. He landed back in the saddle with a sharp twist, his face calm but focused.

    Kivorn followed close behind, the vines around his body shifting and growing as he moved. With a flick of his staff, he summoned a gust of wind that carried him and his horse over a series of jagged roots. The wind merged with the vines, creating a swirling barrier around him that deflected stray branches and debris. His movements were almost lazy, but there was an undeniable grace to the way he navigated the forest.

    As the racers emerged from the forest, the track led them toward a shallow river that cut across the path. The water shimmered faintly, its surface rippling with unnatural energy. The tattooed woman reached the river first, her blurred movements carrying her across the surface without disturbing the water. The silver-haired man followed close behind, his glowing orbs creating a series of stepping stones that guided his horse across.

    Draeven didn¡¯t hesitate. He leaned forward, his wraps unfurling again as he guided his horse into the river. The water splashed around him, but his movements remained smooth and deliberate. He twisted his body sharply, his wraps snapping outward to create a vortex that propelled him forward. The battered horse beneath him seemed to move with renewed energy, its legs churning through the water with surprising speed.

    Kivorn raised his staff again, the vines around his body merging with the water as he crossed. His horse glided through the river as if carried by the current, the vines guiding its movements with fluid precision.

    The finish line loomed ahead, the racers pushing their mounts to the limit. Draeven glanced at Kivorn, his expression calm but determined. He didn¡¯t say anything, but Kivorn seemed to understand. With a final burst of energy, Kivorn surged ahead, crossing the finish line just before the others.

    The crowd erupted into cheers as Kivorn dismounted, his expression as calm and lazy as ever. Gunthr and the Crimson Claws pushed their way to the front, shouting loudly over the noise. ¡°That¡¯s our boy!¡± Gunthr bellowed, slapping Kivorn on the back. ¡°We¡¯ve known him since we were kids! Best friends, we are!¡±

    His guild mates nodded, saying:

    ¡°Hell yeah!¡±

    ¡°Yeah we have known him since forever!¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s our best friend!¡±

    Kivorn didn¡¯t even flinch, his tired eyes scanning the crowd. ¡°Sure¡±, he said flatly. ¡°Whatever you say.¡±

    ¡®They¡¯re supposed to have got clobbered in Gabriel¡¯s Ladder. Are they super lucky? Oh well. They''re harmless.¡¯

    Kivorn looked around, and thought even more, ¡®I don¡¯t feel anything. No joy, no excitement..no happiness. I can¡¯t give up yet¡­if I keep doing fun things, I¡¯m sure to be able to get my joy back, despite the curse.¡¯

    Draeven saw Gunthr and his guild mates, saying, ¡°¡­You all again?¡±

    Gunthr looked at Draeven, and replied, ¡°Ah! The one who came in second place! We have also known you for years haven¡¯t we?¡±

    Gunthr put his arm around Draeven, whispering, ¡°Come onnn. Act like you know us! The more famous you two become, and the more we¡¯re connected to you guys, the more customers we get for our sword for hire business!¡±

    ¡°L-Like vagabonds?¡±

    ¡°Ehh, yeah! Definitely that!¡±

    The guildmates added:

    ¡°It¡¯s a good tactic! Well even cut you and your friends in on our deal!¡±

    ¡°Yeah! All the friends you were with in Gabriel¡¯s Ladder!¡±

    ¡°Since we can already tell you and your group and that goddess that was with you can make a scene anywhere.¡±

    The celebration was interrupted as one of the racers stormed forward, his face twisted with rage.

    ¡°Fuck it all¡­damn it all! It¡¯s not fair!¡±

    Kivorn and Draeven and the others turned, seeing an angry contestant approaching them.

    The crowd¡¯s cheers began to die down as Uzellken, standing near the center of the track, trembled with rage. His tall, wiry frame seemed to ripple unnaturally, his chest heaving as he glared at the celebratory scene around him. His breath came in ragged, animalistic growls, and his glowing red eyes burned with fury. He had a bald head and white goatee, but had a black crystal in the middle of his head.¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t fair!¡± Uzellken roared, his voice booming over the murmurs of the crowd. He stomped forward, his heavy boots crunching against the dirt of the track. ¡°I am Uzellken of the Western Lands*! I¡¯ve won every race I¡¯ve been in! You lot should be bowing to me!¡±

    The crowd, still gathering around Kivorn, began to shift uncomfortably. Whispers rippled through the spectators as they turned to watch Uzellken, who was now pacing back and forth like a caged animal.

    Draeven said to Kivorn, ¡°Kivorn..¡±

    ¡°..Yeah. Something¡¯s not right with this badly.¡±

    ¡®His reasoning for being mad is light, something else is manipulating him. Something¡­is it that crystal in his head?¡¯

    ¡°I came here,¡± Uzellken snarled, his voice rising with every word, ¡°to prove that I am the greatest racer to ever live! To make my name even bigger! And this¡ª¡± He gestured wildly at Kivorn and Draeven, his sharp teeth bared in disgust. ¡°This is how I¡¯m treated? Losing to a couple of nobodies on scrap metal?¡±

    As his anger mounted, his body began to change. The cords of muscle along his arms and chest bulged grotesquely, growing thicker with each passing second. His veins darkened, standing out like spiderwebs against his pale, ashen skin. His fingers stretched unnaturally long, the nails sharpening into claw-like points.

    The onyx amulet around his neck began to glow with a faint, ominous light, pulsing in time with his ragged breaths. His face twisted, his jaw widening unnaturally, teeth lengthening into jagged fangs. His shoulders broadened as his shirt ripped apart, revealing a torso so muscular and grotesque it looked as though it had been carved from stone. His legs thickened, and his boots burst apart as his feet morphed into clawed monstrosities.

    The transformation wasn¡¯t just physical¡ªit radiated malice. His skin turned a sickly shade of gray, mottled with deep black cracks that seemed to ooze faint wisps of dark energy. He loomed over the crowd now, standing nearly nine feet tall, his elongated arms hanging low like a predator ready to pounce.

    The crowd gasped, several people stumbling backward in fear.

    ¡°What¡­ what is that?!¡± someone whispered.

    ¡°Is that even human anymore?¡±

    ¡°This is why you don¡¯t let those Western freaks in here,¡± another muttered.

    Uzellken¡¯s voice was deeper now, reverberating like a growl that made the ground beneath him tremble. ¡°I¡¯ll show you all!¡± he bellowed, his monstrous form vibrating with barely-contained fury. ¡°I¡¯ll show you what happens when you deny me my glory!¡±

    He turned his glowing red eyes on Kivorn and Draeven, who stood a few paces away from the wreckage of their loaner steel horses. Draeven shifted nervously, his smoke curling around him protectively.

    ¡°I hate this,¡± Draeven muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible.

    Kivorn, on the other hand, stood lazily with his staff resting across his shoulders. His expression didn¡¯t change, but there was a faint twitch at the corner of his mouth, as if he were almost¡ªbut not quite¡ªamused.

    Uzellken roared, his massive hands clenching into fists as he charged toward them. The earth beneath his feet cracked with every step, his speed unnervingly fast for something so large and misshapen.

    Before he could reach them, there was a sudden rush of air.

    THUD!

    Eight automatons landed in perfect formation between Uzellken and the two racers. Their movements were eerily synchronized, their landing creating a deep vibration that rippled through the ground.

    Uzellken skidded to a halt, his glowing red eyes narrowing as he took in the cold, unflinching figures before him. The crowd murmured anxiously, several people backing away even further.

    ¡°They sent the automatons,¡± someone whispered.

    ¡°Of course, they did. No one survives when the automatons get involved.¡±

    Uzellken sneered, his grotesque form towering over the automatons. ¡°You think a few piles of scrap metal are going to stop me?¡± he growled. ¡°I¡¯ll crush you like I¡¯ll crush everyone else!¡±

    He lunged forward, his claws outstretched, but before he could strike, the automatons vanished.

    They moved with shocking speed, blurring out of sight for a fraction of a second before reappearing all around Uzellken. Their arms shifted seamlessly, blades extending from concealed compartments with a metallic shhhk.

    Uzellken barely had time to react as all eight automatons plunged their blades into his chest simultaneously. The sound of tearing flesh and the hiss of steam filled the air as black blood sprayed from his wounds, splattering the dirt beneath him.

    The crowd gasped, their collective shock palpable.

    ¡°Did they¡­ did they get him?¡±

    For a moment, Uzellken stood frozen, his massive body trembling as the blades remained lodged in his torso. But then, with a guttural roar, he swung his massive arms outward, knocking the automatons back.

    The force of his strike sent them flying several yards, but they recovered instantly, landing on their feet with inhuman precision.

    Without hesitation, the automatons launched themselves at Uzellken again. This time, they didn¡¯t aim to contain him¡ªthey aimed to remove him. Their blades glinted as they pierced through his chest once more, but instead of holding their ground, they propelled themselves backward, dragging Uzellken with them.

    The monstrous racer let out a furious roar as the automatons blasted toward the city, their speed so great that they tore through walls and buildings as they crashed into the heart of Svarthelm.

    The crowd stood in stunned silence, their eyes fixed on the distant trail of destruction as dust and debris rose into the air.

    ¡°Did you see that?¡± someone muttered.

    ¡°They just¡­ dragged him into the city?¡±

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t they kill him outright?¡±

    ¡°To make an example out of him¡­¡±

    ¡°The automatons have always been ruthless. Especially since J?rvaldr is plagued with people having black crystals in their heads.:¡±

    Meanwhile, in the heart of the city, Uzellken slowly pushed himself to his feet. His grotesque form was covered in deep gashes, his gray skin slick with black blood. He looked like a nightmare made flesh, his glowing red eyes burning brighter as he let out a deep, guttural growl.

    The automatons surrounded him, their blades still extended, their glowing eyes locked onto him. They spoke in unison, their voices flat and emotionless.

    ¡°UZELLKEN OF THE WESTERN LANDS. YOU HAVE VIOLATED THE LAWS OF J?RVALDR. YOU MUST BE MADE AND EXAMPLE. YOU SUFFER FROM THE CRYSTAL THAT HAS PLAGUED ALARIC¡¯S KINGDOM.¡±

    The crowd that had followed the chaos into the city watched from a safe distance, their faces pale with fear.

    ¡°No one survives this,¡± someone whispered.

    ¡°Not even him,¡± another said, though their tone was uncertain.

    Uzellken let out a low, rumbling laugh. ¡°You think I¡¯m afraid of you? Metal soldiers pretending to be gods?¡± He slammed his massive fists into the ground, cracking the stone beneath him. ¡°COME ON, THEN! LET¡¯S SEE IF YOU CAN KILL ME BEFORE I TEAR THIS CITY APART!¡±

    The automatons remained unfazed, their glowing eyes unblinking as they raised their blades in perfect unison.

    The crowd held their breath, knowing all too well the wrath of the automatons.

 Chapter 44: Kathoom

    The battlefield was silent for a moment, save for the faint hum of the magical barrier encasing the area. The translucent dome shimmered faintly in the light, keeping the bloodthirsty chaos contained within while civilians outside pressed against it, their faces a mixture of fear, excitement, and morbid fascination. The nobles, in their gilded robes and polished jewelry, leaned forward eagerly, shouting bets over the din, their voices greedy with anticipation.

    Inside the barrier, Uzellken stood hunched, his grotesque form heaving with every breath. His massive, mutated muscles bulged unnaturally, veins throbbing black as tar beneath his cracked, gray skin. His claws twitched, dripping with black blood, and his jagged grin stretched across his monstrous face, revealing rows of broken, uneven teeth. His glowing red eyes flickered with deranged fury, locked on the automatons. The gashes across his chest and sides, inflicted earlier by their relentless attacks, leaked thick black ichor, but he didn¡¯t falter. If anything, the sight of his own blood seemed to fuel his rage.

    The lead automaton stepped forward, its glowing eyes burning brighter than the others. Its voice, flat and emotionless, echoed across the barrier. ¡°UZELLKEN OF THE WESTERN LANDS. YOU HAVE BEEN SENTENCED TO FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE BY ORDER OF KING ALARIC. YOUR ACTIONS HAVE BROKEN THE SACRED LAWS OF NOBILITY. SURVIVAL IS YOUR ONLY PATH.¡±

    Nobles on the side began to dish gold coins around, betting money on whether Uzellken would live or die.

    ¡°Bet 700 gold coins he dies.¡±

    ¡°Ah. He¡¯s suffered from that cursed crystal in his head. He¡¯s like the last guy. He might survive. I bet 900 gold coins he will survive.¡±

    One more noble popped up, ¡°Aye! 1000 gold coins he dies in 10 seconds!¡±

    More and more bets came up, people passing around gold coins and trying to gamble on the fate of Uzellken.

    Kivorn and Draeven arrived.

    ¡°They¡¯re really betting..? U-unbelievable..¡± Draeven said.

    Kivorn learned on his staff, ¡°This must be¡­a part of the way the dragon god¡­receives worship. You would expect everyone to¡­be panicking and sad for this man. That¡¯s not the case here¡­¡±

    Draeven thought, ¡®I¡¯ve never seen this before.  People gambling on his life? And what¡¯s with that crystal..? Seems people are confused about it but they¡¯ve seen it before.¡¯

    Uzellken snarled, his claws digging deep into the stone beneath him, cracking it as his hulking frame tensed. ¡°You dare?¡± he growled, his voice deep and layered, twisting with a demonic undertone that made the air feel heavier. ¡°You think some soulless tin men can judge me? And you think I¡¯ll kneel to a king?!¡± He slammed a clawed fist into his chest, the impact echoing like a war drum. ¡°I AM UZELLKEN! I AM¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish, the automatons moved.

    They attacked as one, blurring forward with blinding speed, their metal bodies a blur of motion. Their arms shifted mid-charge, morphing seamlessly into weapons¡ªswords, maces, spears, and serrated claws. The first automaton lunged directly at Uzellken, its blade gleaming as it aimed for his throat. Uzellken ducked low, his massive body twisting unnaturally fast for his size. The blade missed by a hair, and his clawed hand shot upward, grabbing the automaton by the head. With a guttural roar, he slammed it into the ground so hard the stone shattered beneath it, sending cracks rippling outward.

    Another automaton appeared behind him in an instant, its mace-like arm swinging toward the back of his skull. Uzellken turned just in time, raising his forearm to block. The mace collided with his arm, the impact sending a shockwave through the air, but Uzellken didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, he grinned through the pain and grabbed the automaton¡¯s arm, twisting it violently until the metal screeched and snapped. He used the severed arm as a blunt weapon, swinging it into the automaton¡¯s face with enough force to dent its head.

    Two more automatons attacked from the sides, their movements perfectly coordinated. One drove a spear toward his ribs, while the other slashed at his legs with twin blades. Uzellken jumped into the air, his hulking frame crashing back down between them, his claws slashing outward in a brutal arc. The automaton with the spear managed to twist away, the tip of its weapon grazing his shoulder and carving a deep gash that sprayed black blood. The other wasn¡¯t so lucky¡ªUzellken¡¯s claws tore through its chest, ripping out glowing gears and wires that sparked and sputtered as the automaton collapsed.

    The crowd outside the barrier gasped in awe as the fight escalated.

    ¡°Did you see that?!¡± someone shouted.

    ¡°He¡¯s tearing them apart!¡±

    ¡°No way he survives this. The automatons always adapt. They¡¯re going to dice him up like meat.¡±

    The automatons regrouped, their glowing eyes flickering in perfect synchronization. They moved faster now, their bodies shifting and adjusting as they adapted to Uzellken¡¯s ferocity. One of them extended a serrated chain from its arm, the blade spinning violently as it lashed toward Uzellken¡¯s throat. He dodged, the chain grazing his cheek and tearing away a chunk of flesh, leaving black ichor oozing down his face. He roared in pain and rage, grabbing the chain mid-swing and yanking the automaton toward him. As it stumbled forward, Uzellken drove his fist into its torso, the impact ripping through steel and sending shards of metal flying.

    Another automaton vaulted over him, its arms morphing into twin spears that stabbed downward. Uzellken twisted at the last moment, one of the spears piercing his shoulder while the other missed entirely. He grabbed the automaton¡¯s leg mid-air and slammed it into the ground repeatedly, each impact sending chunks of stone flying and leaving bloody dents in its frame.

    But the automatons didn¡¯t relent. Three of them attacked simultaneously, their weapons aimed for fatal points. One drove a blade into his side while another slashed across his abdomen, spilling more of his black blood onto the ground. The third automaton leapt onto his back, its serrated claws digging deep into his flesh as it attempted to rip him apart. Uzellken staggered under the relentless assault, his monstrous frame trembling as the crowd outside the barrier grew silent.

    ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± someone whispered. ¡°They¡¯ve got him.¡±

    But Uzellken wasn¡¯t done.

    With an ear-splitting roar, he reached over his shoulder, grabbing the automaton on his back and hurling it into another. The two collided in a shower of sparks and metal. He ripped the blade from his side, black ichor spraying as he swung it wildly, decapitating one of the automatons in a single, brutal motion. His breathing was ragged now, blood pouring from countless wounds, but his glowing red eyes burned brighter, and his grin widened.

    ¡°You think this is enough to stop me?¡± he growled, his voice deeper, darker, almost unrecognizable. ¡°You¡¯ll have to do better than that!¡±

    The automatons shifted tactics. Four of them surrounded Uzellken, their weapons morphing into long, curved scythes. They moved in perfect unison, their attacks coming from every direction. Uzellken dodged and twisted, his massive claws deflecting some of the strikes while others found their mark. A scythe sliced into his thigh, nearly severing the muscle, while another carved a deep wound across his chest. Uzellken roared in pain but retaliated with equal ferocity, his claws slashing through one automaton¡¯s midsection, spilling its mechanical innards onto the ground.

    One of the automatons lunged low, its blade aiming for his neck. Uzellken caught it mid-strike, his monstrous hand crushing the blade like paper. He pulled the automaton closer, his jagged teeth sinking into its head, ripping wires and gears apart in a gruesome display of savagery. He spat the remains onto the ground, his bloodied mouth stretching into a demonic grin.

    The destruction within the barrier was absolute. The ground was littered with the remains of shattered automatons, glowing cores sputtering weakly amid pools of oil and Uzellken¡¯s black blood. The stone beneath them was cracked and broken, the air thick with the metallic scent of blood and smoke.

    Uzellken stood amidst the carnage, his body a torn, bleeding mass of muscle and rage. His chest heaved as he glared at the last remaining automatons, his voice a deep, guttural growl. ¡°Is that all you¡¯ve got? Come on! I¡¯m not done yet!¡±

    The automatons moved in unison, their glowing eyes locking onto him one final time. They blurred forward, their blades aimed for his neck. Uzellken grinned, his bloody teeth glinting as he whispered through his ragged breaths, ¡°It¡¯s good to be back¡­¡±

    The lead automaton¡¯s blade struck true, slicing clean through his neck in one smooth motion. His grin remained frozen on his face as his head tumbled to the ground, black blood spraying in an arc. His massive body collapsed moments later, shaking the ground as it fell.

    The crowd erupted into shocked silence, their eyes wide as the magical barrier dissolved. The automatons retracted their blades, their glowing eyes flickering briefly before they turned and marched away, leaving only the broken remains of Uzellken behind.

    The magical barrier shimmered faintly as it began to dissolve, the faint hum of its energy fading into nothingness. The crowd stood still, their murmurs of excitement and fear dying away as the atmosphere shifted. The tension in the air was palpable. The automatons stood motionless, their glowing eyes fixed on the remains of Uzellken, awaiting further orders. His massive, bloodied corpse lay sprawled on the cracked stone, black ichor pooling beneath him like an ominous shadow.

    And then, from above, a roar split the sky.

    All at once, the crowd turned their eyes upward, gasping as a monstrous chimera descended from the clouds. The beast was a terrifying amalgamation of elements¡ªits body was leonine, with a thick mane that shimmered like molten gold, its fur rippling as if it were made of liquid fire. Its wings were colossal and feathered, but the feathers glimmered like crystalline ice, refracting the sunlight into dazzling, prismatic colors. Its tail was reptilian, covered in jagged black scales, ending in a barb that oozed faint wisps of green poison. The head of the chimera was even more unnerving¡ªthree faces melded into one. A snarling lion¡¯s visage sat in the middle, flanked by the elongated, sharp-snouted head of a dragon on the left and a goat¡¯s twisted, horned head on the right. Its eyes burned with an unnatural light, each of its three heads scanning the crowd below with predatory authority.

    Standing atop the chimera¡¯s back was King Alaric.

    The king¡¯s face was obscured by a steel mask, a perfectly smooth, emotionless visage engraved into the surface. The engraved face bore no human expression¡ªjust an unfeeling, stoic glare that seemed to watch everyone and no one at once. His attire was regal yet practical, a long, flowing black and crimson cloak embroidered with gold trim and arcane symbols of power. The cloak billowed in the wind as the chimera descended. Beneath it, he wore a suit of segmented black armor, adorned with intricate carvings of dragons, flames, and swords. The armor¡¯s edges glinted faintly, as if enchanted to radiate power. Around his shoulders rested a heavy chain of office, each link made of pure obsidian, glowing faintly with an inner light.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    Flanking the king were his royal automatons, a dozen of them standing in perfect formation atop the chimera¡¯s massive wings. These automatons were larger and far more imposing than the ones that had fought Uzellken. Their metallic plating shimmered with an almost organic fluidity, and their glowing eyes burned brighter, like miniature suns. They carried massive halberds that crackled faintly with steel magic energy, their forms exuding an aura of menace and dominance.

    As the chimera landed with a deafening thud, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause, their fear of the automaton carnage subsumed by their awe of King Alaric. Nobles and commoners alike dropped to their knees, bowing low as they chanted his name.

    ¡°All hail King Alaric!¡±

    ¡°Hail the King of J?rvaldr!¡±

    But amidst the sea of reverence, Kivorn and  Draeven remained standing.

    Draeven¡¯s smoke curled tightly around him, as if shielding him from the moment. His voice was quiet but firm as he muttered, ¡°We bow to no one else. Not even one who rides... that thing.¡±

    Kivorn, leaning lazily on his staff, didn¡¯t even glance at the king. ¡°Not a man,¡± he said in his usual slow, deliberate tone. ¡°Not a god. Not a dragon. Only Yuuna.¡±

    The king stepped off the chimera¡¯s back with a graceful motion, his heavy boots barely making a sound as they touched the cracked stone. His movements were deliberate, almost sorrowful, as though the weight of his office pressed down on him. He stood silently for a moment, his steel mask turning toward Uzellken¡¯s broken body. Slowly, he raised a gauntleted hand and rested it on the hilt of a ceremonial sword at his side. The crowd fell silent, waiting for their king to speak.

    Kivorn thought, ¡®The king of J?rvaldr¡­the vessel of the dragon god of wealth and gold. Father to Sethrak and Zyphira¡­that damn pervert..¡¯

    When his voice came, it was a deep, guttural dragon dialect, a language ancient and harsh, spoken in tones that reverberated in the chest and soul of everyone who heard it.

    ¡°????? ???????. ?????? ????? ??????. ???? ??? ????????.¡±

    The words hung in the air like a stormcloud, incomprehensible to most. Then, with a subtle shift in tone, the king translated the words into the common tongue, his voice now clearer but still laced with authority.

    ¡°Money is earned. Survival is earned. Riches and wealth are the only true worship to the god of J?rvaldr. And survival, too, is a form of tribute.¡±

    The crowd murmured in agreement, nodding at the wisdom of their king. But as the king¡¯s voice lowered, his words became quieter, almost a whisper meant only for himself.

    ¡°The black crystals¡­¡± he murmured, his fingers tightening on the hilt of his sword. ¡°The cursed region brought them forth. They spread like a plague. I fear we do not have much time¡­¡±

    He shook his head slightly, brushing away his thoughts, and gestured toward Uzellken¡¯s corpse. ¡°Bring me his head,¡± he commanded flatly. ¡°It will serve as a reminder to all who defy the laws of J?rvaldr.¡±

    The largest of the royal automatons stepped forward, its massive frame casting a shadow over the bloodied body. Its arm shifted seamlessly into a massive blade as it raised it high, preparing to sever Uzellken¡¯s head in one swift motion.

    But before the blade could fall, a deafening KATHOOM shook the ground, and a cloud of dust and debris erupted from the automaton¡¯s position. The sheer force of the impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air, and the crowd gasped in unison, shielding their faces from the blast. Even the king took a step back, his steel mask tilting slightly as if in surprise.

    When the dust cleared, the automaton lay crushed beneath the weight of two figures sprawled out on the ground.

    ¡°What..an entrance..,¡± Kivorn muttered.

    Draeven sighed in relief, ¡°It¡¯s them..!¡±

    The crowd stared in stunned silence as the two figures bickered loudly, completely oblivious to the chaos around them.

    ¡°THIS IS THE WRONG PLACE!¡± one of them shouted, slamming their fists into the ground in frustration.

    ¡°NO, IT¡¯S NOT!¡± the other replied, their voice high-pitched and defensive. ¡°THIS IS EXACTLY WHERE WE NEED TO BE!¡±

    ¡°What the hell did we even land in?!¡±

    The second figure turned their head, spotting Kivorn and Draeven standing nearby. Their face lit up, and they waved manically. ¡°Hiiii! Funny to see you two here! Xyenn messed up our landing! And nice masks!¡±

    ¡°FOOL! I DIDN¡¯T!¡± the first figure¡ªXyenn¡ªsnapped, his voice dripping with indignation.

    ¡°YOU DID!¡± the second¡ªYuuna¡ªshot back, jabbing a finger at him.

    The two immediately started wrestling on the bloodied ground, rolling over Uzellken¡¯s corpse as they bantered back and forth.

    ¡°Your fault!¡±

    ¡°No, YOUR fault!¡±

    The crowd stared in confusion, their earlier fear now replaced with complete bewilderment.

    ¡°What¡­ is happening?¡± someone muttered.

    ¡°Are they¡­ playing?¡±

    ¡°They just crushed an automaton, and now they¡¯re rolling around like children?¡±

    The chaos escalated when one of the royal automatons, seeing the threat, dashed forward, its blade aimed for Xyenn¡¯s neck. The automaton moved with blinding speed, its feet barely skimming the ground.

    But Xyenn vanished faster.

    In a blur of motion, he reappeared crouching on the automaton¡¯s sword mid-air, balancing effortlessly as the crowd gasped in awe. His posture was relaxed, one knee bent as he rested his forearm lazily on his thigh. The automaton¡¯s glowing eyes flickered in confusion, but before it could react, Xyenn twisted his body sharply, spinning on the blade. His legs snapped out in a fluid, almost dance-like motion, and the momentum wrenched the sword free from the automaton¡¯s arm. The blade arced through the air, and with one final spin, Xyenn used it to slice the automaton clean in half.

    The two halves of the automaton clattered to the ground, sparks flying as its core sputtered and died. Xyenn landed gracefully, his feet skimming the blood-soaked ground.

    The crowd erupted into a mixture of gasps and cheers.

    From his position, the king stood tall, watching the scene unfold with an air of bemused authority. ¡°Ah,¡± he said, his voice calm but edged with something darker. ¡°If it isn¡¯t Yuuna¡­ and her vessel. They told me you would arrive.¡±

    Yuuna, still brushing dirt off her clothes, grinned wide and slapped her fists together. ¡°Ready to fight or what?!¡± she shouted. ¡°I¡¯ve been wanting to kill you for so long after what you did to Sethrak and Zyphira!¡±

    Before anything else could happen, another crash resounded from above. Three more figures plummeted from the sky, landing hard on the ground with muffled grunts of pain.

    ¡°Damn it, Gorran!¡± one of them growled.  It was Mertha.

    ¡°That wasn¡¯t me!¡± Gorran replied.

    The third figure groaned, standing up and dusting themselves off. ¡°I don¡¯t even know why I hang out with you two.¡±  It was Quinara.

    Kivorn tilted his head slightly, glancing at Quinara, the third member of the new arrivals. ¡°Who¡¯s¡­the red woman?¡± he asked flatly.

    Draeven shrugged, his smoke curling nervously. ¡°I-I wonder¡­but it¡¯s good to see everyone here, I feel a lot b-better now.¡±

    The chimera growled low, its three heads scanning the gathered crowd, the tension in the air heavy enough to crush the whispers of the onlookers. The automaton guards, still flanking King Alaric, stood motionless, their glowing eyes trained on the group now assembled at the center of the bloodied battlefield. Yuuna, Xyenn, Kivorn, and Draeven stood together, their presence a stark contrast to the king¡¯s regal stature. Behind them, Gorran, Mertha, and Quinara lingered in confusion, brushing themselves off from their graceless landing, the tension palpable in their stances.

    Xyenn said, ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡± He asked, pointing at the king.

    Yuuna snarled, ¡°That bastard is the vessel of the dragon god of wealth and gold, the worst person ever. He¡¯s the reason Sethrak and Zyphira are my Tyrants. He¡¯s the reason why they are how they are.¡±

    ¡°That guy¡­?¡±

    ¡®Hiding behind a steel mask? Maybe he¡¯s connected to Kassius¡­? Other than that¡­he probably hides behind the mask because of Sethrak and Zyphira. Or maybe other things? Guilt of something? I don¡¯t feel any bloodlust from him. Concealing it? Am I that nervous? Analyzing this guy before even talking to him? I do this with every person I''m about to meet.¡¯

    Yuuna held Xyenn¡¯s hand as she kept looking at King Alaric.

    ¡®Her smile went away¡­she¡¯s used to doing this. Smiling before a serious moment, then immediately getting serious. Why?¡¯

    The crowd outside the barrier buzzed with confusion, their voices rising in murmurs. To them, the king¡¯s arrival had been a spectacle, a rare glimpse of divinity and authority descending amidst chaos. But now, they could only watch, perplexed, as the king stepped down from his chimeric mount and began walking toward the group. His approach was slow and deliberate, his steel mask betraying no expression, his crimson cloak trailing behind him and brushing the blood-stained ground.

    The nobles, who only moments ago had been shouting bets and cheers, were now silent, their faces pale with uncertainty. The commoners muttered nervously, wondering why the king was moving toward what appeared to be a band of rogue adventurers.

    But none of the crowd could hear what was about to unfold.

    Alaric stopped just a few paces from Yuuna and her group. For a moment, he stood still, his steel mask tilting slightly as if studying them. His presence was immense, his aura radiating authority, but there was something else beneath it¡ªsomething fragile, something broken. Slowly, he raised a gauntleted hand to his chest, his fingers curling into a fist over his heart.

    And then, shocking everyone, he bowed.

    The king of J?rvaldr, ruler of the land, bowed deeply before Yuuna.

    Gasps rippled through the crowd like a wave, their disbelief palpable.

    ¡°Is he¡­ bowing?¡±

    ¡°To them?!¡±

    ¡°What in the gods¡¯ names is happening?¡±

    Even Gorran, Mertha, and Quinara exchanged confused glances, unsure of how to react.

    Kivorn and Draeven, however, remained stoic. Draeven¡¯s smoke coiled tightly around him, his nervous energy barely contained. Kivorn, as always, leaned lazily on his staff, his tired gaze fixed on the king but giving nothing away.

    Yuuna¡¯s claws flexed at her sides, her golden eyes narrowing as she watched Alaric¡¯s every move. ¡°What are you doing?¡± she asked, her voice low and dangerous.

    The king didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, he straightened, placing both hands on his chest. With a sharp, deliberate motion, he unsheathed a ceremonial dagger from his belt. The crowd gasped again, the sound of the blade scraping against its scabbard like a whisper of death.

    And then, without hesitation, he plunged the dagger into his own chest.

    The crowd screamed in horror, some shielding their eyes, others craning their necks to see. Blood seeped through the cracks in Alaric¡¯s black armor, staining his crimson cloak as he staggered slightly, his hand clutching the hilt of the dagger embedded deep in his chest.

    Xyenn was startled, saying, ¡°The hell are you¡ª.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s eyes widened in shock, her claws twitching. ¡°What the hell are you doing?!¡± she snapped, her voice laced with anger and confusion.

    The king¡¯s voice trembled as he spoke, though it was quiet enough that only those closest to him could hear. ¡°I¡­ I need your help,¡± he said, his tone heavy with desperation. His steel mask turned toward Yuuna, as if pleading with her. ¡°I know¡­ I know you despise me. I know you want to kill me. But I have no other choice.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s lip curled into a snarl, her claws flexing again. ¡°You¡¯re damn right I want to kill you. After what you did to Sethrak and Zyphira, you deserve to be destroyed. Don¡¯t think stabbing yourself is going to stop me.¡±

    Alaric¡¯s shoulders trembled, a faint sob escaping him as blood dripped from his armor. ¡°I know. I know what I¡¯ve done. And I will accept whatever judgment you decide to bring upon me. But first¡­ you must listen.¡±

    The king stepped closer, lowering his voice to a whisper. His words were for Yuuna and her group alone, hidden from the ears of the crowd and the nobles.

    ¡°It¡¯s the cursed region,¡± he began, his voice trembling. ¡°It¡¯s spreading. The lands are rotting, the air is poison, and the earth itself is rotting. The crops die, the rivers run dry, and the sky¡­ the sky burns red.¡± He paused, clutching his chest as blood dripped through his fingers. ¡°It wasn¡¯t always this way. It began when the dragon god of war stirred. His influence¡­ his power¡­ he has cursed the land with his **abominations of war.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s eyes narrowed, her expression growing darker. ¡°Abominations of war¡­¡±

    Xyenn thought, ¡®Ezrael is targeting this place for war..this entire damn continent¡­¡¯

    ¡°They are his creations,¡± Alaric said, his voice barely audible. ¡°Twisted creatures, forged from the suffering of the land. They destroy everything in their path, leaving nothing but ruin. Adventurers¡­ heroes¡­ I¡¯ve sent hundreds into the cursed region, hoping to find a cure, a way to stop the spread. But they never return the same.¡± His steel mask tilted slightly, as if gesturing toward Uzellken¡¯s mutilated corpse. ¡°They come back like him. Twisted. Broken. Cursed.¡±

    Draeven¡¯s smoke coiled tighter around him as he muttered under his breath, ¡°Wars co-coming¡­¡±

    Quinara said, ¡°Abominations of war? I¡¯ve heard of them from my people. I always wanted to see one up close.¡±

    Kivorn looked at Quinara, asking, ¡°Who¡­are you again?¡±

    ¡°Quinara! I¡¯m a Quen! Nice to meet ya.¡±

    ¡°Ah. Why..are you here?¡±

    ¡°To kill gods, same as you.¡±

    Gorran raised an eyebrow, glancing at Yuuna. ¡°What do you think? This bastard doesn¡¯t deserve our help.¡±

    Yuuna didn¡¯t answer immediately, her claws twitching as she listened to Alaric.

    The king¡¯s voice grew more desperate. ¡°I know the dragon god of war is coming,¡± he whispered. ¡°And I know I cannot stop him. My only hope¡­ my trump card¡­ was lost in the cursed region long ago. Without it, my kingdom will fall. And it won¡¯t stop there. He will consume everything. Your lands. Your people. Everything you hold dear.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s claws twitched violently at her sides, her mind racing. She thought of Sethrak and Zyphira, the bond they¡¯d shared, the battles they¡¯d fought together. She thought of the people she had saved in Soulcaris, the warmth she¡¯d felt knowing she had done something good, something meaningful. But then her anger surged, her memories flashing back to the pain Alaric had caused to Zyphira and Sethrak.

    ¡°You think I care about your kingdom?¡± she hissed, her voice venomous. ¡°You think I care about your people? After what you¡¯ve done? I should kill you right here, right now. I should kill you and your god¡ªno. I meant to say you, I don¡¯t care about you or your feelings..¡±

    ¡®I care about the safety of people now, I can¡¯t say things like that..no matter how angry I get.¡¯

    Alaric¡¯s steel mask tilted downward as if in shame. ¡°Then do it,¡± he said softly. ¡°But if you do, innocents will die. The abominations will destroy them all. And every death will make the dragon god of war stronger. He feeds on destruction, on chaos, on the suffering of the weak. If you let him, he will burn this world to ash.¡±

    Yuuna froze, her chest tightening. She thought of the people she had saved before, the gratitude in their eyes, the way it had made her feel something she hadn¡¯t felt in a long time. She thought of Sethrak and Zyphira. What would they do? Would they let Alaric live now, knowing the stakes? Or would they kill him, fulfilling their vengeance?

    Her claws flexed again, her eyes burning with conflict.

    ¡®If I was still a monster¡­would I kill him for fun? Or on Zyphira and Sethrak¡¯s behalf..¡¯

    The crowd outside the barrier was growing restless, their murmurs growing louder as they watched the tense exchange.

    ¡°Why aren¡¯t they doing anything?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why isn¡¯t the king speaking to us?¡±

    ¡°Are they going to fight?¡±

    The automatons around the king shifted uneasily, their glowing eyes flickering as they struggled to process his silence. One of them took a step forward, its blade beginning to morph, but Alaric raised a gauntleted hand.

    ¡°STAND DOWN!¡± he roared, his voice echoing across the battlefield.

    The automatons hesitated, their movements jerky and uncertain as they processed the conflicting order.

    Yuuna raised her clawed hand, her group readying themselves for a fight. Xyenn said, ¡°Yuuna¡­¡±

    Quinara grinned, ¡°Oh shit, my first real fight!¡±

    Mertha clenched her fists, adding, ¡°Let¡¯s bust some heads!¡±

    But the king stepped forward, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and desperation. ¡°Please,¡± he whispered. ¡°Forgive me for what I¡¯ve done. I know I deserve death, but I need your help. I need you to... save us.¡±

    Yuuna''s golden eyes bore into him, her anger and hesitation warring within her. Finally, she asked the question that had been clawing at her mind.

    ¡°Who told you we were coming?¡±

    Alaric tilted his steel mask upward slightly, his voice heavy with foreboding.

    ¡°The Prophets,¡± he said.

    Mertha asked Alaric, ¡°Who is your trump card?¡±

    ¡°Kassius Velmire.¡±

 Chapter 45: Miniature Allies

    Xyenn, startled, replied, ¡°How convenient.¡±

    ¡®Is that why the Lysf?dt and the Prophets lost track of him? Is the cursed region that powerful to even conceal someone¡¯s presence and location from godly beings? If that¡¯s the case, then Ezrael is strong as hell. But if we¡¯re able to summon Kassius in the crypt, then we might be able to skip the entire cursed region. But knowing Yuuna..she¡¯ll want it cleared. How much time do we even have left? We still need to kill King Haldrek, avoid the Lysf?dt, and just survive. But every single second there¡¯s something in our way. And on TOP of that, we just killed a dragon sun god that escaped the Cycle of Rebirth using cursed runes from Hell. It¡¯s fine it¡¯s fine, we got this, its a lot, but we can handle it. Can¡¯t let it overwhelm us.¡¯

    Mertha added, ¡°Ohhh that¡¯s awesome. He¡¯s in some cursed place. Piece of cake.¡±

    Gorran asked Yuuna with his arms folded and eyes closed, ¡°We can skip all of the cursed region if we just summon Kassius from the crypt. But clearing the cursed region of the abominations of war needs to be done.¡±

    Kivorn said to Gorran, ¡°Oooh¡­never heard of you..wanting to save people..and be some kind of hero.¡±

    ¡°Tch! It¡¯s none of your business.¡±

    ¡®I¡¯m only doing this to confirm these feelings I have, the feeling I get from showing mercy, saving a life and helping someone who isn¡¯t myself. Satisfaction¡­redemption¡­happiness¡­selfishness?¡¯

    Quinara said to Kivorn, ¡°Oh yeah he¡¯s a TOTAL hero now. And gets flustered every time I get close to him. Watch.¡± She got close to Gorran, and Gorran¡¯s cheeks were flustered as he looked away, saying, ¡°Gross. I¡¯ll end everyone.¡±

    Draeven almost laughed, ¡°Impossible..¡±

    King Alaric stated, ¡°Summoning Kassius could work for you all if you say so, I can show you all the way to the Velmires old sanctuary. But it¡¯s not going to be easy gaining access to it.¡±

    Yuuna asked, ¡°And why the hell is that?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a physical place. It can only be accessed through solving answers and aligning constellations to unlock its territory. It¡¯s a spiritual place.¡±

    Yuuna thought, ¡®Is it connected to the Astral World..?¡¯

    ¡°Show us. Now. We don¡¯t have time to waste.¡± Yuuna demanded.¡±

    ¡°Wait a minute.¡± Alaric stood, his wound still bleeding

    ¡®Sethrak and Zyphira were sure he was dead. Though I¡¯m sure they knew he would survive. He¡¯s tough. The dragonic vessel of gold and wealth, right in front of my eyes and his neck in the grasp of my claws. I could kill him and all of his¡ª.¡¯

    ¡°Yuuna!¡± Xyenn exclaimed.

    Yuuna gasped, and looked at Xyenn. Xyenn said to her, ¡°You¡¯re burning up.¡±

    Yuuna looked down at herself, and released a sigh, thinking even more, ¡®It¡¯s like my old self is trying to pull me into the darkness again. Born from it, grew out of it I did, but it wants me back. Those thoughts are coming back again. Thank you, Xyenn, for being with me. I know he felt what I was feeling, that dark urge. But that armor on him is what¡¯s keeping him from falling for its lies of damnation, but he can feel when I''m swelling up inside from it.¡¯

    Alaric said, ¡°While you''re dealing with the crypt, I will begin preparing for the cursed region expedition. You all are powerful, yes, and I know my daughter and son Zyphira and Sethrak are strong too now, but¡ª.¡±

    ¡°¡ªDo not say their names.¡± Gorran interrupted.

    Alaric nodded, and continued, ¡°We will be putting half of the kingdom''s funds into this expedition. You all won¡¯t be going alone, I will be putting a registration sheet on the notice board in the city, and there will be a huge gold reward for the hunters and adventurers. There will be deaths, and bloodshed. But this is for the fate of the continent. This continent is known for its value. But not just the value of gold, but the value of everyone who is here. That is why people come here from all over for a better life. The value of everything is what makes J?rvaldr the city of dreams and wonder. One of the largest continents in Kyrrin, the value of lives and freedom is the largest cost. Which is what took me years to realize my wrongdoings in trying to turn my children into adults early. They¡¯re worth more than that. Damn I was greedy.¡±

    Yuuna narrowed her eyes, ¡°Then get prepared for the expedition. And if any of your automatons try and fuck with us, we¡¯re destroying them and you early.¡±

    ¡°I understand. Please enjoy your time here in J?rvaldr until the expedition.¡±

    Yuuna immediately turned around and walked away; Quinara, Gorran, Mertha, Kivorn, and Draeven followed.

    But Xyenn stayed behind, he and Alaric were staring at each other in silence.

    Xyenn said, ¡°I can feel you staring at me. What do you want?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a weird feeling that I get from you. You¡¯re not like any other draconic vessel I¡¯ve come across. It¡¯s a different feeling, like you¡¯re not¡ª.¡±

    At that moment, Yuuna came up with a smile and grabbed Xyenn softly, turning him away from Alaric, saying, ¡°Let¡¯s go, darling!¡±

    Xyenn followed, thinking ¡®What was he gonna say..?¡¯

    Yuuna said, ¡°I wonder why the Prophets told Alaric we were coming.¡±

    ¡°Probably so he wouldn¡¯t be startled. So we wouldn¡¯t fight unexpectedly. He probably was gonna avoid using us to help him. He probably didn¡¯t want anything to do with Zyphira and Sethrak again. A lost memory of his own children in the back of his head. The Prophets definitely said things to him that would convince him for our help.¡±

    ¡°And we¡¯re walking right in the line for what the Prophets had intended for the fate of the world. Haldrek, an anomaly, needed to be dealt with like the Sun-Drake.¡±

    ¡°But we defied fate before, we can do it again.¡±

    Yuuna smiled, and she pulled Xyenn¡¯s cheeks, laughing, ¡°Awwww! You sound like a brave hero!¡±

    ¡°AGH! What else am I gonna say?!¡±

    Quinara, walking beside Gorran, asked, ¡°Yuuna was just mad a second ago, and now she¡¯s happy?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s how she does it. She doesn¡¯t like showing us her sad side. You¡¯ll get used to it.¡±

    ¡°And that boy that pinned me against the wall while I was pregnant, are he and Yuuna like, romantic partners?¡±Stolen story; please report.

    Xyenn dashed up to Quinara, saying, ¡°D-DON¡¯T MENTION THAT¡ª.¡±

    Yuuna rose above Xyenn, saying with a malicious smile, ¡°Now why did you have to go reminding me of that? Xyenn pinning you against the wall?¡±

    THWACK!

    Yuuna¡¯s tail wrapped Xyenn¡¯s throat, pulling him closer to her.

    Quinara stuck her tongue out at Xyenn, saying, ¡°That¡¯s what you get.¡±

    Draeven had grabbed Xyenn¡¯s hand and started pulling, and said, ¡°I-I help you..¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s actually choking me!¡± Xyenn struggled to say. ¡°Pull harder, Draeven!¡±

    While that was going on, Yuuna asked, ¡°So, where¡¯s Sethrak and Zyphira?¡±

    Kivorn raised a finger, ¡°I can show you all..they went to an alchemist¡­to change their appearance..¡±

    ¡°Hmmm. Where? And I guess there¡¯s no point to them trying to change how they look now. But I would understand it if they didn¡¯t want to show their face to their father or anyone else they don¡¯t wanna show their faces too just yet.¡±

    ¡°Brass Vein Market. It¡¯s¡­around here somewhere..¡±

    ¡°Well let¡¯s go then!¡±

    Xyenn walked, but he kept his head down, thinking deeply, ¡®What was he gonna say..?¡¯

    Yuuna asked Xyenn, ¡°Are you okay? What did he say to you back there?¡±

    ¡°Nothing it¡¯s fine, it¡¯s fine.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    The group descended into the winding alleys of J?rvaldr¡¯s Lower Quarter, the air thick with the metallic tang of rust and the sour stench of mildew. This was the ¡°Brass Vein", a labyrinth of twisting alleyways and crumbling tenements where crime and desperation carved out their kingdoms. The cobblestone paths beneath their feet were uneven, slick with filth and spilled liquids that no one dared to identify. The walls of the narrow passageways leaned inward, as if the buildings themselves were suffocating under their own decay. Faint amber light seeped from cracked lanterns affixed to the walls, casting long, jagged shadows on the ground.

    The group walked in a loose, disorganized line, each member keeping a wary eye on their surroundings¡ªor in Kivorn''s case, no eye at all, his half-lidded gaze fixed lazily ahead as though he were sleepwalking.

    Xyenn thought, ¡®I can definitely feel some rebellious tension here. These are the people who haven¡¯t made it to the top in J?rvaldr yet. City of dreams and wonders and shit like that. Where I¡¯m from it was similar, but it was common. No one went there to make their dreams come true, but to escape from their shitty lives. Crazy¡­it¡¯s a place I escaped to escape from my own depression, and then ended up here. Do I love my life right now? Sorta. Yuuna is the best thing that¡¯s happened to me, I even have a son. I want to see him and hold him, hopefully I survive so that could happen. I really am a sad. 19 year old dad.¡¯

    Mertha playfully bumped into Xyenn, ¡°Yo! You good kid?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m alright, something is just bothering me.¡±

    ¡°What is it? You know I¡¯ll listen to anything, even if it¡¯s boring.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s a damn lie.¡±

    ¡°You know me too well, but nothings ever boring with you. So spill it.¡±

    Xyenn sighed, ¡°I can¡¯t tell Yuuna, but that man told me something, but he was cut off. Said I was not like the other draconic vessels he¡¯s sensed before. He just kept looking at me. It has to be because of Yuuna¡¯s origins right?¡±

    ¡°Could be. Could be something else. Something about you is causing their brains to be scrambled up and all that. You¡¯re a little important brat.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, and you¡¯re a giant oaf muscle woman.¡±

    ¡°Aww thanks. Or you know what it could be? You and Yuuna killed the dragon gods of the sun, so that¡¯s probably what he¡¯s sensing.¡±

    ¡°Yeah that¡¯s one option.¡±

    ¡°Whatever it is, don¡¯t worry about it too much. You¡¯re strong, you said yourself you¡¯re not gonna let so much overwhelm you, you said you¡¯ll push through it all before you had ripped your arm off. We¡¯ve been doing good so far, and I still have to train you. And now since you''ve got Gorran to train with us, you¡¯re gonna get fucked up.¡±

    ¡°Oh I can¡¯t wait. I¡¯m tired of doing reckless things to win, risking my self like a child.¡±

    ¡°Good you noticed. You want to be a man? Getting stronger to control  your urge to be foolish is a step.¡±

    ¡°Finally some good advice from you. Thanks¡ª.¡±

    Mertha put Xyenn in a headlock, saying, ¡°I ALWAYS GIVE GOOD ADVICE!¡±

    ¡°Ow! Ow! Okay!¡±

    ¡°Now I have to ask, Was the sun god tough? How badly did you kick his ass in the sun?¡±

    ¡°I meannnn it was okay. He started pulling magic out of his ass and he was winning at one point. Kind of back and forth.¡±

    ¡°What was the kill move? Tell meeee.¡±

    ¡°The entire time I was in Yuuna¡¯s back and she was in her dragon form. I kicked off of Yuuna and separated us, and cut The Sun God¡¯s head off.¡±

    ¡°And now you lost an eye, and lost an arm. How does it feel?¡±

    ¡°My left arm you know it causes me pain if anything hits it and it''s ten times worse. For my eye though, it¡¯s hard for me now to see on that side so I can get caught off guard. But thanks to my senses being heightened, I can easily sense power on that side, but it¡¯s not as effective as my peripheral that was there before. I feel like that increases my chances of doing reckless things to win, risking myself, but¡ª.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why you¡¯re gonna get stronger now, duh.¡± Mertha pushed Xyenn jokingly, and Xyenn shrugged it off in a joking manner.

    Mertha inspected Xyenn, looking at how his left eye is gone and his arm a dragon arm now, and she thought, ¡®My son was reckless, and never wanted to fix it. Never wanted to grow from it. He was hot headed, but I loved him. Through Xyenn, I¡¯m doing things I wish I could¡¯ve done for my own son. I didn¡¯t want my son to hate me if I tried to make him change, so I didn¡¯t pry into his life and try to help him. I¡¯m sorry. As for Xyenn, I see him as my own child, seeing how he was a cute innocent boy with a few bruises on him before, now looks more and more like a man.¡¯

    The alleys were alive with activity despite the suffocating atmosphere. Fires burned in makeshift barrels, surrounded by clusters of ragged men and women, their hollow cheeks and bloodshot eyes betraying lives lived in hunger and desperation. Children with dirty faces darted between shadows, their small hands quick to snatch up anything left unguarded. A pair of thieves¡ªone portly and sweating, the other wiry and sharp-eyed¡ªhaggled loudly over the price of a stolen dagger, their voices echoing off the walls.

    Yuuna, strutting at the front of the group with her fanged grin wide, threw her arms behind her head as she looked around. ¡°I LOVE this place!¡± she declared loudly, startling a nearby homeless man who was gnawing on what looked like a rat skull. She pointed at him with a clawed finger. ¡°Hey, nice snack! Are those teeth crunchy? Never had rat teeth before. Bet it¡¯s like eating tiny pebbles!¡±

    The man blinked at her in confusion, then scurried away, muttering something under his breath.

    ¡°Yuuna¡­could you¡­y-you know, stop scaring people,¡± Draeven said softly, fidgeting nervously as his smoke coiled tightly around his legs.

    ¡°Target?!¡± Yuuna laughed, throwing her arms wide. ¡°I wish they¡¯d try something! This place is full of weirdos. I¡¯d fit right in!¡±

    ¡°¡®Weird¡¯ isn¡¯t the word I¡¯d use,¡± Quinara muttered, walking just behind Yuuna with her usual smirk. She gestured toward a hulking figure leaning against a wall up ahead, their body wrapped in layers of patched leather, their face obscured by a metal mask with jagged, uneven holes for eyes. The figure was sharpening a cleaver the size of a small child, the metallic scrape echoing through the alley. Quinara tilted her head toward Gorran, who walked beside her, his arms crossed as he brooded silently. ¡°Hey, Gorran, think that guy likes hugs?¡±

    Gorran didn¡¯t even glance at the figure. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go find out?¡±

    ¡°Maybe I will. You won¡¯t get jealous right? Seeing how you¡¯ve been giving me googly eyes.,¡± Quinara shot back, her grin widening.

    Gorran looked away, ¡°Pft! I wasn¡¯t! You were looking at me¡­¡±

    ¡°Yeah? I like the way you look.¡± She started to take a step toward the cleaver-wielding figure, but Yuuna grabbed her arm and yanked her back.

    ¡°No way, that one¡¯s mine!¡± Yuuna said, pointing at the figure. ¡°I wanna see if I can make him flinch!¡±

    ¡°Absolutely¡­not,¡± Draeven snapped, his voice trembling as his smoke clung to Yuuna like a desperate leash. ¡°We¡¯re just passing through. No fights. No weird¡­ whatever it is you¡¯re planning.l

    ¡°Boring,¡± Yuuna muttered, crossing her arms.

    The group continued down the alley, passing by more of the Undervein¡¯s colorful inhabitants.

    A woman with wild, tangled hair squatted beside a pile of discarded metal scraps, her hands darting with inhuman speed as she assembled something that looked like a cross between a clock and a bomb. She glanced up at the group, her bright yellow eyes gleaming in the dim light. ¡°Hey, you lot got any spare gears? Springs? A toothpick? No? Bah, useless.¡± She returned to her work, muttering under her breath.

    Draeven gave her a wide berth, his shoulders hunched. ¡°Why is everyone here so¡­ weird?¡± he muttered.

    ¡°Because¡­normal people don¡¯t live in places like this,¡± Kivorn said in his slow, emotionless drawl, not even bothering to look at the woman.

    Ahead, a pair of street performers juggled flaming torches, their faces painted with grotesque smiles. The taller of the two, a gaunt man with skeletal features, tipped his hat as the group passed. ¡°Care for a show? First act¡¯s free. Second one costs a finger!¡±

    Yuuna stopped, her grin widening. ¡°How about I juggle you instead?¡±

    The performer¡¯s grin faltered for a split second before he recovered, bowing deeply. ¡°Another time, perhaps.¡±

    Quinara laughed, nudging Gorran. ¡°I think he likes her.¡±

    Gorran didn¡¯t respond, his brooding silence unbroken.

    He looked over at Xyenn, and said, ¡°You, boy.¡±

    Xyenn looked over at him, ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°¡­Nevermind. I¡¯ll ask later.¡±

    ¡°Alright¡­?¡±

    Farther down the alley, a group of children with hollow eyes crouched around a makeshift dice game, their movements quick and furtive. One of them¡ªa scrappy boy with a mangled ear¡ªglared at the group as they passed. ¡°You lot got coins? I¡¯ll fight you for ¡®em!¡±

    Yuuna crouched down to his level, her golden eyes gleaming. ¡°Oh yeah? What would you do if I said yes?¡±

    The boy froze, his bravado wavering under her predatory grin. ¡°I¡ªuh¡ª¡±

    Before Yuuna could say anything else, Mertha grabbed her by the scruff of her shirt and hauled her upright. ¡°Yuuna, that won¡¯t be a fair fight.¡±

    ¡°Aw, come on, Mertha,¡± Yuuna whined. ¡°I could¡¯ve taken him!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re enjoying this too much, Yuuna.¡±

    ¡°You know me, Mertha.¡±

    Finally, the group arrived at the shop, a crooked alchemist shop wedged between two crumbling buildings. The shop¡¯s sign, a tarnished brass plaque engraved with a bubbling cauldron, swung creakily in the faint breeze. The wooden door was warped and scratched, and the faint smell of chemicals and burnt herbs wafted through the cracks in the walls.

    Yuuna kicked the door open without hesitation, striding inside as though she owned the place. The interior was cramped and chaotic, shelves lined with mismatched bottles and jars filled with substances of every color and consistency. Strange contraptions bubbled and hissed on the countertops, and the air was thick with the acrid scent of alchemical brews.

    But it wasn¡¯t the chaos of the shop that caught their attention.

    Standing in the center of the room were two small children, a boy and a girl. The boy had wild black hair that stuck up in every direction, his fiery red eyes wide with confusion. The girl, with long silver hair and piercing blue eyes, crossed her arms and pouted, her tiny frame radiating an air of authority that seemed absurd for someone so small.

    The group froze, staring at the children in stunned silence.

    Finally, Draeven broke the silence. ¡°Um¡­ are we in the wrong place?¡±

    The boy glared at him, his voice high-pitched but undeniably familiar. ¡°Draeven, you idiot. It¡¯s us.¡±

    Draeven¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°S-Sethrak?!¡±

    The girl sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose in an eerily adult gesture. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s us. Don¡¯t ask. Just fix it.¡±  That was Zyphira.

    Yuuna burst into laughter, doubling over as she clutched her sides. ¡°Oh my gods! You two look *adorable!*¡± She crouched in front of Sethrak, poking his chubby cheek with a clawed finger. ¡°Look at you! You¡¯re like a little angry potato!¡±

    Sethrak swatted her hand away, his tiny face turning red. ¡°Agh! Don¡¯t touch me!¡±

    Quinara leaned against a nearby shelf, smirking. ¡°This might be the best thing I¡¯ve ever seen.¡±

    Even Kivorn, usually too tired to care about anything, raised an eyebrow. ¡°Potion accident?¡± he asked slowly.

    The entire group burst into laughter, the tension of the alley forgotten as they took in the sight of their now-miniaturized allies.

    Gridd and Illyana were there as well, and Illyana smiled, ¡°It¡¯s good to see you guys.¡±

    Gridd, his arms folded, ¡°Aye¡¯, took you lot¡¯ long enough.¡±

 Chapter 46: Yuuna The Maid

    Sethrak said, ¡°We¡¯re not ready to face our father yet. I don¡¯t want us showing him how we really look now. He hasn¡¯t earned that honor of seeing us grow.¡±

    Zyphira added, ¡°Yeah. But we¡¯re so adorable though! Aren¡¯t we?¡±

    Yuuna squeezed both of their cheeks, smiling, ¡°AWW!¡±

    Mertha joined in, doing the same, making Sethrak and Zyphira flustered, but Sethrak was trying to smack their hands away.

    Draeven tilted his head, ¡°How does it feel?¡±

    Sethrak stepped back, folding his arms, ¡°It feels gross. I feel dirty and snobby as a little child. Hmph.¡±

    THUMP!

    Xyenn and Yuuna gasped, as Illyana hugged them both at the same time with a smile.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad you both made it here in one piece. All of you.¡±

    Xyenn closed his eyes slightly, and Yuuna did as well. They could feel Illyana¡¯s embrace, her genuine care for them.

    Yuuna smiled, ¡°Illyana¡­you¡¯re crushing me. Don¡¯t stop.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s face was purple, saying, ¡°Draeven¡­help..¡±

    ¡°O-On the way!¡± Draeven wanted to help, but Illyana looked at him with a straight face, but Illyana looked at him with a scary but peaceful smile, and Draeven stopped and backed away slowly. ¡°Sorry, Xyenn. Can¡¯t really help.¡±

    ¡°Y-You traitor!¡± Xyenn gagged.

    Gridd then spoke up, ¡°Ye two out here fightin¡¯ and killin¡¯ gods, heard the news from the lot. Good work.¡±

    Yuuna answered, ¡°We absorbed its power! It was awesome!¡± She began to spread her arms out, and acted out the battle, twirling around the room. ¡°..And then Xyenn rode on top of me, slashing the scythe all over the place! And then he lost his eye, now he looks super badass!¡±

    Gridd chuckled, ¡°Sounds fun.¡±

    He looked at Xyenn, thinking, ¡®From a young ass brat to a kid who¡¯s lost an eye and an arm¡­and he doesn¡¯t look distraught. Maybe he is becoming the man he wants to be.¡¯

    Yuuna explained, ¡°I¡¯m surprised you¡¯re out here though, you grizzly dwarf. You hate fighting or getting into any danger.¡±

    ¡°Eh well, I have to do my part. My own race is in danger, Haldrek is on the loose, and since I was there with yer¡¯ cub, I¡¯m a part of it all too now.¡±

    Gorran, arms folded, leaning against the wall, added, ¡°The King told us that the old crypt of the Velmires wasn¡¯t a physical place. Maybe some sort of pocket dimension or a crypt built off strictly runic magic.¡±

    Yuuna whispered to Xyenn, ¡°Do you think it could be connected to the Astral World?¡±

    ¡°Definitely,¡± Xyenn answered, he wasn¡¯t sure but anything spiritual could be related to the nature of the Astral World.

    Mertha said, ¡°We¡¯ll go to the sight of the crypt, and I guess figure out a way to unlock something. Mannnn it¡¯s super difficult that we don¡¯t have any directions. Alaric could¡¯ve given us some.¡±

    Sethrak scoffed, ¡°Hmph. That old fool wouldn¡¯t help a squirrel. That¡¯s the type of man he is. Either that, or he¡¯s hiding something.¡±

    Zyphira agreed, ¡°My brother is right. Don¡¯t let him fool you even if he cries and stuff!¡±

    Xyenn thought, ¡®I mean¡­that look he gave me after we left, it was odd. Somewhat suspicious even.¡¯

    Sethrak continued, ¡°Whatever you all do, do not trust that man or whatever he says. What else did he want with you?¡±

    Xyenn explained, ¡°He wanted us to help him on the cursed region expedition that¡¯s in a few days. Abominations of war are coming here and cursing an entire region.¡±

    Zyphira thought, ¡®We heard about that from that Crimson Claw guild as soon as we got here.¡¯

    Xyenn explained more, ¡°He then said Kassius Velmire was there. He was using him as a trump card to fight against Ezrael. And we need Kassius to help us kill Haldrek.¡±

    Illyana said, ¡°The cursed region is that powerful to even conceal the presence of someone who has been blessed with the Light Born¡¯s power of Radiance?¡±

    Quinara raised a finger, ¡°Crazy, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Everyone paused, and slowly looked at her.

    Sethrak and Zyphira asked at the same time, ¡°Who is that?¡±

    Quinara chuckled, ¡°Quinara, of Quen race. Gorran¡¯s future wife.¡±

    Sethrak laughed, ¡°Ha! Gorran? Having a wife?¡±

    Gorran was looking away flustered, ¡°S-She¡¯s insane.¡±

    Yuuna patted Quinara on the head, grinning, ¡°Don¡¯t get mad at me, but she¡¯s a Tyrant now!¡±

    Illyana gave a peaceful smile, ¡°Why would we be mad? We all have a reason to be here, don¡¯t we? No one among us can be judged.¡±

    Quinara whispered to Xyenn, ¡°See? That¡¯s how you talk to a lady, you should take notes instead of pinning pregnant women to walls and shit.¡±

    Xyenn loudly whispered back, ¡°Shut up! You attacked me first!¡±

    ¡°So?!¡±

    Gridd said, ¡°No matter. She¡¯s like all of ya¡¯. She has a reason for bein¡¯ here, right?¡±

    Quinara explained, ¡°Feel abandoned from my own race of Quen. When we¡¯re all about loyalty, which is what the priests and worshippers of the dragon goddess of the moon preaches all the damn time, it¡¯s annoying. I didn¡¯t ask to have a cursed womb for the dragon god of the sun, those damn demons¡­being with you guys can help me take out my revenge. And I like kicking ass, so I need to let out some steam. I see how you all act around each other, you all have great bonds, seem loyal to each other. I see how far you¡¯re all are willing to go to take what¡¯s yours. I¡¯m the same way. I really want to trust again, I¡¯m gonna be working towards that. Therefore apologies if I¡¯m really anxious around you all despite me being a little ODD. Also,  you have one kid who likes to hurt pregnant women.¡± Quinara side-eyed Xyenn with a smirk and pointed at him.

    Xyenn scoffed again, ¡°Damn you!¡±

    Quinara continued, ¡°I don¡¯t care about the dangers that lie ahead of us, I¡¯m pretty strong. Strong enough to keep up with you guys¡­I hope.¡±

    Mertha grinned, crunching her knuckles, ¡°A new student approaches.¡±

    Gorran shook his head, ¡°She¡¯s gonna die.¡±

    Quinara looked confused, ¡°Huh? What happened? Who¡¯s gonna die?¡±

    Kivorn said to her, ¡°Mertha..is gonna train you to death..since you said you can keep up..¡±

    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    ¡°Oh yeah? I definitely can. Bring it on, muscular woman.¡±

    Gorran, Yuuna, and Mertha hovered above her: Gorran keeping a straight face, and Yuuna and Mertha giving the same manic smile.

    Gorran held his Xenith Blade, ¡°I wanna see your skills against mine.¡±

    Mertha added, ¡°I wanna see you if you can take a full blown punch from my gauntlets.¡±

    And Yuuna pointed her sharp fingers at Quinara¡¯s neck, saying, ¡°Hehe..and I wanna see if I can easily lop your head off in¡ª.¡±

    Draeven stepped in between them, saying, ¡°W-Wait, let¡¯s not get carried away guys..¡±

    Quinara said, ¡°Awwww. Seems like you have competition, Gorran and Xyenn.¡±

    Xyenn said, ¡°Gross I don¡¯t want you.¡±

    Gorran added, ¡°Hmph. Me either.¡±

    Xyenn said to Gorran, ¡°Stop lying to yourself. You blushed at her.¡±

    ¡°Say that again and I¡¯ll kill you, brat.¡±

    After Quinara introduced herself and everyone else did as well, Yuuna stood on top of a table, her hands on her hips and with a straight mocking soldier face, and said, ¡°Now then! Getting through introductions and new out recruit out of the way! Let¡¯s get down to the matter at hand! We still need to kill Haldrek! In this corrupt noble city, I bet we can still prepare for contact with him! Or even Ezrael! So. Once again, being in a big group doesn¡¯t get a lot of things done, so we¡¯ll be splitting up and performing tasks throughout the city. AFTER we rest. Remember the Lysf?dt are on our tail as well, and the Prophets are stalking us.¡±

    Sethrak nodded, ¡°Good. We need a good rest.¡±

    Zyphira sighed, ¡°I am sleepy. And I want a drink.¡±

    ¡°Thought you were over that?¡±

    ¡°I miss the taste!¡±

    ¡°No. I¡¯m not letting you drink.¡±

    ¡°Tch. Lame.¡±

    Xyenn asked, ¡°Is there any good inns around here?¡±

    Zyphira answered, ¡°Good inn¡¯s as in¡­?¡±

    ¡°Anywhere that can hold all of us, and it¡¯s the fanciest one.¡± Xyenn grinned.

    ¡®I always wanted to live in luxury. Wanted to be in the big leagues. Like every child dreams of. I¡¯m still that child. I Want to be in a nice inn, a fancy one, and act like I¡¯m at least rich for one second. That¡¯ll be so cool..¡¯ He thought.

    Sethrak answered Xyenn, ¡°I can show you all the way to one. But commoners like you all will have to prove your worth to even use it.¡±

    ¡°Prove our worth?¡± Xyenn tilted his head. ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°The continent of J?rvaldr is based upon wealth and the worth of nobility and gold, including riches. Those who aren¡¯t associated with any of those things, have to be able to prove themselves as if weighing their own sack of coins. That¡¯s why they call this the city of dreams and nightmares. If you aren¡¯t worth anything, you¡¯ll be living a nightmare here.¡±

    Yuuna laughed, and celebrated, ¡°Hell yeah! Count me in!¡±

    Zyphira asked Yuuna, ¡°Are you not gonna cover your halo? If a vessel of a dragonic deity notices you..¡±

    ¡°Then they¡¯ll die. But some of them aren¡¯t as stupid ti just attack on sight without a plan. I¡¯m pretty sure the elder dragon gods know of how me and Xyenn kill the dragon god of the sun. We¡¯re insanely badass and strong now, so they won¡¯t approach us half ass, or any other draconic deity for that matter. We¡¯re gonna come for them!¡± Yuuna smiled.

    Xyenn looked down, remembering how the Lysf?dt told him:

    ¡°The more dragon gods you kill, the more the world of Kyrrin falls apart¡­everyone will die. Everyone¡¯s blood will be on your hands! You¡¯ll be a monster, the very thing you¡¯re avoiding.¡¯

    Xyenn crunched his fists, whispering to himself, ¡°There¡¯s always another way¡­¡±

    ¡®I¡¯m not a monster..¡¯

    Yuuna pumped her fists up, saying, ¡°Well let¡¯s go prove ourselves at this Inn! Lead the way!¡±

    Gorran snapped, ¡°Tch. We don¡¯t have to prove ourselves to anyone, dammit.¡±

    ¡°Aw come in, it¡¯ll be fun!¡±

    Kivorn said, ¡°¡­Fun?¡±

    ¡®Something else fun to do. Keep doing fun things, maybe my joy will come back. I''m 100% with this plan.¡¯

    Suddenly, Kivorn himself only heard whispers driving into his head softly. The whispers came rapidly, and Kivorn stood there, and the whispers said:

    ¡°Joy¡­?¡±

    ¡°You want joy¡­?¡±

    ¡°You were cursed..¡±

    ¡°Cursed..?¡±

    ¡°Cursed..cursed joy.¡±

    ¡°Nightmares¡­¡±

    ¡°I can fix it.¡±

    Kivorn snapped his head forward, gasping, saying, ¡°The hell..was that?¡±

    Mertha approached Kivorn, putting her hand on his shoulder, ¡°Are you alright?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine..I think.¡±

    ¡°Let me know if you want me to punch you in the face.¡±

    ¡°Yep, totally. Thanks.¡±

    ¡°Anytime.¡±

    Yuuna jumped on Xyenn¡¯s back, wrapping her legs around him, and pointed forward, ¡°Onward! I bet it can''t be that bad! What¡¯s the worst that could happen?!¡±

    Everyone in the room exclaimed, ¡°NO, DON¡¯T SAY THAT!¡±

    The Royal Gilded Inn was a towering marvel of opulence, standing like a gilded palace in the heart of J?rvaldr¡¯s wealthiest district. Its exterior shimmered with polished brass and gold filigree, and the windows glowed warmly with the light of crystal chandeliers. Inside, the inn''s grandeur was even more overwhelming: marble floors, towering columns carved with intricate depictions of mythical beasts, and walls draped in silken tapestries depicting the city¡¯s legendary history. The scent of roasted meats, honeyed wine, and exotic spices filled the air, mingling with the sound of soft harp music that seemed to float magically from the walls themselves.

    Downstairs, however, hidden from the view of the refined nobles dining in the banquet hall above, Xyenn and the rest of the group stood in a line, their expressions ranging from annoyed to outright murderous.

    ¡®Shit! This is like that one time when I first wore armor that Mertha gave me! I got laughed at by everyone!¡¯

    ¡°Why do I have to wear the maid outfit?¡± Xyenn growled, his voice low and dangerous as he tugged at the frilly black and white dress that was clearly too small for his frame. The hem barely reached his knees, and the tight corset made him look like he¡¯d been stuffed into a decorative sack of flour. His face was bright red, his usual confidence utterly shattered.

    Yuuna, wearing her own maid outfit but clearly enjoying it, leaned over and poked at the frilly lace cuffs on Xyenn¡¯s sleeves. ¡°Because you look adorable in it!¡± she teased, grinning like a devil. ¡°Look at you! All dolled up. You¡¯re like a big, angry doll I want to throw at someone!¡±

    ¡°S-Shut it!¡± Xyenn hissed, swatting her hand away, his face reddening even further. He tried to adjust the tight neckline of the dress but only succeeded in making it worse.  ¡°Can¡¯t believe they actually ran out of suits.¡±

    Quinara, wearing a sleek black suit with a bowtie that she¡¯d purposefully left crooked, smirked as she leaned against the wall. ¡°This is the best thing I¡¯ve ever seen. I¡¯m framing this in my mind forever.¡±

    Gorran, also in a suit but clearly miserable, crossed his arms and glared at Quinara. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you making fun of me? I look fucking ridiculous. I wanna slaughter something.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re already miserable, Gorran,¡± Quinara replied with a mockingly sweet tone. ¡°It¡¯s no fun if you already hate everything! Xyenn, though? This is a rare, precious treasure.¡±

    Xyenn looked away, ¡°Buzz off.¡±

    Yuuna laughed at the both of them, saying, ¡°Xyenn looks great!¡±

    Mertha, in her maid outfit, stood stoically at the far end of the line, her arms crossed. She somehow managed to make the frilly uniform look intimidating, her sharp eyes scanning the line like she was preparing for battle. ¡°This is a usual day for me. I¡¯m used to this! Let¡¯s get down to serving shall we?¡±

    Dreaven said, ¡°¡­Haha, this should be a piece of cake for you then?¡±

    ¡°Damn right it will be!¡± Mertha put Draeven in a headlock. ¡°Just another day at work. Don¡¯t forget I own a pub myself!¡±

    ¡°Y-You''re choking me..¡±

    Kivorn, wearing an ill-fitting suit that made him look like a child dressed for their first formal event, yawned loudly and leaned against a column, his voice monotonous, ¡°First time¡­I dressed formal.¡±

    Draeven, his suit slightly wrinkled and his hands fidgeting nervously with his tie, glanced around the room. ¡°Ooooh..I don¡¯t even like fancy places with so many rich nobles..¡± His smoke curled around him, almost protectively.

    Before anyone could respond, Acelle, the inn¡¯s proprietor, stepped in front of them, his polished black shoes clicking sharply against the marble floor. He was an odd man¡ªtall and wiry, with a head of slicked-back silver hair that seemed to shimmer unnaturally in the light. His face was frozen in a wide, unsettling smile, and his piercing blue eyes gleamed with an intensity that bordered on manic. His suit was immaculate, deep navy with gold trim, and his black gloves gleamed as though freshly polished.

    ¡°ALRIGHT, YOU RAGGED LOT!¡± Acelle barked, his voice sharp and theatrical as he paced back and forth in front of them like a general preparing his troops for war. ¡°YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST WALTZ INTO MY INN, LOOKING LIKE A BUNCH OF UNPOLISHED ROCKS, AND ASK FOR THE TOP FLOOR? *HA!* YOU HAVE TO PROVE YOUR WORTH!¡±

    ¡°We really don¡¯t care about proving¡ª¡± Kivorn started, but Acelle snapped his fingers dramatically, cutting him off.

    ¡°DO NOT INTERRUPT ME, YOU SLOTHFUL MONUMENT TO LAZINESS!¡± Acelle shouted, pointing a gloved finger directly at Kivorn. ¡°I AM A MAN OF STANDARDS, AND YOU WILL MEET THOSE STANDARDS, OR YOU WILL BE BURIED BENEATH THEM!¡±

    Kivorn blinked slowly, unfazed. ¡°Okay.¡±

    Acelle turned his attention to the group as a whole, his smile somehow widening. ¡°You will serve my guests, the most distinguished nobles of J?rvaldr. You will serve them food. You will serve them drink. You will serve them perfection. If you succeed, you may rent the top floor of my inn. If you fail¡­¡± He paused, his blue eyes glinting ominously. ¡°¡­you will never see the inside of this establishment again.¡±

    Yuuna raised her hand like a student in class. ¡°What happens if I punch one of them? Just asking for a friend.¡±

    Xyenn smirked at what Yuuna said, and so did everyone else, besides Kivorn.

    Acelle¡¯s smile didn¡¯t falter, but his eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°If you punch a guest, I will personally see to it that you are thrown into the canal behind the inn and left to the mercy of the sewer monsters.¡±

    ¡°Noted,¡± Yuuna said, lowering her hand.

    ¡®Not like he could anyway.¡¯

    Acelle clapped his hands together, the sound echoing through the room. ¡°NOW! Go out there and make me proud¡ªor at least less disappointed than I already am!¡±

    With a flourish, he spun on his heel and gestured toward the grand dining hall. The group reluctantly shuffled forward, Xyenn grumbling under his breath as he tugged at his maid outfit, and Acelle followed behind them, twirling a golden wand in his hand.

    ¡®In a maids outfit, embarrassing! Let¡¯s do this fast, and go to the top floor! Don¡¯t linger, that¡¯ll give people time to look at me. Be nice! Serve these rich assholes and get on with it! You got this, Xyenn!¡¯

    The dining hall was a glittering spectacle of wealth and refinement. Nobles sat at tables carved from dark mahogany, their surfaces polished to a mirror sheen. Plates of exquisite food¡ªroast quail stuffed with herbs, golden pastries filled with spiced fruits, and crystal glasses of sparkling wine¡ªwere arranged with precision. Overhead, golden instruments floated against the walls, playing soft, elegant melodies as though guided by invisible hands.

    The group fanned out awkwardly, each of them assigned to serve a section of the hall.

    Xyenn hesitated near a table of nobles, his face bright red as he tried to balance a tray of wine glasses. One of the glasses wobbled dangerously, and he froze, his jaw clenched.

    ¡°Looking good, Xyenn,¡± Quinara said as she passed by, smirking.  ¡°Definitely payback.¡±

    ¡°Shut up,¡± Xyenn hissed, his voice low.

    Yuuna, meanwhile, was already causing chaos. She stomped up to a table and dropped a plate of food in front of a nobleman with a loud clatter. ¡°Here ya go! Enjoy or whatever!¡±

    The nobleman recoiled, his monocle nearly falling from his face. ¡°Young¡­ woman! This is¡ªthis is highly unorthodox!¡±

    Yuuna grinned, leaning in close. ¡°Unorthodox is my specialty.¡±

    The man sputtered, and Draeven rushed over, his smoke curling around him nervously. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry! She doesn¡¯t know what she¡¯s doing!¡± he said, bowing repeatedly.

    ¡°Speak for yourself!¡± Yuuna said, crossing her arms.

    Mertha, on the other hand, was flawlessly efficient. She moved through her section with military precision, placing plates and pouring wine with the calm focus of a soldier preparing for battle.

    Quinara, however, decided to amuse herself by messing with Gorran. As he tried to serve a table, she leaned over his shoulder and whispered, ¡°Careful, Gorran. Don¡¯t drop it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to drop it,¡± he grumbled.

    ¡°Are you sure? Your hands look shaky.¡±

    ¡°Pfft. I look horrible.¡±

    ¡°You always look good.¡±

    Gorran blushed, and Quinara pointed and laughed at him.

    As the night went on, the group slowly found their rhythm. Despite the chaos of their initial attempts, they began working together, their banter turning into teamwork.

    Kivorn, despite his laziness, proved to be an excellent wine-pourer, his slow, deliberate movements ensuring not a drop was spilled.

    Yuuna, after being scolded by Mertha, pouted and managed to tone down her chaos just enough to not scare every noble she served.

    Even Xyenn, still flustered in his maid outfit, managed to balance his trays without incident.

    ¡°Dance for us.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, dance for us.¡±

    Xyenn heard the requests of the nobles, and staggered back, ¡°Fuck that, weirdos.¡±

    At that moment, Sethrak and Zyphira from a distance said:

    ¡°Dance for them!¡± Zyphira smiled.

    ¡°Dance. Earn your keep, brat.¡± Sethrak nodded.

    Xyenn rolled his eyes, ¡°Gross! I¡¯m not dancing for a bunch of men! Perverts!¡±

    Sethrak and Zyphira laughed at him.

    Gridd, beside Sethrak and Zyphira, said, ¡°Look at em¡¯. Great team buildin¡¯ this is.¡±

    Throughout it all, Acelle danced around the hall, waving his golden wand in the air. The floating instruments responded to his movements, their melodies growing more lively and intricate as he twirled and spun. His movements were graceful, almost otherworldly, his smile never faltering.

    ¡°What a wonderful night this is becoming! Keep it going!¡±

    By the end of the night, the nobles were clapping politely, their faces glowing with satisfaction. The group stood at the edge of the hall, watching as Acelle performed a final flourish. With a dramatic spin, he unleashed a burst of golden magic, filling the room with shimmering light. He dropped to his knees, his hands clasped in prayer as golden tears streamed down his face.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± he whispered, looking toward the sky.

    The group stared in silence, awestruck.

    Finally, Yuuna broke the silence. ¡°Okay, that was¡­ kind of amazing.¡±

    ¡°Kind of?¡± Quinara said, smirking. ¡°That was definitely amazing.¡±

    Xyenn crossed his arms, still fuming. ¡°I¡¯m not saying anything until I¡¯m out of this stupid dress.¡±

    Yuuna kissed Xyenn on the cheek, saying, ¡°You did great, darling.¡±

    The group laughed, the tension of the night finally giving way to a strange sense of camaraderie.

 Chapter 47: Night Parade

    The group trudged up the winding staircase of the Royal Gilded Phoenix Inn, their steps echoing faintly against the marble walls, still shimmering faintly from Acelle¡¯s earlier burst of golden magic. The stairwell alone was a marvel¡ªlined with intricate railings of gold filigree, a lush crimson carpet that felt like walking on clouds, and walls painted with delicate murals of mythical beasts locked in eternal, elegant combat. The faint scent of lavender and sandalwood drifted through the air, carried by some unseen enchantment.

    At the top of the stairs, Acelle stood with his ever-present, unsettling smile, holding the door to the top-floor suite open for them. His gloved hand motioned grandly toward the entrance as though unveiling a treasure.

    ¡°Welcome,¡± he said, his melodic voice dripping with satisfaction, ¡°to the finest suite in all of J?rvaldr. Do try not to destroy it. Much.¡±

    The group filed past him, some more eagerly than others, and stepped into the room.

    The suite was breathtaking.

    The floor was made of polished marble veined with gold, so smooth that it reflected their feet as they walked. The ceilings stretched high, adorned with a massive crystal chandelier that shimmered faintly with magic, casting dancing flecks of colored light across the room. The walls were a deep royal blue, trimmed with gold leaf and decorated with massive, ornate paintings of serene landscapes and mythical creatures. Tables of dark mahogany and carved ivory lined the walls, their surfaces covered with bowls of fresh fruit, sparkling decanters of wine, and small, delicate pastries that looked almost too perfect to eat.

    There were multiple doors leading to private rooms, their handles inlaid with gemstones. Each door was labeled with a glowing script that shifted between languages, welcoming them personally. A massive balcony stretched across one side of the room, its golden railings overlooking the glittering city below.

    But the centerpiece of the suite¡ªthe thing that immediately caught everyone¡¯s attention¡ªwas the main room visible through an open set of double doors. Inside was a massive bed, large enough to fit ten people comfortably. Its frame was carved from dark wood inlaid with pearls, and the bed was piled high with silken pillows and blankets in rich shades of crimson and gold. It was the kind of bed that belonged in a fairy tale, the kind of bed that whispered luxury with every inch of its existence.

    For a moment, the group stood frozen, taking it all in.

    Yuuna broke the silence first, striding into the room and throwing her arms wide. ¡°THIS. IS. AMAZING!¡± she yelled, her voice echoing. ¡°Look at all this fancy stuff! I feel like a queen! No¡ªbetter than a queen! A goddess!¡±

    Xyenn, who had been trailing behind her, suddenly darted forward, his usual stoic composure completely replaced with childlike excitement. ¡°Oh. My. GOD,¡± he muttered, his voice rising with glee as he touched everything he could get his hands on. He ran his hand over the smooth marble floor, then darted to a table and grabbed a pastry, shoving it into his mouth with a muffled, ¡°This is so good!¡±

    ¡®I¡¯m actually here right now..¡¯

    He spun toward the massive chandelier, his eyes wide. ¡°Look at that! I¡¯ve never been in a place like this! This is incredible! It¡¯s like¡ªlike something out of a dream!¡±

    Quinara leaned against one of the golden railings near the balcony, watching Xyenn with an amused smirk. ¡°You¡¯re acting like a kid in a candy market.¡±

    ¡°Because this is amazing!¡± Xyenn snapped, grabbing a handful of grapes from a crystal bowl and gesturing wildly with them. ¡°Do you know what kind of inns I stayed in growing up? The kind where rats fought me for a fucking blanket. This? This is insane!¡±

    ¡®I always imagined myself being somewhere dirty like always¡­even if this is just for a few nights, I¡¯m happy..¡¯

    Kivorn, leaning lazily against a wall near the fruit table, yawned. ¡°It¡¯s just a room,¡± he said slowly, his voice as emotionless as ever. He reached for a grape but missed entirely, his hand flopping limply onto the table. ¡°A really¡­ shiny room.¡±

    Mertha, standing near one of the glowing doors, crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. ¡°This isn¡¯t just a room, Kivorn. This is a fortress disguised as a bedchamber. Look at the layout. The walls are reinforced. The balcony has defensive railings. The table legs are sturdy enough to be used as weapons. This place is perfect.¡±

    ¡®And it¡¯s good to see Xyenn enjoying this. It really affects him.¡¯

    Yuuna blinked at her, her mouth slightly open. ¡°Mertha, are you seriously planning a battle strategy right now?!¡±

    ¡°Always,¡± Mertha replied simply.

    Meanwhile, Gorran walked silently to the balcony, his arms crossed as he stared out over the city. Quinara followed him, leaning on the railing beside him.

    ¡°Not bad, huh?¡± she said, her tone teasing.

    ¡°Don¡¯t care,¡± Gorran muttered, but Quinara caught the faintest flicker of admiration in his otherwise brooding expression.

    Draeven, nervously clutching his arms, shuffled closer to one of the glowing doors, peering at the shifting script. ¡°Uh¡­ is this thing¡­ alive? It¡¯s moving. I don¡¯t trust it.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s magic,¡± Yuuna said, rolling her eyes with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s not gonna bite you. Maybe.¡±

    Sethrak, walking through, said to Zyphira, ¡°This room is hideous. They really changed the way it looked last time we were here.¡±

    Zyphira responded, ¡°You can definitely say that again.

    Then she looked at Xyenn, seeing him happy, and she thought, ¡®I need to find a good time to talk to him¡­¡¯

    Yuuna approached Sethrak and Zyphira, saying, ¡°You two okay? Seeing we¡¯re back in your home city?¡±

    Sethrak folded his arms, ¡°It¡¯s whatever. Just contemplating on when me and Zyphira should confront our father.¡±

    ¡®And so my sister Zyphira can get rid of her own trauma. For her to overcome it, it¡¯s all I care about. Me? Don¡¯t really care about myself that much. I don¡¯t even have anything I would want for myself. Maybe to be a better brother? That¡¯s it. All my life, I¡¯ve watched over her.¡¯

    Yuuna put her hand on their shoulders, ¡°I have to talk to you guys in the morning about what me and your father spoke about, if that¡¯s okay?¡±

    Sethrak and Zyphira looked at each other, and nodded.

    Zyphira with a determined look, said, ¡°I¡¯ll be there.¡±

    Mertha came up behind Sethrak and Zyphira, grinning, ¡°Just know where with you both all the way. I¡¯ll bash some heads in, it¡¯s been a few hours since I¡¯ve done it.

    Sethrak smiled at her, ¡°You violent muscle bound monster woman, I¡¯ll need it.¡±

    Mertha smiled while grabbing his head, ¡°You¡¯re in child form right now, wait until it wears off.¡±

    ¡°What are you gonna do?¡± Sethrak returned another smile.

    ¡°Kill you, duh. What else? You know me.¡±

    ¡°Your fingers stink.¡±

    ¡°Your little child hair on your head is making them stink, dragonkin.¡±

    Zyphira snickered at them, and Sethrak looked at her, ¡°I know you¡¯re not laughing.¡±

    Gridd looked around, touching things, saying, ¡°Looks alright. Nice change of scenery.¡±

    Kivorn was nearby, saying, ¡°You¡­actually like something?¡±

    ¡°Huh? What¡¯s that supposed to mean? I¡¯m not some wretched old fart, kid.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re always¡­stoic.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a compliment, youngjn¡¯.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m jealous..of you all.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll get yet¡¯ joy back. Just keep hangin¡¯ around Yuuna.¡±

    Over to the side, Xyenn was showing off some stuff in the room to Draeven in an excited manner.

    ¡°Look look look! Fancy isn¡¯t it?¡± Xyenn showed Draeven a gold vase of a statue, a statue of a chimera.

    ¡°R-Real gold?!¡± Draeven leaned in closer.

    ¡°I think so!¡±

    Illyana watched over everyone, giving herself a peaceful grin, thinking, ¡®This is how it should be. Peace and tranquility.¡¯

    But all conversations came to a screeching halt as everyone¡¯s eyes simultaneously landed on the massive bed in the main room.

    For a moment, there was silence.

    Then Yuuna grinned. ¡°That¡¯s mine.¡±

    ¡°Like hell it is,¡± Xyenn said, already darting toward the bed.

    ¡°NOT SO FAST!¡± Yuuna yelled, lunging after him.

    Mertha stepped in front of them, her arms outstretched like a soldier guarding a treasure. ¡°Back off. This bed is the most defensible position in the room. It¡¯s mine!¡±

    Quinara, smirking, strolled casually toward the bed. ¡°You¡¯re all wrong. Clearly, this bed belongs to the most charming person in the group. Which is obviously me. And not Xyenn.¡±

    Xyenn growled, ¡°Fuck off.¡±

    Gorran didn¡¯t even bother to argue. He just started walking toward the bed in silence, his expression determined.

    ¡°Oh no, you don¡¯t!¡± Yuuna shouted, leaping onto Gorran¡¯s back and trying to wrestle him away from the bed.  ¡°Die!¡±

    ¡°Get off me,¡± Gorran said, barely flinching as he kept walking.

    ¡°Not until you admit I deserve the bed!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t care about the bed!¡±

    ¡°Then why are you going for it?!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡±

    Meanwhile, Xyenn had managed to climb halfway onto the bed, saying, ¡°Haha! Fools!¡± but Mertha grabbed him and yanked him off with a single, effortless motion.

    ¡°Move brat!¡± Mertha said, throwing Xyenn to the side.

    ¡°Let go of me!¡± Xyenn squirmed.

    Quinara, taking advantage of the chaos, leapt onto the bed and spread herself out dramatically. ¡°Looks like I win!¡± she declared, grinning.

    But her victory was short-lived. Yuuna tackled her, and the two of them rolled across the bed, kicking and flailing.

    Kivorn, still leaning against the wall, watched the chaos unfold with his usual tired expression.

    ¡®The joy on their faces¡­I hate this¡­I can¡¯t be joyful with them. I can''t even pretend to anymore¡­am I slowly losing myself more than I already have?¡¯

    Draeven, standing beside him, fidgeted nervously. ¡°Should we¡­ do something? Stop them?¡±

    ¡°Nah,¡± Kivorn said, yawning. ¡°They¡¯ll tire themselves out eventually.¡±

    The fight for the bed escalated into a full-on brawl, with everyone shoving, twisting, and spinning over each other in a chaotic mess of limbs and laughter. Even Gorran, despite his usual brooding nature, couldn¡¯t help but smirk faintly as he shoved Yuuna off the bed, only for her to grab his leg and drag him down with her.  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    By the time the dust settled, the bed was a mess of tangled blankets and pillows, and the group lay sprawled across it in various states of exhaustion.

    ¡°This bed,¡± Yuuna said between breaths, ¡°is the softest thing I¡¯ve ever touched.¡±

    ¡°I hate all of you,¡± Xyenn muttered, his face buried in a pillow.

    Quinara laughed, stretching out lazily. ¡°Teamwork makes the dream work.¡±

    Mertha, lying rigidly on the edge of the bed, sighed. ¡°I saw it first by the way.¡±

    Gorran didn¡¯t say anything, but he didn¡¯t move to leave, either.

    ¡°None of you deserve this bed more than me.¡±

    Kivorn finally shuffled over, flopping onto the bed with a loud, exaggerated sigh. ¡°I told you it didn¡¯t matter,¡± he mumbled, closing his eyes. ¡°I might as well help myself..¡±

    Draeven stood awkwardly at the foot of the bed, his smoke curling anxiously. ¡°Uh¡­ can I¡ª.¡±

    ¡°Floor,¡± everyone said in unison.

    Even though there were plenty of rooms, everyone wanted THAT bed.

    But it was eventually claimed by Xyenn and Yuuna.

    (2 hours later)

    Xyenn and Yuuna were in the room, everyone else were in their own rooms. Kivorn was sitting up in his glistening room, just laying down, remembering his child self as he was happy, hoping that could help bring his own joy again.

    Draeven was in Illyana¡¯s room, and he said, ¡°Her name was Faera. Some cleric¡­she knew you.¡±

    ¡°Feara?!¡±

    Draeven nodded, ¡°Y-Yeah. She had some peaceful aura like you always have and stuff..¡±

    Illyana looked down at the floor, holding her own hands and rubbing them with a tranquil smile, ¡°Okay thanks for telling me.¡±

    ¡°Who is she to you, Illyana?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll explain later, Draeven.¡± Still keeping that smile.

    Gridd was in his room, he couldn¡¯t sleep. He was up thinking about his own clan, hoping they were okay and alive. Remembering how Haldrek wanted to make them make enchanted mythic weapons and armor to give to people who can¡¯t fight, so they could fight in his own fucking war.

    Just the thought pissed Gridd off.

    ¡®Hope you short lads are doin¡¯ alright. You haven¡¯t contacted me so I¡¯ll assume yet¡¯ all alive. Stay that way. And I hope yer¡¯ all checkin¡¯ in on the child, Xyenn and Yuuna¡¯s little offspring boy. I¡¯m doin¡¯ my part here, I made a promise to myself and to humans, I will not be a fool anymore. I¡¯m here to help them. I¡¯ve made mistakes before, but I fight against being a fool again.¡¯

    In Sethrak and Zyphira¡¯s room, Sethrak was looking out of the window, looking over the medieval steampunk city.

    ¡°Tch. I¡¯m too eager to go confront him. What the hell is holding me back?¡± He turned around, and he saw Zyphira getting into bed, saying, ¡°Me too, brother.¡±

    Then he looked at her arm.

    Sethrak instantly dashed over to Zyphira and grabbed her arm, saying, ¡°You¡­¡±

    There were claw marks on Zyphira¡¯s arm, self inflicted.

    ¡°Zyphira¡ª!¡±

    Zyphira yanked away from him, saying, ¡°There. You saw it. What are you gonna do? Scold me? Without a drink or anything to distract me, it¡¯s hard to keep my mind off everything. Please don¡¯t yell at me for it.¡±

    ¡°Damn right I''m gonna say something. I admit I haven¡¯t been the best at helping you deal with those thoughts of yours. I¡¯m really trying, and the more you do shit, the more I begin to see myself as a failure. I can¡¯t keep doing it. Help yourself for me until we deal with our father.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s hard, brother. When you¡¯re so used to distracting yourself, it¡¯s hard to break a habit.¡±

    ¡°Hurting yourself..on top of the thoughts that already hurt you is worse enough. Please stop..¡±

    ¡®I don¡¯t even know what to say to her about this. What can I say? What can I say besides stop? What kind of brother doesn¡¯t know what to say to his own sister? Am I not paying enough attention to her? Or do I just do..what Illyana does?¡¯

    Zyphira continued, ¡°I just¡ª.¡±

    THUMP!

    Sethrak hugged Zyphira tight.

    ¡°Stop hurting yourself¡­please. We¡¯re gonna handle this. Once we deal with father¡­we¡¯ll be okay.¡±

    Zyphira hugged her brother tight, breathing heavily. ¡°Promise¡ª.¡±

    ¡°¡ªI promise.¡±

    ¡®I promised that without hesitation. Now I have to deliver. I have to make sure she overcomes her trauma. And her biggest burden: her mind.¡¯

    ¡­

    ¡­

    ¡­

    Minutes later, in Xyenn and Yuuna¡¯s room, The room was quiet now, save for the faint hum of the magical chandelier above and the occasional creak of the bed as Yuuna dashed across it, completely naked, her laughter echoing through the luxurious chamber. The large crimson and gold silken sheets were scattered haphazardly, half-draped across the bed and the floor, as she leapt from one end of the room to another, spinning and throwing her arms wide like a child playing in their first snowfall.

    ¡°We¡¯ve made it, Xyenn!¡± she shouted, her voice filled with unrestrained glee. ¡°Big leagues! Look at this place! It¡¯s all ours!¡± She skidded to a stop on the marble floor, her golden eyes wide as she stared out the massive balcony at the glittering city below. ¡°We¡¯re living the dream! I mean, look at this view! Look at this bed! Just look at me!¡± She laughed, spinning in a circle before diving back onto the bed, rolling herself up in the blankets like a burrito. ¡°We¡¯re fancy now, Xyenn! Faaaancy!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s voice didn¡¯t respond to her. Instead, the faint sound of water dripping echoed from the adjacent room.

    The ¡°bathroom,¡± if it could even be called that, was a marvel of medieval steampunk luxury. A large bronze basin, lined with runes that faintly glowed with residual heat, stood in one corner, steam curling lazily upward. A polished mirror hung on the wall, its edges bordered with intricate carvings of dragons and clouds. The light from a nearby enchanted lantern cast a warm glow across the room, reflecting off the mirror¡¯s surface.

    Xyenn stood in front of the mirror, his expression unreadable, his maid outfit from earlier discarded on the floor. He wore nothing but his rough, scarred trousers, the faint light catching the jagged edges of his hardened body. His broad shoulders, covered in scars from countless battles, rose and fell with slow, measured breaths.

    He stared at his reflection, his face a mixture of wonder and sorrow. His eyes locked onto his left eye, or rather, the empty space where it used to be. The socket was covered with a faint scar, a constant reminder of battles fought and sacrifices made. His gaze shifted downward, to his left arm, the dragon-like appendage that had replaced what he had lost. The scaled surface gleamed faintly in the lamplight, its clawed fingers twitching slightly as if it had a mind of its own.

    Xyenn reached up, touching the edges of his face with his right hand, his fingertips trembling. It felt surreal. All of this felt surreal. The lavish room, the soft bed, the laughter of Yuuna in the background¡ªit was all so far removed from the life he had known.

    His mind drifted back to his childhood.

    He saw himself as a boy, sitting alone in the dark corners of a crumbling shack. The cold wind blew through the cracks in the walls, and his stomach ached with hunger. He hugged his knees to his chest, tears streaming silently down his face as he tried to muffle his sobs, afraid that the wrong person would hear him and take even the little he had. He remembered hugging himself tightly, the only warmth he¡¯d known, wishing desperately for someone¡ªanyone¡ªto care about him.

    Now, he was here. In this room. With people he could call friends. With Yuuna, who loved him more than anything in the world. He should¡¯ve felt happy, ecstatic even. And he did¡ªbut the weight of everything hit him all at once. The battles, the struggles, the losses¡­ the loneliness be had buried so deep inside.

    Xyenn covered his face with his hand as his shoulders began to shake. Silent sobs wracked his body, tears streaming freely down his cheeks as he leaned against the basin for support. His chest heaved as he tried to keep himself quiet, but the emotions were too strong.

    ¡®I¡¯m actually alive..¡¯

    He stared at his reflection again, his tear-streaked face staring back at him. He clenched his fists, one human, the other dragon-like, and pressed them against his chest, trying to steady his breathing. But the tears didn¡¯t stop.

    ¡®Thank you, mom and dad. For abandoning me when I needed you the most.¡¯

    Yuuna¡¯s voice called out from the other room, carefree and full of joy. ¡°Xyenn! What are you doing in there? Did you fall in the big fancy tub or something? Need help pissing or shitting?!¡±

    Xyenn quickly wiped his face with his arm, trying to compose himself. He took a deep breath, steadying his voice. ¡°Coming!¡± he called out, though his tone still wavered slightly.

    He stepped out of the bathroom, his dragon arm flexing instinctively as he adjusted his posture. When he entered the room, Yuuna was standing there, still wrapped in a blanket like a toga. Her dark pink eyes sparkled with mischief, but there was something else there too¡ªsomething softer.

    She was holding something behind her back, shifting on her heels with excitement. ¡°Took you long enough!¡± she teased. ¡°Come here, I¡¯ve got something for you!¡±

    Xyenn tilted his head, confused. ¡°What are you hiding?¡±

    Yuuna grinned, stepping closer and pulling her hands out from behind her back. ¡°Ta-da!¡± she said, holding up two items.

    The first was a black bandage-like eyepatch, enchanted with faint traces of magic that shimmered faintly in the light. It was designed to wrap snugly around his head, offering stability while still looking sleek and practical.

    The second was a brace for his dragon arm, made of black leather reinforced with gold trim. The material was smooth but strong, and it covered his entire arm up to his shoulder, leaving his clawed fingers free. The gold accents were carved with intricate runes, faintly glowing with the magic that Illyana had imbued into the design.

    Xyenn stared at the items, his mouth opening slightly in shock. ¡°You¡­ made these?¡±

    ¡°Well, Illyana helped with the magic stuff,¡± Yuuna admitted, stepping closer to him. Her grin softened into a warm smile, one of the rare moments where her playful energy gave way to genuine care. ¡°But yeah. I thought you could use something cool. You¡¯ve been working so hard, Xyenn. Fighting gods, dealing with all this insane stuff, dealing with me¡­¡± She chuckled, carefully unwrapping the bandage eyepatch and stepping closer to him to put it on.  ¡°Don¡¯t worry about where I got them or HOW I got them. I got them in this city by the way. Just know I got them for YOU.¡±

    Xyenn was still speechless, his eyes wide as she gently placed the bandage over his empty eye socket, wrapping it securely around his head. Her hands moved with surprising tenderness, her usual chaotic energy replaced with a quiet focus.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been through so much,¡± Yuuna continued softly as she moved to fit the brace onto his dragon arm, adjusting the straps to make sure it fit comfortably. ¡°And you¡¯ve handled it all like a champ. I mean it. You¡¯re¡­ amazing.¡±

    As she tightened the last strap, Xyenn¡¯s composure finally cracked. A single tear slid down his cheek, falling silently onto the marble floor.

    Yuuna noticed immediately, her eyes widening with concern. ¡°Hey¡­ what¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Xyenn didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace.

    Yuuna froze for a moment, caught off guard by the sudden gesture. But as she felt his tear hit her shoulder, her expression softened, and she wrapped her arms around him in return.

    ¡°Xyenn, darling,¡± she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. ¡°Please don¡¯t make me cry.¡±

    But a single tear escaped her eye anyway, sliding down her cheek as she held him tightly.

    ¡°I love you,¡± she whispered, her voice soft but full of emotion.

    Xyenn¡¯s arms tightened around her as he buried his face in her shoulder, his voice breaking as he whispered back, ¡°I love you too.¡±

    They stood there in silence for a long while, wrapped in each other¡¯s warmth, the chaos of the world outside momentarily forgotten.

    Moonlight bathed their naked forms as they came together in a passionate embrace. Xyenn traced teasing fingers down Yuuna''s spine, eliciting shivers before firmly grasping those shapely hips. Their mouths met hungrily, tongues dancing in an intimate duel as hands explored heated flesh.

    In their eagerness to devour each other, they knocked heads with a solid thunk. "Watch where you''re aiming that thick skull," Yuuna laughed breathlessly. "Maybe if you weren''t so impatient," Xyenn retorted, silencing further sass by claiming those lips once more. The playful moment passed as desire took over.

    Yuuna took control first, shoving Xyenn onto their back and straddling those strong thighs. Grinding down created delicious friction that had them both moaning. Skilled fingers traced patterns over sensitive nipples while Yuuna''s hips rolled in teasing circles. Xyenn''s hands found purchase on that perfect rear, kneading the flesh and guiding the movements.

    Not content to remain passive, Xyenn flipped their positions, pinning Yuuna''s wrists above their head. Teeth grazed a sensitive earlobe before trailing down that elegant neck. Each nip and suck left marks of possession that had Yuuna writhing. Their bodies pressed together, skin sliding against sweat-slicked skin.

    Taking things further, Xyenn lifted those lovely legs over broad shoulders, bending Yuuna nearly in half. The new angle drew desperate cries of pleasure as they moved together. Yuuna''s nails raked down Xyenn''s back, urging them deeper with each thrust.

    They shifted again, Yuuna now on hands and knees as Xyenn gripped those hips with bruising force. The steady rhythm built gradually, teasing them both to new heights. One hand snaked around to tease sensitive flesh while the other kept a firm grip for leverage.

    Rolling to their sides, they moved together in perfect sync. Xyenn''s teeth found the junction of neck and shoulder while fingers traced patterns over heated skin. Yuuna reached back to tangle fingers in Xyenn''s hair, pulling them closer as pleasure built.

    Standing beside the bed, Xyenn lifted Yuuna easily, using gravity and strength to take them both higher. Strong thighs wrapped around a trim waist as they found a new angle. The position let them go deeper while hands remained free to explore.

    Back on the bed, Yuuna took charge again, pushing Xyenn down and taking control. Rolling hips and flexing thighs set a demanding pace while skilled fingers teased sensitive nipples. The view from below was intoxicating as Yuuna moved with fluid grace.

    They shifted once more, Yuuna''s back against Xyenn''s chest as they sat upright. The position allowed wandering hands to touch everywhere while still maintaining their passionate rhythm. Teeth grazed shoulders while fingers found all the right spots.

    Moving to the edge of the bed let them watch their joining in the mirror across the room. The visual combined with physical sensation had them both moaning louder. Hands gripped thighs, hips, anything within reach as they chased their pleasure.

    Against the wall now, Xyenn pinned Yuuna in place with raw strength. The new angle hit perfectly while allowing deep kisses and wandering touches. Their bodies moved together with practiced ease, knowing exactly how to drive each other wild.

    Back in the center of the bed, they tangled together face-to-face. This position let them watch each other''s expressions while maintaining the deep connection they craved. Hands roamed freely, touching and teasing as they approached their peak.

    Release built steadily between them as they maintained their passionate rhythm. Every touch brought them closer to the edge until finally tension snapped. They cried out together as waves of pleasure crashed over them again and again.

    Still joined, they collapsed in a satisfied heap, catching their breath as aftershocks rippled through them. Gentle touches and soft kisses conveyed volumes of emotion as they basked in the afterglow of their passionate encounter.

    Xyenn said, ¡°Fuck.¡±

    Yuuna chuckled, ¡°What? Are you mad because I won?¡±

    Xyenn blushed, ¡°Y-You didn¡¯t win anything! I won.¡±

    ¡°Mhm sureee. So what¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°You won¡¯t have another child right?¡±

    ¡°Wowww you said that like you DON¡¯T want one.¡±

    ¡°No no! I mean¡ª!¡±

    ¡°Haha!¡± Yuuna teased as she punched Xyenn in the stomach. ¡°Dragon deities can¡¯t have another child after having one.¡±

    ¡°Oh okay, good. I miss our first kid back in V?rdrheim. I wanna go back soon.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll be there and then shower him with gifts when we get there.¡±

    ¡°What kind of gifts? I never got any gifts as a kid so I wouldn¡¯t know what to get him.¡±

    ¡°Hmmmm! I got it! How about the heads of the people we slaughter?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°How about their arms?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Their ears?¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Their necks?¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t that connect with their heads? Kinda the same thing.¡±

    ¡°Shit. You¡¯re right. We¡¯ll think about it eventually. I¡¯m new to this parenting stuff too.¡±

    ¡­

    The room was dark, the only light spilling in from the faint glow of the moon as it painted soft silver streaks across the bed and floor. The faint hum of the chandelier had dimmed to a low, magical hum, and the lavish suite was silent¡ªexcept for the snoring**

    Yuuna was sprawled halfway off the bed, her limbs tangled in the silk sheets, her mouth hanging open as she snored loudly. One of her legs dangled lazily over the edge, swinging slightly every time she exhaled, the blanket barely covering her. Her black hair was a messy halo around her face, and her expression was one of pure, unbothered satisfaction.

    Beside her, Xyenn lay on his back, his breathing slow and steady as he slept. His dragon arm rested on his chest, the new black-and-gold brace glinting faintly in the moonlight. His face was calm, peaceful, a rare moment of reprieve that softened the edges of his usual stoic demeanor.

    A faint glow began to spread across the room. It wasn¡¯t harsh or intrusive¡ªjust a soft, golden light that seemed to ripple like water, emanating from a single point. Standing at the edge of the bed was Illyana, her slender frame silhouetted against the faint glow of her magic. Her hair shimmered faintly, and her eyes reflected the moonlight as she gazed down at Xyenn.

    Her finger glowed faintly with lingering light magic as she reached out and tapped him lightly on the shoulder. The gentle pulse of magic spread through him like a warm wave, soothing and peaceful.

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes fluttered open, blinking against the faint glow as he stirred. He turned his head slightly, his voice groggy but calm. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    Illyana stood silently for a moment, her serene expression watching him carefully. Behind her was Draeven, standing awkwardly with his hands fidgeting at his sides. His smoke coiled lazily around his legs, moving slower than usual as if it, too, were nervous.

    ¡°Draeven too..? Did something bad happen?¡± Xyenn asked.

    ¡°We need you,¡± Illyana said softly, her voice calm but firm. ¡°Draeven and Kivorn ran into someone earlier. An¡­ old comrade. Her name is Faera.¡±

    ¡°Faera?¡± Xyenn repeated, sitting up slightly, his dragon arm flexing instinctively.

    Illyana nodded. ¡°She¡¯s at The Choir, the orphanage in the west of Svarthelm. It¡¯s important we go. I didn¡¯t want to wake Kivorn¡­ but I really need you with me.¡±

    Xyenn sat up fully now, glancing at Yuuna. She was still snoring, oblivious to the conversation happening beside her. Her face was peaceful, her mouth twitching slightly as though she were dreaming about something ridiculous.

    Xyenn¡¯s gaze lingered on her for a moment before he turned back to Illyana. ¡°Let¡¯s go then.¡±

    The city of Svarthelm was cloaked in shadow, its towering spires and clockwork machinery casting long, jagged silhouettes against the moonlit sky. The streets below were a patchwork of cobblestone and metal, glinting faintly in the pale light. Automatons patrolled the streets, their glowing eyes scanning the darkness for any signs of movement. The air was thick with the faint hiss of steam and the occasional clatter of gears, the sounds of the city never truly sleeping.

    But high above the streets, darting through the darkness like shadows, were Xyenn, Illyana, and Draeven. They wore black sackcloth hooded cloaks, the fabric blending seamlessly into the night. Each movement was fluid, precise, as they leapt from rooftop to rooftop, the wind rushing past them in whispers.

    Xyenn moved with a quiet confidence, his encased dragon arm gripping the edge of a chimney as he vaulted over it effortlessly. Illyana was graceful, almost weightless, her movements so smooth they seemed more like gliding than running. Draeven, however, was a bit more erratic¡ªhis smoke tendrils occasionally lashing out to steady him when he stumbled, his nervous energy making his movements less refined but no less effective.

    Below them, the streets were alive with contrasting activity. Nobles, dressed in extravagant evening attire, strolled leisurely down the cobblestone paths, their laughter and conversation carrying faintly into the night air. Some conducted business deals, exchanging documents and goods under the watchful eyes of their guards. Others enjoyed late-night drinks at open-air cafes, their crystal glasses catching the light of nearby lanterns.

    But for the common folk, the city was a different place at night. The automatons patrolled with cold precision, enforcing the curfew with no mercy. Anyone caught wandering without noble status or permission was escorted¡ªor dragged¡ªback to their homes or worse. The contrast was stark: the laughter of the nobles above the faint clink of automaton footsteps, a city divided even in the stillness of the night.

    As the group darted above the streets, Draeven glanced at Illyana, his voice a nervous whisper. ¡°Uh¡­ Illyana? Any reason we¡¯re, you know, sneaking around like this? I mean, we could probably handle a fight if it came to that¡­¡±

    Illyana¡¯s voice was calm but firm as she responded, her hood barely shifting in the wind. ¡°It¡¯s not about whether we can fight, Draeven. It¡¯s about whether we should. Violence may solve problems, but it creates new ones just as easily. I strive to avoid unnecessary conflict whenever I can. Peace is always the better option.¡±

    Draeven hesitated, his smoke curling nervously. ¡°But¡­ when it¡¯s time to fight¡­¡±

    ¡°When it¡¯s time to fight,¡± Illyana said softly, ¡°then we fight. Without hesitation. Without mercy. But not until we¡¯ve exhausted every other path.¡±

    Xyenn glanced over his shoulder at Draeven, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. ¡°Makes sense to me. You good, Draeven?¡±

    Draeven nodded quickly, his voice still tinged with nervousness. ¡°Yeah! Yeah, I¡¯m good. It¡¯s just¡­ uh, good to be on a mission with you again, Xyenn. Makes me feel kinda¡­ cool, you know?¡±

    Xyenn chuckled softly, reaching out to fist-bump Draeven as they leapt over a narrow alley. ¡°I know what you mean. Feels like we¡¯re some kind of assassins or something.¡±

    Draeven grinned nervously, returning the fist bump. ¡°Yeah! Like¡­ shadow warriors. Or¡­ uh¡­ something cool like that.¡±

    The group came to a stop on a rooftop overlooking The Choir, the orphanage nestled in the heart of the city¡¯s western district. The building was a stark contrast to the surrounding structures¡ªa massive, pristine white edifice that seemed to glow faintly in the moonlight. Its tall, arched windows were framed with golden trim, and the gates at the front were wrought iron, twisted into intricate patterns resembling musical notes.

    The courtyard in front of the orphanage was eerily silent. Scattered across the cobblestone were dolls and toys, some neatly placed, others abandoned as though dropped in haste. The faint scent of lavender drifted through the air, carried on an unnatural breeze.

    ¡®The Choir¡­a pretty big orphanage¡­I sense a faint aura¡­it¡¯s dark..¡¯

    As the group landed softly in front of the gates, their feet barely making a sound, the atmosphere shifted.

    The air grew heavy, almost suffocating, and the faint sound of whispers began to fill their minds. The voices were low, guttural, speaking no language they could understand¡ªbut the intent was clear. Malice. Hunger. Madness.

    Xyenn winced, his dragon arm flexing instinctively as he gritted his teeth. The whispers clawed at his mind, each one louder than the last.

    ¡°Tch!¡± Xyenn grunted. ¡°What¡¯s that voice?!¡±

    Illyana stood still, her expression serene but her glowing eyes sharp with focus. She raised a hand, her fingers glowing faintly as she muttered a quiet incantation under her breath. The whispers lessened slightly but didn¡¯t fade entirely.

    Draeven clutched his head, his smoke writhing erratically around him. ¡°What¡­ what is this?!¡± he whispered, his voice trembling.

    Xyenn¡¯s gaze snapped to the gate, his jaw tightening.

    ¡®This presence¡­! This dark presence¡­! I feel connected to it. Like it¡¯s a part of me! I hope I¡¯m not about to go berserk now..please no..¡¯

    The whispers surged again, louder this time, filling their minds with demonic phrases and languages.

    Draeven stood all the way, saying, ¡°That energy from inside¡­there¡¯s a demon in there.¡±

 Chapter 48: Demon Bound

    The whispers came back, stronger this time, tearing through the air like a swarm of unseen locusts. Their guttural voices were louder, more invasive, clawing into the minds of those present. The words were no longer unintelligible¡ªthey were fractured, broken thoughts that pulsed with malice and dread, as if the voices were struggling to form coherent sentences.

    The oppressive weight of the whispers drove Xyenn and Draeven to their knees. Xyenn gritted his teeth, his dragon arm digging into the cobblestone ground beneath him for support as his head throbbed with the invasive noise. His left eye socket burned with phantom pain, and he clutched his chest as though trying to keep himself together.

    ¡®It hurts¡­!¡¯

    Draeven wasn¡¯t faring much better. His smoke lashed out violently, writhing around him like a panicked creature trying to protect its master. He clutched his head, his breaths coming in sharp, uneven gasps. ¡°¡­Agh!¡± he choked out, his voice trembling under the weight of the whispers.

    Above them, Illyana stood tall, her expression calm but her glowing blue eyes flickering with a faint intensity. She raised a single finger, her hand steady as the whispers seemed to grow louder, more violent, trying to drown out her presence. Slowly, she closed her eyes, her lips parting as she began to whisper a chant under her breath.

    The words she spoke were soft but carried a weight that resonated through the air. They weren¡¯t just words¡ªthey were ancient, woven with power and purpose. A faint glow began to emanate from her skin, first subtle, then growing stronger with each word she spoke. Her silver hair seemed to shimmer in the moonlight, and her entire body became a beacon of light against the oppressive darkness.

    The whispers fought back, their malice reaching a fever pitch, but Illyana¡¯s magic pushed through. The light from her body surged outward, spreading across the courtyard like a wave. As it passed over Xyenn and Draeven, the whispers faded, the weight lifting from their minds like a heavy shroud being pulled away.

    Xyenn gasped, his body trembling as he steadied himself, his dragon arm still pressed against the ground. Draeven slumped forward slightly, his smoke calming as he took deep, ragged breaths.

    The courtyard fell silent, the oppressive atmosphere replaced with a peaceful stillness.

    And then the doors to the orphanage opened.

    From within, Mother Faera and several clerics emerged, their robes flowing gracefully as they stepped into the moonlight. They moved with a serene elegance, their faces calm and composed. Faera, at the center, radiated an aura of tranquility that matched Illyana¡¯s. Her peaceful smile was warm, almost motherly, as she stepped forward to greet them.

    Illyana¡¯s face softened immediately, her blue eyes brightening as she stepped toward Faera. ¡°It¡¯s been years,¡± she said, her voice carrying a warmth rarely heard from her.

    Faera¡¯s smile widened, and she opened her arms. ¡°Far too long, my dear Illyana.¡±

    The two women embraced, their movements slow and deliberate, as though they were savoring the moment. The hug wasn¡¯t quick or ceremonial¡ªit was genuine, filled with the weight of shared history and unspoken understanding.

    Xyenn and Draeven watched from a distance, still recovering from the ordeal with the whispers. Draeven tilted his head slightly, his usual nervousness replaced with curiosity. ¡°They know each other..¡±

    Xyenn nodded, his gaze fixed on the two women. ¡°I wonder who that is¡­¡±

    ¡°Her name was Faera or something. H-Her orphanage kids tried to steal from me and we got what I got back.¡±

    ¡°Badass kids.¡±

    ¡°I-I Don''t like them..¡±

    The hug lingered, and as Faera pulled back slightly, Illyana reached up and gently cupped her face. Her fingers brushed against Faera¡¯s cheeks, her touch soft and almost reverent. ¡°Let me look at you,¡± Illyana said, her voice still warm but tinged with concern. ¡°Are you well? You¡¯ve been hiding for so long¡­¡±

    Faera chuckled softly, her serene expression unchanging. ¡°I¡¯m well enough, thanks to the Holy Branch. We¡¯ve managed to keep each other safe despite the¡ª¡±

    Before she could finish, Illyana¡¯s grip on her face tightened. Her fingers dug into Faera¡¯s cheeks, her peaceful smile never faltering.

    Faera¡¯s expression shifted, her serene demeanor cracking as her eyes widened in shock. ¡°I-Illyana?¡±

    The glow of Illyana¡¯s magic, once gentle and calming, began to twist into something darker. A faint, **dark light** shimmered from her hands, spreading across Faera¡¯s face like cracks in glass.

    Faera squirmed, her hands instinctively grabbing at Illyana¡¯s wrists, but her strength was no match for the other woman¡¯s. ¡°W-What are you doing?! Illyana¡ªstop!¡±

    Illyana¡¯s smile remained, unbroken, as her fingers tightened further. ¡°I¡¯ve waited a long time to see you again, Faera,¡± she said softly, her voice calm despite the brutality of her actions.  ¡°But..¡±

    The clerics behind Faera froze, their tranquil expressions replaced with confusion and fear.

    Faera screamed, her voice echoing through the courtyard as blood began to drip from her eyes and nose. The dark light from Illyana¡¯s hands grew stronger, the cracks spreading further across Faera¡¯s face.

    Xyenn and Draeven gasped, their eyes wide with shock. ¡°What the hell is she doing?!¡± Xyenn shouted, his dragon arm twitching as he instinctively stepped forward.

    ¡®Does Illyana know what she''s doing?! Should I step in?!¡¯

    Draeven grabbed his arm, his smoke curling around them both. ¡°Don¡¯t! We should just w-watch¡­¡±

    ¡°Just watch¡­¡±

    ¡®Just watch¡­? I wish I knew the context of all of this..¡¯

    Faera¡¯s screams grew louder, her body trembling violently as the light intensified. And then, with a final, grotesque surge of magic, her face exploded in a burst of light and blood, brains, and skull pieces.

    The courtyard fell silent again, the only sound the faint crackle of lingering magic in the air. Faera¡¯s body slumped forward, lifeless, as Illyana released her grip.

    The clerics stared in horror, their calm exteriors shattered.

    Illyana turned to them, her serene smile still in place. Her glowing blue eyes locked onto the group as she spoke, her voice soft but firm. ¡°I thought you trusted me, Clerics of the Holy Branch.¡±

    The body Illyana decimated began to dissolve into light and spread out and disappear.

    The silence was broken by a soft, familiar voice.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Illyana.¡±

    From the shadows, Faera¡¯s true form emerged, stepping into the moonlight. Her face was unscathed, her expression still calm and peaceful. She smiled faintly as she approached Illyana, her hands folded in front of her.

    The tension in the air was palpable as the two women stepped toward each other, their movements slow and deliberate.

    Xyenn and Draeven held their breath, the tension almost unbearable as the two women finally stood face to face.

    And then, unexpectedly, they hugged.

    The embrace was brief but heavy with meaning, and when they pulled apart, Faera¡¯s expression softened further. ¡°It¡¯s good to see you again, Illyana,¡± she said quietly.

    Illyana nodded, her serene smile returning. ¡°And you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I used that one you, we can¡¯t be too sure nowadays. Now that darkness is stronger than ever.¡±

    The other clerics stepped forward, each of them holding a glowing grimoire of light. They opened the books in unison, their voices rising in a harmonious chant as they stretched their hands toward the orphanage.

    Light began to ripple across the building, the pristine white walls shifting and transforming. The once humble orphanage began to reshape itself, its walls glowing brighter as they twisted into something new. Towers of light rose from the structure, and golden runes etched themselves into the surface. The building became a stronghold of light, its radiant presence a stark contrast to the darkness surrounding it.

    As the transformation finished, Faera turned to Illyana, her voice calm but grave. ¡°The last stronghold of the Holy Branch lies within these walls. After you escaped the dragon god of light, his draconic vessel began hunting us down, one by one. The Holy Branch was disbanded, scattered to the winds. This orphanage is all that remains of us now.¡±

    Illyana nodded slowly, her serene demeanor unchanging. ¡°I knew it would come to this.¡±

    Xyenn leaned closer to Draeven, his voice barely a whisper. ¡°So that¡¯s why she hates division¡­¡±  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Draeven nodded nervously, his smoke curling around his legs.

    The group stepped forward, entering the stronghold through the massive double doors of light. Inside was a long hallway, its walls glowing faintly with golden light. At the far end, another set of doors awaited¡ªtall, radiant, and pulsing with energy.

    From beyond the doors, faint shouting could be heard.

    The hallway stretched before them¡ªa long, glowing path of light that pulsed faintly beneath their feet, as though it were alive. The walls shimmered with golden runes, their intricate patterns shifting and twisting in a silent dance that seemed tied to the rhythm of the stronghold. The air was heavy with an ancient energy, one that hummed just beneath the surface, pressing gently against their senses.

    Xyenn, Draeven, and Illyana walked in silence for a moment, their footsteps echoing faintly through the corridor. Behind them, the faint chanting of the clerics lingered like a ghostly echo, a reminder of the power sustaining this place.

    Draeven, ever fidgety, finally broke the silence. ¡°So¡­ uh, Illyana?¡± His voice was quiet, hesitant, as though afraid to disturb the solemnity of the moment. ¡°These¡­ Clerics of the Holy Branch. Who exactly are they? I mean, I know they¡¯re, like, light magic people, but¡­ what¡¯s their deal?¡±

    Illyana didn¡¯t respond immediately. Her tranquil expression didn¡¯t falter, but there was a weight in her gaze, as though the question had pulled her thoughts back to a place she¡¯d rather not go.

    ¡°They were founded,¡± she began softly, her voice echoing faintly in the glowing hallway, ¡°to serve the Dragon God of Light, Lancelot. He is one of the elder dragon gods, a being of immense power and purity. Long ago, during the war between the dragons and the forces of darkness, Lancelot fought as one of the closest subordinates of the First Dragon, Gabriel.¡±

    ¡°Gabriel,¡± Xyenn repeated, his voice low.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Illyana said with a nod. ¡°The creator of dragons. The First Dragon. The one who began it all. Lancelot stood by Gabriel¡¯s side in those days, wielding the power of light to combat the darkness that sought to consume the world of Kyrrin. When the war ended, and everything was scattered, Lancelot chose to remain vigilant. He foresaw that the darkness of Hell¡¯s power, the essence of Hell, would one day bleed into this world again. And so, he created the Clerics of the Holy Branch.¡±

    Draeven tilted his head. ¡°So¡­ they¡¯re like, what, dragon-god paladins?¡±

    Illyana¡¯s lips twitched faintly, almost a smile. ¡°In a way. The clerics and priestesses of the Holy Branch were tasked with a sacred duty: to dispel the darkness wherever it arose. To seek out and destroy those who would spread its corruption. Their magic of light, derived from Lancelot¡¯s power, is unique. It can cure the effects of darkness to a certain extent, depending on the strength of their light rune structures. More importantly, it can dispel darkness completely, bind it, and prevent it from spreading further.¡±

    Xyenn furrowed his brow, his dragon arm flexing slightly as he walked. ¡°Bind it?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Illyana said, her voice growing quieter. ¡°They can trap darkness, contain it, and even strip it away from those cursed by it. But there are limits. A rune already cursed by darkness cannot be cured, no matter how strong the cleric¡¯s light. That corruption is permanent. It balances the weight between Light and Darkness, that''s the pillar holding it together: both sides can overpower the other.¡±

    Draeven¡¯s smoke coiled nervously around his legs. ¡°That sounds¡­ intense,¡± he muttered.

    ¡°It is,¡± Illyana said, her voice steady but tinged with something deeper. ¡°The Branch is not just an order of healers and priests. They are also witch hunters. They were sanctioned to hunt down and destroy anyone who wielded the power of darkness, no matter their reasons or intentions. It didn¡¯t matter whether the darkness was born of malice or a desperate will to survive. To the Branch, darkness is an enemy that must be eradicated, no exceptions.¡±

    Xyenn glanced at her, his voice quiet but firm. ¡°Like those witches in Soulcaris¡­they were avoiding the Branch and Lancelot too..¡±

    Illyana¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, but her pace slowed slightly. ¡°Yes,¡± she said after a moment. ¡°And then there¡¯s Yuuna¡­ she was spreading darkness, but not out of cruelty. She was trying to survive. She was alone, hunted, desperate. I saw that. I understood her. But the Branch didn¡¯t care. To them, she was a threat that needed to be eliminated. And when I tried to protect her¡­¡±

    Her voice faltered slightly, the first crack in her usual calm. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. ¡°They decided I was a threat too. They were going to sacrifice me to Lancelot, to cleanse the darkness they believed had tainted me. So I left. I abandoned the Branch, and I¡¯ve been running ever since. And Yuuna found me, J ran into her again. And I became a Tyrant.

    The hallway seemed to grow quieter, the weight of her words settling over them like a heavy blanket.

    Draeven glanced at Xyenn, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°So¡­ that¡¯s why she hates division. She knows what it leads to.¡±

    Xyenn didn¡¯t respond, but his gaze flickered toward Illyana, his respect for her deepening in silence.

    ¡®Many factions are involved in all of this. The Light Born (The Lysf?dt), the dwarves, Orin and the Bloodmaidens, The Prophets, and us Tyrants¡­and now the Clerics of the Holy Branch. Will we have to fight these guys..? They¡¯re against people like me, us Tyrants¡­¡¯

    The three of them reached the end of the hallway, where the massive double doors of light stood waiting. The faint sound of yelling could be heard from the other side, muffled but growing louder as they approached.

    Illyana placed a hand on the doors, her fingers glowing faintly as they responded to her touch. The runes on the surface shimmered, and the doors slowly swung open, revealing the scene beyond.

    The room was vast, its walls lined with glowing sigils and runes that pulsed faintly with power. Clerics and priestesses in robes of black, gold, and white stood in a circle, their hands raised in prayer as they chanted in unison. The air was thick with the energy of their magic, a faint golden mist swirling around them.

    In the center of the room, bound by chains of pure light, was a grotesque demon baby. Its small, twisted body writhed against its restraints, its skin a mottled gray-black that oozed with a faint, dark mist. Its head was misshapen, with jagged horns curling from its scalp and sharp, needle-like teeth bared in a permanent snarl. Its eyes were hollow pits of darkness¡ªuntil the third eye on its forehead opened, glowing a deep, blood-red.

    Badump.

    Standing in front of the demon baby was Father Vektor, the head priest of the stronghold. He was tall and imposing, his face lined with age and wisdom. His robes were adorned with intricate patterns of gold and white, and he carried a lantern of light, its glow casting long, flickering shadows across the room. His eyes were sharp, piercing, as he stared down at the demon.

    Badump.

    ¡°Speak!¡± Vektor demanded, his voice deep and commanding. The lantern in his hand pulsed with light, and the demon baby hissed, its sharp teeth gnashing together.

    The demon baby¡¯s voice was guttural and unnatural as it spoke, its words twisting and warping like the sound of metal being bent.

    "Xhrr... k''thal... vrith... n''ghazr issht''l!"

    The clerics around the room flinched, their chanting faltering slightly as the demon¡¯s voice echoed through the chamber. Even Vektor seemed momentarily unsettled, his grip tightening on the lantern.

    Badump.

    Badump.

    Xyenn was motionless, anxiety and fear slowly crept into his head.

    ¡°We cannot understand it,¡± one of the clerics said, their voice trembling. ¡°Its tongue is too ancient, too corrupted.¡±

    Vektor¡¯s jaw tightened, his frustration evident. ¡°Then strip it of its essence! Tear the darkness from its soul until it speaks in a tongue we can comprehend!¡±

    The clerics moved to obey, their hands glowing as they began to draw the dark mist from the demon¡¯s body. The baby screeched in pain, its voice rising in a discordant wail that made the air tremble.

    And then its glowing red eye fixed directly on Xyenn.

    The baby¡¯s voice shifted, its tone sharper and more focused as it spoke directly to him.

    "You... vessel of the traitor Yuuna..."

    Xyenn gasped, his body stiffening as a cold shock ran through him. Draeven¡¯s smoke lashed out instinctively, curling around them both as he stared at the demon in wide-eyed horror. ¡°Did¡­ did it just speak to you?¡±

    Xyenn didn¡¯t answer, his gaze locked with the demon¡¯s.

    Badump.

    ¡°We¡­ we understood it,¡± Draeven said, his voice trembling. He looked at Illyana, his panic evident. ¡°How is that possible?¡±

    Illyana¡¯s expression was calm but sharp, her glowing blue eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°Because we carry her blood,¡± she said quietly. ¡°Yuuna¡¯s blood of darkness. That¡¯s why we can understand it. Her essence is a part of us.¡±

    Vektor turned sharply, his eyes narrowing as they locked onto Illyana. ¡°You carry darkness within you?¡± he demanded, his voice cold and sharp. ¡°Even you, Illyana? I expected better from someone so peaceful. So¡­ tranquil. We knew you were on her side when you defended her, but to take in her blood..¡±

    Illyana didn¡¯t flinch, her gaze steady. ¡°The darkness within me is equal to the light I carry,¡± she said simply. ¡°And right now, that darkness allows us to help.¡±

    Vektor¡¯s jaw tightened, but he didn¡¯t argue further.

    The demon baby¡¯s glowing red eye shifted to Illyana, and then back to Xyenn. Its voice was quieter now, but no less sharp.

    "I will only speak to the vessel of Yuuna. Only to him."

    Xyenn¡¯s breath caught in his throat, and he felt Illyana¡¯s gaze slowly turn toward him.

    Badump.

    The demon baby¡¯s grotesque form writhed against the chains of light that bound it, the pulsating runes etched into the glowing links keeping its dark essence contained. Its third eye¡ªthe blood-red spiral in the center of its malformed head¡ªremained fixed on Xyenn, unblinking and unnervingly sharp. The other clerics continued their chanting, their magic reinforcing the chains, but the demon¡¯s voice broke through the air again, cutting like a blade.

    ¡°You¡­¡± the demon hissed, its voice low and guttural, like the sound of grinding stone. ¡°I will speak¡­ but only to you. Alone. No light. No watchers. Just us.¡±

    The room fell deathly silent. The clerics stopped chanting, their glowing hands faltering as they exchanged worried glances. The oppressive weight of the demon¡¯s presence seemed to double, its words hanging in the air like a noose.

    Xyenn couldn¡¯t look away. His breath quickened as the creature¡¯s words seemed to burrow into his chest, filling him with a cold, gnawing anxiety. He swallowed hard, his dragon arm trembling slightly at his side. He didn¡¯t know why, but he could feel the weight of its focus, the way it seemed to see through him, past the armor of his confidence and into the vulnerable parts of his soul.

    ¡®This feeling¡­I hate it¡­¡¯

    Finally, Xyenn spoke, his voice hesitant. ¡°It¡­ it wants to speak to me. Alone.¡±

    There was a beat of silence before Father Vektor stepped forward, his lantern of light flaring with renewed intensity. ¡°Absolutely not,¡± he said sharply, his deep voice echoing through the chamber. His piercing eyes bore into Xyenn, filled with equal parts disbelief and disdain. ¡°To allow such a thing is reckless. Foolish. The demon is bound because of our light. Without it, it will corrupt you in an instant.¡±

    Mother Faera stepped beside him, her usual tranquil demeanor cracking as she frowned. ¡°This is absurd. Xyenn, you don¡¯t understand the danger you¡¯re putting yourself in. Whatever it wants, it cannot be trusted.¡±

    The clerics and priests murmured their agreement, their voices rising in a chorus of disapproval. Even Draeven, usually silent in moments like this, shifted nervously beside Xyenn, his smoke curling protectively around his legs.

    But before the protests could grow louder, Illyana stepped forward. Her hand reached out, gently resting on Xyenn¡¯s arm.

    ¡°Xyenn,¡± she said softly, her voice more soothing than commanding, like a calm breeze cutting through the rising storm. Her tranquil eyes searched his face, seeing the tension in his jaw, the faint tremor in his dragon arm. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do this alone. Draeven and I are here. Whatever it is you¡¯re afraid of¡­ we can face it together. You don¡¯t need to carry this burden by yourself.¡±

    Her touch was warm, and a faint glow of peaceful magic radiated from her fingers, brushing away the edges of his anxiety. For a moment, Xyenn exhaled, feeling the tightness in his chest ease. But as he looked into Illyana¡¯s serene face, something deep inside him stirred¡ªsomething stronger than his fear.

    He reached up, his human hand lightly gripping hers. His touch wasn¡¯t rough, but it was firm enough to stop the flow of her magic. His voice was quiet but steady as he spoke.

    ¡°I know what you¡¯re trying to do,¡± he said, his eyes meeting hers. ¡°And I appreciate it. But this¡­ this is something I need to do. Alone.¡±

    Illyana¡¯s eyes widened slightly in surprise, but Xyenn didn¡¯t stop.

    ¡°This is what makes me a man,¡± he said, his voice growing stronger. ¡°This is what makes me grow. I¡¯ve spent time relying on other people to pull me out of the fire. You, Draeven, Yuuna¡ªall of you. But I can¡¯t keep doing that. If I don¡¯t conquer this fear¡­ if I don¡¯t face danger head-on, even when it terrifies me, then what am I? This is how I¡¯ll become a man, right?¡±

    Illyana¡¯s lips parted, as if she wanted to argue, but Xyenn shook his head. ¡°I was scared when I fought the Dragon God of the Sun,¡± he said, his voice rising slightly. ¡°I thought I was going to die. But I did it. I pushed through it. And I survived. I need to do this, Illyana. Not for anyone else. For me.¡±

    Illyana stared at him, her tranquil expression faltering for the briefest moment. She wanted to argue, to beg him to reconsider. But she saw the determination in his eyes, the way his fists clenched despite the tremor in his dragon arm. She sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly.

    She hated this. She hated seeing him like this¡ªstanding on the edge of something dangerous, something that could break him. All she wanted was peace, for all of them. For Xyenn, for Draeven, for Yuuna, and the rest of the Tyrants. She wanted a world where they didn¡¯t have to face these kinds of decisions, where they could live without fear and pain.

    But she knew Xyenn. She knew that if she tried to force her will on him, it would only drive a wedge between them. He needed this. Even if it tore at her, she had to let him go.

    Finally, Illyana sighed, her voice soft and reluctant. ¡°Alright,¡± she said. ¡°If this is what you need¡­ I won¡¯t stop you.¡±

    She turned to the others, her serene expression returning as she addressed the room. ¡°Trust him,¡± she said calmly. ¡°Let him do this.¡±

    Vektor¡¯s face twisted in anger. ¡°This is madness!¡± he bellowed. ¡°You would gamble with his life¡ªand with ours? The demon will not speak truth. It will twist his mind, corrupt his soul. This is a mistake!¡±

    Faera nodded sharply. ¡°I agree. Xyenn, you don¡¯t understand the forces you¡¯re dealing with. The darkness is insidious. It will¡ª¡±

    Before she could finish, Draeven stepped forward, his usual nervousness replaced with something stronger. He clenched his fists, his smoke curling around them as his eyes glowed a faint red.

    ¡°Let him do this,¡± Draeven said, his voice trembling but loud.

    The room fell silent as everyone turned to him, their surprise clear. Draeven¡¯s hands shook, but he kept going, his voice growing steadier with each word.

    Illyana looked at Draeven, ¡°Draeven¡­¡±

    ¡°I know it sounds crazy,¡± Draeven said. ¡°I know it¡¯s dangerous. But Xyenn can handle it. I¡¯ve seen him do things that should¡¯ve been impossible. He¡¯s stronger than any of us give him credit for. If he says he can do this, then let him.¡±

    The smoke around his fists flared slightly, and his glowing eyes narrowed. ¡°Or,¡± he said, his voice dropping into a low growl, ¡°you¡¯ll have to get through us.¡±

    The room went silent again, the tension thick enough to cut with a blade. Draeven¡¯s heart pounded in his chest as he thought to himself, ¡®I actually did it! Shit! We¡¯re gonna fight now, aren¡¯t we?¡¯

    But Faera¡¯s eyes lingered on Draeven for a moment, then shifted to Illyana, whose tranquil expression remained steady despite the storm of emotions beneath the surface. Finally, Faera sighed, her voice soft. ¡°Fine,¡± she said. ¡°We¡¯ll leave him. But this is on your head, Illyana.¡±

    The clerics and priests began to file out reluctantly, casting wary glances at Xyenn as they passed.

    As Illyana turned to leave, she paused, her hand lingering on Xyenn¡¯s arm for a moment. ¡°Please,¡± she said softly, her voice almost a whisper. ¡°Be careful.¡±

    Xyenn nodded. ¡°I will.¡±

    Illyana hesitated, her heart pulling her in two directions. She wanted to stay, to help, to bring her peaceful magic to him and shield him from whatever darkness lay ahead. But she remembered his words, the way he had looked at her. She grit her teeth, forcing herself to step away.

    Her hands clenched at her sides as she walked toward the door, her mind racing. ¡®I hate this,¡¯ she thought. ¡®I hate standing back and doing nothing. But he¡¯s right. I can¡¯t force myself on him. This is his choice. His fight.¡¯

    She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn¡¯t notice when Draeven  stepped up beside her. He gently grabbed her hand, his own trembling slightly. ¡°He¡¯s got this,¡± Draeven said softly, his voice filled with quiet determination.

    Illyana looked down at his hand, then back at Xyenn. She took a deep breath, letting the tension drain from her shoulders. ¡°I hope you¡¯re right,¡± she whispered.

    As they left the room, the door creaked closed behind them, leaving Xyenn alone with the demon baby.

    The creature¡¯s red spiral eye gleamed in the dim light, and its voice slithered through the air like a dagger.

    ¡°Now, we speak.¡±

 Chapter 49: I Wield The Sun

    The room around Xyenn began to twist as the demon baby¡¯s third, spiraling red eye flared with a sinister glow. The walls of the stronghold warped and melted, dripping away like blood running down cracked stone. The golden light of the clerics¡¯ runes flickered and faded, swallowed by a suffocating darkness that spread like an infection. The air grew heavier, colder, and then the screaming began.

    Screams. Thousands of them.

    It was as though the very essence of Hell itself had seeped into the space, filling the air with the sounds of endless torment. The cries of agony, despair, and rage clawed at Xyenn¡¯s ears. He tried to block them out, but they were everywhere¡ªinside his head, in the air around him, in the ground beneath his feet.

    The room was gone now. Xyenn stood in a parallel domain, a twisted landscape of endless darkness and blood. The ground beneath him was slick and wet, and with each step, his boots sank into the viscous red ichor that coated the surface. Around him, jagged spires of black rock jutted out of the ground like the broken teeth of a long-dead beast.

    The sky¡ªif it could be called a sky¡ªwas an endless void, cracked with veins of crimson light that pulsed faintly, as if alive. Shadows moved within the darkness, shapes too grotesque to fully comprehend, and their whispers joined the cacophony of screams, creating an oppressive, maddening symphony.

    The demon baby, still bound by faintly glowing chains of light, floated in the center of this hellish domain. Its grotesque form writhed, its red eye unblinking as it stared directly at Xyenn. The chains that held it seemed weaker now, their glow flickering, as though the demon¡¯s presence in this place had drained their strength.

    Xyenn stood frozen, his dragon arm twitching at his side. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing in his ears like a drum. He clenched his fists, his breathing shallow as he tried to steady himself.

    "Don¡¯t show fear," he whispered to himself. "It¡¯s trying to scare you. That¡¯s all this is. It feeds on fear. Don¡¯t give it what it wants."

    But it was hard. The screams, the darkness, the suffocating presence of the demon¡ªit was all too much. His mind raced as he struggled to push down the rising tide of anxiety, but it kept crawling back, gnawing at the edges of his resolve.

    The demon baby¡¯s voice broke through the chaos, low and mocking. "Do you like my domain, little Jotyin? I made it just for you. A perfect reflection of your fear. The fear you hide behind your feeble bravado."

    Xyenn tried to speak, but his throat was dry. He swallowed hard, forcing himself to stand straighter. ¡°You¡¯re wasting your time,¡± he said, his voice strained but steady. ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of you.¡±

    ¡®The hell is Jotyjin¡­?¡¯

    The demon baby¡¯s twisted mouth curled into a grotesque smile. "Oh, but you are. I can feel it, Xyenn. I can taste it. The fear in your heart, the doubt in your mind, the shame buried in your soul. You think you¡¯re strong. You think you¡¯ve come here to prove something to yourself. But deep down, you¡¯re still that broken little boy, crying in the dark, begging for someone to save you."

    Xyenn¡¯s fists clenched tighter, his nails digging into his palms. The demon¡¯s words hit too close to home, stirring memories he¡¯d buried long ago. Memories of hunger, of loneliness, of the nights he spent curled up in a corner, too scared to move, too weak to fight back.

    ¡®I won¡¯t let this bastard get to me. I won¡¯t. He¡¯s just talking. Trying to get into my head. I can¡¯t let it feed off my emotions, that¡¯s how it¡¯ll grow stronger.¡¯

    The demon¡¯s third eye glowed brighter, and the blood beneath Xyenn¡¯s feet rippled as the screams grew louder. "Shall I tell you a story, little Jotyin?" the demon hissed. "A story about the seeds of the Tree of Ohnupilath. Do you know it? No? Let me educate you¡­"

    ¡°Why the hell should I care? I should be asking the questions¡ª.¡±

    ¡°My my. You¡¯ve never done an interrogation before it seems. The only way you¡¯ll get the answers you want is if you hear me answer my own questions.¡±

    The air around them shimmered, and faint images began to form in the darkness¡ªvisions of a massive, radiant tree, its branches stretching endlessly into a star-filled void. Its bark glowed with a soft golden light, and its roots burrowed deep into a realm that seemed to exist beyond comprehension.

    "The Tree of Ohnupilath," the demon said, its voice dripping with mockery. "Created by the Dragon God of Light, Lancelot, at the command of the great King of Sen, father of the First Dragon and the First Monarch. The first being of existence now perished..Do you understand what that means, Xyenn? Do you understand the weight of your lineage?"

    Xyenn¡¯s jaw tightened, but he didn¡¯t respond.

    "The Jotyin family," the demon continued, "seven sons and daughters, born from the seeds of that tree. Everything besides draconic mana was born from the Tree. The Jotyin, Crafted by the King of Sen himself, were meant to be heroes. Warriors who would carry the name of Gabriel, destined to invade Hell and destroy the First Monarch. But they were premature, their power incomplete. So they were hidden in the Astral World, a realm of spirits, until they could fully sprout. They were meant to be born under Gabriel¡¯s eyes, and lead the charge to Hell. But..¡±

    Xyenn thought, ¡®The Astral World¡­created by the Tree, and everything else with it. I¡¯m not part of that, am I? I can¡¯t be. I grew up powerless, without any runes on my soul. I was meant to be an outcast, it was destined for me to be one. I fucking grew up as one. It was mentioned before by Illyana that The dragon god of light was close to Gabriel, but they were close. He helped with the creation of everything. And the source was the Ohnupilath Tree. The world didn¡¯t just come from thin air, it was birthed.¡¯

    The images shifted, showing seven glowing seeds cradled within the branches of the tree. But then, the vision darkened, the seeds falling into shadow.

    "It¡¯s still a mystery how the seeds were taken from the Astral World and brought to Kyrrin," the demon said. "But there are whispers. Whispers that it was Yuuna¡¯s human mother, that damn cleric, who meddled with fate and brought them here. And now, the seeds have awakened. You, Xyenn, are one of them.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s breath caught in his throat. ¡°You¡¯re lying,¡± he said, his voice shaking slightly. ¡°You¡¯re just trying to mess with my head. It won¡¯t work. Whatever you¡¯re telling me this story for, I¡¯m not coming to your side.¡±

    The demon laughed, a horrible, grating sound that made Xyenn¡¯s skin crawl. "Oh, am I? Tell me, Xyenn, have you not felt it? The way your power grows stronger, faster than it should? The way you defy fate itself? That is the mark of a Jotyin. The mark of those destined to destroy the First Monarch. But tell me¡­ do you even know who you are? Do you even understand yourself? You, King Haldrek of V?rdrheim, King Samuel the first dragon vessel of Lancelot, and many others are Jotyin. You all have the power to defy fate, able to cultivate your strength to be able to kill the First Monarch. No other being can do this to that extent. All of the Jotyin have no runes in their souls. Wanna know why? So they wouldn¡¯t become cursed by the First Monarch¡¯s magic.¡±

    Xyenn looked down, his fists trembling as the demon¡¯s words ate away at his confidence. He remembered all the times he¡¯d felt out of place, all the times he¡¯d questioned why he was still alive when so many others had fallen.

    ¡°Shut up¡­¡± he muttered under his breath.  ¡°None of that changes the fact of how I grew up. At all! I still grew up worthless¡­hated..beaten..pushed around and used..none of that can justify my past. And I still fucking hate the dragon gods for now hellsing me even when I cried out to them. No matter if I had runes or not. Not even followers and worshippers of the dragon gods. Saying their gods told them not to help me. No one saved me¡­but Yuuna.¡±Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    The demon¡¯s smile widened. "I see the darkness in you, Xyenn. The trauma in your eyes, the weight of every choice you¡¯ve made. You carry it with you, every moment of every day. You think you¡¯re strong, but you¡¯re just a weak, scared little boy, trying to look like a man."

    Xyenn¡¯s chest tightened, his breathing shallow. He tried to push the demon¡¯s words away, but they clung to him like tar, dragging him down.

    ¡®He¡¯s just trying to get in my head..¡¯

    And then the demon¡¯s voice grew darker, colder. "And what of Yuuna? The First Monarch will return, Xyenn. He will come for her. His daughter. His Queen of Darkness. Do you know what he will do to her? He will break her. He will butcher her. He will have his way with her body until she submits, until she is nothing but a vessel for his will. And you¡ª"

    ¡°STOP!¡± Xyenn roared, his voice cracking as his fear and anger boiled over.

    The demon¡¯s chains began to crack, the light binding it fading as the darkness in the domain grew stronger. Its grotesque form twisted and shifted, its body elongating and reshaping into a humanoid figure. Its skin was pitch black, rippling with veins of deep crimson light. Long, grotesque strands of red flesh jutted from its body, writhing like living tendrils. Its face retained faint, unnerving traces of its baby-like features, but warped¡ªits eyes sunken and hollow, its mouth stretching impossibly wide to reveal rows of jagged teeth.

    The demon¡¯s voice was now a deep, guttural snarl. "Let me have your soul, Xyenn."

    Xyenn froze, his body trembling as he stared at the creature. Xyenn¡¯s stomach twisted, his fear momentarily replaced by a deep, gut-wrenching sorrow. ¡°No¡­¡± he whispered.

    The demon snarled, its tendrils writhing as it stepped closer.

    The demon¡¯s grotesque form clawed its way closer to Xyenn, its pitch-black skin rippling like liquid shadow, its red, tendril-like strands writhing with an eerie life of their own. The spiraling red eye in the center of its head pulsed with a maddening intensity, illuminating the warped domain of darkness and blood around them. The screams of Hell itself rose to a deafening crescendo, as if the voices of the damned were clawing at Xyenn¡¯s soul, ripping him apart from the inside.

    Xyenn stood frozen, his fists trembling at his sides. His breathing was shallow, his chest heaving as his mind raced. The overwhelming pressure of the demon, the oppressive air of the domain, and the ceaseless screams made his vision blur. Blood dripped from his nose, a faint trail running past his lips and down his chin. He couldn¡¯t move. His body refused. His emotions¡ªfear, anger, and despair¡ªbound him tighter than any chain ever could.

    "You¡¯re pathetic," he thought to himself, his teeth gritted as his dragon arm trembled. "You came here to prove something, didn¡¯t you? To show you could handle this. And what are you doing now? Standing here like a scared little boy."

    The demon crept closer, its claws dragging across the bloody ground with a sickening squelch. Its jagged teeth glinted in the dim red light, its mocking grin widening. It could feel his fear¡ªtaste it. The demon fed on it, growing stronger with every passing second.

    "You¡¯re still that child," Xyenn¡¯s thoughts screamed at him, his heart pounding in his chest. "That weak, broken child who couldn¡¯t save anyone. You¡¯re nothing but a failure. A coward. A joke."

    ¡®This isn¡¯t my thoughts¡­?¡¯

    ¡®They¡¯re my thoughts?!¡¯

    ¡®They¡¯re yours.¡¯

    ¡®All this time you haven¡¯t really grown¡­have you? Still a 19 year old brat who had sex with a demonic queen of darkness because he was lonely and wanted love..¡¯

    ¡®That¡¯s not true..¡¯

    ¡®But it is.¡¯

    ¡®Fuck out of my head!¡¯

    He clenched his fists tighter, his nails digging into his palms until they bled. He could feel the demon¡¯s presence pressing down on him, the weight of it suffocating him, pulling him deeper into a pit of despair. He wanted to move, to fight, to scream¡ªbut all he could do was stand there, paralyzed by his own emotions.

    The demon¡¯s voice slithered through the chaos, low and mocking. "Look at you. Trembling. Silent. You think you¡¯re a man? You think you¡¯re strong? You¡¯re nothing, Xyenn. Nothing but a weak, little boy playing hero. But let me have your soul, I can make all of it go away..¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s breath hitched, his eyes darting to the ground. His anger and fear warred within him, a storm raging in his chest. He hated this. He hated himself. "Why can¡¯t I move?" he thought, his teeth grinding together as tears threatened to well in his eyes. "Why am I so weak?"

    ¡®I came in speaking tough, then to be weighed down by this dark pressure, I haven¡¯t grown an inch..was I really just bluffing¡­? Am I really not ready?¡¯

    The demon loomed closer, its tendrils reaching out, almost brushing his face. Its jagged maw opened wide, its rancid breath washing over him as it whispered, "Accept it, Xyenn. You¡¯ve already lost. Just give in. We¡¯re going to conquer Kyrrin, and we¡¯ll have Haldrek leading us. Since he¡¯s already made a soul binding contract with Death, now a high ranking demon in Hell, once he uses his contract, his soul will be ours for manipulating. He will be unstoppable. We want all the Jotyin¡­all of them! And with your elder dragon gods tampering with the powers of Hell to escape the Cycle of Rebirth, we¡¯ll have so many puppets! And most of all..The First Monarch wants you¡­he wants you more than his own daughter Yuuna¡ª.¡±

    Xyenn gritted his teeth, ¡°That''s why¡­we¡¯re gonna kill Haldrek before he¡ª.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s too late, haha! His soul is already connected to Hell! Even if he dies now, he will be there. You may want to use that Lysf?dt¡¯s puppet Kassius Velmire to help you kill Haldrek, but he¡¯s 100 times stronger now since dealing with Death. Even if Haldrek survives your little invasion, he can easily pave the way for us!¡±

    ¡®It¡¯s just like before with the Lysf?dt. They warned me if I killed Yuuna and kept her from killing the draconic deities of Kyrrin, I would save the world. If I don¡¯t, Kyrrin would fall due to the lack of draconic deities holding the world together. And it makes sense now, the Ohnupilath Tree holds it all together, the draconic deities being roots, draconic mana being the branches, and the idea of good and evil being the bark..and life and fate itself being the leaves. Haldrek must die, but if he dies, then Hell would have gained another strong warrior by their side! And Yuuna¡¯s mother, could she really be connected to me? We can¡¯t leave Haldrek alive, but either way¡­we¡¯re at a disadvantage! Haldrek is a threat to this world, but he will be a threat regardless if Hell claims him!¡¯

    Then, something happened.

    The demon froze, its red eye widening in shock. It gasped, its grotesque form recoiling as its gaze snapped downward. There, on the blood-soaked ground, was an arm¡ªa woman¡¯s arm, made entirely of crystalline white light. It shimmered with an otherworldly brilliance, refracting the dim red glow of the domain into dazzling beams of radiant light.

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes slowly followed the demon¡¯s gaze, his breath catching as he saw it too. The arm was motionless, yet its presence was undeniable, cutting through the oppressive darkness like a blade.

    ¡°What¡­.?¡± Xyenn muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

    The demon snarled, backing away as the arm began to move. Slowly, it rose from the ground, its crystalline surface glowing brighter with each passing second. The light spread, forming the shape of a woman¡¯s body¡ªtall, ethereal, and impossibly beautiful. Her skin was smooth and translucent like diamond, her eyes made of fiery rubies that flickered with radiant energy. Her hair was a flowing cascade of glowing white light that seemed to defy gravity, and above her head floated a massive crystalline halo, jagged and intricate, refracting light like a thousand shards of glass.

    Her voice was calm, serene, yet carried the weight of divine authority. "The All Mother of the Lysf?dt rebukes demons. And those who are dangers to the world of Kyrrin." She had looked at Xyenn when she said that, and Xyenn just stared at her blankly.

    The demon hissed, its tendrils writhing as it snarled, "The All Mother¡¯s body¡­ a dreadful Lysf?dt."

    Xyenn stared at her, his fear momentarily replaced by awe. He couldn¡¯t speak, couldn¡¯t move, as the radiant figure turned her ruby eyes to him. Her gaze was piercing, yet gentle, as if she could see straight through him, into the deepest parts of his soul.

    "Only those affected can be within a casted domain," she said softly, her light illuminating the blood-soaked ground around them. "Those who are in your field of vision. I have always been here, Xyenn. Watching. Waiting."

    Xyenn¡¯s mouth opened, but no words came out. The Lysf?dt¡¯s presence was overwhelming, her radiance pushing back the darkness of the domain, but her words carried a weight that made his chest tighten. He didn¡¯t want to see her here. Not now. Not after last time. Not while knowing what she wanted from him.

    She stepped closer to him, her crystalline body shimmering like starlight. "You will make a decision to kill Yuuna," she said, her voice calm but unyielding. "I believe she still plans on killing all the draconic deities to save herself, yes? I see how your bond with her grows. It is¡­ sickening. And I will deal with you next."

    Her words pierced him like daggers, but Xyenn said nothing. He simply stared at her, his emotions a tangled mess of fear, anger, and confusion.

    ¡®Of course¡­

    The Lysf?dt turned her attention back to the demon. "I will not let you kill him before he makes his decision," she said, her voice colder now.

    She raised her hand, and a crystalline staff materialized in her grasp. The weapon was a masterpiece of radiant beauty, its shaft adorned with intricate carvings of light and jagged crystal formations. The head of the staff blazed with a brilliant white light, its glow almost too bright to look at.

    The demon snarled, its tendrils lashing out as it prepared to attack. But before it could move, something happened.

    A blade, massive and jagged, pierced through the Lysf?dt¡¯s face.

    The weapon was coated in dark sun magic, its aura radiating malevolence as blood-like ichor spilled from the wound. The Lysf?dt gasped, her crystalline body convulsing as cracks spread across her face.

    Behind her, Xyenn stood, his hands gripping the hilt of the massive blade. His face was twisted with rage, his pitch-black eyes burning with an unnatural light. Without hesitation, he ripped the blade free and plunged it into her back, again and again, each strike brutal and unrelenting.

    The Lysf?dt screamed, her body shattering with each blow. Her radiant light dimmed, replaced by the sickening glow of dark sun magic. Xyenn spun, his movements almost feral, and with one final, savage strike, he slashed her head clean off.

    The Lysf?dt¡¯s body crumbled, her shattered head falling at the demon¡¯s feet. The demon stared at it for a moment, then turned its gaze to Xyenn.

    Xyenn stood there, his transformation complete. His once-grey-and-black hair was now pitch black, his eyes voids of darkness. A jagged, dark pink and sun-colored halo floated above his head, its edges sharp and menacing. A single dark sun hor  jutted from his forehead, paired with a black one, and parts of his skin were covered in black dragon scales, even across his face. His tail glowed with a dark sun hue, and the massive blade in his hand pulsed with dark energy, its aura radiating raw, unbridled power. And in the middle of his forehead, Was the crest of a glowing sun surrounded by black stained streaks passing by it.

    ¡°I¡¯ll fight my own fucking battles,¡± Xyenn growled, his voice low and filled with malice. He raised the blade, its edge gleaming with dark sun magic. ¡°I¡¯m a man now. I got this.¡±

    The demon stared at him for a moment, then began to laugh. Its grotesque form shook with amusement, its tendrils writhing in excitement. "It¡¯s been ages," it snarled, its red eye gleaming with hunger. "Ages since I¡¯ve fought someone this¡­ entertaining. I will let you remember my name: Zerzoth.¡±

    With a guttural roar, the demon lunged, its tendrils lashing out like whips. Xyenn didn¡¯t move. He simply stood there, his dark presence radiating a power so immense that the very air around him seemed to tremble.

    ¡®I have grown. I¡¯m not a child. This wouldn¡¯t have happened if I hadn¡¯t let this demon get the best of me. But I won¡¯t let anything get in my way of trying to be better, trying to be something that is the opposite of what I was before: a weak coward. I fail a lot, I had failed so many times, failing myself when I set goals and never completing them. But in order for me to survive, in order for even my adversaries to take me seriously, I have to conquer myself along with my enemies.¡¯

 Chapter 50: Demon Slayer

    The battle began in an instant, like the eruption of a long-dormant volcano. Xyenn lunged forward, his Dark Sun Sword roaring to life as it ignited with brilliant dark flames, the jagged edges glowing with a hellish radiance. His feet slammed against the blood-soaked ground, sending splashes of crimson ichor into the air as he closed the distance between himself and Zerzoth. The demon¡¯s twisted grin widened, its grotesque humanoid form shifting slightly in anticipation.

    ¡°Entertain me, little Jotyin boy!¡± Zerzoth screamed.

    Xyenn thought, ¡®Ever since me and Yuuna devoured the dragon god of the Sun, I¡¯ve gained this sword, created from the flames I absorbed from hun, I couldn¡¯t come up with a damn name¡­so it¡¯s just Dark Sword. If I was merged with Yuuna, the skills of the Sun-Drake and Yuuna¡¯s would merge and make me even more powerful. But.. I let my guard down letting this demon take advantage of my emotions, but no more..I¡¯m not some kid! I even have a child dammit!¡¯

    Xyenn¡¯s first strike was brutal¡ªhe swung the massive blade in a wide arc, aiming directly for Zerzoth¡¯s chest. The blow connected with a sickening crunch, the jagged blade ripping through the demon¡¯s thick black flesh. Bright flames of the dark sun spilled out from the wound, burning like molten lava as they hissed and crackled, eating away at the edges of the gash.

    Zerzoth stumbled back, his clawed feet scraping against the ground, but instead of roaring in pain, he laughed¡ªa deep, guttural sound that echoed through the distorted domain. ¡°Yes,¡± Zerzoth snarled, his jagged teeth glinting as his body began to shift. ¡°Yes! That¡¯s it! Show me what you¡¯re made of!¡±

    The demon¡¯s form twisted grotesquely, its body swelling and warping. The red strands on Zerzoth¡¯s head flared outward, writhing like living flames. His chest split open, exposing a second face¡ªa child¡¯s face, eerily resembling Xyenn as a boy. The child¡¯s face had pitch-black eyes, endless voids that wept tears of blood, the crimson streaks running down the demon¡¯s torso. The sight froze Xyenn for a fraction of a second, his breath hitching as the grotesque mimicry of his childhood self let out a mournful, wailing cry.

    ¡°You¡¯re still just a scared little boy,¡± Zerzoth growled, his voice morphing into a perfect imitation of Xyenn¡¯s as a child. ¡°You¡¯ve always been weak. Always afraid. And now, you¡¯re going to die afraid. I never thought I¡¯d battle a crybaby Jotyin. Haldrek would¡¯ve been a better option¡ª.¡±

    Xyenn forced himself to focus, shaking off the horrifying image as he gritted his teeth. He surged forward again, his sword carving through the air with a deadly whistle. Zerzoth met him head-on, his massive demonic arm morphing into a beast-like appendage, shaped like the jaws of a massive wolf, its teeth razor-sharp and dripping with red-black demonic energy. The two clashed in a bone-rattling impact that sent shockwaves through the blood-soaked ground, splattering gore in every direction.

    Xyenn twisted his blade, using the jagged edge to tear through the beast-like arm, but Zerzoth countered, swinging his other arm¡ªnow a massive clawed hand¡ªdirectly at Xyenn¡¯s exposed side. Xyenn barely managed to twist his body, the claw grazing his ribs and tearing through his armor, leaving deep gashes that bled freely. He grunted in pain but didn¡¯t slow, pivoting on his heel to bring his sword up in a brutal uppercut. The blade slashed across Zerzoth¡¯s jaw, splitting it open and spilling more of the demon¡¯s molten blood.

    Zerzoth roared, his beast-like arm snapping at Xyenn again. This time, Xyenn ducked low, his wings flaring as he used the momentum to leap into the air. He spun mid-flight, bringing his sword crashing down like a guillotine. Zerzoth raised his clawed arm to block, the blade biting deep into the demonic flesh, but not enough to sever it. The demon used the opportunity to swipe Xyenn with his free arm, the claws raking across Xyenn¡¯s dragon-scaled chest and sending him flying back.

    Xyenn skidded across the blood-soaked ground, his boots digging furrows into the crimson muck. He coughed, blood splattering onto the ground as he clutched his side. His dragon arm, encased in the black-gold brace, throbbed with pain, but he knew better than to rely on it¡ªit couldn¡¯t take much more punishment.

    Zerzoth charged, his massive claws tearing through the ground as he closed the distance in an instant. Xyenn barely had time to raise his sword before the demon¡¯s beast-like arm slammed into him, the force of the blow cracking the ground beneath his feet. Xyenn blocked the attack with his blade, but the impact sent a jolt of pain through his arm, nearly forcing him to drop the weapon.

    ¡®Don¡¯t stop, Xyenn!¡¯

    The two clashed again, their movements a blur of brutal strikes and counters. Xyenn ducked under a swipe aimed at his neck, spinning on his heel to slash at Zerzoth¡¯s legs. The blade cut deep, severing one of the demon¡¯s tendrils, but Zerzoth retaliated with a backhanded swing that caught Xyenn across the face, sending him staggering. Blood dripped from a fresh gash on his cheek, but he didn¡¯t falter, using the momentum to swing his sword in a wide arc that slashed across Zerzoth¡¯s torso.

    The demon roared, molten blood spraying from the wound, but it didn¡¯t slow him. Zerzoth¡¯s beast-like arm morphed again, this time into a massive serpentine head with glowing red eyes and razor-sharp fangs. The serpent lunged at Xyenn, its jaws snapping shut inches from his face as he leapt backward. Xyenn flared his wings, propelling himself into the air as the serpent head lunged again. This time, Xyenn twisted mid-flight, dodging the attack and slamming his sword down into the serpent¡¯s skull. The blade drove deep, the dark sun flames erupting and consuming the demonic flesh.

    ¡°AGHHHHH!¡± Xyenn screeched.

    Zerzoth howled in pain, his body convulsing as the serpent head disintegrated. But the demon wasn¡¯t done. His remaining arm morphed into a massive hammer-like fist, and he swung it upward with incredible force. Xyenn barely managed to block with his sword, but the impact sent him hurtling into the ground, the force of the blow creating a crater in the bloody terrain.

    Xyenn groaned, his body aching as he pushed himself to his feet. His left eye socket throbbed, the missing eye throwing off his depth perception and making it harder to read Zerzoth¡¯s movements. But he couldn¡¯t stop. He wouldn¡¯t stop.

    ¡®My left eye and left arm are my biggest issues¡­I have to be able to keep this demon in my field of view and away from my left side! If not, I¡¯ll get hit every time, but I keep messing up!¡¯

    Zerzoth lunged again, his beast-like appendages swinging with relentless ferocity. Xyenn dodged and parried, his movements precise but strained. The two traded blows in a brutal, bloody exchange¡ªeach strike aimed to kill. Xyenn¡¯s sword carved deep gashes into Zerzoth¡¯s flesh, while the demon¡¯s claws and beast-like arms left deep wounds across Xyenn¡¯s body.

    Blood sprayed with every clash, painting the already crimson ground in fresh splatters. Xyenn¡¯s breathing grew heavier, his body screaming in protest with every movement, but he refused to back down. He grit his teeth, his grip on his sword tightening as he surged forward, slamming the blade into Zerzoth¡¯s shoulder. The demon roared, his claws raking across Xyenn¡¯s chest in retaliation, but Xyenn didn¡¯t let go, twisting the blade deeper into the wound.

    Zerzoth¡¯s massive claw came down, slamming into Xyenn¡¯s dragon arm. The **brace** cracked under the force, sending a jolt of searing pain through Xyenn¡¯s body. He cried out but refused to let go, pulling his sword free and slashing it across Zerzoth¡¯s face. The blade carved through the demon¡¯s eye, molten blood spraying as Zerzoth howled in rage.

    The two combatants staggered back, blood dripping from their wounds as they glared at each other. Both were battered, bruised, and bleeding, but neither showed any sign of backing down.

    Zerzoth¡¯s mocking grin returned, his chest heaving as he chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s been ages since I¡¯ve fought someone like you,¡± he growled, his voice dripping with dark amusement. ¡°Let¡¯s see how much more you¡¯ve got, little Jotyin.¡±

    Xyenn tightened his grip on his sword, his pitch-black eyes burning with determination. He took a deep breath, steadying himself despite the pain coursing through his body.

    The demon laughed, his beast-like arms twitching in anticipation as he lunged forward again. Xyenn didn¡¯t move. He stood his ground, his sword at the ready, his dark sun aura flaring around him as the battle continued.

    The air between Xyenn and Zerzoth grew heavier, denser, as the demon¡¯s muscles rippled and his grotesque form expanded. The cursed domain around them¡ªthe endless darkness, the blood-soaked ground, and the screams of Hell¡ªseemed to intensify with Zerzoth¡¯s shift in presence. His mocking grin twisted into something darker, more menacing, as his voice deepened, reverberating like the growl of an ancient beast.

    ¡°You think you¡¯ve proved something,¡± Zerzoth snarled, his glowing red eye narrowing with sadistic amusement. His voice rumbled, guttural and commanding now, the childlike mockery gone. ¡°But you haven¡¯t even begun to understand where you stand, little Jotyin.¡±

    Xyenn stood his ground, his Dark Sun Sword gripped tightly in his hands. Blood dripped steadily from the wounds that riddled his body, pooling beneath his feet. His dragon arm throbbed painfully, the black-gold brace barely holding under the strain of Zerzoth¡¯s relentless attacks. His chest rose and fell, his breaths labored, but his determination burned brighter than the dark flames that licked along the edge of his blade.

    ¡°Then enlighten me,¡± Xyenn growled, his voice sharp despite the pain wracking his body. His black eyes burned with defiance.

    Zerzoth¡¯s laughter was low and cruel, his jagged teeth glinting as he raised a clawed hand. The air around him began to ripple, warping as a surge of blood and darkness magic poured from his body like a crimson-black tide. The ground beneath him cracked and bled, the ichor rising into the air and swirling around him in a grotesque dance.

    ¡°You¡¯ve fought enemies before,¡± Zerzoth said, his deep voice dripping with contempt. ¡°But I am not like them. I am Hell¡¯s Herald, the voice of the First Monarch. And I wield power you cannot fathom. And I¡¯m in a low rank. If you can¡¯t beat me fast like this, you won¡¯t stand a chance against Hell¡¯s forces.¡±

    ¡°All I need¡­is Yuuna. And it¡¯s over for all of you!¡±

    ¡°You REALLY think so?¡±

    The swirling magic around him condensed, shaping itself into two spheres¡ªone of blood, raw and pulsating, and the other of pure darkness, a void that seemed to devour the light of the domain itself. Zerzoth raised his clawed hand higher, and the two spheres merged, twisting and writhing together until they formed a single, chaotic mass of blood-dark magic that radiated malice.

    Xyenn braced himself, his wings flaring as he prepared to dodge, but Zerzoth didn¡¯t attack immediately. Instead, he began to chant in a low, guttural language, his words ancient and incomprehensible. The ground beneath Xyenn¡¯s feet quaked, and a series of glowing red-black runes appeared, spiraling outward in intricate patterns.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see how well you fight when your body betrays you,¡± Zerzoth growled, his voice taking on a sinister edge.

    The runes flared to life, and curses erupted from them, latching onto Xyenn¡¯s body like chains of fiery venom. His muscles stiffened, his dragon arm seizing in agony as dark tendrils of cursed magic burrowed into his flesh. He gasped, his knees buckling slightly as the pain shot through him like shards of glass.

    ¡°AGHHHH!¡±

    ¡®Curse magic?! Of fucking course! Gotta press on, no matter what! Keep on the offensive!¡¯

    Xyenn staggered, his sword trembling in his grip. His vision blurred, and for a moment, it felt as though the cursed magic was trying to rip him apart from the inside. But he gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay upright.

    ¡°I¡¯ve fought¡­ through worse,¡± Xyenn growled, his voice strained but defiant. ¡°Your cheap ass tricks won¡¯t stop me.¡±

    ¡°Haha! You little delinquent Jotyin! I like you! I see why the First Monarch wants your soul!¡±

    Zerzoth¡¯s grin widened, his massive claw forming a jagged spear of blood-dark energy. He hurled it at Xyenn with incredible speed, the projectile tearing through the air like a cannonball. Xyenn barely managed to twist his body, the spear grazing his shoulder and leaving a deep, bloody gash. He countered immediately, surging forward with a burst of speed and slashing his Dark Sun Sword in a deadly arc.

    The blade connected with Zerzoth¡¯s side, cutting deep and unleashing a burst of dark flames that burned through his flesh. Zerzoth roared, but instead of retreating, he used the momentum to swing his massive clawed hand upward, catching Xyenn in the ribs and sending him flying.  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    Xyenn slammed into the ground, coughing up blood as he rolled to his feet. The curses still weighed on him, his movements sluggish and his body screaming in protest, but he refused to back down. He steadied himself, his black eyes locking onto Zerzoth with unyielding determination.

    ¡°I¡¯ll keep fighting,¡± Xyenn spat, wiping blood from his mouth. ¡°No matter what you throw at me.¡±

    ¡°Why¡­why do you keep fighting? Knowing you¡¯ll lose? You won¡¯t claim victory by torturing yourself!¡± Zerzoth smiled.

    ¡°My ability to keep fighting..is my victory.¡±

    He remembered when he was killed over and over by Haldrek. But he didn¡¯t give up. He used that as fuel all the time during fights.

    Zerzoth chuckled darkly, his form rippling as something new began to take shape behind him. Glowing crests¡ªintricate, radiant symbols¡ªmanifested in the air, each one pulsating with a unique energy. There were seven in total, each glowing with a hue that seemed to eclipse the blood-soaked domain.

    ¡°These,¡± Zerzoth said, gesturing to the crests with a clawed hand, ¡°are the marks of the draconic deities who have already come to Hell¡¯s guidance. Their souls now belong to the First Monarch, their power feeding his will. The draconic deities that wish to escape the Cycle of Rebirth, the source of it being in Yuuna¡¯s heart. They realize how much stronger you and her have gotten, so some of them are going the dark route and trying to use cursed runes to be reborn through pregnant Quen women.¡±

    ¡°¡­.Quinara..¡±

    ¡°Though, there are draconic deities still wanting Yuuna¡¯s heart and are stubborn, not giving in to our call. But none of the dragon gods who have made contracts with us know they¡¯re bound to Hell now once they are killed by you and Yuuna.¡±

    Xyenn thought, ¡®They have to be killed by us in order to be claimed by Hell¡­? Of course¡­it¡¯s because if we kill a draconic deity, they can''t be reborn¡­! But if it¡¯s by someone else, they suffer the Cycle of Rebirth once again.¡¯

    Zerzoth smiled, ¡°So keep killing those draconic deities! Killing them is the only way to orient your little Yuuna! Killing them will be the only way to save worthless humans!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s heart sank as he stared at the floating crests. Each one was unique, a complex design of glowing lines and shapes that pulsed with the unmistakable presence of ancient power. He didn¡¯t recognize them, but the sheer weight of their presence was undeniable. But he knew they belonged to dragonic deities. Those claimed by Hell.

    Zerzoth continued, ¡°The draconic deities of Kyrrin have already begun their descent into Hell¡¯s embrace. Contracts have been made. Their power now serves a greater purpose.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s grip on his sword tightened, his knuckles white. ¡°Even if that¡¯s true,¡± he growled, ¡°it doesn¡¯t change anything. I was created to defeat the First Monarch. To conquer Hell itself. That¡¯s what I¡¯ll do.¡±

    Zerzoth¡¯s grin widened, his jagged teeth glinting. ¡°Oh, you poor, deluded fool. Do you truly think you can stand against the First Monarch when even the elder dragon gods have bowed to him? You¡¯re nothing but a pawn, a failed experiment clinging to a destiny you¡¯ll never fulfill. A premature seed of the Ohnupilath!¡±

    The crests behind Zerzoth flared brighter, their glow casting long, ominous shadows across the domain. They hovered above him like a crown, a constant reminder of the power Xyenn was up against.

    Xyenn¡¯s body ached, the curses sapping his strength with every passing second. Blood dripped steadily from his wounds, pooling at his feet. He could feel the weight of Zerzoth¡¯s words pressing down on him, the doubt creeping into his mind.

    But he refused to give in.

    ¡°You talk too much,¡± Xyenn snarled, his voice filled with raw determination. He raised his sword, the dark flames along its edge burning brighter despite the pain wracking his body. ¡°Let¡¯s finish this.¡±

    Zerzoth¡¯s laughter rumbled like an earthquake, his clawed hands crackling with blood-dark energy. ¡°As you wish, little Jotyin. Let¡¯s see how long you last.¡±

    The two lunged at each other again, their movements a blur of speed and ferocity. Xyenn¡¯s sword clashed with Zerzoth¡¯s claws in a shower of sparks, the force of their blows shaking the ground beneath them. Blood sprayed as their attacks landed, each strike more brutal than the last.

    The glowing crests behind Zerzoth pulsed ominously, their presence a constant reminder of the overwhelming power Xyenn was fighting against. But he didn¡¯t falter. He couldn¡¯t.

    The battle was far from over.

    ¡®I¡¯ll use my skills now..to end this. Using them early would¡¯ve drained me heavily since I¡¯m not merged with Yuuna¡­but now I can let loose. Since I¡¯m not contracted as a vessel of the Sun-Drake, it¡¯ll take time for me to tame his power. I have to keep fighting with this sword. I hope this sword doesn¡¯t fail me. I went through a lot to get you!¡¯

    The air trembled with a suffocating weight as Xyenn gripped his Dark Sun Sword, his bloodied body screaming in protest. The pain from Zerzoth¡¯s curses clawed at him, his muscles spasming under the strain, but he refused to falter. His breath was ragged, his left arm throbbing as if it were being crushed from the inside out, but his black eyes burned with unyielding determination. The glowing crests of the fallen dragon gods hovered ominously behind Zerzoth, their intricate designs pulsating with an otherworldly power that mocked Xyenn¡¯s resolve. Each crest seemed alive, radiating faint whispers of forgotten deities who had already succumbed to Hell¡¯s grasp. Zerzoth stood tall before him, his grotesque form rippling with demonic power, the two red strands** atop his head writhing like living fire.

    ¡°Do you see it now, little Jotyin?¡± Zerzoth growled, his voice deeper, more guttural¡ªa voice that seemed to shake the very foundation of the domain. ¡°You¡¯re nothing. Even your precious draconic deities have bowed to the First Monarch. You¡¯re not a savior. You¡¯re a child playing with a sword too heavy for your hands.¡±

    ¡°Swords not even that heavy, bitch.¡± Xyenn replied.

    Xyenn¡¯s jaw clenched as he glared at the monstrous figure before him. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to give up, to collapse under the weight of the curses and the overwhelming power that Zerzoth radiated. But he refused. He couldn¡¯t give in. Not now. Not ever.

    ¡°I¡¯m still standing,¡± Xyenn spat, his voice low but laced with venom. ¡°That¡¯s more than you can say for them.¡± He motioned toward the crests behind Zerzoth, his bloodied fingers tightening around the hilt of his blade.

    Zerzoth¡¯s twisted grin widened, his jagged teeth glinting. ¡°Then stand, boy. Stand and die.¡±

    With a roar, Zerzoth lunged forward, his massive, clawed arms morphing mid-strike into grotesque beast-like limbs, one shaped like the maw of a wolf and the other a massive hammering fist. Xyenn sidestepped the first strike, the wolf-head snapping inches from his throat, but the hammer-fist came down like a meteor. He raised his sword, the impact rattling his entire body as he blocked, the force of the blow cracking the blood-soaked ground beneath him.

    Xyenn gritted his teeth, his knees buckling under the pressure, but he twisted his body and deflected the hammer-arm, using the momentum to spin and slash at Zerzoth¡¯s exposed side. The Dark Sun Sword bit deep into the demon¡¯s flesh, unleashing a torrent of dark flames that burned through the grotesque flesh like molten lava. Zerzoth roared in pain, but his clawed arm lashed out in retaliation, raking across Xyenn¡¯s chest and leaving deep, bloody gashes.

    Xyenn staggered back, blood dripping from his wounds, but he didn¡¯t stop. He planted his feet firmly and drove his sword into the ground, summoning the first of his true powers.

    ¡°Singularity Vein: The Heart of Despair.¡±

    The ground beneath him cracked, glowing veins of crimson-black energyspreading outward in jagged lines. They pulsed with a heartbeat-like rhythm, the glowing light growing brighter with each pulse as they snaked their way toward Zerzoth. The demon hesitated for a moment, his red eye narrowing as he realized something was wrong.

    The veins converged beneath Zerzoth¡¯s feet, and with a deafening roar, a singularity erupted¡ªa small, shimmering black hole surrounded by chaotic tendrils of light and shadow. The pull of the singularity was immediate and overwhelming, dragging everything around it toward its center. The blood-soaked ground twisted and cracked, chunks of stone and debris being pulled into the void.

    Zerzoth roared in defiance, his claws digging into the ground as he fought against the pull. But the singularity wasn¡¯t just distorting space¡ªit was distorting time. Zerzoth¡¯s movements slowed, his roars stretched into eerie echoes as his massive form was dragged inch by inch toward the void.

    ¡°You think this will stop me?¡± Zerzoth growled, his voice warped by the singularity¡¯s pull. ¡°You¡¯re a fool, Jotyin!¡±

    The singularity collapsed with a thunderous explosion, sending out a shockwave of fragmented reality that ripped apart everything in its path. The shockwave slammed into Zerzoth, tearing through his flesh and sending chunks of his body flying. But the demon still stood, his twisted form regenerating almost instantly as he snarled at Xyenn.

    ¡°You¡¯ll have to do better than that,¡± Zerzoth spat, his voice dripping with malice.

    Xyenn thought, ¡®Shit! I need to make that skill stronger! Gunjo and Mertha can help me!¡¯

    Before Xyenn could respond, Zerzoth raised his clawed hand, summoning a torrent of blood-dark magic that surged toward him like a tidal wave. Xyenn leapt into the air, his dragon wings flaring as he avoided the attack, but the magic shifted mid-air, chasing him like a living storm.

    Xyenn twisted in mid-air, slashing his sword to release arcs of dark sun flames that collided with the magic, igniting it in a brilliant explosion. The force of the blast sent him hurtling back, but he used the momentum to spin and land gracefully, his boots skidding across the ground.

    As Zerzoth charged again, Xyenn summoned his next skill.

    ¡°Bloodlit Elegy: Choir of the Forsaken.¡±

    The Dark Sun Sword resonated with an otherworldly hum, releasing arcs of blood-red light that coalesced into five ghostly figures around him. The Forsaken Choir¡ªspectral warriors with flickering, ember-like forms¡ªmimicked Xyenn¡¯s movements, each wielding spectral blades that mirrored his own.

    Xyenn rushed forward, the Choir following in perfect synchronization. He slashed at Zerzoth, his blade carving into the demon¡¯s chest, while the spectral warriors attacked with delayed timing, their strikes creating ethereal ruptures that tore into the fabric of reality. Each rupture emitted bursts of sharp, deafening sound, staggering Zerzoth and leaving him open for more attacks.

    Zerzoth roared in frustration, his massive arms swinging wildly as he tried to fend off the spectral warriors, but their flickering forms absorbed the brunt of his attacks, protecting Xyenn as he pressed his assault. The Choir converged on Zerzoth, their forms detonating in a symphony of destructive energy that sent the demon crashing to the ground.

    Zerzoth struggled to his feet, his body battered and bleeding, but his laughter echoed through the domain. ¡°You think you¡¯re winning?¡± he growled, his voice dripping with venom. ¡°You¡¯ve seen nothing.¡±

    The glowing crests of the dragon gods behind Zerzoth flared brighter, their ominous presence a constant reminder of the power Xyenn was up against.

    Xyenn gritted his teeth, his body screaming in protest as he prepared his final skill.

    ¡®He¡¯s keeping them there to mess with my head..to try and show me it¡¯s hopeless. Showing me that¡­if I kill them, I¡¯m just fueling Hell! It all seems impossible¡­killing then destroys the world of Kyrrin one way or another¡­but Yuuna just wants to live.. and why does everything seem so unfair and against us?!¡¯

    ¡°Oblivion Engine: Blade of the Devouring Sun.¡±

    The Dark Sun Sword transformed, its blade becoming a swirling mass of molten metal surrounded by a halo of corrupted solar energy. Xyenn swung the blade in wide arcs, tearing open fiery rifts in the air that spilled out streams of plasma-like light. The rifts collapsed after a delay, pulling everything nearby into them with immense force.

    Zerzoth roared as the collapsing rifts tore into him, ripping chunks of flesh from his body. Xyenn charged forward, his blade burning brighter as he prepared the final strike. He brought the sword down in a devastating downward slash, the force of the attack splitting the ground beneath them and tearing through Zerzoth¡¯s torso.

    But before the strike could finish him, Zerzoth¡¯s form shifted. His massive, grotesque body shrank and twisted, and when Xyenn¡¯s blade stopped inches from his neck, he saw the face of a child¡ªhis own face, bloodied and crying, staring up at him with pitch-black eyes.

    ¡°Please,¡± the child whimpered, its voice trembling. ¡°Don¡¯t kill me. I¡¯m just a scared little boy¡­ just like you.¡±

    Xyenn froze, his breath hitching as his hands trembled. For a moment, his mind raced, doubt clawing at his resolve. But then, he gritted his teeth, his black eyes narrowing with determination.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t go through all of this for nothing,¡± Xyenn growled. ¡°You¡¯re not me.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what you do to me! Haha! When demons die, they go back to hell! And are remade without our current memories! We seem to have our own cycle of rebirth. So come on! Do it!¡±

    With a swift motion, he swung his sword, severing Zerzoth¡¯s head from his body. Blood sprayed in a gruesome arc as the demon¡¯s head rolled to the ground, its mocking grin still etched on its face.

    Xyenn stood there, his chest heaving as he stared at the lifeless body. But then, he looked up¡ªand froze.

    In the distance, under the light of a dark blood moon, he saw them: massive thrones, each one covered in shadow, with demonic beings sitting atop them. Their forms were obscured, but their presence was undeniable¡ªancient, powerful, and watching. Behind the thrones, a corrupted visage of the Ohnupilath Tree loomed, its branches twisted and blackened, dripping with crimson ichor.

    Xyenn, covered in blood and barely able to stand, pointed his sword at the thrones. ¡°I¡¯m not done yet,¡± he muttered, limping toward them.

    The screams of Hell grew louder with each agonizing step Xyenn took, the weight of them pressing against his body like a thousand invisible hands trying to drag him down. His vision blurred, his bloodied body trembling as he limped forward, his boots squelching against the blood-soaked ground. His left arm throbbed with unbearable pain, the black-gold brace barely holding together, and every breath felt like fire in his lungs. But he didn¡¯t stop. He couldn¡¯t stop. His Dark Sun Sword, heavy with the weight of his will, dragged slightly against the ground, leaving a jagged, molten trail in its wake.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­a man,¡± Xyenn whispered to himself, his voice hoarse and cracked. His lips trembled, blood dripping down his chin, but he kept going.

    The closer he got to the shadowed thrones, the louder the screams of Hell became. They weren¡¯t just sounds¡ªthey were living, tangible things, wrapping around him like chains, clawing at his mind, trying to shatter his resolve. The cries of the damned echoed in his ears, their despair threatening to drown him.

    ¡®Those look like the same figures I saw around Yuuna during the ritual with that witch in Soulcaris¡­the strongest Monarchs of Hell itself on that Throne..¡¯

    But instead of succumbing, Xyenn used it. He clenched his jaw, his black eyes burning with a fierce resolve. The screams were fuel, each one igniting a fire inside him. ¡°You don¡¯t scare me,¡± he muttered under his breath, his voice growing stronger. ¡°I¡¯ve walked through worse. I¡¯ve bled through worse. I¡¯m still here.¡±

    The thrones loomed closer now¡ªmassive, ancient structures carved from blackened stone, each surrounded by a suffocating aura of dread. The beings seated upon them were shrouded in shadow, their forms immense and unknowable, but their eyes¡ªdozens of glowing, unnatural eyes¡ªwatched him with an almost predatory interest.

    ¡°I¡¯m a¡­man,¡± Xyenn repeated, louder this time, his voice cutting through the screams. He forced his legs to move, each step sending a fresh wave of pain through his battered body. His heart pounded in his chest, the sound deafening in his own ears. ¡°I noticed¡­Being a man isn¡¯t about being fearless. It¡¯s about pressing forward, even when Hell itself is trying to swallow you whole.¡±

    As he walked, he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. A small figure, walking beside him. He turned his head slightly and froze for a moment. It was himself¡ªa younger version of himself, no older than six. The boy¡¯s face was pale and bloodied, his eyes wide with fear, but there was a flicker of determination in his expression that mirrored Xyenn¡¯s own.

    The child stumbled slightly, his small, trembling hands clutching at an invisible wound on his chest. Xyenn watched him for a moment, his throat tightening, but he didn¡¯t speak. He didn¡¯t need to. He turned his gaze back toward the thrones, his resolve hardening.

    ¡°You don¡¯t scare me,¡± Xyenn growled, his voice rising. ¡°You think you can take me? You think you can take Yuuna?¡± He gritted his teeth, his grip on his sword tightening as he pointed the blade at the shadowed figures. ¡°You¡¯re wrong. I¡¯ll kill every last one of you. I¡¯ll tear you off those thrones, and I¡¯ll burn your Hell to the ground. You don¡¯t get to decide my fate. You don¡¯t get to decide hers. You¡¯re not taking her. Not now. Not ever.¡±

    The shadowed figures didn¡¯t move for a moment, their oppressive silence hanging heavy in the air. Then, one of them¡ªthe largest, seated on the central throne¡ªshifted slightly, a glimmer of white teeth visible beneath the shadows as it smiled.

    ¡°Good luck,¡± the figure said, its voice deep and resonant, dripping with malicious amusement.

    In that instant, the shadows around the thrones shifted, and for a brief, horrifying moment, the faces of the demonic monarchs were revealed.

    Xyenn¡¯s breath caught in his throat as his gaze locked onto them. Their appearances defied comprehension, grotesque and alien in ways that twisted the mind. He couldn¡¯t process what he was seeing¡ªhis brain refused to make sense of it, as if the very act of looking at them was an assault on his sanity.

    Time seemed to slow as the images burned themselves into his mind. His heart thundered in his chest, each beat echoing louder and louder, drowning out everything else. His hands began to shake, his grip on his sword slipping as his knees buckled.

    The screams of Hell grew deafening, merging with the pounding of his heartbeat until it was all he could hear. His vision blurred, his breaths coming in shallow gasps as the trauma overwhelmed him. He tried to look away, but he couldn¡¯t. His body was frozen, his mind trapped in the moment.

    Thump. Thump. Thump.

    The sound of his heartbeat filled his ears, faster and faster, until it felt like it might burst from his chest. His chest tightened, his lungs burning as he struggled to breathe. The faces of the monarchs lingered in his mind, seared into his very soul.

    Thump. Thump. Thump.

    ¡°You¡¯re still a little child,¡± a deep, otherworldly voice rumbled through the domain, cutting through the chaos like a blade. The voice was ancient and commanding, dripping with malice and power. It came from everywhere and nowhere, resonating in Xyenn¡¯s very bones. ¡°I will claim you, little Jotyin.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s body trembled, his legs giving out as he fell to one knee. His sword slipped from his grasp, clattering to the ground. His black eyes widened, his breath hitching as the voice seemed to wrap around him, suffocating him.

    And then, the domain shattered.

    The screams of Hell vanished in an instant, replaced by the faint hum of runes and the gasp of familiar voices. Xyenn blinked, his vision clearing as he found himself kneeling on the cold stone floor of the stronghold. His body was still bloodied, his wounds still fresh, but the oppressive weight of the domain was gone.

    Around him, Illyana, Draeven, Vektor, Faera, and the clerics stood, their faces pale with shock and concern. The glowing runes on the walls flickered weakly, their light barely illuminating the room.

    Xyenn exhaled shakily, his body trembling as he forced himself to his feet. Blood dripped from his sword as he gripped it tightly, his black eyes scanning the room.

    But even as he stood there, surrounded by his allies, the faces of the monarchs lingered in his mind, haunting him.

    Illyana yelled, ¡°Xyenn! Are you okay?! We did our best out here! What happened?!¡±

    ¡®I¡¯m sorry¡­I¡¯m so sorry Xyenn!¡¯ Illyana poured in her mind, her heart grieving with guilt as she believed she did this to him by bringing him along.

    Xyenn thought, ¡®Why does everything¡­seem against us¡­?¡¯

 Chapter 51: Revelation

    The sanctuary was quiet, save for the faint echoes of Illyana¡¯s voice,  trembling as it carried through the sacred chamber. The air was heavy with the sweet smell of burning incense, the golden smoke curling upward to the high, vaulted ceiling where faint murals of light and renewal adorned every surface. The soft hum of mantras, spoken in a language as old as the stars, filled the emptiness.

    Illyana knelt on the polished stone floor, her hands clasped tightly in prayer formation. Her crystalline staff lay beside her, its radiant glow dimmed, as though it too mourned. Her lips moved, trying to recite the mantras, but the words caught in her throat, sticking like thorns. Her voice cracked, faltering over phrases that once brought her peace.

    "Peace be the light, everlasting and whole.

    Peace be the heart, unbroken and pure.

    Peace be the voice, echoing in clarity.

    Peace be the bonds, unyielding and true."

    She repeated them over and over, her voice growing quieter until it was barely audible. Her eyes were shut tightly, but tears pressed against them, threatening to spill. She bit her lip, her breathing uneven as she forced herself to focus.

    "You can''t cry," she whispered to herself, her voice trembling. "Not here. Not now. Peace... tranquility. You are the one who brings it to others. You can''t let this break you."

    Her hands tightened into fists, her knuckles white as she pressed them to her chest. Her body shook as the weight of her emotions crushed down on her like a tidal wave. For so long, she had been the calm one. The serene one. The one who carried light in even the darkest of places. But now, alone in this sanctuary, she felt like a fraud.

    "How can I keep peace in the group,"she whispered, her voice breaking, "when I can¡¯t even keep it within myself?"

    The tears finally spilled over, rolling down her cheeks as she clenched her hands tighter, her nails digging into her palms. Her breathing grew shallow, her chest heaving as she tried to suppress the sobs that threatened to escape. ¡°How can I bring tranquility when I¡¯m falling apart like this? How can I ask them to trust me, to look to me for guidance, when I don¡¯t even know if I can trust myself?"

    She lowered her head, her forehead touching the cold stone floor. "What if I¡¯m the one who breaks the Tyrants apart?" The thought clawed at her, a sharp, unrelenting pain that made her stomach twist. She had never considered her own emotions when she joined Yuuna, or the Tyrants, or even when she left the clerics behind. Her role had always been to serve, to bring harmony, to heal. But now, the weight of everything¡ªXyenn¡¯s pain, the fractures in the group, her own inability to hold herself together¡ªwas too much to bear.

    Her tears dripped onto the stone, glinting faintly in the dim light of the sanctuary. "I¡¯ve spent so long carrying their pain," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible. ¡°I never thought about my own."

    At the entrance of the sanctuary, Faera and Vektor stood in silence, their robes faintly glowing in the golden light of the chamber. Faera¡¯s arms were crossed, her expression unreadable as she stared at the closed doors. Vektor stood beside her, his arms folded, his piercing eyes fixed on the faint glow of the sanctuary beyond.

    ¡°She¡¯s been in here¡­she found it so easily..,¡± Faera murmured, breaking the silence. Her voice was soft, but there was an edge to it¡ªconcern, perhaps, or something heavier.

    Vektor sighed, his voice low and contemplative. ¡°It¡¯s not just prayer keeping her there. Something deeper weighs on her.¡±

    Faera glanced at him, her golden eyebrows furrowed. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t have believed it before, would you? Illyana used to¡­ I don¡¯t know. She never really cared about people before. Not like this.¡± She leaned against the doorway, her gaze distant as she spoke. ¡°Do you remember what she was like before she joined Yuuna¡¯s side? Before she became... whatever she is now?¡±

    Vektor nodded, his expression thoughtful. ¡°I remember. She was cold. Detached. People¡¯s feelings were... irrelevant to her. She thought emotions were a weakness. It¡¯s what led her to nearly being sacrificed to Lancelot, the Dragon God of Light. She didn¡¯t understand the weight of bonds, or the lengths people would go to protect one another.¡±

    Faera¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°And now?¡±

    ¡°Now,¡± Vektor said, his tone softening, ¡°she cares too much. She feels the weight of every choice, every word. She sees the fractures in others and blames herself for not mending them fast enough. She¡¯s trying to find balance, to keep peace, but it¡¯s tearing her apart.¡±

    Faera exhaled slowly, her gaze dropping to the floor. ¡°She¡¯s more open now. More¡­ human. But I wonder if it¡¯s too much for her. She¡¯s trying to keep the Tyrants together, and those who feel distraught around her. but I don¡¯t think she realizes she¡¯s becoming what she¡¯s trying to prevent.¡± She clenched her fists softly, her nails pressing into her palms. ¡°What if she¡¯s the one who breaks?¡±

    Before Vektor could respond, a soft voice came from within the sanctuary.

    ¡°I can hear you both,¡± Illyana said, her voice steady but strained.

    Faera and Vektor froze as the doors creaked open. Illyana stood in the dim light, her face tear-streaked but composed. Her eyes locked onto them, and for a moment, the weight of her presence was overwhelming.

    Faera bowed slightly. ¡°Apologies, Priestess Illyana,¡± she said, her voice low and respectful.

    Illyana didn¡¯t respond immediately. She wiped her tear-streaked face with the edge of her sleeve and stepped forward.

    Faera hesitated, then began to chant softly, her voice carrying a gentle melody through the air.

    "Light eternal, heal the wounds unseen.

    Light eternal, calm the storm within.

    Light eternal, bind the fractured and restore the whole."

    The chant seemed to settle the air, its melody like a soft embrace. Illyana closed her eyes, letting the words wash over her, though the pain in her chest didn¡¯t entirely subside.

    Vektor unfolded his arms, his voice quiet but firm. ¡°It was destined for you to come back to us, Illyana. Even if just for a moment. It pains me to see you like this, to see a sister in such distress. Every day, I fight to keep the darkness at bay¡ªto keep everyone intact. And yet, here you are, the strongest of us, breaking before my eyes.¡±

    Faera glanced at him, her expression softening as she looked down, her hands trembling faintly. She clenched her fists again, tighter this time, but said nothing.

    Illyana opened her eyes, her gaze sharp as she looked at Vektor. ¡°I¡¯m not here to stay,¡± she said firmly. ¡°I came to see the state of the Clerics of the Holy Branch. And now I know.¡±

    Before Vektor could respond, a cleric priest burst into the sanctuary, his face pale and his voice frantic. ¡°The boy¡ªXyenn! He¡¯s in his right mind now!¡±

    Illyana¡¯s breath hitched, her eyes widening. For a moment, she looked as though she was about to run out of the sanctuary, but she stopped herself, her grip tightening on her staff. ¡°I¡­ I did this to him,¡± she whispered, her voice trembling with guilt.

    Vektor stepped forward, his voice firm but gentle. ¡°You didn¡¯t force him to do anything, Illyana. He chose this. He wanted it. You can¡¯t blame yourself for his decisions.¡±

    But Illyana shook her head, her gaze dropping to the floor. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. It¡¯s still my fault.¡±

    Faera opened her mouth to speak, but the words wouldn¡¯t come. She looked at Illyana, at the way her shoulders slumped under the weight of guilt, and for the first time, she felt a pang of hopelessness. Illyana was the one she had always looked up to, even when she joined Yuuna. She had always been a pillar of strength, of serenity. But seeing her like this¡ªbroken, weeping¡ªmade Faera wonder if there was any hope left at all.

    Before the silence could stretch further, the doors to the sanctuary opened again. Xyenn walked in, bloodied and bandaged, his steps slow but steady. Draeven was behind him, his usual nervous demeanor replaced with a quiet resolve as he stayed close to Xyenn¡¯s side.

    Illyana froze, her eyes locking onto Xyenn. She opened her mouth to apologize, but before she could speak, Xyenn approached her. His dark eyes met hers, and for a moment, the room was silent.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Xyenn said, his voice soft but firm.

    Illyana stared at him, her lips trembling as tears welled in her eyes again.

    The air in the sanctuary was heavy with unspoken tension as Illyana watched Xyenn with wide, questioning eyes. Her tears had stopped, but the weight of her emotions lingered in her chest like a stone. He had thanked her¡ªthanked her¡ªand it left her more confused than ever. Her lips trembled for a moment before she found her voice, soft and uncertain.

    ¡°Why?¡± she asked quietly, her eyes searching his bloodied face. ¡°Why are you thanking me, Xyenn? After everything, after what you went through¡­ why?¡±

    Xyenn, still standing tall despite the bandages that wrapped his torso and arms, looked at her with a steady, almost calm expression. His eyes, once clouded with fear and doubt, now carried a glimmer of something deeper¡ªresolve.

    ¡°Because now I know,¡± Xyenn began, his voice low but firm, ¡°how much larger the stakes are. And instead of feeling hopeless about it, I¡¯ll endure it. I¡¯ll fight it.¡± He paused, his gaze drifting to the faint light filtering through the sanctuary windows. ¡°Everything seems against us. Hell itself is against us. But I was created for this. I was created to conquer beings bigger than the dragon gods, to fight battles no one else can fight. And though I have a long way to go, each fight¡­ every single one¡­ teaches me how much I have to grow in order to live. Or something like that, I¡¯m not really good at this.¡±

    Illyana¡¯s lips parted, but she said nothing, her hands tightening around her staff as she listened.

    ¡°I¡¯ve made goals before,¡± Xyenn continued, his tone quieter now, reflective. ¡°Goals to conquer my fear. My anxiety. To bury all the things that make me weak. And I¡¯ve failed. Over and over again, I¡¯ve failed.¡± His voice wavered for a moment, but he steadied it, his grip tightening on the **Dark Sun Sword** strapped to his back. ¡°But that¡¯s natural. That¡¯s what it means to be human. Or¡­ somewhat human, I think.¡± He smirked faintly at the thought, shaking his head. ¡°The point is, those failures don¡¯t define me. What defines me is that I keep going. Fear and doubt don¡¯t mean I¡¯ve lost. They mean I¡¯m still alive.¡±

    Illyana lowered her gaze, his words sinking into her heart. She felt a pang of guilt as she thought to herself, ¡®If these fearful and anxious emotions are what¡¯s making him stronger¡­ what am I doing trying to keep him from feeling these all the time?¡¯ The realization struck her like a blow. She had spent so much time trying to shield Xyenn from his fears, from his doubts, thinking it would make him stronger. But now, as she looked at him¡ªbloodied, battered, but unbroken¡ªshe realized she had been wrong.

    Her thoughts spiraled as she considered her own actions. ¡®Am I too pushy? Am I stunting his growth? Everyone else¡¯s?¡¯

    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Breaking her train of thought, Illyana spoke softly, her voice tinged with guilt. ¡°Yuuna might be mad at us for this. I¡­ I don¡¯t even know how to answer her. I think I¡¯ve failed her¡ª¡±

    ¡°She won¡¯t be mad,¡± Xyenn interrupted firmly, his voice cutting through her doubt. His dark eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, the room seemed to still. ¡°You didn¡¯t fail her. You didn¡¯t fail anyone.¡±

    Illyana¡¯s lips trembled, the weight of her emotions pressing against her chest. When Xyenn said, ¡°Thank you,¡± again, she felt an internal battle raging within her. She wanted to brush it off, to tell him not to thank her, that she didn¡¯t deserve it. But as she looked into his eyes, saw the strength he had found in himself, she knew that wasn¡¯t what he needed.

    Her fingers tightened around her own hand, and after a long, agonizing moment, she forced herself to smile¡ªa small, tranquil smile that carried both sorrow and understanding. ¡°You¡¯re welcome,¡± she said softly, her voice steady despite the storm inside her.

    Xyenn continued, ¡°We¡¯ll still need you and your gift, Illyana. If we ever start to really feel hopeless or depressed..we know we can count on you to fix us. Because I for one know those are the emotions that cause most of us to fall apart.¡±

    Xyenn, his expression calm as he turned to Vektor, who had been watching in silence. ¡°I know you want to ask questions,¡± Xyenn said, his tone sharp and direct. ¡°Go ahead.¡±

    Vektor unfolded his arms, his stern expression hardening further. ¡°What did the demon say?¡± he asked, his voice low and serious. ¡°Since you could understand him¡ªwhat did he tell you?¡±

    Xyenn exhaled deeply, his gaze growing distant as he recounted what Zerzoth had revealed. ¡°He said I¡¯m a Jotyin. That I came from the Ohnupilath Tree¡ªthe same tree that the First Dragon, Gabriel, used to create life itself. The tree was created by the Dragon God of Light, Lancelot, but apparently, it was the King of Sen who created Gabriel, the First Monarch of Hell¡­ and the Jotyin, years after their birth. The King of Sen is dead now, apparently, but the Jotyin were taken to the Astral World to protect them. I think because the war with the primordial dragon deities happened early. Zerzoth and the demons think Yuuna¡¯s human mother took them/us out of the Astral World, but they¡¯re not sure.¡±

    He paused, his voice growing darker. ¡°And the First Monarch¡­ he can puppeteer the souls of the dragon gods and draconic vessels who make contracts with Hell. There¡¯s plenty of them. Too many.¡±

    The room fell silent as Xyenn¡¯s words sank in. Faera, who had been standing quietly near the doorway, suddenly spoke. ¡°You said you¡¯re a Jotyin¡­ like King Samuel!¡±

    Xyenn turned to her, his brow furrowing as the name struck a chord in his memory. ¡°King Samuel?¡± he repeated. His voice was low, cautious. ¡°Zerzoth mentioned him. He said he was the first draconic vessel of Lancelot, the Dragon God of Light.¡±

    He hesitated, his dark eyes narrowing. ¡°Is he dead?¡±

    Faera and Vektor exchanged a glance, their expressions heavy with unspoken knowledge. Finally, Vektor spoke, his voice grim. ¡°No. Samuel isn¡¯t dead. He¡¯s¡­ sealed.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s gaze darkened, his mind racing with the implications of what he had just learned. The weight of the revelations pressed down on him, but he didn¡¯t falter. Instead, he stood taller, his resolve hardening.

    The silence in the sanctuary was thick, but it wasn¡¯t oppressive. It was a moment of reflection, of understanding, as each of them grappled with the truths that had been laid bare.

    The sanctuary grew heavy with silence as Xyenn, his mind still turning over the weight of Zerzoth¡¯s revelations, turned to Faera. His voice was low, calm, but carried an edge of curiosity that demanded answers. ¡°This¡­ King Samuel,¡± he began, his dark eyes narrowing. ¡°Who is he really? How was he sealed, and why?¡±

    Faera¡¯s expression shifted, the soft glow of the sanctuary light catching the faint furrow of her brow. She crossed her arms, her gaze distant, as if recalling something from a half-forgotten memory. ¡°King Samuel,¡± she began slowly, ¡°was the first draconic vessel of Lancelot, the Dragon God of Light. In his time, he was revered¡­ feared¡­ unstoppable. But even he wasn¡¯t invincible.¡±

    She paused, her voice softening as she continued. ¡°There was one demon. One that walked this world during the early days of Kyrrin¡¯s creation. A being so powerful, so ancient, it nearly destroyed the world before it had even properly begun. Samuel fought that demon, but he¡­ lost.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s jaw tightened at the thought. ¡°He lost?¡±

    Faera nodded solemnly. ¡°Before King Samuel could die, there was a cleric with him¡ªa woman. Her name has been lost to time. She sealed his soul in a statue, preserving him so he wouldn¡¯t fall into the hands of Hell.¡± She hesitated, glancing toward Vektor, who gave an affirming nod, before continuing. ¡°That statue¡­ it¡¯s in the possession of the current vessel of Lancelot. It¡¯s kept safe at the head sanctuary of the Holy Branch.¡±

    The weight of her words sank into the room like a stone dropped into still water. Draeven, who had been standing nervously behind Xyenn, suddenly stuttered, his voice cracking under the tension. ¡°Th-that woman¡­ the cleric¡­ could it have been¡­ Yuuna¡¯s mother?¡±

    Faera and Vektor looked at each other, their expressions uncertain. Vektor finally spoke, his voice measured but unsure. ¡°We don¡¯t know,¡± he admitted, folding his arms across his chest. ¡°There¡¯s too much we don¡¯t know.¡±

    Before the conversation could go any further, Illyana stepped forward, her voice calm but commanding. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t speak any further about this tonight,¡± she said firmly, her pale blue eyes scanning the group. ¡°Yuuna should be part of this discussion, as well as the other Tyrants. If we¡¯re going to uncover the truth, we do it together.¡±

    Faera immediately nodded, her respect for Illyana evident in the way she responded without hesitation. ¡°You¡¯re right, Priestess Illyana. We¡¯ll wait.¡±

    Vektor inclined his head slightly, his sharp features softening as he added, ¡°Tomorrow, we¡¯ll meet. We can discuss this alongside Klem. There¡¯s much to take care of. The world is in danger again, and we¡¯re closer to disaster than we¡¯ve been in months.¡±

    As the name left his lips, Illyana gasped softly. ¡°Klem?¡±

    A vision flashed in her mind¡ªa memory of Klem, the strongest and most battle-hungry cleric she had ever encountered. She remembered his imposing figure: a towering white lion humanoid, his fur glowing faintly with golden light, as though he were a divine creature made flesh. His mane shimmered with streaks of silver and gold, and his eyes burned with fierce amber fire, glowing with an intensity that was both terrifying and awe-inspiring. He wielded a massive eight-sided ax, its surface engraved with intricate runes that pulsed with a radiant, healing light. Chains were attached to the ax, glowing with the same energy, and he used them with deadly precision, spinning the weapon like a whirlwind of destruction.

    The memory shifted, and she saw Klem slaughtering through hordes of beasts and monsters, his sickly laughter echoing through the battlefield as the ax tore through flesh and bone alike. The chains lashed out like serpents, binding and crushing anything in their path. He was unstoppable, a force of nature that seemed to revel in the chaos of battle.

    Illyana blinked, shaking off the memory as she nodded slowly. ¡°I¡¯ll consult Yuuna,¡± she said, her voice steady. ¡°If a meeting is necessary, we¡¯ll join you. But we have a lot to handle already¡ªthe cursed region, King Alaric, and summoning Kassius Velmire. Everything is piling up. And even with King Haldrek and Ezrael the dragon god of war about to battle¡­everything is happening fast. Whatever or whenever we do anything, must be done fast.¡± She paused, glancing at Faera. ¡°Tomorrow. Noon. That¡¯s when we¡¯ll meet if Yuuna agrees.¡±

    Faera gave a short bow, understanding the weight of Illyana¡¯s words. ¡°Understood,¡± she said softly.

    The group began to disperse, each of them exchanging quiet farewells. The tension in the air gave way to a brief moment of camaraderie, though it was tinged with the heaviness of the revelations they had shared. Illyana, Faera, and Vektor lingered a moment longer, their gazes meeting briefly before they too parted ways.

    Xyenn, walking beside Vektor, asked him silently, ¡°How was that baby possessed by a demon?¡±

    ¡®I need to know¡­¡¯

    Vektor replied, ¡°Why do you care?¡±

    Xyenn didn¡¯t reply, he just stared at Vektor. A look that said, ¡°Tell me.¡±

    Vektor responded, ¡°¡­A noble family brought the baby here at the orphanage door step, begging for us to save the baby from whatever demon was devouring its soul.¡±

    ¡°And? What else?¡±

    ¡°I know of that noble family, the Delleren Family. Thieves guilds and assassins all through Svarthelm are aware of them, but can¡¯t seem to pick them apart due to their strength and numbers. They breed babies and sell them off to slave owners for money. That¡¯s how they became rich in the first place. Using magic to manipulate the rate they can have children and other things. But one of the newborn babies became sick, and they couldn¡¯t heal him so they used a dark ritual to try and cure the baby, not to really heal it, but to do whatever it took to keep the baby alive, but didn¡¯t know it would cost him. They were fooled. And the demon took over the baby.¡±

    ¡°Tch..bastards. Where can I find them?¡±

    ¡°Huh? What do you even plan to do? Don¡¯t you got enough to deal with already?¡±

    ¡°Where can I find them?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll let you know when you meet with us.¡±

    ¡°Pfft. Holding this shit against me, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°We need all the help we can get, brat. Meet us tomorrow with your Tyrants and dragon goddess of darkness. And I¡¯ll keep this between me and you if you want to take revenge for the baby.¡±

    ¡°Fine. And about the babies soul..where is it?¡±

    ¡°It was devoured by a demon, so..¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me, I don¡¯t wanna hear anymore. Get ready to see us tomorrow. That¡¯s horrible..¡±

    Vektor thought, ¡®This kid, he¡¯s really gonna take revenge for that baby? A baby he didn¡¯t even know? Seems Illyana has influenced him. Because we would do the same thing if we had the time. That feeling of being abandoned, being abandoned all his life if he was a Jotyin.¡¯

    Outside the sanctuary, the cool night air enveloped the group as they walked back toward the orphanage. The stars above were faint, their light dimmed by the lingering presence of the blood moon and its ominous glow. Xyenn walked at the front of the group, his mind swirling with everything he had learned. The weight of his newfound identity as a Jotyin pressed against him, but he pushed it aside. There was no room for doubt now.

    As they passed the orphanage, Xyenn suddenly felt a strange sensation¡ªa prickling on the back of his neck. He stopped, his boots scraping against the dirt path as he turned back toward the old building.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Draeven asked nervously, clutching the edges of his cloak.

    Xyenn squinted at the orphanage, his sharp eyes scanning the darkened windows. For a moment, there was nothing¡ªjust the faint glow of candlelight from inside. But then, in one of the upper windows, he saw it.

    A child, no older than seven, was staring at him through the glass. The boy¡¯s face was pale, his expression blank, but his eyes gleamed with an unsettling curiosity. Xyenn hesitated, raising a hand in a small, awkward wave.

    The boy¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. He stared at Xyenn for a long moment, his gaze unblinking. Then, without warning, the boy raised his hand¡ªand flipped Xyenn off, his middle finger held high as a mischievous grin spread across his face.

    The boy laughed and ran off, disappearing from the window.

    Xyenn¡¯s mouth fell open in disbelief. ¡°HUHH?! I¡¯LL KILL THAT LITTLE SHIT!¡± he bellowed, his voice echoing through the quiet night as he started toward the orphanage.

    ¡°W-wait, Xyenn!¡± Draeven stammered, grabbing his arm and pulling him back with surprising strength for someone so nervous. ¡°Calm down! He¡¯s just a kid!¡±

    ¡°A kid?!¡± Xyenn snarled, his dark eyes blazing with indignation. ¡°That little punk just flipped me off!¡±

    Draeven struggled to hold him back, his voice trembling as he tried to calm the enraged warrior. ¡°It¡¯s not worth it! Please, just let it go!¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you chase him across the entire city because he stole from you?! Have my back on this!¡±

    ¡°I mean, y-yeah, but I''m tired!¡±

    Vektor and Faera turned back, their expressions a mix of confusion and amusement as they watched the scene unfold.

    ¡­

    The training room in the orphanage was a sanctuary of light. The walls were a blinding, pristine white, glowing faintly as if imbued with divine energy. The floor held a crystalline sheen, etched with intricate runes that pulsed faintly whenever a step was taken¡ªa reminder that even this room was alive with sacred magic. Vektor stood at the center, his broad shoulders squared, his sharp golden eyes fixed on the emptiness before him. His breath was steady, measured, but there was tension in his jaw, a weight pressing against his usually calm demeanor.

    He closed his eyes for a moment, tilting his head downward as he brought his hands together in a prayer-like stance. His voice, deep and steady, began to resonate within the chamber as he chanted the mantras of light, words of his own design, drawn from years of devotion.

    ¡°Shine eternal, blade of stars,

    Cut through shadow, mend the scars.

    Light of gold, unbroken flame,

    Cleanse the wicked, purge their name.¡±

    As the words flowed from him, he began walking forward, his steps purposeful and deliberate. The hem of his priest¡¯s robe, white with intricate gold embroidery, trailed behind him, glowing faintly with the power of his mantra. His voice didn¡¯t falter, the cadence of his chant growing more powerful with every syllable.

    ¡°Be the shield, unyielding and strong,

    Be the fist, righting every wrong.

    Light eternal, guide my hand,

    Banish dark from every land.¡±

    With a fluid motion, Vektor reached to the clasp of his robe and removed it gently, letting the garment slip from his shoulders and fall to the floor in a soft heap. Underneath, his body was a marvel of both strength and devotion¡ªhis muscled frame marked with glowing golden crests that spiraled from his shoulders down to his fists. The crests were intricate and long, resembling radiant vines intertwined with runes, their light pulsating in sync with his heartbeat.

    His fists clenched, the golden glow intensifying as he opened his eyes, now burning like twin suns. In his hand materialized his weapon: a golden blanket, shimmering and alive with divine energy. It was no ordinary blanket¡ªit was a weapon of pure light, its edges sharp and fluid, its surface rippling with raw power. The fabric seemed to defy gravity, floating weightlessly, ready to obey his every command.

    As he stepped further into the room, the training dummies began to assemble themselves. Steel humanoids, forged from magic and animated by runes, pulled themselves together from piles of parts scattered across the floor. Their movements were mechanical but precise, their glowing eyes locking onto Vektor as their forms solidified. They were designed to mimic the strength and speed of an enemy, but they were just that¡ªimitations. Vektor would remind himself tonight that no matter how real the enemy, the light would stand resolute.

    He exhaled sharply, gripping the edge of his golden blanket and flinging it forward.

    The blanket unfurled, expanding mid-air as it wrapped around the first dummy, binding it tightly. The steel figure struggled against the radiant fabric, but Vektor didn¡¯t hesitate. With a sharp pull, the blanket constricted, the golden energy searing through the steel, cutting the dummy apart in a burst of light. The pieces clattered to the ground, glowing faintly as they disintegrated into harmless dust.

    ¡°Light eternal, rise and smite,

    Burn away their endless night!¡±

    Vektor¡¯s voice boomed as he spun, the golden blanket coiling in his hands like a whip. Another dummy charged him, its steel fists raised, but with a flick of his wrist, the blanket extended, slashing through the air like a radiant blade. It struck the dummy¡¯s legs, severing them cleanly before Vektor lunged forward, wrapping the fabric around the figure¡¯s torso and hurling it into the wall. The impact sent cracks rippling outward, golden light spilling from the dummy¡¯s shattered form.

    The dummies came faster now, their movements more coordinated, their strikes more precise. But Vektor was faster. His movements were fluid, almost dance-like, as he wielded the golden blanket with unmatched precision. He spun on his heel, the fabric arcing around him in a wide sweep that struck three dummies at once, the radiant energy burning through their steel bodies as if they were paper.

    ¡°Light unbroken, shield my soul,

    Burn the dark, make it whole.

    Guide the hand, lift the weak,

    Grant me strength for what I seek.¡±

    The room was filled with the sound of clashing steel and the hum of divine energy. Vektor¡¯s blanket twisted and coiled, moving like a living thing as it lashed out at the dummies. He used it to block strikes, the glowing fabric hardening like a shield against their blows, before countering with devastating precision.

    One dummy lunged at him, its arm transforming into a blade that slashed toward his neck. Vektor ducked low, sweeping the blanket upward and catching the blade in its folds. With a sharp tug, he disarmed the dummy, the weapon clattering to the ground. He followed up with a powerful punch, his crest-covered fist glowing brightly as it connected with the dummy¡¯s chest, sending it flying backward in a shower of sparks.

    Another dummy came from behind, but Vektor didn¡¯t turn. Instead, he flung the blanket over his shoulder, the fabric extending like a spear that pierced through the dummy¡¯s torso. With a flick of his wrist, the blanket spiraled, tearing the steel figure apart before retracting back into his hand.

    The battles continued, each scenario more intense than the last. Vektor fought relentlessly, his movements growing faster and more destructive with each wave of dummies. He leapt into the air, using the blanket to swing himself around like a whip, slamming into the dummies with enough force to shatter their steel bodies. He wrapped the fabric around multiple enemies at once, using it to crush them in a brilliant burst of light.

    Through it all, he kept chanting.

    ¡°Light eternal, burn the path,

    Spare the kind, unleash the wrath.

    Guide my blade, steady my aim,

    Purge the dark in your holy name!¡±

    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last dummy fell. Its steel body crumbled to the ground, glowing faintly before disintegrating into dust. The room was silent once more, the only sound Vektor¡¯s heavy breathing.

    He stood in the midst of the destruction, the shattered remains of the dummies scattered around him, glowing faintly in the divine light that still radiated from his body. His golden blanket floated gently in the air beside him, its edges flickering softly as if catching its breath as well.

    Vektor looked down at his hand, at the golden crest that spiraled across his arm and ended at his fist. Its intricate design glowed faintly, pulsating like a heartbeat. For a moment, his expression faltered, the weight of everything pressing down on him.

    Xyenn¡¯s words echoed in his mind. The dragon gods¡­ already claimed by Hell. Puppeteered by the First Monarch if they were permanently killed. The thought of it made his chest tighten. He could see it in his mind¡ªfriends, allies, gods themselves, turned into twisted weapons of destruction.

    He clenched his fist, the crest burning brighter as he exhaled sharply. ¡°No,¡± he muttered to himself, his voice steady despite the storm inside him. ¡°I won¡¯t lose hope. The clerics won¡¯t lose hope. Fighting reminds me of our strength. Of their strength.¡±

    He raised his head, his golden eyes blazing with renewed determination. ¡°If the light can endure, so can we.¡±

    The golden blanket wrapped itself around his shoulders like a cloak, and Vektor stood tall in the center of the training room, the light of the crest on his arm illuminating the shattered remnants of his opponents.

 Chapter 52: Daughter Of Snow

    The Realm of the Light Born was a masterpiece of divine radiance, a place where clouds shimmered like liquid pearls, suspended in an endless horizon of golden light. Diamonds and jewels floated weightlessly in the air, their forms refracting the light into an infinite spectrum of colors that danced across the sky. The ground¡ªif it could even be called that¡ªwas formed of translucent crystal, pulsing faintly beneath every step, as though the realm itself was alive. The air was warm, suffused with a serene hum, a melody of creation that resonated in the soul of anyone who stood in its presence.

    At the center of this radiant expanse, atop a throne carved from a single, massive ruby that seemed to glow from within, sat the All Mother of the Lysf?dt. Her form was a being of pure, unblemished light, her body a silhouette of brilliance that shimmered with divine energy. She wore a gown that was an impossible mix of rubies and radiance, the gems embedded in the fabric glowing faintly with a crimson hue, as if they carried the blood of the cosmos itself. Her face was hidden behind a white veil, so sheer it seemed woven from the essence of stars, but her presence was so overwhelming it felt as though her gaze pierced through all barriers. Suspended above her head was a massive, intricate halo, formed of dazzling jewels that spun slowly, radiating a soft hum of power. Her wings, crafted from the same pure radiance as her body, spread impossibly wide, their edges sparkling as if dusted with diamond shards.

    Around her stood the Lysf?dt, her chosen children of light. They were similar in form but smaller, their bodies glowing with a softer intensity. Each Lysf?dt wielded weapons made of radiant energy¡ªspears, swords, and shields that glimmered with a divine purpose. They moved with grace, their forms flickering like flames, silently observing the scene before them.

    Standing before the All Mother was Orin, the Dragon God of Blood. His form was immense, towering even in his humanoid shape. His crimson, scaled skin glistened like polished rubies, veins of darker red running across his body like living rivers of molten blood. His face was sharp and angular, his glowing yellow eyes betraying a deep wisdom that he tried to amplify with every word and motion. Massive curved horns jutted from his head, and his back was adorned with a pair of blood-soaked, leathery wings that dripped faint particles of crimson light. His hands were clawed, and his body was wrapped in ceremonial draconic armor, jagged and ancient, as though forged in the heart of a dying star. Orin carried himself with the air of an elder dragon, his deep, gravelly voice laced with a forced wisdom he hoped would make him appear as serious as the gods surrounding him.

    But even in his grandeur, the sheer brilliance of the All Mother made him seem small.

    They stood in silence, the weight of the moment palpable. The All Mother¡¯s wings shifted slightly, their radiance intensifying as her glowing eyes burned behind her veil. Orin shifted uncomfortably, his claws curling into fists. He hated the silence. He hated how her presence dwarfed his own.

    Finally, Orin opened his mouth to speak, his gravelly voice rumbling with a forced authority. ¡°I¡ª¡±

    Before the first word could truly leave his lips, one of the Lysf?dt moved. It was instantaneous, a blur of radiant motion that left behind a streak of golden light. In less than a heartbeat, the being was upon Orin, wielding an otherworldly weapon¡ªa blade shaped like a long, jagged shard of diamond. Its edges were serrated with smaller crystal teeth, and its hilt was adorned with a radiant core that pulsed with every movement. The weapon gleamed with a light so sharp it seemed to cut the air itself as it thrust toward Orin¡¯s chest.

    But Orin did not flinch. His clawed finger shot up with blinding speed, stopping the blade¡¯s tip just before it pierced his flesh. The diamond shard trembled against his strength, its radiant energy crackling and sparking as Orin¡¯s blood-red finger held it at bay.

    The chamber hummed with tension. The Lysf?dt around the throne shifted slightly, their forms flickering like restless flames, but the All Mother raised a single glowing hand, halting all movement. Her voice, when it came, was like a melody of warmth and dominance, seduction and divinity intertwined. It was soft yet commanding, a sound that could soothe and terrify at once.

    ¡°No one speaks before me without permission,¡± she said, her words resonating through the radiant realm like a song carried by the winds of creation.

    Orin¡¯s clawed hand lowered, and he let out a low growl, his yellow eyes narrowing. ¡°I don¡¯t care for your rules,¡± he said, his voice gruff. ¡°Why have you summoned me, All Mother?¡±

    The All Mother tilted her head slightly, her veil shifting as though she were smiling beneath it. ¡°Life,¡± she began, her voice dripping with an almost hypnotic reverence, ¡°is beautiful. Radiant. A fragile thread of light weaving itself through the tapestry of time. It is fleeting, yes, but that is what makes it precious. Every moment, every breath, is a diamond to be cherished.¡±

    Her words hung in the air, shimmering like the jewels floating around her. The Lysf?dt seemed to nod in silent agreement, their radiant forms flickering softly.

    ¡°But even the most beautiful light can be swallowed by darkness,¡± the All Mother continued, her voice growing heavier. ¡°My chosen enforcer, Kassius Velmire, has gone dark. The Prophets have not seen him in days. I believe fate itself has turned its back on me because of it.¡±

    Orin¡¯s gaze sharpened, his wings twitching slightly. ¡°And what does that have to do with me?¡±

    The All Mother ignored his question, her voice dipping into an almost mournful tone. ¡°I will move forward with my plan. I will raise the First Dragon, Gabriel. Though I know he will not be himself without Kassius¡¯s soul. Then I will need the power of the Tree of Ohnupilath¡ªthe tree Gabriel used to create all life and Kyrrin¡ªmay provide the means to restore him.¡±

    Her glowing eyes burned brighter behind the veil. ¡°But I will need three things: the soul of Yuuna¡¯s mother, who the Prophets have informed me is lost. The Tree itself. And you, Orin.¡±

    Orin¡¯s claws tightened, his blood-red skin glowing faintly. ¡°Me? Why?¡±

    ¡°You are made of Gabriel¡¯s blood,¡± she said simply. ¡°You are the direct conduit of the Cycle of Rebirth for the draconic deities. You are essential.¡±

    Orin snarled, his voice sharp. ¡°I will not sacrifice myself just to raise Gabriel. And manipulating the Ohnupilath Tree is taboo. Even among us.¡±

    The All Mother¡¯s wings flared slightly, the jewels on her halo spinning faster as her radiance intensified. ¡°Taboo?¡± she asked, her voice laced with a dangerous sweetness. ¡°Do you not see the stakes? Xyenn and Yuuna killed and absorbed the Sun-Drake, the dragon god of the sun. Xyenn, as a Jotyin, could become a threat to everyone. He is what King Haldrek is becoming. An anomaly that must be destroyed.¡±

    Orin bared his fangs, his voice rising. ¡°You speak of destruction, but do you even understand the Tree¡¯s purpose? There is no dragon god of life, because the Tree is life itself. It is sacred. The runes on the Tree¡ªSen¡¯s runes¡ªare what bind its power.¡±

    He raised a clawed hand, drawing glowing shapes in the air as he spoke. ¡°There are five runes: Ylka, the Rune of Creation. Thyn, the Rune of Balance. Kyr, the Rune of Destruction. Ohl, the Rune of Eternity. And Vyn, the Rune of Rebirth. They are not tools to be used lightly.¡±

    The All Mother¡¯s radiance dimmed slightly, but her presence grew colder. Her hands clenched the arms of her throne, and the jewels floating above her began to hum with an ominous energy.

    ¡°You refuse me?¡± she asked softly, her voice carrying an edge of danger.

    Before Orin could respond, the sky above them shattered with a sound like breaking glass. A massive blade, forged from diamond and adorned with jagged, crystalline edges, shot down from the heavens at impossible speed. The weapon¡¯s surface pulsed with radiant energy, its shape tapering into a serrated, spear-like tip. It struck Orin with devastating force, piercing through his chest and pinning him to the crystalline ground. Blood exploded into the air, splattering the radiant realm with crimson droplets.

    For a moment, everything was still.

    Then, the blood particles shimmered, reforming into Orin¡¯s body. He growled low, his yellow eyes blazing as he dashed up the blade, his claws clinking against its jagged edges. With a powerful leap, he launched himself toward the All Mother, his blood-drenched wings leaving a crimson trail in the air.

    The Lysf?dt around her flickered with alarm, but the All Mother remained calm, her veil shifting as though she were smiling. ¡°Strong,¡± she murmured, her voice filled with a dangerous admiration. ¡°You are an elder dragon god, after all. But radiance always wins. Gabriel intended it so.¡±

    From the heavens, a massive, radiant hand descended, its fingers covered in intricate runes of light. The hand moved with crushing speed, slamming down onto Orin mid-air. The impact sent a shockwave through the realm, the crystalline ground beneath them shattering like glass.

    Orin gritted his teeth, his body trembling as he braced against the hand with eight blood-forged arms that sprouted from his back. His knees buckled under the immense weight, but he roared in defiance, his muscles straining as he pushed back against the divine force.

    The radiant realm of the Light Born erupted into chaos, its crystalline beauty shattering under the weight of the brewing storm. Thunder roared like the voice of an angry god, and winds howled with a ferocity that threatened to tear the very fabric of the realm apart. The air itself seemed alive with tension, crackling with radiant energy and the heavy scent of impending violence. The All Mother sat motionless on her throne, her jewel-encrusted halo spinning faster and faster, the gems refracting blinding streaks of light across the battlefield. Her wings pulsed with raw energy, each beat of their light shaking the foundations of her domain.

    Below her, Orin stood defiant, his blood-red body trembling as he held back the massive radiant hand pressing down on him. His eight blood-forged arms, sprouting grotesquely from his back, glistened with crimson light as they strained against the crushing weight. The veins across his body pulsed violently, his claws digging into the radiant surface of the hand as blood dripped and sizzled against the crystalline ground. The winds tore at him, the sheer force threatening to collapse him to his knees.

    The All Mother¡¯s voice echoed through the storm, her tone still melodic but undercut with rising anger. ¡°Kassius Velmire was to be the soul of vigor for Gabriel''s resurrection. His strength, his very essence, was crafted for this purpose. But now, he is silent. He has gone dark. And without him, I am forced to rely on another.¡±

    Her radiant eyes burned brighter behind her veil, and her voice grew harsher, louder¡ªreverberating like thunder. ¡°Yuuna¡¯s mother¡­ I know for certain her soul is a string of fate itself, tied to the threads of this world and beyond. Everything points back to her. The Prophets whisper her name, speak of her importance, yet they spread my plans like wildfire, unraveling everything before I can act. How can one move forward when the world conspires to delay destiny? They are neither my enemies or my allies, even if they¡¯ve helped me choose Kassius as my enforcer, they will easily betray me. I still have no clue where the hell they come from¡­.¡±

    The hand pressed harder, its force sending cracks skittering across the crystalline ground beneath Orin¡¯s feet. He roared in defiance, his knees buckling slightly, but he refused to fall. Blood dripped from his arms as they strained, the crimson light of his body flickering. Yet, even as the All Mother¡¯s anger grew, so did Orin¡¯s resolve.

    Through gritted teeth, he grinned. ¡°You think¡­ you can play god with the Tree of Ohnupilath,¡± he growled. ¡°Do you even understand what you¡¯re meddling with? That Tree is the very essence of life itself. It was Lancelot, the Dragon God of Light, who created it. The Tree is his domain. Each of us¡ªeach draconic deity¡ªhas a domain. To harm the Tree is to harm the world¡­ and even Lancelot. He¡¯s the closest to Gabriel than anyone else, and you¡ªbeing the so-called fucking radiant creation of Gabriel and his main worshipper, you would harm his closest companion?¡±

    The All Mother¡¯s wings flared, their light burning brighter. Her voice exploded like a thunderclap, shaking the entire realm. ¡°I DO NOT CARE!¡± she roared, the radiance of her form growing so intense it was difficult to look directly at her. ¡°If just a hint of power from the Tree must be sacrificed, so be it. Gabriel is needed. The world is broken without him!¡±

    The radiant hand bore down harder, the weight of it causing the cracks beneath Orin to deepen. His arms trembled, blood pooling beneath his feet, but his grin widened. ¡°You think I¡¯ll just¡­ roll over for you? You underestimate me, All Mother. I made a deal¡­ with Yuuna.¡±Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!

    The All Mother froze for a split second, her veil shifting slightly as if she were narrowing her eyes. ¡°A deal?¡± she asked, her voice sharp and curious. ¡°What deal?¡±

    Orin¡¯s grin remained, his fangs glinting. ¡°That¡¯s for me to know,¡± he said, his voice laced with defiance. As he rose higher, pushing back against the hand with sheer force, the veins of blood on his body pulsed brighter. ¡°And for you to wonder.¡±

    Suddenly, a group of Lysf?dt moved. Without a word, they darted toward Orin, their weapons blazing with radiant energy. Their diamond-edged blades screamed as they tore through the air, aiming for the dragon god¡¯s exposed body.

    Before they could strike, blood splattered from Orin¡¯s form, spraying across the battlefield like a crimson storm. From the droplets, dozens upon dozens of Blood Maidens emerged, their forms shifting and solidifying in an instant. The air was filled with the hum of blood magic as they surrounded the Lysf?dt. Among the Blood Maidens was Parcy, the diminutive pixie but no less deadly. Her presence was a surprise, her form glowing faintly with blood runes as she hovered in the air with a mischievous smirk.

    The Lysf?dt¡¯s weapons clashed against the Blood Maidens¡¯ magic. Radiant energy met crimson spells, the air vibrating with the sheer force of the standoff. Both sides pushed against each other, neither gaining ground. Weapons pressed against weapons, magic against magic, their combined energies shaking the realm. The Lysf?dt grunted as they pushed forward, their radiance flaring brighter, while the Blood Maidens hissed and growled, their blood runes glowing with an otherworldly light as they resisted with equal force.

    Orin, still holding the radiant hand, roared as he bit down on it with his fanged maw. The hand cracked, the radiant jewels forming it shattering into a burst of blinding light. Orin leapt into the air, his blood-forged wings spreading wide as he hovered above the battlefield. His face was serious now, his grin gone, replaced by cold defiance.

    ¡°I am an elder dragon god,¡± he declared, his voice rumbling across the realm. ¡°No one tells me what to do. Not even you, All Mother. I don¡¯t care how close you were to Gabriel.¡±

    The All Mother remained seated on her throne, her expression unreadable behind her veil. But then, as if amused, she chuckled softly. ¡°Strong words, Orin. You truly are an elder dragon god. But even so¡­ radiance always wins. Gabriel intended it so.¡±

    Below them, the Blood Maidens and Lysf?dt continued their standoff, their weapons and magic pressing against each other. The ground beneath them cracked and splintered as the forces collided, both sides grunting with exertion as they tried to overpower the other. The tension was palpable, every push and pull threatening to erupt into full-scale combat.

    The All Mother tilted her head slightly, her voice cutting through the chaos. ¡°What do you suggest, then, Orin? If you refuse me, what is your alternative?¡±

    Orin hovered in the air, his yellow eyes blazing. ¡°Xyenn,¡± he said simply. ¡°He¡¯s a Jotyin. That makes him an ally, whether you like it or not. Yuuna and Xyenn are the only ones capable of standing against the dragon gods trying to escape the Cycle of Rebirth. And with the demonic curses spreading, you¡¯d be wise to work with them.¡±

    The All Mother hesitated. Her wings shifted slightly, their light dimming as she considered his words. ¡°Work with a demonic goddess from Hell?¡± she asked, her voice dripping with disdain. ¡°You ask much of me, Orin.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have a choice,¡± Orin replied bluntly. ¡°Xyenn is a Jotyin. They grow stronger on a scale you can¡¯t even imagine. And Yuuna? You¡¯ve seen what she¡¯s capable of. Together, they¡¯re unstoppable.¡±

    The All Mother was silent for a long moment..¡±I will not work with them. Just so they can stab me in the back? No. Get out of my sight. But remember this, Orin. I will have you, Yuuna¡¯s mother, and the Tree¡¯s power. Gabriel is needed here.¡±

    The storm began to calm, but the tension lingered in the air as Orin and his Blood Maidens remained poised.

    ¡®I have to tell Yuuna..¡¯ Orin thought.

    ¡­

    (Unknown location)

    The cave was a tomb. Snow filtered in from cracks in the jagged rocks above, blanketing the frozen bodies of soldiers whose faces were forever twisted in grotesque masks of horror. Their mouths yawned open in silent screams, their eyes wide and lifeless, ice crusting their lashes. Some lay slumped against the walls, their armor shattered, their weapons still clutched in frozen, blackened hands. Others were sprawled across the ground, their limbs twisted unnaturally, blood frozen in crimson trails that led to nowhere. The faint stench of death lingered beneath the biting cold, a haunting reminder of the savagery that had taken place.

    Deep within this cave of death, King Haldrek and his daughter, Espen, stood in eerie contrast to the macabre scene. Haldrek¡¯s once-regal form had become something sickly and unnatural. His veins, black as ink, snaked grotesquely beneath his pale, frost-kissed skin, pulsating faintly with a dark aura that radiated from him like waves of suffocating pressure. His face was gaunt, his cheeks hollow, his eyes sunken and rimmed with shadow, yet his presence was overwhelming¡ªan undeniably powerful figure, one whose very existence seemed to warp the air around him.

    Haldrek was painting.

    He dipped his bloodied fingers into a bowl of glowing, enchanted paint¡ªits color shifting between icy blue and deep crimson¡ªand smeared it across the rough cave walls. The image slowly took shape: a world without war. A land of serenity, where no soldiers marched and no blood was spilled. A vision of peace, pure and untainted. But the strokes were erratic, almost desperate, as though the very act of painting was an obsession, an escape he clung to with trembling hands. The blood spattered across his body mixed with the paint, staining the wall in ways both deliberate and accidental. He forced a smile as he worked, but there was no mistaking the madness that lurked behind his hollow eyes.

    Beside him stood Espen, his young daughter, her small frame bundled in furs that were darkened by blood. Her tiny hands held a brush, but she barely moved. Her pale face, streaked with dirt and red smears, was tense, her lips trembling as she glanced nervously between her father and the grotesque scene surrounding them. Every fiber of her being told her she shouldn¡¯t be here¡ªshouldn¡¯t be doing this. The dark aura that radiated from her father made her stomach churn, her chest tighten. It was like standing too close to a storm that could shatter the earth at any moment.

    Espen¡¯s brush hovered over the wall, but it didn¡¯t move. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to paint. Not when her father looked like this. Not when the cave was filled with the frozen dead. Not when the air itself felt wrong.

    ¡°Papa¡­¡± she said softly, her small voice barely reaching him.

    Haldrek didn¡¯t respond. His smile stayed fixed, his bloodied fingers continuing their frantic work on the wall.

    ¡°Papa,¡± she tried again, her voice trembling slightly.

    Still, he ignored her, his focus entirely on the mural.

    Espen¡¯s tiny hands clenched the handle of her brush, her knuckles going white. She took a shaky step closer. ¡°Papa?¡± she whispered, her voice cracking.

    Finally, Haldrek¡¯s movements slowed. He didn¡¯t turn to face her, but his voice, light and almost sing-song, drifted through the cold air. ¡°What is it, my little snowdrop? Papa is working. Can¡¯t you see?¡±

    Espen hesitated, staring at his back. His tone was kind, but the dark aura that clung to him made her shiver. ¡°Why¡­ why do you hurt people, Papa?¡±

    The question made Haldrek freeze. His hand, mid-stroke, hovered over the mural. For a long moment, the only sound was the faint whistle of the wind through the cracks in the cave. Slowly, Haldrek lowered his hand, his bloodied fingers curling into a loose fist.

    Espen, emboldened by his silence, took another step closer. Her voice was soft, innocent, but laced with fear. ¡°You just hurt and hurt, and¡­ and they look sad. Why, Papa? Why do they look sad?¡±

    Haldrek turned his head slightly, enough for her to see the corner of his forced smile. It was a smile that didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°Oh, my sweet Espen,¡± he said, his voice still gentle. ¡°You don¡¯t understand. Papa doesn¡¯t kill because he wants to. He does it because he must.¡±

    ¡°But¡­ why?¡± Espen asked, her small voice trembling.

    Haldrek sighed, turning fully to face her now. He knelt, his towering frame folding down until he was at her level. His blackened veins seemed even more pronounced in the dim light, and the dark aura that surrounded him seemed to thicken, making the air harder to breathe. Yet his smile remained, soft and fatherly, as though nothing were wrong.

    ¡°Because, my little snowdrop,¡± he began, his tone patient, ¡°when Papa was young, he was forgotten. Abandoned. Spit on by the world. I had no power, no place. Nothing.¡± His smile faltered for a brief moment, but he quickly forced it back. ¡°But when I became the vessel of Snow, I was given power. True power. And with that power, I saw the world for what it truly is. It¡¯s filled with war, Espen. Pain. Suffering. Conquest.¡±

    His voice grew softer, almost wistful. ¡°I want to purify the world, little one. I want to create a place where no one has to suffer like I did. But the only way to do that is to eliminate war itself. And to do that¡­¡± He paused, his eyes darkening. ¡°I must bring war upon those who create it. I must destroy those who spread it. I must cleanse this world with my own hands.¡±

    Espen¡¯s face crumpled, her small hands trembling as she clutched the brush to her chest. ¡°But¡­ but they look sad, Papa. You¡­ make them sad.¡±

    Haldrek¡¯s smile tightened, his jaw clenching slightly. ¡°They are sad because they don¡¯t understand, Espen. They don¡¯t see the world the way I do. But one day, they will. One day, they will thank me.¡±

    Espen shook her head, her voice shaky but insistent. ¡°No¡­ no, Papa. Y-You  just hurt them. You just make them sad and hurt. You don¡¯t¡­ you don¡¯t make it better.¡±

    Haldrek¡¯s smile twitched, his hands curling into fists. His voice remained calm, but there was a sharpness to it now. ¡°Espen, you don¡¯t understand. You¡¯re too young to¡ª¡±

    ¡°But I do understand!¡± Espen cried, her voice rising slightly. ¡°I see them! They¡¯re all sad, and they¡¯re gone, and you just keep doing it!¡±

    Haldrek¡¯s forced smile finally broke. His eyes darkened, his expression twisting with frustration. ¡°Enough!¡± he snapped, his voice still tinged with restraint. ¡°You don¡¯t understand what it takes to change the world, Espen! You¡ª¡±

    ¡°Why?!¡± Espen shouted, tears streaming down her face.

    The tension snapped. Haldrek¡¯s expression contorted with anger, and he slammed his fist into the wall, the force of it shaking the cave. His voice erupted in a thunderous roar, the sheer power of it reverberating through the air like an avalanche.

    ¡°Enough!¡±

    The force of his yell hit Espen like a physical blow, a deafening thoom that knocked her small frame backward. She tumbled to the ground, the wind knocked out of her, her tiny body rolling across the cold, bloodstained floor. She gasped desperately for air, her chest heaving as she clawed at the ground, trying to breathe.

    Haldrek stood there, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths, his blackened veins pulsating as the dark aura around him grew thicker. His hands trembled, the overwhelming power coursing through him making the air feel suffocating.

    The cave was still, save for the muffled sound of Espen¡¯s ragged gasps as she struggled to breathe. Tears streamed down her pale cheeks, mingling with the streaks of blood on her face. She clutched at her chest, her small hands trembling as her body fought to recover from the thunderous force of her father¡¯s yell.

    Haldrek stood a short distance away, his broad shoulders heaving with each labored breath. His blackened veins pulsed beneath his frostbitten skin, the dark aura emanating from him so oppressive it made the air feel suffocating. His remaining guards, encased in enchanted snow armor, stood nearby, their helmets hiding the terror in their eyes. They were soldiers, trained to face death, but the sight of their king¡ªhis power, his rage¡ªwas something else entirely.

    One of the guards, trembling violently, stumbled backward. His breathing quickened, panic overtaking him. Without another word, he turned and started running toward the cave¡¯s entrance, desperate to escape.

    Haldrek vanished.

    A blur of motion, as fast as light itself, and then he was there¡ªbehind the fleeing guard. In one fluid motion, Haldrek grabbed the back of the man¡¯s helmet with his bloodied hand and slammed him into the cave wall. The impact sent a sickening *crack* through the air as the guard¡¯s head burst like a fruit against the jagged rock. Blood and brain matter splattered across the pristine snow-covered floor, darkening the white walls with streaks of crimson.

    Before the body could even collapse, Haldrek spun, his movements unnervingly precise. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled the lifeless corpse across the cave. The body hit the opposite wall¡ªtheir mural¡ªwith another brutal crunch, the remains smearing blood and gore across the once-hopeful painting of a world without war.

    The other guards froze, their breathing shallow, their terror palpable.

    Haldrek¡¯s voice erupted, a booming roar that rattled the very foundation of the cave. ¡°You will suffer with me!¡±

    His words echoed, cutting through the still air like a blade. His once-forced smile was gone, replaced by a twisted snarl, his black veins throbbing as his power surged.

    He turned slowly, his hollow, sunken eyes falling on Espen. She lay on the ground, curled in on herself, her small chest rising and falling rapidly as she tried to catch her breath. Her tears glistened in the dim, cold light of the cave.

    Haldrek approached her, his heavy footsteps crunching through the snow and blood beneath him. His breathing was ragged, his expression shifting as he looked down at her. For a moment, he said nothing, his towering frame casting a long shadow over her fragile form.

    He looked at his hands¡ªhis bloodied, trembling hands. The black veins beneath his skin seemed to writhe, pulsating with an energy that felt alive, like it was feeding off his emotions. He clenched his fists, staring at them as his mind raced.

    ¡°Why am I getting stronger?¡± he thought. ¡°Is it this¡­ anger? This guilt? Am I cultivating my own emotions into power? Is this drive¡ªthis unrelenting need to cleanse the world of Kyrrin¡¯s filth¡ªwhat¡¯s fueling me?¡±

    His gaze shifted back to Espen. She was still gasping, tears rolling down her cheeks as she looked up at him, her small, bloodied hands reaching weakly toward him.

    A wave of self-loathing washed over him.

    ¡°What have I done?¡± he whispered, his voice cracking. He dropped to one knee beside her, his hands trembling as he reached for her. ¡°Espen¡­ I¡­¡±

    His voice faltered, and for the first time in what felt like years, he felt the sting of tears in his own eyes. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he whispered, his voice breaking. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to¡­ please, forgive me.¡±

    He pulled her into his arms, holding her small, trembling body against his chest. She clung to him weakly, her breathing still shallow, her tears soaking into his bloodstained tunic. Haldrek closed his eyes tightly, grief and guilt tearing at him.

    ¡°I planned for you to lead this world, Espen,¡± he murmured, his voice soft, almost tender. ¡°To lead it in purity. But you can¡¯t do it with a child¡¯s mind. You have to be ready¡­ now.¡±

    He pulled back slightly, his hands gripping her shoulders as he looked into her tear-filled eyes. His expression twisted, equal parts sorrow and determination.

    ¡°This world is dark. Unforgiving. Death lurks in every shadow, Espen. You must be strong. Stronger than I ever was.¡±

    He stood slowly, his dark aura intensifying as he raised one hand. Snow began to swirl around him, his magic manifesting as glowing runes formed in the air. The cave grew colder, the temperature dropping to an almost unbearable degree.

    ¡°This is the beginning,¡± he said, his voice low and resolute.

    He placed his hand over Espen¡¯s face, his palm covering her eyes. The snow runes spiraled down her small body, their glow illuminating the cave as they etched themselves into her skin. Espen¡¯s body stiffened, her small frame trembling violently as the transformation began.

    The process was horrifying. Espen¡¯s skin turned a pale, icy blue, her veins glowing faintly as the magic coursed through her. Her small hands twisted and grew, her fingers elongating into sharp, crystalline claws. Her hair turned white as snow, lengthening and flowing like a frozen river. Her frame stretched unnaturally, her soft, childlike features morphing into something more angular, more alien.

    Her eyes opened, glowing with a piercing, icy light that seemed to cut through the very air. Frost spread from her feet, creeping across the cave floor as the power oozed from her. Her stance was unsteady at first, but as the transformation completed, she stood tall¡ªa snow humanoid, her presence radiating a cold, unrelenting power.

    Haldrek stared at her, his breath caught in his throat. The sheer power emanating from her was overwhelming, even for him. He chuckled softly, tears streaming down his gaunt cheeks as he looked at her.

    ¡°You¡¯re not weak anymore,¡± he whispered, his voice trembling with equal parts pride and sorrow. ¡°In this world¡­ this dark, unforgiving world¡­ you¡¯ll survive. You¡¯ll thrive. You¡¯ll cleanse it.¡±

    Espen trembled, her glowing eyes flickering as she tried to form words. Her lips parted, but her voice was weak, strained. ¡°Papa¡­¡±

    Haldrek froze.

    The single word hit him like a blade to the chest. His smile faltered, his knees buckling slightly as he stared at her.

    In his mind, a vision began to take shape. He saw himself walking through an endless snowstorm, the frozen ground beneath him littered with piles of skeletons. The faces of the dead haunted him, their empty sockets staring, accusing.

    ¡°Did I turn her into a monster?¡± he asked himself. ¡°The very thing I fought so hard not to become?¡±

    He remembered his own childhood¡ªhow he had fought so desperately to hold on to his humanity, only to be beaten down by a world that didn¡¯t care. He had embraced the monster within himself to survive, to conquer, to purify. But now¡­ had he forced the same fate on his daughter?

    He fell to his knees, his hands covering his face as tears streamed down. He saw himself as a child, lost and broken, whispering the words he had tried so hard to bury.

    ¡°I¡¯m a horrible father¡­¡±

    Desperate for answers, he called out in his mind. ¡°Kragvyr¡­ Dragon God of Snow¡­ help me. Tell me what to do.¡±

    But there was no answer. Only silence.

    Instead, a voice deeper and colder than anything he had ever heard echoed in his mind. **Death spoke.**

    ¡°Let her be strong, as you are,¡± the voice said. ¡°She is not a monster. She is an enforcer of purity, just as you are. She will carry your torch when you are gone. She will cleanse this world, as you cannot.¡±

    Back in the cave, Haldrek stood slowly, his face wet with tears as he looked at Espen. He wiped his eyes, his expression hardening as he steeled himself.

    ¡°Espen,¡± he said softly, his voice trembling. ¡°Kill them. Kill the knights.¡±

    He turned away, walking across the cave as the screams began. He didn¡¯t look back, even as the sound of tearing flesh and breaking bones filled the air.

    With every scream, he asked himself, ¡°Was this worth it?¡±

    He shut his eyes tightly, his hands trembling. ¡°She won¡¯t suffer like I did,¡± he whispered. ¡°She won¡¯t know war. She won¡¯t know discrimination. This is for the best.¡±

    But deep down, he knew the truth.

    ¡°I¡¯m broken,¡± he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible.

 Chapter 53: Hidden Truths

    (Svarthelm, Continent of J?rvaldr, Morning Time, Western District)

    The streets of Svarthelm were alive with the clash of two worlds¡ªthe gleaming wealth of the upper echelon and the grimy desperation of the poor. Massive brass pipes jutted from buildings, spewing plumes of smoke into the air, while the rhythmic clanking of automaton enforcers echoed down the cobblestone roads. The rich strode confidently through the avenues, their high-collared coats and silk dresses adorned with intricate gearwork and jewels. Meanwhile, the poor scurried in the shadows of towering structures, their ragged clothing barely shielding them from the cold morning air.

    The Western District, notorious for its stark divisions, was a maze of opulence and squalor. The smell of oil and coal mingled with the tantalizing aromas of street food, wafting from stalls powered by small, sputtering steam engines. Rich nobles, escorted by automatons, sneered at the commoners who dared to share the same streets. Among the chaos, Xyenn and his group strolled, their presence drawing curious and wary glances alike.

    ¡°Yuuna, get off me,¡± Xyenn grumbled as Yuuna clung to his back, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck.

    ¡°Nope!¡± she declared, grinning from ear to ear. ¡°I¡¯m comfy.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re heavy! And you keep hitting me on the head¡­¡±

    ¡°Are you calling me fat?¡± she gasped dramatically, smacking him on the side of the head.

    ¡°Tch! Stop!¡± Xyenn yelped, nearly stumbling into a passing noblewoman, who huffed indignantly and raised her nose as she walked away.

    ¡°Hey, watch where you¡¯re going!¡± Yuuna yelled after her, leaning over Xyenn¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re lucky I don¡¯t bite!¡±

    ¡°You do bite!¡± Xyenn shot back, twisting his head to glare at her.

    ¡°Only you, darling,¡± Yuuna said with a mischievous grin, baring her teeth playfully.

    The group stopped at a busy row of food stalls, each one offering something unique and extravagant. The vendors, dressed in soot-stained aprons, shouted over the noise of the crowd, advertising their wares. The smells were intoxicating¡ªspices, roasted meats, and sweet glazes mingling in the air.

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s eat,¡± Xyenn said, finally managing to pry Yuuna off his back. She landed on her feet with a laugh, immediately bounding toward the nearest stall.

    ¡®Illyana thought this was a good idea. After everything that happened last night, Illyana told me food was one of the many ways to tame her chaotic mind. Plus, everyone is starving as well.¡¯

    The group dispersed, each person gravitating toward something that caught their eye.

    Yuuna returned first, holding a plate of brassbeak skewers, the meat marinated in a fiery orange sauce that dripped onto her hands as she bit into it. ¡°Agh! It¡¯s spicy!¡± she exclaimed, her eyes watering. ¡°Darling, try this!¡±

    ¡°No thanks,¡± Xyenn said, holding up his own dish: ironboar ribs, slow-cooked until the meat fell off the bone and glazed with a sweet, sticky sauce. ¡°I¡¯m good with this.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be a baby!¡± Yuuna said, shoving a skewer in his face. ¡°Now you have to eat it!¡± Yuuna cackled.

    ¡°Fine.¡± Xyenn said, grabbing the skewer and taking a bite. His face immediately turned red. ¡°What the hell is this?! Lava on a stick?!¡±

    Yuuna doubled over laughing, slapping her thigh. ¡°You look like you¡¯re gonna cry!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not crying!¡± Xyenn yelled, reaching for a nearby stall¡¯s water barrel and dunking his head in.

    Illyana, standing nearby with a plate of celestial fruit salad, chuckled softly at their antics. The plate in her hand shimmered with slices of glowing fruit, each piece radiating a faint light. ¡°Yuuna,¡± she said gently, ¡°don¡¯t torture him too much. He still has to carry you later.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯ll live,¡± Yuuna said, waving her hand dismissively before grabbing another skewer.

    Draeven, nervously watching the commotion, held a tray of steamberry tarts, the small pastries topped with a bubbling, frothy cream. ¡°Uh, Xyenn, you okay?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Xyenn muttered, pulling his head out of the water barrel. ¡°I¡¯ll live.¡±

    ¡®Fuck that was hot!¡¯

    ¡°You should try these, though,¡± Draeven said, offering him a tart. ¡°They¡¯re not spicy or anything.¡±

    Xyenn grabbed one and popped it into his mouth, his expression softening. ¡°Alright, not bad,¡± he admitted.

    Draeven beamed, clearly pleased.

    ¡®My bro said it¡¯s not bad, that means we have similar taste! Awesome..¡¯

    Yuuna said to Draeven, sneaking up on him with a menacing jealous glare, ¡°Trying to steal my darling from me, huh? Think your food is better than mine, scum?¡±

    ¡°N-No!¡±

    ¡°Draeven,¡± Mertha said, walking up with a massive hunk of razorhorn steak, charred on the outside and dripping with juices. ¡°You¡¯re too soft. Real food is supposed to fight back.¡± She tore into the steak, chewing loudly. ¡°You too, Xyenn.¡±

    ¡°Do you ever eat anything that doesn¡¯t look like it was hunted with a warhammer, Mertha?¡± Quinara teased, nibbling on a delicate plate of skywhale souffle again.

    ¡°Not if I can help it,¡± Mertha replied with a grin, her teeth stained with sauce. ¡°It¡¯s the best!¡±

    ¡°Gorran, you want some of this?¡± Quinara asked, holding out a piece of her souffle.

    ¡°No,¡± Gorran said flatly, staring at the plate of shadow eel dumplings in his own hand. The black dumplings steamed faintly, their surface glistening like polished obsidian.

    ¡°Gorrannnnnn,¡± Quinara said, leaning against him and poking his arm. ¡°You¡¯ll love it. It¡¯s sweet, just like me.¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Gorran was slightly flustered.

    Xyenn, Yuuna, Mertha, and Draeven huddled together and pointed at Gorran, gasping dramatically with comedic flair, saying, ¡°Gorran?! He¡¯s in love?! He blushed or something¡ª!¡±

    Gorran slashed his Xenith blade at them, ¡°I¡¯m not!¡±

    They dodged it easily while laughing.

    Kivorn, sitting lazily on a nearby crate, poked at his bowl of crab stew with a spoon. ¡°Why are all of you so noisy?¡± he asked in his usual monotone.

    ¡°Because we¡¯re not boring,¡± Zyphira shot back, holding up her plate of emberwing kebabs, the spicy meat sizzling faintly on its skewers. ¡°You should try these, Kivorn. Might wake you upppp.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m awake,¡± Kivorn replied, though his half-lidded eyes suggested otherwise.

    ¡°No you¡¯re not.¡±

    ¡°I am.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not.¡±

    ¡°I am.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not.¡±

    ¡°I am.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not.¡± Zyphira teased with a grin.

    Gridd, standing nearby, grunted in agreement. He was chewing on a volcanic rokwyrm steak, his expression stoic as always. ¡°At least he doesn¡¯t talk too much,¡± he said, glancing pointedly at Sethrak.

    ¡°That¡¯s because he doesn¡¯t have anything interesting to say,¡± Sethrak replied with a smug grin, sipping from a glass of velvetroot wine. ¡°Unlike me.¡±

    ¡°Your arrogance is exhaustin¡¯,¡± Gridd muttered.

    ¡°And yet, here you are, still listening,¡± Sethrak said, raising his glass in mock salute.

    ¡°Got me there, didn¡¯t ya lad?¡±

    ¡°I only joke.¡±

    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Folks aren¡¯t gonna be too happy seeing two children sippin¡¯ velvetroot wine early in the mornin¡¯.¡±

    Zyphira stepped in, ¡°We are grown! Remember we took the appearance of children temporarily for a reason, duhhhh.¡±

    As the group continued eating, the voices of town criers rang out over the noise of the crowd:

    - ¡°BREAKING: THE DUCHESS OF GEARHAVEN ACCUSED OF TREASON! Sources say she¡¯s been funding rogue automatons to rise against the city¡¯s council!¡±

    - ¡°AUTOMATON ENFORCERS MALFUNCTIONING IN THE LOWER QUARTERS! Citizens report strange behavior, including unauthorized arrests and random violence!¡±

    - ¡°WHISPERS OF AN ASSASSIN IN THE HIGH DISTRICT! Nobles fear the return of the legendary Blackthorn Guild!¡±

    - ¡°NEW TAX ANNOUNCED BY THE COUNCIL OF BRASS! The poor suffer while the rich prosper!¡±

    - ¡°A NEW PETITION TO BAN BEASTKIN FROM THE CITY GAINS TRACTION AMONG THE NOBLES! Activists rally against the discriminatory laws!¡±

    As the group finished eating and continued walking, Yuuna suddenly leaned close to Xyenn while no one else was looking. Without warning, she kissed his ear, then ran her tongue along the edge in one swift motion.

    Xyenn froze, his face turning bright red as he whipped his head around to look at her. ¡°Wha-?¡±

    Yuuna pointed at him, bursting into laughter. ¡°You¡¯re blushing!¡±

    ¡°Shut up¡­¡± Xyenn whined, his voice cracking slightly as he tried to compose himself.

    ¡°You¡¯re adorable,¡± Yuuna teased, skipping ahead of him with a wide grin.

    ¡°That¡¯s you.¡±

    ¡®I¡¯m opening up as a romantic partner?! I¡¯m definitely becoming a man!¡¯

    Yuuna poked his face with a manic grin, ¡°Hmmm? Are you thinking about what you just said?! HAHA!¡±

    ¡°I-Impossible! You can read my mind?!¡±

    ¡°Noooooo! It¡¯s written all over your face!¡±

    The Western District of Svarthelm was already buzzing with its usual chaos of clanking automatons and bustling crowds, but the presence of Xyenn and his group injected a kind of unpredictable energy into the streets that even the hardened residents seemed to notice. The group drew stares as they walked¡ªpartly because of their loud banter, partly because of the sheer diversity of their personalities, and partly because they were clearly not the kind of people who belonged among the gilded streets of Svarthelm¡¯s upper crust.

    At a quiet moment, Yuuna, still holding onto her brassbeak skewer, still on Xyenn¡¯s back, narrowed her mischievous eyes at Xyenn, who was cautiously picking at his ironboar ribs. Her grin widened as she leaned toward him.

    ¡°Hey, Xyenn,¡± she purred sweetly, just before shoving the skewer into his mouth.

    ¡°Mmph!¡± Xyenn¡¯s eyes widened in surprise as the spicy meat hit his tongue. He grabbed her wrist, trying to push her away, but she only laughed harder.

    ¡°Eat it, you big baby!¡± Yuuna cackled, leaning her full weight against his arm.

    Xyenn managed to wrench the skewer out of his mouth, coughing slightly as he glared at her. ¡°Oh, you think that¡¯s funny?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s hilarious!¡± Yuuna said, doubling over in laughter.

    ¡°Alright, then, your turn!¡± Xyenn said, grabbing a piece of his ironboar rib and shoving it toward her face.

    ¡°Hey, no¡ª!¡± Yuuna protested, but it was too late. Xyenn smushed the sticky, sweet-glazed rib against her lips, and she groaned dramatically. ¡°Ugh, it¡¯s so¡­ sugary!¡±

    ¡°Good!¡± Xyenn teased, but before he could pull back, Yuuna bit down on the rib¡ªalong with part of his finger.

    ¡°OW! Did you just bite me?!¡± Xyenn yelped, shaking his hand.

    ¡°Yup!¡± Yuuna said smugly, chewing the rib. ¡°Tastes better when it¡¯s stolen.¡±

    ¡°You¡­,¡± Xyenn muttered, though the small smile tugging at his lips betrayed his amusement.

    Nearby, Draeven watched the exchange with wide eyes, his hands clutching his plate of steamberry tarts. ¡°Wow. They¡¯re, uh¡­ really comfortable with each other, huh? Jealous..¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re feral,¡± Quinara replied dryly, nibbling on her skywhale souffle. She smirked as she glanced at Gorran, who was quietly eating his shadow eel dumplings. ¡°What about you, Gorran? Want me to shove some food in your mouth too?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Gorran replied flatly, not even looking at her.

    ¡°Awww,¡± Quinara teased, leaning closer. ¡°Open wide, big guy. Here comes the..the uh, the dragon.¡±

    ¡°Are you..fond of me? You¡¯re always rubbing up on me.¡±

    ¡°Maybe.¡±

    Further back, Gridd was muttering to himself as he chewed on his volcanic rokwyrm steak. ¡°Bloody nobles an¡¯ their fancy food,¡± he grumbled. ¡°Can¡¯t even find a proper pint o¡¯ ale in this damned city. All they¡¯ve got is that¡­¡± He gestured vaguely toward Sethrak, who was sipping his velvetroot wine with a smug grin. ¡°...fancy pisswater.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not pisswater,¡± Sethrak said, his tone laced with condescension. ¡°It¡¯s a refined vintage, aged in crystal casks for thirty years.¡±

    Gridd snorted. ¡°Aye, sounds like pisswater to me.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps your dwarven palate simply can¡¯t appreciate the finer things,¡± Sethrak said with a smirk. ¡°And seems you want a taste as you keep commenting on it.¡±

    ¡°An¡¯ perhaps yer royal arse needs a good kickin¡¯,¡± Gridd shot back, his eyes narrowing.

    ¡°Now, now,¡± Illyana interjected gently, stepping between them with her usual serene smile. She held out a piece of her glowing celestial fruit salad. ¡°Gridd, would you like to try this? It¡¯s sweet and refreshing.¡±

    Gridd hesitated, eyeing the fruit suspiciously. ¡°Fruit, ye say? Bah. Fine. I¡¯ll try it, lass. But if it tastes like pisswater, I¡¯m blamin¡¯ Sethrak.¡± He popped a piece into his mouth and chewed thoughtfully before nodding. ¡°Alright, that¡¯s not bad. Not bad at all.¡±

    ¡°See? Even Gridd can find something nice to say,¡± Illyana said with a soft laugh.

    Sethrak responded with a smile, ¡°It¡¯s about time.¡±

    As the group continued walking, they passed a trio of richly dressed nobles standing near a steam-powered carriage. The nobles sneered as the group approached, their eyes scanning the mismatched, rough-looking band with disdain.

    ¡°Disgusting,¡± one of the nobles muttered loudly. ¡°They let anyone walk these streets now, don¡¯t they?¡±

    ¡°Look at them,¡± another said, his nose wrinkling. ¡°Barbarians. They don¡¯t belong here.¡±

    The group stopped in unison, their collective gazes turning toward the nobles.

    ¡°What did you just say?¡± Mertha growled, cracking her knuckles.

    ¡°Oh, nothing,¡± the first noble said, smirking. ¡°Just commenting on how¡­ out of place you all seem.¡±

    ¡°Out of place, huh?¡± Sethrak said, his smile sharp and dangerous. ¡°Funny coming from someone who looks like they got dressed in the fucking dark. Even if I were born here, I never could stand you family nobles.¡±

    The noble bristled. ¡°How dare you¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish, unknowingly, Xyenn and his group were standing together in a spread out gesture, staring the nobles down with matching manic grins. But Kivorn was just staring, and yawning, ¡°Huh? What are they looking at?¡±

    The effect was immediate. The nobles paled, their bravado crumbling under the group¡¯s intense, intimidating presence.

    ¡°W-we¡¯re leaving!¡± one of them stammered, practically tripping over his own feet as he scrambled toward the carriage.

    ¡°Y-yes, good day to you!¡± another said, his voice shaking as they climbed into the vehicle and sped off.

    As soon as they were out of sight, the group burst into laughter.

    ¡°Did you see their faces?¡± Zyphira said, clutching her sides. ¡°Priceless!¡±

    ¡°Rich folk are all the same,¡± Mertha said with a grin. ¡°All talk, no guts.¡±

    ¡°Ye¡¯d think they¡¯d learn to shut their mouths,¡± Gridd added, shaking his head.

    Yuuna watched their smiles, especially Sethrak and Zyphira, thinking, ¡®Being here, Sethrak and Zyphira were disconnected from us for a while. As this is the place where they escaped and ran to me to become my Tyrants. Now they''re smiling..being with us, they''re being refreshed. It¡¯s like they both needed to be around us to feel a slight hint of happiness.¡¯

    The group continued their journey, occasionally getting caught up in the chaotic life of Svarthelm.

    At one point, they helped an elderly vendor whose cart of mechanical fireflies had tipped over, the tiny glowing insects scattering across the cobblestone. Illyana and Draeven worked together to gather them, while Yuuna chased a particularly fast one with Xyenn in tow.

    Later, they passed a street performer playing a strange, steam-powered violin. Sethrak and Zyphira stopped to listen, and Zyphira convinced Kivorn to give the performer a coin¡ªmuch to Kivorn¡¯s annoyance.

    Mertha got into a friendly arm-wrestling match with a burly blacksmith at a roadside forge, drawing a small crowd. She won, of course, but not before Quinara placed a playful bet on her victory.

    ¡°You got this, muscle woman!¡± Quinara clapped.

    Mertha grinned, ¡°Put all your coins on me! I got this!¡±

    As they rounded another corner, Yuuna¡¯s grin faded slightly, and she glanced at Illyana, who had been quiet for most of the walk. ¡°Hey,¡± she said, her tone surprisingly soft. ¡°Time to spit it out.¡±

    Illyana hesitated, then gave her a small, tranquil smile. ¡°I will.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡±

    Everyone stopped, and Illyana told Yuuna everything.

    ¡°I found out Faera, Vektor, and the surviving members of the Holy Branch were here in Svarthelm. And so I took Xyenn and Draeven with me to see them last night. They said the current draconic vessel of Lancelot has been hunting them down alongside the witches we used to hunt down. They had a demon in their possession, one that took over a baby''s body..¡±

    Illyana tried her hardest to continue talking, but the thoughts of last night flickered in her brain, she was tensing up, and she was about to mutter the words: ¡°I can¡¯t do this..¡±

    But Xyenn and Draeven stepped up, and spoke for her.

    Xyenn continued her story, ¡°A noble family had done a dark ritual, which a demon had..devoured a baby''s very soul, and the Holy Branch were trying to communicate with the bastard. It only wanted to speak with me, of course Illyana and the others tried to stop me, but I was stubborn. With as much power I had, I couldn¡¯t stand by and look pitiful. So I talked to him¡ª.¡±

    Yuuna, her eyes obscured by her bangs, her arms folded, asked, ¡°Him. You said him.¡±

    ¡°Yeah..¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s his name? Did he tell you?¡±

    ¡°Zerzoth.¡±

    ¡°Pfft.¡± Yuuna spit  on the ground, and said, ¡°¡­Continue.¡±

    Xyenn explained, ¡°He explained how I was some kind of Jotyin. Born from a Jotyin seed created by the one who birthed Gabriel and the First Monarch. Jotyin were designed and created to lead the charge into Hell when the time came and kill the First Monarch. The King of Sen, or something like that. Apparently me, Haldrek, the sealed first vessel of Lancelo named King Samuel, and a few others are Jotyin, born from the Astral world and brought to Kyrrin to sprout. The seeds were premature, but mine..I guess was the last to sprout in Kyrrin. Considering how Haldrek is 400+ years old, and me being 19 years old. The demons and all of Hell believe your mother moved the seeds from the Astral world to Kyrrin. Why? Don¡¯t know. They don¡¯t know. And there was mention of the Ohnupilath Tree, the Tree Gabriel used to create everything. A tree created by the dragon god of light Lancelot, his closest comrade¡ª.¡±

    ¡°Please tell me you killed demon Zerzoth.¡±

    ¡°I did. But only sent his soul back to hell where it belonged.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Anything or anyone born from Hell doesn¡¯t die. There¡¯s a source in Hell that keeps their soul intact. Like how my heart is the source of the dragon gods Cycle of Rebirth, and the Ohnupilath being the source of Kyrrin, tied to the gods, and my heart. What else?¡±

    Gorran had an uneasy look, feeling slightly anxious as he thought, ¡®Jotyin¡­where have I heard that before?¡¯

    Xyenn continued, ¡°Zerzoth said the First Monarch already had contracts with some dragon deities, even some elders. And they don¡¯t know once they deal with dark magic from Hell, they are automatically soul bound to Hell once they¡¯re dead. Or killed by me and you, Yuuna. A permanent death to them seals their fate in Hell. And we¡¯re the only ones who can give it to them for right now.¡±

    Gridd interrupted with a question, ¡°What can he do with the dragon souls, eh lad?¡±

    ¡°He can puppeteer them. And he wants Haldrek, as Haldrek is already bound to Hell now, since dealing with¡­Death.¡±

    Yuuna gasped slightly, saying, ¡°He made a deal with Death..he really did then. Remember the first day we fought him, darling?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°If we encounter him again, he will be stronger than last time. If he was claimed by my father, the First Monarch, then his power has increased greatly.¡±

    Xyenn thought, ¡®I was too in shock to react how I wanted when Zerzoth was telling me everything. I remember fighting Death awhile ago, the same day I met Yuuna, the same day I became her vessel. And that reminds me now¡­since we know the rule of darkness has been established: Those who perform dark rituals from Hell or makes contracts with devils¡­are automatically bound to Hell.¡¯

    Xyenn clenched his chest, his breathing becoming ragged. One thought ran through his mind:

    Was his soul bound to Hell? If he dies..does he go there?

    Yuuna¡¯s other vessels before him, they never got as far as he has. They didn¡¯t even last a day, and Yuuna didn¡¯t connect with them like she has with Xyenn.

    But Xyenn is connected to Yuuna. He now knows she was hiding the fact that beings created and born in Hell die and are reborn without any of their memories before.

    Xyenn wanted to ask her about it, all the rules established around it made too much sense to NOT be true, but something held his tongue. How would Yuuna react? Is this the reason why Yuuna has been trying her hardest to help people? To grow out of her monstrous nature by saving instead of condemning.  Sure, she may be working towards growing into a better being, the pressure around her weighs her down heavily, and she has a lot to deal with as her own demon family could wipe everyone in Kyrrin out if she is taken by The First Monarch, or if the First Monarch gathers all the Jotyin family members..

    Yuuna slowly walked up to Xyenn, holding his hand softly, and asked, ¡°Xyenn¡­¡±

    Xyenn didn¡¯t want to look up at her. His face basically said: ¡°I don¡¯t get it.¡±

    Xyenn just answered, ¡°Yuuna.¡±

    ¡°What are you thinking about? Can you please tell me?¡±

    ¡°¡­.I have only one question.¡±

    ¡°Anything! Anything..¡±

    ¡°Am I¡­bound to Hell?¡±

    Yuuna slightly stopped, and she let go of Xyenn¡¯s hand. ¡°Why are you asking that?¡±

    ¡°You know why. Everything we¡¯ve been through, everything that¡¯s been established to us. Everything I¡¯ve learned about darkness, Hell, and rituals..and those who deal with them. Those who are connected to it. Please tell me..¡±

    Draeven was about to reach out to Xyenn, but stopped himself.

    Xyenn said, ¡°Yuuna tell me¡­please.¡±

    Yuuna replied, ¡°Xyenn, I¡ªI don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the best thing that¡¯s ever happened to me, Yuuna. All of you are. But there¡¯s too many things not being told to me. Please Yuuna..I wanna know everything you know.¡±

    ¡°I told you..I don¡¯t know, Xyenn. If I knew I would tell you.¡±

    Xyenn stepped back, and said, ¡°I know I¡¯m guilty of not telling you things. And you can call me out on that. But I just wanna know where my soul will rest. Everything makes too much sense, all the rules I¡¯ve learned slap me in the damn face.¡±

    ¡°..I¡­¡±

    Xyenn then sighed. And his fists clenched, as he started walking away, saying, ¡°I need to be alone right now. Don¡¯t follow me.¡±

    ¡®I don¡¯t wanna walk away..I really don¡¯t. But maybe I really need this. I¡¯m always around people. And honestly, I love Yuuna, more than anything. I have a literal child with her. And she took my virginity so..I mean¡­yeah. We¡¯re close. But I need to be alone for right now, get my head straight. I need a breather. She probably thinks I¡¯m mad at her, Yuuna. But I¡¯m not. I don¡¯t know what to feel. This is why I hide things from people. To avoid things like this, to avoid making them feel a certain way, but it had to be asked. If I¡¯m gonna be taken seriously, as a man and stuff, I have to  confront my own thoughts and take a walk. I¡¯ll be around though, and still deal with the noble family who had their baby consumed by a demon¡­¡¯

    Illyana wanted to go after him, but she stopped herself.

    ¡®Is that what he needs? For me not to push my own beliefs onto him? Maybe this is for the best, even when I hate division.¡¯

    Yuuna stood there, she didn¡¯t chase after Xyenn. Though her heart ached seeing Xyenn like this.

    She really cared about him.

    ¡®Why¡­why do I keep information from him¡­? To protect him? I hate this.. I could call him back, tell him everything I know. If only mother was here..she would know what to say, what to tell me. Even if he did withhold things from me before, I don¡¯t blame him for it. He¡¯s new to all of this, it¡¯s overwhelming, but he still deals with it all. He¡¯s still 19 years old, and I¡¯ve been here since the damn beginning of Kyrrin. Me keeping information from my darling, a man who deserves to be told everything I know, it hurts. I want to protect him mentally and emotionally. When he cries, I cry. Maybe I¡¯m being overprotective¡­? Am I really considering his feelings? Holding back Information, that¡¯s hurting him. And I don¡¯t like him hurt. Where would I even start? I don¡¯t want to overwhelm him. I¡¯ll give it time.¡¯

    Gorran walked past Yuuna, and said, ¡°Stop all this pouting. If this is what he wants, let him have it. I¡¯ll watch him from a distance. I¡¯ll make sure he doesn¡¯t get himself brutally slaughtered.¡±

    Mertha said to Gorran, ¡°Please do.¡±

    Sethrak thought, ¡®Being alone..to clear his head it seems. I need that.¡¯

    ¡®Kid..¡¯ Gridd thought, watching Xyenn walk away.

    Zyphira said to herself, ¡°Walking away to deal with everything. He has a lot going on¡­¡±

 Chapter 54: Eight Sided Ax

    Yuuna tried to put on a fake smile, saying, ¡°Alright! Let¡¯s allow him to clear his head! We should focus!¡±

    Draeven said, ¡°Yuuna¡ª.¡±

    Yuuna interrupted, ¡°We should..just focus right now.¡± She then looked at Sethrak and Zyphira, and continued, ¡°Your father, King Alaric¡­he pleads to have done you two wrong, and seems to fully regret what he did. Even stabbing himself like some maniac.¡±

    Sethrak asked, ¡°What else did he say?¡±

    ¡°A land he called the cursed region. He wants our help to go in and clear it out, as this is definitely a sign Ezrael will rampage through here anytime and any moment. And the expedition will start in a few days. He¡¯ll let us know, he wants to get things prepared. Might have something for us.¡±

    Zyphira stated, ¡°Father is smart. We can¡¯t believe him so easily. That¡¯s what makes him dangerous.¡±

    Sethrak agreed, ¡°He''s not the strongest draconic vessel¡­but his mind makes him one of the most fearsome. Did he say anything else?¡±

    Mertha spoke for Yuuna, saying, ¡°It¡¯s pretty evident we need Kassius Velmire to help us kill King Haldrek, and King Alaric believes he¡¯s in the cursed region. Told us we could try summoning him at the old crypt of the Velmires, but there are things we have to do to make it appear.¡±

    Sethrak explained, ¡°The crypt of the Velmires was only a physical place. That¡¯s the reason why they abandoned it, their enemies always ambushed them. They had enemies, they were a noble family of assassins, warriors, and a conduit of members who devoted their lives to multiple dragon gods for more power and an advantage in espionage, infiltration, and more.¡±

    Zyphira added. ¡°And we know this because we grew up here, obviously. If anything, if we¡¯re going to summon Kassius at the crypt, we might have to go to the exact location where the crypt used to be. And..stand in the middle of it I guess?¡±

    Mertha asked, ¡°So you two think it¡¯s a trap?¡±

    Kivorn replied for the twin siblings, ¡°I think¡­it is. The bastard..king lied..to us.¡±

    Gridd commented, ¡°Aye. He¡¯s watchin¡¯ us.¡±

    Sethrak continued, ¡°We¡¯ve never seen this cursed region, let alone know anything about it. If Ezrael wanted to conquer J?rvaldr, he would¡¯ve done so by now.¡±

    Quinara commented, ¡°This dragon guy is so right about that¡­¡±

    Sethrak added, ¡°Tch, I¡¯m always right. Anyway, do you trust him, Yuuna?¡±

    Yuuna shook her head with a smile, ¡°Nope! Not in the slightest!¡±

    ¡°Good.¡±

    At that moment, something came to Zyphira, a sudden thought of remembrance.

    ¡°Waitttt.¡±

    Everyone looked at her, and she said, ¡°Do you guys remember that weird guild from Gabriel¡¯s Ladder? Outside of V?rdrheim?¡±

    Yuuna, Mertha, Kivorn, Illyana, and Draeven started to say:

    ¡°I hate them.¡± Yuuna snarled. ¡°Bastard tried to rush me and darling Xyenn when trying to solve that door riddle!¡±

    ¡°Gorran kicked their ass! Then bolted when the Lysf?dt showed up! Haha!¡± Mertha grinned.

    ¡°They..were annoying. But somehow survived everything that happened there¡­¡± Kivorn yawned. ¡°Then acted like he was friends with me for years yesterday¡­¡±

    Draeven added, ¡°They''re annoying¡­¡±

    Illyana peacefully smiled, ¡°They are odd, but I think they¡¯re funny.¡±

    Quinara squinted her eyes, ¡°Uhhh, am I the only one confused here?¡±

    Gridd answered Quinara, ¡°Same here, lass.¡±

    ¡°Nice to meetcha.¡±

    ¡°Ye too. Try not to annoy me, lass. And we can get along just fine.¡±

    ¡°Damn we''re so alike. Do you say that to everyone or¡­?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Yer not too bad.¡±

    ¡°Thanks! I¡¯m cool like that.¡±

    Zyphira nodded , ¡°Yes we despise Gunthr and the Crimson Claws guild. BUT, we might need them.¡±

    ¡°How?!¡± Yuuna asked.

    Sethrak grinned, ¡°Since we got here, they were the only ones to mention something related to this cursed region, cursed land or whatever. Saying they saw it. If we can find them and ask them what to expect, or what they saw, then we¡¯ll be able to tell if our father is hiding something. Without ever getting near the cursed region, to know what it truly is. We know what to expect from Ezrael and his abominations of War, it could be something similar, or Ezrael had nothing to do with it at all. We know Ezrael being a dragon god of war means he is full of conquest, not teasing. This continent is not as strong as Haldrek and V?rdrheim, so he¡¯ll be able to take it with ease.¡±

    Mertha chuckled, ¡°Heh, you big brained dragon man. That¡¯s a good idea.¡±

    ¡°Of course it¡¯s a good idea. I¡¯m made of nothing but good ideas. So furthermore, Yuuna, allow me and my sister to handle this simple task, and we¡¯ll report back to you with whatever we need.¡± And Sethrak pointed at Gridd, ¡°And you, dwarf, hand over that Mythic Ram horn.¡±

    Gridd folded his arms, ¡°Eh? Plannin¡¯ on summoning Kassius alone? Have ye gone mad, lad?¡±

    ¡°I''ve always gone mad. Ever since I was a child, since I ran away with Zyphira, and ran into Yuuna.¡±

    Yuuna pleaded, ¡°We¡¯re all going with you. We do this together. You don¡¯t have to handle this alone¡ª.¡±

    ¡°¡ªPlease..Yuuna.¡±

    Yuuna gasped slightly, she hasn¡¯t heard Sethrak plead like that since she met him as a child. Back when Sethrak and Zyphira were running as children in the rain, and Yuuna found them. And Sethrak pleading how he and his sister Zyphira had nowhere to go.

    That one moment had brought Yuuna to take a deep breath, she knew once that tone came out, it meant determination and seriousness.

    ¡°You¡¯re sure about this? What if something happens to you two? Trying to summon Kassius at the crypt? Trying to figure out the truth of the cursed region¡­I can¡¯t let you do that alone.¡±

    Zyphira clenched her fists, thinking, ¡®I don¡¯t even know if I¡¯m really ready to confront all of this¡­I still don¡¯t know what I would say to my father if I ever saw him again. AND I haven¡¯t done any drinking or anything to distract myself from what I''ve been through. My mind has been distracted on what I would or do if I saw my father. Based on how Sethrak feels right now, I can tell he¡¯s made up his mind of what he¡¯s gonna do. Does he think we¡¯ll actually run into Father? It¡¯s possible, since we¡¯re being watched.¡¯

    Mertha gritted her teeth, ¡°We¡¯re Tyrants. If you¡¯re dealing with this, we deal with it together. It¡¯s more than just a villain to kill.¡±

    Sethrak responded, ¡°And as Tyrants, we are notorious for getting missions done with consistency. Dealing with them in groups, we cover more ground since our group is big, and even adding a Quen woman to our team.¡±Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    Quinara whispered like a fan, ¡°He¡¯s talking about me! Awesome!¡±

    Sethrak grabbed Zyphira¡¯s hand, and pleaded with Yuuna,  ¡°Let us do this. I¡¯m ready for anything now.¡±

    ¡®If I''m going to be a good brother to Zyphira¡­I have to show her how ready I am. Maybe she¡¯ll be ready. How ready even am I? I really feel like our father will come to us. But we can¡¯t back down or run anymore. We had enough time to think about what we would say or do. I might just come naturally. Fuck it..¡¯

    Draeven said, ¡°I-I don''t want you two to go alone, can I come?¡±

    Yuuna put on a smile instantly, trying to hide her frown from everyone. She put her arm around Draeven, patting him on the head, ¡°Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! He can go with you guys! That¡¯s a good plan!¡±

    Illyana agreed, ¡°That would be good. Just in case anything happens.¡±

    Sethrak walked up close to Draeven, and squinted his eyes, ¡°Sure. Just know this: whatever we decide to do¡ª.¡±

    Draeven finished Sethrak¡¯s words, ¡°¡ªI won¡¯t interfere, got it.¡±

    Zyphira grinned and put her hand on Draeven¡¯s shoulder, ¡°If you see our father, don¡¯t insta-kill him please, thanks!¡±

    Draeven nodded, his face still covered in bandages only revealing his glowing red eyes, ¡°Go-Got it!¡±

    Sethrak explained, ¡°Now we don¡¯t have time to waste. We¡¯re off.¡±

    Quinara waved, ¡°Bye! Come back alive, I just met you two I don¡¯t wanna be depressed and shit if you all come back dead.¡±

    Kivorn side-eyed her, ¡°How are they..gonna come back dead¡­? That makes no sense.¡±

    ¡°Huh? What are you? The grammar elf?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a Svren elf. Elves who can master and merge with¡­all the elements of magic.¡±

    ¡°¡­You¡¯re one of them¡­?¡±

    Illyana bowed slightly, holding Sethrak and Zyphira¡¯s hand, ¡°Be safe, brother and sister. May the light guide you.¡±

    Sethrak didn¡¯t say anything, but Zyphira replied, ¡°Thank you, Illyana. Please keep us in your thoughts.¡±

    ¡°Do you want soothing magic to help ease your mind?¡±

    A small temporary way out of a clouded mind. Zyphira before would¡¯ve easily taken this, a small magic route to keep her mind distracted from whatever invaded her mind. But..

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Illyana. Though I might need it if we get back.¡±

    ¡®I remember when Xyenn mentioned how his own emotions and fear made him who he was. Is that why I¡¯ve taken a liking to him? I hate that I feel this way about him knowing he is with Yuuna, but Xyenn¡¯s situation inspired me to let my emotions happen, as this might be a moment I¡¯ll never forget. I wanna win in the end and say I¡¯ve conquered shit. Like some badass.¡¯ Zyphira thought.

    Yuuna watched Sethrak, Zyphira, and Draeven leave. And Yuuna tried to hold her forced smile. Something tugged at her soul, she didn¡¯t want to even think that thought of them dying and her not being there to stop it. But she didn¡¯t want to be that leader who held back those under her, held them back from growing or conquering their past trauma and fear. That¡¯s why she let Xyenn walk off to clear his head alone. She didn¡¯t see Xyenn as someone under her, but equal to her or maybe even higher than her in some cases.

    Yuuna watching Sethrak and Zyphira leave like this, she hoped they would come back. Because the way Sethrak was talking, it seemed like they were going to a point of no return.

    Gridd walked beside Yuuna, and said, ¡°It¡¯s natural, lass.¡±

    ¡°What did you say?¡±

    ¡°To feel like this, as a leader. If anything does happen to the lads, they¡¯ll still thank ye for allowin¡¯ then to handle this without the whole group.¡±

    Yuuna kept the same smile, ¡°What if they die¡­.Gridd? Would it be my fault? Like my past vessels..? It still fucking claws at me a lot. That¡¯s why I strive to save and not condemn. But those who need and deserve condemnation from my hands will surely get it.¡±

    ¡°Yer different from the old you. The old evil you. You genuinely care, and they know that. Whatever happens won¡¯t be on ye¡¯ or them. But destiny and fate itself. But those lads are strong. And you have to be too.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s smiled faltered ¡°It¡¯s like they¡¯re my own children or something¡­fuck it hurts. But, I let Xyenn walk off, so I have to do the same.¡±

    ¡®Mother¡­isn¡¯t this something you would do?¡¯ Yuuna thought.

    Yuuna cleared her mind, and smiled once again, ¡°Thank you, dwarf!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s Gridd, damn demon!¡±

    ¡°Haha! Whatever! Still a dwarf!¡±

    Yuuna then soared into the air with her dragon wings, cuffed her hands around her mouth, and exclaimed, ¡°Xyenn! Darling! If you can hear me, I love you! And hurry the fuck back here when you¡¯re done! Thanks! Miss ya!¡±

    And unexpectedly, Xyenn roared back from a distance, ¡°Yeah! Yeah! I love you too! I just beat up some bandits trying to rob me, I hope they¡¯re not dead and stuff.¡±

    ¡°Kill them! What are you doing?! Haven¡¯t we taught you anything?!¡±

    ¡°Huh?! No!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m only kidding!¡±

    Yuuna floated back down to the ground, and asked Illyana, ¡°So was there anything else you wanted to explain? About the whole Cleric thing?¡±

    ¡°Yes, actually. The Clerics of the Holy Branch, the survivors have set up a stronghold in the guise of an orphanage. If we can discuss everything Xyenn told me and Draeven with them, then we can come up with a good plan to possibly deal with everything. Haldrek, the demons, everything. Talks of the Astral World and your mother popped up¡ª.¡±

    ¡°¡ªMommy?!¡± Yuuna smiled widely with a glow in her dark pink eyes.

    ¡°Yes. Apparently she had something to do with the seeds of Jotyin, and Xyenn. Since he is Jotyin.¡±

    ¡°Xyenn really is..a Jotyin¡­? No wonder¡­¡±

    ¡®No wonder he¡¯s been getting stronger at a rapid rate. And it¡¯s not just because we devoured the dragon god of the sun, but he was able to handle the intensity of my magic with ease without being fully corrupt or exploding brutally despite not having runes on his soul. And not just that, he¡¯s able to adapt to my power effortlessly and able to wield power of the gods extremely well. I don¡¯t think he¡¯s noticed, but every battle he gets stronger. Jotyin aren¡¯t born with runes on their soul, I should¡¯ve seen it there, but I just thought it was too good to be true, as Xyenn was just a random blur to me when I first met him. And there are people in Kyrrin without soul runes and aren¡¯t Jotyin, and are extremely weak. Is he really connected to my Mother? And about the Astral World¡­I truly believe my Mother is there. Where else could she be? That¡¯s why I''m really interested in it.¡¯

    Yuuna jumped on Mertha¡¯s back, and pointed forward, ¡°Take us to these magic clerics at once!¡±

    Illyana chuckled, ¡°At once. And you¡¯re not disappointed with me?¡±

    ¡°Haha! For what?¡±

    ¡°Taking Draeven and Xyenn out to the Clerics last night under your nose.¡±

    Yuuna brushed it off, ¡°So whaaat? If you haven¡¯t done that, we wouldn''t be getting good lore and info! Let¡¯s head out!¡±

    As they marched, Kivorn watched everyone¡¯s smiles, and joy. And once again, he was jealous of it. Because of the curse, he couldn¡¯t experience these things. And once again, he heard small whispers in his head, saying:

    ¡°You wanna laugh too, don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Embrace me..¡±

    ¡°Embrace the mask..¡±

    ¡°Feeling like you don¡¯t fit in¡­?¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t even be happy with everyone?¡±

    ¡°I can give you joy..joy that you never had before¡ª.¡±

    ¡°Have you been trying to do fun things in an attempt to bring your joy back? Not working, huh?¡±

    Kivorn clenched his temple softly, whispering, ¡°Shut up..whoever you are..¡±

    Gridd asked Kivorn, ¡°Ye alright, lad?¡±

    ¡°¡­No. But I¡¯ll be alright..¡±

    ¡°Mm. If ye¡¯ need to talk, I¡¯m here.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re¡­definitely getting soft. Where¡¯s the mean Gridd?¡±

    ¡°Eh?! I¡¯m not mean!¡±

    ¡°There he is..¡±

    Gridd squinted, thinking, ¡®Smart kid, he changed the subject, basically letting me know not to press the matter anymore, I won¡¯t.¡¯

    The morning sun peeked through the dense gray clouds, its light struggling to pierce the haze of uncertainty lingering over the **orphanage**. The group, known widely as the **Tyrants**, stood just outside its creaking wooden doors. The hollow wind carried with it the faint scent of dew-drenched earth and the sharp tang of iron, remnants of the grim battles they¡¯d endured. **Illyana**, ever tranquil, stood slightly ahead of the group, her crystalline staff faintly glowing as she smiled softly, her presence the only thing keeping the group¡¯s simmering tensions from boiling over.

    Behind her stood **Yuuna**, her arms crossed as her m eyes flicked toward the door impatiently. Her wild, chaotic energy radiated from her in an almost tangible way, her hair unkempt and falling across her face. ¡°We knocked a HUNDRED TIMES,¡± she grumbled, rolling her eyes.

    ¡°Don¡¯t start,¡± Illyana said gently, her smile unwavering but firm.  ¡°It¡¯s okay, dear.¡±

    Next to Yuuna, Quinara, leaned against the doorframe, her posture as casual as her tone. ¡°I mean, she¡¯s got a point,¡± Quinara teased, her golden eyes flickering with amusement as she smirked at Illyana. ¡°This doesn¡¯t exactly scream ¡®grand adventure.¡¯ Maybe we got stood up?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d rather be sleeping,¡± muttered Kivorn, who stood slouched against the wall, his perpetually tired eyes half-lidded as he yawned.

    Gridd, the dwarven warrior, stood to the side, his massive arms folded across his chest as he grunted. His braided beard swayed slightly in the wind, and his sharp, piercing eyes scanned the orphanage as if he were preparing for an ambush. He said nothing, but his stern presence was as commanding as ever.

    And then there was Mertha, a whirlwind of energy and excitement, her grin wide and wild as she shifted restlessly from foot to foot. The battle-hungry warrior practically vibrated with anticipation, her massive spiked mace slung across her back. ¡°Can¡¯t we just kick the door down already?¡± she groaned. ¡°I¡¯m ready to bash something!¡±

    ¡°Please don¡¯t,¡± Illyana said softly, her tone patient as always.

    The door creaked open just a crack, and a young boy¡ªprobably no older than ten¡ªpeeked out at them. His messy brown hair stuck up in every direction, and his smirk was far too smug for someone his size. ¡°What do you guys want?¡± he asked, his tone dripping with mockery. He stepped outside, standing defiantly in front of the group with his hands on his hips. ¡°You look like a bunch of weirdos. What are you even doing here?¡±

    Yuuna immediately stepped forward, glaring down at the boy with a fiery intensity. ¡°Listen, you little shit,¡± she snapped, jabbing a finger at him. ¡°We¡¯re here on important business, so maybe don¡¯t act like a brat for five seconds, huh?¡±

    The boy stuck his tongue out at her. ¡°What are you gonna do? Yell at me? You¡¯re not scary at all, lady!¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s eye twitched. ¡°Oh, you¡¯ve got some guts, kid. Wanna see how scary I can be?¡±

    ¡°Yuuna,¡± Illyana said gently, placing a calming hand on her shoulder. ¡°He¡¯s just a child. Let¡¯s not¡ª¡±

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m talking to him!¡± Yuuna snapped, shrugging Illyana¡¯s hand off. She turned back to the boy. ¡°You think you¡¯re tough? Say that again, I dare you!¡±

    The boy grinned mischievously. ¡°You¡¯re just mad ¡®cause you¡¯ve got bad hair!¡±

    ¡°My hair is beautiful! My darling Xyenn even likes it!¡±

    ¡°I know that name! Is that the guy who was here yesterday! I flipped him off! He was so angry, haha!¡±

    Quinara burst out laughing, leaning on the doorframe for support. ¡°Oh, mannn, he¡¯s got you there, Yuuna.¡±

    ¡°SHUT UP!¡± Yuuna barked, turning to glare at her.

    ¡°Hey, kid,¡± Mertha chimed in, stepping forward with an unsettling grin. ¡°You like games? ¡®Cause I¡¯ve got a mace, and it really likes playing with bones.¡±

    The boy¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°You¡¯re all crazy!¡± he shouted before sticking his tongue out again and bolting back into the orphanage.

    As he disappeared, a faint, almost imperceptible wave of darkness rippled through the air. It was subtle, but for those attuned to magic, it was unmistakable.

    Vektor and Faera arrived just as the boy ran off, the faint breeze carrying the scent of wildflowers from Faera¡¯s light-powered aura. Vektor frowned immediately, his piercing eyes narrowing as he turned his focus to Yuuna and the group.

    ¡°There¡¯s something wrong with your aura,¡± Vektor said bluntly, stepping closer. His voice was calm but carried a weight of authority.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with *you*?¡± Yuuna shot back, crossing her arms.

    Ignoring her, Vektor raised his hand, chanting softly under his breath. His voice was steady, rhythmic, and filled with purpose.

    ¡°Light eternal, cast away the shadows.

    Light eternal, veil the unseen.

    Light eternal, shield the innocent from the blackened hearts within.¡±

    A soft glow surrounded Yuuna and the group as Vektor finished his chant, the dark aura that clung to them fading away.

    ¡°Whatttt the hell was that for?¡± Yuuna snapped, glaring at him.

    ¡°Children can sense aura more easily than adults,¡± Vektor explained, his tone calm but firm. ¡°That boy felt the darkness radiating from you. If we¡¯re to stay here, we need to hide it.¡±

    Faera stepped forward, her golden eyes softening as she raised both hands. ¡°Let¡¯s give this place a little more light, shall we?¡± she said, her voice gentle.

    She and Vektor began to chant in unison, their voices harmonizing as their magic spread outward. The dull, decrepit orphanage began to shift and change. The cracked walls dissolved into shimmering light, the decaying wood transforming into lush greenery. The air filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and fresh earth as the orphanage became a **garden of light**, its beauty breathtaking. Golden sunlight filtered through the now-vivid green canopy overhead, and the faint sound of birdsong filled the air.

    Standing in the middle of the radiant garden, surrounded by cascading vines and glowing blossoms, was a towering figure.

    Klem.

    The white lion humanoid stood tall and imposing, his mane shimmering like molten silver streaked with gold. His amber eyes gleamed with an almost predatory intensity, and his sharp teeth glinted as he laughed¡ªa deep, rumbling sound that made the air vibrate. His massive eight-sided ax rested against his shoulder, its intricate runes glowing faintly. White flames of light spilled from the weapon, licking at the edges of his fur but leaving him unburned. The chains attached to the ax rattled faintly as he shifted, their glow matching the runes on the weapon.

    ¡°Klem,¡± Illyana said softly, a genuine smile spreading across her face. ¡°It¡¯s been so long.¡±

    Klem¡¯s laughter grew louder as he stepped toward her. ¡°Illyana!¡± he roared, his voice a mix of joy and wild energy. ¡°Still as serene as ever, huh? Hah! I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d see you again.¡±

    But the moment his eyes fell on Yuuna, his expression twisted into something darker. His grip on his ax tightened, and his mane flared with white flames.

    ¡°Her?¡± he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

    Without warning, Klem dashed forward at light speed, his ax raised high. The white flames spilled off the weapon in torrents, illuminating the entire garden as his mane burned brighter. The chains rattled violently as the weapon gleamed in the sunlight, its devastating weight aimed directly at Yuuna.

 Chapter 55: Luring The Assassins

    The garden of light shimmered with an otherworldly radiance, its golden blossoms swaying gently in an invisible breeze. The air carried a fresh, floral scent mixed with the faint tang of ozone, as if the magic sustaining the garden was alive and breathing. The beautiful, vibrant surroundings, however, were about to become a battlefield.

    Klem, standing tall and feral in the heart of the garden, his massive eight-sided ax resting heavily against his shoulder, roared with laughter. His white mane shimmered with streaks of molten gold as his amber eyes burned with an intensity that seemed almost primal. The chains attached to his weapon rattled faintly, glowing with the same radiant light as the runes etched along the ax¡¯s surface. With every step he took toward Yuuna, the ground beneath him cracked slightly, though the garden repaired itself immediately, the grass regrowing and the flowers blooming anew.

    Yuuna, standing on the other side of the garden, grinned wide, her sharp teeth glinting. Her hair was a chaotic mess, falling haphazardly across her face, her scarlet eyes gleaming with wild excitement. Her dragon-like wings twitched slightly, and her tail flicked behind her lazily as if she wasn¡¯t taking any of this seriously.

    "Illyana," Klem said, his deep, rumbling voice echoing across the garden, "so you¡¯ve really thrown in with her? This one? A demon-worshipper with dragon blood tainted by Hell?"

    Yuuna raised a brow, her grin widening. "Demon-worshipper? That¡¯s new. Usually, people just call me ¡®a pain in the ass.¡¯ I kinda like this one."

    Klem¡¯s grin faded slightly, his expression hardening. "Let¡¯s see if you can prove you¡¯re more than just a danger to everyone around you." Without another word, he dashed forward, his inhuman speed sending a shockwave through the garden as white flames erupted from his weapon.

    Quinara, who was leaning casually against an ethereal tree on the sidelines, suddenly straightened up, her golden eyes flickering with surprise. "Uh, is no one else going to stop this?" she asked, gesturing toward the two figures now squaring off in the middle of the garden.

    Gridd, arms folded and unbothered, grunted. "That lion guy¡¯s no threat."

    Quinara threw her hands up. "No threat? He¡¯s literally on fire and swinging a giant murder ax! How is that not a threat?"

    Mertha smirked, "Relax, Quinara. This is gonna be fun to watch."

    Kivorn yawned, his perpetually tired expression unchanged. "I¡¯m with Gridd. She¡¯s fine. Probably."

    Quinara¡¯s jaw dropped. "You¡¯re all insane. Every single one of you."

    Faera and Vektor, standing slightly apart from the group, exchanged a glance. Vektor¡¯s brow furrowed, his sharp features tightening slightly as he observed the scene. "They have... insane faith in her," Faera murmured softly, almost to herself.

    Vektor nodded, his voice low. "It¡¯s not just faith. It¡¯s like they already know the outcome."

    Faera¡¯s gaze shifted to Illyana, who stood with her hands clasped loosely in front of her, her soft smile unshaken. There was a calmness in her expression, an unwavering trust that Faera couldn¡¯t ignore. Faera¡¯s golden eyes narrowed slightly as a thought crept into her mind. "She has more faith in Yuuna than Lancelot himself."

    The battle began with a deafening crack as Klem lunged forward at light speed, his ax blazing with white flames as it cleaved through the air toward Yuuna. She didn¡¯t flinch. With a casual flick of her wings, she darted to the side, her movements almost too fast to follow. The ax struck the ground where she had been standing, sending a shockwave of light through the garden. The golden grass burned away in a flash¡ªonly to regrow instantly, vibrant and untouched.

    Yuuna laughed, her voice wild and mocking. "Is that all you¡¯ve got, furball? I thought you were supposed to be strong!"

    Klem¡¯s grin returned, feral and sharp. "You¡¯re quick. Let¡¯s see if you can keep dodging."

    He raised his weapon high, the runes along its surface glowing brighter as he began to chant in a deep, resonant voice:

    "In the light, there is clarity.

    In clarity, there is strength.

    In strength, there is purpose."

    The ax erupted with even greater power, the white flames spiraling outward as Klem¡¯s speed and strength surged. He swung the weapon in a wide arc, the chains snapping toward Yuuna like living serpents.

    Yuuna ducked, her wings folding tightly against her back as she spun away, narrowly avoiding the deadly chains. She laughed again, her tail flicking out to parry one of the chains mid-swing. "You really like chanting, don¡¯t you?" she teased.

    Klem ignored her, continuing his mantra:

    "Lancelot¡¯s will is absolute.

    The unworthy shall be burned away.

    The righteous shall rise anew."

    Each line seemed to empower him further, his movements becoming faster, more feral. He swung the ax with terrifying force, the chains lashing out in every direction, but Yuuna weaved through the onslaught with ease. Her movements were fluid, almost playful, as if she were dancing through the chaos.

    On the sidelines, Kivorn frowned slightly. "What¡¯s he doing?" he asked, his voice flat but curious.

    Vektor shook his head, his expression grim. "That fool is testing her."

    Illyana stepped forward, her voice soft but filled with understanding. "Klem has always been the type to test the worth of everyone¡¯s soul," she explained. Her tranquil smile remained, but her tone carried a hint of sadness. "He believes in the light, in Lancelot¡¯s teachings, but he also believes that worth must be proven. He tested me when I first joined the Clerics of the Holy Branch¡­ and I suspect he¡¯s trying to see if Yuuna will give in to her primal instincts."

    "Primal instincts?" Faera asked, her golden eyes narrowing.

    Illyana nodded. "He¡¯s trying to push her to her limits. To see if she¡¯ll lose herself to her demonic nature. If she does, if she kills recklessly¡ªeven here, surrounded by light and peace¡ªhe¡¯ll believe she¡¯s unworthy."

    Mertha groaned, running a hand through her fiery hair. "That¡¯s stupid."

    Vektor glanced at her. "Why?"

    Gridd, ever stoic, answered for her. "Just watch."

    The battle raged on, every strike from Klem more ferocious than the last. The garden bore the brunt of the destruction, but each time it was torn apart, it healed itself instantly, the magic sustaining it unyielding.

    Klem¡¯s grin widened as he finally landed a blow, his ax slashing across Yuuna¡¯s chest in a brutal arc. The impact sent a shockwave through the garden, and Faera and Vektor gasped as they saw Yuuna begin to fall.

    But as she descended, Yuuna grinned wickedly, her crimson eyes gleaming. "Just kidding!"

    In the blink of an eye, she vanished, leaving behind a trail of black and dark pink flames. Klem¡¯s eyes widened as she darted around him, her speed now far surpassing his. He swung his ax wildly, but she was always a step ahead, her laughter echoing through the garden.

    With a sharp turn, Yuuna grabbed one of the glowing chains mid-swing, her grip like iron. She twisted the chain around Klem¡¯s neck in a blur of motion, darting left and right as she yanked him off balance. With a feral grin, she spun him around and hurled him across the garden, only to yank him back with the chain.

    As he stumbled toward her, Yuuna¡¯s grin widened. She darted forward, her fist slamming into his stomach with such force that the air around them cracked like thunder. The impact sent Klem staggering, his amber eyes briefly glazing over as memories of his childhood¡ªdark, painful memories¡ªflashed through his mind.

    Klem fell to his knees, clutching his stomach as he struggled to catch his breath. Yuuna crouched in front of him, her grin fading as her voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "I¡¯m not who I was before. I know the Clerics of the Holy Branch hunted me for years, but don¡¯t you dare test my loyalty to myself. I know who I am. I¡¯m not a monster. Test me again, and I¡¯ll drag you to Hell myself."

    For a moment, the garden was silent, the only sound the faint rustling of the flowers.

    Klem slowly stood, his breathing heavy, but a grin spread across his face. "You¡¯ve got guts, demon girl," he said, his voice tinged with amusement. "I was just making sure Illyana made the right choice joining you."

    Yuuna blinked, then burst out laughing. "Oh, you¡¯re such a pain!" she said, clapping her hands together. "Alright, enough of this. Let¡¯s talk. We¡¯re here for a meeting, right? I heard my mother was mentioned¡­"

    The garden of light continued to be stunning, almost dreamlike in its beauty. The table at the center was carved from smooth, glowing crystal, its surface shimmering with soft patterns of gold and white that pulsed gently like a heartbeat. Around it were chairs of ethereal light, their design intricate and elegant, almost too perfect to be real. Sitting in the chairs wasn¡¯t just comfortable¡ªit was soothing. The faint hum of their magic radiated an aura of peace, warmth, and tranquility, relaxing even the most restless of minds.

    The garden itself was alive with brilliance. Flowers of every color imaginable blossomed in cascading vines along the edges, their petals glowing faintly against the sunlight filtering through the canopy above. The air was filled with the sweet aroma of blooming jasmine and honeyed lilies, and the soft rustle of leaves harmonized with the faint murmur of a nearby fountain. Birds sang softly, their melodies weaving into the peaceful atmosphere.

    The Tyrants, however, were having a hard time adjusting to the impossible serenity of the place.

    Yuuna was sprawled across her chair, her arms behind her head and her legs stretched out. She sighed dramatically, her eyes half-lidded as the soothing light magic worked its way into her chaotic essence. ¡°Ohhhh, yeah,¡± she groaned, her voice dripping with exaggerated satisfaction. ¡°This chair? It¡¯s like sitting on a goddamn cloud. I could live here. Forget the mission, forget Hell¡ªthis is it for me.¡± She tilted her head back, basking in the glow. ¡°I¡¯ve found heaven, you losers.¡±

    Quinara, leaning back in her own chair, smirked. ¡°Careful, Yuuna. If you keep talking like that, these guys are going to ask you to join their temple and start praying to lanterns or something.¡±

    Yuuna snorted, waving her hand dismissively. ¡°Yeah, no thanks. Too many rules. But these chairs? These I¡¯ll steal.¡±

    Kivorn, sitting at the far end of the table, was uncharacteristically silent. He leaned back slightly, his tired, emotionless eyes staring at the glowing table. For once, his perpetually slouched posture seemed to ease, and he exhaled a quiet breath. The peaceful magic of the garden stirred something deep within him¡ªa faint memory of his childhood, a time when he was truly happy. The tranquility reminded him of simpler days when he could feel joy without the weight of the world pressing down on him. But now, the emotions felt distant, like a faint echo he couldn¡¯t reach.

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­¡± Kivorn started, his voice soft, almost hesitant.

    Yuuna snapped her head toward him, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Nice? That¡¯s the most I¡¯ve heard you say in a week.¡±

    Kivorn shrugged, his face as blank as ever. ¡°Don¡¯t get used to it.¡±

    Across the table, Mertha shifted in her chair, her fiery hair catching the light. She fidgeted restlessly, tapping her fingers against her spiked mace, which she had propped against the edge of the table. ¡°I don¡¯t like it,¡± she muttered, her tone clipped. ¡°It¡¯s too calm. Makes me feel like I¡¯m supposed to sit still, and I *hate* sitting still.¡±

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    Gridd, the dwarven warrior, grunted in agreement, his thick arms crossed over his chest. ¡°Aye. It¡¯s unnatural. S¡¯pose it¡¯s fine for the likes of Illyana, but I¡¯d rather have solid stone under me than all this glowing nonsense.¡±

    Faera, standing to the side with her hands clasped in front of her, sighed softly. ¡°It¡¯s meant to help you focus,¡± she said, her tone patient but slightly exasperated. ¡°Not everything has to be about fighting or stomping around like a troll.¡±

    ¡°Tch. I don¡¯t do a lot of fighting, lass,¡± Gridd retorted, narrowing his eyes at her.

    Faera rolled her eyes but said nothing more. Instead, she turned to Vektor, who was standing beside her. ¡°We should get started,¡± she said quietly.

    Vektor nodded, stepping forward and placing his hands on the table. His sharp features were calm but commanding as he spoke. ¡°Now then, we don¡¯t have time to waste. The world doesn¡¯t stop turning just because we¡¯re comfortable.¡±

    He was halfway through his sentence when Yuuna interrupted, groaning loudly as she sank deeper into her chair. ¡°Let me enjoy this for five more minutes. You guys are so boring.¡±   Yuuna smirked, leaning forward dramatically and clasping her hands together. ¡°Fine,¡± she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Let¡¯s get serious. Look, my hands are folded. I¡¯m focused now.¡± She then swung her feet up onto the table with a loud thud, crossing her legs as she grinned at Vektor. ¡°Happy?¡±

    Vektor¡¯s eye twitches violently, his composure cracking as he glares at her. ¡°You¡¯re defiling the light itself by putting your filthy boots on this table!¡±

    Before he could say more, Klem, who had been leaning against a nearby tree with his massive ax resting on his shoulder, let out a booming laugh. ¡°Oh, stop bein¡¯ such a wuss, Vektor,¡± he said, striding toward the table with a grin. ¡°It¡¯s just a table. Here, I¡¯ll join her.¡±

    And with that, Klem plopped himself into one of the glowing chairs and slammed his massive feet onto the table, the chains on his ax rattling as he leaned back with a satisfied grin.

    Vektor groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. ¡°I swear, you¡¯re all impossible.¡±

    Faera, who had been watching quietly, tilted her head slightly as she observed the scene. She narrowed her golden eyes, her mind racing. ¡°Yuuna¡­¡± she murmured thoughtfully.

    Yuuna turned to her, raising an eyebrow. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°You seem¡­ affected by the light magic,¡± Faera said, her tone curious. ¡°In a good way, I mean. It¡¯s calming you. I wonder¡­¡± She trailed off, glancing at Illyana. ¡°Could it be because you¡¯re half human?¡±

    Yuuna blinked, then shrugged nonchalantly. ¡°Maybe. Or maybe I¡¯m just awesome.¡±

    Illyana, who had been watching the group with a peaceful smile, finally spoke. ¡°Let¡¯s begin,¡± she said softly, her tone carrying a quiet authority that immediately settled the group. ¡°There¡¯s much to discuss, and the world won¡¯t wait for us to sort ourselves out.¡±

    Illyana explained, ¡°I¡¯ve already explained a few things with Yuuna, so she has a clear idea of what¡¯s going on¡ª.¡±

    Vektor asked, ¡°¡ªWhere is the boy that was here last night?¡±

    Faera added, ¡°Yeah, where is Xyenn?¡±

    Gridd answered, ¡°The lad went to clear his head a bit. He¡¯s fine.¡±

    Vektor and Faera slowly looked at each other.

    Vektor said, ¡°The war with Ezrael vs King Haldrek is upon us. The rest of the Clerics believe it¡¯ll be a cataclysmic event. Unless..¡±

    Quinara asked, ¡°Unless what?¡±

    Illyana went on to say, ¡°Xyenn mentioned that the draconic sohks or people in general that end up escaping the Cycle of Rebirth and end up dying while having contracted with hells darkness it performed any dark ritual are bound to Hell for the First Monarch to puppeteer.¡±

    Kivorn said, ¡°And..we¡¯re on a mission to kill King Haldrek¡­that means¡­¡±

    Klem interrupted, ¡°The fucking stakes just get higher huh?! Screw it. Let¡¯s just seal him.¡±

    Vektor explained, ¡°We will have to seal both Ezrael and Haldrek. Which will be hard to do. If we can use the same method Yuuna¡¯s mother used to seal King Samuel then that could work.¡±

    Yuuna asked, ¡°So what are we suggesting? Find my mother¡¯s soul before everything?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯ll be unrealistic in this situation¡ª.¡±

    ¡°And why is that?¡±

    ¡°First there¡¯s no guarantee where her soul is, but the number one place the Clerics suggest is the Astral World.¡±

    Yuuna scratched the back of her head, ¡°Yeah¡­.you see¡­the Astral World has reportedly vanished.¡±

    Faera asked, ¡°Vanished?¡±

    ¡°I encountered a pixie from the Astral World, who had become a witch. She told me she was being manipulated by a Monarch of Hell, with a mask I have. She was performing a ritual that the Monarchs instructed her to prepare and perform so hell can open.¡±

    Klem chuckled, ¡°How convenient!¡±

    Mertha asked, ¡°What is? You know of this already?¡±

    ¡°Of course we do, muscle woman! Everything aligns with each other. The current vessel of Lancelot, his name is Sugred. And he¡¯s caught wind of the incident in Soulcaris.¡±

    Yuuna clenched her fists, ¡°Those damn Prophets¡­¡±

    ¡°No, it wasn¡¯t them this time. Soulcaris was known to have the coven of witches, and since the Clerics of the Holy Branch mainly target witches, they¡¯ve had eyes on the witches in Soulcaris. They were about to move in, until you and your group came in and killed the dragon god of the sun, they watched it all.¡±

    Vektor added, ¡°This all points back to our current situation. Sugred always hated King Samuel, the Jotyin. He is planning to have one of our Clerics complete that pixies ritual to connect Hell to Kyrrin.¡±

    Gridd grunted, ¡°Why the hell want to do that shite for? Ye¡¯ lads stand for light and Lancelot, but would do this?¡±

    Faera grumbled, ¡°It¡¯s not OUR doing. We don¡¯t want this at all! We stand for the light, not the darkness. We all strive to be overcome by leave and tranquility, conquering the darkness is our life goal, as that¡¯s the only way to acquire true happiness. Sugred has the sealed King Samuel in their sanctuary. Sugred is already probably preparing the ritual, which will take a while, so we have to go in and unseal King Samuel and acquire his sword.¡±

    ¡°What sword?¡± Mertha questioned.

    ¡°A sword that cut the bridge from Hell to Kyrrin during the early days of this world. Someone used his sword to cut it the first time after King Samuel¡¯s battle. Called the Sword of Sovereign Light.¡±

    Yuuna whispered to herself, ¡°Mom..¡± She then looked up and commented, ¡°Why would Sugred want to open Hell here again¡­? What¡¯s his reasoning?¡±

    Klem clenched his fists, ¡°That bastard¡­he¡¯s like King Haldrek in a way, but obsessed with the light itself. He always believed himself to be a Jotyin, one who could conquer Hell. But he let it get to his head, he¡¯s like us, we¡¯re determined to protect the light, our peace, and our Clerics, but he¡¯s taking it to another fucking level.¡±

    Kivorn stated, ¡°So..he¡¯s willingly¡­opening Hell..to go in and conquer it¡­?¡±

    Vektor explained more, ¡°He doesn¡¯t plan on keeping it open long. Just for a mere second so he can jump in and then close the gates.¡±

    Yuuna snarled, ¡°Is he a madman?! Even opening it one second is dangerous! I¡¯m from Hell¡­I know. Demons and beings alike are clawing away to try and get out. They¡¯re always ready. As soon as he opens it, half of Hell will roam around here.¡±

    Faera said, ¡°Which is why we need you. Sugred doesn¡¯t have demons on his side to let him know this is wrong. But he probably won¡¯t listen. King Samuel¡¯s sword is inside the Tree of Ohnupilath itself, where Sugred has a stone which can take him to the base of the Tree in a separate realm.¡±

    ¡°Let me get this straight then,¡± Mertha adjusted her folded arms. ¡°You want help infiltrating Sugred¡¯s sanctuary? The main sanctuary for the Clerics of The Holy Branch? Wanting us to unseal King Samuel, AND give him his sword?¡±

    ¡°I understand if it¡¯s too much to ask¡­¡±

    Yuuna said, ¡°I understand this. Lancelot never was fond of me, as we two are opposites of one another. I¡¯m with the darkness and he with the light.¡±

    Illyana said, ¡°My former husband must learn the hard way.¡±

    Kivorn said to her, ¡°He¡¯s your husband¡­?¡±

    ¡°Former. The one who tried to sacrifice me to Lancelot. I do not like thinking of him much.¡±

    Klem grinned, ¡°If Illyana even sets foot back there, she will be killed. Sugred will see to it himself that it happens.¡±

    Quinara went on to say, ¡°Don¡¯t we have to figure out how to unseal King Samuel while being all secretive and stuff? AND pickpocket a crazy ass draconic vessel?!¡±

    Vektor answered, ¡°We will have only one of you be in disguise. You will be showered with light magic and garments to hide your dark aura that comes from Yuuna. There is a library in the sanctuary that houses all documents from past vessels of light and the war from the beginning. You will need to find the song notes to unseal him.¡±

    ¡°Song notes? We have to sing to a statue?¡± Yuuna tilted her head.

    Faera replied, ¡°It was documented that a song was used to seal him at first. We remember reading it when we were there, but have long forgotten which book to read for it.¡±

    Illyana nodded, ¡°I¡¯ve heard of it as well.¡±

    Suddenly, Yuuna started to remember the times when her mother had sung to her, her peaceful voice of tranquility being blissful through song, and Yuuna used to sing with her.

    ¡°My mother¡­she¡¯s connected. I know she is. I used to sing with her, she sang songs to me, and I sung them back. This is definitely her doing.¡±

    Vektor nodded, ¡°That is why we say it¡¯s unrealistic to waste to look for her soul in the Astral World right now, as we figured you would know about her songs, you being her daughter and all. We would advise you go with Xyenn to the sanctuary, but you both will have to literally drown in the light to hide your dark presence.¡±

    ¡°Both?!¡±

    ¡°You and Xyenn will be the perfect candidates for infiltration.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°If me, Klem, of Faera or Illyana waltz in there we would easily get spotted. Everyone will be our enemy. But you and Xyenn are more connected to this than we all are, so it would make sense. Xyenn being a Jotyin, created by the King of Sen, and being partially related to King Samuel by him being a Jotyin also. And with you and your mothers songs, you can awaken King Samuel. And once you do that, collect the stone and the sword, and give the signal and we will gather our forces and invade. Sugred will do anything to accomplish his goal of preserving the light and protecting it, he was born and raised in this life. Taking him down is the only way to preserve the light.¡±

    Illyana asked, ¡°We¡¯re gathering all Clerics for this invasion? All the survivors?¡±

    ¡°All the survivors are here in this orphanage. But with you and your Tyrants with us, we have a high chance of winning. We cannot let Sugred finish that witches ritual, but we have the sword to stop it if we get our hands on it.¡±

    ¡°¡­I never thought it would come to something like this. Fighting against the Clerics¡­after doing everything I could to escape.¡±

    Klem nudged Illyana, ¡°Us too! We went right with you, and don¡¯t regret it. If we would¡¯ve stayed¡­¡±

    Faera finished, ¡°We would be doomed. And maybe even eventually taken down by you all..¡±

    Faera thought, ¡®Illyana being detached from the Clerics and Lancelot like this¡­she speaks to her own light and prays to it instead of Lancelot.. what would become of me if I do the same? Will the outcome always be victory? The one thing I fought so hard to be a part of, I¡¯m fighting against it. My own Clerics who hunted us. Is this my true freedom¡­? Or me going against what I always stood for, going against the vessel who made me who I am¡­will I be free then? Illyana¡­the cleric priestess I''ve always looked up to..she seems so free. I¡¯ve become jealous.¡¯

    Vektor said, ¡°It has come to this. I beg all of you, for your help, Tyrants!¡±

    Yuuna, Gridd, Kivorn, Mertha, and Quinara looked at each other.

    They all nodded as this was just another day in the office for them. But this time it was going deeper and deeper, more personal things being revealed.

    Yuuna said, ¡°You¡¯ll be able to find my darling Xyenn in the Northern District of this dreadful city. Next, we will be keeping those song notes when we face Haldrek and Ezrael and the other dragon gods we face. I won¡¯t let my Father puppeteer them¡ª.¡±

    Klem closed his eyes like he regretted to say this, ¡°Based on what we know, her song notes aren¡¯t unlimited. And since they won¡¯t be sung using her voice, it will have less effect if you keep using it, your Mother¡¯s voice carries magic, an external type of magic. If you used it, then it would eventually run out. That¡¯s the harsh reality of it all. But hopefully, when you come across the elder dragon gods or Haldrek or Ezrael, you¡¯ll have enough songs left to seal their souls in place. Which will be the same as death but it¡¯s holding their soul in place from going to its destination. So the dragon gods who are being reborn through pregnant Quen women..would have to die if they pose a threat to this world.¡±

    ¡°Damn. Okay. Can you go find my darling now? Thank youuuu!¡± Yuuna smiled.

    ¡®After so long¡­I¡¯ll be able to dig deeper into where my mother is¡­! What if I¡¯m able to reach the Astral World with this¡­?¡¯

    As the meeting was being concluded and everyone was talking, Kivorn and Klem were talking on the side.

    Klem chuckled, ¡°You want to drown in the light?¡±

    ¡°You¡­mentioned happiness..and it comes with the light¡­.Inneed help.¡± Kivorn said while looking down at the ground.

    ¡°You want to be happy? Joyful? Then battle me, you might get some sensation! Haha!¡±

    ¡°No¡­I mean¡­I¡¯m doing whatever it takes to find my joy again¡­witches ruined me¡­¡±

    ¡°They made you not able to feel joy or emotions, and you¡¯re fully aware of this?! That¡¯s dark, and it¡¯s evil. That¡¯s why we clobber those damn witches to Hell where they belong. But if this is what you want, then I¡¯ll let it happen. I won¡¯t refuse to let one feel the power of light.¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡®Maybe I¡¯ll be able to feel something, my Joy even. With Light Magic able to overpower Dark Magic at times, there¡¯s a 50/50 chance this could work. I need it to work. I¡¯m tired of watching everyone be joyful without me..I don¡¯t wanna be hollow anymore.¡¯

    ¡­

    The streets of Svarthelm¡¯s Northern District were alive with chaos and desperation, a symphony of noise and motion that never truly stopped. The city sprawled like a beast, its jagged towers of steel and stone piercing the sky, while narrow alleys and crooked streets wove through its underbelly like veins. The district was a place where the poor clawed at scraps while the rich watched comfortably from their gilded balconies above. Steam vents hissed from the cobblestone streets, and the air smelled faintly of burnt coal, sweat, and oil.

    Xyenn walked through the bustling streets with his head low, his eyes focused on the ground as he kicked a small, jagged stone ahead of him. The simple action helped him focus, his mind swirling with all the things he¡¯d learned in the past few days. The city around him was like an unending blur of noise¡ªvendors shouting, children laughing and crying, the constant clatter of machinery¡ªbut he tuned it all out, keeping his gaze fixed downward.

    ¡®This was a nice walk. I need to do this more often.¡¯

    The Northern District was packed with people trying to make a living, most of them barely scraping by. It was a place where survival wasn¡¯t a guarantee, and the only way to thrive in J?rvaldr was to already be rich. The poor didn¡¯t thrive¡ªthey endured.

    ¡°Fresh elixirs! Guaranteed to cure what ails you!¡± a vendor called out, thrusting a glowing vial toward Xyenn¡¯s face. The man had wild, unkempt hair and wore a greasy apron, holding the bottle like it was a treasure. ¡°Only ten silver! It¡¯ll make you stronger!¡±

    Xyenn ignored him, kicking the stone ahead and continuing on.

    The vendor scowled and leaned over his cart. ¡°Hey, kid! Don¡¯t ignore me! Fucking brat!¡±

    Before Xyenn could respond, another man¡ªthis one shirtless and muscled, with scars crisscrossing his chest¡ªstepped in front of him, cracking his knuckles. ¡°You look strong. Let¡¯s see if my elixir can make you stronger!¡± he growled.

    The man lunged at Xyenn, throwing a punch. Without even looking up, Xyenn flicked his finger, sending the man flying backward into a pile of empty crates. The crowd gasped, and the vendor cursed under his breath, quickly retreating to his cart.

    ¡°Next time, sell something real,¡± Xyenn muttered, kicking the stone again.

    The crowd around him gasped:

    ¡°He¡¯s strong¡­¡±

    ¡°Is he dragonkin?! Look at his tail and teeth and pupils!¡±

    As he walked, the streets grew even more chaotic. A pair of scammer kids darted through the crowd, their faces dirty but their eyes sharp. One of them, a boy with a mop of dark hair, bumped into Xyenn, while the other¡ªa smaller girl¡ªslipped in behind him, her fingers reaching for his pouch.

    Xyenn sighed, barely glancing over his shoulder as he grabbed the girl by the wrist. She froze, her wide eyes meeting his.

    ¡°Nice try,¡± Xyenn said dryly.

    The boy, realizing his sister had been caught, tried to play innocent. ¡°Sorry, sir! She¡¯s just clumsy!¡±

    Xyenn smirked. ¡°Right. Clumsy.¡± He released the girl, but not before flipping her a single coin. She stared at it, confused, as he walked away. ¡°Buy something real with it.¡±

    ¡°T-Thanks mister!¡±

    As he moved further into the district, Xyenn came across a group of five individuals, each one unique enough to catch his attention.

    - The first was a hulking man with a prosthetic arm made of blackened steel, steam hissing from its joints as he adjusted a strange contraption on his back. His face was scarred, his eyes sharp and calculating.

    - Beside him stood a woman cloaked in patchwork fabrics, her face hidden but her piercing green eyes glowing faintly beneath her hood. A faint shimmer of magic radiated from her, making the air around her feel charged.

    - A wiry man with a long, crooked nose leaned casually against a lamppost, flipping a dagger in his hand. His grin was sharp, almost predatory, and his eyes darted around the crowd like a bird of prey.

    - Next to him sat a young girl on the ground, no older than sixteen, her hair tied into messy braids. She played with a small mechanical bird, winding its gears with nimble fingers. Despite her youthful appearance, there was a hardness in her expression that spoke of a life lived on the streets.

    - The last was an older man covered in tattoos, his skin marked with runes that glowed faintly in the dim light. He carried a staff, its top adorned with a flickering orb, and his gaze seemed distant, as though he were seeing something far beyond the city.

    Xyenn didn¡¯t stop to engage with them, though their presence lingered in his mind as he continued forward.

    ---

    He had just turned down a quieter alley when a sudden voice behind him made him jump.

    ¡°Xyenn.¡±

    Xyenn spun around so fast he nearly tripped over his own feet. ¡°AHHH!¡± he screamed, his voice higher than he¡¯d like to admit. A few passersby stopped to stare, and he felt his face go red as he glared at the figure before him. ¡°WHAT THE HELL, MAN?!¡±

    It was Vektor, standing calmly with his arms crossed, his piercing eyes locked on Xyenn.

    ¡°Wh-what are you doing here?!¡± Xyenn stammered nervously, trying to regain his composure.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t come to the meeting,¡± Vektor said bluntly.

    Xyenn furrowed his brow. ¡°I never said I was going to come. I just needed to clear my head, alright? Got wayyyy to much shit on my mind right now.¡±

    Vektor sighed, his sharp features softening ever so slightly. ¡°Clearing your head doesn¡¯t mean avoiding your responsibilities.¡±

    Xyenn frowned but didn¡¯t respond.

    Vektor hesitated, then added, ¡°I get it. Sometimes it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. The Clerics of the Holy Branch¡­ the battles against the darkness¡­ it¡¯s overwhelming. Every day, I feel like I¡¯m fighting a losing battle. But avoiding it doesn¡¯t make it go away.¡±

    Xyenn stared at him, surprised by the vulnerability in Vektor¡¯s tone. For a moment, he saw past the stern fa?ade and glimpsed the struggles Vektor carried. But just as quickly, Vektor straightened, his composure returning as he cleared his throat.

    ¡°Anyway,¡± Vektor said, changing the subject, ¡°about the Delleren noble family. We talked about it yesterday. Are you serious about getting involved in this? Or do you think it¡¯s a waste of time, given everything else going on? Because our meeting concluded of a deadly task for you Tyrants.¡±

    Without missing a beat, Xyenn replied, ¡°No. Tell me what to do. I can handle this quickly. I¡¯m putting a stop to the Delleren family today.¡±

    ¡­

    Moments later, Xyenn found himself standing in the middle of Wernglenn Forest, surrounded by towering golden trees that shimmered in the sunlight. The air was crisp and cool, carrying the faint scent of pine and wildflowers.

    He was dressed in an absurd outfit made entirely of feathers, with a weird mask resembling the face of a bird. He stomped around angrily, his boots crunching against the forest floor as he muttered to himself.

    ¡°¡®Dress like the Owlgrudd Bird,¡¯ he said. ¡®It¡¯ll lure the assassins out,¡¯ he said. This is stupid!¡± Xyenn growled, flapping his arms dramatically. ¡°I look like a damn idiot!¡±

    He stopped in the middle of the clearing, took a deep breath, and let out a loud, awkward, ¡°HOO! HOO-HOO!¡±

    The sound echoed through the forest, and Xyenn groaned, burying his face in his hands. ¡°I hate this. I hate this so much.¡±

    He flapped his arms again, stomping around in a circle. ¡°HOO! HOO-HOO!¡±

    ¡°Why does it have to be weird noises?!¡± he grumbled, kicking a rock. ¡°Couldn¡¯t I just¡­ I don¡¯t know, act like a normal person?¡±

    Still, he kept doing it, his voice growing louder and more frustrated.

    ¡°HOO! HOO-HOO!¡±

 Chapter 56: Arise From The Shadows

    The Wernglenn Forest was eerily quiet, the golden trees standing tall and proud, their brilliant leaves shimmering faintly in the waning sunlight. The air was crisp, tinged with the earthy scent of moss and pine, and the faint hum of life in the forest made the silence all the more unsettling. Xyenn, still dressed in his ridiculous feathered costume and mask, stood in the middle of a small clearing, his boots crunching against the forest floor as he paced nervously.

    He let out another reluctant ¡°Hoo! Hoo-Hoo!¡±, his voice echoing into the stillness.

    Xyenn groaned, dragging a hand down his face. ¡°This is so stupid,¡± he muttered under his breath.

    His mind flickered back to Vektor¡¯s explanation. The Owlgrudd Bird was an ancient predator that had once terrorized the ancestors of the assassins now hidden in the shadows of Svarthelm. The Owlgrudd was no ordinary bird¡ªit was a massive, cunning creature known for its ability to stalk its prey in dead silence, often mimicking the sounds of its victims to lure them into a trap. The assassins revered the Owlgrudd as both a foe and a symbol of their own craft: unseen, deadly, and always watching. Dressing as the Owlgrudd was meant to provoke them, to insult their pride and force them to reveal themselves.

    Xyenn sighed, straightening his stance. ¡°Alright, featherbrain,¡± he muttered to himself, ¡°if you¡¯re gonna act like a stupid bird, at least do it right.¡±

    He spread his arms, flapping them dramatically as he stomped around the clearing. ¡°Hoo! Hoo-Hoo!¡± His voice carried into the trees, bouncing off the tall trunks as he forced his nervousness down.

    The wind seemed to shift, and Xyenn stopped abruptly, his boots grinding into the dirt. A faint sound¡ªa rustle, perhaps, or the creak of a branch¡ªreached his ears. His heart skipped a beat, but he steadied himself, closing his eyes and focusing on his senses.

    ¡®Something¡¯s watching me¡­¡¯

    The forest held its breath.

    Even the faintest sounds were amplified in the silence: the soft rustling of leaves, the distant chirp of a bird, the faint hum of wind weaving through the canopy. And then¡­

    A gust of wind hit his cheek, sharp and unnatural, as though something¡ªor someone¡ªhad passed by at an impossible speed. The golden leaves on a nearby branch shook violently, though no one was visible.

    Another gust, this time behind him.

    Then another.

    ¡®Their fast! Moving so damn fast only the force of their wind is left behind¡­¡¯

    Xyenn¡¯s breathing slowed as he forced himself not to move, his nerves screaming at him to run, but his mind holding him steady. ¡°Focus,¡± he whispered to himself. ¡°You¡¯ve come too far to lose it now. You¡¯ve faced worse than this.¡±

    The rustling grew louder, now accompanied by faint, almost imperceptible footsteps, though their source remained invisible. Another sharp gust tore through the clearing, this time to his left. Xyenn clenched his fists, his senses sharpening. He could feel them¡ªthe assassins¡ªdarting through the trees, their movements so fast they were little more than whispers on the wind.

    ¡°Breathe,¡± he told himself. ¡°Focus. Don¡¯t let them rattle you.¡±

    And then, all at once, silence.

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes snapped open, his sharp gaze darting around the clearing. He turned his head to the left, and in that instant, he moved.

    In a blink, Xyenn closed the distance between himself and an assassin, appearing inches from their face. The assassin gasped, their breath catching in their throat as they stumbled back.

    The assassin¡¯s attire was entirely black, their face obscured by a sleek mask with angular designs etched in silver. A hood draped over their head, blending seamlessly with their fitted, leather-like armor. Tiny glowing runes ran along their bracers and boots, faintly pulsing with power. Sleek daggers hung at their hips, and a curved blade was strapped to their back.

    The assassin recovered quickly, drawing a blade and slashing at Xyenn in one smooth motion. But Xyenn was faster. He bent backward, dodging the attack effortlessly before flipping into the air, his feet barely brushing a tree trunk as he launched himself higher.

    The assassin¡¯s blade struck the trunk instead, splitting it cleanly in half as the massive tree toppled to the ground with a deafening crash.

    Xyenn landed lightly on another branch, his sharp gaze scanning the forest.

    The air shifted again, and suddenly, a dozen assassins appeared, darting through the trees like shadows. Their movements were impossibly fast, their black armor blending with the golden light of the forest. Some wielded curved blades, others small crossbows, while a few carried chains that glimmered faintly with magical energy.

    One assassin leapt forward, their body shrinking mid-air into the size of a sparrow before returning to normal just as they swung their blade at Xyenn. He sidestepped, grabbing the assassin¡¯s wrist and using their momentum to throw them into another assassin who was rushing in from the right.

    A third assassin flung a trio of throwing knives laced with shadow magic, the blades glowing with a sickly green light. Xyenn twisted in mid-air, narrowly dodging the knives as they embedded themselves into a tree, causing it to wither and rot instantly.

    Another assassin, this one wielding a pair of curved daggers, closed the gap with incredible speed, slashing at Xyenn in a flurry of strikes. Xyenn flipped backward, landing on a nearby branch as the assassin¡¯s blades carved deep gouges into the trunk he¡¯d just left.

    The forest was a rapid sanction of motion, assassins darting between the trees, their attacks coming from all directions. Xyenn didn¡¯t attack¡ªinstead, he dodged, parried, and countered with fluid, almost effortless motion. He flipped, twisted, and spun through the chaos, his movements precise and graceful as he avoided every strike.

    An assassin with a chain whip lashed out, the glowing weapon wrapping around Xyenn¡¯s arm. The assassin smirked, tugging hard to pull him off balance. But Xyenn smirked back, using the momentum to swing himself upward and kick the assassin square in the chest, sending them flying into a tree.

    Another assassin appeared behind him, their blade aimed for his back. Xyenn ducked at the last second, the blade slicing through the air above him. He spun on his heel, grabbing the assassin¡¯s wrist and twisting it, forcing them to drop their weapon before shoving them into the dirt.

    The chaos reached its peak as one assassin conjured a shadowy orb in their hand, hurling it toward Xyenn. The orb exploded against a tree, sending shards of wood flying in all directions. Xyenn flipped through the air, narrowly avoiding the blast as he landed in a low crouch.

    The air was thick with tension, the forest now littered with fallen trees and scorch marks from the assassins¡¯ relentless attacks.

    And then, all at once, a massive explosion erupted behind Xyenn, the force of it sending a wave of dust and debris through the clearing. Xyenn twisted through the air, landing in a crouched stance on a nearby branch, his sharp eyes scanning the battlefield, his red eyes glowing behind the mask.

    From a distance, hidden within the trees, an assassin with a large bow and arrow stood silently, their keen gaze locked on Xyenn. The assassin¡¯s armor was sleek and angular, their mask obscured save for their piercing, silver eyes. They watched as Xyenn knelt on the branch, his stance steady, his breath calm.

    The archer''s eyes narrowed behind his concealed face, muttering to themselves. ¡°Hmm..¡±

    The forest of Wernglenn was alive with chaos, the golden trees trembling as the battle unfolded. Xyenn¡¯s breathing was steady, but his heart thundered in his chest as he darted through the shadows, the faint glow of sunlight filtering through the canopy fractured by the relentless movement of his attackers.

    From his high perch in the trees, the shadow-bound assassin, cloaked in inky blackness, notched an arrow in his massive bow. The assassin¡¯s form seemed to flicker and dissolve, merging and reappearing seamlessly with the shadows of the forest. His silver eyes glinted from within his mask, watching Xyenn below like a predator stalking its prey.

    Suddenly, the assassin fired, and the arrow screamed through the air¡ªnot a simple arrow, but one that split into three mid-flight, each piece spiraling toward Xyenn with deadly precision. The arrows hissed like serpents, their tips glowing faintly with a sickly green light.

    Xyenn leapt to the side, narrowly avoiding the first arrow. The second grazed his shoulder, tearing through his feathered costume, while the third pierced a tree behind him, detonating on impact and sending a shockwave of splintered wood and dirt into the air.

    ¡°Seriously?!¡± Xyenn muttered, rolling to his feet. He darted forward, weaving through the trees as the assassin loosed another volley. This time, the arrows trailed tendrils of shadow, their tips expanding into jagged spikes as they streaked toward him.

    Xyenn ducked under a low-hanging branch, then flipped sideways to avoid an arrow that passed so close it brushed his hair. He landed on the side of a tree trunk, using the momentum to spring upward and grab onto another branch. The moment his boots hit the wood, it shattered beneath him as another arrow struck, forcing him to leap again, twisting mid-air to avoid yet another projectile.

    ¡®They¡¯re relentless! You¡¯re doing good, Xyenn! Just don¡¯t die?¡¯

    The assassin moved like liquid shadow, his form flickering in and out of sight as he repositioned himself across the battlefield. Xyenn could feel the hunter¡¯s presence, the oppressive magic tightening the air around him like a predator closing in on its kill.

    A faint whistle in the air was his only warning. Xyenn dropped into a slide, his back skimming the forest floor as an arrow shot past him, embedding itself in the ground ahead. The arrow burst into a spray of dark tendrils*, each one writhing like serpents and clawing at the air around him.  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Xyenn muttered, narrowing his eyes as he sprang to his feet. ¡°Two can play this game.¡±

    He spotted a curved blade lying nearby¡ªone of the assassins¡¯ weapons, likely dropped in the earlier chaos. Grabbing it, he flung himself into a sprint, zigzagging through the forest as more arrows rained down around him. The ground exploded with shadowy bursts, but Xyenn used the momentum of each blast to propel himself forward, sliding under low branches and leaping off nearby tree trunks to avoid the hail of projectiles.

    As another arrow came screaming toward him, Xyenn spun on his heel, slashing the curved blade upward in a precise arc. The arrow split in half, its magic diffusing into harmless wisps of shadow as he continued his charge.

    The assassin above him snarled, his silver eyes narrowing as he pulled back on his bowstring. This time, the arrow he notched glowed with a faint purple hue, and when he released it, the weapon split into dozens of smaller shards, swirling in the air like deadly hornets.

    ¡°Are you kidding me?!¡± Xyenn shouted, diving behind a tree as the shards followed him, embedding themselves into the trunk and detonating. The force of the explosion sent him tumbling forward, but he rolled with the momentum, flipping back onto his feet and immediately sprinting toward the attacker.

    He used the environment to his advantage¡ªa fallen tree became a springboard, a low-hanging branch a makeshift swing as he launched himself higher into the canopy. The curved blade in his hand sliced through another arrow mid-flight, the weapon¡¯s edge glowing faintly as it caught the light.

    The assassin¡¯s form flickered again, vanishing into the shadows as Xyenn drew closer. But before Xyenn could react, a sharp kick struck him in the back, sending him flying. He crashed through a tree, the trunk splintering beneath the impact, but he recovered instantly, twisting mid-air and landing in a crouch.

    ¡°Nice one,¡± Xyenn muttered, his lips quirking into a grin.

    But his moment of reprieve was short-lived.

    The forest came alive again as more assassins joined the fray, their movements faster, sharper, and more precise than before. They darted through the trees in synchronized patterns, their attacks coming from every direction. One assassin hurled a pair of daggers that whistled as they cut through the air, their edges glowing red-hot. Another conjured a swirling storm of shadowy blades, sending them forward in a deadly spiral.

    Xyenn dodged, ducked, and parried with the curved blade, his movements fluid and calculated. He leapt from branch to branch, using the trees as cover, but the assassins adapted quickly, their attacks growing more relentless.

    One assassin, smaller and faster than the rest, shrunk mid-air, disappearing into the shadows before reappearing at Xyenn¡¯s side. The assassin swung a short blade at his ribs, but Xyenn spun around, using the momentum to deflect the strike and send the attacker flying into another tree.

    Another assassin dropped from above, a chain whip glowing with dark magic snapping toward Xyenn. He caught the chain with the curved blade, twisting it around the hilt before yanking the assassin off balance.

    Despite his skill, Xyenn could feel the pressure mounting. The assassins were faster now, their attacks more coordinated, and the relentless barrage of blades and magic left him with little room to breathe.

    As he dodged another strike, he suddenly felt the ground beneath him shift. **Shadowy hands** erupted from the forest floor, wrapping around his legs and holding him in place.

    ¡°What the¡ª?!¡± Xyenn struggled, but the shadows tightened, anchoring him to the ground.

    Before he could react, a rope lashed out from above, binding his arms tightly to his sides. He looked up, spotting two assassins perched in the trees, their shadow magic weaving the ropes that now held him captive.

    Xyenn gritted his teeth, his muscles straining against the bindings, but the magic was strong. He glanced around, his sharp eyes taking in the dozen or so assassins that now surrounded him, their forms flickering in and out of the shadows as they landed in the clearing.

    One of the assassins stepped forward, their curved blade glinting in the faint light. They tilted their head, their voice cold and measured as they spoke. ¡°Who are you?¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s mask, battered and loose from the relentless battle, slipped from his face and fell to the ground. He looked up at the assassin, his lips curling into a wide grin despite the bindings holding him in place.

    ¡°That¡­¡± he said, catching his breath, ¡°was awesome!¡±

    The air in the Wernglenn Forest grew impossibly still, as if the very world were holding its breath. The assassins stood in a wide circle around Xyenn, their sleek, shadow-cloaked forms radiating cold, calculating menace. Their weapons were sheathed for the moment, but their presence was a blade unto itself, their sharp gazes locked on the bound warrior before them.

    Xyenn, however, wasn¡¯t quite feeling the tension anymore as he was happy with himself.

    A goofy grin broke across his face as he shifted slightly in his bindings, his adrenaline still pumping. ¡°That¡­ was AWESOME!¡± he exclaimed, his voice breaking the oppressive silence. ¡°Did you see that?!¡± He looked around at the assassins, his excitement making him oblivious to their stunned silence. ¡°I mean, oh shit, did you SEE me out there?! Dodging arrows, flipping off trees, outsmarting your little shadow tricks¡ª!¡±

    The assassins exchanged glances, their masked faces unreadable, though there was a faint ripple of confusion among them.

    Xyenn continued, his voice rising with excitement as he tugged against the ropes binding him. ¡°I mean, yeah, you caught me at the end, but still¡ªlook at me! I¡¯ve gotten stronger! Like, stupid strong! I¡¯ve fought gods and even demons and some fake ass evil radiant angels, and now¡ª¡± He paused, flexing his arms against the ropes with a confident smirk, ¡°¡ªnow I¡¯m out here dodging a dozen assassins in the middle of a cursed forest and barely breaking a sweat. This feels good. Like, really good.¡±

    One of the assassins finally stepped forward, their voice cold and monotone, as if spoken through layers of magic: ¡°Who are you?¡±

    Xyenn blinked, his grin faltering slightly. ¡°Huh? Oh, right.¡± He chuckled nervously, realizing he hadn¡¯t exactly answered the obvious question. ¡°Well, uh, I¡¯m Xyenn. Nice to meet you. Big fan of the whole creepy shadow thing you guys have going on. I always wanted to meet a real life assassin.¡±

    The assassin tilted their head slightly, the motion unnatural and unnerving. ¡°You¡¯re still alive,¡± they said, their voice identical to the first. ¡°No one who walks this forest survives. The Wernglenn is avoided by all who value their lives.¡±

    Another assassin spoke, their tone equally cold and detached. ¡°This forest is cursed. The shadows here devour all who enter. Even the beasts of J?rvaldr do not tread here. It is a place of death.¡±

    ¡°Cursed? By what?¡±

    ¡°Us. We are the curse.¡± A third assassin added, their voice blending seamlessly with the others. ¡°The ignorant call it the Forest of No Return. For centuries, it has been our domain, a sanctuary for the unseen, a graveyard for the foolish.¡±

    Xyenn raised an eyebrow, his nerves tingling slightly at their words. The sheer weight of the lore they¡¯d just dropped wasn¡¯t lost on him. ¡°Huh,¡± he muttered, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. ¡°Well, that¡¯s¡­.I don¡¯t even know how to respond to that but I see why it should be avoided.¡±

    The assassins collectively turned their attention back to him, their gazes sharp as blades. The first one spoke again, their monotone voice cutting through the air: ¡°Why are you here? Why invoke the Owlgrudd? Why seek us out?¡±

    ¡°First things first, why don¡¯t you just finish me off now?¡±

    ¡°¡­You didn¡¯t come at us with hostile intentions. Nor did you kill any of us. When one faces adversity that overwhelms them, survival instincts kick in, making them formidable, even the strong. Such as yourself. Yet, you did not try to kill. Also..¡±

    ¡°Hm?¡±

    ¡°You could break out of the bondages we placed on you, yet you still stay there.¡±

    ¡°Whaaaat? No I can¡¯t.¡± Xyenn lied.

    ¡®I¡¯m totally lying. But I can tell they¡¯re not buying it. These bonds are strong, it could definitely hold a great majority of people or even magic users, but I can easily break out of it.¡¯

    Xyenn hesitated, glancing around at the circle of black-clad figures. Despite their cold, otherworldly demeanor, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a little proud of himself. These were the legendary shadow assassins of J?rvaldr, and he¡¯d driven them out of hiding. That was pretty badass. Even though he did what Vektor instructed him to, he succeeded nonetheless.

    ¡°Okay okay. I didn¡¯t come here to kill anyone anyway. But about my situation..Well, uh¡­¡± he began, shifting slightly in his bindings. ¡°The Owlgrudd thing was kind of a stunt, y¡¯know? Figured if I could piss you guys off enough to attack me, I¡¯d get a chance to show off my skills. Maybe earn your approval or something.¡± He shrugged, grinning sheepishly. ¡°Guess it worked..?¡±

    ¡®I can¡¯t tell them Vektor put me up to this. Hopefully they don¡¯t ask me¡ª.¡¯

    ¡°¡ªWho sent you here?¡±

    ¡®They ACTUALLY ASKED ME! Man they¡¯re good..¡¯

    Xyenn responded with a nervous tone, ¡°No one..? Just had heard some tales and stuff about you guys and I need your help.¡±

    The assassins exchanged silent glances, their masked faces betraying nothing. Without a word, they each drew a small blade, slicing across their palms in unison. Blood dripped from their hands, dark and viscous, pooling on the ground beneath them.

    Xyenn¡¯s grin faded as the blood began to shift, turning into inky black shadows that writhed and pulsed like living things. The shadows spread outward, forming a massive, intricate sigil that glowed faintly with a deep purple hue.

    The ground trembled beneath Xyenn¡¯s feet as the shadow sigil carved into the forest floor pulsed with dark energy, each beat resonating like a drum in the silence of the Wernglenn Forest. The assassins stepped back in unison as the black and crimson blood they had spilled seeped into the sigil, sinking into the earth before rising again¡ªno longer blood, but living, writhing shadows. The air grew heavy, the light dimming as if the entire forest was being swallowed whole by the oppressive darkness.

    A massive form began to emerge from the void, twisting and coalescing into a shape that was both monstrous yet disturbingly elegant. The shadows pulled together into a towering, draconic humanoid, its body exuding an aura of ancient power and malice.

    The creature¡¯s skin was a deep black, like polished obsidian, layered with jagged, scale-like ridges that shimmered faintly with hues of dark purple. These scales seemed alive, shifting and morphing as if they were absorbing the ambient light of the forest. Its limbs were long and sinewy, built with a terrifying grace, and its hands ended in razor-sharp claws, each claw dripping with an oozing, shadowy substance that evaporated into the air like smoke.

    Its wings were massive and jagged, stretched wide like the tattered sails of a ghostly ship. They weren¡¯t simple bat-like wings but intricate, almost web-like constructs of shadow energy, with glowing purple veins running through them. The edges of the wings flickered like they were burning away, constantly shedding fragments of shadow that dissolved into nothingness.

    Its head was a nightmare of draconic design, angular and sleek, with a crown of twisted, spiraling horns that jutted back like the branches of a blackened tree. The horns crackled faintly with arcs of dark purple lightning, adding to the creature''s terrifying presence. Its eyes were glowing orbs of deep violet, with no visible pupils, just endless pits of light that seemed to pierce straight into Xyenn¡¯s soul. Rows of jagged, uneven teeth lined its maw, and faint wisps of shadowy mist leaked from the corners of its mouth with every breath.

    Its torso was adorned with pulsating, rune-like markings, glowing faintly with a deep purple light. These runes appeared to shift and rearrange themselves, whispering in an ancient, guttural language that echoed faintly in the back of Xyenn¡¯s mind. Its chest seemed to house a faint core of swirling black and purple energy, as if the creature¡¯s very existence was powered by some kind of living void.

    Its tail was long and serpentine, tapering into sharp, jagged edges as it curled around the clearing like a serpent ready to strike. Along the tail¡¯s length were spikes of pure shadow, some of them shifting into sharp, blade-like forms, others dripping with thick, tar-like darkness that hissed as it touched the forest floor.

    Most unsettling of all was the weapon it held in one clawed hand. The weapon was unlike any mortal creation, a massive shadow-forged glaive, its blade jagged and uneven like a shard of pure darkness. The glaive¡¯s handle was wrapped in serpentine forms, living shadow-snakes that slithered and coiled endlessly around the weapon. Their eyes glowed a faint red, and their fanged mouths hissed softly, spitting venomous mist into the air. The blade itself radiated a sickening aura, as if it could cut not just flesh, but the very essence of a soul.

    The creature hovered above the assassins, its massive wings spreading wide, casting the entire clearing into near-total darkness. When it spoke, its voice was a rumble that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere, a deep, resonant growl that carried the weight of thousands of years.

    ¡°Human,¡± it rumbled, its glowing eyes locking onto Xyenn. Without hesitation, it raised its massive glaive and pointed the jagged blade directly at him. The serpentine shadows wrapped around the weapon hissed in unison, their glowing eyes narrowing as one of them slithered down the shaft of the glaive and reared back, its fanged maw hovering inches from Xyenn¡¯s face.

    The snake¡¯s voice was sharp and cutting, its words dripping with venom: ¡°You do not feel fear?¡±

    Xyenn blinked, his gaze flicking between the massive dragon god and the serpent poised to strike. ¡°Umm¡­?¡± he said, his voice tinged with nervousness but steady. ¡°I do feel it. Now isn¡¯t one of those moments.¡±

    The snake tilted its head, its glowing eyes narrowing as it studied him. ¡°Your heart races,¡± it hissed, leaning closer. ¡°It beats like a war drum¡­ yet you stand still. Why? You didn¡¯t falter under my draconic pressure.¡±

    Xyenn swallowed hard, his pulse hammering in his ears. The serpent lunged forward, its fangs stopping just short of his neck, but Xyenn didn¡¯t flinch. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to meet the creature¡¯s gaze.

    The snake drew back slightly, its head tilting in faint amusement. ¡°Commendable,¡± it hissed, before slithering back up the glaive.

    The massive draconic figure, Nacht, lowered the glaive slightly, though his glowing eyes never left Xyenn. ¡°What do you seek?¡± he rumbled, his voice reverberating through the clearing.

    Xyenn exhaled slowly, steadying himself. ¡°I know about the Delleren noble family,¡± he began, his voice firm despite the oppressive presence of the shadow dragon. ¡°How they use magic to breed babies faster, just to sell them off to slavers. And now, they¡¯ve sold one of their own babies¡¯ souls to a demon. That baby¡¯s soul is in Hell, and I¡¯m here to stop them. I need your assassins¡¯ help.¡±

    Nacht tilted his head, his horns crackling faintly with energy. ¡°You seek revenge for a child you do not know?¡±*

    Xyenn nodded. ¡°It¡¯s not just about revenge. It¡¯s about stopping them. They¡¯ve gone too far. Someone has to put an end to this. And I have the power to do something about it, so I¡¯m gonna do something.¡±

    The shadow dragon let out a low growl, his tail lashing behind him. ¡°This is a petty crusade, human. You have no ties to this child, no reason to involve yourself in this tragedy.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes hardened. ¡°I¡¯ve made up my mind. This involves a demon, and that makes it my business.¡±

    Nacht¡¯s glowing eyes narrowed. ¡°Foolish,¡± he muttered, his voice carrying a faint edge of amusement. ¡°You will find no peace in this path.¡±

    ¡°Save me the pity, please. The assassins under you have been having trouble finding holes in the Delleren family so they can infiltrate it. Whatever you guys are doing isn¡¯t working, so think of me as an extra hand. I killed a god for goodness sake.¡±

    The dragon god straightened, his massive wings spreading wide as he continued. ¡°The dark magic in J?rvaldr grows stronger. Rituals are spreading. More souls fall to Hell¡¯s grasp every day. The Delleren family is but one of many who have turned to demons for power. You cannot stop them all. Even the elder dragon gods have approached me trying to turn me into an experiment with dark rituals, and I have long then refused and they tried to kill me because of it.¡±

    Xyenn thought, ¡®What he¡¯s saying just revealed something. The occurrence of people having made contracts with demons are growing. Before I had met Yuuna, no one had ever heard of this. Sure there may have been talks of demons, but not contracts. And the other thing he said, the elder dragon gods are seeking weaker draconic deities for their plans. Like the Sun-Drake, but fuck when he was reborn through Quinara he was insanely strong due to the dark magic coursing and merging with his soul and body.¡¯

    Nacht paused, his gaze sharpening. ¡°I know who you are. Majority of the dragon deities do. The one called Xyenn, Yuuna¡¯s vessels. You killed the Dragon God of the Sun alongside that devil girl, Yuuna. You are strong, but strength alone will not save you from the darkness that comes.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t call her a devil girl. She¡¯s not who you think she is anymore.¡±

    ¡°Tch.¡±

    Xyenn smirked faintly, his thoughts briefly drifting. ¡®Damn, I look badass right now. This is so awesome. But still, he can¡¯t talk about Yuuna like that, is he gonna get mad about it? Am I gonna have to fight him? I know Yuuna would defend my name if I weren¡¯t there, of course I¡¯m gonna do the same for her, no matter who it is.¡¯

    Nacht¡¯s tail lashed again, his voice growing colder. ¡°You¡¯ve made your choice. Let us see where it leads you.¡±

 Chapter 57: Shadows Betrayal

    The Wernglenn Forest was alive with motion as Xyenn, the shadow assassins, and Nacht made their way toward the Delleren noble estate. The forest¡¯s golden trees seemed to blur past as they dashed through its ever-twisting terrain, the faint echoes of distant wind their only accompaniment. Each assassin moved with supernatural grace, their steps silent as shadows, their forms blending into the forest like phantoms. Nacht hovered above them all, his massive wings spread wide, his form shifting between corporeal and ethereal as if the very shadows of the forest were a part of him.

    Xyenn sprinted just behind the group, his breathing steady as his boots struck the soft ground. He had no idea how he was keeping pace with the assassins¡¯ inhuman speed, but something within him¡ªhis raw determination or maybe his Jotyin blood¡ªkept him right on their heels.

    As they moved, Nacht¡¯s deep, resonant voice broke the silence. ¡°Tell me, mortal,¡± he began, his glowing violet eyes flickering as they glanced down at Xyenn, ¡°why have you gained hostile intent toward me but not toward the assassins who, moments ago, were trying to kill you?¡±

    Xyenn glanced up at the massive dragon god, his expression tight with concentration as he leapt over a fallen log. ¡°Well¡­¡± he started, but his words were cut off by the sound of someone running right beside him.

    An assassin, dressed in the same sleek black garb as the others, had pulled up alongside him. The assassin¡¯s voice, distorted and monotone like the rest, spoke suddenly: ¡°The art of shadows is not simply the art of killing, you know.¡±

    Xyenn blinked, startled by the interruption. ¡°Uh¡­ what?¡±

    The assassin didn¡¯t stop, keeping pace with Xyenn as they dashed through the forest. ¡°Serving Nacht, the Dragon God of Shadows, is not simply about survival. It is an art, a way of life. The shadows are not merely tools¡ªthey are a philosophy, a purpose.¡±

    ¡®Why is he telling me this randomly?! Can¡¯t he see I was in a conversation? I don¡¯t wanna be rude and tell him to be quiet, I¡¯m not an assshole.¡¯

    Xyenn groaned internally, throwing a quick glance toward Nacht, who was still waiting for his answer. He opened his mouth to speak, but the assassin continued.

    ¡°Consider this,¡± the assassin said, their voice calm and deliberate, ¡°a shadow only exists because of light. Without light, there is no shadow, and without shadow, there is no contrast. We serve Nacht because he teaches us this balance. Darkness is not evil¡ªit is clarity. A shadow does not lie, for it is the trues reflection of the object that casts it.¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Xyenn muttered, his tone strained as he tried to focus on Nacht above. He raised a hand as if to signal to the assassin that he was busy, but the assassin ignored him entirely.

    ¡®If I keep answering in short worries, he¡¯ll definitely stop talking.¡¯

    ¡°There is a saying among us,¡± the assassin continued, clearly oblivious to Xyenn¡¯s growing irritation. ¡®In the light, one is blinded by what they wish to see. In the shadow, one sees all.¡¯¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s eyebrow twitched as he clenched his fists mid-sprint. He glanced at the assassin, giving a forced nod. ¡°Wow. That¡¯s¡­ super deep,¡± he said through gritted teeth.

    ¡®I don¡¯t wanna be rude and tell him to be quiet! Why isn¡¯t Nacht stopping him?!¡¯

    He turned his attention back to Nacht, opening his mouth to finally respond, when the assassin spoke again.

    ¡°And another thing,¡± the assassin said, gesturing with one gloved hand as they darted between trees, ¡°to serve Nacht is to understand patience. The hunt is not won through brute force, but through precision and timing. Consider the proverb, ¡®A shadow moves not to chase, but to wait.¡¯¡±

    Xyenn inhaled sharply, his eye twitching now. He raised a hand to his temple, rubbing it furiously as he struggled to keep his composure. His pace faltered for a split second, and he stumbled over a root before catching himself.

    ¡°Uh-huh. Yeah. Amazing,¡± Xyenn muttered, nodding robotically.

    ¡®This is interesting and all, but I really wanna talk to Nacht. U don¡¯t want them thinking I¡¯m rude, I wanna stay in the assassins good side! After all, I always wanted to meet one. Tales of old have told me of the assassins who serve the shadows, no idea they were talking about Nacht being the shadow they served.¡¯

    The assassin tilted their head, clearly taking his sarcasm as genuine interest. ¡°Truly, you would benefit from walking the path of the shadow. Nacht demands discipline, but in return, he offers clarity. Consider this¡ª¡±

    Xyenn spun his head toward the assassin, ¡°That¡¯s cool, really. But can I talk to your god for a second? Please? I promise I¡¯ll get back to¡ª.¡±

    The assassin paused, their head tilting slightly in confusion. ¡°Ah,¡± they said simply, falling back into the group of shadowy figures without another word.

    Xyenn reached for him, instantly regretting what he said, thinking it hurt the assassins feelings, which it didn¡¯t.

    ¡°WAIT! I¡¯M SORRY!¡±

    ¡®Shit! Now they hate me I bet.¡¯

    Xyenn groaned, dragging a hand down his face before glancing back up at Nacht. ¡°Sorry about that,¡± he muttered.

    Nacht¡¯s glowing eyes flickered with faint amusement as he hovered above. ¡°Your patience is commendable, but I am curious. Why do you harbor such hostility toward me and my kind?¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s expression darkened as he leapt over another fallen log. ¡°I hate all the dragon gods,¡± he said bluntly. ¡°Every single one I¡¯ve met has either tried to kill me, destroy humanity, or throw their entire continent into chaos. You¡¯re all oppressive, power-hungry assholes who think the world exists to serve you. After everything I¡¯ve been through, if you¡¯ve been through the Hell I had to go through to be alive today, you would understand how I feel.¡±

    Nacht¡¯s wings flared slightly, his violet eyes narrowing. ¡°A bold statement. Do you not hate them because you lack draconic mana? Because you were not ¡®blessed,¡¯ as others are?¡±

    Xyenn shook his head. ¡°I used to,¡± he admitted. ¡°Back when I thought I was just some powerless nobody. But I¡¯ve learned a lot since then. Seen things¡­experienced things¡­¡±  He went back to think about all his battles, Yuuna and the Tyrants, and even King Haldrek himself. ¡°I know I¡¯m a Jotyin or something like that, and I know I get stronger every time I fight. Hell, I don¡¯t even know what makes me stronger¡ªwhether it¡¯s the fights themselves or some weird biological quirk, my emotions maybe¡ªbut that doesn¡¯t matter. My anger toward the dragon gods isn¡¯t about me anymore. It¡¯s about what they really are. They¡¯re not gods¡ªthey¡¯re just cowards trying to escape the Cycle of Rebirth. Who knows? Maybe if it¡¯s for the best that they stay in this cycle, but if that means them destroying their own people for more worship..I¡¯ll be happy to take them down.¡±

    He glanced up at Nacht, his eyes sharp. ¡°They want Yuuna¡¯s heart for that. Or they turn to Hell. Either way, they¡¯re dooming themselves. The ones who escape the Cycle, like the Sun-Drake, don¡¯t even get freedom¡ªthey just become the First Monarch¡¯s puppets once they die.¡±

    Nacht¡¯s gaze darkened. ¡°You are not wrong,¡± he said. ¡°The elder dragon gods have sought me out before. They wished for me to join their rituals, to risk my soul for their schemes. I refused. They left me alone after that¡­ but they turned to the Sun-Drake.¡±

    Xyenn frowned, his pace slowing slightly. ¡°You knew the Sun-Drake?¡±

    Nacht¡¯s voice grew quieter, almost contemplative. ¡°Yes. We were¡­ friends, once. The Sun and the Shadow are inseparable, after all. One cannot exist without the other. We shared a bond that few understood. But when he was reborn through the Quen woman, he became¡­ something else. He forgot me entirely.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s jaw tightened as memories of Salazar and Elma flooded his mind. He remembered the witch¡¯s regret, her broken body hanging from the rafters of her hut, and Salazar¡¯s twisted, monstrous form, a shadow construct that had nearly cost Xyenn his sanity to defeat. He clenched his fists, his eyes narrowing as he shook his head to clear the thoughts.

    ¡®Focus¡­Xyenn.¡¯ He thought to himself.

    Nacht seemed to notice. ¡°The elder dragon gods seek control over all things,¡± he continued. ¡°But I will not turn to Hell. I will not bind myself to their schemes. I value the connections I have made, the memories I carry. To die and be reborn, to lose everything that made me who I am¡­ that is not a fate I will accept.¡±

    Xyenn exhaled, his expression softening slightly. ¡°Yeah, I see it now,¡± he said. ¡°Why I¡¯m hostile toward them. Bunch of assholes.¡±

    ¡®Not a fate he will accept¡­¡¯

    The forest thinned as they reached a hilltop, giving them a clear view of the Delleren estate below. The massive mansion sprawled across the landscape like a fortress, its towering walls adorned with intricate carvings and gilded accents. The grounds were meticulously maintained, with lush gardens and marble fountains dotting the landscape. Rows of luxurious carriages lined the gravel paths, their occupants¡ªrich slavers and greedy nobles¡ªlaughing and chatting as they filed into the mansion.

    It was a scene of decadence and opulence, a stark contrast to the suffering they profited from.

    Xyenn¡¯s jaw tightened as he watched the slavers enter the mansion. ¡°Looks like something¡¯s about to go down,¡± he muttered.

    ¡®Bastards¡­are they about to sell the babies? We can probably stop them before any deals go down! We¡¯re just in time!¡¯

    Nacht floated above the group, his wings spread wide as he spoke. ¡°Shadows do not speak. They act. Remember this: ¡®The light blinds, but the shadow reveals.¡¯¡±

    The assassins knelt in unison, drawing intricate shadow runes into the ground. The runes glowed with black and purple flames, their flickering light illuminating the assassins¡¯ cloaked forms. One by one, they pressed the glowing runes to their chests, and their bodies began to shimmer like living shadows.

    Xyenn watched, his eyes wide with amazement. ¡°Okay,¡± he whispered to himself, ¡°that¡¯s actually pretty badass.¡±

    ¡®I¡¯m actually about to fight alongside assassins¡­I have to tell Yuuna and the others. I kinda miss everyone. That reminds me, how would Yuuna even react if I told her what was going on right? How would the others react? Ohhh you¡¯re off fighting by yourself again? Yeah Yuuna would try and strangle me, and Mertha would as well. Illyana would ask me 100 questions if I was okay, and Gorran would call me an idiot. Zyphira would tell me good job and punch me in the arms, Sethrak would call me a foolish weakling or something, Kivorn wouldn¡¯t even care honestly, Draeven would ask how it went and would call me a badass. And Quinara..don¡¯t even get me started on her. She would accuse me of pinning pregnant women to the wall. And Gridd, he¡¯ll probably tell me to be careful next time I go out alone. Damn, do I really miss everyone that bad? Why am I even thinking about this now? I¡¯ve been so alone for years, and now I have an entire group of strong people who have my back and I have theirs. And Yuuna, who actually gives a shit about me and loves me. I have an entire child with her, That STILL surprises me. Man, I need to focus. Focus.¡¯

    The sky above the Delleren estate began to shift, the once dim light of the evening swallowed by encroaching darkness. The assassins, standing in perfect stillness on the hilltop with Xyenn and Nacht, began a synchronized series of movements. Their gestures were sharp and precise, their arms slicing through the air like blades as their fingers twisted into intricate patterns. Each motion left behind faint trails of black and purple light, sigils forming in the air around them in a language that felt ancient and forbidden.

    The runes were jagged and angular, their edges glowing faintly before darkening into a pulsating void-like blackness. They seemed alive, shifting slightly as if breathing, the font of their design sharp and sinister, like talons etched into the fabric of reality. As the assassins continued their silent ritual, more runes appeared, forming a massive sigil in the sky that radiated with dark energy.

    The forest below grew quiet, unnaturally so, as if even nature itself feared the magic being summoned. The sigil stretched across the heavens, casting the Delleren estate in shadow. The air turned heavy, and a faint hum resonated across the terrain, vibrating in Xyenn''s chest.

    The estate was now blanketed in a veil of darkness, the sky above swirling as if alive. Xyenn, standing at the edge of the cliff with the assassins, watched the display with a mix of amazement and unease.

    Nacht, hovering just above the group, broke the silence with his deep, resonant voice. ¡°The estate itself is no challenge to infiltrate,¡± he explained. ¡°The issue lies within. The door to where their wickedness is conducted¡ªwhere their contracts are made and their atrocities committed¡ªis heavily warded. It is not a mere door. It is a barrier of power.¡±

    Xyenn glanced up at him. ¡°Why don¡¯t you just float in there and blow the damn door open?¡±

    For a moment, it was silent. Then Nacht¡¯s glowing violet eyes narrowed slightly, his wings shifting as he gazed down at Xyenn. ¡°Draconic deities do not intervene in matters that can be resolved by their disciples,¡± he said, his voice calm but heavy with meaning. ¡°It is not our purpose to fight every battle, to solve every problem. Worshippers must grow strong and courageous, capable of handling themselves even in adversity. If we did everything for them, they would remain weak, dependent, and fearful.¡±

    Xyenn rolled his eyes, turning his head away with an annoyed expression. He muttered under his breath, ¡°He wants to kill me,¡± before glancing back at Nacht with a quick side-eye.

    Nacht¡¯s gaze, though steady and calm, radiated something deeper. The oppressive weight of his presence bore down on Xyenn like an unspoken threat, and for a fleeting moment, the faintest flicker of **hostile intent** burned behind the dragon god¡¯s glowing eyes. It was subtle but unmistakable, like a predator watching its prey. Even as Nacht tried to conceal it, the malice was too heavy to ignore.

    Xyenn took a slow, deep breath, his thoughts racing. ¡®What if the assassins try to sneak attack me for Nacht?¡¯ He glanced at the assassins around him, scanning their movements, their postures, their gestures, but they gave nothing away. Their silence was impenetrable, their loyalty to Nacht absolute. The tension in the air was suffocating, but Xyenn forced himself to remain calm. ¡®For now, I¡¯ll use them to get inside,¡¯ he thought.

    One of the assassins finally broke the silence, their monotone voice cutting through the heavy air. ¡°Infiltrating with silence is best,¡± they said. ¡°A shadow strikes when unseen. To reveal oneself prematurely is to invite failure.¡±

    Another assassin spoke immediately after, their tone identical. ¡°But once we reach the main door, silence will no longer serve us. It will get loud. The wards will resist, and they will call upon their knights and their sorcery. Stealth first. Then force.¡±

    Xyenn smirked, ready to boast about how his strength would make short work of anyone who got in their way. He opened his mouth, but the words caught in his throat. He closed his mouth, the grin fading as he forced himself to swallow his arrogance.

    ¡®I¡¯m strong, but not invincible,¡¯ he thought. ¡®Don¡¯t be that guy. You¡¯re better than that now.¡¯ He clenched his fists, a faint pang of guilt flickering in his chest. ¡°Forgive me,¡± he told himself silently.

    ¡®I let myself down for a second there. I got power yeah, but I can¡¯t let it get to my head.¡¯

    Nacht, floating above, seemed to notice the shift in Xyenn¡¯s demeanor. His glowing eyes gleamed faintly, but he said nothing.

    Xyenn cleared his throat and broke the silence. ¡°How do you even know there¡¯s a door in there?¡± he asked, glancing at the assassins. ¡°Have you been inside?¡±

    One of the assassins stepped forward, their black-clad form blending with the darkness. ¡°Our magic allows us to travel through shadows,¡±  they replied. ¡°We have slipped into the estate before. But the door¡­ it is unlike anything else. The magic surrounding it is ancient and powerful. It cannot be bypassed. Only brute force or overwhelming magic can break it.¡±

    Xyenn nodded slowly, absorbing the information. ¡°What kind of magic are we talking about?¡±

    The assassin shook their head. ¡°We do not know. It is beyond our understanding.¡±

    Xyenn sighed, running a hand through his hair. ¡°Great. Love a good mystery door.¡±

    The group crouched low, peering down at the estate below. The Delleren mansion was a sprawling monstrosity of wealth and arrogance, its towering walls adorned with ornate carvings depicting scenes of conquest and power. The estate¡¯s grounds stretched far and wide, with perfectly manicured gardens, marble statues, and massive fountains that glittered in the faint light.

    The mansion itself was enormous, its architecture an oppressive blend of gothic and imperial styles. Tall spires jutted into the sky, their edges sharp and jagged, while thick iron gates surrounded the property, their bars adorned with intricate designs of serpents and chains.  Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    Groups of nobles, slavers, and merchants moved toward the mansion¡¯s entrance, their laughter and chatter echoing faintly across the grounds. They were dressed in luxurious finery, their faces smug and self-satisfied as they carried crates and bags of unknown goods into the house.

    ¡°It looks like something¡¯s about to begin,¡± Xyenn muttered, his eyes narrowing.

    Nacht¡¯s voice rumbled softly above them. ¡°Shadows do not speak. They act.¡±

    The assassins knelt again, drawing fresh shadow runes into the dirt. The runes glowed faintly with black and purple flames, their light dancing across the assassins¡¯ cloaked forms. One by one, the assassins pressed their hands to their chests, where the runes sank into their bodies. Their forms shimmered, becoming darker, their edges blurring as if they were melting into the shadows themselves.

    Nacht, speaking in draconic tongue, gave a single command. The assassins moved as one, leaping off the cliff¡¯s edge. Their bodies evaporated into streams of shadow, streaking toward the estate with impossible speed.

    Xyenn stepped to the edge of the cliff, glancing back at Nacht. The dragon god¡¯s gaze was steady, but Xyenn could still feel the weight of his earlier words.

    ¡°The Cycle of Rebirth¡­ relationships¡­ what they mean to me¡­¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes darkened.

    He knows.

    Nacht hadn¡¯t said it outright, but Xyenn could piece it together. Escaping the Cycle without being bound to Hell could only mean one thing: Yuuna¡¯s heart.

    ¡®He wants it,¡¯ Xyenn thought, his fists clenching at his sides. He¡¯s trying to play it cool, but he wants it. I know he has a plan involving me to get to Yuuna. I just know it.¡¯

    He hesitated, battling with himself. Should he confront Nacht now? End it before it could begin? Or should he wait, play along until the Delleren family was dealt with?

    His gaze flicked to the mansion below. ¡°Focus on the mission,¡± he told himself. ¡°The Delleren family comes first.¡±

    ¡®Don¡¯t wanna startle them and have them running all over the place and summing shit before I can even do anything.¡¯

    With one last glance at Nacht, Xyenn leapt off the cliff, his body diving into the shadows below.

    The Delleren estate was silent now, the thick tension of the night pressing down on its grounds like a suffocating shroud. The torches carried by the knights patrolling the perimeter flickered weakly against the unnatural shadows cast by the sky, which still churned with the black and purple sigils the assassins had summoned. The knights, uneasy and restless, adjusted their grips on their weapons, their eyes scanning the darkness with a creeping dread they couldn¡¯t explain. They weren¡¯t wrong to fear what was coming.

    The assassins moved like wraiths, slipping through the estate¡¯s shadows, their forms indistinguishable from the darkness. They were silent, their presence betrayed only by brief glimpses of glowing red eyes that flared like embers in the void before disappearing again. Their kills were works of art, precise and brutal, each one different from the last.

    One assassin stalked a knight pacing near a stable. The man had his hand on the hilt of his sword, his eyes darting nervously as though he could feel something watching him. He paused under the overhang of the stable roof, his back to a beam of moonlight that managed to pierce the swirling sky above. That beam of light shifted unnaturally, and before the knight could react, it bent into a jagged shadow that curled around his neck like a noose. The shadow tightened, lifting the man off his feet as he dropped his sword and clawed at his throat. The assassin emerged from the beam of light itself, their dagger slicing cleanly across the knight¡¯s exposed neck before vanishing with the body into the darkness.

    Near the fountain in the courtyard, three knights stood together, their voices hushed as they discussed the strange darkness that had overtaken the estate. Shadows danced unnaturally across the water¡¯s surface, and one of the knights leaned forward to inspect the rippling reflection. His own shadow rose from the fountain, solidifying into the shape of an assassin behind him. A blade of pure shadow materialized in the assassin¡¯s hand, slicing upward through the knight¡¯s chest in a single, fluid motion. Before the other two could react, two more assassins emerged from the fountain itself, their glowing red eyes the only warning before they struck. One drove their dagger into a knight¡¯s side, while the other slit the throat of the final guard. The assassins moved with perfect synchronization, their kills happening so quickly and silently that the fountain¡¯s water barely rippled beneath them.

    Further along the estate¡¯s outer garden, another knight patrolled a path lined with tall hedges and marble statues. He paused, his torchlight revealing the intricate carving on a statue of a woman holding a flowing banner. As he turned to continue his patrol, the statue¡¯s shadow twisted unnaturally, detaching itself from the marble and wrapping around the knight¡¯s legs. He fell to the ground with a muffled grunt, and the shadow dragged him backward into the hedge. On the other side, two assassins waited, their glowing red eyes watching as the knight was pulled into their grasp. One pressed a hand to his mouth, silencing him, while the other plunged a dagger into his heart.

    By the time Xyenn reached the estate¡¯s central courtyard, the knight patrols had been reduced to lifeless bodies hidden in the shadows. He moved carefully, his eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of movement, though the assassins had already cleared the way. His gaze fell on the main door of the mansion¡ªa behemoth of dark wood reinforced with thick iron bands, carved with elaborate designs of chains and serpents. The runes etched into the surface glowed faintly, pulsing with a strange, ominous light. For a moment, Xyenn simply stared at the door, his mind racing.

    He thought about the horrors that lay on the other side¡ªthe Delleren family¡¯s atrocities, their deals with demons, and the countless innocent lives they had destroyed. His fists clenched at his sides, his breathing steady as he prepared himself for what was to come. This was no ordinary door. He could feel the power radiating from it, a barrier of magic designed to keep out anyone who dared to oppose the family¡¯s wickedness. He wasn¡¯t sure if he could break it, but he knew he had to try.

    Behind him, the assassins landed without a sound, their glowing red eyes cutting through the darkness as they stood in formation. Their presence was unnerving, even for Xyenn, but he didn¡¯t flinch. He could feel their eyes on him, watching, waiting to see what he would do.

    As he stepped closer to the door, a strange energy began to surge through him. His body tensed as a sharp, burning sensation shot through his skull. He winced, reaching up instinctively as a black horn began to grow from the side of his head, jagged and twisted like a blade. A swirling aura of black and sunlit gol erupted around him, interwoven with streaks of dark pink energy that crackled like lightning. One of his eyes turned a deep, glowing pink, while the other became pitch black, the colors clashing in a way that felt both chaotic and balanced.

    The ground beneath him cracked and splintered under the weight of his power, the air around him growing heavy as his aura expanded outward in violent waves. Wind howled through the courtyard, whipping his cloak and hair as the assassins remained motionless, their glowing red eyes fixed on him.

    One of the assassins finally spoke, their voice monotone yet curious. ¡°Are you a hero? Do you allow power to stay where it belongs?¡±

    Xyenn glanced back at them, his expression unreadable as the wind whipped around him. ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know what that means,¡± he admitted, his voice steady despite the chaos surrounding him. He looked back at the door, his jaw tightening. ¡°But I¡¯m not some goody-goody hero. I¡¯ve killed before. Heroes don¡¯t usually kill first, but I have. And yeah, I¡¯m here to avenge that baby¡¯s soul and stop these bastards from profiting off kids. But I¡¯m no hero. I¡¯m more like¡­ an avenger.¡±

    He paused, the swirling energy around him intensifying. ¡°But I¡¯m no monster either. And I plan to keep it that way.¡±

    ¡®Why did he ask me that¡­?¡¯

    He thought about King Haldrek, the topic of monsters always reminded Xyenn of Haldrek. A memory  he hated having.

    The assassin said nothing, their glowing red eyes flickering faintly before they fell silent again.

    Xyenn turned back to the door, his body radiating power as he cocked his fist back. His aura flared brighter, the wind howling louder as the ground beneath him cracked further. Letting out a deafening battle cry, he drove his fist forward with all his might, the force of the blow sending a massive shockwave rippling through the courtyard.

    The door exploded inward, the runes shattering like glass as the thick wood and iron were obliterated. Splinters and shards of metal flew in all directions, and a cloud of smoke and debris billowed into the corridor beyond. Xyenn stood at the threshold, his dark sun sword forming in his hand¡ªa blade of pure, flaming energy that burned with an intense, otherworldly heat.

    As the smoke began to clear, Xyenn stepped forward, the assassins flanking him as they moved through the destruction. Their glowing red eyes pierced the haze, their silent forms blending seamlessly with the darkness. Xyenn raised his sword slightly, his voice calm but commanding. ¡°Now¡ª¡±

    He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening in shock as the scene before him came into focus.

    Through the lingering smoke, he saw dozens upon dozens of people, their naked, sweaty bodies writhing in a massive, grotesque orgy. The sound of moans and cries filled the air, the stench of sweat and lust nearly overwhelming. The room was packed with bodies, their movements chaotic and frenzied, oblivious to the destruction that had just occurred.

    Xyenn froze, his jaw dropping. ¡°What the hell?!¡±

    The air was thick with heady perfumes and the sounds of passion as Xyenn entered the massive chamber. Bodies writhed together in various stages of ecstasy - women straddling men''s laps, others bent over furniture, some pressed against walls. His breath caught at the intense display before him.

    Xyenn felt his face flush hot as he tried to maintain focus. His eyes kept being drawn to the erotic scenes - a woman''s back arching as she rode her partner with wild abandon, another crying out as she was lifted and pinned against a pillar. He shook his head, forcing himself to remember his mission. The sights and sounds threatened to overwhelm his senses.

    Deeper in the chamber, a group had formed around a large cushioned platform. Three women shared one man, taking turns mounting him while pleasuring each other. Nearby, a woman balanced between two men as they moved in perfect rhythm. Xyenn''s hands trembled slightly as he walked past, his resolve wavering. The raw passion was intoxicating, but he couldn''t let himself get distracted.

    Taking several deep breaths, Xyenn centered himself. He was here for a purpose, not pleasure. Still, his eyes were drawn to a particularly vocal coupling - a woman thrown over a man''s shoulder as he stood, her cries of delight echoing off the stone walls. Another had her legs wrapped around her partner''s waist as he drove her against a tapestry-covered wall. The heady atmosphere was a constant assault on Xyenn''s determination.

    Through sheer willpower, Xyenn tries to steel his nerves and push aside his body''s natural response to the carnal display. He forced himself to focus on scanning the room methodically for anyone that looked like the leader, ignoring the passionate scenes playing out in his peripheral vision. The sounds of pleasure continued to fill the air - skin against skin, kissing, slurping, breathless moans, and cries of ecstasy - but Xyenn had found his center. He moved with purpose now, his mission foremost in his mind despite the provocative distractions surrounding him.

    The cavernous hall of the Delleren estate was filled with a suffocating tension as Xyenn stood frozen at the threshold, his eyes darting across the grotesque scene before him. The moans, cries, and wet sounds of flesh colliding rose to a deafening crescendo, echoing off the stone walls. His head throbbed as the sight and sound assaulted his senses. He could feel his pulse pounding in his ears, the heat of the room clinging to his skin like a suffocating fog.

    He dragged a hand down his face, gritting his teeth, trying to fight the intrusive thoughts flooding his mind. ¡°Stay focused,¡± he told himself, clenching his fists so hard his knuckles turned white. But he was only 19, and the obscene debauchery before him was weighing on him like a lead weight. His body stiffened as his mind betrayed him, flashing images of Yuuna¡ªthe memories of their intimacy, the way her touch lingered on his skin. He shook his head violently, muttering ¡°No¡­ no¡­ stay focused,¡± under his breath.

    ¡®This is bad¡­!m

    The assassins, however, stood like silent sentinels, their glowing red eyes unflinching as they remained hidden in the shadows. They did not falter, their discipline unbroken, even as the corrupt magic in the room pulsed like a living heartbeat, growing stronger with every second.

    Xyenn forced himself to look ahead, past the writhing bodies, and toward the far end of the room. There, seated on four massive thrones carved from obsidian and adorned with golden chains, sat the Delleren family¡¯s heads. Their presence was unmistakable¡ªtheir auras oppressive, their appearances otherworldly, each of them radiating a vile, twisted elegance.

    The eldest of the four, Malvyr Delleren, sat on the far-left throne with his legs crossed, his dark, predatory eyes surveying the room with a sadistic amusement. His hair was long and jet black, tied loosely behind his head, and streaked with silver strands that shimmered faintly in the dim light. He wore a crimson coat embroidered with intricate gold patterns, his chest bare underneath, revealing pale, scarred skin adorned with dozens of glowing runic tattoos. A single golden chain dangled from his right ear, its end attached to a small, blood-red gem. His fingers tapped lazily against the armrest of his throne, each adorned with thick, claw-like rings.

    Beside him sat Ceryna Delleren, a woman with an unnervingly calm demeanor that belied the malice in her icy blue eyes. Her silver hair flowed around her shoulders in perfect, silky waves, streaked with faint lines of gold that glimmered like molten metal. She wore a tight, high-collared dress of deep violet leather, its surface etched with ancient symbols of lust and power. Around her neck was a choker of black iron, the centerpiece a glowing red crystal pulsating faintly with magic. Her lips quirked into a cruel smile as her hand gently traced the edge of a long, curved dagger resting on her lap.

    To her right was Thalric Delleren, a towering man with broad shoulders and a hulking frame. His face was angular, his jawline sharp, and his skin unnaturally smooth, almost waxy, as if he were a living mannequin. His bald head gleamed under the faint light, and his glowing orange eyes burned with an intensity that made it hard to look directly at him. He wore an open black cloak lined with fur, his muscular chest covered in scars shaped like claw marks. Around his waist was a belt of interwoven human teeth, and a massive greataxe rested against his throne, its blade dripping with a faint, viscous black liquid.

    The last throne was occupied by Nysha Delleren, a woman who exuded an aura of pure, unrestrained hedonism. Her long, blood-red hair cascaded down her back in thick curls, shimmering like liquid fire. Her body was draped in a flowing translucent gown of black silk that clung to her curves, leaving very little to the imagination. Golden accessories adorned her wrists, ankles, and neck, each one engraved with runes of desire and control. Her crimson lips parted in a sultry smile as she leaned forward, her glowing violet eyes locked onto Xyenn.

    Nysha was the first to speak, her voice dripping with mockery. ¡°Oh my, it seems more have joined the party,¡± she purred, rising gracefully from her throne. She lifted a hand, her fingers glowing faintly with magic, and the moans in the room grew louder, the writhing bodies moving faster, their cries of pleasure becoming almost animalistic.

    Xyenn gritted his teeth, shaking his head violently as images of Yuuna flooded his thoughts again. His body moved forward, walking like a zombie, his sword dragging along the floor as his footsteps echoed in the hall.

    The assassins, meanwhile, remained hidden, slipping through the shadows like wraiths. They moved silently, their glowing red eyes watching from the darkness as Xyenn advanced toward the thrones.

    Nysha¡¯s lips curled into a triumphant smile as she watched him approach. ¡°Oh, what a rare specimen you are,¡± she said, her voice dripping with lust. ¡°That hair¡­ those eyes... such a unique combination. You¡¯ll breed beautiful children.¡± She glanced back at her siblings, who nodded in agreement, their expressions twisted with delight.

    Malvyr chuckled darkly. ¡°We threw out the ugly ones just yesterday. Perhaps this one will make up for the loss.¡±

    Ceryna leaned forward, her cold gaze fixed on Xyenn. ¡°That rare hair and those eyes¡­ He¡¯ll make a fine addition to our collection. Mixed black and grey hair, red eyes..you¡¯re perfect.¡±

    Nysha stepped down from her throne, her movements slow and deliberate. She reached out a hand, her fingertips brushing against his cheek as she leaned in, her lips parting as she moved to kiss him.

    But as her face drew closer, Xyenn¡¯s body moved like a whip crack, his free hand gripping the hilt of his sword as he drove it forward with brutal force. The blade pierced through Nysha¡¯s chest, the dark sun energy radiating from the weapon burning through her flesh.

    Nysha let out a choking gasp, blood spilling from her lips and splattering across Xyenn¡¯s face as her siblings watched in stunned silence. The room fell deathly quiet as the writhing bodies froze, the moans and cries of pleasure ceasing all at once.

    From the shadows, one of Nacht¡¯s assassins whispered, ¡°Impossible¡­ Nacht guaranteed he would fall for this¡­¡±

    Xyenn glared at Nysha, his voice dripping with venom. ¡°I won¡¯t fall for it¡­¡±

    He ripped the blade from her chest, the sound of tearing flesh echoing in the hall as Nysha collapsed to the floor, her lifeless body sprawled at his feet.

    The remaining Delleren siblings staggered back, their faces pale with fear. Malvyr¡¯s voice trembled as he hissed, ¡°You dare?! Who do you think you are?!¡±

    Xyenn raised his sword, its dark sun energy flaring brightly. ¡°I¡¯m the guy who came to stop you,¡± he growled.  ¡°No wonder you idiots weren¡¯t scared when the door blasted open. You thought you could control me?¡±

    ¡®What I felt back there, it wasn¡¯t their magic. I was actually almost overcome by my own thoughts..looking at everything that happened in here¡­¡¯

    The siblings screamed in unison, their voices filled with rage and desperation. ¡°You won¡¯t ruin everything! We¡¯ve finally made it to J?rvaldr! The city of dreams and nightmares!¡±

    They threw their heads back, their mouths opening impossibly wide as they screamed the name of their demon patron. ¡°Hathrakkal!¡±

    Xyenn gasped and he felt even a scent of darkness from that name  alone.

    A demon''s name.

    Hellfire erupted from their mouths, consuming their bodies in an instant. The flames twisted and coiled, ripping through the hall as their flesh melted away, their bones cracking and reforming. The ground trembled as the flames grew larger, the ceiling of the hall shattering and exploding upward, exposing the dark, swirling sky above.

    From the inferno emerged a massive, grotesque demon, its body a sickening amalgamation of flesh and insect. Its centipede-like form stretched across the hall, its segmented body covered in jagged, blackened carapace streaked with veins of glowing red. The demon¡¯s head was a horrific blank human face, pale and featureless save for faintly glowing cracks that ran across its surface like spiderwebs. Surrounding the blank face were smaller, grotesque versions of the Delleren siblings¡¯ faces, their mouths contorted into eternal screams.

    Its many legs, each sharp and serrated like scythes, clicked against the ground as its massive body coiled and uncoiled. Its presence was suffocating, the air thick with the stench of burning flesh and sulfur.

    The demon¡¯s voice was a low, guttural growl that shook the very earth. ¡°Ahh¡­ the First Monarch¡¯s favorite soon-to-be puppet. Xyenn.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes darkened as he tightened his grip on his sword, his aura flaring brighter. ¡°Bring it on, damn freak!¡±

    The grotesque, centipede-like demon loomed over the shattered remains of the Delleren estate, its massive body writhing and undulating as its grotesque, blank human face stared down at Xyenn. The smaller, screaming faces of the Delleren family members were embedded grotesquely around its head, their mouths contorted in eternal agony. The demon''s voice was a guttural growl that seemed to reverberate across the estate¡¯s ruined halls.

    "Ahhh, the First Monarch''s favorite soon-to-be puppet," it hissed, its massive form twisting as the demonic energy around it crackled like fire.

    Xyenn gripped his dark sun sword tightly, his body still radiating his dual-colored aura of black and sunlit gold, streaked with the chaotic dark pink energy. His horn throbbed with power, and his mismatched eyes¡ªone a deep, glowing pink and the other pitch black¡ªnarrowed as he prepared to strike. The swirling sky above, still shrouded in the shadowy barrier created by Nacht¡¯s assassins, churned ominously, casting a dim, unnatural light over the battlefield.

    But as Xyenn took a step forward, his instincts screamed at him. He felt the faintest ripple in the air behind him, and his heart dropped. ¡®The assassins¡­¡¯

    From the shadows, the assassins of Nacht began to rise, their glowing red eyes piercing through the darkness as they prepared to ambush Xyenn. Their movements were silent, their shadowy forms blending seamlessly with the environment. Xyenn cursed under his breath, gripping his sword tighter as he prepared for the betrayal he had anticipated from the start.

    But before the assassins could strike, a bright, radiant light pierced through the darkness, slamming into the ground between Xyenn and the assassins. The blinding brilliance forced the assassins back into the shadows, their glowing red eyes flickering as they

    hissed in frustration.

    ¡°Who the¡ª?!¡± Xyenn exclaimed.

    From above, three figures descended like divine meteors, their presence shocking and overwhelming.

    The first to land was Vektor, his body radiating a fierce, unrelenting light that seemed to burn away the surrounding shadows. His frame was clad in white and gold armor that shimmered with every movement, and a long, flowing cape of light trailed behind him, glowing with an intensity that seemed almost alive.

    Beside him landed Faera, her descent graceful and serene, as if she were weightless. Her eyes calm and piercing, holding a quiet wisdom that was both comforting and unsettling. She wore a flowing white robe embroidered with intricate golden patterns, her bare feet glowing faintly as she hovered just above the ground. In her hands, she held a bright lantern, its white light pulsating gently as it cast a soothing glow over the battlefield.

    The last to land was Klem, the battle hardened stoic lion humanoid, who hit the ground with an audible crash, sending cracks splintering through the stone beneath him. His massive, lion-like frame was covered in heavy, silver-plated armor that barely contained his rippling muscles. His thick, bright white mane framed his fierce, beast-like face, and his glowing m eyes burned with an untamed battle hunger. Slung across his back was his signature eight-sided axe, its massive, jagged blades glowing with white flames. Each side of the axe was connected to a glowing chain that rattled faintly as he moved.

    Xyenn¡¯s jaw tightened as he recognized the first two figures immediately. ¡°Vektor? Faera?¡± he muttered, his voice tinged with both surprise and relief. He glanced at the towering lion figure and furrowed his brow. ¡°And¡­ you must be Klem. And why are you guys here

    Klem¡¯s sharp, toothy grin stretched wide as he let out a booming laugh. ¡°Xyenn! So you¡¯re the kid they won¡¯t shut up about! Damn, Yuuna never shuts up about you. She¡¯s always ¡®Xyenn this, Xyenn that.¡¯ I had to come see what all the hype was about!¡±

    ¡®God he reminds me of Mertha.¡¯  Xyenn thought as his eye twitched.

    Xyenn couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, a genuine laugh escaping him despite the situation. ¡°She actually misses me?¡± he asked, his voice softening for a moment.  ¡°Not surprised. I miss her right now, I need a hug from her.¡±

    Vektor groaned, his eyes narrowing as he turned to Klem. ¡°Klem, focus! This is not the time for your ridiculous banter. You¡¯ve  been like this since we¡¯ve followed him. ¡°

    Klem snorted, clearly unfazed. ¡°Lighten up, Vektor. The kid¡¯s been dancing around here like an Owlgrudd in heat. Can¡¯t blame me for finding it funny.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment. ¡°I-I wasn¡¯t dancing!¡± he snapped, his voice cracking slightly as he glared at Klem.  ¡°Your buddy Vektor told me to do it!¡±

    Klem grinned wider. ¡°Sure you weren¡¯t, kid. Sure you weren¡¯t.¡±

    Faera, floating serenely, placed a gentle hand on Xyenn¡¯s shoulder, her touch immediately calming him. ¡°Don¡¯t let him get to you, Xyenn. Klem teases everyone. You did well holding your ground here. We¡¯ve been watching.¡±

    Vektor crossed his arms, his cape of light shifting faintly behind him. ¡°We followed you here. We knew a demon was involved, but we lacked a clear way in. You were the key, Xyenn. Having the power to brute force your way in was brutish, but quick.

    Xyenn sighed, running a hand through his messy black and grey hair. ¡°Figures. Well, you¡¯re here now, so let¡¯s deal with this thing. And Nacht. That dragon god of shadows or whatever.¡±

    Faera tilted her head slightly, her calm expression faltering. ¡°What about Nacht? Why are you so concerned with him?¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s expression darkened as he glanced up at the swirling shadow-covered sky. ¡°Because I know he¡¯s planning to kill me. From the start, he¡¯s been playing me.¡±

    He began to explain, his tone cold and measured. ¡°First, he kept talking about the Cycle of Rebirth, how he values relationships and friendships with the other dragon gods. But he admitted that if he dies, it doesn¡¯t matter because he wouldn¡¯t have his past memories. That¡¯s a red flag right there. He doesn¡¯t want to die and be reborn without any memory of the bonds he made.¡±

    He gestured to the sky. ¡°Second, the assassins put that shadow barrier up. Sure, it was useful for distracting the guards, but it¡¯s more than that. Shadows are their weapon. They¡¯re going to use it against me somehow.¡±

    Finally, he clenched his fists, his mismatched eyes glowing faintly. ¡°And third, Nacht thought he could manipulate me because I¡¯m 19, thinking I¡¯d fall for the lust magic in this room. I almost did, but it wasn¡¯t the magic¡ªit was just the¡­ the desires themselves, clawing at my head. He underestimated me.¡±

    ¡®As I mentioned, I went years without any physical romance, so I was almost caught up today. Almost¡­¡¯

    Xyenn exhaled sharply, his voice steady. ¡°I know he wants to use my body to get close to Yuuna. He and his assassins are masters of stealth. They¡¯d kill me, use my body as a disguise, and take Yuuna¡¯s heart. I can¡¯t let that happen.¡±

    Vektor asked, ¡°What makes you think he has that power?¡±

    ¡°He has to have that or something similar to it. The art of stealth lies within espionage, and even disguise and concealing one¡¯s self. The literal god of shadows has something similar. I guarantee he does.¡±

    Klem laughed, ¡°Haha! I like this youngling. He has a sharp mind.¡±

    Vektor thought, ¡®He¡¯s definitely been through a lot. It¡¯s not surprising he is able to decipher things down to the core.¡¯

    The demon suddenly let out a deafening roar, the ground shaking violently as its massive form twisted and writhed. Its blank, human face turned toward the clerics, its many limbs scuttling forward with horrifying speed.

    ¡°It sees the light,¡± Faera murmured, her voice calm but wary. ¡°The stronger demons don¡¯t run from it. They run toward it, to snuff it out.¡±

    Hathrakka snarled, ¡°Clericssss..huh? Carrying that same light magic as that king who fought one of our Monarchs many heads ago¡­it¡¯s disgusting. I¡¯ll definitely be rewarded for taking your souls by force!¡±

    Vektor¡¯s eyes narrowed as he drew his weapon: a radiant blanket of pure light, its edges glowing with an intense brilliance that seemed to hum with power. ¡°We¡¯ll take care of the demon,¡± he said sharply, glancing at Xyenn. ¡°You deal with Nacht.¡±

    Klem let out a booming laugh as he hefted his massive eight-sided axe, the flaming chains rattling ominously. ¡°Let¡¯s go, little guy!¡± he shouted, darting toward the demon with surprising speed for someone his size.

    Vektor replied, ¡°Little guy..?! I am older than you¡ª!¡±

    ¡°Focus, Vektor! Demons are here!¡± Klem grinned.

    ¡°Tch!¡± He waved dismissively as he charged.

    The demon lunged forward, its massive form barreling toward the group. Klem and Vektor collided with it head-on, their combined force sending all three of them crashing through the shattered walls of the estate and out into the open courtyard. The impact caused many of the nobles and slavers to be crushed immediately, bodies being ripped apart and bashed into walls as blood sprayed into the air like a rock falling into water, screams howled from them as some tried to run.

    The impact sent debris flying in all directions, and as the dust settled, Klem and Vektor were already darting around the demon with incredible speed. Klem¡¯s axe whirled in deadly arcs, the glowing chains extending and wrapping around the demon¡¯s limbs as he slashed and tore at its carapace.

    Vektor, meanwhile, moved with precision, his glowing blanket of light slicing through the demon¡¯s writhing body like a blade. The two of them worked in perfect sync, dodging the demon¡¯s massive, clawed limbs and retaliating with devastating blows.

    Above them, Faera floated serenely on a cloud of light, her lantern glowing brightly as she held it aloft. A soft, white light radiated from the lantern, enveloping Xyenn, Klem, and Vektor in shields of pure energy. Her lips moved silently as she chanted a prayer of light, her voice steady and serene despite the chaos below.

    As the demon roared and began to grow even larger, its grotesque, blank face twisting with hatred, the clerics stood their ground, their lights burning brighter against the encroaching darkness.

 Chapter 58: Hellfire Centipede

    The battlefield was a chaotic mess of shattered stone, crumbling walls, and the oppressive weight of the swirling darkness above, pierced only by the radiant light of the Clerics of the Holy Branch. The massive demon, Hathrakka, coiled its grotesque, centipede-like body across the ruined courtyard, its jagged, armored segments glistening wetly with demonic ichor. Its blank, horrifying human face stretched unnaturally, its mouth opening in a silent, grotesque scream as it lashed out with its serrated claws and massive, centipede legs. Around its head, the twisted faces of the Delleren family seemed to writhe and shift, their expressions locked in an eerie mixture of agony and ecstasy.

    From the sky, Faera¡¯s lantern shone brightly, its light casting an ethereal glow over her delicate form as she hovered on a cloud of light, chanting softly. Her voice was serene, yet commanding, carrying the weight of ancient power:

    "Please guide me, Lancelot.¡±

    The chant caused a shimmering barrier of light to expand around her, casting a protective aura over the battlefield. The light cascaded down in faint, golden tendrils, wrapping around Klem and Vektor, bolstering their strength and speed. The faint glow that now clung to their forms made their every movement sharper, faster, and more precise. But even with the divine support, the demon''s sheer size and ferocity made it a terrifying foe.

    Klem, grinning like a maniac, charged forward first, his eight-sided axe glowing with searing white flames. The chains attached to each blade rattled noisily as he spun the weapon overhead, the flames licking at the air. Vektor followed, his face set in a grim scowl, wielding his blanket of pure light, which shimmered with a metallic, unyielding brilliance.

    "Stay sharp, Klem!" Vektor barked, his voice sharp with focus. "This isn¡¯t a game!"

    "Not a game?!" Klem roared back, laughing as he sprinted forward. "This is the best fight I¡¯ve had in ages!"

    ¡°Old ass lion¡­¡±

    Hathrakka¡¯s massive claws came down in a flash, one aimed directly at Klem, the other sweeping toward Vektor. The demon moved with terrifying speed for its size, the air splitting with the force of its strikes. Klem ducked low, the claw missing him by inches and slamming into the ground, sending shards of stone flying in all directions. Without missing a beat, Klem spun on his heel and brought his axe down on the claw, the white flames exploding on impact as the blade bit deep into the demon¡¯s flesh. Black ichor sprayed from the wound, splattering across the ground¡ªand Klem¡¯s face.

    "That¡¯s what I¡¯m talking about!" Klem bellowed, yanking the axe free and leaping onto the demon¡¯s segmented leg, using the chains of his weapon to anchor himself as he climbed.

    Meanwhile, Vektor sidestepped the sweeping claw aimed at him, his movements quick and calculated. As the claw passed, he twisted his body and slammed the blanket of light against the demon¡¯s limb. The blanket didn¡¯t bend or fold; it struck like an unyielding slab of radiant steel, the sheer force of the impact cracking the demon¡¯s carapace. Hathrakka recoiled, letting out a guttural growl as it lashed out with its tail, aiming to crush Vektor.

    Vektor planted his feet and raised the blanket above his head, catching the tail¡¯s strike with a deafening clang. The ground beneath him shattered, the force of the blow sending cracks spidering outward. Gritting his teeth, Vektor pushed back, forcing the tail upward before shoving it aside with a powerful swing of the blanket.

    "Stop trying to die, Klem!" Vektor snapped as he glanced over to see the lionman climbing up the demon¡¯s massive body.

    "Stop trying to ruin my fun!" Klem shot back, laughing as he scaled the demon¡¯s side. He swung his axe at every opportunity, hacking at the demon¡¯s joints and plating. Each strike sent black ichor spraying, but the demon retaliated viciously. One of its legs lashed out, catching Klem in the side and sending him flying into a nearby pillar. The impact shattered the stone, and Klem fell to the ground with a grunt.

    "I¡¯m fine!" Klem shouted, shaking the debris from his mane as he stood. "This bastard hits like a drunk troll!"

    Hathrakka lunged forward, its blank human face twisting unnaturally as it snapped its massive jaws at Vektor. The cleric ducked under the bite, spinning his blanket in a wide arc and slamming it into the demon¡¯s face. The blow was brutal, cracking the blank visage and sending pieces of its pale, brittle ¡°skin" flying. One of the Delleren family faces screamed as it was ripped away from the demon¡¯s head, its grotesque features melting into black sludge.

    The demon roared, its segmented body coiling as it reared back, then slammed itself into the ground. The sheer force of the impact sent a shockwave ripping through the courtyard, knocking both clerics off their feet and sending chunks of stone flying into the air.

    "Faera!" Vektor shouted, his voice strained as he rolled to avoid another claw strike. "We could use some help!"

    Above, Faera¡¯s serene chanting grew louder, her lantern glowing brighter as she raised it high.

    ¡°Banish my enemies, let them absorb my light, Lancelot..¡±

    The lantern¡¯s light flared, and a wave of golden energy washed over Klem and Vektor, very slowly healing their wounds, and filling them with renewed vigor.

    "Now we¡¯re talking!" Klem roared, leaping back into the fray. He swung his axe in a wide arc, the chains extending and wrapping around one of the demon¡¯s legs. With a powerful yank, Klem pulled the limb out from under Hathrakka, causing the massive creature to stagger.

    Vektor didn¡¯t waste the opportunity. He darted forward, his blanket of light glowing intensely as he drove it upward into the demon¡¯s underbelly. The attack pierced through the softer flesh, and black ichor poured from the wound, splattering across Vektor¡¯s armor and burning like acid.

    The demon shrieked, its massive claws slamming down in a frenzied attempt to crush Vektor. The cleric dodged and weaved with precision, his movements a blur as he struck back with the blanket, each strike breaking through the demon¡¯s carapace and sending chunks of flesh flying.

    Klem climbed back onto the demon¡¯s back, his axe glowing brighter as he swung it repeatedly into the creature¡¯s armored segments. Each strike sent cracks spidering through the demon¡¯s body, and the chains of his weapon lashed out like whips, carving deep gouges into its flesh.

    But Hathrakka wasn¡¯t finished. It twisted violently, throwing Klem from its back, then lunged at Faera, its blank face distorting as it let out a guttural roar. The cleric of light raised her lantern, and a barrier of golden energy formed in front of her just as the demon¡¯s claws struck. The barrier cracked under the force but held, and Faera¡¯s calm voice carried across the battlefield as she continued her chant.

    Vektor and Klem regrouped, standing side by side as the demon turned its attention back to them.

    "You ready, Vektor?" Klem asked, grinning despite the blood dripping from a gash on his forehead.

    "Don¡¯t screw this up," Vektor replied, his eyes narrowing.

    The two charged simultaneously, their combined assault an unrelenting barrage of light and steel. Klem¡¯s axe struck with explosive force, the chains wrapping around the demon¡¯s limbs and pulling it off balance, while Vektor¡¯s blanket of light slammed into its body like a battering ram, breaking through its defenses.

    Hathrakka roared in pain, its massive body thrashing wildly and tearing through the courtyard. The battle was far from over, but the clerics stood firm, their lights burning brightly against the encroaching darkness.

    The forest was alive with chaos, the once-serene haven of towering trees and lush greenery now a battleground of blood, light, and darkness. Hathrakka, the grotesque centipede-like demon, barreled through the woods with horrifying speed, its massive segmented body tearing through trees like they were brittle stalks of grass. The air reeked of burnt wood, ichor, and ash as the demon¡¯s guttural laugh echoed through the forest, mocking the destruction it left in its wake.

    "You think you can stop me?" Hathrakkal¡¯s voice was a jagged rasp, filled with malice. The blank human face on its head twisted into a mockery of a grin, while the Delleren family faces embedded across its grotesque mass screamed in distorted agony. "You cling to your light like infants to their mother¡¯s skirts. But tell me¡ª" The demon¡¯s voice grew louder, more venomous. "Where was your precious light when your so-called first Vessel of light failed? Samuel would¡¯ve died choking on his own blood if not for that pitiful woman. And you think you¡¯re stronger than him? He was almost successful in defeating one of our Monarchs..yet you struggle to even take down a lower ranked demon of Hell! Damn fools!¡±

    Klem¡¯s booming laugh cut through the demon¡¯s taunts as he sprinted after it, his massive eight-sided axe glowing white-hot, its fiery chains rattling noisily as they whipped through the air. ¡°You sure like to talk for something that¡¯s running scared! Come back here, you fucking slug!¡± His amber eyes gleamed, his lion-like mane whipping against his bloodied armor as he leapt over a fallen tree, closing the distance with terrifying speed.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    "Stop playing around, Klem!" Vektor snapped, his tone sharp as he darted beside him, his blanket of light shifting in his hands with precision. The fabric shimmered in his grip, its radiant glow illuminating the forest as he kept pace. His golden eyes, however, betrayed his tension¡ªthe demon¡¯s movements were growing faster, more erratic. "It¡¯s heading for the settlement! If we don¡¯t stop it here, those people won¡¯t stand a chance!"

    In the sky above, Faera hovered on her radiant cloud of light, her hair glowing faintly as it flowed around her calm face. Her hands clutched her glowing lantern, its light pulsating as she chanted softly, her voice carrying through the chaos like an ancient hymn:

    ¡°May the power of light guide us through darkness during the times of purging evil..¡±

    From her lantern, a golden barrier shimmered around her allies, shielding them from the debris and splinters that flew through the air as Hathrakka massive claws slashed through the forest. But the barrier was fading, its steady glow dimming each time Faera conjured another spell. Her serene expression faltered for a moment as she glanced down at the lantern. She knew the shield wouldn¡¯t last forever¡ªbut they had no other choice.

    ¡®My power isn¡¯t as strong as the others, especially Ilyana¡¯s. But I hope this will do..¡¯

    Hathrakka suddenly twisted its massive body, its segmented tail lashing out with incredible force. The tail slammed into a line of trees, uprooting them and sending them flying toward the clerics like massive projectiles. Klem grinned and roared, leaping into the air as the first tree came hurtling toward him. He spun his axe with a deafening whoosh, slicing cleanly through the trunk, its fiery chains wrapping around the severed halves and hurling them aside.

    Vektor, meanwhile, moved with calculated precision, his movements sharp and deliberate. As another tree came crashing toward him, he raised his blanket of light, the radiant fabric shimmering as it absorbed the impact before snapping forward like a whip. The motion sent the shattered remains of the tree flying back toward Hathrakkal, the jagged splinters embedding themselves in the demon¡¯s armored segments.

    "You call that an attack?" Vektor growled, his voice steady despite the sweat dripping down his brow. "I¡¯ve seen toddlers throw tantrums more threatening than this!"

    Hathrakkal  snarled, its massive claws digging into the earth as it skidded to a halt. The ground trembled beneath its bulk, and its blank human face twisted into a mask of rage. "You dare mock me, mortal? I¡¯ll show you power beyond your comprehension! Asphalt and Hellfire

    The air grew heavy as the demon¡¯s segmented body began to glow faintly with a sickly red hue. The Delleren family faces writhed violently, their mouths stretching open in grotesque unison as they screamed. From their mouths erupted dozens of bladed black chains, dripping with corrosive ichor, each one shooting toward the clerics with terrifying speed.

    Klem and Vektor reacted instantly. Klem roared as he swung his axe in wide arcs, the fiery chains extending outward to intercept the demon¡¯s black chains. The two forces collided mid-air, the sound of metal clashing against metal reverberating through the forest as sparks and flames erupted from the impact. Klem¡¯s grin widened, his muscles straining as he pushed back against the chains. ¡°Is that all you¡¯ve got?! You¡¯re gonna have to do better than that to take me down!¡±

    Vektor moved with calculated precision, his blanket of light spinning in his hands like a radiant shield. He deflected the chains with pinpoint accuracy, each strike sending the bladed tendrils recoiling as they hissed and burned against the light. But the chains kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless.

    Above them, Faera¡¯s calm expression hardened. She raised her lantern high, its light intensifying as she chanted:

    ¡°Lancelot cast your beam from my soul¡­¡±

    A beam of searing white light erupted from the lantern, slicing through the air like a divine lance. The beam struck Hathrakka¡¯s body, piercing through its armored segments and sending black ichor spraying in all directions. The demon let out a guttural roar, its massive form writhing as the beam burned through its flesh. But as the beam faded, the golden barrier around Faera flickered dangerously, the protective light dimming further.

    "Careful, Faera!" Vektor shouted, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the barrier weakening. "The more you attack, the less protection we have!"

    "I know," Faera replied calmly, though her voice carried a faint edge of unease.

    Hathrakka¡¯s laugh echoed through the forest, low and mocking. "Is that all your light can muster? You burn so brightly, yet you flicker like a dying candle. Let¡¯s see how long you last!"

    The demon¡¯s massive claws slammed into the ground, and the earth beneath them began to twist and warp. Demonic fissures erupted around the clerics, spewing black flames and molten rock that surged toward them like rivers of hellfire. The heat was searing, the flames consuming everything in their path.

    Klem leapt into the air, his chains lashing out and wrapping around a tree branch as he swung above the flames. ¡°This thing¡¯s starting to piss me off!¡± he shouted, landing heavily on a nearby boulder. He turned to Vektor, who was using his blanket of light to shield himself from the flames, the radiant fabric shimmering as it absorbed the heat. ¡°Vektor! Why the hell does it feel like this thing¡¯s getting stronger?!¡±

    Vektor didn¡¯t respond immediately. His eyes were wide, his expression tense as he stared at the demon. He could feel it¡ªan overwhelming sense of dread that clawed at his resolve. His grip on the blanket tightened as his mind raced. If we can¡¯t stop it here¡­ if it reaches the settlement¡­ how can I ever hope to stop Sugred? How can I lead the clerics into battle if I fail here?

    Klem growled, noticing the fear in Vektor¡¯s eyes. Without hesitation, he spun around and kicked Vektor square in the chest, sending him crashing through a nearby tree. The wood splintered on impact, and Vektor landed hard against the forest floor, groaning as he tried to catch his breath.

    Klem landed in front of him, planting his axe in the ground and staring him down. ¡°Snap out of it, Vektor.¡± He barked, his voice a booming roar. Behind him, his fiery chains lashed out to hold back Hathrakka¡¯s advancing claws, the flames searing into the demon¡¯s flesh. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to be the level-headed one, right? So act like it! Stop thinking about what might happen and focus on what¡¯s in front of you!¡±

    Vektor glared up at him, his breath heavy. ¡°I¡ª¡±

    ¡°You think you¡¯re the only one who¡¯s scared?!¡± Klem snapped, cutting him off. ¡°We¡¯ve all got something to lose, but sitting there like a scared pup isn¡¯t gonna fix anything! You don¡¯t know if you¡¯ve won or lost until the fight¡¯s over, so get your ass up and fight!¡±

    Vektor stared at him for a moment, then nodded, his expression hardening. ¡°You¡¯re right. Let¡¯s finish this.¡±

    Klem grinned, baring his sharp teeth. ¡°That¡¯s more like it.¡±

    The two clerics turned back to the demon, their resolve renewed as they charged forward together. Hathrakkal roared, its massive form twisting as it prepared to meet them head-on.

    The darkness was absolute, a crushing void that swallowed everything in its path. No sound, no light, no sense of direction¡ªjust a vast, oppressive emptiness. Xyenn stood at the center of it, his breathing steady but shallow, his heartbeat pounding loudly in his ears. He couldn¡¯t tell if the floor beneath him was solid or if he was suspended in the void itself. Everything felt wrong, like the very air had been sucked out of existence.

    He extended his hand above his head, and with a soft snap of his fingers, a dark pink flame flickered to life. The glow was faint at first, but it grew with every second, casting a soft, warm light around him. The flame danced gently, unaffected by the oppressive weight of the shadows surrounding him.

    Xyenn stared at it for a moment, his mismatched eyes reflecting the light. One was a deep, glowing pink, vibrant and alive, while the other was pitch black, a void of its own. The pink flame reminded him of Yuuna¡ªher magic, her presence, her warmth.

    "Guess you''re still with me," he muttered to himself, a small, genuine smile tugging at his lips. ¡°Even here.¡± The thought of her steadied him, even as the darkness pressed closer, like a predator circling its prey.

    ¡®Everything reminds me of Yuuna. Even in the darkness. Yuuna has been with me through Hell and back. Without her..¡¯

    But the flame only revealed more of the same. Endless darkness stretched out in every direction, swallowing the faint light as if mocking his efforts. He tightened his grip on his Dark Sun Blade, its edge glowing faintly with black and yellow flames as he poured more of his energy into it. The weapon flared brighter, the flames crackling and spitting like a living thing.

    Xyenn¡¯s left side felt heavier than usual. The absence of his left eye was a constant reminder of his vulnerability, especially in the dark. His heightened senses, a gift from his bond with Yuuna, worked overtime to compensate, but the imbalance was grating. Every faint sound, every shift in the air, every flicker of movement¡ªit all felt amplified, chaotic.

    "Focus," he whispered to himself. "You can¡¯t afford to mess up now."

    His steps echoed faintly as he moved forward, each footfall swallowed by the void almost as soon as it sounded. His sword was held out in front of him, the flames licking at the air, illuminating little more than a few feet ahead. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

    Then, like a ripple across water, Nacht¡¯s voice broke the stillness.

    ¡°Shadows are not your enemy, Xyenn,¡± the voice echoed, calm and resonant, coming from everywhere and nowhere at once. "They are the truth that light refuses to acknowledge. They are not just concealment or absence¡ªthey are the essence of patience, of deception, of clarity when all else fails. They see what the light cannot."

    Xyenn stopped walking, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the darkness. The voice was everywhere, bouncing from one direction to the next, making it impossible to pinpoint its origin.

    "I must commend you for your insight," Nacht continued, his tone almost amused. "You¡¯ve pieced together some of my plans. It¡¯s impressive, truly. But you¡¯ve only scratched the surface of what I am capable of."

    Xyenn¡¯s grip on his sword tightened, the flames on its blade flaring brighter. ¡°You think I care about your stupid riddles?¡± he called out, his voice steady despite the unease creeping up his spine.

    Nacht chuckled softly, the sound reverberating through the void. "I can kill you, Xyenn. That much you already know. And yes, I can puppeteer your body with a shadow. But do you understand what that truly means? The shadow would not merely mimic you¡ªit would become you. It would carry your memories, your abilities, your voice, your very soul¡­ for a few days, at least."

    The air around Xyenn grew colder, the weight of Nacht¡¯s words sinking in.

    "That would be more than enough time," Nacht continued, his tone now laced with malice. "Enough time to lure Yuuna to me. Enough time to kill her. Enough time to take her heart and escape this wretched Cycle of Rebirth."

    Xyenn gritted his teeth, forcing himself to keep moving forward. He refused to let Nacht¡¯s words get to him. "You talk too much," he muttered under his breath.

    But Nacht wasn¡¯t finished.  "You and your Tyrants," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "The elder dragon gods know of your feats and power. Though they are not scared of you. They wish for freedom, as do I. And you¡­ you will be the key to my freedom."

    Suddenly, from the darkness, a pair of glowing red eyes darted toward Xyenn. An assassin emerged from the void, their blade aimed for his throat. Xyenn didn¡¯t flinch. He sidestepped at the last second, his sword blazing as he brought it down in a brutal arc. The blade struck the assassin¡¯s arm, searing through flesh and bone. The assassin cried out, stumbling back into the darkness, clutching their mangled limb.

    Another pair of red eyes appeared to his right, followed by another assassin lunging at him. Xyenn twisted his body, his sword slicing cleanly through the attacker¡¯s leg. They collapsed to the ground with a pained scream, the flames from his blade charring the wound.

    ¡®I have nothing to say to this bastard.¡¯

    The darkness came alive with movement. More red eyes appeared, darting toward him from every direction. Some were illusions, their attacks passing harmlessly through him before dissipating into smoke. Others were real, their strikes precise and deadly.

    Xyenn moved like a predator, his heightened senses allowing him to distinguish between the real and the fake. He ducked under one assassin¡¯s blade, slamming the hilt of his sword into their face with enough force to break their nose. Another swung at him from behind, but he spun around, kicking their legs out from under them before driving his blade into their shoulder.

    The attacks were relentless, the red-eyed assassins coming faster and faster. Xyenn¡¯s missing eye made it harder to track them all, and twice he stumbled, barely dodging a real attack in time. A blade grazed his arm, drawing blood, and he cursed under his breath. "I need to train harder," he muttered, his frustration fueling his movements.

    At one point, he pretended to fall for an illusion, staggering backward as if caught off guard. The fake assassin struck, its blade passing harmlessly through him. The real one lunged from the shadows moments later, but Xyenn was ready. He pivoted on his heel, driving his sword into their stomach. The flames burned through their armor, and they collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain.

    The battle felt endless, each assassin more desperate than the last. But Xyenn never faltered. He refused to kill them, but he made sure each one was left crippled and incapable of continuing the fight.

    ¡®I won¡¯t kill them. They¡¯re just assassins, fighting for a desperate god of shadows. They aren¡¯t guilty. That question one of them asked me earlier¡­

    Finally, he stopped in the center of the void, his chest heaving as he raised his Dark Sun Blade high above his head. The flames erupted, swirling into a chaotic typhoon of black, yellow, and dark pink fire. The roaring flames illuminated the darkness, revealing the carnage around him.

    The broken bodies of Delleren family members lay scattered across the ground. One was missing an arm, their face frozen in a permanent scream of terror. Another had been crushed, their torso twisted unnaturally, their blood pooling beneath them. The once-proud leaders of the estate were reduced to mangled, lifeless husks.

    And then, the flames revealed Nacht, his massive form merged seamlessly with the darkness itself. His glowing violet eyes burned like twin stars, and his ethereal wings stretched wide, blending into the void. His body shifted and rippled like liquid shadow, both solid and intangible.

    Xyenn grinned, his mismatched eyes blazing with determination as his flames roared higher. ¡°Found you.¡±

 Chapter 59: No Room For Heroes

    The forest was plunged into chaos, the air thick with the acrid stench of burning wood and choking darkness. The moonlight was swallowed by the oppressive black veil that emanated from Hathrakka, whose grotesque, centipede-like body writhed and twisted as it skittered through the ruins of the forest. The blank human face on its head sneered, its expression an eerie mockery of humanity, while the Delleren family faces embedded across its body twisted and screamed in agony, their mouths gaping wide as they spilled distorted, guttural chants into the air.

    Hathrakka¡¯s voice boomed, a deep, guttural rasp that seemed to come from the void itself. "Do you feel it now, mortals? The weight of inevitability? The light you cling to will falter, just as it always has. You are nothing but echoes of a dying flame!" The demon¡¯s massive body halted suddenly, its many legs digging into the charred earth as intricate hellish crests began to glow across its segmented carapace. The crests were twisted symbols, pulsing with an otherworldly crimson light that seemed to bleed into the air around them.

    Four massive crests burned to life on Hathrakka¡¯s body, each one radiating a malevolent energy that warped the surrounding space. The first crest, near the demon¡¯s head, was a jagged spiral that spun unnaturally, creating a horrific vortex that pulled the air, sound, and even light itself into it. The second crest, etched into the demon¡¯s midsection, resembled a cracked hourglass, spilling glowing black sand that hissed and corroded everything it touched. The third crest, near its tail, was a pulsating symbol of concentric circles that seemed to distort reality itself, warping the very fabric of the forest. And the fourth crest, glowing faintly across its entire body, manifested as chains of black light that lashed out randomly into the air, screaming as if alive.

    Klem and Vektor stood at the edge of the destruction, their armor battered and their bodies dripping with sweat and blood. Klem, however, wore a massive grin, his amber eyes gleaming with excitement. "Now this... is what I¡¯m talking about!" he roared, planting his eight-sided axe into the ground with a thunderous crash. He turned to Vektor, who was catching his breath, his eyes fixed on the nightmarish demon ahead. "Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re scared of a fucking fancy light shows!"

    Vektor wiped the blood from his lip, glaring up at the towering lion-man. "Scared? No. Just trying to figure out how you¡¯re still smiling when it feels like the world¡¯s about to collapse on top of us."

    ¡®He¡¯s a different breed..literally.¡¯

    "Easy!" Klem barked, reaching down and grabbing Vektor by the arm. "You don¡¯t think about it! Now stop sulking, *we¡¯ve got a demon to kill!*" With that, Klem heaved Vektor into the air like a sack of potatoes, holding him by the arm as he charged headlong toward Hathrakka.

    "What the hell are you doing?!" Vektor shouted, his legs flailing as Klem carried him like a weapon. ¡°Put me down! Bastard!¡±

    "Improvising!" Klem bellowed, laughing as he spun Vektor like a battering ram.

    Hathrakka¡¯s twisted face contorted into a sneer, and the first crest near its head flared with power. The spiral crest spun faster, creating a massive vortex that pulled the forest into its grasp. Trees were uprooted, their splintered remains sucked into the void, while the very ground cracked and crumbled beneath its pull. Klem dug his claws into the earth, holding himself and Vektor steady as the winds howled around them.

    "Hold on tight, Vektor!" Klem roared as he leapt into the vortex, his chains lashing out to anchor him to one of Hathrakka¡¯s massive legs. The demon¡¯s spiral crest screamed as it tried to pull them in, but Klem swung Vektor forward with reckless abandon.

    "Do something useful!" Klem barked as he hurled Vektor at the demon¡¯s face.

    ¡°Don¡¯t forget I run the orphanage! I¡¯m your leader!¡±

    ¡°Gross you sound like Sugred.¡±

    Vektor, mid-air, gritted his teeth and unfurled his blanket of light, the radiant fabric glowing with a brilliant golden hue. He twisted his body, snapping the blanket taut as he wrapped it around Hathrakka¡¯s blank human face. The light burned against the demon¡¯s flesh, and the Delleren faces screamed in unison, their distorted cries echoing through the forest.

    "You insolent worms!" Hathrakka roared, its second crest¡ªthe cracked hourglass¡ªactivating with a deafening clang. From the hourglass spilled a torrent of black sand, which surged forward like a living tide, consuming everything in its path. The sand hissed and sizzled as it devoured trees, rocks, and even the air itself, leaving only an empty void in its wake.

    "Vektor!" Faera¡¯s voice rang out from above, her silver hair glowing in the dimming light of her lantern. She raised the lantern high, chanting:

    ¡°Runes of Lancelot, runes of light, declare your servants soldiers of the knight..

    "By the light of the eternal brightness,

    Through strength, clarity, unity, and resolve,

    I invoke the sigils of divine might.

    Let the diamond¡¯s edge carve the path,

    Let the circle¡¯s calm banish doubt,

    Let the twins entwine in perfect harmony,

    Let the star blaze beyond all pain.

    Grant us the power to stand unbroken.

    In the name of the radiant light, so it shall be."

    From her lantern, bright white runes appeared in the air, their intricate designs glowing as they descended toward Klem and Vektor. The runes latched onto their bodies, embedding themselves into their armor and flesh like living tattoos.

    ? ? ? ?

    Rune of Valiance: A jagged diamond-shaped rune that glowed faintly on Klem¡¯s chest, increasing his raw strength tenfold. His muscles bulged as his chains glowed brighter, their movements faster and more precise.

    Rune of Clarity: A circular rune carved into Vektor¡¯s temple, clearing his mind of fear and doubt as his movements became sharper, more deliberate.

    Rune of Unity: A twin set of interlocking triangles etched across their shoulders, allowing their movements to synchronize perfectly as if they were of one mind.

    Rune of Resolve: A blazing star-shaped rune that pulsed on their backs, only slightly dulling their pain and pushing their bodies beyond their limits.

    Klem grinned as the runes flared to life. "Now we¡¯re talking! We should get some ale after this, Faera.¡±

    ¡°You know we do not indulge in consuming alcohol.¡±

    ¡°Ohhh I forgot you were a super cleric.¡±

    With a roar, he yanked on his chains, pulling himself up onto Hathrakka¡¯s massive body. The chains lashed out, wrapping around the demon¡¯s segmented legs as he began tearing into them with his axe, each swing brutal and unrelenting. Black ichor sprayed in every direction, burning against his skin, but Klem only laughed harder.

    Vektor, now perched on the demon¡¯s head, used his blanket of light like a constricting net, wrapping it around Hathrakka¡¯s face and pulling it tight. The radiant fabric burned against the demon¡¯s flesh, forcing it to thrash violently.

    "You think your runes will save you?" Hathrakka snarled, activating its third crest¡ªthe concentric circles¡ªwhich distorted reality around it. The forest twisted and warped, the ground rising and falling as gravity itself shifted. Klem was thrown off-balance, his chains snapping as he was hurled into the air.

    "Catch me, you bastard!" he shouted, hurling his axe toward Vektor.

    Vektor caught the chains of the axe mid-air, using them to anchor himself as he swung back toward Hathrakka. "You¡¯re insane, you know that?" he muttered, landing beside Klem as they regrouped.

    "Of course I am!" Klem barked, slamming his fist into Vektor¡¯s shoulder. "Now let¡¯s finish this.¡±

    The two launched themselves at Hathrakka in perfect unison, their rune-empowered bodies moving like a single entity. Klem¡¯s chains lashed out, wrapping around the demon¡¯s limbs and holding it in place as Vektor¡¯s blanket of light constricted tighter around its face, cutting off its screams.

    "You¡¯re nothing but insects!" Hathrakka roared, activating its final crest¡ªthe chains of black light¡ªwhich lashed out wildly in all directions. The chains tore through the forest, ripping apart the ground and sky as they sought to destroy everything in their path.

    "End this now¡­¡± Faera shouted, her voice strained as the light of her lantern dimmed further. The golden barrier around her flickered dangerously, on the verge of collapse.

    Klem and Vektor exchanged a glance, nodding in silent agreement. With a roar, Klem hurled Vektor forward, his glowing chains propelling him like a missile. Vektor¡¯s blanket of light unfurled one last time, wrapping around Hathrakka¡¯s face and pulling it taut as he slammed into the demon with the force of a falling star. At the same time, Klem leapt onto Hathrakka¡¯s back, driving his eight-sided axe into its exposed flesh with a deafening crack.

    The combined force of their attacks tore through Hathrakka¡¯s body, splitting it apart as black ichor exploded in every direction. The demon¡¯s screams were drowned out by the sound of its body collapsing, its crests shattering into nothingness as it crumbled to the ground in a heap of gore and twisted flesh.

    Klem stood amidst the carnage, his armor dripping with blood as he wiped his face with one massive hand. "Now that¡¯s how you kill a demon, haha!" he bellowed, laughing as he turned to Vektor. "You¡¯re welcome, by the way. I did all the work.¡±

    Vektor groaned, pulling himself out of the wreckage. "Next time, warn me before you use me as a weapon. And I DID!¡±

    "Where¡¯s the fun in that?" Klem replied, grinning. ¡°And I definearly did all of the work. Also, it¡¯s a good thing Yuuna gave us the ability to understand the demons now.¡±

    ¡°When we asked her for it, she literally shoved her clawed hand through our chests and Illyana and Faera had to hurry and heal us. We were almost done for!¡±

    ¡°Haha! You act like it¡¯s my fault!¡±

    ¡°Tch. I wasn¡¯t even gonna ask her. But it¡¯s good she¡¯s around to help us anyway.¡±

    ¡®We stopped a demon. We may have hope in being able to stop Sugred, and the demons that might come along with his goal of opening Hell. The hope that I needed, it¡¯s slowly coming back to me.¡¯

    Klem asked, ¡°Hey, where¡¯s Faera?¡±

    ¡°Huh? Probably gonna go help the kid.¡±

    ¡°Does he even need help? I can tell that boy is strong. And he killed the Sun-Drake with Yuuna? He¡¯s got potential as a Jotyin.¡±

    ¡°He came just in time. Though he¡¯s still a brat. And the rest of the Tyrants, I can tolerate them. But Yuuna is a nightmare.¡±

    ¡°Ha! You¡¯re scared of her!¡± Klem shoved Vektor and laughed.

    ¡°So?! Who knows what she¡¯ll do?! She looks at me and glints her sharp teeth and claws at me with a smile!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure she does it to everyone. Just to mess with them.¡±

    ¡­.

    The air grew heavier, suffocating and dense, as the swirling darkness around Xyenn seemed to pulse with life. The oppressive silence was broken by a low, guttural rumble that reverberated through the void, shaking the ground beneath him. Nacht¡¯s form, previously merged with the shadows, began to shift and writhe, his massive presence condensing into something tangible. The shadows churned like a storm around him, coalescing into a single, towering figure.

    Xyenn stood below, gripping his Dark Sun Blade, the flames of black, yellow, and dark pink swirling violently around its jagged edge. His one glowing pink eye narrowed, his shark-like teeth bared in a grimace as he adjusted his stance, his black-scaled tail swaying behind him like a coiled serpent. His left side was heavier now¡ªhis body had already begun to shift. A single black horn had erupted from the side of his head, curving upward like a jagged crown, and dark, gleaming dragon scales had spread across half his body, glinting in the faint light of his flames. His sharp, claw-like fingers flexed around the hilt of the blade, ready for what was to come.

    Nacht¡¯s transformation was unlike anything Xyenn had ever seen. The shadows peeled away from him like a cocoon, revealing a humanoid figure fused with a draconic monstrosity. His body was massive, towering over Xyenn like a living mountain. His skin was midnight black, shimmering faintly with a dark purple sheen, as if his entire form was crafted from living shadow. His chest was broad and armored with jagged scales that pulsed with veins of glowing amethyst light, and his arms were unnaturally long, ending in talons that crackled with purple static energy.

    Two enormous dragon wings extended from his back, their membranes translucent and glowing faintly with streaks of dark purple lightning that arced through the veins. His legs were draconic, with powerful, clawed feet that dug into the ground, cracking the stone beneath him. His tail, long and whip-like, lashed behind him, its end tipped with a jagged, scythe-like blade.

    But it was Nacht¡¯s head that was the most horrifying. His face was elongated, a perfect fusion of a dragon¡¯s snout and a humanoid visage. His mouth was filled with rows of jagged, shark-like teeth, each one glinting with a faint purple hue. His eyes were massive, glowing violet orbs, piercing and otherworldly, but they carried a strange sadness beneath their malice. At the center of his forehead, a third eye glowed faintly, pulsing with shadow magic.  The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    In his hands, Nacht wielded two jagged-edged staffs, each one made entirely of shadow, their surfaces constantly shifting and rippling like liquid darkness. At the top of each staff was a crackling purple orb, pulsating with raw, destructive energy, arcs of shadowy lightning shooting outward like tendrils. The orbs seemed to hum with power, casting faint, eerie light across the void.

    When Nacht spoke, his voice was deeper now, layered with an unnatural echo that resonated in Xyenn¡¯s bones. ¡°Do you see me now, Xyenn? This is what I truly am. The dragon god of shadows, the weakest among my kind¡­ but even I can end you.¡±

    Xyenn smirked, his sharp teeth glinting in the pink light of his flame. ¡°Weakest dragon god, huh? That explains a lot. But if you think you¡¯re taking my body, you¡¯re dumb. I¡¯m not falling for your crap.¡±

    Nacht tilted his massive head, his glowing eyes narrowing. ¡°You¡¯re confident, I¡¯ll give you that. But you¡¯re not merged with Yuuna. Without her, you¡¯re vulnerable. You may have killed the sun god, but that doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯ll survive me.¡±

    Xyenn responded with a mocking laugh. ¡°Yeah, yeah. Bring it on. You¡¯re not taking my body, Nacht. And you sure as hell aren¡¯t touching Yuuna. I¡¯ve already dealt with one bastard who wanted her.¡±

    ¡®A moment I hate thinking about¡­fucking Haldrek.¡¯

    Nacht¡¯s massive wings flared outward, the force of their movement sending a shockwave through the void. ¡°Foolish boy,¡± he growled, lifting one of his staffs and slamming its base into the ground. The purple orb at its top flared with light, and the shadows around them seemed to ripple and deepen. ¡°Do you understand what you¡¯re fighting against? Do you even comprehend the Cycle of Rebirth?¡±

    Xyenn didn¡¯t answer, his focus unbroken as he prepared for Nacht¡¯s inevitable strike.

    ¡®Of course I do. This shit started off with me fighting a dragon god of Death because of it.¡¯

    Nacht continued, his voice tinged with bitterness. ¡°Humans¡­ you disgust me. You live such fleeting lives, but you cherish every moment. You create memories, fall in love, build relationships, and when you die, those memories remain with you in the afterlife.¡± He paused, his glowing eyes narrowing further. ¡°But for us, the dragon gods, it¡¯s different. We die, and we are reborn. Hollow. Empty. Every memory, every bond, every piece of who we were is erased. I didn¡¯t believe it at first. I thought it was a lie. But the elder dragon gods¡ªthey confirmed it. They told me the truth.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s grip on his blade tightened, his jaw clenched, but he remained silent. Nacht¡¯s voice grew softer, almost mournful. ¡°Do you know what it¡¯s like to create a family, only to lose it? To build relationships, knowing they mean nothing in the end? That is why I created my assassins. They are my family now. A broken, twisted family, but a family nonetheless.¡±

    Nacht¡¯s massive form shifted, his wings curling slightly around him. ¡°Each of my assassins comes from a shattered home, from lives filled with suffering. I trained them, gave them purpose, and in return, they gave me meaning. Together, we rid the world of those who take life for granted. We kill those who don¡¯t deserve to live.¡±

    Xyenn finally spoke, his voice low and steady. ¡°I don¡¯t pity any of you. But I understand your pain. But you gods have put a bad taste in my mouth the day I was born. I¡¯m not letting you kill me, though.¡±

    Nacht¡¯s glowing eyes flared with anger, but as he opened his mouth to retort, his voice cracked. ¡°Please¡­ Xyenn, just give up. Kill yourself. Hand over your body. Let me end this. Let me take what I need to escape this nightmare.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s pupils narrowed into slits, his teeth grinding together as rage boiled inside him. ¡°Shut up.¡±

    Nacht¡¯s massive hands trembled as he clutched his staffs. ¡°Please! Do it! End it for me¡­ end it all!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s grip on his blade tightened further, the swirling flames around it growing more intense. His voice was low, a growl rumbling in his throat. ¡°I said¡­ shut up.¡±

    The memories of King Haldrek¡¯s words surfaced in his mind, unbidden. ¡°Embrace the monster within you, Xyenn. To succeed, to be feared, to survive¡ªyou must become what they fear most.¡±

    The thought clawed at him, tempting him, pulling at the edges of his mind. He could feel the rage building, his blood boiling as his body began to tremble. His pupils became sharper, more animalistic, and his breathing grew heavier.

    Nacht noticed the shift, and a sinister grin spread across his monstrous face. ¡°Yes¡­ yes, that¡¯s it. Let it out, Xyenn. Embrace the monster. Show me what you¡¯re truly capable of.¡±

    ¡®Yes¡­fight recklessly. You won¡¯t be able to think, and you¡¯ll be really vulnerable.¡¯

    Xyenn¡¯s flames roared higher, the typhoon of black, yellow, and dark pink fire swirling violently around him. ¡°You want a monster?¡± he growled, his voice low and menacing. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll show you one.¡±

    The battlefield was a swirling storm of light and shadow, a nightmare of chaos and destruction. The moment Nacht¡¯s massive, draconic form fully emerged, the void around them seemed to bow to his presence. His jagged-edged staffs crackled with dark purple energy, the orbs atop them glowing like amethyst stars that pulsed with destructive intent. His wings, vast and terrible, stretched wide, blotting out even Faera¡¯s comforting light. The third eye on his forehead glowed faintly, a harbinger of the overwhelming power he wielded.

    ¡°Xyenn!¡±

    Xyenn heard her, but didn¡¯t look up to see her in the air, and Faera continued, ¡°Don¡¯t give in to it. He wants you to be like this. Clear your head..please.¡±

    Xyenn stood there, and thought, ¡®The same tranquil voice as Illyana. But it¡¯s not Illyana. It¡¯s soothing, honestly. I¡¯m already giving into it.¡¯

    Nacht saw her, saying, ¡°Damn..I thought the demon would¡¯ve devoured you all already!¡±

    Xyenn stood below, his body tense and ready, his mismatched eyes locked on Nacht¡¯s towering figure. The light runes Faera had summoned swirled slowly around him, their faint glow offering subtle enhancements to his movements and senses. The single black horn on his head gleamed in the faint light, the dark scales covering his left side shimmering faintly with his every breath. His Dark Sun Blade burned with black, yellow, and dark pink flames, its jagged edge pulsing with the unstable energy of his power. Above him, Yuuna¡¯s dark pink flame floated steadily, a reminder of the bond that anchored him in the storm. His clawed fingers tightened around his blade, his teeth clenched as he prepared for Nacht¡¯s first move.

    Nacht¡¯s wings beat once, propelling him forward with terrifying speed. His right staff came crashing down toward Xyenn, the crackling orb at its tip aimed directly for his skull. Xyenn stepped to the side at the last possible second, the staff slamming into the ground with a deafening crash that sent cracks spidering through the stone. Without wasting a moment, Xyenn stepped into Nacht¡¯s space, his blade arcing upward in a deadly slash aimed for Nacht¡¯s chest.

    ¡®As a dragon god of shadows, Nacht will be tricky to fight! I have to watch out for anything.¡¯

    Nacht twisted his massive body with inhuman agility, the blade grazing his armored scales but failing to pierce them. His tail whipped around from the side, the scythe-like blade at its tip slicing through the air with a deadly whistle. Xyenn ducked low, the tail passing inches above his head, and retaliated with a low swipe of his sword aimed to sever the tail. The blade connected, slicing deep into the shadowy flesh, and dark blood sprayed across the ground. Nacht snarled, pulling his tail back with a violent snap, but Xyenn was already moving, using the momentum to launch himself upward.

    The Dark Sun Blade flared brightly as Xyenn swung it in a brutal overhead strike, aiming for Nacht¡¯s neck. Nacht¡¯s third eye glowed faintly, and in an instant, his body dissolved into a cloud of shadows, the blade passing harmlessly through the void. Xyenn landed hard, his boots skidding on the cracked ground as he spun around, his eyes scanning for Nacht¡¯s reappearance.

    From above, Nacht reformed, descending with both staffs spinning in wide arcs. Xyenn¡¯s instincts screamed as he dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the dual strikes that smashed into the ground with bone-shattering force. Nacht¡¯s wings beat once, sending him into the air again, his massive form circling Xyenn like a predator stalking its prey.

    Xyenn¡¯s mind raced as he watched Nacht¡¯s movements, the light runes swirling faster around him as Faera¡¯s chanting grew louder. He could feel the subtle enhancements the runes provided¡ªa slight increase in his speed, a faint sharpness to his reflexes¡ªbut Nacht¡¯s agility and power were decent. Every movement of the shadow god was calculated, his attacks precise and relentless.

    Nacht landed with a thunderous crash, his claws raking across the ground as he lunged at Xyenn. The young warrior raised his blade just in time, the claws slamming into the weapon with enough force to send him sliding backward. Sparks flew as the claws scraped against the flaming edge of the blade, and Xyenn growled low in his throat as he pushed back, his muscles straining against Nacht¡¯s immense strength.

    Nacht grinned, his third eye flaring again as he stepped back, one of his staffs spinning toward Xyenn in a wide slash. Xyenn leaned back fast, the staff missing him by mere inches, and retaliated with a quick thrust of his blade aimed for Nacht¡¯s gut. The shadow god twisted his body, the blade barely slicing through the scales, and swung his other staff downward in a brutal overhead strike.

    Xyenn sidestepped, the staff slamming into the ground beside him, and used the opening to slash at Nacht¡¯s arm. The blade connected, cutting deep into the shadowy flesh, and Nacht roared in pain, his massive wings flaring as he leaped back. Xyenn didn¡¯t waste a second, charging forward with his blade raised high, but Nacht was ready.

    The orbs atop Nacht¡¯s staff flared brightly, and dark purple energy erupted from them in jagged crescents. Xyenn skidded to a halt, raising his blade just in time to deflect the first arc, the impact sending a jolt up his left arm, which made Xyenn grunt in heavy amounts of pain. The second arc followed immediately, and Xyenn dodged to the side, the energy scorching the ground where he had been standing.

    Nacht roared, the sound shaking the battlefield, and spread his wings wide. The sky above twisted, the faint light of Faera¡¯s lantern dimming as the Sovereign Eclipse consumed the heavens. The battlefield was plunged into a deeper darkness, the only light coming from the swirling amethyst stars and shattered celestial bodies that hung ominously above.

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes narrowed as he adjusted his stance, his blade burning brighter in defiance of the darkness. Nacht¡¯s massive form disappeared into the shadows, leaving Xyenn alone in the void.

    ¡®He¡¯s running?! No..he¡¯s definitely brewing up for something else. I have to go after him. Darkness is his ultimate weapon against me. But the same goes for me as well.¡¯

    The ground beneath Xyenn¡¯s feet trembled, and he leaped to the side just as a massive shard of a shattered constellation crashed down where he had been standing. The jagged fragment exploded on impact, sending chunks of shadowy stone flying in every direction. Xyenn rolled to his feet, his eyes scanning the void as more fragments rained down around him. The stones had exploded mid air, releasing large shadow skulls that screamed outwar with burning energy. Xyenn dodged them all, flipping and twisting over them.

    As he moved, he could feel the subtle pull of Nacht¡¯s power¡ªthe void zones left behind by the falling shards sapped his energy and slowed his movements, but Xyenn gritted his teeth and pressed on. His mind raced as he calculated his next move, his pink eye flicking toward the faint glow of Nacht¡¯s third eye in the distance.

    ¡®He¡¯s trying to wear me down,¡¯ Xyenn thought, his breathing heavy. ¡®But if I can get close enough, I can end this.¡¯

    He darted forward, his blade spinning in a wide arc as he slashed through one of the void zones, the dark sun flames burning away the lingering shadow magic. Nacht reappeared suddenly, his massive form emerging from the shadows with both staffs spinning toward Xyenn in a deadly flurry of strikes.

    Xyenn raised his blade, the flames clashing against the crackling energy of the staffs as he blocked the first strike and ducked under the second. Nacht¡¯s tail whipped around from the side, the scythe-like blade at its tip aiming for Xyenn¡¯s head. Xyenn dropped to the ground, the tail passing inches above him, and rolled to the side, slashing at Nacht¡¯s leg as he moved.

    ¡°AGH!¡± Nacht exclaimed as his leg burned heavily.

    The blade connected, slicing deep into the shadowy flesh, and Nacht roared in pain, his wings flaring as he jumped into the air. Xyenn followed, leaping after him with his blade raised high, but Nacht twisted mid-air, slamming one of his staffs into Xyenn¡¯s side.

    The impact sent Xyenn crashing to the ground, blood spraying from his mouth as he rolled to a stop. His breathing was ragged, his body trembling from the force of the blow, but he forced himself to his feet, his blade still burning brightly in his hands.

    Nacht landed across from him, his glowing eyes narrowing as he watched Xyenn wipe the blood from his mouth. The two stood in silence for a moment, the battlefield around them a shattered wasteland of stone and shadow.

    ¡°I must say, you without your goddess¡­being able to fight toe to toe with me, is incredible. You could¡¯ve been a great assassin for me if not under these circumstances.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s heart thundered in his chest as he adjusted his grip on his blade, the light runes still swirling around him. The faint glow of Yuuna¡¯s pink flame above his head gave him strength as he extended his other hand, summoning a dark pink and black flaming scythe. The weapon burned fiercely in his grasp, its jagged edge flickering with unstable energy.

    He grinned, his sharp teeth glinting in the darkness as he locked eyes with Nacht. ¡°Yuuna is always with me, bitch. Come at me.¡±

    Nacht gritted his teeth in anger, seeing how much Xyenn was devoted to Yuuna. A relationship he yearned for. Sure he had assassins as worshippers, but something about this made him want more than just someone worshipping him for power.

    ¡°Give me your body, brat!¡± He roared loudly.

    The battlefield was a fractured abyss of light and shadow, an ethereal void torn apart by the sheer destructive force of the ongoing battle. Xyenn and Nacht stood at its epicenter, two titanic forces colliding in a relentless contest of will, power, and survival. The pitch-black arena, held together only by Nacht''s shadow magic, was splintering under the intensity of their clash, jagged cracks forming in the darkness itself. Faint beams of light cut through the fractures, illuminating patches of the void in a surreal, otherworldly glow.

    Above, Faera was trapped in her own desperate struggle.

    ¡®Just a little longer, I can endure. It¡¯s been awhile since I really engaged in combat. I¡¯m always at the orphanage, tending to the children to show them the light. Am I too devoted to Lancelot¡­?¡¯

    Encased in her shimmering barrier of light, she floated high above the battlefield, her lantern glowing with divine power. Below her, shadow assassins swarmed like a living tide, leaping and twisting with horrifying agility. They climbed over one another, each trying to reach her barrier, their weapons striking with rapid, precise movements. The sound of their attacks was a relentless, eerie cacophony of slashes, shadow magic, and the hum of light magic resisting their assault.

    The assassins moved like a single entity, their swirling formation resembling a snake coiling upward. They hurled shadow spells at the barrier, the dark energy crackling and burning against the radiant light. Faera¡¯s hands trembled as she clutched her lantern tightly, her voice steady but strained as she chanted a mantra to fortify the barrier. She dared not falter¡ªif the shield fell, the assassins would overwhelm her in seconds.

    Below her, the battle between Xyenn and Nacht raged on with ferocious intensity. Xyenn stood firm, his eye glowing with focus and determination. The runes of light surrounding him pulsed faintly, their energy flowing through his body, sharpening his reflexes and bolstering his stamina. But they were fading slowly. His Dark Sun Blade burned in his hand, the unstable flames of black, yellow, and dark pink licking at the air with raw, destructive power. Above him, Yuuna¡¯s pink flame hovered steadily, an anchor in the storm of chaos.

    And Xyenn was smiling. He understood Nacht¡¯s abilities now. His patterns, even his strategy.

    Nacht loomed before him, his massive form radiating an aura of godly shadow magic. His wings were outstretched, their translucent membranes glowing faintly with veins of dark purple light. His towering body was a fusion of shadow and amethyst energy, his colossal presence bending the battlefield around him. The orbs atop his jagged-edged staffs pulsed with divine power, their glow intensifying as he prepared his next attack.

    ¡°Give me your body!¡±

    The air between them crackled with tension. Nacht¡¯s third eye glowed faintly, its presence a constant reminder of his omniscient awareness. Xyenn knew better than to make the first move¡ªNacht¡¯s power demanded patience, strategy, and precision.

    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll show you true terror.¡±

    And yet, Nacht wasted no time. Raising his left staff high, he channeled the full weight of his godly shadow magic into the heavens. The swirling void above trembled, and with an ear-splitting roar, Nacht unleashed Sovereign Eclipse: The World¡¯s Last Night.

    The sky twisted into a nightmare of shattered star bodies, amethyst stars, and blackened constellations. The light of Faera¡¯s lantern dimmed as the heavens themselves seemed to collapse.

    Without warning, fragments of the shattered stars began to rain down upon the battlefield. Each piece was massive, jagged, and glowing with amethyst shadow energy, their descent accompanied by a high-pitched hum that grew louder with every second.

    Xyenn¡¯s instincts screamed at him to move, and he did so without hesitation. He darted to the side just as the first fragment crashed into the ground where he had been standing. The impact was catastrophic, a blinding explosion of amethyst light ripping through the void. The force of the blast sent chunks of the battlefield flying, and Xyenn barely had time to roll out of the way as another fragment came hurtling toward him.

    But Xyenn still smiled.

    This time, though so much was happening, Xyenn kept smiling to keep his head leveled. Though he was overwhelmed¡ª

    ¡®I won¡¯t let my head overwhelm me either.¡¯

    The ground beneath his feet shifted and cracked, the void zones left by the fragments draining his stamina with every step. Xyenn gritted his teeth, his mind racing as he dodged and weaved through the onslaught.

    ¡®He¡¯s trying to force me into a corner,¡¯ Xyenn thought, his pink eye flicking toward Nacht, who hovered above the chaos, his staffs glowing with power.

    Raising his sword high, Xyenn channeled Oblivion Engine: Blade of the Devouring Sun. The blade flared brightly, its flames intensifying as it channeled the unstable energy of the Dark Sun. With a powerful swing, Xyenn unleashed a fiery rift that tore through the battlefield, cutting a path straight toward Nacht.

    The rift burned everything in its path, the flames consuming the void zones and destabilizing the fragments of shattered stars. Nacht¡¯s third eye flared in response, and with a wave of his staff, he redirected the energy of the rift upward, shattering it into harmless embers.

    But Xyenn was already moving. Using the distraction, he closed the distance between them, his blade aimed for Nacht¡¯s core. Nacht¡¯s third eye caught the movement, and with a flick of his right staff, he summoned Shadow Fracture.

    The air around Xyenn distorted, and suddenly, his movements felt sluggish and heavy. Nacht descended upon him with terrifying speed, his massive form moving like a phantom through the fractured time. Xyenn¡¯s mind raced as he fought against the distortion, his body straining with every step.

    ¡®He¡¯s distorting the air around us to become heavy..! No, the shadows. Of course..he can manipulate shadows. We¡¯re in an entire shadow domain right now, I have to break out of it!¡¯

    Xyenn slammed his blade into the ground, activating Singularity Vein: The Heart of Despair. Crimson-black veins spread outward in a pulsating web, converging into a singular point that collapsed into a swirling black hole. The distortion of time around Xyenn shattered as the singularity pulled at everything within its radius, including Nacht.

    Nacht roared, his wings flaring wide as he resisted the pull of the black hole. His third eye glowed brighter, and with a burst of shadow magic, he dispelled the singularity, the battlefield quaking under the force of his power.

    But Xyenn was ready. As the singularity collapsed, he summoned Bloodlit Elegy: Choir of the Forsaken. Five spectral warriors materialized around him, their ghostly forms flickering with dark sun energy. They moved in perfect synchronization with Xyenn, their delayed attacks creating an unpredictable rhythm that Nacht struggled to counter.

    Xyenn surged forward, his blade slashing in tandem with the spectral warriors. Nacht raised his staffs, channeling divine shadowy energy to deflect the strikes, but the sound bursts from the warriors¡¯ attacks made his defenses fragile. One spectral blade pierced Nacht¡¯s shoulder, another slicing across his chest, and black blood sprayed across the battlefield.

    Nacht¡¯s roar shook the heavens. His third eye flared with unrestrained power as he unleashed Reality Collapse. The battlefield shattered into floating islands made of nothing but shadows, the fragments of the void drifting in a sea of shadowlight. Xyenn leaped from platform to platform, his blade blazing as he closed in on Nacht once more.

    ¡°Haha! Trying to drown me, you bastard?!¡±

    ¡°Give me your body! If you understand me, why not be a hero! If I can take Yuuna¡¯s heart and redeem myself and the other dragon gods from this damned Cycle, then I¡¯d be deemed a hero myself. I won¡¯t be known as the weakest anymore.¡±

    Xyenn replied, ¡°I can¡¯t let you take my body. But I know exactly where he¡¯s coming from. Growing up as a person who was neglected by everyone, even the gods, I wanted to truly live, make connections with people and even find a wife or something. But that day that I almost offed myself, Yuuna was there with me. And that¡¯s when everything had changed. I got friends now, and people who are with me all the time who fight and defend each other. Though the Tyrants have their own issues within themselves and each other, we¡¯re still together at the end of the day. I realized after all of that, I¡¯m not lonely anymore. I¡¯m not a hero. At all. This world has no room for heroes or saintly men and women with hero dreams. Nor monsters. But reinforcements.¡±

    ¡®I wanted to be a hero as a child. But after everything I¡¯ve gone through, this world doesn¡¯t need a goody goody hero. But someone who¡¯s gonna clean it the hell up.¡¯

    As both combatants landed on the same platform, their clash became a flurry of close-range strikes. Xyenn¡¯s blade met Nacht¡¯s staffs, the ground beneath them crumbling with each impact. The light runes around Xyenn pulsed faster, their energy flowing through him as he matched Nacht¡¯s godly power with raw determination.

    In a sudden shift, Xyenn feigned an overhead slash. Nacht raised his staff to block, but Xyenn let go of the blade mid-swing, his free hand igniting with black and pink flames. He drove his fist into Nacht¡¯s face with all his strength, the impact sending the shadow god hurtling through the collapsing void.

    Nacht¡¯s body tore through the darkness, crashing into the bright sky outside. He smashed through the golden trees of the Delleren estate, each collision brutal and devastating. Noble family members who tried to flee were caught in the chaos, their bodies crushed in gory explosions as Nacht¡¯s massive form plowed through them.

    Finally, Nacht crashed into the ground, leaving a massive crater in his wake. Blood oozed from his wounds as he lay motionless among the carnage.

    Above him, Xyenn descended like a falling star, his Dark Sun Blade burning brightly in his grasp.

    Still smiling.

 Chapter 60: Red Eyed Revenge

    The aftermath of the battle hung heavy in the air, the oppressive darkness finally gone, replaced by the soft hues of an eerie twilight. Xyenn knelt on top of Nacht, his Dark Sun Blade driven deep into the dragon god¡¯s chest. The once-proud deity of shadows lay battered and broken beneath him, his form flickering weakly as though he could barely hold himself together. Nacht¡¯s ethereal wings were torn and tattered, his violet eyes dimmed and unfocused.

    Xyenn, covered in dirt and grime, bore only a few scratches from the fight, though a streak of dried blood ran down the side of his face. His breathing was heavy but controlled. He didn¡¯t gloat. He didn¡¯t speak. His face burned with quiet intensity as he stared down at his fallen opponent.

    Nacht coughed weakly, his voice trembling with frustration and desperation. ¡°You¡­ you think you¡¯ve won, boy¡­¡±

    Before Nacht could continue, the sound of footsteps crunching through the rubble reached them. Klem, Faera, and Vektor emerged into the clearing, their weapons still at the ready. They stopped a few paces away, their eyes falling on the scene before them: Xyenn, kneeling atop a dragon god, sword plunged deep into his chest. The three clerics exchanged glances but said nothing, their expressions a mix of surprise and quiet approval.

    Nacht¡¯s dim eyes flickered toward the clerics, his voice weak but filled with desperation. ¡°You¡­ clerics¡­ if you kill him¡­ I will give you power¡­ unimaginable power. You could rival the gods themselves. Just rid me of this pest¡­¡±

    Klem was the first to respond, letting out a loud, booming laugh. ¡°Power? From you? You look like you couldn¡¯t even rival a wet loaf of bread right now.¡± He leaned on his massive, glowing axe, pretending to consider the offer. ¡°But¡­ I dunno. Sounds tempting. Maybe I should¡­¡± He took a step toward Xyenn, raising his axe slightly.

    Xyenn¡¯s head snapped toward him, his eyes wide with panic. ¡°Klem! Don¡¯t you dare¡ª! You fat¡ª!¡±

    Klem smirked and stopped mid-strike, lowering his axe. ¡°Nah, I can¡¯t do it. You¡¯re too youngling to take seriously.¡±

    Xyenn screeched comedically, his voice cracking. ¡°WHAT DO YOU MEAN?! FIGHT ME. I¡¯m A MAN.¡±

    Klem raised his axe again, pretending to strike once more. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll do it this time. For real.¡±

    ¡°STOP IT!¡± Xyenn yelped, flailing his free arm in Klem¡¯s direction.

    ¡°I thought you said¡ª.¡±

    Faera, ever-serene, placed a gentle hand on Klem¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Klem, leave Xyenn alone,¡± she chided softly, though there was a faint smile on her face. ¡°You¡¯re going to give him a heart attack.¡±

    Vektor crossed his arms, his golden eyes narrowing. ¡°Klem, you¡¯re embarrassing us. Again. Can you try to act professional for once?¡±

    Klem shrugged, flashing a toothy grin. ¡°What? I¡¯m just having a little fun.¡±

    Vektor sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. ¡°You¡¯re impossible.¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± Klem replied with pride, clearly unbothered.

    The banter continued, but Nacht¡¯s dim eyes watched them carefully. His voice, though weak, took on a strange tone¡ªpart wistful, part bitter. ¡°That camaraderie¡­ that bond¡­¡± He coughed, dark ichor spilling from his lips as his body trembled beneath Xyenn¡¯s weight. ¡°You humans¡­ you mortals¡­¡±

    The clerics and Xyenn fell silent as Nacht¡¯s voice grew quieter, filled with a strange sadness. ¡°I only wanted to be like you all. To feel what it¡¯s like to have¡­ that. To be part of something greater than myself. To be¡­¡± His voice broke. ¡°A hero.¡±

    Xyenn didn¡¯t respond. He stared down at Nacht, his expression unreadable.

    Nacht¡¯s voice wavered as he continued. ¡°I could¡¯ve been hailed as one¡­ if only I wasn¡¯t the weakest. The weakest of all the dragon gods.¡±

    Xyenn stood still, the weight of his words forming in his mind as he faced the dragon god''s desperate speech. For a moment, the silence stretched between them, the air thick with tension and the faint hum of power emanating from the divine creature before him. His eye brow narrowed, the light in them hardened, not with hatred, but with something deeper¡ªresolve. He let out a slow, measured breath, his voice low but steady, each word deliberate.

    "You think I don¡¯t understand you?" he began. "I do. More than you think. I can see it in your eyes, hear it in your voice. You¡¯re just another piece of this broken world trying to claw your way out of the pit it threw you into. You think taking my body, my strength, will make you a hero. You think if you can redeem yourself, you¡¯ll rewrite how the world sees you¡ªhow it remembers you. I get it. I was like you once. When I was younger, I dreamed of being a hero too. A savior. Someone who¡¯d swoop in and fix everything. I thought if I could prove myself, if I could be something bigger than the nothing I felt like, maybe people would finally notice me. Maybe I¡¯d finally matter."

    He paused, his expression darkening as he glanced at the ground for a brief moment, as if recalling a distant memory. When he spoke again, his voice carried the weight of scars that had long since healed, but never fully disappeared.

    "Back then, I was just a kid no one cared about. Neglected by everyone¡ªhell, even the gods didn¡¯t bother to look my way. I was invisible. Forgotten. All I wanted was what everyone else seemed to have so easily: connection. Friends. A family. Someone to share the damn weight of being alive with. But when no one gave a damn, I started thinking maybe no one ever would. And when you¡¯re alone long enough, well shit..." He gave a bitter chuckle, shaking his head. "You start to think there¡¯s nothing left to fight for. Nothing left to live for."

    His hand clenched into a fist at his side, the faintest tremor running through it before he forced himself to relax. "That was the day I almost gave up. The day I almost ended it all. I did end up doing it though. Ending it all. But then, Yuuna showed up. She didn¡¯t save me with some grand speech or anything. She was just there, sitting beside me, like I wasn¡¯t invisible anymore. Sure at first she wanted to use me and not give a shit about me. But then as we grew, she talked to me like I mattered, like I wasn¡¯t just another forgotten nobody. And that changed everything. Little by little, I started to find people who stuck around. People who fought for me, and fought with me. The Tyrants, Yuuna¡ªthey¡¯ve got their own problems, sure, but we¡¯ve got each other. For the first time, I wasn¡¯t alone anymore..." His gaze snapped back to the dragon god, sharp as a blade. "That¡¯s worth more than any dream of being a hero ever was."

    ¡®I mean all of this..don¡¯t I? Of course I do. The younger me wouldn¡¯t have even dreamed of saying this shit to anyone.¡¯

    Xyenn took a step closer, his voice growing stronger, each word cutting through the air like steel. "You want to be a hero? This world... this damn world doesn¡¯t need heroes. Not the kind who think they can save it with shiny ideals. You think this world has room for saints? For goody-goody heroes who dream of justice and glory? Take a look around. This world is rotten. People are dying, clawing for scraps while your kind sits on thrones built from their worship. You force them to bow, to bleed, just so you can keep yourselves alive. And you¡¯ve got the nerve to call it a cycle? No. I wouldn¡¯t even call it that anymore." His voice dropped to a growl, the heat of his anger simmering just beneath the surface. "That¡¯s not a cycle. That¡¯s a cage. And I¡¯ll be damned if I let you or anyone else keep it locked. A cage the dragon gods are locked in, sure. But a cage the people are in as well. Since you¡¯re trapped, they are trapped as well.¡±

    He let the words hang for a moment, the tension between them palpable. There was no anger in his expression now, only cold, unshakable certainty. "You know what this world really needs? Reinforcements. People who don¡¯t care about glory or recognition, but who¡¯ll fight in the deep end, side by side, to fix this broken mess. People who¡¯ll do what needs to be done, even if it¡¯s ugly. Even if it¡¯s thankless. Heroes... they¡¯re just stories you tell kids to make them feel safe. But reinforcements? They¡¯re the ones who stand in the fire and make sure no one else burns."

    Nacht growled, ¡°You¡¯re calling yourself a hero¡­.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s body shifted slightly, his stance solid, unyielding, the chains wrapped around his arms faintly glowing with power. His voice dropped lower, colder, as he delivered the final blow. "You fought me, someone who¡¯s already been through hell and came out the other side stronger. Someone who doesn¡¯t give a damn about your redemption or your survival. You¡¯re fighting me, and I¡¯m the one who¡¯s gonna tear this world¡¯s cage apart, one chain at a time. My ideals a few weeks ago have changed severely. After what I¡¯ve been through, my mind has changed. There is no room for heroes.¡±

    It was silent amongst them, and even Klem thought, ¡®A boy that young saying all of that¡­he¡¯s realizing this around the same age I learned about how crooked this world is.¡¯

    Before anyone could respond, the sound of trees being felled and rocks crashing to the ground filled the clearing. From every direction, Nacht¡¯s assassins emerged, their glowing red eyes cutting through the dim light. They dropped from trees, slid over rocks, their movements swift and silent as they surrounded the group.

    Klem tilted his head, his grin widening. ¡°Oh, look. The cheerleading squad finally showed up.¡±

    Faera glanced around, her lantern glowing faintly as she raised it higher. ¡°There are so many of them¡­¡±

    Vektor narrowed his eyes, his radiant blanket of light shifting slightly around him. ¡°They¡¯re not going to let us leave without a fight.¡±

    Xyenn, still kneeling on top of Nacht, didn¡¯t even flinch. He gripped the hilt of his sword tighter, the flames crackling faintly as he muttered, ¡°Let them try.¡±

    Before anyone could make a move, a deep, familiar voice cut through the tension like a blade.

    ¡°Even if I leave you alone for *one second,* you always find a way to get into trouble.¡±

    The group turned as Gorran stepped into the clearing, his dark figure emerging from the shadows with an almost casual stride. He didn¡¯t look at the assassins or Nacht¡ªhis piercing gaze was locked solely on Xyenn.

    Xyenn¡¯s face lit up with surprise and joy, completely at odds with the tense atmosphere. ¡°Gorran! You¡¯re here!¡± He leapt to his feet, sprinting toward him with an almost childish excitement. ¡°You¡¯re not gonna believe this! I killed a dragon god! By myself! I¡ª¡±

    Before Xyenn could get any closer, Gorran extended a hand, pressing it firmly against Xyenn¡¯s face to stop him in his tracks. Xyenn flailed his arms uselessly, his voice muffled against Gorran¡¯s palm.

    Gorran¡¯s expression was one of utter disgust as he held Xyenn at arm¡¯s length. ¡°Are you possessed?¡± he asked flatly. ¡°Or is this still that bard¡¯s music messing with your head after Soulcaris?¡±

    Gorran looked around, thinking, ¡®Assassins. Which group of assassins are these? Shadows¡­shadows..Nacht¡¯s Brotherhood. They¡¯ve been around for years since u was a child, a young assassin for the Xenith Clan. They''re their ultimate rivals.¡¯The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Xyenn pulled away, swatting at Gorran¡¯s hand. ¡°Hell no! I¡¯m fine!¡± He pointed dramatically back at Nacht, who was still pinned to the ground. ¡°Look! I killed my first dragon god!¡±

    Gorran glanced at Nacht, his expression unimpressed. ¡°He¡¯s not even dead yet.¡±

    Xyenn blinked, then his lips curled into a mischievous grin. ¡°Oh, right.¡± He turned back toward Nacht, raising his Dark Sun Blade high above his head. The flames flared brighter, crackling with explosive energy. ¡°I''ll make it quick.¡±

    But just as he was about to bring the blade down, Xyenn stopped. The edge of the sword hovered mere inches from Nacht¡¯s neck.

    The clearing fell silent. Even the assassins, poised to strike, seemed frozen in place.

    Klem tilted his head, his grin faltering. ¡°Uh¡­ kid? What are you doing?¡±

    Vektor¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Why did you stop?¡±

    Faera¡¯s soft voice broke the silence. ¡°Xyenn¡­?¡±

    But it was Gorran who looked the most shocked. His sharp eyes widened slightly as he stared at Xyenn, his voice low and uncertain. ¡°What¡­ are you doing?¡±

    Xyenn didn¡¯t say a word. He remained locked on Nacht as his blade continued to hover, unmoving.

    The tense silence in the clearing was suffocating as Xyenn held his Dark Sun Blade inches from Nacht''s neck. The black and yellow flames swirled violently, lighting up the battered and dirt-covered Xyenn as he stared down at the broken dragon god of shadows beneath him. Nacht¡¯s violet eyes flickered weakly, his body trembling as he clung to what little strength he had left.

    Klem, Faera, and Gorran all stood silently in the background, watching with varying degrees of curiosity and concern. Even Nacht''s assassins, perched in the trees or hidden among the rubble, remained frozen, awaiting their master¡¯s fate.

    Xyenn finally broke the silence, his voice calm but firm. ¡°I¡¯m not going to kill you.¡±

    Nacht¡¯s dim eyes widened, a flicker of surprise crossing his battered face. ¡°What¡­?¡± he rasped, his voice shaky.

    Xyenn lifted his blade slightly, the flames dimming just enough to ease the tension. ¡°Technically, you didn¡¯t do anything wrong.¡±

    Klem raised an eyebrow, confused. ¡°Uh, kid? He tried to kill you. And Yuuna. And steal your body. And, you know, obliterate your entire existence.¡±

    Xyenn nodded, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips. ¡°Yeah, I know. But hear me out.¡± He stood, pulling his sword from Nacht¡¯s chest with a sickening crunch. Nacht gasped weakly, clutching his chest as Xyenn continued.

    ¡°You¡¯re the dragon god of shadows, ruling over assassins who cleanse the world of filth.¡± Xyenn glanced down at Nacht, his mismatched eyes gleaming faintly. ¡°I can relate to that.¡±

    Nacht¡¯s brows furrowed, his face a mix of confusion and anger. ¡°You¡­ relate to me? A god?¡±

    Xyenn ignored the tone and kept talking, pacing back and forth as he spoke. ¡°I get it. You¡¯re doing what you were meant to do. Shadows exist to balance the light, don¡¯t they?¡± He paused, glancing at the assassins in the distance. ¡°But here¡¯s the thing. You lost. And now, I¡¯ve got the upper hand.¡±

    He stopped pacing and turned back to Nacht, his expression serious. ¡°I¡¯m not going to kill you, Nacht. But only under one condition.¡±

    Nacht¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°What¡­ condition?¡±

    Xyenn grinned, his excitement bubbling just under the surface. ¡°You and your assassins? You work for me now.¡±

    The silence that followed was deafening. Nacht¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief, his body trembling as he processed the words. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°You heard me,¡± Xyenn said, crossing his arms. ¡°You and your assassins will be under the Tyrants¡¯ command. You¡¯ll work for us. When we need you, you¡¯ll come. No arguments. No complaints. That¡¯s the deal.¡±

    Nacht¡¯s face twisted into a snarl. ¡°You dare to enslave a dragon god?! I would rather die than be at the mercy of a mortal!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s grin widened, and he crouched down, leaning in close to Nacht¡¯s face. ¡°Oh, you can die. And you won¡¯t be reborn, either. Not with Yuuna¡¯s power backing me up.¡±

    At that, Nacht visibly winced, his defiance faltering. The mention of Yuuna¡¯s power¡ªsomething even he didn¡¯t fully understand¡ªwas enough to make him hesitate.

    Gorran said, ¡°I¡¯m not sure about this.¡±

    ¡®Why am I still holding onto the fact that Nacht¡¯s Brotherhood rivaled with the Xenith clan? I left the Xenith clan in the past. I can¡¯t let it hold back my decisions. But I know Nacht¡¯s Brother are extremely deadly, and extremely brutal. They can¡¯t do anything against us, but against weaker people, they could wipe an entire continent of those who have weak magic.¡¯

    Xyenn stood up, turning to Gorran with a new spark of enthusiasm in his eyes. ¡°Think about it, Gorran. Nacht and his assassins could help us when we need them the most! Imagine the possibilities!¡±

    Gorran, his dark and brooding demeanor as sharp as ever, crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. ¡°We already have enough chaos with the Tyrants as it is.¡±

    ¡°But assassins!¡± Xyenn exclaimed, his excitement almost childlike. ¡°A whole brotherhood of them! Do you know how cool that is? I¡¯ve always been infatuated with assassins. The stealth, the precision, the way they move through the shadows¡ªit¡¯s unreal!¡± His eyes practically glowed as he spoke, and for a moment, the exhaustion on his face seemed to fade away, replaced by pure joy.

    Klem let out a booming laugh, patting Xyenn on the back so hard it nearly knocked him over. ¡°I like this kid. He¡¯s got ambition!¡±

    Faera, ever serene, smiled softly. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ unconventional, but it could be useful.¡±

    Even Gorran, after a long, brooding pause, finally sighed. ¡°Fine. If you think this will help us, I won¡¯t argue.¡±

    Vektor thought, ¡®The upcoming war against Sugred and the Clerics on his side, they could tend to be useful. If I¡¯m accepting help from a literal goddess of darkness, Yuuna, it wouldn¡¯t make much of a difference if I garner the help from assassins. I¡¯ll do anything to succeed in this. Maybe then..¡¯

    Xyenn¡¯s enthusiasm dimmed slightly as his thoughts turned darker. His expression grew serious, and he tightened his grip on his sword. ¡°Besides,¡± he muttered, ¡°we¡¯re also going to need all the help we can get when the time comes to face King Haldrek.¡±

    The mention of Haldrek sent a chill through the air. Even Klem¡¯s grin faltered, and Faera¡¯s soft expression hardened.

    ¡®We will meet soon¡­bastard..¡¯

    Nacht, still trembling on the ground, growled weakly. ¡°You¡­ would push a god to serve as your pawn? You¡¯re delusional.¡±

    Xyenn turned back to him, his grin returning. ¡°It¡¯s not about pushing you around, Nacht. It¡¯s about giving you a second chance.¡± He gestured to the assassins surrounding them. ¡°You¡¯ve got all these people following you. You¡¯re their leader. You said it yourself¡ªyou just wanted to be part of something greater, to be a hero and shit.¡±

    Nacht glared at him, his body tense. ¡°And you think I¡¯ll find redemption by serving mortals?¡±

    Xyenn shrugged. ¡°Maybe. Or maybe you¡¯ll just get a chance to do something meaningful for once. Or just die by me, you¡¯re choice.¡±

    Nacht looked away, his lips curling into a snarl. His pride screamed at him to refuse, but the fear of death¡ªand the finality of Yuuna¡¯s power¡ªwas too strong. After a long, tense silence, he sighed heavily. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll¡­ follow your command.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Great! I knew you¡¯d see reason.¡±

    With a grimace, Nacht reached into his own chest, his hand disappearing into the swirling shadows that made up his body. When he pulled it out, he held a **black and purple stone**, its surface shimmering faintly as shadows curled around it like smoke.

    ¡°This,¡± Nacht said, his voice low and bitter, ¡°is the Shard of the Brotherhood. It can summon me or any of my assassins.¡± He held it out, his hand trembling slightly. ¡°When assassins join my brotherhood, they consume a piece of the shard. It binds us together, no matter where we are. It ensures we are always united.¡±

    Xyenn took the shard, holding it up to inspect it. ¡°So¡­ do I have to eat a piece?¡±

    Nacht scowled. ¡°No, brat. You hold it and recite the Veil: ¡°Through shadow, we unite. Through the veil, we fight.¡±

    Xyenn nodded, gripping the shard tightly. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s try it.¡±

    He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before reciting the Veil. ¡°Through shadow, we unite. Through the veil, we fight.¡±

    For a moment, nothing happened. The clearing was silent, and Xyenn opened one eye, pouting slightly. ¡°Uh¡­ is it broken or someth¡ª¡±

    A deafening KATHOOM shook the ground, cutting him off. Dozens upon dozens of assassins descended from the trees, the rocks, and the shadows themselves, landing in perfect, synchronized movements. Their glowing red eyes flickered in the dim light as they stood at attention, their weapons gleaming.

    The sheer number was overwhelming¡ªover a hundred assassins, each one radiating deadly precision and discipline.

    Klem let out a whistle, clearly impressed. ¡°Well, damn. That¡¯s one hell of a squad.¡±

    Faera smiled faintly. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ quite the sight.¡±

    Even Gorran couldn¡¯t hide the faint flicker of surprise in his usually stoic expression. He kept his hand on the hilt of his blade, gritting his teeth. Being around his ancient rivals made him uneasy, nonetheless.

    Xyenn, on the other hand, was practically glowing with excitement. His personality sparkled as he turned back to Nacht. ¡°This is amazing! I¡¯m definitely calling you guys when I need you.¡±

    Nacht scowled but said nothing, his pride still stinging.

    Xyenn gripped the shard tightly, a wide grin spreading across his face. ¡°Alright, assassins. Welcome to the Tyrants.¡±

    The wind carried a faint chill through the remnants of the once-grand Delleren estate and forest. Its halls, now broken and crumbling, echoed with the silence of impending death. The air was heavy, thick with the promise of bloodshed.

    Xyenn still in the forest, stood at the center, as the Shard of the Brotherhood rested in his hand, pulsing with a dim, otherworldly energy. Around him, over a hundred assassins stood watch, their glowing red eyes cutting through the gloom, waiting for his command.

    From his kneeling position, Nacht looked up weakly at Xyenn, his battered form trembling as he clung to the last shreds of his strength. ¡°They respect you now,¡± Nacht rasped, his voice low and bitter. ¡°You defeated me. You hold the shard. They are yours to command. Give them their first orders, mortal.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s gaze swept over the assassins, and then, slowly, he turned his head toward Gorran. His lips curled into a mischievous grin, the kind that immediately put Gorran on edge. ¡°Xyenn,¡± Gorran said flatly, his dark, brooding tone carrying a warning. ¡°Don¡¯t do anything crazy.¡±

    Then Xyenn remembered why everyone was there in the first place. He let his excitement of assassins and his battle with Nacht distract him from the fact of why they¡¯re there in the first.

    The Delleren family. The wicked family of nobles who use magic to breed babies faster during orgies, and those who aren¡¯t up to par are thrown out, and one baby in particular had came out the womb ill, their own souls becoming devoured by a demon as the family tried to perform a dark ritual to fix the baby.

    Xyenn¡¯s grin faded, replaced by a cold, serious expression. Xyenn raised the shard, his voice steady and commanding. ¡°Find the rest of the Delleren family,¡± he ordered. ¡°Every last one of them. Kill them. Make them pay for what they did to that baby¡­ and the others.¡±

    The assassins didn¡¯t respond. They didn¡¯t so much as nod. As one, they dissolved into the shadows, their forms melting into the night like smoke.

    From the sidelines, Vektor smirked faintly, muttering under his breath, ¡°This kid¡­¡±

    Even Nacht, though visibly bitter, managed a faint nod of approval. ¡°A mortal human,¡± he said quietly, ¡°but you have a good head on your shoulders.¡±

    What followed was nothing short of a nightmare. The Delleren family was hunted down, their wealth and influence meaningless against the silent, merciless assassins. The estate became a slaughterhouse, its halls and surrounding forest painted red with blood.

    In the dense woods surrounding the estate, a young Delleren man sprinted for his life. His breaths came in ragged gasps, his legs burning with exertion as he pushed himself to keep running. Branches tore at his clothes and skin, leaving thin lines of blood in their wake. He dared to glance over his shoulder, his eyes wide with terror, but he saw nothing¡ªonly the vast, empty forest.

    When he turned forward again, his heart dropped. An assassin stood in his path, its glowing red eyes the only feature visible beneath its hood. He tried to stop, but his momentum carried him forward, and he tripped, sprawling to the ground.

    ¡°Please!¡± he cried, scrambling backward on his hands and knees. ¡°I¡¯ll give you anything! Gold! Land! Whatever you want! Just let me go!¡±

    The assassin didn¡¯t move. It raised a hand, and from the shadows around it, jagged snakes of black energy erupted from the ground, coiling around the young man¡¯s limbs like snakes. He screamed as the tendrils tightened, snapping his bones with sickening cracks. Blood poured from his mouth as the assassin stepped forward, unsheathing a blade that glimmered with a faint, shadowy aura.

    With one quick motion, the assassin drove the blade deep into the man¡¯s stomach, twisting it savagely before yanking it upward, splitting his torso open in a gruesome display of gore. The man¡¯s screams turned to wet gurgles as he collapsed, his intestines spilling onto the forest floor. The assassin stepped over the corpse and vanished into the shadows once more.

    Inside one of the estate¡¯s upper towers, a middle-aged woman cowered in a corner, her hands trembling as she held a decorative dagger. She had barricaded the door with furniture, piling it high in a desperate attempt to protect herself. Sweat dripped down her face as she muttered incoherent prayers, her voice shaking.

    The shadows in the room began to shift, pooling unnaturally in the corners like ink spreading across water. The woman¡¯s breath hitched as she noticed the movement. ¡°No,¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible. ¡°No, no, no¡­¡±

    An assassin emerged from the darkness, its body sliding out of the wall like liquid. It moved silently, its glowing red eyes fixed on her. The woman screamed, hurling the dagger with all her strength, but the assassin caught it mid-air, snapping the blade in half with a flick of its wrist.

    ¡°Please!¡± she sobbed, crawling backward as the assassin approached. ¡°I can pay you! I¡¯ll do anything! Just don¡¯t¡ª¡±

    Her words were cut off as the assassin lunged forward, grabbing her by the throat and slamming her head against the wall. The force of the impact cracked her skull, blood oozing from the wound as she slumped to the floor. The assassin didn¡¯t stop. It unsheathed a thin, serrated blade and began carving into her chest with slow, deliberate motions. Her screams echoed through the tower, growing weaker with every passing second.

    In the main hall of the estate, a Delleren patriarch stood with several of his relatives, all of them wielding ice magic. Frost spread across the floor and walls, the air growing colder with each passing moment. The patriarch, an older man with a commanding presence, barked orders to the others. ¡°Hold the line! We¡¯re not going down without a fight!¡±

    The others exclaimed:

    ¡°Yes!¡±

    ¡°Damn assassins¡­¡±

    The patriarch yelled, ¡°This won¡¯t be over. We made more money than our entire ancestors combined! We won¡¯t let it all end here! Without us, our operation won¡¯t continue, but we won¡¯t fall today!¡±

    The shadows flickered, and the assassins emerged. They moved with inhuman speed, darting between the pillars and broken furniture like wraiths. One of the younger family members, a young adult, raised his hands to unleash a blast of icy shards, but an assassin appeared behind him, driving a blade through his throat. Blood sprayed across the floor as the boy collapsed, choking on his own blood.

    ¡°Here they come!¡±

    ¡°Watch out! Don¡¯t trust you one shadow!¡±

    SHIIIING!

    One by one, blades carved, ripped, and blood splattered on the walls and blood hit the floor and ice magic skewered around them. The assassins were untouchable..

    Another family member, a woman in her thirties, screamed as an assassin severed her arm with a single strike. She tried to retaliate, forming a jagged spear of ice, but the assassin grabbed her by the face, slamming her head into the ground with enough force to crack her skull open.

    The patriarch roared in fury, unleashing a wave of frost that froze one of the assassins in place. ¡°Fight, damn you!¡± he shouted, his voice trembling with desperation. Before he could attack again, another assassin dropped from the ceiling, driving its blade into his shoulder. The patriarch screamed, swinging wildly with a conjured ice hammer, but the assassin dodged effortlessly.

    The other assassins closed in, and the family was overwhelmed. Blood splattered across the icy floor as blades sliced through flesh, severing limbs and spilling entrails. The patriarch was the last to fall, his body pinned against the wall by shadowy blades. An assassin approached him slowly, raising a curved dagger. The man¡¯s final scream was cut short as the blade plunged into his chest, carving through muscle and bone.

    Elsewhere on the estate, a Delleren woman tried to seduce her attacker, stripping off her clothes in a desperate ploy for survival. ¡°You don¡¯t have to kill me,¡± she whispered, stepping closer with trembling hands. ¡°I can give you something better¡­¡±

    The assassin didn¡¯t hesitate. It grabbed her by the throat, lifting her off the ground as she kicked and clawed uselessly. With a brutal twist, it snapped her neck, tossing her lifeless body aside like a discarded doll.

    The massacre continued. Some family members tried to run, only to be skewered by shadowy spikes that erupted from the ground. Others tried to fight, their magic and weapons useless against the silent, relentless assassins.

    One by one, the main Delleren family nobles was wiped out. The estate became a scene of unspeakable carnage, its walls painted with blood and littered with the mangled remains of its former inhabitants.

    When it was over, the assassins regrouped, standing silently in the trees, on the broken walls, and amidst the rubble. Their bodies were drenched in blood, their glowing red eyes fixed on Xyenn.

    Xyenn and the rest of the group watched them from a distance.

    ¡®They¡¯ll be useful. Definitely. I hope I made the right decision.¡¯

 Chapter 61: Food Wars

    The chaos in the orphanage¡¯s massive eating hall reached a fever pitch. The air was thick with the smell of roasted meats, gravy, and mashed turnips. The floor was a war zone of broken plates, spilled cider, and crushed bread rolls. Children darted and tumbled across the battlefield, their laughter mixing with battle cries as they hurled pies, bowls of porridge, and even whole roasted chickens at one another with reckless abandon.

    Yuuna crouched behind her makeshift barricade of overturned tables and broken chairs, her eyes gleaming like she was leading an actual military campaign. Her dozen or so children, faces streaked with various sauces and bits of fruit, were ready for action. Yuuna¡¯s seriousness was comically over the top, and she shouted orders like a knight-commander addressing her troops before battle.

    ¡°Listen up, my brave warriors!¡± she exclaimed, pointing a wooden spoon toward the chaos in front of her. ¡°Victory is within our grasp! But we must remain vigilant! We must remain strong! And above all, we must absolutely DESTROY those other peasants!¡±

    One of the children, a freckled boy with gravy dripping down his chin, raised his hand. ¡°Yuuna, do we have to destroy them? Can¡¯t we just, like¡­ win?¡±

    Yuuna spun around, her face inches from his, her voice dramatic and intense. ¡°We *don¡¯t just win*! Winning is for amateurs! We CRUSH our enemies! We make them regret ever stepping foot in this dining hall!¡±

    Another child, a girl with pigtails and a smirk, chimed in. ¡°You¡¯re just mad because Mertha¡¯s kids knocked over your pudding tower.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s eye twitched, and she slammed her spoon into the table. ¡°That pudding tower was an architectural masterpiece! They will PAY for that!¡±

    Across the room, Quinara lounged lazily behind her barricade, popping grapes into her mouth one by one as her group of kids prepared their next assault. They were armed with buckets of stew, handfuls of bread rolls, and an alarming amount of blackberry jam.

    ¡°Alright, listen up, my little gremlins,¡± Quinara said, her voice calm but dripping with mischief. ¡°Yuuna¡¯s losing her mind, as usual. That means we have the upper hand. All we have to do is keep poking the bear, and she¡¯ll lose it completely.¡±

    One of her kids, a boy with a crooked grin, asked, ¡°What¡¯s the plan, boss?¡±

    Quinara smirked, holding up a ladle filled with stew. ¡°Aim for her hair. That¡¯ll really set her off. Her hand is unnaturally pretty and taken care of and it pisses me off.¡±

    The kids giggled and nodded, already preparing their ammunition.

    On the far side of the room, Gridd¡¯s team stood in perfect formation. The dwarf¡¯s stoic expression hadn¡¯t faltered once, even as a glob of mashed turnips slid down his beard. His kids, a scrappy bunch of street-smart orphans, were armed with skewers of roasted meat and bowls of thick gravy that they carried like grenades.

    ¡°Lads, the time has come,¡± Gridd said, his voice gruff and authoritative. ¡°We¡¯ll be flankin¡¯ ¡®em from the left. Yuuna¡¯s too busy screamin¡¯ at her own kids to see it comin¡¯. Remember, aim fer the arms an¡¯ legs. Disable ¡®em first, then go fer the pudding reserves!¡±

    One of the kids, a short boy with dirt smudged on his face, saluted with a turkey leg. ¡°Aye, sir!¡±

    Meanwhile, Kivorn¡¯s team was¡­ barely doing anything. The sleepy warrior sat slumped against an overturned table, his head resting on his hand. His kids, equally lethargic, were half-heartedly tossing pastries in random directions without much effort.

    ¡°Do we¡­ like¡­ actually have to play?¡± one of the kids muttered, yawning.

    Kivorn shrugged, his voice monotone and tired. ¡°Not really. Just¡­ throw stuff if someone gets too close.¡±

    One of the kids tossed a bread roll, which somehow hit one of Quinara¡¯s kids square in the face. The child yelped and fell backward, causing a chain reaction of chaos as Quinara¡¯s group retaliated blindly.

    ¡°Huh,¡± Kivorn said, blinking slowly. ¡°That worked.¡±

    Yuuna, crouched behind her barricade, peeked over the edge and saw Mertha¡¯s team charging forward like wild animals. The muscular woman led the charge with a massive roasted ham in one hand, her kids following behind her with pies and bowls of porridge raised like weapons.

    Yuuna¡¯s eyes narrowed, and she turned to her team. ¡°This is it, brats. We¡¯re going after the big one.¡±

    One of her kids, a girl with a pudding-streaked face, gasped. ¡°You mean Mertha?!¡±

    ¡°Yes, Mertha!¡± Yuuna said, pointing dramatically. ¡°She¡¯s their strongest warrior. If we take her down, the rest will crumble like a stale biscuit!¡±

    Another kid raised a hand. ¡°But how are we supposed to beat her? She¡¯s, like, super scary!¡±

    Yuuna grinned, her expression devious. ¡°Oh, we¡¯re not going to beat her. He is.¡± She turned to Xyenn, who was crouched next to her, looking thoroughly confused about how he¡¯d ended up in this situation.

    ¡°Wait, what?¡± Xyenn asked, blinking.

    Yuuna grabbed his shoulders and shook him. ¡°Xyenn, this is your moment! You¡¯re the chosen one! I need you to take down Mertha!¡±

    ¡°But¡ª¡±

    ¡°No buts!¡± Yuuna interrupted, standing tall and pointing toward Mertha like a knight-commander leading her troops. ¡°Move in carefully! Watch your flanks! And for the love of all that¡¯s holy, DON¡¯T LET HER HIT YOU WITH THAT HAM!¡±

    Xyenn sighed, but there was a faint grin tugging at his lips. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll do it.¡±

    Xyenn darted out from behind the barricade, weaving and dodging as pies, bread rolls, and bowls of stew flew past him. His movements were quick, precise, almost absurdly graceful for someone in the middle of a food fight. He leapt onto a table, slid across it on his knees, and used an upturned chair as cover while a pie exploded against it.

    ¡®Food fight¡­something I¡¯ve always wanted to do. And here I am doing it. I¡¯m really moving up in the world.¡¯

    Some of the children from Quinara¡¯s team shouted at him. ¡°Hey! You¡¯re cheating! Grown-ups aren¡¯t supposed to be this good!¡±

    Xyenn smirked, glancing over his shoulder as he dodged a flying turkey leg. ¡°Cheating? This is just pure skill, kids. Losers.¡±

    ¡®No way I¡¯m taking this super seriously?! Am I that competitive?! Even against little children?!¡¯

    He continued moving, taking down a few kids on the way by tossing small globs of porridge at them with pinpoint accuracy. Each hit was accompanied by a dramatic ¡°ARRGH!¡± as the kids flopped to the ground, playing dead.

    One kid hovered over another kid, role mplaying to try and revive him.

    ¡°We got a soldier down!¡± They would joke.

    Gridd¡¯s team saw him coming and tried to intercept, but their attempt to flank him turned into an all-out skirmish with Quinara¡¯s group. The two sides collided in a chaotic mess, hurling food at each other while Xyenn slipped through unnoticed.

    Mertha spotted him as he approached, and her grin widened. She stepped into the center of the battlefield, her massive ham resting on her shoulder like a warhammer. ¡°Well, well,¡± she said, her voice booming. ¡°Looks like the little one sent a champion to face me!¡±

    Xyenn skidded to a stop in front of her, his mismatched eyes gleaming with determination. ¡°Mertha. It¡¯s time.¡±

    ¡°Time for what?¡± she asked, raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°For me to kick your ass. Duh,¡± he declared, grabbing a nearby bowl of mashed turnips. ¡°Think of this as training or something.¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah?¡±

    The two charged at each other, and the room erupted into cheers as kids from all sides stopped fighting to watch.

    Their battle was absurdly intense. Xyenn ducked under a swing of the ham and retaliated by flinging mashed turnips at Mertha¡¯s face. She blocked it with a pie tin, then countered by hurling a roasted chicken at him. Xyenn caught the chicken mid-air and used it as a makeshift shield to block a volley of bread rolls.

    The two moved with surprising agility, leaping over tables, sliding across the floor, and using overturned chairs as cover. Mertha swung the ham like a club, while Xyenn retaliated with anything he could grab¡ªa ladle filled with gravy, a loaf of hard bread, even a decorative squash.

    On the sidelines, Yuuna climbed onto the heads of two of her kids to get a better view. ¡°GO, XYENN! YOU¡¯VE GOT THIS!¡± she shouted, waving a drumstick like a flag. ¡°BASH HER FACE IN! RIP HER APART!¡±

    One of the kids groaned. ¡°Our heads hurt!¡±

    ¡°But your little heads are so sturdy!¡± Yuuna replied, grinning.

    The battle reached its climax when both Xyenn and Mertha charged at each other, roaring like warriors on an ancient battlefield. At the last second, they both mashed pies directly into each other¡¯s faces, the impact sending a spray of custard and berries everywhere.

    The room fell silent.

    Yuuna darted into the middle of the battlefield, picking up Xyenn and holding him above her head like a prized trophy. ¡°WE WON!¡± she declared, grinning triumphantly.

    Quinara, Mertha, Gridd, and even Kivorn shouted in unison. ¡°You didn¡¯t win anything!¡±

    Yuuna soaked in their protests, still smiling. ¡°Sore loser peasants!¡±

    Before anyone could respond, there was a loud crash as Klem leapt down from above, holding two massive baskets of food. ¡°MY TURN!¡± he bellowed.  ¡°Thanks for waiting on me! Haha¡ª!¡±

    Before he could land, glowing white chains of light wrapped around him, yanking him away mid-air. ¡°Nope!¡± came Faera¡¯s voice from the hallway.

    ¡°Fuuuuck!¡±

    The room descended into laughter and chaos once more. It was a battle none of them would forget.

    The aftermath of the food fight was catastrophic, but in its own way, it had been worth it. The dining hall of the orphanage was an absolute disaster. Gravy dripped from the ceiling, sticky puddles of cider covered the floor, and the walls were splattered with unidentifiable medieval foodstuffs. Tables were overturned, chairs were stacked awkwardly in corners, and bits of bread, mashed turnips, and roasted chicken littered every surface.

    Yuuna stood in the center of the room with her hands on her hips, surveying the carnage with a grin that was far too pleased for someone who was now obligated to clean it all up. ¡°This,¡± she said dramatically, ¡°was the greatest victory of my life.¡±

    Xyenn, standing beside her, wiped pudding off his cheek with a sigh. ¡°You do realize none of us actually won, right? Pretty sure we all just¡­ lost.¡±

    ¡®I really hate cleaning. Gives me super bad memories.¡¯

    Yuuna turned to him with mock indignation. ¡°How dare you? Did you not see me standing triumphantly at the end? That¡¯s winning, Xyenn. You wouldn¡¯t understand.¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Xyenn replied with a chuckle, bending down to pick up a smashed pie tin. ¡°Tell that to the floor. It¡¯s still covered in whatever this is.¡±

    ¡°Victory pudding,¡± Yuuna corrected, snatching the pie tin from his hand and tossing it onto a growing pile of debris. ¡°You have no vision, darling!¡±

    From across the room, Quinara leaned against an upturned chair, watching the two with an amused look as she lazily flicked a piece of bread crust into a nearby bucket. ¡°You know, Yuuna, for someone who claims to have ¡®won,¡¯ you sure spent a lot of time dodging pies and screaming for backup. Did you ACTUALLY contribute?¡±

    Yuuna spun around, pointing an accusing finger at Quinara. ¡°That¡¯s called strategy, Quinara. Something you wouldn¡¯t understand because you spent most of the fight hiding behind your kids.¡±

    Quinara gasped in mock offense, clutching her chest. ¡°Hiding? I was coordinating my troops! It¡¯s not my fault you and Xyenn decided to cheat with that whole ¡®assassin-level dodging¡¯ thing.¡±

    ¡°Cheat?¡± Xyenn interjected, raising an eyebrow. ¡°How exactly is dodging a pie cheating?¡±

    ¡°It just is!¡± Quinara said, throwing her hands up. ¡°You¡¯re too good at it! It¡¯s unnatural!¡±

    ¡°Unnatural,¡± Xyenn repeated, smirking. ¡°Right. I¡¯ll make sure to fight worse next time, just for you.¡±

    ¡°Good,¡± Quinara said, crossing her arms with a grin.  ¡°I¡¯d rather that to be pinned against the wall.¡±

    ¡°YOU¡¯RE STILL ON THAT?!¡±

    ¡°YES.¡±

    Nearby, Gridd was already stacking chairs with practiced efficiency, his gruff voice cutting through the banter. ¡°Ach, will ye lot stop bickerin¡¯ an¡¯ get to work? This mess isn¡¯t cleanin¡¯ itself.¡±

    Mertha, who had been wiping mashed turnips off her arms, laughed as she tossed a broken plate into a bucket. ¡°Says the guy who spent the whole fight yelling at his kids to ¡®aim for the knees.¡¯ Real honorable, Gridd.¡±

    Gridd snorted, placing another chair upright. ¡°It¡¯s not about honor, lass. It¡¯s about winnin¡¯. An¡¯ I¡¯d say we did pretty well until yer ham-tossin¡¯ antics got in the way.¡±

    ¡°Hey hey hey that ham was a tactical masterpiece,¡± Mertha shot back, grinning. ¡°You¡¯re just mad because you didn¡¯t think of it first.¡±

    ¡°Mad?¡± Gridd said with mock indignation. ¡°The only thing I¡¯m mad about is the state of me beard. Took me ages to get gravy out last time.¡±

    Yuuna leaned on her mop, watching the two with an exaggerated thoughtful expression. ¡°You know, Gridd, gravy in the beard could be a good look for you. Maybe we should add some mashed carrots for texture.¡±

    Gridd glared at her, though his lips twitched in the smallest hint of a smile. ¡°Don¡¯t ye dare.¡±

    Off in the corner, Kivorn was leaning against a table, broom in hand, barely making an effort to sweep up the mess around him. His eyes were half-closed, his movements slow and lazy. One of the kids from earlier slipped on a puddle of cider nearby, landing face-first in a pile of pudding.

    The entire group burst into laughter¡ªexcept Kivorn, who gave a single monotone chuckle before putting on the most unconvincing fake smile imaginable.

    ¡°You okay there, Kivorn?¡± Xyenn asked, chuckling as he mopped up the cider.

    ¡°This is me having fun,¡± Kivorn replied flatly, not even bothering to look up.

    Yuuna leaned over a chair to look at him, squinting. ¡°Are you sure? Because that smile looks like you¡¯re being held hostage.¡±

    ¡°Maybe I am,¡± Kivorn said with a shrug, still sweeping at a snail¡¯s pace.

    Mertha rolled her eyes, tossing a rag at him. ¡°Aww. Can you at least, PRETEND to help.¡±

    ¡°I am helping,¡± Kivorn said, catching the rag mid-air and placing it on the edge of the table like it was the most effort he could muster. ¡°See?¡±

    In one of the orphanage¡¯s quieter hallways, Gorran sat alone on the edge of a stone ledge, his dark figure silhouetted against the faint glow of the evening sky through a nearby window. He rested his arms on his knees, staring out into the distance with his usual brooding expression. The muffled sounds of laughter and conversation from the others echoed faintly through the halls, but he didn¡¯t move to join them.  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t enjoy their company¡ªhe just preferred the quiet. This group, chaotic as they were, was his family, and he found a certain comfort in knowing they were nearby. Even if he didn¡¯t always show it. He would never admit it though.

    His mind went back to when Xyenn spared Nacht.

    ¡®Xyenn hates the dragon gods. Yet, he spared one¡­what am I missing? I need to ask Xyenn what he feels when doing these things. Saving..saving¡­sparing. Things I¡¯ve never been that good at or used to doing. I want to know what those feelings are. That feeling of saving and sparing¡­¡¯

    Back in the dining hall, the cleaning continued, though it was less about efficiency and more about banter and occasional bursts of laughter.

    At one point, Quinara slipped on a piece of bread and nearly took Xyenn down with her, grabbing his arm as she fell. He managed to catch her before she hit the ground, but not before she shouted, ¡°You¡¯re trying to kill me, aren¡¯t you? Admit it!¡±

    Xyenn rolled his eyes, helping her back to her feet. ¡°Yeah, because I¡¯m the one who told you to walk on a slippery piece of bread.¡±

    ¡°See?¡± Quinara said, pointing at him accusingly. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what a woman-beater would say!¡±

    ¡°Stop calling me that!¡± Xyenn shot back, though he was laughing now.

    Yuuna leaned on her mop, grinning. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Xyenn. If Quinara dies, I¡¯ll avenge her. Probably. Unless it¡¯s inconvenient.¡±

    ¡°Wow, thanks for the support,¡± Xyenn said sarcastically.

    ¡°You¡¯re welcome, darling!¡± Yuuna replied cheerfully.

    As the group finished cleaning, a small boy stood quietly in the corner, watching. He had messy black hair, wide brown eyes, and wore a tattered shirt that hung loosely on his small frame. He didn¡¯t say anything, just observed, his hands stuffed in his pockets.

    Xyenn noticed him but didn¡¯t say a word. He simply met the boy¡¯s gaze for a moment before returning to his work, though the memory of the boy¡¯s theft from Draeven lingered in his mind.

    Just as they were about to call it a day, Yuuna grabbed a small piece of bread and tossed it lightly at Xyenn¡¯s head.

    He turned around slowly, narrowing his eyes. ¡°Yuuna.¡±

    Yuuna immediately pointed at Mertha. ¡°She did it!¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Mertha said, raising an eyebrow as she grabbed a handful of mashed turnips. ¡°Because I¡¯m pretty sure it was you.¡±

    Mertha hurled the turnips, and Yuuna ducked, letting the food hit Quinara square in the back.

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s on,¡± Quinara said, grabbing a ladle full of stew and flinging it at Mertha.

    Within seconds, the room erupted into chaos again. Food flew through the air as the group devolved into yet another impromptu food fight, laughing and shouting as they wrestled and dodged.  They wrestled uncontrollably, trying to shove food in each other''s faces.

    Gridd and Kivorn stood off to the side, watching the chaos unfold.

    ¡°Ye know,¡± Gridd said, scratching his beard, ¡°I think they just like makin¡¯ a mess so they have an excuse to fight again.¡±

    Kivorn shrugged, leaning on his broom. ¡°Less work for me.¡±

    Before things could get too out of hand, glowing white chains of light wrapped around everyone mid-throw, lifting them into the air. They squirmed and struggled, still trying to throw food at each other despite being bound.

    Standing in the doorway were Illyana, Faera, Vektor, and Klem.

    Illyana, as always, smiled serenely. ¡°Well, it looks like you¡¯re all having fun.¡±

    ¡°Put me down, Illyana!¡± Yuuna shouted, still squirming in the chains. ¡°This isn¡¯t over!¡±

    Vektor crossed his arms, smirking. ¡°It¡¯s over.¡±

    Faera raised her hand, and the chains began pulling the group out of the hall. ¡°Enough. It¡¯s time to discuss serious matters.¡±

    As they were dragged into the glowing realm of the Garden, Yuuna tried to look serious, her face twitching as she fought back a grin. Beside her, Xyenn glanced over, smirking.

    ¡°You¡¯re doing great,¡± he teased.

    ¡°Shut up,¡± Yuuna hissed, though the smile she tried to suppress betrayed her enjoyment.

    Then as everyone was talking amongst each other, Yuuna found a good time to speak to Xyenn.

    ¡°Darling.¡±

    ¡°Yuuna?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°For what? You didn¡¯t do¡ª.¡±

    ¡°¡ªPlease don¡¯t say that. I did. I¡¯ve held information from you.¡±

    ¡°But I¡¯ve done the same. So we¡¯re both in the same boat.¡±

    ¡°You have an excuse. I don¡¯t. With my knowledge I could possibly change the tide to things, but keeping them to myself isn¡¯t good. I don¡¯t know everything, but whatever question you have for me, I¡¯ll answer it however I can. It already pains me enough Sethrak, Zyphira, and Draeven aren¡¯t here with us. I like when we¡¯re all together. And it hurts worse when you run off from me. Though I figured you needed time to yourself, so I let you be, darling.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t apologize for that. That was me just clearing my head. You¡¯re not at fault. I¡¯ve been overwhelmed with shit this past few weeks and alone time is all I needed. I..really love you, Yuuna. And the Tyrants are my friends. There¡¯s nothing that could separate us, I hope so. I don¡¯t wanna jinx it, though. I¡¯m sorry I walked off¡ª.¡±

    ¡°NOW YOU STOP APOLOGIZING.¡± Yuuna smiled. ¡°You needed to clear your head, I let you, darling. You mean so much to me. And the Tyrants..you all belong to me. But you are literal mine. We¡¯ve been through a lot together, and we¡¯re all still alive. I want all of us to be together again. Like with Sethrak and Zyphira, they went off on their own, most likely to face their father King Alaric. They wanted to do it alone, but I still sent Draeven went with them to escort them just in case. Because Alaric cannot be trusted.¡±

    ¡°They went off to face Alaric?!¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Right after you left.¡±

    ¡°I hope they¡¯re okay.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯ll be fine, I¡¯ll tell myself that everyday. To keep my hopes up. But we should be seeing them quickly though, I think.¡±

    ¡°Why so?¡±

    ¡°Alaric is smart. He won¡¯t be a dumbass and try to do anything to Sethrak or Zyphira with us in J?rvaldr. Most likely, he¡¯ll just talk to them.¡±

    ¡°Hopefully that¡¯s all he does.¡±

    ¡°Can I ask you something, darling?¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    ¡°How far would you go for me? For us? The Tyrants?¡±

    ¡°¡­As far as I need to.¡±

    ¡°Even if you have to listen to those voices in your head? To become a monster?¡±

    ¡°¡­I..don¡¯t know. Why do you ask?¡±

    ¡®That¡¯s a strange question she asked me..¡¯

    Yuuna continued, ¡°Just in case something happens in the future, I keep getting this weird feeling that impending doom is waiting on us. I often think to myself how far I would go and let hell consume my mind just to protect you all. And once I let he¡¯ll consume my head due to my own rage or something, I lose sense of control, and people WILL die.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re strong for a reason, Yuuna. You¡¯ve been working towards being better, to save people instead of condemning. Just know if it ever gets to that point, I¡¯ll be there to calm you down again and again. You¡¯ve been working hard to be better, and I¡¯ve seen it. You¡¯re doing great. I¡¯m glad you¡¯re getting closer to your own goals. Because I don¡¯t want to lose you either. Especially to Hell. Fuck that place. And your father, respectfully.¡±

    Yuuna laughed, and she honked Xyenn on the head, ¡°AWWW YOU SWEET TALKER.¡±

    Xyenn shook his head, bantering back, ¡°THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!¡±

    ¡°TRYING TO HOLD MY TEARS BACK, DUH!¡±

    Everyone saw Yuuna bonking Xyenn on the head, and Quinara said, ¡°Guys, they¡¯re being lovey dovey again.¡±

    Gridd nodded, ¡°Aye. Yuuna¡¯s love language.¡±

    Kivorn yawned, ¡°Quinara..you¡¯ll get used to it.¡±

    And in the midst of all the chaos, there was a quiet sense of camaraderie¡ªa bond that, despite all the bickering and antics, tied them together as something more than friends. They were family, and this madness was just another day in their unpredictable lives.

    ¡­

    The estate was eerily quiet now, the only sounds coming from the swaying of the trees and the occasional caw of a crow picking at the fresh corpses scattered across the grounds. The Delleren family¡¯s blood painted the walls, the floors, even the shattered remains of their once-pristine fountains. The air reeked of death¡ªthick, metallic, and suffocating.

    A group of six bandits crept through the carnage, their voices low but brimming with nervous energy. They had been watching the Delleren estate for years, always waiting for the right time to strike. The family¡¯s wealth was legendary, their cruelty even more so. But now, as the bandits stepped through the gates, the scene before them was far beyond anything they could have imagined.

    ¡°Shit,¡± muttered a wiry man with a patchy beard and a crooked nose. He was dressed in worn leathers, his boots caked with mud from years of travel. He nudged a nearby corpse with his boot, flipping it over. The body was mangled beyond recognition, its face slashed clean off. ¡°Who the hell did this?¡±

    Another bandit, a hulking brute with a shaved head and a scar running down the side of his face, spat on the ground. ¡°Does it matter? Look at this place. They¡¯re all dead. Finally, after years of lording over everyone, the Delleren bastards got what they deserved.¡±

    A third bandit, a younger man with shaggy blonde hair and a nervous twitch, glanced around, his wide eyes darting from shadow to shadow. ¡°This¡­ this doesn¡¯t feel right, Harn. What if¡ªwhat if it was them? The assassins?¡±

    Harn, the scarred brute, barked out a laugh. ¡°Come on, Jorik. You believe those stories? Assassins who only kill the wicked? That¡¯s just tavern talk.¡±

    The blonde, Jorik, fiddled with the frayed edges of his tunic, his voice trembling. ¡°But what if it¡¯s true? Everyone in J?rvaldr talks about them. They say they come from the shadows, that they can¡¯t be stopped. And¡ªand the Delleren family¡­ they were evil, weren¡¯t they? I mean, you heard the rumors about the babies, right? How they used magic to breed them faster and threw out the ones they didn¡¯t like¡­¡±

    A fourth bandit, a woman with dark hair tied into a messy bun, rolled her eyes. She was lean and wiry, her leather armor patched with scraps of mail. ¡°So what? We¡¯re not Delleren scum. We¡¯re just trying to survive in this gods-forsaken continent. Money¡¯s everything here. If we don¡¯t take this chance, someone else will.¡±

    Jorik didn¡¯t look convinced. He glanced at the corpses strewn around the courtyard, their mutilated forms telling stories of violence too horrific to imagine. ¡°Still¡­ what if they come after us next?¡±

    The fifth bandit, a lanky man with sunken cheeks and a long, hooked nose, snorted. ¡°Don¡¯t be stupid, Jorik. We¡¯re not bad people¡ªwe¡¯re just taking what we can. Delleren was filth. Everyone knows that. Whoever did this probably deserves a medal, not us pissing ourselves over it.¡±

    The sixth bandit, a quiet older man with graying hair and a limp, said nothing. He adjusted the strap on his makeshift crossbow, his weathered face expressionless as he scanned the area. He had seen his fair share of death, but even he seemed uneasy.

    They moved cautiously through the estate, stepping over bodies as they raided the main halls. The woman kicked open a door, revealing a room filled with ornate furniture and golden trinkets. ¡°Jackpot,¡± she said with a grin, immediately stuffing her bag with whatever she could carry.

    Harn grabbed a golden candelabra, examining its intricate design. ¡°This alone could feed us for months,¡± he said, tossing it into his sack. ¡°Keep moving. There¡¯s bound to be more.¡±

    Jorik hesitated, looking down at a corpse sprawled across the floor. It was a woman¡¯s body, her throat slashed so deeply her head was nearly severed. He shuddered, stepping over her gingerly. ¡°This wasn¡¯t just killing,¡± he muttered. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s like they wanted to send a message.¡±

    ¡°Good,¡± the woman said coldly, rummaging through a drawer. ¡°The Delleren family deserved worse.¡±

    As they looted the estate, moving bodies out of their way without a second thought, they grew bolder. Bags filled with silver goblets, jeweled necklaces, and gilded statues, they laughed and joked, their earlier unease fading with the promise of wealth.

    By the time they stepped back outside, their sacks bulging with stolen riches, the sun had dipped lower on the horizon, casting long shadows across the blood-soaked grounds. They were halfway to the gate when they stopped dead in their tracks.

    Something was there.

    A figure sat on the ground in the center of the courtyard, cradling something in its massive hands. As the bandits stepped closer, their breath caught in their throats. The figure was a woman¡ª**taller than any human they had ever seen, at least thirteen feet in height**. Her body was adorned with **dark green and brown dragon scales** that shimmered faintly in the fading light, and her head was crowned with two **elegant, curved horns**. A **halo of glowing light** floated above her head, inscribed with **ancient runes** that pulsed with a quiet, rhythmic energy. Her long hair, the color of verdant forests, cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall.

    In her hands, she held the **severed heads of the Delleren family**, their lifeless eyes staring out into the void. Blood dripped steadily from the pile, pooling at her feet.

    The bandits froze, their faces pale.

    ¡°What the fuck¡­¡± Harn muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

    Jorik pointed a trembling finger at the halo. ¡°That¡­ that¡¯s a draconic deity. It has to be. Look at her!¡±

    The older man with the limp narrowed his eyes. ¡°I¡¯ve heard of her,¡± he said quietly. ¡°Scholars mention her in the old texts. That¡¯s Freina¡­ the elder dragon goddess of motherhood, birth, and fertility.¡±

    Freina¡¯s glowing green eyes lifted to meet theirs. Tears of **brilliant, glowing energy** streamed down her cheeks, dripping onto the blood-soaked ground. Her voice, when she spoke, was soft yet resonant, carrying both sorrow and power.

    ¡°My children¡­¡± she whispered, her hands trembling as she gazed at the severed heads. ¡°My wayward children¡­ why have you departed so suddenly?¡±

    The bandits exchanged uneasy glances, unsure if she was speaking to them. Freina continued, her voice heavy with grief. ¡°They were flawed, yes¡­ they were cruel. They doomed the soul of an innocent babe to hell. They discarded the unworthy, the imperfect. They played with life as though it were a game. For these sins, they deserved this death.¡±

    Her fingers tightened around the heads, her voice breaking as more tears fell. ¡°But they were still mine. My children. My creations. I gave them life, and now that life is gone.¡±

    The bandits stood frozen, the weight of her sorrow pressing down on them like a physical force. Even Harn, who had shown no remorse earlier, looked uneasy.

    Freina¡¯s glowing eyes swept over them, her gaze piercing. ¡°Do you understand the burden of creation? The pain of seeing your creations fall into darkness? They called it progress¡­ but at what cost?¡±

    Jorik took a step back, his voice trembling. ¡°W-we didn¡¯t do anything. We¡ªwe¡¯re just¡ª¡±

    ¡°Thieves,¡± Freina said, her voice cutting through his stammering. ¡°You scavenge like vultures, taking what does not belong to you. And yet¡­ you are not like them. You are desperate. You do not breed life simply to discard it.¡±

    The woman with the dark hair whispered under her breath, ¡°She¡¯s¡­ she¡¯s not going to kill us, is she?¡±

    Freina didn¡¯t answer. She simply closed her eyes, clutching the heads of the Delleren family tighter as her tears continued to fall, illuminating the growing darkness around her.

    The Delleren estate was silent as death, its ruins bathed in the faint glow of moonlight. Blood pooled in the dirt, seeping into the cracks of shattered stone, the remains of the once-proud family now reduced to little more than mutilated bodies and severed heads. The bandits, standing in a loose circle outside the estate, were frozen in place, their breaths shallow, their bodies tense. They stared in horrified awe at the towering figure of Freina, the elder dragon goddess of motherhood, birth, and fertility, as she floated above the courtyard, still clutching the severed heads of the Delleren family. Blood dripped steadily from her hands, streaking down her scaled arms and staining the ground below.

    Freina¡¯s form was both beautiful and terrifying. Her horns curved elegantly upward, glinting faintly in the dim light, and her **dark green and brown dragon scales** shimmered with an otherworldly glow. Her halo, inscribed with ancient runes, pulsed faintly as it turned a deep, ominous red, and her long, verdant hair flowed like an endless river. Her glowing, tear-filled eyes gazed down at the bandits, her sorrow radiating through the air like a suffocating wave.

    The bandits dared not move. Their minds raced with fear and questions, but their feet were rooted to the ground. Harn, the scarred brute, gripped his sack of stolen goods tightly, his knuckles white. The woman with the dark hair clenched her fists, her lips trembling as she whispered under her breath, ¡°What¡­ is she?¡±

    Jorik, the youngest and most skittish of the group, was visibly shaking. He dared to glance up at Freina¡¯s halo, watching as it shifted between red and its original golden-green hue. ¡°She¡¯s¡­ she¡¯s angry,¡± he stammered, his voice barely audible. ¡°We need to run. We need to get out of here.¡±

    ¡°No one¡¯s running,¡± Harn snapped, though his voice lacked its usual confidence. His eyes darted nervously to Freina, who had yet to speak again.

    Freina¡¯s voice broke through the tense silence, soft yet resonant, each word laced with both sorrow and power. ¡°Do you understand what it means to create life?¡± she asked, her glowing eyes sweeping over the bandits. ¡°To give birth to a soul, to watch it grow, to know that its existence is tied irrevocably to your own?¡±

    The bandits exchanged uneasy glances but said nothing.

    Freina continued, her voice growing heavier with emotion. ¡°Through the power of the **Ohnupilath Tree**, I brought life to this world. A tree blessed by **Gabriel** and the **King of Sen**, a union of divinity and mortality. It was through their essence that I was able to give birth to humanity itself. The first of your kind. From that tree sprang the roots of your existence, the generations that followed, the bloodlines that grew and spread across Kyrrin.¡±

    The woman with the dark hair muttered under her breath, ¡°She¡¯s¡­ she¡¯s talking about the first humans. She¡¯s not just a goddess¡ªshe¡¯s *the* goddess.¡±

    Freina¡¯s glowing tears streaked down her face as she lifted the heads of the Delleren family higher, her voice trembling. ¡°The Delleren family¡­ they gave me the most worship of all. Their rapid births, their devotion to motherhood and fertility, their endless cycle of life and death¡ªit was their magic, born of generations, that brought more souls into this world. And yet¡­¡± Her voice broke, and her halo flared red. ¡°They doomed a child¡¯s soul to hell. They discarded the innocent, the imperfect. For this, they deserved death. I know this to be true. And yet¡­¡±

    Her hands trembled, the heads shifting in her grasp. ¡°They were still mine. My children. My creations. The fruits of my labor. I felt each of their deaths as though it were my own.¡±

    The bandits¡¯ fear deepened as Freina¡¯s halo glowed brighter, the runes shifting and pulsing with energy. Jorik took a step back, clutching his bag of stolen goods tightly. ¡°This isn¡¯t right,¡± he whispered, his voice trembling. ¡°She¡¯s¡­ she¡¯s going to kill us.¡±

    Harn turned to him, his expression hard. ¡°Shut up. Don¡¯t do anything stupid.¡±

    But Jorik couldn¡¯t take it anymore. With a sharp cry, he dropped his bag and bolted, sprinting toward the woods as fast as his legs could carry him. His heart pounded in his chest, his breaths coming in ragged gasps as he tore through the trees. For a moment, panic gave way to relief, and a nervous laugh escaped his lips. ¡°I¡¯m safe,¡± he muttered to himself. ¡°I¡¯m safe. I¡¯m¡ª¡±

    He skidded to a halt as a towering figure materialized in front of him, hovering just above the ground. Freina¡¯s glowing eyes bore into him, her expression unreadable. Jorik stumbled back, falling to the ground as his bag of stolen goods spilled open beside him.

    Freina tilted her head slightly, her voice soft but piercing. ¡°Do you know what it is like to lose what you hold close?¡±

    Jorik opened his mouth to respond, but no words came. His throat felt dry, his body paralyzed with fear.

    Freina extended one elegant hand, her fingers brushing against his chest. Her touch was gentle, almost tender, but the moment her palm rested against him, a searing green light erupted from the point of contact.

    Jorik¡¯s scream tore through the forest as his chest exploded outward in a grotesque burst of blood and viscera. Ribs snapped like twigs, and the gaping hole left behind revealed the pulsing remains of his organs. He coughed violently, blood spilling from his mouth as he raised trembling hands to the wound, his fingers brushing against the shredded edges of his flesh. His eyes widened in shock, his body collapsing to the ground as his life slipped away.

    Back at the estate, the other bandits saw the flash of green light in the distance. Their fear reached a breaking point. Some dropped their bags, abandoning their stolen goods as they turned and fled in different directions. Others hesitated, their minds racing with thoughts of redemption and regret.

    ¡°It¡¯s not worth it,¡± one of them muttered, throwing down his bag. ¡°I¡¯m done. No more stealing. No more of this life.¡±

    But it didn¡¯t matter. Freina was upon them in an instant. Her massive form moved through the shadows effortlessly, her presence suffocating. With one elegant swipe of her clawed hand, the heads of the remaining bandits were torn from their bodies in a single, seamless motion. Blood sprayed into the air, pooling around their lifeless corpses as their severed heads rolled to the ground.

    Freina returned to the estate, clutching the bandits¡¯ heads in her free hand. She floated back down to the blood-soaked courtyard, her glowing tears still falling as she gazed at the carnage before her.

    The air was heavy with tension, a suffocating weight that seemed to press down upon the blood-soaked ruins of the Delleren estate. Freina stood in the center of the carnage, her towering form bathed in the soft green glow of her shimmering halo. The severed heads of the Delleren family hung limp in her scaled arms, blood dripping steadily from them, pooling at her feet. Her glowing tears fell silently, carving faint, glowing streaks down her cheeks as the elder dragon goddess of motherhood, birth, and fertility mourned in silence.

    Then the blood pooled at her feet began to ripple. The viscous liquid swirled unnaturally, pulling itself into a single point as if called by some unseen force. Slowly, the blood rose, spiraling upward in a crimson vortex. It twisted and coiled, thickening as it grew, taking a vaguely humanoid shape. As the form solidified, the spirals smoothed into flesh, scales, and bone, and **Orin**, the elder dragon god of blood, stepped forward from the swirling mass.

    Orin¡¯s appearance was nothing short of terrifying. His body was a masterpiece of draconic brutality, covered in dark crimson scales that shimmered with a wet, almost liquid quality, as though blood itself coursed through them. His wings were massive, their membranes translucent and streaked with veins that pulsed faintly with life. His claws were long and jagged, each one sharp enough to carve through bone with ease. Two thick horns jutted from his head, curling slightly backward, resembling the points of a wicked crown. Above his head hovered a blood halo, a glowing ring of crimson inscribed with shifting runes that seemed to pulse in rhythm with his heartbeat. His eyes burned like molten fire, smoldering with intensity, and his face, though humanoid in structure, carried the sharp angular features of a predator. Dripping trails of blood followed his every step, vanishing before they could stain the ground.

    Orin¡¯s voice, deep and gravelly, broke the silence. ¡°Freina.¡± He spoke her name without ceremony, his tone heavy with forced seriousness. ¡°I see you¡¯ve been busy.¡±

    Freina glanced at him, her expression unwavering, though her tear-streaked face betrayed her sorrow. ¡°And you¡¯ve chosen a new form again, Orin,¡± she replied, her tone dismissive. ¡°How many is that now? Do you even remember what you used to look like?¡±

    Orin¡¯s jaw tightened, his claws flexing slightly. ¡°This form¡­ suits the times.¡± He folded his arms, the blood halo above his head pulsing faintly. ¡°People take me seriously like this.¡±

    Freina let out a quiet sigh, looking back down at the severed heads in her arms. ¡°You¡¯re still trying too hard, Orin. You don¡¯t need a new face every time you crawl out of the blood. It doesn¡¯t matter how you look¡ªno one takes you seriously because you¡¯re always playing a part. Even now.¡±

    Orin¡¯s expression darkened, but he said nothing. He took a step closer, his wings folding behind him. ¡°I didn¡¯t come here to argue about appearances. I came to stop you.¡±

    Freina raised an eyebrow, though her expression remained calm. ¡°Stop me? From what, exactly?¡±

    ¡°From retaliating,¡± Orin said, his voice low but firm. ¡°You know as well as I do that this¡­ rage of yours won¡¯t lead anywhere good. The other elder dragon gods don¡¯t want you causing havoc because they¡ªwe all know how you get. You are powerful, since you¡¯re an elder¡­¡±

    Freina¡¯s glowing eyes narrowed slightly. She stepped forward, her towering form casting a long shadow over Orin. ¡°Rage?¡± she repeated softly. ¡°Do you think this is rage, Orin? This¡­ is grief.¡± She lifted the heads slightly, her voice trembling. ¡°Do you know what it feels like to lose what is yours? To lose what defines you? And what do the other elder dragon gods know about giving birth? They¡¯re scared of the cycle, turning to Hell for an escape. And even Kragvyr was forced into a contract with Hell by his psycho vessel King Haldrek. Death, somehow turned to a being that now belongs to hell¡­They know nothing of holding onto the purity of life. And then to see it be taken from them, their very being..that¡¯s the only thing they can relate to.¡±

    Orin hesitated, his fiery eyes flickering. ¡°Freina, I¡ª¡±

    ¡°They were mine. The Delleren family,¡± she continued, cutting him off. Her voice rose slightly, the mournful tone sharpening with bitterness. ¡°The Delleren family was my greatest source of worship. Every birth, every soul brought into this world through their magic¡ªeach one strengthened me. Their rapid births sustained me. They were flawed, yes. They deserved death for their dealings with Hell. But they were still mine. My children. The magic skill that¡¯s able to speed up birth after intercourse was passed down from family to family, generation to generation of those who worshipped me. I passed down the knowledge to my current most reliable worshippers.¡±

    Orin shifted uncomfortably, his claws flexing at his sides. He glanced at the severed heads and then back at Freina. ¡°You¡¯re mourning them now, but you know as well as I do they were doomed the moment they strayed too far. This isn¡¯t the first time, Freina.¡±

    Freina ignored him, her voice softening as she continued. ¡°I felt their deaths, Orin. All of them. I am not omnipresent, but I feel it when my followers are wiped out. I feel their suffering, their distress, their final moments. And I¡­ I wish I could have stopped it. But I couldn¡¯t. Because of my rules.¡±

    Orin¡¯s wings shifted slightly as he tilted his head. ¡°Your rules?¡±

    Freina nodded, her glowing tears falling faster. ¡°I cannot intervene when my children are about to die. That is my law, the philosophy I have followed since the day I created humanity through the Tree using Gabriel¡¯s power. I gave them life, Orin. I gave them free will. To step in, to take that away, would be to undo everything I stand for. That is the burden of motherhood.¡±

    Orin¡¯s fiery eyes softened slightly, though his expression remained tense. ¡°And yet, here you are. Planning to intervene anyway.¡±

    Freina let out a bitter laugh, her halo flaring red for a brief moment before calming. ¡°Because this was not a natural death. This was not the result of their sins catching up to them. This was an execution. A slaughter ordered by the vessel of that devil Yuuna.¡±

    Orin stiffened slightly, his claws digging into his palms. He knew exactly who was responsible¡ªNacht¡¯s assassins, following the orders of Xyenn. But he said nothing, his silence betraying his knowledge.

    Freina¡¯s glowing eyes bore into him. ¡°Do you see now, Orin? This wouldn¡¯t have happened if Gabriel had accepted that demon hybrid Yuuna. Her and her human mother have caused nothing but havoc in this world. And now, her vessel walks free, taking from me what is mine. The elder dragon gods speaks of them almost every meeting. They are a nuisance.¡±

    Orin looked away, his wings shifting uncomfortably. ¡°Freina¡­ if you retaliate, J?rvaldr won¡¯t survive it. You know that.¡±

    Freina¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°And you would have me do nothing? You, who gains worship and power every time blood is shed near you? This would help you, Orin. Every drop spilled in my vengeance would make you stronger.¡±

    Orin hesitated, his fiery eyes flickering faintly. He had his own reasons for holding back, a deal with Yuuna that kept him from indulging in the chaos he normally thrived on. ¡°It¡¯s not about that,¡± he said finally. ¡°I¡¯m not going on a murder spree just to grow stronger. You know that.¡±

    Freina tilted her head, her gaze piercing. ¡°Then stay out of my way,¡± she said softly. ¡°I don¡¯t want to fight you, Orin. But I will, if you try to stop me.¡±

    Orin said nothing, his silence heavy with conflict. Freina turned away from him, her voice softening once more as she gazed at the severed heads. ¡°They were mine, Orin. My children. I will not let their deaths go unanswered. I will find Xyenn, and I will deal with him myself. They are involved, so I will step in. I don¡¯t care what the others say.¡±

    She began to walk away, her massive form exuding an air of quiet power. As she moved, she spoke again, her voice carrying a mournful resolve. ¡°He is compatible, you know. For breeding. I will create a new bloodline with him. One that will ensure my legacy survives, even as the Cycle of Rebirth looms over us all. He will be mine.¡±

    Orin¡¯s fiery eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°Freina,¡± he said cautiously, ¡°Xyenn is a Jotyin. He comes from the Ohnupilath Tree itself. He might be needed if the demons return. You remember what happened when King Samuel faced the demon monarch in the early days of Kyrrin.¡±

    Freina paused but didn¡¯t look back. ¡°I know. And that is why I will take him. He will serve me. And through him, a new generation will be born.¡±

    Without another word, Freina spread her massive wings and launched into the sky. The force of her takeoff was immense, shaking the ground and sending debris flying in all directions. The already-ruined estate crumbled further under the shockwave of her departure, the air itself trembling in her wake, leaving brutal explosions that uprooted trees and boulders all over the place.

    Orin stood amidst the destruction, unmoving. The swirling winds and flying debris didn¡¯t touch him, his crimson scales glinting faintly in the moonlight. He stared into the distance, his expression unreadable.

    ¡°I need to find Xyenn and Yuuna,¡± he muttered to himself, his voice low. ¡°Before she does.¡±

    Orin (Blood), Death (Death), and Freina (Fertility, Birth, Motherhood). The Three main deities that hold the Cycle of Rebirth together, yet can suffer its effects by losing their memories when they die and come back hollow. A fate worse than death. The concept of birth is within the cycle, yes, because of Freina. And since she is the goddess of Fertility, Birth, and Motherhood, she cannot be truly ¡°killed¡±. Like Death himself, as they all are the ones who hold the curse of rebirth together.

    Orin was thinking of this, as he realized Xyenn and Yuuna might not be able to stop her if she finds them. And her being an elder dragon goddess, she¡¯s known to be stronger than current Kragvyr/Haldrek. But with Haldrek getting stronger as a Jotyin, that may be up for debate.

 Chapter 62: Whatâ€™s The Plan?

    Back at the orphanage, Xyenn paced back and forth at the Garden, saying:

    ¡°Sugred? Sugred is involved in all of this?¡±

    Yuuna asked him, ¡°Waaaaait..do you know Sugred?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve uh, seen him. In my hometown he would come with his group of clerics and ¡®bless¡¯ the area. I guess he used to trade around to different continents and place down runes filled with light magic, just in case some dark shit was happening.¡±

    Klem chuckled, ¡°Haha! He did that once every few years, kid. But you¡¯re right on the spot about it. Hunting witches and such. There must¡¯ve been traces of dark magic where you where, he wouldn¡¯t just go to random places.¡±

    ¡°So let me just get all this straight: Sugred is the new vessel of Lancelot, the dragon god of light, okay? And he¡¯s trying to use the same ritual that pixie from the Astral World named Parcy used in Soulcaris to try and open the gates of hell here in Kyrrin, just so he can act like a Jotyin and conquer hell himself and some of the Clerics of the Holy Branch who just BLINDLY follow him?¡±

    Faera said, ¡°Light magic opposes dark magic, and vice versa given the situation. Him being able to create even a single dent in hell with his level of light magic is not impossible. He¡¯s not weak. But still¡ª¡°

    Vektor interrupted, ¡°¡ªWe cannot allow him to open it. Word has been spread through the Branch that he¡¯s going to open it for a single second just so he can enter Hell itself. And with light magic, he has the ability to transfer himself and the others who follow him there pretty fast.¡±

    Yuuna kicked her feet on the table, ¡°But I told them that even opening it for a second will allow monstrosities to roam here. Even worse, a demon monarch.¡±

    Xyenn asked, ¡°A demon Monarch?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re like this world''s dragon gods, they''re held as deities in Hell. They all represent what this world hates the most: Envy, Catastrophe, Evil, War, Violence, Cataclysm, and so on. If even one of them gets through, I don¡¯t know¡­¡±

    Xyenn noticed Yuuna felt anxiety when explaining the Monarchs.

    ¡®Of course she feels this way talking about them. She¡¯s from hell, seeing their power¡­.she knows how high the stakes will be if we face them. Could we even beat one at our current power? Us as a group? Even though I vowed to Death and Yuuna that I never lose again, I can¡¯t let that allow me to act invincible and that I¡¯ll win every fight¡­¡¯

    Xyenn put his hand on Yuuna¡¯s shoulder, and Yuuna looked up at him, but Xyenn wasn¡¯t looking at her.

    Mertha stated, ¡°I think that¡¯s what fought that Samuel guy during Kyrrin¡¯s early days, right?¡±

    ¡®Yes! I feel super involved in this conversation now!¡¯ Mertha smiled, as Gorran was staring at her.

    Gorran said, ¡°You want to be noticed? Duel me to the death. I¡¯ll make sure you have a proper burial with a good audience.¡±

    ¡°Happily!¡±

    Xyenn said to Vektor, ¡°Based on everything you told me. Samuel was almost beaten by a demon monarch, until Yuuna¡¯s human mother came and saved him, using a song that sealed him. She killed him by sealing him, but his soul remains sealed as well with no final destination. So basically his soul is being held in place until he¡¯s unsealed. And based on what I know from Soulcaris, Yuuna¡¯a mother had relations with The First Monarch, the king of Hell. They even wanted to let Yuuna fully sprout as some catastrophic Hell maiden that her father wants her to be. And so now I learn her mother may have something to do with me. I wanna know why she moved the Jotyin seeds from the Astral World.¡±

    Gridd asked Yuuna, ¡°Yuuna, lass. Do ye know why the First Monarch was with yer mother?¡±

    ¡°I really don¡¯t know. Something in the back of my head tells me he forced her. Maybe to just have me..to make me into his own damn weapon. Maybe knew what her power was before all of us. She was able to seal a soul and a body away to keep it from dying, just from a song. I don¡¯t know what kind of magic she has, but I still stand on the fact that her soul is in the Astral World.¡±

    Quinara said, ¡°Sucks that the pixie woman said it was gone. Or that she couldn¡¯t see it anymore.¡±

    Xyenn added, ¡°Besides necromancers. They could possibly find a way to reveal it to us. If we can find one. But back to the topic at hand though, we still need to deal with Haldrek, The Lysf?dt who wants Yuuna dead, and we have to locate Kassius Velmire. And now Sugred? When does this even end¡­¡±

    Kivorn said to Xyenn, ¡°Draeven, Sethrak, and Zyphira are handling the Kassius Velmire..situation. And that whole cursed region thing¡­thinking it may be some set up..¡±

    ¡°Ah. And we still have the Prophets around. They¡¯re always watching us.¡±

    Klem stated, ¡°But out of all the things you have going on, Sugred must be stopped. The war between Haldrek and Ezrael hasn¡¯t happened yet, and as you mentioned earlier the Lysf?dt doesn¡¯t pop up all the time; and the Prophets don¡¯t seem to be active right now in our faces, but maybe in the background. King Samuel, the first vessel of Lancelot, believed in taking care of things at that exact moment and time, as the light does not wait for the darkness to approach it, as when it gets close it will shudder away. Taking the light to the darkness will dispel it gracefully. Sugred believes in this as well, which is his main motivation for entering Hell on his own.¡±

    ¡°And he hunted rebellious Clerics down after Illyana escaped from being sacrificed to Lancelot, right?¡±

    Faera nodded, ¡°Yes, he did. We followed Illyana because she saw what the others didn¡¯t see in Yuuna. Sugred thought of her as pure evil, not knowing she was half devil, and half human.¡±

    Vektor added, ¡°Which is probably why Yuuna is able to be able to change, but her other side is trying to keep her as a monster.¡±

    Yuuna, looking down at the ground, whispered to herself, ¡°That¡¯s exactly what it is..¡±

    ¡®Not wanting to be tied down by my hybrid status; my father wants me to become his Hell Maiden. If I submit to him, I¡¯ll be strong. Maybe even stronger than the demon Monarchs. But I don¡¯t wanna. Seeing how doing good could keep you alive longer, seeing how doing good and the right things could keep people liking you. I don¡¯t want mindless slaves, I want real friends, a real family. And I have that, with my Tyrants. And my darling Xyenn.¡¯

    Yuuna looked at Xyenn, and explained, ¡°Me and you will have to go into the Cleric¡¯s sanctuary. Under disguise as a Cleric, unseal King Samuel with my mothers song which they have in their library. Then, steal a stone from Sugred and use it to gain access to the base of the Ohnupilath Tree, take King Samuel¡¯s sword out of it, and then we give the signal for everyone to raid that sanctuary.¡±

    ¡°I have a few questions though.¡±

    Mertha raised her hand, ¡°Me too.¡±

    Vektor nodded, ¡°Ask it.¡±

    Mertha asked first, ¡°How many Clerics are we expecting to be there?¡±

    Illyana answered, ¡°Maybe 300. The sanctuary is as large as Svarthelm itself, so expect heavy resistance.¡±

    Xyenn then asked, ¡°And out of that 300¡­do we have to kill them?¡±

    He had asked that with concern more than his own curiosity.

    Klem snarled, ¡°Tch. Those bastards hunted down our best friends like wild fucking dogs. They don¡¯t deserve any mercy. But there are some among them who do not believe in killing or violence. So be very vigilant on who is a target and who isn¡¯t.¡±

    Xyenn clenched his fist, he didn¡¯t wanna have to struggle between fighting the bad guys and the ones who don¡¯t even like to fight.

    Xyenn asked again, ¡°What do we have to look out for besides Sugred?¡±

    Vektor answered, ¡°His Sirens. Battle Mages who are always bloodthirsty, Klem was one of their battle mages, until everything happened.¡±

    Klem looked away, ¡°Yeah, yeah I was. I have my vendetta against them. They HAVE to die once we raid the sanctuary. And I wanna be the one to do it.¡±

    Mertha looked at Klem, thinking, ¡®Sounds like me when I told Xyenn I wanted to be the one to finish Haldrek off. Whatever happened between Klem and the Siren¡¯s, it definitely wasn¡¯t good.¡¯

    Faera said to Xyenn and Yuuna, ¡°Siren¡¯s are Sugred¡¯s strongest champions. They¡¯re loyal through and through, and sometimes we questioned whether they worshiped Lancelot or Sugred himself.¡±

    Illyana added onto that, ¡°The Sirens have been there for years, and you¡¯ll notice them as they¡¯re ALWAYS by Sugred¡¯s side. They never leave it unless they¡¯re commanded to. They never liked me anyway, they¡¯re the ones who planted the idea to sacrifice me to Lancelot¡­those fucking bastards¡ª.¡±

    Yuuna slammed her fist on the table, ¡°Hey, Illyana!¡±Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    Illyana snapped out of it, looking up at Yuuna, ¡°Huh?¡± She said shocked.

    ¡°Whatever happened is in the past. As my Tyrant, it¡¯s my duty to make sure you don¡¯t fall to your memories. Yes, Sugred DEFINITELY did try and sacrifice you and he was your husband, but you found peace after. You even told me you found peace being with us. Our presence kept you sane. That¡¯s one of the reasons why you work so hard to make sure everyone is okay, to feel the same tranquility. As you already conquered what made you distraught. Please..don¡¯t go back.¡±

    Illyana knew Yuuna was right, and she thought about what happened with Xyenn and the demon baby, and how she felt thinking it was her fault.

    She clenched her fist, saying, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Yuuna. Forgive me.¡±

    Yuuna smiled, ¡°It''s okay! Be happy now please!¡± Yuuna pet Illyana on the head over and over.

    Quinara watched, and her lip slightly quivered. After knowing how her Quen family kicked her out because of her cursed rune that she had before, she knew herself she was becoming more comfortable with her surroundings, especially after being around Yuuna and the others.

    ¡®Seems us Tyrants..are not as different as I thought. With this group, I feel safe. Was that all I wanted? To feel safe and secure? Even though I felt that with the Quen, I lost that feeling after what they did. Even though I had a cursed rune. They didn¡¯t even try to help me. I want to trust this group I¡¯m with, but it¡¯s hard. What really makes them different from the Quen? I guess that¡¯s my new goal: trust again, and trust myself to be able to call this group my family.¡¯

    Quinara continued to think, ¡®Maybe it¡¯s not just about being safe. Maybe I want more than that. Safety is... fleeting. I had it with the Quen, or I thought I did, and look how that turned out. I thought they cared. I thought I mattered to them. But in the end, I was just a tool, wasn¡¯t I? Another piece on their board, something to be discarded when I didn¡¯t fit their plans anymore.  This new group isn¡¯t like that. At least, not yet. They look at me like I belong, but I can¡¯t stop wondering¡ªwhat happens when I mess up? What happens when I¡¯m not what they need me to be? Will they throw me away too? Or will they... stay? And what about me? Can I even stay? I spent so long running, hiding, surviving. It¡¯s all I know. What if I don¡¯t know how to be part of something bigger than myself anymore? What if I never did? What if I put my faith in them and end up right back where I was¡ªwith nothing? I need to figure this out. I need to figure *me* out. Am I stronger than this fear? Or am I just pretending to be? I mean, look at me¡ªa Tyrant, of all things. Do I even deserve to be a part of something good? Or did I take this path because I was too desperate to fight alone anymore? Did I become this out of strength, or out of fear?  And the dragon gods... Maybe I am scared. No, I am scared. Who wouldn¡¯t be? But it¡¯s not just them. It¡¯s everything. Trusting people again. Letting myself get close. Believing that I won¡¯t screw it all up. Maybe I should¡¯ve hesitated more. Thought more. Questioned more. Instead of just throwing myself into this group like they¡¯ll fix everything for me. Am I building something real here, or am I just chasing a shadow of what I lost? I really just wanna see what family really means. What does it really stand for? What do I stand for? Security? Patience? A yearning for connection? Loneliness? Did I become a Tyrant out of desperation? Am I scared to fight dragon gods? Am I a fool for accepting everything without hesitation? Can I trust myself? Can I trust this new group?¡±

    Gorran said, ¡°What will be the signal for them to let us know when to raid the sanctuary?¡±

    Vektor stood up, ¡°There is a brazier on the very top of the sanctuary where it can be lit with the Holy Flame.¡±

    Yuuna and Xyenn asked at the same time, ¡°WHERE DO WE GET THAT?!¡±

    Yuuna grunted and pouted, with a face of disgust and putting her arm around Xyenn and looking at him,¡°Tch! So much shit we have to get! All of this running around!¡±

    Xyenn agreed with the same disgusted face, ¡°It¡¯s like I''m an errand boy all over again! It¡¯s so much.¡±

    Klem chuckled, ¡°Relaxxxx. We¡¯ll give you the Holy Flame of Light. The brazier was always meant to signal to the entire sanctuary if there is an invasion, if darkness is nearby and which the brazier is able to detect dark magic around the area, and so on. Any other questions?¡±

    Xyenn fixed his face of disgust, and asked in all seriousness, ¡°Is Lancelot¡­well like, let¡¯s just say if shit hits the fan, and Lancelot arrives. Will he be our enemy? Would we have to fight him?¡±

    Vektor, Faera, Klem, and Illyana looked at each other, and then at the Tyrants.

    Yuuna explained, ¡°He¡¯s an elder dragon god, so fighting him would mean there will be heavy losses. And we would lose. We¡¯re not strong enough yet to face an elder dragon god. The war against Gabriel before Kyrrin was created was because of me¡­I think. Everyone began getting even more scared of my father, the First Monarch and ruler of Hell, getting more scared he was gonna take over because of Gabriel accepting me into Kyrrin, to be a part of its balance. MANY of the elder dragon gods and goddesses blamed me for what happened, blamed me for the war. Calling Gabriel a fool to let me in, thinking I was the bridge between Hell and Gabriel and I was just inviting Hell to merge with Kyrrin. So I say that to say, if Lancelot sees me, he might try and fight me. But it¡¯ll be surprising if he doesn¡¯t.¡±

    Xyenn looked at her, thinking, ¡®That causes another issue. If anything happens and Sugred tries to summon Lancelot when he sees Yuuna¡­what are we gonna do then?!¡¯

    Xyenn said, ¡°With Sugred being a vessel for an elder dragon god, if he¡¯s summoned, that¡¯ll cause issues.¡±

    Gridd nodded, ¡°It¡¯ll be troublesome, lads. Since the lass Yuuna will be present, the elder dragons have ta¡¯ be wary of her.¡±

    Gorran commented, ¡°And who the hell knows if Lancelot will try and gather the other elders.¡±

    It was quiet among them, all looking at each other, each person thinking of the possibilities that could happen. Knowing Yuuna is the elder gods biggest target, that could put a dent in their plans of stopping Sugred from opening Hell.

    Mertha cleared her throat, and said, ¡°Fuck it.¡±

    Everyone looked at her, even Illyana said, ¡°Mertha..¡±

    ¡°Fuck it all then. If Yuuna knows what will happen if Hell is opened for a second, then we can¡¯t let that happen. We¡¯re not backing down from this. We came too far to just, like¡ªNOT do this. If Lancelot ends up popping up..then¡­¡±

    Yuuna rubbed her temples, ¡°Ughhh. This is sooo annoying. I didn¡¯t even think about this when we talked about it at first. Craaap. Hey, Gridd. What do you think?¡±

    Gridd shrugged, ¡°Go for it. Either way we¡¯re fucked.¡±

    That made everyone chuckle, besides Kivorn obviously.

    Gridd continued, ¡°Bet ye haven¡¯t realized our decisions have determined every outcome so far, lads. If we don¡¯t stop Sugred, we¡¯re doomed once Hell opens.¡±

    Illyana nodded with a tranquil smile, ¡°He¡¯s right. It¡¯ll be a disaster stopping Sugred, and it¡¯ll be a disaster if we don¡¯t stop him. We''re called Tyrants. We don¡¯t shy away from anything unless it can¡¯t be helped.¡±

    Gorran said, ¡°So we might as well risk stopping him instead of letting some fucking demons out into the world.¡±

    Xyenn replied, ¡°Yeah. I know firsthand how strong they are. Even a weak one was strong..¡±

    He remembered seeing the Monarch¡¯s faces, and it sent shudders through his soul, he immediately closed his mind, forgetting it quickly.

    Yuuna latched onto Illyana¡¯s back, smiling, ¡°Haha! You¡¯re super smart! Thanks!¡±

    Gridd scoffed, ¡°Oy! T¡¯was MY idea lass!¡±

    ¡°Hm? You said something?¡±

    ¡°Ye little devil¡­¡±

    Yuuna only laughed at him, and said, ¡°Thank you too, Gridd.¡±

    Then Yuuna looked at Xyenn, and asked, ¡°Is this what you wanna do?¡±

    ¡°Damn right it is. After everything that¡¯s happened since I became your vessel, this moment right here might give us the answers we want. Your mother, more detail on my origins and what your mother had to do with me and the Jotyin; maybe even find the other Jotyin like me and Haldrek and King Samuel, and probably more information on those Prophets. We could benefit from this. We just have to survive.¡±

    ¡°Haha! Easy peasy. You won¡¯t lose, you promised. So I¡¯m not worried.¡±

    At that moment, Xyenn blushed again, Mertha and Quinara dashed up to him, teasing, ¡°AWWW! Look at how red your face is!¡±

    Xyenn, embarrassed, pointed at them, ¡°F-Fuck off, oaf! Tch, this is exactly why I don¡¯t show my lovey side out in the open.¡±

    Illyana comforted Xyenn, ¡°It¡¯s okay, Xyenn. They''re just evil and teasing you.¡±

    Faera watched them, thinking, ¡®They''re so free¡­not bound by anything, no deity, no rules..not even the light. And Illyana, despite her tranquil nature, just fits right in. She¡¯s free too.¡¯

    Gorran said to Faera, ¡°Let¡¯s get this started.¡±

    Klem nodded with a grin, ¡°The broody man with the sword is right! It¡¯s time for everyone to drown in the Pool of Light!¡±

    Kivorn thought, ¡®This is it..¡¯

    The garden was alive with a serene beauty, its tranquility almost surreal compared to the chaos the group was accustomed to. The soft rustle of golden trees, the gentle hum of crystalline streams, and the faint, warm breeze brushing against vibrant flowers created an atmosphere that felt untouched by darkness.

    The group stood together in the center of the garden, their energy as mismatched as ever, a stark contrast to the harmony around them. Vektor, Faera, and Klem stood at the front, their postures calm and determined.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Vektor began, his voice steady and commanding. ¡°Let¡¯s begin.¡± He turned to Faera and Klem, nodding at them as the three raised their hands in unison.

    Faera tilted her head slightly, her ever-serene smile unwavering. ¡°The light will guide us, as it always does.¡±

    Klem grinned, cracking his knuckles loudly. ¡°Let¡¯s get on with it, then. Ya know I don¡¯t like chantin¡¯ all that much unless I¡¯m in battle mode, but I¡¯ll make this one exception.¡± His voice boomed with humor, but his focus was unwavering.

    The three began to chant, their voices blending into a harmonious rhythm that seemed to ripple through the air itself.

    "Through shadow, through pain, through endless fight,

    We call upon the sacred light.

    Cleanse the soul, conceal the stain,

    Renew the spirit, heal the bane.

    Oh radiant flame, oh endless stream,

    Let us walk within your gleam.

    Through the veil, and through the dark,

    Leave no shadow, ignite the spark."

    The ground beneath their feet began to glow faintly, the light spreading outward like water rippling across a still pond. The garden seemed to respond, the flowers swaying gently as the glow intensified. Slowly, the energy pooled in the center of the group, swirling and rising until it formed a large **pool of shimmering white light water**. Its surface rippled softly, glowing with an almost hypnotic luminescence.

    The group stared at the pool in a mix of awe and suspicion.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Xyenn muttered, taking a cautious step back. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ new. What is that?¡±

    Vektor turned to face them, his eyes calm and piercing. ¡°It¡¯s a purification pool. The light cleanses the dark energy that clings to your souls and conceals it for a time. Without it, your aura will attract attention we¡¯d rather avoid.¡±

    Illyana, her tranquil smile as bright as the garden itself, stepped forward, her soft voice cutting through the tension. ¡°It doesn¡¯t just hide your dark aura,¡± she explained. Her magic grimoire hovered beside her, its pages flipping lazily. ¡°It also balances the runes in your soul. The corrupted marks you carry will be soothed, and you¡¯ll feel more at peace. But don¡¯t get too comfortable¡ªit¡¯s temporary.¡±

    Klem clapped his hands together, his grin widening. ¡°Jump!¡±

    Yuuna tilted her head and squinted at the pool, then poked Xyenn¡¯s arm with a mischievous grin. ¡°You go first. You¡¯re the leader, right? Leaders lead.¡±

    Xyenn immediately took a step back, his face pale. ¡°No way! I¡ªuh¡ªcan¡¯t swim. And your the leader actually.¡±

    The group turned to him, stunned silence hanging in the air for a moment before Yuuna burst out laughing, doubling over and clutching Xyenn¡¯s arm. ¡°You can¡¯t swim?! That¡¯s adorable! The big hero can¡¯t swim!¡±

    ¡°W-What if I drown?¡±

    Quinara smirked. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s a little funny. You¡¯re scared of a glowing puddle? That¡¯s cute.¡± She turned to Gorran, her teasing gaze zeroing in on him. ¡°You should go first, Mr. Edgy. Maybe the light will brighten up your personality a bit.¡±

    Gorran shot her a glare, his voice low and irritated. ¡°I¡¯m not edgy. And no, I¡¯m not going first. I¡¯m not the leader.¡±

    Gridd crossed his arms, his face as stoic as a stone. ¡°Ye lot are actin¡¯ like frightened bairns. It¡¯s just water. If ye all don¡¯t move soon, I¡¯ll toss ye in meself.¡±

    Kivorn yawned, leaning against a tree with his usual lazy demeanor. ¡°I¡¯ll go in¡­ eventually. Just not right now. Too much effort.¡±

    Mertha rolled her shoulders, cracking her knuckles with a wicked grin. ¡°I don¡¯t care who goes first, but if you keep yammerin¡¯, I¡¯ll start throwin¡¯ people in.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s face twisted in panic as he pointed at her. ¡°You¡¯re not throwing me in!¡±

    Faera, who had been quietly watching the chaos unfold, tilted her head and asked softly, ¡°Why are you all so nervous? Don¡¯t you trust us?¡±

    The group froze, their postures tense. Then, all at once, they began to stutter and talk over each other.

    ¡°It¡¯s not that!¡± Xyenn blurted. ¡°It¡¯s just that¡ªuh¡ª¡°

    ¡°Or burns us alive,¡± Mertha added with a shrug, though her tone was more amused than worried.

    ¡°Or explodes,¡± Quinara chimed in nonchalantly, waving her hand.

    ¡°Or turns us into some weird, glowing abomination of light..¡± Kivorn muttered, barely lifting his head.

    ¡°Or, worse,¡± Yuuna said dramatically, ¡°what if it makes us boring like you guys?!¡±

    Gorran said, ¡°It¡¯s magic we¡¯ve never seen, so of course we¡¯re hesitant. We¡¯re hunted by the gods, so we¡¯re always careful¡­sometimes. And this group is just chaotic.¡±

    Before he could finish, Yuuna grabbed Xyenn¡¯s arm and tried to pull him toward the pool. ¡°You¡¯re going in! Stop being a baby!¡±

    ¡°Let go of me!¡± Xyenn yelled, digging his heels into the ground. ¡°NO! NO! SOMEONE SAVE ME!¡±

    The chaos escalated quickly. Quinara sidestepped Yuuna and gave Xyenn a playful shove, which only made him latch onto Mertha for support. Mertha, not one to be dragged into someone else¡¯s nonsense, grabbed Xyenn by the back of his shirt and lifted him off the ground like a sack of potatoes.

    ¡°You¡¯re goin¡¯ in, dragon boy,¡± Mertha said with a laugh.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m not!¡± Xyenn screeched, flailing helplessly.  ¡°Someone push Mertha in!¡±

    Kivorn, still leaning against his tree, lazily commented, ¡°This is getting good. Somebody toss him already.¡±

    Meanwhile, Gorran stood off to the side, arms crossed, his expression unreadable as Quinara poked him in the side. ¡°Come on, Gorran,¡± she teased. ¡°Why don¡¯t you help your fearless leader? Let¡¯s push Xyenn in, we all decided Xyenn¡¯s going in first.¡±

    ¡°Not my problem,¡± Gorran muttered, though there was the faintest twitch of amusement at the corner of his mouth.

    The commotion continued, with Yuuna clinging to Xyenn¡¯s leg, Mertha trying to push him forward, and Quinara laughing as she occasionally shoved someone closer to the edge. Gridd muttered something about ¡°children¡± under his breath, while Klem roared with laughter from the sidelines.

    Before anyone could take the plunge, Illyana¡¯s soft voice cut through the chaos.

    ¡°I wish you all the best of luck.¡±

    The group froze, turning to see Illyana standing a few feet away, her tranquil smile as serene as ever. Her magic grimoire hovered beside her, its pages glowing faintly as they flipped on their own.

    ¡°Wait,¡± Xyenn said, his voice rising in panic. ¡°Illyana, don¡¯t¡ª¡±

    But it was too late. With a flick of her wrist, Illyana conjured a massive wave of white light magic that surged forward, crashing into the group with overwhelming force.

    Their shouts and protests were muffled as the wave swept them off their feet, sending them tumbling into the pool. The glowing water swallowed them whole, its surface rippling gently as if nothing had happened.

    As they sank, their movements slowed, and the chaotic energy that had filled the garden faded into silence. The water was warm and comforting, its glow wrapping around them like a protective cocoon. Tiny motes of light drifted lazily around them, their soft hum filling the stillness.

    Xyenn floated near Yuuna, who was staring at the light in wide-eyed amazement. Gorran¡¯s arms were still folded, though his scowl had softened slightly. Quinara floated gracefully, her expression unreadable, while Mertha grinned like she was ready to punch the water itself.

    Faera, Klem, Illyana, and Vektor stood at the edge of the pool, watching silently as the group descended, their hands clasped in quiet prayer. Illyana¡¯s grimoire shimmered faintly beside her as her serene smile remained in place.

    The pool pulsed softly, its light growing brighter as the group continued to drift downward, the warmth of the magic filling every corner of their being.

 Chapter 63: Iâ€™ll Find You

    Xyenn drifted through an endless expanse of radiant beauty. The sky around him shimmered like liquid light, its brilliance flowing in soft, ever-changing waves. It wasn¡¯t empty¡ªit was alive. Trails of gold and silver mist curled and danced through the air, weaving intricate patterns that dissolved into nothingness, only to reform into something even more mesmerizing. The light wasn¡¯t blinding but warm and gentle, wrapping around him like a soft embrace.

    He floated effortlessly, weightless, his body swaying in harmony with the current of this luminous realm. The air¡ªor whatever it was¡ªhummed faintly, a soothing resonance that seemed to vibrate within his very soul. Tiny motes of light, like glowing fireflies, drifted around him, some brushing against his skin and leaving trails of warmth in their wake. Others hovered just out of reach, pulsing softly like distant stars.

    He let out a breath he hadn¡¯t realized he was holding, his chest rising and falling in perfect rhythm with the waves of light around him. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, there was no chaos. No blood. No fear. Just quiet. Just peace.

    ¡°Is this what true peace feels like?¡± he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible in the vastness of this radiant sky.

    He tilted his head back, staring upward¡ªor perhaps downward, as direction seemed meaningless here. The light stretched endlessly in all directions, its brilliance shifting between soft hues of gold, white, and faint pinks. There were no harsh edges, no boundaries, only an infinite expanse of serenity.

    As he floated, Xyenn¡¯s thoughts began to wander. The peace he felt wasn¡¯t just external¡ªit was inside him. It crept into the cracks of his soul, filling the empty spaces he hadn¡¯t even known were there. He closed his eyes, letting the light wash over him, and for the first time, he allowed himself to question.

    ¡°Is this what I¡¯ve been searching for?¡± he thought. ¡°After everything I¡¯ve done, after all I¡¯ve fought for¡­ is this the answer? Is this what it means to feel whole?¡±

    Memories of his life flickered through his mind like distant echoes. The battles, the sacrifices, the burdens he had carried¡ªthey all felt so far away now, as though they belonged to someone else. He thought of the people he had killed out of survival, the ones he had fought to protect, and the ones who had stood beside him.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been fighting for a bit..but it feels like it¡¯s been for so long,¡± he muttered to himself, his voice trembling with a mix of awe and disbelief. ¡°Fighting to survive. Fighting to protect. Fighting to¡­ exist. But here¡­¡±

    He stretched out a hand, watching as the light gathered around his fingertips. It pulsed gently, almost like it was alive, responding to his touch. The warmth spread through him, deeper than his skin, deeper than his bones. It reached the very core of him, touching the parts of himself that he had hidden away for so long.

    ¡°This is peace,¡± he realized, his voice soft and filled with wonder. ¡°Not the absence of struggle. Not some illusion of safety. True peace. The kind that comes from within.¡±

    ¡®I won¡¯t be overwhelmed by my issues. But this feeling¡­just this feeling of being completely safe. This feeling of not having to worry, is this something I always wanted? Everyday for my life I has to fight for something, whether it be my life, for food, water, shelter..I just want it to end. Here¡­it feels like I completed my goal. Peace and happiness, that¡¯s my end goal, isn¡¯t it? To see my efforts pay off? After fighting for so long, I¡¯ll stand on the corpses of my failures and regrets. And turn them into strength. Am I thinking about all of this because I¡¯m in this weird ass realm? Or is it motivating me? My goals are right here in my face, and it¡¯s just for a moment, it¡¯s right in front of me. Calling out to me, wanting me to grasp it. Stakes are rising, always. New enemy after the next, but I won¡¯t now to any fucking thing. Screw that. I didn¡¯t lose an eye and have a cursed arm for no reason. Demons want me to be their slave, their own monster. Haldrek pressured me to become a monster like him to see real successful results in my journey. Even I had times where I thought maybe they weren¡¯t wrong, but then as I kept fighting, I saw what monsters truly are. If I were to become one, I¡¯d be my first target. That day I killed the bandits still gets to me, the way I acted after, it still claws at me. Demons and Haldrek are using that as fuel against me. As someone who was always beaten by bandits and pushed around, I almost took the damn bait. Haldrek..almost convinced me.¡¯

    The revelation struck him like a bolt of lightning, and for a moment, he felt as though he were floating higher, the light lifting him further into its embrace. He closed his eyes again, letting himself sink into the warmth, letting it cradle him, heal him.

    But then, from deep within, something stirred.

    It was faint at first, barely noticeable¡ªa shadow flickering at the edges of his mind. But it grew quickly, spreading like ink spilled into water. The warmth he had felt was suddenly tinged with an unsettling heat, and his body began to tense.

    ¡°No,¡± he muttered, his voice trembling as the shadow clawed its way to the surface.

    The darkness inside him hated this place. It thrashed violently, recoiling from the purity of the light. The peace he had felt was like poison to it, and it lashed out, desperate to escape.

    Xyenn¡¯s breathing grew ragged as the shadow began to consume him. His thoughts turned frantic, chaotic, his mind spiraling into a storm of fear and anger. He clawed at his chest, his nails digging into his skin as though he could rip the darkness out of himself.

    ¡°Get out¡­¡± he snarled, his voice raw, guttural, and filled with pain.

    The shadow surged, and Xyenn fell to his knees¡ªor at least, he felt like he did, though the ground didn¡¯t exist here. The radiant sky around him dimmed, the light flickering violently as the darkness within him fought to take control.

    The shadow didn¡¯t relent. It lashed out again, and Xyenn¡¯s body convulsed. He screamed, his hands gripping his arms so tightly that his nails left marks. The light around him wavered, struggling to hold its ground against the shadow¡¯s onslaught.

    Images of his past flashed through his mind¡ªmoments of despair, of anger, of hatred. The times he had given in to the darkness, letting it consume him.

    But then, amidst the chaos, he remembered.

    He remembered the times he had fought back. The moments when he had stood his ground, even when it felt impossible. He remembered the people who had believed in him, the Tyrants, the ones who had refused to give up on him, even when he had given up on himself.

    The shadow thrashed violently, but Xyenn held firm. He focused on the light, the warmth, the peace. Slowly, he began to push back, not with anger, but with resolve.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t your fucking place,¡± he said, his voice growing steadier.

    With one final scream, the darkness broke. It recoiled deep within him, retreating to whatever corner of his soul it had come from. The light surged back, stronger than before, and Xyenn collapsed, his body trembling as he floated once again in the radiant expanse.

    The warmth returned, soothing the raw edges of his soul. The light began to work on him again, its energy flowing through him like a gentle tide. He felt it reach deep into his being, touching the corrupted runes etched into his soul.

    One by one, the runes began to change. They glowed faintly, their shapes shifting into something new. The first rune, curved like a crescent moon, shimmered with a soft silver light: ?. Another rune, sharp and angular with jagged edges, glowed with a vibrant gold hue: ?. The final rune, intricate and spiraling like the branches of a tree, pulsed faintly with a warm blue light: ?.

    Each rune settled into place, their light blending seamlessly with the purity around him. Xyenn felt the weight of them, not as a burden, but as a part of himself¡ªa balance between the light and the darkness that had shaped him.

    A single tear slipped from his eye, disappearing into the glow around him. His voice was barely above a whisper as he spoke.

    ¡°Is this true peace?¡±

    ¡®In the midst of darkness, I¡¯ll float forever until I reach dominion over the darkness myself. The First Monarch has kept tabs on me since I¡¯ve been contracted to Yuuna. I know this now. As the king of Hell, there¡¯s no telling what else he can do. I won¡¯t falter, I won¡¯t be a monster, I¡¯ll be free one day. Even if I have to lose another eye, I won¡¯t be conquered. I¡¯ll kill them all.¡¯

    The world around Kivorn was radiant, a kaleidoscope of colors and life that stretched endlessly in every direction. He stood in the middle of a vast, sunlit field, the golden grass swaying gently in a warm breeze. The sky above was the deepest blue, dotted with soft clouds that drifted lazily, their shapes evoking the whimsical imagination of a child. The air was crisp, clean, and rich with subtle fragrances¡ªwildflowers, fresh earth, and the faint sweetness of ripened fruit hanging from nearby trees. Birds chirped a merry tune, their songs weaving effortlessly into the symphony of rustling leaves and buzzing insects.

    For a moment, Kivorn could only stand there, his usual stoic demeanor replaced by something raw, fragile, and vulnerable. His breath hitched as he looked down at his hands and realized they were smaller, softer¡ªhis arms thinner, his legs shorter. A wave of disbelief washed over him as he touched his face, feeling the smooth, delicate features of a child. He was no longer the exhausted, emotionless elf who trudged through life like a hollow shell. He was himself again. A child. A child who still carried joy in his heart.

    A cautious step forward turned into another, and then suddenly, he was running. He didn¡¯t know why or toward what, but his heart urged him on. The grass brushed against his legs, soft and ticklish, as he sprinted through the field. He laughed¡ªan unfiltered, jubilant sound that startled even himself. That laugh. He hadn¡¯t heard it in so long. It was his, but it felt like a relic of a forgotten past, something that had been buried deep under layers of apathy and emptiness.

    Ahead, the field opened into a wonderland of delights. A sparkling brook wound its way through the meadow, its crystal-clear waters babbling happily as it tumbled over smooth stones. Tall trees with inviting, low-hanging branches surrounded a vibrant patch of wildflowers, their petals vibrant with hues of violet, red, and gold. A simple wooden swing dangled from a sturdy oak, swaying gently in the breeze. Nearby, a kite fluttered in midair, its string loosely tied to a wooden post. A pile of smooth stones sat by the brook, perfect for skipping. Everything here seemed to exist solely to bring him joy.

    Kivorn¡¯s mouth opened in awe as he took it all in. He didn¡¯t question it. He didn¡¯t analyze it. For once, he didn¡¯t care to know why or how. He simply wanted to feel.

    He ran to the swing first, grabbing the rough, knotted rope with his small hands. He leapt onto the wooden seat and began pumping his legs, each swing carrying him higher and higher until he felt as though he could touch the sky. The wind whipped through his hair, and he laughed again¡ªa joyous, uncontrollable sound that came from deep within his chest. He leaned back, letting his head fall as he swung, watching the world blur into golden streaks of light.

    When he finally slowed, he hopped off, his feet landing lightly in the grass. His eyes sparkled as they darted to the brook, where the water glistened like liquid silver. He crouched at its edge, his hands dipping into the cool water, sending ripples cascading outward. The sensation made him giggle¡ªgiggle in a way he hadn¡¯t since he was truly a child. He picked up one of the smooth stones, feeling its weight in his palm before flicking it across the surface of the water. It skipped once, twice, three times before sinking. He grabbed another, eager to try again.

    He lost track of time. The brook. The swing. The kite that soared high above him as he ran through the field, holding its string. A game of chasing butterflies through the wildflowers, their delicate wings brushing against his cheeks. He played with everything, his laughter filling the meadow like music. The joy he felt was pure, untainted by fear or doubt. It was the kind of joy he had yearned for his entire life, the kind he thought he would never feel again. Tears began to stream down his cheeks as he ran, unstoppable and uncontrollable, but they weren¡¯t tears of sorrow. They were tears of overwhelming happiness, of longing finally fulfilled.

    ¡°I¡¯m happy,¡± he whispered to himself, his voice trembling as he wiped at his cheeks. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ happy.¡±

    He hadn¡¯t realized how much he missed this¡ªmissed being free, uninhibited by the weight of the world. He had been cursed so long ago, stripped of his joy, his laughter, his ability to feel anything other than emptiness. His own people had rejected him for the very thing that made him special, that made him *him*. They had called him an anomaly, a stain on their rigid society. And so, they had sanctioned him, cursed him to be hollow, to wear a mask of indifference and fake smiles while the world around him continued to laugh and live. He had grown bitter, watching others feel what he could not, jealousy festering deep in his heart.

    They could laugh. They could cry. They could feel. And he had to sit there, pretending to be fine, pretending to be *normal*. But he wasn¡¯t normal. He was a hollow tree stump, empty and dead inside, incapable of anything real. This joy¡ªthis beautiful, radiant joy¡ªwas something he had been deprived of for so long that it felt alien, almost too much to bear. But he didn¡¯t want it to stop. He never wanted it to stop.

    As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, Kivorn found himself standing at the edge of a cliff. The field stretched out behind him, and beyond the cliff¡¯s edge, the world opened up in a breathtaking expanse of rolling hills, sparkling rivers, and distant mountains. The setting sun painted the landscape in hues of gold and crimson, the light warm against his skin. He tilted his head back, closing his eyes as the breeze carried the scent of wildflowers and the soft rustle of leaves.

    ¡°This,¡± he whispered, his voice barely audible over the wind. ¡°This is what I¡¯ve wanted. All my life. This feeling. This¡­ joy.¡±This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

    His fingers curled into fists at his sides as his voice grew stronger, more desperate. ¡°I¡¯ve been so jealous. Watching everyone else live. Watching them laugh, cry, feel. And me? I¡¯ve been nothing. A hollow, empty shell. A fucking *elf* who can¡¯t even feel alive. I¡¯ve spent so long pretending, putting on fake smiles, acting like I¡¯m fine. But I¡¯m not fine. I¡¯ve never been fine.¡±

    Silence fell as his words hung in the air. He stood there, the wind tugging at his hair, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. The light began to shift, growing brighter, warmer, wrapping around him like a comforting embrace. He let it in, let it touch the deepest parts of his soul that had been locked away for so long.

    And then it came¡ªan overwhelming wave of emotion that crashed over him like a tidal wave. It was too much, too intense, too beautiful. The joy, the happiness, the *realness* of it all filled him to the brim, spilling over until he couldn¡¯t contain it anymore.

    A scream tore from his throat, raw and primal, as he doubled over, tears streaming down his face. But it wasn¡¯t a scream of pain¡ªit was one of joy. Pure, unfiltered, unrestrained joy. He screamed because he could feel it. He screamed because he finally felt alive.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± he choked out between sobs, his voice trembling as he dropped to his knees at the edge of the cliff. ¡°Thank you. Thank you for letting me feel this, even just for a moment. I wanna work harder..to feel this eternally..fuck I don¡¯t wanna leave. I wanna stay here. Maybe even forever. To make up for the years I¡¯ve been hollow¡­empty. I don¡¯t wanna leave¡­please let me stay, Clerics.¡±

    The light pulsed gently, wrapping around him like a warm embrace. He closed his eyes, letting himself be consumed by it, letting it work its way into his soul. The tears kept coming, and so did the screams. But for the first time in his life, they weren¡¯t screams of emptiness.

    They were screams of being whole.

    The vision began with Yuuna standing in the middle of a vast field, her bare feet brushing against soft grass that shimmered faintly with an ethereal glow. The sky above her was a deep bronze, rich and warm, casting the entire field in a golden hue. The air was alive with peace and serenity, so still and quiet that the gentle rustling of the grass seemed like the loudest sound. Around her, clusters of white roses bloomed in abundance, their petals glowing faintly with a soft, bright light. She wore a flowing white dress that swayed gently in the breeze, and for once, she felt¡­ clean. Pure.

    Yuuna¡¯s usual chaotic energy was gone, replaced by a quiet calm as she slowly turned in place, taking in her surroundings. Her eyes lingered on the roses, the way their light seemed to pulse gently, almost in rhythm with her own heartbeat. She lifted her hands, brushing her fingers across the petals of one flower. A slight chuckle escaped her lips, soft but full of wonder.

    ¡°This is¡­ different,¡± she murmured to herself, her voice unusually quiet.

    From the corner of her eye, she noticed movement. Slowly, she turned her head, and her breath hitched.

    Approaching her from the side was a spirit-like being, radiant and otherworldly. The figure rode atop a small, elegant horse, its coat a shimmering blend of white and deep purple, like twilight captured in motion. The horse¡¯s mane flowed like silk, and its hooves barely touched the ground, leaving no trace of its passing.

    The spirit wore a gown similar to Yuuna¡¯s, simple yet impossibly beautiful, its fabric glowing faintly with a light that seemed to shift between silver and gold. Her long golden hair was intricately braided in a way Yuuna had never seen before¡ªa lattice of loops and twists that framed her shoulders and cascaded down her back. A delicate crown rested atop her head, its design unique, almost celestial, with filigree patterns resembling stars and crescent moons.

    The spirit¡¯s face, however, was obscured by a glowing light that pulsed softly, concealing her features entirely. Yet her porcelain arms, scarred and cracked like old, fragile pottery, extended out from the flowing sleeves of her gown, their imperfections stark against the rest of her radiant form.

    Yuuna¡¯s heart clenched, the calmness she had felt moments ago now replaced by a flood of emotions she couldn¡¯t yet name. Her lips trembled as a single word escaped her, barely audible.

    ¡°Mom¡­?¡±

    The spirit said nothing. She simply dismounted the horse with a grace that felt almost unnatural, landing softly on the grass. Her glowing, scarred hand reached to her chest, and slowly¡ªagonizingly slowly¡ªshe began to pull a sword from within her body.

    The blade emerged with a faint hum, its surface glistening like molten bronze. As the sword left her chest, the white roses around them erupted in a stunning display, blooming outward like an explosion of light. The petals scattered into the air, glowing like tiny stars as they floated gently back to the ground.

    Yuuna stood frozen, her lips parted in shock. The sight was beautiful, yes, but it was also overwhelming¡ªso much so that she could feel tears pricking at the corners of her eyes.

    The spirit turned to her, extending a hand.

    Yuuna hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward and grasping the spirit¡¯s hand. It was warm, comforting, and as soon as their fingers touched, something deep inside Yuuna¡¯s heart softened. Without a word, the spirit helped her onto the back of the horse, lifting her as though she weighed nothing.

    The horse began to move, its steps light and purposeful, and soon it broke into a gallop. Yuuna clung to the spirit tightly, her arms wrapped around her waist as they raced through the field.

    It was then that the demons came.

    They rose from the ground like shadows given form, their bodies twisted and malformed. Some had elongated limbs that bent at unnatural angles, their skin a sickly gray-green and covered in jagged ridges. Others had hollow, sunken eyes that glowed faintly, their mouths split into too many rows of sharp, uneven teeth. Their torsos were armored with bone-like plating, and their clawed hands dragged along the ground, leaving trails of decay wherever they touched.

    The spirit raised her sword, and with each swing, the demons evaporated into mist. There was no blood, no gore¡ªonly the quiet hiss of their forms dissolving back into nothingness. The horse galloped faster, the light of its hooves burning away any darkness in its path.

    Yuuna¡¯s voice broke the silence as she clung to the spirit, her words soft but steady.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been so tired,¡± she began, her voice trembling slightly. ¡°Without you, I¡¯ve felt so¡­ lost. I keep wondering¡­ if you were here, would I have been different? Or maybe¡­ maybe I wouldn¡¯t have been able to grow. To change. You gave me that opportunity, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    The spirit said nothing, but Yuuna could feel her presence¡ªwarm, steady, and patient.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been fighting so much,¡± Yuuna continued, her words coming more freely now. ¡°Dragon gods. The Lysf?dt... And some nights, I can¡¯t sleep. I sneak away from the others, and I sing. I sing the songs we made together. Because it reminds me of you. It keeps me going. It keeps me from falling back into¡­ what I used to be. A horrible being. Almost becoming what my father wanted me to be, his monster. And I was that.¡±

    Her grip tightened slightly around the spirit. ¡°I used to be a villain to the masses. You know that, don¡¯t you? But I¡¯ve changed. I¡¯ve worked so hard to change. And I¡¯ve fallen in love, Mom. His name¡¯s Xyenn. He¡¯s¡­ well, he¡¯s a Jotyin. You¡¯d love him, I think. Wait I told you about him, didn''t I? Yeah yeah I did. Ta-da! We¡¯re still together.¡±

    A faint chuckle escaped her lips, breaking through the emotion in her voice. ¡°He can be kind of a bird brain¡­ reckless, easily flustered. But¡­¡± She hesitated, her voice softening. ¡°He¡¯s like you. He knows my weakness. He doesn¡¯t judge me for it. He just¡­ keeps me going.¡±

    Her voice grew quieter, tinged with sadness. ¡°But sometimes, I feel like I can¡¯t keep going. I¡¯ve got my Tyrants¡ªthey¡¯re like my children, in a way¡ªbut I¡¯m so scared of losing them. I can¡¯t help but think about it. The stakes are so high, and¡­..I don¡¯t want to lose anyone else. After losing you, I can¡¯t handle another loss. I would change, I feel.¡±

    Her words trailed off as the horse galloped faster, the spirit slicing through wave after wave of demons. In the distance, the field began to change, darkening into a desolate, apocalyptic wasteland. The ground was cracked and lifeless, the air thick with ash. The sky, once bronze and warm, was now a swirling mix of black and crimson, with no light to be found.

    Yuuna held onto the spirit tighter, her tears falling silently. She didn¡¯t need to speak anymore. Just being in her mother¡¯s presence was enough.

    It was then that she heard it¡ªthe faint sound of music in the distance.

    Soft, ambient, and hauntingly beautiful, the melody rose like a whisper on the wind. A lute played a delicate tune, its strings weaving a gentle harmony with the steady beat of a drum. A flute joined in, its notes light and airy, like a bird¡¯s song. And beneath it all, a harp added a shimmering depth, its chords resonating with an almost divine quality.

    Yuuna began to hum softly, her voice blending with the music.

    ?? ¡°In the fields where roses bloom,

    Under skies of bronze and gold,

    A song of light, a heart of flame,

    A story waiting to be told.¡± ??

    The spirit¡¯s voice joined hers, soft and ethereal, harmonizing perfectly.

    ?? *¡°Through the dark, where shadows stay,

    We ride to chase the night away,

    A sword of light, a bond of kin,

    A love that burns within.¡±* ??

    The horse galloped faster, the music swelling as they raced through the apocalyptic landscape. Demons came in waves, but the spirit cut them down with ease, her sword flashing like lightning. Yuuna clung to her mother, her face buried in her back, tears streaming down her cheeks.

    And then, the horse slowed.

    They had reached the edge of the wasteland, where a towering figure awaited them.

    The demon monarch stood in the center of the desolation, his form immense and imposing. His body was a monstrous fusion of flesh and armor, his seven arms each wielding jagged, demonic blades. His face was stale and emotionless, but had blades and arrows stabbing through it already, and chains around his neck, with his hair large and bushy. Spiraling red eyes adorned the weapons, glowing faintly with a malevolent light. His head was crowned with flaming orbs that hovered ominously above him, and his massive, armored horse-like body stomped against the ground, sending tremors through the earth. Behind him, a massive circle of glowing red runes burned in the air, pulsing with raw, ancient power.

    Yuuna¡¯s breath caught in her throat as she stared at the figure.

    The spirit dismounted the horse, her movements calm and deliberate. She turned to Yuuna, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her forehead.

    Yuuna reached out, her voice breaking. ¡°Mom¡­!¡±

    But before she could grab her, the spirit stepped away, dodging her grasp with a peaceful, almost knowing stride.

    The spirit began to walk toward the demon monarch, her sword glowing brighter with each step.

    The spirit and the demon monarch stood facing each other, their forms stark contrasts against the apocalyptic wasteland. The spirit¡¯s radiant light pulsed softly, her glowing porcelain arms steady as she held the shimmering bronze sword. Her golden hair swayed gently in the howling wind, her serene presence unshaken even before such a monstrous foe. The demon monarch, Xlemmeth, loomed large and terrible, his seven jagged blades gleaming with spiraling red eyes. The massive runes circling behind him burned with searing crimson fire, casting shadows that danced erratically across the cracked and lifeless ground. His massive, armored horse body stomped, sending tremors rippling through the earth.

    The two figures began to walk toward each other, their steps slow and deliberate, the distance between them shrinking with every stride. The ground beneath their feet cracked with each step, light streaming out from the spirit¡¯s path while darkness oozed from Xlemmeth¡¯s. The air grew heavy, charged with an unbearable tension, and a low hum began to build¡ªa sound that resonated deep in Yuuna¡¯s chest, like the very fabric of reality was bracing for what was about to come.

    Yuuna stood frozen, her eyes wide as she watched them. Her chest tightened, her senses heightened as if this vision were reality itself. She could feel the dry wind on her skin, hear the distant rumble of the ground, and even smell the ash that hung in the air.

    Their steps quickened. The spirit¡¯s sword began to glow brighter with each stride, and Xlemmeth¡¯s runes flared like wildfire. Faster and faster they walked, the ground cracking violently beneath their feet as the energy around them intensified. Soon, they were sprinting, moving faster than seemed possible, their figures blurring as they approached each other.

    And then they collided.

    The moment their blades met, the world erupted in a blinding explosion of light and darkness. The shockwave blasted outward, tearing through the wasteland and sending debris flying in every direction. Yuuna stumbled back, shielding her eyes as the clash illuminated the entire battlefield. Light and shadow twisted and clashed in chaotic waves, the sheer force of their battle ripping apart the ground, sending jagged fissures racing across the earth.

    The battle unfolded at a speed Yuuna could barely comprehend. The spirit moved like a streak of light, her sword flashing with a brilliance that carved through the darkness. Xlemmeth countered with brutal, calculated precision, his seven blades moving in unison, each strike accompanied by a pulse of red energy from the runes on his monstrous body. Their movements were blinding, like watching a storm of light and shadow consume the battlefield.

    Yuuna gasped as the spirit¡¯s form seemed to shift and grow. For a fleeting moment, her mother¡¯s figure expanded into a larger, more ethereal form¡ªa towering, radiant spirit of light. Her sword was now massive, cleaving through the air with devastating force as she swung it down on Xlemmeth. The demon monarch roared, his voice deep and guttural, shaking the ground as he blocked the attack with all seven of his blades. The impact sent another shockwave rippling through the wasteland, scattering ash and debris like a storm.

    Xlemmeth retaliated, slamming his hooves into the ground. Massive black demon gates erupted from the earth, their jagged edges covered in glowing runes. From the gates, beams of dark, crackling magic shot upward, arching toward the spirit. The bolts of energy twisted violently, their paths unpredictable, and they struck the ground with explosive force. Each impact left deep, smoldering craters, the air thick with the acrid smell of burning magic.

    The spirit dodged the beams with inhuman agility, her larger spirit form shrinking back into her original, more human-like figure. She charged forward, weaving between the attacks with impossible grace, her bronze sword slashing through the dark energy as if cutting through fabric. She closed the distance, her movements faster than ever, and engaged in close combat with Xlemmeth.

    The clanging of their blades was deafening, a rapid-fire symphony of destruction. Every strike sent sparks flying, the glow of the spirit¡¯s sword clashing against the sinister red of Xlemmeth¡¯s runed blades. The runes on his body flared brighter with each swing, and Yuuna could see them more clearly now. Her eyes locked on the largest rune, etched into his armored chest, glowing with a dark, fiery light.

    ¡°Xlemmeth¡­¡± Yuuna whispered, her voice trembling. ¡°The Demon Monarch of Cataclysm¡­¡±

    Her hands clenched into fists as a realization dawned on her. ¡°Could this be the same demon monarch who fought King Samuel? The one my mother¡­ saved?¡±

    Her heart raced as she tried to summon her own magic, desperate to help. But nothing happened. She felt the familiar pull of her energy, but it was as though the air itself swallowed it whole. ¡°Of course,¡± she muttered to herself, frustrated. ¡°It¡¯s just a vision. But it feels so real¡­¡±

    The battle raged on, the destruction escalating. The spirit and Xlemmeth moved faster than Yuuna¡¯s eyes could follow, their strikes creating shockwaves that tore through the ground and sent debris flying toward her. She ducked and dodged, her reflexes sharp despite her disbelief.

    Then, suddenly, there was another massive explosion. The ground shook violently, and Yuuna stumbled, nearly losing her footing. Smoke and ash filled the air, obscuring her vision. But through the chaos, her eyes caught a faint glow¡ªa soft, radiant light in the center of the battlefield.

    Heart pounding, Yuuna ran toward it, weaving through the flying debris. The closer she got, the more clearly she could see it. A large, glowing white rose stood amidst the devastation, its petals shimmering with an otherworldly light. And kneeling before it, bathed in its glow, was the spirit.

    Yuuna slowed her steps, her breath catching in her throat. The sight was surreal, almost holy. She approached cautiously, her bare feet brushing against the cracked ground as she drew closer. The spirit slowly stood, her movements graceful and deliberate. She turned to Yuuna and extended a hand.

    Yuuna hesitated for only a moment before taking it. The spirit¡¯s hand was warm, comforting, and as their fingers intertwined, Yuuna felt a wave of peace wash over her.

    Without a word, the spirit led her in a slow, deliberate dance. The smoke and ash around them seemed to fade, replaced by a soft glow that surrounded the glowing rose. The two moved in perfect harmony, their steps fluid and precise, as though they had practiced this dance a thousand times before.

    Yuuna¡¯s chest tightened as memories surfaced¡ªmemories of her mother teaching her this very dance when she was a child. Tears welled in her eyes, but she smiled through them, her grip on the spirit¡¯s hand tightening.

    The music from before returned, faint but beautiful, carried on the wind. Yuuna began to hum softly, her voice trembling at first but growing steadier as the melody filled her heart.

    ?? ¡°In the fields where roses bloom,

    Under skies of bronze and gold,

    A song of light, a heart of flame,

    A story waiting to be told.¡± ??

    The spirit¡¯s voice joined hers, soft and ethereal, their harmony weaving seamlessly with the music.

    ?? ¡°Through the dark, where shadows stay,

    We ride to chase the night away,

    A sword of light, a bond of kin,

    A love that burns within.¡± ??

    Yuuna¡¯s tears fell freely now, but her smile never wavered. She spun lightly under the spirit¡¯s hand, the two of them moving as one around the glowing rose. The dance was slow, deliberate, filled with unspoken emotion. Yuuna could feel her mother¡¯s presence in every step, every movement.

    But as they danced, the spirit¡¯s form began to wisp away. Slowly, like smoke rising into the air, her figure started to fade. Yuuna¡¯s heart clenched, and she tightened her grip on the spirit¡¯s hand.

    ¡°No¡­¡± she whispered, her voice breaking. ¡°Mom¡­¡±

    The spirit smiled¡ªa soft, serene expression that radiated love and peace. She leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to Yuuna¡¯s forehead before her form dissolved completely, her essence flowing into the glowing rose.

    Yuuna stood there, her hand still outstretched, trembling. Slowly, she dropped to her knees, her fingers brushing against the rose¡¯s petals.

    ¡°I will find you¡­¡± she whispered, her voice steady despite the tears streaming down her face. ¡°Mother¡­¡±

    The rose glowed brighter, its light enveloping her as she knelt there, her heart filled with a quiet, determined resolve.

 Chapter 64: On Solid Ground

    Now in Mertha¡¯s vision,

    The snowstorm was relentless, the wind howling like a chorus of ghosts, carrying flurries of white across the frozen expanse. The sky above was a canvas of soft gray, streaked with faint rays of light that broke through the storm in shimmering threads, as though the heavens were trying to reach down and touch the earth. Despite the chaos of the storm, there was a strange peace in the air, an almost sacred stillness beneath the roar of the wind.

    Mertha trudged through the deep snow, her boots crunching with each step. She was younger now, smaller than she had become in recent years, but still sturdy, her muscular form carrying the weight of the magic lantern that swung in her gloved hand. The lantern¡¯s light was impossibly bright, cutting through the swirling snow like a beacon. Its glow illuminated the path ahead, casting long shadows behind her. Shadows that didn¡¯t belong to her.

    The silhouettes of her clan followed her in a solemn line, their voices rising and falling in murmured conversation. They had no faces, no features¡ªjust dark shapes against the shimmering snow, but their words were clear, unmistakable. These were her people, her clan, the ones she had sworn to protect.

    ¡°The storm¡¯s getting worse,¡± one shadow said, its voice heavy with concern.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe she¡¯s leading us through this. Does she even know where she¡¯s going?¡± another shadow muttered, doubt lacing its tone.

    ¡°Quiet,¡± a third voice hissed. ¡°She¡¯s our leader. Show some respect.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s just a kid,¡± a fourth voice whispered, softer than the others, almost pitying.

    ¡°Yeah but she¡¯s strong.¡± Another one chimed in.

    Mertha¡¯s jaw tightened, but she didn¡¯t look back. She couldn¡¯t. Not now. She gripped the lantern tighter, the warmth of its handle seeping into her glove. The light felt like a lifeline, something tangible to hold onto as the storm raged around her. She took a deep breath, her exhale visible in the cold air, and spoke quietly to herself.

    ¡°I remember this,¡± she murmured, her voice low and steady. ¡°I remember this moment like it was yesterday.¡±

    Her dark red hair, longer than it was in her present adult form, enough to brush her shoulders, clung to her damp face. She could feel the weight of her clan¡¯s trust pressing down on her, heavier than the snow that blanketed the ground. She was young then, barely more than a girl, but she had been named leader after the death of their former chieftain. She could still see the ashes of her predecessor scattering into the fiery depths of the volcano, the smoke rising like a solemn prayer to the gods. She wasn¡¯t as muscular then as she was in her present adult form, not as big, but some muscles on her arms showed a little covered in scars.

    ¡°That was the day I took the oath,¡± she said softly, her breath hitching. ¡°I swore to protect them. To lead them. But¡­¡±

    She glanced down at the lantern in her hand, its light reflecting in her sharp eyes. ¡°I didn¡¯t know what it meant to lead. I didn¡¯t know what it meant to protect. All I knew was how to fight. How to kill.¡±

    She let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. ¡°They honored me for my strength, for the beasts I¡¯d slain with my bare hands. But strength doesn¡¯t mean a damn thing when you don¡¯t know what to do with it.¡±

    The voices behind her grew louder as the shadows murmured amongst themselves, their faceless forms shifting uneasily. She could feel their doubt, their fear, their trust in her wavering like a fragile thread. It stung more than she cared to admit, but she kept moving forward, the light of the lantern guiding her steps.

    The snowstorm began to ease as the light from the lantern grew brighter, casting a golden glow across the frozen landscape. Mertha felt an odd sense of calm wash over her, the peace of the visions settling in her chest. She could feel it working on her soul, soothing the ache buried deep within her, but it wasn¡¯t enough to erase what was coming.

    ¡°This was the first moment,¡± she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. ¡°The first moment I realized what failure felt like.¡±

    She stopped abruptly, causing the shadows behind her to shuffle to a halt. For a brief moment, there was only silence, the snow falling gently around them. The air grew tense as the clan murmured in confusion.

    ¡°What¡¯s she doing?¡± one shadow asked.

    ¡°Why did we stop?¡±

    ¡°Is something wrong?¡±

    Mertha didn¡¯t answer. Her lips curled into a grin, sharp and confident, but her heart was hammering in her chest. She could feel it¡ªthe presence in the storm. The weight of its gaze pressing down on her like an unseen hand.

    ¡°Get back,¡± she said, her voice firm and commanding.

    The shadows hesitated, their murmurs growing louder.

    ¡°Mertha?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    ¡°Get back!¡± she barked, turning to face them with a glare that silenced their protests.

    As the clan retreated, the storm seemed to part, and a massive shape emerged from the swirling snow. It moved with a slow, deliberate grace, its heavy footsteps crunching against the frozen ground. Standing before Mertha was a beast unlike anything she had ever seen¡ªa Zarjhitt.

    It was over nine feet tall, its powerful body rippling with muscle under a thick coat of dark, wiry fur. It resembled a monkey, Its legs were long and sinewy, ending in clawed feet that dug deep into the snow. Its arms were disproportionately large, hanging low, and its hands were massive, with long, sharp fingers that curled like talons. Its face was grotesquely human-like, but stretched and distorted, with a flat, wide nose and deep-set, empty eyes that glowed faintly with a pale yellow light. Its head was crowned with jagged, horn-like ridges that jutted backward, each one uneven and sharp as broken bone.

    Its body was a patchwork of color and texture¡ªits chest and shoulders were a mottled gray, like weathered stone, while its arms were a deep crimson, as though stained with blood. Its fur-covered torso transitioned to a pale, sickly blue at its stomach, and its multiple tails¡ªlong, thin, and whip-like¡ªwere a stark black, each one tipped with a jagged, bony spike.

    The Zarjhitt stood motionless, its blank face betraying no emotion as it stared down at Mertha.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s a Zarjhitt,¡± one shadow stammered, their voice trembling.

    ¡°They¡¯re real?¡± another whispered.

    ¡°I thought they were just a myth.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re not myths,¡± an older voice muttered grimly. ¡°They¡¯re nightmares. No one fights a Zarjhitt and lives.¡±

    ¡°Mertha,¡± one of the shadows called out, panic creeping into their voice. ¡°Are¡­ are you going to fight it?¡±

    Mertha¡¯s grin widened as she cracked her knuckles and punched her fists together, the sound echoing through the still air. ¡°Hell yeah, I am.¡±

    ¡®This was the day my body wouldn¡¯t fucking listen to me. Crazy isn¡¯t it? This was the day I never came across an enemy like this. This bastard¡­this bastard scared the shit out of me. It didn¡¯t carry the same aura as the other beasts I killed.¡¯

    The clan fell silent, their fear palpable as they watched the young leader square off against the monstrous beast.

    Mertha¡¯s grin faltered for the briefest of moments as she stared up at the Zarjhitt, her mind flashing back to the memories of that day. ¡°I remember this,¡± she thought to herself. ¡°I remember the fear. I remember feeling so small. So¡­ powerless.¡±

    Her hands clenched into fists as the beast¡¯s tails lashed behind it, stirring the snow into the air. ¡°Ten of them died,¡± she whispered. ¡°Ten people I swore to protect. And I barely did a godsdamn thing to stop it.¡±

    ¡®I stood there and watched it happen, and I sat there in shock. After, I ended up killing it, but it was a cheap shot. I had stabbed it in the back of the head with a large branch after it bit the heads off one of my clan members..

    The Zarjhitt¡¯s glowing eyes narrowed slightly as it leaned forward, its breath steaming in the cold air. Mertha tilted her head up, meeting its gaze with a defiant grin.

    ¡°I remember this day,¡± she said aloud, her voice steady despite the storm around her. ¡°The day I learned what it means to fail. To truly lose. My mind betrayed my strength. I betrayed my clan. Fear took over.¡±

    The beast didn¡¯t move, its blank, grotesque face unreadable as it loomed over her. The two of them stood there, locked in a silent stare-down, the snow falling softly around them.

    The snowstorm roared louder as the fight began. The Zarjhitt stood tall, its grotesque, distorted face blank and emotionless, yet its sheer presence radiated malice. Its claws flexed, long and razor-sharp, as its whip-like tails lashed the air behind it, carving streaks through the falling snow. Mertha, lantern discarded in the snow, cracked her knuckles with a grin that split her face, her green eyes blazing with a feral hunger.

    "Let¡¯s dance, you ugly bastard," she muttered to herself, her breath visible in the icy air.

    ¡®But in this vision, whatever this place is, whatever the pool of light is doing, I can do something. I¡¯m gonna do what I should¡¯ve done. Even if this is some dream thing, it¡¯s playing back my memories, and everything is vivid. Even here, I won¡¯t falter.¡¯

    The Zarjhitt moved first. Despite its massive size, it was blindingly fast. It lunged forward, claws aimed for her throat, its tails whipping around to flank her. Mertha ducked low, the claws slicing just above her head, and twisted her body to avoid the tails. The air pressure alone from the tail¡¯s swing sent a shockwave that rippled through the snow.

    Mertha retaliated with an upward punch to its abdomen. The impact was explosive: the snow beneath her feet blasted outward, sending shards of ice flying. The Zarjhitt¡¯s massive frame staggered backward, but it recovered quickly, its reinforced tail snapping toward her like a spear.

    She barely had time to react. The tail¡¯s edge grazed her side, ripping through her leather armor and opening a deep gash on her ribs. Blood poured from the wound, staining the snow crimson, but Mertha didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, she grinned wider, wiping a trickle of blood from her mouth.

    "Pain," she whispered to herself, "it reminds me I¡¯m alive."

    The Zarjhitt roared, its sound a guttural mix of animalistic rage and something unnatural. It leaped into the air, its claws raised high, and brought them down with brutal force. Mertha rolled to the side, the impact of its claws splitting the ground where she had stood. Snow and dirt erupted in a geyser as the beast¡¯s claws dug deep.

    She sprang to her feet, charging straight at it. Her fists were a blur as she unleashed a flurry of devastating punches to its midsection. Each blow detonated like a cannon, sending shockwaves through the beast¡¯s torso. The Zarjhitt staggered, but it lashed out with its tails, one catching her across the back and sending her sprawling into the snow.

    She skidded several feet, her blood streaking the white ground. The clan gasped, cries of fear erupting behind her.

    ¡°Is she... dead?¡± one shadow murmured.

    ¡°She can¡¯t beat it! It¡¯s too strong!¡±

    The Zarjhitt turned its head toward the clan, its glowing yellow eyes narrowing. It began stalking toward them, its tails swaying menacingly as it prepared to slaughter them.

    Mertha¡¯s eyes snapped open. Her bloodied face lifted from the snow, and a grin stretched across her lips. ¡°Not today,¡± she growled, sitting up abruptly.

    Before the Zarjhitt could take another step, Mertha was on her feet and moving faster than anyone could track. She barreled into the beast with the force of a wrecking ball, tackling it away from the clan. Her fists came down in rapid succession, each strike aimed for vital points: its throat, its ribs, the base of its skull.

    The Zarjhitt howled in pain, but it wasn¡¯t done yet. Its fur rippled unnaturally as the hair along its arms and back hardened into sharp, spike-like protrusions. With a sweep of its arm, it slashed at her, the jagged hairs slicing deep into her forearm as she raised it to block.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

    Blood sprayed onto the snow, but Mertha didn¡¯t falter. She grabbed the beast¡¯s arm with her injured limb, tightening her grip until its reinforced fur began to crack under her strength.

    ¡°You think I¡¯m scared of a few scratches?¡± she snarled, delivering a headbutt straight to its face.

    The impact shattered its nose and sent it reeling, but one of its tails lashed out, spearing her through the thigh. She gasped, her leg buckling beneath her, but she used the momentum to grab the tail and yank the Zarjhitt forward.

    With the beast off-balance, she slammed her knee into its chest, hearing the satisfying crunch of ribs breaking beneath her strength. The Zarjhitt stumbled back, its claws clutching its chest, but before Mertha could press her advantage, it retaliated.

    The beast¡¯s claws shot out, one raking across her stomach and the other slashing across her shoulder. The force sent her flying backward, her body crashing into a nearby tree. The wood splintered under the impact, snow and bark falling around her.

    The clan gasped again.

    ¡°She¡¯s not getting up this time,¡± one of them whispered.

    The Zarjhitt roared in triumph, its tails lashing the air as it stalked toward her crumpled form. Blood dripped from its broken nose and cracked ribs, but it was still relentless.

    Mertha groaned, coughing up blood as she pushed herself to her feet. Her legs were shaky, her vision blurred, but her grin never wavered.

    "Pain," she muttered, spitting blood onto the snow. "Pain makes me feel strong."

    She darted forward again, moving with a speed and ferocity that defied her injuries. The Zarjhitt swung its claws, but she ducked under the first and sidestepped the second, closing the distance between them. She drove her fists into its midsection, her blows exploding with raw power.

    The beast roared, raising its arm to strike, but Mertha grabbed its wrist, twisting it with a sickening snap. The Zarjhitt howled in agony, but she wasn¡¯t done.

    She leapt onto its back, wrapping her arms around its head. Its tails stabbed into her sides, piercing her flesh, but she didn¡¯t let go. Instead, she laughed¡ªa wild, unhinged sound that echoed through the storm.

    "You think that¡¯s enough to stop me?" she growled.

    With a primal scream, she grabbed its jaw with both hands, her fingers digging into its flesh. Blood poured from her wounds as the Zarjhitt thrashed, trying to shake her off, but she held on.

    "Not this time," she whispered to herself. "I¡¯m not letting them die this time."

    With one final surge of strength, she *ripped* its jaw apart. The sound of snapping bone and tearing flesh filled the air as the beast¡¯s blank face twisted into a grotesque, gory mess. Blood sprayed across her body as she yanked its head back, tearing it in half.

    The Zarjhitt collapsed to the ground in a heap, its body twitching before going still. Mertha stood over it, her chest heaving, her body drenched in its blood. She let out a shaky laugh, wiping at her face with a trembling hand.

    Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw them. More Zarjhitt. They hung in the trees, their glowing eyes watching her in silence.

    Mertha¡¯s grin faltered for a moment as she stared at them. Then she let out a long, slow breath, her voice quiet but resolute.

    "Pain is my solitude," she murmured. "It¡¯s my freedom. It reminds me I¡¯m still standing on solid ground."

    She clenched her fists, her bloodied fingers trembling. "I¡¯ve failed before. I¡¯ve failed so many times. But I¡¯ll keep bearing the pain. For them. For my clan. For the Tyrants. For Xyenn."

    Her lips curled into a soft, bittersweet smile. "He reminds me of my son. Reckless, stubborn. But he¡¯s growing. He just needs a push. And if it takes pain to help him, then I¡¯ll give him every ounce of it. Pain makes us strong."

    She turned her gaze back to the Zarjhitt in the trees, her grin returning.

    "Come on, then," she muttered. "Let¡¯s see if you can kill me."

    The Zarjhitts began to move, their grotesque forms leaping from the trees with terrifying speed. Their glowing yellow eyes pierced through the storm, their tails whipping behind them like jagged, living weapons. The snow swallowed their massive frames as they charged, the ground rumbling beneath their weight.

    Mertha stood her ground, blood dripping from her wounds, steam rising from her body as her breath fogged the cold air. Her grin widened, her expression wild, feral, and full of defiance. The storm roared around her, but her voice was steady as she spoke to herself.

    ¡°I¡¯ve always been like this,¡± she muttered, flexing her bloodied fingers. Her muscles ached, her body screamed in pain, but she welcomed it. ¡°I¡¯ve always taken everything with my strength. Never my mind.¡±

    She took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a brief moment as the beasts drew closer. "It¡¯s why I failed them. My clan. My family. My husband. My son." Her voice cracked, the words tasting bitter on her tongue.

    The first Zarjhitt lunged at her, its claws swiping for her head. Mertha¡¯s eyes snapped open, her body moving instinctively. She ducked low, the claws slicing through the air above her, and countered with an uppercut that detonated like an explosion. The impact sent the beast flying backward, its chest caving inward with a sickening crunch.

    But another beast was already on her. It slashed at her side, its claws ripping deep into her flesh. Blood sprayed across the snow, but Mertha didn¡¯t falter. She grabbed the beast¡¯s arm, twisted it with a brutal snap, and drove her knee into its face, shattering its grotesque features.

    ¡°I swore I¡¯d protect them,¡± she growled, slamming the beast into the ground with enough force to crack the frozen earth. ¡°But I didn¡¯t know what it meant to protect. I thought strength was enough.¡±

    Another Zarjhitt lunged at her from behind, its reinforced tails whipping toward her like spears. She spun around, catching one tail in her hand while the other pierced through her shoulder. She gritted her teeth, her blood soaking the snow as she yanked the beast closer and delivered a devastating headbutt.

    Her clan gasped from the distance, their voices trembling with fear.

    ¡°She¡¯s taking too many hits!¡± one shadow cried.

    ¡°She can¡¯t keep this up!¡±

    ¡°Why doesn¡¯t she retreat? She¡¯s going to die!¡±

    Mertha didn¡¯t acknowledge them. She was too lost in the rhythm of the fight, too consumed by the pain that coursed through her body. And yet, she still smiled, even as blood dripped from her lips.

    "Pain," she whispered to herself, "pain is my solitude. Pain is my freedom."

    Another Zarjhitt came at her, its claws slashing in a flurry too fast for most to follow. Mertha dodged left, then right, her movements sharp but slower now. A claw raked across her thigh, another across her ribs. She stumbled, blood pouring from her wounds, and the beast lunged for her throat.

    But she caught its jaw in her hands, her bloodied fingers digging into its grotesque face.

    ¡°I hated myself,¡± she murmured, her voice trembling with emotion as she stared into the beast¡¯s glowing eyes. ¡°I hated myself after they died. My husband. My son. My clan. I failed them all, and I hated myself for it.¡±

    With a primal scream, she ripped the Zarjhitt¡¯s jaw apart, blood spraying across her face as its lifeless body crumpled to the ground. She turned, panting, to face the others.

    ¡°But they never turned their backs on me,¡± she continued, her voice raw, her grin defiant. ¡°Even when I failed them, they stayed. Because that¡¯s what we were. A clan. A family.¡±

    The next Zarjhitt came barreling toward her. This one was larger, faster. Its claws slashed at her chest, carving deep gashes into her flesh. She staggered, her vision blurring as blood poured from her wounds. The beast¡¯s tail lashed out, striking her in the stomach and sending her flying backward.

    She hit the ground hard, the snow cushioning her fall, but her body felt like it was breaking apart. The clan screamed in horror.

    ¡°She¡¯s not getting back up!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s dead! She has to be dead!¡±

    The Zarjhitt turned toward the clan, its glowing eyes narrowing as it began stalking toward them. Its tails whipped through the air, ready to strike.

    But Mertha¡¯s fingers twitched. Her bloodied hand pressed against the snow, and she pushed herself up. Her body was broken, her muscles screaming in agony, but her grin returned, wild and full of fire.

    "I love this," she muttered, her voice low and filled with a strange, dark joy. She stood on shaky legs, her blood painting the snow beneath her. "I love pain. Pain reminds me I¡¯m still here. It reminds me I¡¯m strong."

    The Zarjhitt turned toward her, its blank face unreadable. Mertha laughed, her voice echoing through the storm.

    ¡°You want more? Come get it!¡±

    She charged forward, her movements fueled by pure adrenaline. The beast met her head-on, its claws slicing at her arms and chest. But she didn¡¯t stop. She drove her fists into its body, each blow detonating like a bomb. The ground shook with the force of their clash, snow and ice exploding around them.

    The beast¡¯s tails pierced her side, her back, her leg. Blood poured from her wounds, but she didn¡¯t falter. She grabbed its tails, twisted them together, and dragged the beast closer. Her fists rained down on its face, breaking its skull with every brutal strike.

    "I¡¯ve failed so many times," she thought, her vision blurring as she continued to fight. "But pain keeps me grounded. Pain reminds me of solid ground. Of reality. Of what I have to protect."

    She finally drove her fist through the beast¡¯s chest, ripping out whatever passed for its heart. The Zarjhitt collapsed, lifeless, at her feet.

    But there were still more in the trees. Dozens of glowing eyes stared down at her, unblinking.

    Mertha staggered, her body barely holding together. Half of her was gone, her blood soaking the snow, her breathing ragged. She turned slowly, her green eyes meeting the silhouettes of her clan. But they weren¡¯t her clan anymore.

    They were the Tyrants. Shadows of them. Yuuna. Xyenn. Gorran. Quinara, Sethrak, Zyphira, Draeven, Illyana, and Kivorn.

    Her lips curled into a soft, bittersweet smile. ¡°I feel safe and sound on solid ground,¡± she whispered, her voice trembling.

    Safe and sound. Solid ground. That was what pain meant to her. Pain was solitude. Pain was freedom. Pain reminded her she was alive, that she was still standing, even when everything else fell apart. Pain was what she bore for others, so they wouldn¡¯t have to.

    "I¡¯ll always be a leader," she said, her voice growing stronger. "Because my kingdom is right here in front of me. My family. My Tyrants. The people who are oppressed by those stupid ass dragon gods.¡±

    Her vision blurred as she dropped to her knees, the blood pooling around her. But she kept smiling, even as the Zarjhitts began to move again.

    The snowstorm began to ease. The wind softened to a whisper, and the flurries of white turned into a gentle cascade, falling like ash from a distant memory. Around Mertha, the light began to shift. It glowed in soft tendrils, warm and golden, wrapping around her battered body like a comforting embrace. The snow beneath her bloodied knees shimmered faintly as the light flowed into her, seeping into her wounds, her bones, her very soul.

    ¡®This light¡­making me feel all mushy inside. Gross. But I can¡¯t reject it. I didn¡¯t think jumping in that pool of light would make something like this happen.¡¯

    Her breathing slowed, each exhale visible in the freezing air. The world grew quiet¡ªpeaceful. But the silence wasn¡¯t empty. It was the kind of stillness that welcomed reflection, that demanded it. She felt the warmth of the light blooming in her chest, and her broken body trembled as she lowered her head, her eyes staring at the blood-stained snow beneath her.

    ¡°I still have so far to go,¡± she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible over the soft hum of the light.

    Her fingers curled into fists, her knuckles raw and bloodied. She could feel the pain coursing through her, but she welcomed it. Pain had always been her companion, her constant reminder of who she was and what she had lost. But now, within this moment of light and stillness, she allowed herself to look deeper.

    Her lips twitched into a faint smile, one that carried the weight of years of reflection and regret. ¡°I¡¯ve been running on strength alone for so long. Punching my way through every problem. Taking every hit because I thought pain made me strong.¡± She paused, her voice trembling. ¡°And maybe it does. Maybe it¡¯s the only thing that¡¯s kept me on my feet. But... strength isn¡¯t enough. Not for what¡¯s ahead. Tch, I was kinda crazy.¡±

    Her mind drifted back to the faces she had lost¡ªher clan, her family. Her husband¡¯s laugh, her son¡¯s reckless grin. The warmth of their fires, the sound of their voices carrying through the cold nights. All of it was gone now, wiped away by him.

    ¡°King Haldrek,¡± she muttered, her teeth gritting as the name left her lips. The light around her flickered, as if responding to the surge of anger that boiled in her chest. ¡°You took everything from me. My clan. My family. You burned it all to the ground.¡±

    Her fists slammed into the snow, the impact sending a spray of crimson-stained powder into the air. The light dimmed for a moment, but then it pulsed again, brighter, softer, enveloping her once more. It wasn¡¯t just healing her body¡ªit was steadying her, tempering the fire that raged within.

    Mertha tilted her head back, her bloodied face turned toward the faintly glowing sky. The snowflakes that landed on her cheeks melted instantly, their cold kiss almost comforting. ¡°I¡¯ve spent my whole life fighting, failing, getting back up, and fighting again. But what have I built? What have I truly done except survive?¡±

    Her grin returned, sharp and defiant, though her eyes glistened with unshed tears. ¡°I thought surviving was enough. That if I could keep moving, keep punching, I¡¯d find some way to make it all mean something. But I see it now. Surviving isn¡¯t enough. I want more. I want to take more.¡±

    The light pulsed again, stronger this time, and she felt it filling her, mending her broken body, stitching together the pieces of her fractured soul. It wasn¡¯t just healing¡ªit was a reminder. A reminder of what she had sworn to herself after losing everything.

    ¡°I¡¯ll get my kingdom,¡± she said firmly, her voice steady now. ¡°I¡¯ll carve it out with my bare hands if I have to. And when I do, I¡¯ll make sure it¡¯s a place where no one has to feel what I felt. No one will lose their family the way I lost mine.¡±

    Her mind drifted to the Tyrants, their faces flashing in her thoughts. Yuuna¡¯s chaotic grin, Xyenn¡¯s reluctant determination, Quinara¡¯s teasing smirk, Gorran¡¯s quiet strength. They weren¡¯t her clan. They weren¡¯t her blood. But they were hers. Even the people who were oppressed by the gods, she saw them as her own.

    ¡°They¡¯re my family now,¡± she murmured, her voice soft. ¡°My kingdom is standing right in front of me. And I¡¯ll protect them with everything I¡¯ve got. Even if it means bearing all their pain, even if it means breaking my body over and over again.¡±

    Her thoughts lingered on Xyenn. His recklessness, his stubbornness¡ªit reminded her so much of her son. The way he fought with everything he had, even when he didn¡¯t know what he was fighting for. The way he hid behind his pride, too afraid to show his pain but still desperate for someone to see it.

    ¡°He doesn¡¯t know it yet,¡± she said to herself, her smile softening, ¡°but he¡¯s got what it takes to lead. He just needs more pain to shape him into the man he wants to be. More lessons to break him down and build him back up. Pain will make him stronger. It always does. And it has for him. And I¡¯ve taken note of it. He¡¯s not the same as he was when I first met him. And I say all that to say I want someone to say that about me. Her voice grew quieter, almost wistful. ¡°And maybe... maybe if I help him grow, I can forgive myself for failing my son.¡±

    The light around her began to shift, growing brighter, more radiant. It wasn¡¯t just healing her now¡ªit was lifting her, holding her steady as she rose to her feet. Her body was still battered, her wounds still fresh, but she stood tall, unbroken.

    The Zarjhitts in the trees began to stir, their glowing eyes narrowing as they prepared to attack again. But Mertha didn¡¯t flinch. She looked at them, her grin returning, sharp and full of fire.

    ¡°Come on, then,¡± she muttered, cracking her knuckles. ¡°I¡¯m not done yet.¡±

    The light pulsed again, and she felt it flowing through her veins, merging with her blood, her bones, her very essence. It wasn¡¯t just healing her¡ªit was reminding her of who she was.

    ¡°Solid ground,¡± she whispered, her voice almost reverent. ¡°I feel safe and sound on solid ground.¡±

    Pain was her solid ground. It was her anchor, her constant. It reminded her of what she¡¯d lost, but it also reminded her of what she still had. It was her solitude, her freedom, her reminder that she was still standing.

    The Zarjhitts leapt from the trees, their claws glinting, their tails whipping through the air like blades. Mertha braced herself, her fists tightening, her grin widening.

    ¡°I¡¯ll always be a leader,¡± she said, her voice full of conviction. ¡°Because my kingdom is right in front of me. And I¡¯ll protect it until my last breath.¡±

    As the beasts descended upon her, the light around her flared, illuminating the battlefield in a radiant glow. And Mertha, bloodied but unbroken, charged forward to meet them head-on.

    ¡­

    The battlefield was silent now, except for the soft whisper of the snow falling around her. The once-roaring storm had quieted, leaving the air heavy with the scent of blood and the lingering warmth of the light that had surrounded her. Mertha stood amidst the mangled, lifeless bodies of the Zarjhitts, her chest rising and falling with each labored breath. Her own blood mixed with theirs, staining the snow crimson.

    Her body was battered, broken in ways that would have killed anyone else. One arm hung limp at her side, her ribs felt shattered, and gaping wounds ran across her legs and stomach. But she was alive. Standing. Smiling. The grin on her face wasn¡¯t one of triumph or glory¡ªit was something quieter, more reflective.

    Her boots crunched softly in the snow as she staggered forward, her gaze sweeping over the carnage around her. The beasts lay in heaps, their grotesque forms torn apart by her hands. Claws and tails lay severed, their glowing yellow eyes now dim and lifeless.

    The light that had swarmed her earlier still lingered faintly, flickering like embers around her frame. It wasn¡¯t the same fierce illumination that had healed her and held her steady during the battle¡ªit was softer now, almost reverent, as if the light itself was pausing to listen.

    Mertha¡¯s voice broke the silence, low and raspy, carrying the weight of years of regret. ¡°I¡¯ve stood in places like this before,¡± she murmured, her eyes distant as she stared at the carnage. ¡°Surrounded by death. Covered in blood. And every time, it¡¯s been the same.¡±

    Her hand trembled as she reached out to the nearest corpse, her fingers brushing against the jagged fur of the Zarjhitt. Her bloodied reflection stared back at her in the beast¡¯s frozen, blank eyes.

    ¡°I survived,¡± she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. ¡°But they didn¡¯t. My clan¡­ my family.¡±

    Her thoughts drifted back to that day so many years ago. The screams of her people, the roar of the flames as Haldrek¡¯s forces descended upon them like a storm. Her husband, her son, her clan¡ªfighting valiantly, dying bravely. And her, standing in the midst of it all, strong enough to break monsters with her bare hands but helpless to stop the slaughter.

    ¡°I thought strength was enough,¡± she said, her voice trembling. ¡°I thought if I was strong enough, I could protect them. I could protect everyone.¡± She chuckled bitterly, shaking her head. ¡°But strength wasn¡¯t enough. It never was.¡±

    Her mind lingered on her failures, on the faces she couldn¡¯t save. Her husband¡¯s determined eyes, the way he had smiled at her even in their hardest moments. Her son¡¯s reckless grin, so much like her own, full of fire and ambition. She could still hear his voice, teasing her, challenging her, making her laugh.

    ¡°They¡¯re gone because of me,¡± she said softly, her voice breaking. ¡°Because I wasn¡¯t enough. I didn¡¯t think. I didn¡¯t lead. I just fought. So what if I was young? It still haunted me. It affected me, and the way I fought.¡±

    Her knees buckled, and she sank into the snow, her blood pooling around her. For a moment, she let herself feel the weight of it all¡ªthe failure, the loss, the hatred she had carried for herself. Her head tilted back, and she stared at the pale gray sky, her breath visible in the cold air.

    ¡°I¡¯ve hated myself for so long,¡± she muttered. ¡°For failing them. For failing him.¡±

    The light around her flickered again, brighter this time, wrapping around her shoulders like a comforting embrace. She closed her eyes, letting the warmth seep into her battered body.

    ¡°But they never turned their backs on me,¡± she continued, her voice steadier now. ¡°Even when I failed them, my clan stayed. They followed me, even after I led them into pain, into death. Because that¡¯s what we were. A clan. A family. That¡¯s what makes it so fucking hard, that¡¯s what made it hit hard..the failure.¡±

    Her lips curled into a faint smile, bittersweet and full of longing. ¡°They believed in me, even when I didn¡¯t deserve it. Even when I couldn¡¯t forgive myself.¡±

    She chuckled softly, shaking her head as the realization sank in. ¡°It¡¯s funny, really. I spent so many years swearing I¡¯d take V?rdrheim from Haldrek. I told myself I¡¯d tear him apart, take his kingdom, and make it mine. I thought that was my purpose. That was what I was fighting for.¡±

    Her grin widened, a spark of warmth lighting her bloodied face. ¡°But now¡­ now I see it. I already have my kingdom. It¡¯s not lands or castles or thrones. It¡¯s them. The Tyrants, the people I protect

    Her voice grew quieter, laced with a deep, unshakable conviction. ¡°They¡¯re my kingdom. And I¡¯ll protect them, no matter what it takes.¡±

    She rose slowly to her feet, her body trembling but unyielding. The light around her flared brighter, surging into her wounds and sealing them shut. She could feel its strength flowing into her, but it wasn¡¯t just healing her¡ªit was grounding her, steadying her resolve.

    ¡°I still have so far to go,¡± she said firmly, her green eyes blazing with determination. ¡°I¡¯m not done yet. I¡¯ll grow stronger. I¡¯ll grow smarter. I¡¯ll be the leader I was supposed to be.¡±

    Her gaze shifted to the horizon, her lips curling into a wry grin. ¡°And one day, Haldrek¡­ I¡¯ll come for you. For V?rdrheim. For everything you took from me. You¡¯ll see what it¡¯s like to lose everything. I¡¯ll bear their pain,¡± she said softly, her voice full of quiet conviction. ¡°I¡¯ll take it all, so they don¡¯t have to. Because that¡¯s what a leader does, right? That¡¯s what it means to stand on solid ground.¡±

    Mertha stood tall amidst the carnage, bloodied but unbroken, the light around her glowing brighter as the snow continued to fall.

    Her voice, steady and sure, her grin wild, her voice cut through the silence. ¡°I will atone for my failures. And punch deadly holes in each dragon god that wants to fuck with me.¡±

 Chapter 65: This Is How We Train

    The air outside the garden was crisp and heavy with tension. Grass crunched softly underfoot as Klem stood beside Faera, Vektor, and Illyana, his arms crossed as he stared at the shimmering pool of light before them. It had been nearly an hour since the others had gone in, leaving the four of them waiting in silence.

    Klem shifted his weight, glancing sideways at Illyana. ¡°You didn¡¯t jump in,¡± he said, his tone more curious than accusatory. ¡°Why not? What¡¯s holding you back?¡±

    Illyana¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t waver as she stared at the pool. Her expression was calm, but there was a weight in her voice when she spoke. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she said softly, almost too softly. ¡°I already know what it does. I¡¯ve seen it before.¡± She paused, her gaze flickering away from the pool to the distant mountains. ¡°There are... things I don¡¯t want to be reminded of right now.¡±

    Faera, standing just behind her, caught the shift in Illyana¡¯s voice. She opened her mouth to comment but stopped herself, biting her tongue. She respected Illyana too much to pry. Illyana always carried herself with such composure, such quiet strength. Faera didn¡¯t want to question the woman she still looked up to. So, she said nothing and simply folded her arms, watching the pool as the golden light began to dim.

    The silence between them was broken as a sudden ripple spread across the pool of light. The surface shimmered, then burst upward like a geyser, sending rays of golden light into the sky. One by one, the others emerged, their bodies lifted out by the glowing energy, and landed softly on the snow-covered ground.

    Mertha was the first to hit the ground, her shoulders rolling as she immediately cracked her knuckles and neck. The others followed¡ªQuinara, Gorran, Gridd, Yuuna, and Xyenn¡ªall lying on their backs in a line, side by side, staring blankly up at the sky. None of them spoke. They just lay there, their breathing slow, their minds elsewhere as the light from the pool faded behind them.

    For a long moment, there was nothing but silence. Then, almost as if on cue, they all sat up at the same time, their movements sluggish, their eyes distant.

    Xyenn broke the quiet. ¡°What the hell was all that about?¡± he asked, his tone laced with confusion and frustration.

    ¡®That vision I had was intense. Vivid as hell. What did everyone else see in theirs?¡¯

    Beside him, Yuuna didn¡¯t answer. Instead, she slowly reached out and grabbed his hand, her fingers curling tightly around his. She didn¡¯t look at him, her gaze fixed on the ground, her expression unreadable.

    Vektor stepped forward, his voice calm and measured as he explained. ¡°The Pool of Light is meant to bring your goals to the surface. To pull them out of the darkness and into the light. It forces you to confront them, to see them clearly. That¡¯s what it¡¯s meant to do¡ªto give you clarity. Motivation.¡±

    Gridd, sitting quietly on the edge of the group, didn¡¯t react to Vektor¡¯s words. His jaw was tight, his eyes distant. Something was clearly weighing on him, but he said nothing. Quinara, sitting beside him, was similarly quiet, her usual playful smirk gone. Even Gorran, usually the most composed among them, seemed lost in thought, his gaze fixed on some distant point on the horizon.

    Illyana noticed their silence. She stepped toward them, kneeling down in the snow beside Gorran, her tone gentle. ¡°If you want to talk about it,¡± she said, her voice soft but steady, ¡°I¡¯m here.¡±

    Gorran shook his head, his expression calm but guarded. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he said simply, though the edge in his voice suggested otherwise.

    Quinara, however, shot up to her feet, her hands on her hips as she forced a wide grin onto her face. ¡°I¡¯m good! I¡¯m good! I feel pumped up!¡± she said, her voice overly cheerful. The sudden shift in her tone was almost jarring, and Gorran turned his head to watch her, his brow furrowing slightly.

    Illyana shifted her attention to Gridd, who hadn¡¯t moved or spoken. ¡°Gridd?¡± she asked, her voice soft. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    The dwarf didn¡¯t answer right away. His shoulders were tense, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. Finally, he looked away, avoiding her gaze. ¡°Aye,¡± he muttered. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±

    Illyana didn¡¯t push him. She simply nodded, though concern lingered in her eyes.

    Meanwhile, a few feet away, Yuuna leaned closer to Xyenn, lowering her voice so only he could hear. ¡°What did you see?¡± she asked, her tone uncharacteristically hesitant.

    Xyenn hesitated, his eyes flickering toward her before looking away. ¡°¡­Peace,¡± he said quietly, his voice barely audible. ¡°You?¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s grip on his hand tightened slightly as she whispered, ¡°¡­My mother.¡±

    The two fell silent, their shared vulnerability lingering between them like an unspoken bond.

    ¡°Your mother?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I saw her. But I couldn¡¯t see her face. She danced with me and stuff.¡±

    ¡°Cool¡­¡±

    Yuuna chuckled, ¡°Haha, cool?¡±

    ¡°I-I mean, like, that¡¯s beautiful¡ª.¡±

    Yuuna punched Xyenn on the arm with a smile, ¡°You¡¯re adorable, Xyenn. I told her about you.¡±

    Xyenn, rubbing his arm, replied, ¡°Do you think that was real then?¡±

    ¡°¡­I treated it like it was. I know it was just a vision. But i''ll explain what else happened there later. It was a lot. Maybe then you can tell me what happened in your little vision thing, darling.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah definitely.¡±

    Xyenn thought, ¡®I don¡¯t wanna tell her everything that happened. Fighting with the darkness in me that didn¡¯t want the runes of light to be in me. She¡¯ll blame herself for it. I don¡¯t want her going through that again.¡¯

    Mertha stretched, cracking her neck again as she stood. ¡°I feel a little good too,¡± she said, rolling her shoulders. Her grin was sharp, but there was an underlying weight to her words that only someone who knew her well would catch.

    Kivorn, sitting off to the side, stared at the now-closed pool of light. His hands trembled slightly as he clenched them into fists, fighting the urge to move. He wanted to jump back in. Desperately. For the first time in what felt like years, he had felt joy inside that pool¡ªa warmth he hadn¡¯t known he was still capable of. But the thought of going back in and experiencing it again, only to be pulled back out into the cold, harsh reality of the world, felt like torture. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay where he was, even as his entire body screamed at him to move.

    ¡°Not now,¡± he said to himself quietly. ¡°I can¡¯t¡­ I can¡¯t go back in.¡±

    ¡®Though I want to.¡¯

    Yuuna stood and turned to the group, her voice soft but firm. ¡°Everyone okay?¡±

    A quiet chorus of ¡°Yes¡± followed, though the answers felt hollow.

    Xyenn turned to Vektor, his usual cockiness dimmed. ¡°What¡¯s next?¡± he asked, his tone more serious than usual.

    Vektor straightened, his voice taking on a commanding edge. ¡°Those with draconic mana can cultivate it into new skills. The runes in your soul act as a foundation for that power. By training, you can align your mana with those runes, creating abilities that are unique to you. It¡¯s not just about getting stronger¡ªit¡¯s about understanding your essence, your connection to your mana and runes. Cultivation takes time, but it¡¯s the key to unlocking your true potential.¡±

    Klem, standing nearby, folded his arms. ¡°You¡¯ll need it if you''re gonna go against the Clerics of the Holy Branch. They¡¯re stronger than you think¡ªespecially Sugred. Fucking bastards¡­¡±

    Faera nodded, her voice steady. ¡°The Sirens of Sugred are his strongest champions. Some of them are on par with Klem¡ªmaybe even stronger.¡±

    Vektor¡¯s gaze hardened as he addressed the group. ¡°We have some time before we move on to our mission to infiltrate the Sanctuary. It has to happen tonight.¡±

    Gorran said. ¡°How can we be sure we¡¯ll make it in time? Or that we¡¯ll stop him?¡±

    Xyenn sighed, running a hand through his hair. ¡°Tonight? That¡¯s so soon¡­¡±

    Yuuna nodded in agreement. ¡°It is soon¡­¡±

    But Xyenn cut in. ¡°The quicker, the better.¡±

    Illyana turned to Gridd, her expression softening. ¡°Gridd, are you¡ª¡±

    Gridd interrupted her, his voice firm. ¡°Aye, aye, I know what ye¡¯re gonna say. Don¡¯t worry, lass¡ªI¡¯ll pull me weight. I didn¡¯t come all this way for nothin¡¯. I¡¯ll put my gorging to good use.¡±

    Illyana smiled. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Xyenn smirked. ¡°Pulling weight? I bet¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish, Gridd grabbed his ear, twisting it sharply. ¡°Go on, brat, finish the fat joke. I dare ye.¡±

    Xyenn squealed, squirming in Gridd¡¯s grip. ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I¡¯m sorry! I¡¯m just trying to lighten the mood!¡±

    ¡®I wonder what Gridd saw in his vision¡­he¡¯s a lot more serious with a serious looking boring face than usual. Should I pry? No, he might get angry. He helped me get armor that could calm me down from my demonic impulses, he helped me and barely knew anything about me, besides the fact that I was a little brat. I have to pay him back a hundred fold. And he¡¯s one of us, so¡­¡¯

    Klem leaned toward Vektor, his voice low. ¡°According to Illyana, Gridd¡¯s forging and blacksmith magic could help us boost the power of our magic weapons and armor. We¡¯ve got plenty of artifacts that need reforging.¡±

    Vektor nodded. ¡°Good. Dwarves are valuable for that kind of work. Kingdoms break their backs to get their hands on one. We¡¯ll need every advantage we can get.¡±

    Mertha grinned. ¡°Let¡¯s start training.¡±

    Her sharp eyes shifted to Xyenn, and Gorran followed her gaze.

    Xyenn gulped. ¡°Oh, great¡­¡±

    ¡®Shit! I forgot! I asked Mertha to train me, and then told Gorran to train me. I know he won¡¯t hold back! I¡¯m gonna get wrecked!¡¯

    The training grounds of the Holy Branch were massive¡ªwhite-walled, pristine, and stretched wide enough to house several simultaneous battles. The echoes of voices, footsteps, and the faint hum of magical energy filled the air. The Clerics of the Holy Branch, their white robes flowing, stood at a distance, observing the newcomers with a mix of curiosity and skepticism.

    Yuuna, with her usual chaotic energy, stretched her arms high above her head, bouncing lightly on her toes as she warmed up. Her wild grin spread across her face as she cracked her knuckles. ¡°Okay! Let¡¯s start training then!¡± Her voice was high-pitched, almost sing-song, and carried an edge of madness that made a few of the observing Clerics exchange uneasy glances. She hopped in place, punching the air a few times in rapid succession.

    ¡°Boom! Boom! We¡¯re ready!¡±

    ¡®Keep a smile, Yuuna. Man, I miss Draeven, Sethrak and Zyphira. Even my own child with Xyenn. I hope everyone¡¯s okay. And alive. Please be okay.¡¯

    Klem chuckled, his arms folded as he watched her. ¡°Alright, so here¡¯s how we train¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish, Mertha stepped forward, her booming voice cutting him off. ¡°Nah, we got our own way of training.¡± Her grin was sharp, almost feral, and the light in her eyes was equal parts intimidating and mischievous.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    Illyana, who had been standing off to the side, immediately groaned, her hand coming to her forehead. ¡°Oh no¡­¡±

    Vektor glanced at her, his brow furrowed. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Illyana didn¡¯t respond, just pointed toward Mertha, who had already begun shouting.

    ¡°Toughness training!¡± Mertha bellowed, her voice echoing off the walls.

    Xyenn said, ¡°¡ªHuh?¡±

    Seconds later..

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes widened in alarm as Gorran grabbed him from behind, locking his arms in an iron grip. ¡°¡ªWait, wait, wait¡ªwhat the hell is toughness training?! I don¡¯t like the sound of this!¡±

    Mertha¡¯s grin widened as she cracked her knuckles. ¡°Exactly what it sounds like, brat,¡± she said, her voice dripping with amusement. She stepped in front of him, her fists clenched tightly. ¡°You¡¯re gonna learn how to take a punch. And not just any punch¡ª*my* punch.¡±

    ¡°Hold him steady, Gorran!¡±

    ¡°No! Don¡¯t hold me steady! Don¡¯t¡ª!¡± Xyenn¡¯s protests were cut off as Mertha¡¯s first punch slammed into his gut, producing a deep, resounding thud that echoed like a drumbeat.

    ¡°Guhhh!¡± Xyenn grunted, his body jerking in Gorran¡¯s grip.

    Mertha laughed, her voice booming. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, pretty boy? That all you got? You call yourself a fighter?!¡±

    Thud.

    Another punch landed, and Xyenn wheezed, doubling over slightly despite Gorran¡¯s firm hold. ¡°I hate this!¡± he spat between gritted teeth, his face contorted in pain.

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯ll hate it more in a second,¡± Mertha teased, landing another punch. Thud. Thud. Thud. Each strike was hard enough to send small ripples through the air, and Xyenn¡¯s grunts and groans grew louder with each blow.

    ¡°Stop talking shit!¡± he barked, only to immediately regret it as Mertha delivered a particularly brutal punch to his ribs.

    ¡°Stop talking shit?¡± Mertha repeated mockingly, her grin widening. ¡°Kid, I am the shit!¡± She threw another punch, this one landing squarely on Xyenn¡¯s chest. ¡°I¡¯m making a man out of you! You have a long way to go!¡±

    ¡°Guhhh!!¡± Xyenn screamed comedically, his voice cracking as he absorbed the barrage.

    ¡°That¡¯s the spirit!¡± Mertha roared with laughter, clearly enjoying herself.

    Xyenn thought, ¡®Her blows aren¡¯t like any blows I¡¯ve taken even from the assassins. She¡¯s raw strength, and enhanced by Yuuna¡¯s blood!¡¯

    From the sidelines, Klem leaned casually against the wall, watching with a grin. ¡°Haha! This is entertaining,¡± he said.

    Faera, standing beside him, crossed her arms. ¡°They¡¯re insane,¡± she muttered, though there was a faint smile tugging at her lips. ¡°All of them.¡±

    ¡®And yet, Illyana sees them as her new family. These tyrants are the complete opposite of the Clerics of The Holy Branch.¡¯

    The Clerics observing from the distance whispered among themselves, their unease growing as the thuds and screams echoed through the training room.

    Mertha was just getting started. With Xyenn¡¯s upper body now bound tightly in rope, she grabbed the other end and began swinging him around like a human flail.

    ¡°Reaction training!¡± she shouted, her voice full of manic glee.

    ¡°Reaction training?! Are you kidding me?!¡± Xyenn yelled as he spun through the air, his body jerking violently with each swing.

    Gorran stepped in, his Xenith blade drawn and gleaming with ethereal energy. Without hesitation, he began slashing at Xyenn with lightning-fast strikes, each one aimed with precision but stopping just short of cutting him.

    ¡°Work on your blind side, kid!¡± Mertha called out, her voice sharp. ¡°You keep screwin¡¯ up in battle because you don¡¯t know how to handle that damn eye of yours!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s left eye, hidden beneath an eyepatch, had long been a weakness of his. He knew she was right, but that didn¡¯t make the situation any less terrifying.

    ¡®I had messed up a few times against the assassins, but back then, I was fighting by keeping my eyes focused on what side I was facing which kind of messed me up.¡¯

    As Gorran¡¯s blade slashed toward him, Xyenn twisted his body mid-air, narrowly avoiding the strike. He used the momentum from Mertha¡¯s swing to flip himself upside down, managing to kick off the wall and propel himself out of the blade¡¯s path.

    ¡°Not bad, brat!¡± Mertha yelled, swinging him harder.

    Gorran increased his speed, his blade flashing in intricate patterns as he attacked from every angle. Xyenn gritted his teeth, focusing on the flow of the attacks. He twisted his body mid-swing, using the ropes as leverage to swing himself around the blade. When Gorran¡¯s sword came down in a vertical slash, Xyenn used the wall again, planting his foot on it and flipping backward over the strike.

    The Clerics watched with wide eyes, murmuring among themselves.

    ¡°Look at him,¡± Faera said, her tone almost impressed. ¡°He¡¯s actually adapting.¡±

    ¡®After seeing him after what happened here last night with the demon¡­he doesn¡¯t seem to ponder on it. He goes with the flow. Like us Clerics.¡¯

    Meanwhile, in another section of the training grounds, Quinara and Kivorn were locked in a fierce sparring match. Kivorn twirled his staff, the air around him crackling with elemental energy. Fire flickered along one edge of the staff while frost coated the other, creating a swirling storm of opposing forces.

    Quinara darted forward, her body surrounded by a faint blue aura tinged with darkness. Her moon magic pulsed as she unleashed a wave of energy toward Kivorn, the dark-tainted light slashing through the air in sharp arcs.

    ¡°Not bad, new girl,¡± Kivorn said, spinning his staff to deflect the attack. The fire on his staff surged forward, clashing with the moonlight in an explosion of sparks.

    From the sidelines, Yuuna was latched onto Illyana¡¯s back, her arms wrapped around the woman¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Come on, Kivorn! No, wait¡ªQuinara! No, wait! Both of you!¡± Yuuna cheered, her voice filled with chaotic energy. ¡°You¡¯ve got this! Hit him harder, Quinara!¡±

    Illyana sighed, though there was a faint smile on her face. ¡°Kivorn, watch your stance. Quinara, don¡¯t overcommit to your strikes. Stay fluid.¡±

    Yuuna added, ¡°Yeah, stay fluid! I don¡¯t know what that means, but stay fluid!¡±

    Quinara grinned, her aura flaring brighter. ¡°Fluid, huh? I¡¯ll show you fluid!¡± She darted forward again, her movements quick and precise.

    Elsewhere, in another corner of the training grounds, Klem stood with Gridd, who was hunched over a glowing anvil. His mythic runic hammer glowed with radiant energy as he struck the armor before him, sparks flying with each hit.

    Gridd¡¯s voice rumbled low as he worked. ¡°This here¡¯s a fine piece. Ye want power in yer weapons o¡¯ light, I¡¯ll give ye power. But don¡¯t expect it to come easy. Forge magic ain¡¯t fer the faint o¡¯ heart.¡±

    Klem nodded, watching intently. ¡°Aye. The weapons ye make¡¯ll be vital. Illyana¡¯s right¡ªyer skills¡¯ll give us the edge we need.¡±

    Gridd grunted, his hammer striking the armor again. ¡°Edge, eh? I¡¯ll give ye an edge sharp enough to carve through the bloody gods if need be. And why are ye mockin¡¯ my tone?¡±

    Klem sighed, ¡°Sorry. It¡¯s badass. I get inspired easily.¡±

    ¡°Eh, heard that before, lad.¡±

    The training continued, chaos and determination filling the air as the Tyrants pushed themselves to their limits.

    Gridd stood at the center, hunched over his anvil, his mythic runic hammer held steady in his strong hands. The table before him, crafted from ancient tempered steel and etched with faint engravings of dwarven craftsmanship, was now crowded with artifacts, armor, and weapons.

    Klem approached the table, his eight-sided axe resting heavily on his shoulder. He placed it down with a satisfying clunk, the weight of the weapon reverberating through the surface. ¡°This,¡± Klem said, his voice filled with reverence, ¡°is the finest weapon I¡¯ve ever wielded. But if you can make it better, I¡¯m all ears.¡±

    Gridd smirked as his gaze fell on the axe. ¡°That¡¯s a good piece, aye. But it¡¯s got room for improvement. I¡¯ll make it sing.¡±

    As Gridd¡¯s hands moved over the table, murmurs began to rise from the clerics who had gathered around. They watched intently, their curiosity palpable. Some whispered to one another, pointing at the glowing runes that began to flicker to life under Gridd¡¯s touch.

    Gridd raised his hammer, letting it hover above the axe for a moment. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, he brought it down, the sound of the strike echoing like thunder in the room. A pulse of light shot outward from the point of impact, casting intricate patterns across the walls. The axe trembled slightly as the energy seeped into it.

    One of the clerics gasped. ¡°What¡­ what was that?¡±

    Gridd¡¯s grin widened as he turned to address the group. ¡°That,¡± he said, his voice low and rumbling, ¡°is the power of forging.¡± He gestured to the glowing runes now etched faintly into the axe. ¡°Ye see, forging ain¡¯t just about hittin¡¯ metal with a hammer. It¡¯s about bringin¡¯ life to the weapon. The runes I place¡ªif done right, and with the proper artifacts¡ªthey determine the buffs or skills a weapon will carry. It¡¯s a marriage of craft and magic.¡±

    Klem leaned forward, his eyes wide with excitement. ¡°So, the runes... they¡¯re like the soul of the weapon?¡±

    Gridd nodded, striking the axe again with his hammer. Another surge of light rippled outward. ¡°Aye, that¡¯s one way to put it. Each rune has a purpose. Take this one here,¡± he said, pointing to a faint glyph beginning to glow on the axe¡¯s edge. ¡°This rune¡¯ll increase the axe¡¯s cutting power, sharpenin¡¯ its edge with every swing. But if paired with the right artifact, it can also create an elemental effect¡ªfire, frost, lightning. Depends on what ye give me to work with.¡±

    The clerics murmured in awe, leaning closer to examine the glowing runes.

    ¡°This is incredible,¡± one of them said. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anything like it.¡±

    Klem, his excitement barely contained, grinned from ear to ear. ¡°Gridd, you¡¯re a damn genius. I mean, look at this! It¡¯s like you¡¯re pulling magic out of thin air!¡±

    Gridd chuckled, his hammer moving faster now, each strike precise and rhythmic. Sparks danced in the air, swirling around the axe like fireflies. The light from the runes grew brighter with each hit, casting intricate patterns across the walls.

    As he worked, Gridd let out a small sigh, his grin softening into something more thoughtful. ¡°Ye know,¡± he said, his voice quieter now, ¡°this¡­ this clears my head. Always has. When I¡¯m forgin¡¯, it reminds me why I¡¯m here. Why I¡¯m important. I ain¡¯t a fighter like the rest of ye. But this?¡± He gestured to the glowing axe. ¡°This is how I pull my weight. This is how I stand with my clan.¡±

    The clerics fell silent, listening intently. Even Klem, who always had something to say, was quiet, his expression one of admiration.

    Gridd continued, his hammer never stopping. ¡°I¡¯ve been with Yuuna fer years now. Met her when she was trying to figure herself out. Often supplied her old vessels with weapons and armor, but they never made it. And I could tell, she had been feelin¡¯ more and more guilty. I have some kind of wisdom at times, helpin¡¯ her. She¡¯s one of the main reasons why I forge. Ye¡¯ just wanna create something, and add onto it, to add layers to somethin¡¯, and be able to use what you created like it¡¯s new. Each and every one of these Tyrants are like that, if ye get the analogy. And you Clerics of light or whatever, are the same. Ye all got potential, those looks in yer eyes tell me ye wanna venture out.¡±

    Klem sat down cross-legged on the floor, his hands resting on his knees as he leaned forward, listening like a child hearing a bedtime story. ¡°Tell us more wisdom! Oh wise one!¡±

    Gridd struck the axe again, the light from the runes flaring brighter. ¡°Eh, u don¡¯t like tellin¡¯ stories to ransoms I don¡¯t know, but I¡¯ll make an exception this time.¡±

    The clerics nodded, their expressions a mix of awe and respect. One of them spoke up. ¡°You¡¯re not just forging weapons. You¡¯re forging trust. Loyalty.¡±

    ¡°Aye,¡± Gridd said, his grin returning. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m doin¡¯. Me forgin for you guys, show that I trust ye, and ye should trust us. The Tyrants don¡¯t see ye all as hostile, because Illyana trusts ye, so we all do. In trustin¡¯ we can win shit

    From a distance, Faera watched the scene unfold. She leaned against the wall, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable. She muttered to herself, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°This¡­ this isn¡¯t how things work around here.¡± She glanced at the clerics sitting on the floor, their rigid composure gone, replaced by eager curiosity and wide-eyed wonder. Even Klem, usually so stoic m, battle-hungry, and commanding, looked like a fanboy meeting his idol.

    Faera¡¯s gaze shifted to her hand, where a faint white light pulsed softly. She stared at it for a long moment, her thoughts swirling. ¡°What if I stepped out of my comfort zone?¡± she thought to herself. The idea made her chest tighten.

    She had spent her entire life bound to the light¡ªtrained to embody it, to wield it, to let it guide her every thought and action. For years, she had worked tirelessly to master her light magic, to become one with Lancelot¡¯s light. It was her purpose, her identity. But¡­

    Her eyes flicked back to the clerics. They were smiling, laughing even, as Gridd explained the intricacies of forging. For a split second, Faera felt something she wasn¡¯t proud of. Envy.

    She shook her head, scolding herself silently. ¡°No. I can¡¯t stray from the light. Not even for a moment.¡± She clenched her hand into a fist, the faint glow disappearing. ¡°I¡¯ve worked too hard to waste it all now.¡±

    She can¡¯t give into the comfortable actions of the world, or anything around her. Which is what the Clerics were about, to stand on the outside of the world, to be separate from it. Clerics of the Holy Branch, meant to be an example, not act like the rest of the world. Klem never gave a damn though. Even though he acts the way he does, it comes from being a battle mage and how his life before being a Cleric of the Holy Branch Was nothing but war and brutality. He¡¯s still learning, unlike his elder members Faera and Vektor.

    But with Faera seeing the other clerics, even the experienced ones, sitting on the floor, made her wonder. They weren¡¯t just following Klem¡¯s lead, but their own.

    But as she looked back at the clerics, her resolve wavered. They looked¡­ free. Happy.

    Her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed something. Vektor was gone.

    Her brows furrowed as she scanned the room, her gaze darting between the groups. ¡°Where did he go?¡± she thought, her unease growing.

    ¡­

    Xyenn stood in the center, blindfolded, his breathing steady but nervous. The black fabric was tight across his eyes, cutting off all sight. Around him, Gorran and Mertha circled like predators, their footsteps deliberate, measured, and filled with intent.

    Gorran¡¯s voice broke the silence, low and calm, with a sharp edge of authority. ¡°Sight is a crutch. Lose it, and you¡¯ll feel like you¡¯re drowning. But if you learn to live without it¡­ you¡¯ll find clarity in the chaos.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s jaw tightened as he listened, his head moving slightly, trying to track Gorran¡¯s voice.

    ¡°Listen,¡± Gorran continued, his boots shuffling softly as he moved in a wide circle. ¡°Feel the wind. It¡¯s not just in front of you¡ªit¡¯s at your sides, behind you, above you. Pay attention to the shifts in the air. When Mertha moves, the wind changes. When I move, you¡¯ll hear the scrape of my blade cutting through it. Use that. Use everything.¡±

    Xyenn nodded, swallowing hard. ¡°Okay,¡± he said, though his voice wavered. Then he smiled nervously, his lips twitching up in a forced grin. ¡°Okay,¡± he repeated, more firmly this time, forcing the grin away.

    Mertha cracked her knuckles, her pink-and-black flaming gauntlets glowing faintly, embers dancing along her knuckles. ¡°Gorran,¡± she said, her tone cautious, ¡°watch his left arm. That curse¡ª¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Xyenn interrupted, his voice sharp. ¡°Don¡¯t hold back. Attack me.¡±

    Mertha frowned, her emerald eyes narrowing. ¡°You sure? I don¡¯t want to¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure,¡± Xyenn said, cutting her off again. His tone was resolute now, his stance straightening. ¡°Please. Don¡¯t treat me like a kid, please don¡¯t pity me. I can handle it. Either way, I''ll be getting hit in the arm during battle anyway. Don¡¯t soften up on me now, Mertha. Even though I''m not invincible, I¡¯m stronger now.¡±

    Mertha nodded, ¡°That¡¯s what I wanted to hear, Xyenn.¡± She acknowledged the determination in his voice, knowing Xyenn wasn''t saying that to be rude, just to let her know he¡¯s grown since the last time they trained. And in general.

    Gorran exchanged a glance with Mertha, his grip tightening on his sword¡ªa massive blade covered in spiraling eyes and swirling shadows that seemed almost alive. The air around it buzzed faintly with dark energy. ¡°Your call,¡± Gorran said. ¡°Your objective is simple, Xyenn: avoid our attacks. Use everything.¡±

    Mertha sighed, shaking her head before her lips pulled into a grin. ¡°Alright then,¡± she said, raising her fists, her gauntlets glowing brighter. ¡°Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got.¡±

    Gorran struck first.

    The air hissed as his blade cut through it, a horizontal slash aimed to brush just past Xyenn¡¯s torso. Xyenn heard the sound¡ªa sharp, slicing whistle¡ªand leapt back instinctively. His movement was quick but clumsy, his feet skidding slightly on the polished floor. The blade missed him by inches, but the wind from its swing sent a chill across his chest.

    ¡°Too slow,¡± Gorran barked, pivoting on his heel to follow up. His sword hummed, twisting into a diagonal slash aimed at Xyenn¡¯s shoulder.

    Xyenn gritted his teeth. His body reacted before his mind caught up, ducking low and rolling to his left. The blade missed again, but his roll was uneven, and he stumbled as he came up on one knee.

    ¡°Come on, brat!¡± Mertha¡¯s voice boomed as she closed in, her boots thudding heavily against the ground. ¡°Don¡¯t just dodge¡ªmove!¡±

    Xyenn barely had time to react as Mertha¡¯s flaming fist swung toward his ribs. He felt the heat before he heard the attack¡ªthe air around him growing hotter, heavier. He twisted to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike, but the flames licked at his skin, leaving a faint burn on his arm.

    ¡°Gah!¡± he grunted, stumbling backward.

    Mertha grinned. ¡°You¡¯re getting slow, kid. You¡¯ll never make it like this!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s mind raced. ¡®Focus, focus! Mertha and Gorran are faster, and tougher than the assassins, I feel slower because I''m holding myself back. Thinking if I move too fast, I won¡¯t be able to use my senses properly, or run into shit and get knocked around the room. Without my sight, I also get nervous to move. And I hesitate. I move so damn awkwardly when I can¡¯t see.¡¯

    He steadied his breath, ignoring the burn on his arm. The room fell into sharp focus¡ªnot visually, but through sound, touch, and instinct. He felt the faint breeze of Gorran¡¯s movements to his left, heard the rapid thuds of Mertha¡¯s boots to his right.

    The next attack came faster.

    Mertha lunged at him, her gauntleted fist swinging in a wide arc toward his chest. The heat radiating from her gauntlet was intense, and he could hear the faint roar of the flames as they surged with her movement. Xyenn dropped low, his knees bending sharply as he ducked under her swing.

    Before he could recover, he felt the rush of air from behind¡ªGorran¡¯s blade.

    Xyenn twisted his torso mid-duck, throwing himself into a backward roll. He landed hard on his shoulder, pain shooting through his cursed left arm as he pushed off the ground and sprang to his feet.

    ¡°Good,¡± Gorran said, his voice calm but firm. ¡°But don¡¯t get cocky.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s lips twitched into a brief smile¡ªhe had avoided both attacks. But the moment of pride was short-lived.

    Mertha¡¯s foot slammed into his side like a battering ram, sending him sprawling across the floor.

    ¡°Stop celebrating, idiot!¡± she barked, laughing.

    Xyenn groaned, coughing as he pushed himself up. ¡°My bad my bad my bad. That¡¯s all me. Sorry. Noted,¡± he muttered, shaking his head.

    Gorran snarled, ¡°Stop apologizing, it¡¯s gross.¡±

    ¡°Whatever!¡±

    They came at him again, this time faster and more coordinated.

    Mertha circled to his left, her movements heavy and deliberate, while Gorran took his right, his blade cutting sharp arcs through the air. Xyenn stood his ground, his head tilting slightly as he listened.

    The wind shifted. The air on his left grew hotter. Mertha.

    Xyenn darted toward the heat, surprising her.

    ¡°What the hell¡ª¡± Mertha muttered, her fist pulling back instinctively as he moved toward her.

    The movement triggered Gorran to strike. His blade hissed as it swung diagonally toward Xyenn¡¯s exposed back, but Xyenn was ready.

    He heard it. The faint whistle. The slight shift in the air.

    Xyenn pivoted sharply, twisting his body mid-step as the blade passed just inches from his side. The momentum carried him forward, and he slid under Mertha¡¯s swing.

    The near miss brought Gorran¡¯s blade dangerously close to Mertha, forcing her to block with her gauntlets. The two collided, sparks flying as metal met flaming steel.

    ¡°Damn it!¡± Mertha said, laughing as she jumped back. ¡°You¡¯re getting sneaky!¡±

    Gorran nodded slightly, his blade lowering slightly. ¡°Not bad. But don¡¯t think you¡¯ve got it figured out yet.¡±

    The next exchange was faster, more vicious.

    Mertha lunged again, her fists blazing with pink and black flames. Her punches came in rapid succession¡ªleft, right, left¡ªeach one leaving a trail of heat in its wake. Xyenn moved quickly, his body twisting and ducking as he avoided the first two strikes. The third grazed his shoulder, the heat searing his skin.

    He hissed in pain but kept moving, dropping into a low slide to avoid Gorran¡¯s blade as it swung horizontally above him.

    ¡°Focus, Xyenn,¡± he muttered to himself. ¡°Wind. Sound. Tactics.¡±

    He pushed off the ground, flipping backward as Mertha¡¯s fist slammed into the floor where he had just been. The impact sent a shockwave through the room, cracks splintering across the stone.

    Gorran stepped in, his blade spinning in a tight arc. Xyenn felt the shift in air pressure, twisting his body mid-flip to avoid the strike. His feet hit the ground, and he immediately pushed off again, using the wall as a springboard to launch himself over Gorran.

    ¡°Smart,¡± Gorran said, his tone approving.

    But the moment Xyenn landed, Mertha was already there, her fist swinging upward in a flaming uppercut.

    Xyenn barely had time to react. He twisted his torso, the punch grazing his side, but the force sent him stumbling.

    ¡°Crap!¡± he growled, steadying himself.

    Mertha grinned, her eyes glinting. ¡°You¡¯re finally growing into a man, brat!¡±

    Xyenn smirked, despite the pain coursing through his body. ¡°About time.¡±

    ¡®I¡¯m still doing mediocre, I want to be a perfectionist. I want to master this.¡¯

 Chapter 66: Merging With Fire

    The air between Quinara and Kivorn was charged with tension, the kind that made the ground beneath them feel alive. The distant hum of magical energy from Kivorn¡¯s staff clashed gently with the soft, pulsing glow of Quinara¡¯s Moon Aura, the light blue energy wrapping her body like a second skin. The room was wide but felt small in their presence, every step and movement filling the space with intent. Illyana and Yuuna stood just off to the side, their voices lively but fading into the background as the sparring match began.

    Quinara darted forward first, her steps light but forceful, her aura amplifying her speed. As she closed the gap, she spun into a low kick, the motion fluid as moonlight trailed faintly behind her leg. Kivorn raised his staff, the frost coating one end hardening into jagged spikes. He blocked the kick with precision, the ice cracking slightly under the force.

    Quinara didn¡¯t stop. Using the momentum, she twisted her body and brought her fist down in a hammer-like strike aimed at Kivorn¡¯s shoulder. The Moon Aura around her fist flared, the energy condensing into a sharp pulse of force. Kivorn shifted his staff, the icy end dissipating as his left arm transformed into a swirling mass of molten rock. He caught her fist mid-strike, the stone sizzling against her aura as sparks flew between them.

    But the Moon Aura wasn¡¯t just defensive. The moment her fist collided with his molten arm, the energy absorbed some of the heat and pressure, then redirected it. A sharp blast of moonlight erupted from Quinara¡¯s fist, forcing Kivorn to step back. The explosion wasn¡¯t enough to harm him severely, but it cracked the stone on his arm, forcing him to recalibrate.

    Kivorn analyzed the moment. He had underestimated the reactive nature of her aura. It wasn¡¯t just protecting her¡ªit was using his own attacks against him. He adjusted.

    Quinara pressed her advantage, moving in fast. Her left arm swung forward in a sharp crescent arc, the Moon Aura following like a blade. Kivorn ducked low, his staff spinning in his right hand. As her strike passed over his head, he drove the staff upward, the frost reforming into a jagged spike. Quinara barely managed to twist her body out of the way, the spike grazing the edge of her aura and leaving a faint crackle of ice in its wake.

    She landed on her feet, sliding back slightly before launching forward again. This time, her aura surged, amplifying her speed even further. She closed the gap in an instant, her fists glowing as she unleashed a barrage of punches. Each strike was precise, the Moon Aura flaring with every hit, creating sharp bursts of energy.

    Kivorn didn¡¯t retreat. His hands moved in tandem with his staff, his left leg shifting into a swirling gale of wind that propelled him forward. He matched her speed, dodging and deflecting her strikes with his staff while using the wind to twist and pivot around her. He brought the staff down in a vertical slash, the frost end reforming into a jagged axe.

    Quinara caught the motion, her aura flaring as she raised her arms to block. The icy axe collided with the Moon Aura, the impact sending a shockwave through the room. Frost spread across her arms, but the aura pulsed, absorbing the ice and redirecting it. A sharp blast of moonlight shot out toward Kivorn.

    This time, he was ready. His right arm dissolved into water, the liquid swirling around him in a protective barrier that absorbed the blast. The water surged outward, forming tendrils that lashed toward Quinara. She leapt back, her movements agile, but one tendril caught her ankle, yanking her off balance.

    Kivorn didn¡¯t waste the opening. He charged forward, his staff spinning in his hand as the frost end transitioned into a blazing inferno. He swung the staff down, the fire surging like a blade. Quinara twisted mid-air, the Moon Aura flaring as she deflected the strike with a sharp burst of energy.

    The two landed on opposite sides of the room, both pausing for a brief moment. Kivorn¡¯s mind raced. His attacks weren¡¯t connecting cleanly. She was too quick, her aura too reactive. He needed to disrupt her rhythm.

    Quinara, meanwhile, felt the strain of her aura. It wasn¡¯t perfect. Every time it absorbed energy, it drained her reserves. She needed to end this fast.

    She moved first again, her aura flaring brighter as she sprinted toward him. Kivorn¡¯s staff erupted with lightning, the crackling energy surging down its length. He thrust it forward, the lightning lashing out in jagged arcs. Quinara dodged, her movements sharp and unpredictable. One bolt grazed her shoulder, but the aura absorbed the energy, redirecting it as another blast of moonlight.

    This time, Kivorn didn¡¯t block. He let the moonlight strike his chest, his body shifting into pure stone. The energy crackled against the rock but didn¡¯t penetrate. As Quinara closed the distance, he swung his staff horizontally, the lightning dispersing as the other end erupted into a swirling gust of wind.

    Quinara ducked under the swing, her aura pulsing as she launched upward with a powerful uppercut. The punch connected with Kivorn¡¯s stone chest, sending cracks spiderwebbing across the surface. But the stone absorbed the impact, and Kivorn retaliated by driving the end of his staff into her stomach.

    The force sent Quinara skidding back, her feet digging into the ground. She winced, feeling the strain on her aura. It flickered slightly, the blue light dimming for a moment. Kivorn noticed the weakness and pressed forward, his staff erupting with fire on one end and lightning on the other.

    Their clash intensified. Kivorn¡¯s staff became a blur of elemental energy, each strike aimed with precision. Fire, wind, and lightning surged in tandem, creating a storm of destruction. Quinara moved with equal intensity, her aura flaring as she dodged, deflected, and retaliated.

    At one point, Kivorn¡¯s left leg transformed into a wave of water, propelling him forward at an unnatural speed. He spun his staff, the fire end slashing toward Quinara¡¯s side. She raised her arm to block, the aura barely holding against the intensity of the flame.

    Quinara retaliated with a spinning kick, the Moon Aura flaring as it collided with Kivorn¡¯s staff. The impact sent a shockwave through the room, forcing both of them back.

    On the sidelines, Yuuna cheered loudly, her voice cutting through the chaos. ¡°That¡¯s it, Quinara! Show him what the moon can do!¡±

    Illyana, more composed, leaned slightly toward Yuuna. ¡°Her magic¡­ it¡¯s impressive. Is it common for her kind? Are there different Quen with different abilities?¡±

    Yuuna grinned. ¡°Nope, not at all. All Quen were blessed by the dragon goddess of the Moon¡ªSevyini. The Moon goddess shines over those under her light, and the Quen are her most favored. I¡¯m pretty sure Quinara¡¯s got way more Moon magic than she¡¯s showing. But¡­¡± Yuuna¡¯s grin turned sly. ¡°It¡¯s probably a liiiiitle warped because of my blood.¡±

    Illyana nodded thoughtfully. ¡°I see.¡±

    Back in the fight, Quinara¡¯s aura flared one last time, the light blue energy condensing around her body. She charged forward, her movements faster and more feral. Kivorn adjusted, his staff glowing as he channeled all four elements at once.

    Their final exchange was a blur of motion and magic, the room shaking under the force of their attacks. Quinara¡¯s fists became a whirlwind of moonlight, each strike leaving trails of energy in the air. Kivorn¡¯s staff became an extension of his body, the elements flowing seamlessly between each strike.

    The sparring match ended with both of them standing at opposite ends of the room, breathing heavily but unbroken.

    Quinara slumped onto the cold stone floor, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. Her Moon Aura flickered faintly around her, dim and unstable, before dissipating entirely. She leaned back, tilting her head to rest against the wall, her arms limp at her sides. Her thoughts raced, frustration clear in her expression as she replayed the sparring match in her mind.

    Her fists tightened slightly as she muttered to herself. ¡°I¡¯m using too much mana¡­ burning through it too fast. My aura¡¯s unstable¡ªtoo reactive. And¡­ I¡¯m rushing. Overcommitting to every single move.¡± She exhaled sharply, her breath visible in the cool air. ¡°If this was an actual fight, I wouldn¡¯t last. Craaaap.¡±

    Kivorn stood nearby, silent as usual, his staff resting against the floor. His eyes flickered toward Quinara, his expression unreadable, but his mind was active. He analyzed his own performance, noting where he had faltered. He¡¯d wasted too much time testing her abilities instead of adapting faster. His choice to take her Moon Aura head-on had been inefficient. And his elemental transitions, though fluid, had moments of hesitation¡ªmoments she could have exploited if her control had been sharper.

    After a moment, Kivorn finally spoke, his voice low and even. ¡°You can¡¯t control your mana well enough.¡±

    Quinara¡¯s head snapped toward him, her brows furrowing. ¡°What?¡±

    He stepped closer, his staff still in hand. ¡°Your Moon magic. It¡¯s powerful, but it¡¯s pulling too much from your reserves. You¡¯re letting it dictate your movements instead of using it to enhance them. And your aura¡ªit¡¯s unstable because you¡¯re relying on it too much. It¡¯s reactive, not controlled.¡±

    Quinara frowned, clearly annoyed but unable to argue. She knew he was right.

    Kivorn continued, his tone calm but instructive. ¡°Your problem isn¡¯t just the Moon magic itself. It¡¯s Yuuna¡¯s draconic mana and blood. It¡¯s trying to balance with your own. Yuuna¡¯s mana is different¡ªit¡¯s volatile, powerful, and alive in ways that traditional magic isn¡¯t. It doesn¡¯t just integrate. It fights. It molds. Your soul, already tied to the Moon, is struggling to harmonize with it. That¡¯s why your control is poor. All of us has had the same issue when we became Tyrant, until we trained to control it, and Yuuna¡¯s power has been molded and merged into our other magic affinity.¡±This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    Quinara stared at him, her annoyance fading into curiosity. ¡°And how do you control it? You¡¯re a Svren elf, right? You guys are good with magic and elements and stuff.¡±

    Kivorn nodded, placing the staff vertically in front of him like a pillar of balance. ¡°My race was born with that gift. The Svren were created to wield it almost effortlessly, to become one with it. We don¡¯t just use it¡ªwe shape it, guide it, and let it flow through our bodies like blood. You need to stop treating it as something separate from your Moon magic. They need to work together.¡±

    He lowered his staff, his hands briefly glowing as faint traces of elemental energy rippled across his arms. ¡°Mana itself thrives on instinct, but it also requires discipline. Train your instincts. Feel how the mana flows through your body, and guide it to your will. You¡¯ll need time, but once you harness it, you¡¯ll be more effective. Start small¡ªfocus on stabilizing your aura first. Then learn to combine it with the Moon¡¯s power without letting one overwhelm the other.¡±

    Quinara listened intently, her breathing steadying as she absorbed his words. ¡°And if I don¡¯t?¡±

    Kivorn¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t waver. ¡°Then you¡¯ll burn out before you ever reach your potential. And you¡¯ll die.¡±

    Quinara sighed, noticing the seriousness in his tone, and she was rubbing the back of her neck. ¡°Great. Just great.¡± She tilted her head back again, staring at the ceiling. ¡°And here I thought I was getting the hang of this.¡±

    Kivorn tilted his head slightly. ¡°Do you have other skills?¡±

    Quinara chuckled faintly, sitting up straighter. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯ve got magic I save for serious fights. Stuff that¡¯s¡­ destructive.¡± She gestured vaguely with her hand.¡± Sevyini blessed the Quen with powerful magic tied to the Moon¡¯s energy. We¡¯re naturally tough because of it, but mastering Moon magic takes years¡ªdecades, even. The Moon¡¯s tough love, I guess. Mostly because she was afraid of people getting too strong and getting cocky.¡±

    Yuuna, who had been listening from a distance, suddenly jumped in with her usual chaotic energy. ¡°Pfft, years? Nah. Not with my blood.¡± She grinned, stepping closer to Quinara and Kivorn. ¡°You¡¯ve got my draconic mana now, remember? It¡¯ll cut that training time in half, maybe more. You¡¯re strong, Quinara. Stronger than you even realize.¡±

    Quinara raised an eyebrow. ¡°You sound awfully confident about that.¡±

    Yuuna smirked, her tone darkening slightly. ¡°Because I hate the Moon goddess. And the fact that her power¡¯s running through you? That means I¡¯m gonna push you harder than anyone else. We¡¯ll make you stronger than Sevyini herself could¡¯ve imagined. Once you get a grip on my mana, you¡¯ll be able to wield it *perfectly.*¡±

    Quinara looked at her for a long moment, then glanced at Kivorn. Finally, she let out a small laugh, shaking her head. ¡°Haha. You guys are crazy.¡±

    Kivorn extended a hand to her, helping her back onto her feet without a word.

    As Quinara brushed herself off, Yuuna¡¯s attention drifted across the room. Her eyes landed on Xyenn, who was mid-training with Mertha and Gorran. Her gaze lingered, her usually energetic demeanor quieting as she watched him.

    Illyana stepped beside her, noticing the shift in her expression. ¡°He¡¯s progressing, isn¡¯t he?¡± she asked softly.

    Yuuna nodded slightly, her voice calmer. ¡°He¡¯ll get stronger. Stronger than any of us can imagine. That¡¯s just how Jotyin are.¡±

    Illyana folded her arms, her tone thoughtful. ¡°Since the Jotyin seeds were removed from Gabriel¡¯s realm prematurely, his body¡¯s been playing catch-up with his destined strength. It¡¯s only natural he¡¯d take time to reach his full potential.¡±

    Yuuna tilted her head slightly. ¡°What if he lets it get to his head? And he gets stronger and stronger and stronger and¡ªmaybe even too strong for me.¡±

    Illyana¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile. ¡°¡ªI don¡¯t think he will. But I understand why you¡¯d worry. He grew up with nothing, didn¡¯t he? That kind of background can make power¡­ tempting. But we all know him. He won¡¯t let it mess with his head.¡±

    Yuuna sighed, her gaze softening. ¡°Yeah. But¡­¡± She shook her head, her usual grin returning. ¡°I trust him. He¡¯s got this.¡±

    Her sudden chipper energy bubbled up again as she turned back toward Quinara and Kivorn. ¡°Alright, you two!¡± she shouted, clapping her hands. ¡°Fight again! This time, brutally slaughter each other!¡±

    Quinara groaned. ¡°Oh, come on¡­¡±

    Kivorn didn¡¯t react, simply turning his gaze toward Yuuna as if considering it.

    Illyana stepped between them, smiling gently but firmly. ¡°Settle down, Yuuna. Let them work at their own pace.¡±

    Yuuna pouted dramatically, crossing her arms. ¡°You¡¯re no fun, Illyana!¡±

    Illyana grabbed her by the arm, effortlessly hoisting her off her feet as if she weighed nothing. ¡°Come on,¡± she said with a smile. ¡°Let¡¯s go check on the others. You can yell at them instead.¡±

    As Illyana carried her away, Yuuna waved lazily at Quinara and Kivorn. ¡°You guys better get stronger! I want to see blood next time!¡±

    Quinara chuckled, shaking her head. ¡°She¡¯s nuts.¡±

    Kivorn said nothing, already preparing his staff for another round.

    ¡°Another go?¡± Kivorn asked.

    Quinara replied, ¡°Damn right. I wonder how Gorran would react if he saw me kick your ass.¡±

    ¡°He wouldn¡¯t care.¡±

    The air between Quinara and Kivorn was electric, the tension from their first sparring match lingering like a storm cloud. Both stood in silence, their breathing steady, their bodies prepared for another clash. The faint light of Quinara¡¯s Moon Aura began to reappear, wrapping her like a protective shroud, though its glow was more restrained this time. Across from her, Kivorn¡¯s staff rested lightly in his hand, its elemental energy dormant for now, waiting to be summoned.

    Neither spoke as they began to circle each other. The first move was unspoken, instinctual. Quinara darted forward, her steps light but forceful, the pulse of the Moon Aura making her movements faster and sharper than before. She struck out with a low, arcing kick aimed at Kivorn¡¯s legs, the light trailing from her shin like a blade.

    Kivorn didn¡¯t retreat. His left arm transformed again, this time into solid wood, the texture of bark twisting up his sleeve in intricate patterns. He brought his arm down in a sweeping motion, the wooden surface blocking her kick with a dull thud. Quinara felt the impact reverberate through her leg but used the momentum to spin into a follow-up strike.

    Her elbow came next, aimed at his ribs. Kivorn twisted his torso, his staff swinging upward from below to parry the strike. The frost at the tip of the staff briefly activated, sending a cold shockwave through the air as it caught Quinara¡¯s elbow. The frost spread across her Moon Aura, crackling faintly, but Quinara¡¯s aura absorbed the cold, the energy redirecting into a burst of light.

    She didn¡¯t stop. Quinara leapt forward, her fists glowing faintly as she unleashed a flurry of rapid punches. Each strike was precise but unpredictable, her movements flowing like water. Kivorn matched her pace, his staff spinning in tight arcs to deflect and block. The frost end dissolved, replaced by jagged shards of rock that extended from the staff¡¯s surface.

    Quinara¡¯s fist collided with the rocky staff, the impact sending sparks of moonlight and stone shards scattering across the ground. She gritted her teeth, her aura flaring as she pushed harder. Kivorn responded by stepping into her attack, his staff shifting again¡ªthis time, the jagged stone became molten, the heat radiating off the weapon in waves.

    Quinara barely pulled back in time, the molten edge of his staff grazing her aura. A faint scorch mark appeared on the surface of the light, but she adjusted quickly. She dropped low, sweeping her leg out in an attempt to knock him off balance.

    Kivorn anticipated the move. His legs shifted, one grounding itself into the floor as solid stone while the other dissolved into a swirling flame that propelled him upward, avoiding her sweep entirely. In mid-air, he spun his staff downward, the molten end trailing fiery arcs as it descended toward her.

    Quinara raised her arms, the Moon Aura condensing around her forearms to block the strike. The molten energy hissed against the light, but her aura redirected part of the heat, sending a faint shockwave of blue energy outward. Kivorn landed lightly, his staff spinning back into a neutral position as he analyzed her movements.

    ¡°Alright, wood boy,¡± Quinara muttered under her breath, her lips quirking into a faint grin.

    ¡°Wood boy..?¡±

    She charged again, this time feinting with a punch before pivoting into a knee strike aimed at his chest. Kivorn stepped forward instead of retreating, his staff twisting in his hands as the molten energy condensed into a sharp edge. He angled the staff downward, redirecting her knee strike to the side while simultaneously stepping closer to close the gap.

    Quinara¡¯s eyes widened as she realized his plan. Kivorn¡¯s free hand, now coated in swirling electricity, shot toward her shoulder. The electric energy crackled as it surged forward, but Quinara twisted at the last second, her Moon Aura flaring as she used the redirected momentum to spin behind him.

    Her palm struck his back, the Moon Aura condensing into a sharp burst of force that sent him stumbling forward. Kivorn reacted instantly, his staff slamming into the ground as he flipped over it, landing in a crouch. His body briefly shimmered, his left leg transforming into a smooth surface of water. He lunged forward, the water propelling him like a jet as he closed the distance.

    Quinara braced herself, the Moon Aura intensifying around her as she prepared to intercept. Kivorn¡¯s staff shifted mid-strike, the molten edge dissolving into a gust of wind. The wind expanded outward in a spiraling motion, disorienting her as it pushed her back slightly.

    Kivorn¡¯s voice cut through the clash, calm and steady. ¡°What do you think of everyone?¡±

    Quinara blinked, caught off guard even as she twisted to dodge a follow-up strike. ¡°What?¡±

    Kivorn repeated the question, his staff slashing horizontally in a fluid motion as the wind dissipated, replaced by a jagged wall of ice. Quinara ducked under the strike, her fists glowing as she retaliated with a sharp jab aimed at his torso.

    ¡°That¡¯s an odd thing to ask during a fight,¡± she said, grinning as her punch connected with his staff.

    Kivorn didn¡¯t respond immediately, his movements precise as he deflected her blows. His staff shifted again, one end glowing with faint embers as he pressed forward.

    Quinara chuckled, her grin widening as she evaded another strike. ¡°Fine, if you¡¯re really that curious¡­AND since I¡¯m a new member of our little family..¡±

    She spun into a kick, her Moon Aura trailing faintly as her leg collided with his staff. ¡°Gorran? Handsome, but broody. He¡¯s fun to tease, though. I can tell he¡¯s softening up. Keeps things interesting.¡±

    Kivorn tilted his head slightly, his staff spinning as the embers intensified. ¡°Yuuna?¡±

    Quinara laughed, dodging a thrust from the staff before stepping inside his reach. She drove her elbow toward his chest, but Kivorn shifted his body, his torso briefly transforming into stone to absorb the blow. ¡°Psychopathic, bloodlusting, pretty little demon hybrid girl who¡¯s obsessed with that bastard Xyenn. But¡­¡± She paused, her grin softening slightly. ¡°Despite the rumors about her, I actually like her. Trust her, even. Which is weird. I depend on her more than I ever did with Sevyini.¡±

    Kivorn¡¯s body twisted, his staff sweeping upward as a burst of fire erupted from the ground at Quinara¡¯s feet. She leapt back, her movements sharp. ¡°The twins?¡±

    ¡°Zyphira¡¯s great. Outgoing, reminds me of myself. I wanna be her best friend. Sethrak? Total asshole. Can¡¯t stand him.¡±

    Kivorn lunged forward, his staff glowing with electricity as he closed the gap. Quinara blocked with her aura, the sparks crackling against the light. ¡°Mertha?¡±

    Quinara laughed again, her fists glowing as she retaliated with a flurry of punches. ¡°A brute. Battle-hungry. But she¡¯s like a big stuffed animal made of steel. She¡¯s got a big heart, though.¡±

    The fight continued, their movements fluid and intense as they clashed repeatedly. Kivorn¡¯s staff shifted between elements, each strike precise and calculated, while Quinara¡¯s aura flared brighter, her movements growing sharper with each exchange.

    When Kivorn asked about Illyana, Quinara¡¯s tone softened. ¡°A peaceful calamity. I can tell she¡¯s deadly when she fights, but she¡¯s so calm¡­ I like being around her. She¡¯s like the mother of the group.¡±

    ¡°And me?¡± Kivorn asked, his voice low as his staff erupted into a swirling combination of fire and wind.

    Quinara smirked, dodging the strike as she retaliated with a sweeping kick. ¡°Boring. Emotionless. But tolerable. Sometimes I get jealous. Not having emotions seems nice.¡±

    The fight intensified, both of them pushing themselves to their limits. Kivorn¡¯s staff spun in intricate patterns, the elements shifting seamlessly between strikes, while Quinara¡¯s aura pulsed with energy, her movements fluid and unpredictable.

    As the battle reached its peak, both fighters lunged simultaneously. Kivorn¡¯s staff erupted with a burst of molten rock, while Quinara¡¯s Moon Aura flared into a sharp, blinding light. The collision sent a shockwave through the room, forcing them apart.

    They landed on opposite sides of the training room, both breathing heavily, their bodies worn but unbroken.

    ¡°Stalemate,¡± Quinara muttered, grinning faintly.

    Kivorn nodded silently, his staff resting against the floor once more.

    As Quinara leaned against the wall, catching her breath after their clash, she glanced at Kivorn, her grin faint but present. ¡°Oh, right. Xyenn.¡± She let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. ¡°That little asshole. You know, I always joke with him about being a woman beater.¡±

    Kivorn tilted his head slightly, curious but silent.

    Quinara smirked. ¡°When I was pregnant¡­you know the whole situation that happened in Soulcaris. I tried to attack him once in a Bard¡¯s village or something¡ªand he grabbed my hand, pinned me against the wall like it was nothing. Ever since, I¡¯ve had fun messing with him, bickering and bantering. He¡¯s an easy target for teasing. But¡­¡± She paused, her expression softening slightly.

    She crossed her arms, her voice quieter now. ¡°I remember how he and Yuuna fought and killed the dragon god of the Sun to save me. They didn¡¯t have to, you know. Sure, the Sun God was gonna go on a rampage, but they went out of their way to stop that bastard. Seeing them after the fight¡ªhow battered they were, how far they were willing to go¡ªit showed me who they really are. Seeing how much they depend on success, all of you, you all inspire me I guess. Sounds super corny. That kid Xyenn has guts, even if he hides it under all his nonsense.¡±

    She let out a small laugh, staring at the floor for a moment before continuing. ¡°Xyenn¡¯s a youngling brat most of the time, but he matures when it matters. If anything, he¡¯s like the little brother I can bully whenever I want.¡±

    Finally, she looked at Kivorn, her grin returning. ¡°But if I had to choose someone to go into battle with, he¡¯d be the first. No question.¡±

 Chapter 67: 2v2

    The training room was alive with tension and energy, the walls reverberating faintly with the hum of mana that hung thick in the air. Xyenn stood there, panting heavily, his chest rising and falling as beads of sweat dripped from his forehead. His shirt was torn in places, exposing faint cuts and bruises on his skin, and his legs wobbled slightly, though he refused to let them buckle. Across from him, Gorran and Mertha were in similar states¡ªbreathing hard, their own wounds visible but minor. Despite their exhaustion, both looked as sharp and intimidating as ever.

    Gorran, his Xenith blade resting across his shoulder, glanced at Xyenn out of the corner of his eye. The kid had held his own far better than he expected. His movements had become more calculated, his reactions sharper, and his ability to adapt mid-fight was something Gorran hadn¡¯t thought possible in such a short amount of time. He didn¡¯t want to admit it, but Xyenn was improving¡ªand fast.

    Mertha, meanwhile, broke into a wide grin, her sharp teeth flashing as she wiped blood from her knuckles. ¡°Alright, brat,¡± she said, stepping closer to Xyenn. ¡°You keep this up, and you¡¯ll be a badass like me in no time.¡±

    Xyenn chuckled, though it came out strained as he leaned on his knees to catch his breath. ¡°A badass like you? Please. I don¡¯t think the world could handle two of you,¡± he teased, his grin growing despite his exhaustion. ¡°You¡¯re such an oaf.¡±

    Mertha barked out a laugh, her voice echoing through the room. ¡°Oaf, huh? Takes one to know one!¡± She extended her fist toward him, and Xyenn, still grinning, raised his own weakly to meet hers in a solid fist bump.

    Xyenn then turned to Gorran, lifting his fist toward him as well. ¡°Don¡¯t leave me hanging.¡±

    Gorran stared at him, his expression deadpan as he muttered, ¡°That¡¯s gross.¡± He swatted at Xyenn¡¯s hand, attempting to slap it away.

    But Xyenn, grinning mischievously, dodged the slap and kept his fist extended. ¡°Shhh. Just one bump. What are you afraid of? Huh?¡±

    Gorran growled, trying again to slap Xyenn¡¯s hand away, but Xyenn dodged each attempt, his laughter growing louder. ¡°Stop moving, you little¡ª¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re really bad at this, Gorran!¡± Xyenn teased, hopping back with his fist still raised.

    Gorran¡¯s patience snapped. With a low growl, he pulled out his Xenith blade, the massive weapon glowing faintly before darkness and shadows erupted from it like waves of fire. ¡°I¡¯ll give you a fist bump, alright!¡± he snarled, his voice rising to an almost comical squeal as he swung the blade. Shadows licked the air, and the flames hissed as they spread in spiraling arcs.

    Mertha stepped between them, laughing so hard she nearly doubled over. ¡°Alright, alright, break it up, you two! You¡¯re killing me over here!¡± She placed a firm hand on Xyenn¡¯s shoulder, her grin softening slightly. ¡°For real, though, you¡¯ve come a long way, brat. I¡¯m proud of you.¡±

    Xyenn blinked, surprised by the sincerity in her tone. He quickly disguised his awkwardness by lightly punching her chest with his fist. ¡°Thanks, Big Mertha. You too.¡±

    Mertha smirked, clearly amused by the nickname, and gave him a playful shove. Xyenn stumbled but quickly steadied himself, scratching the back of his head. ¡°I mean it, you guys,¡± he said, his voice quieter now. ¡°Thanks for taking the time to train me. I know I can be a handful, but¡­ I appreciate you bearing with me.¡±

    Gorran turned his head away, his expression unreadable. ¡°Tch. I told you I would, didn¡¯t I?¡± His voice was gruff, but there was a hint of something softer beneath it.

    For a brief moment, Gorran¡¯s mind wandered back to Soulcaris. He remembered the sight of Xyenn kneeling before him, blood streaming from his nose, ears, and eyes after his reckless fight with Salazar the Crow. Xyenn had been clutching Gorran¡¯s arm, his voice trembling as he begged, ¡°Please¡­ train me. I can¡¯t keep screwing up like this. I don¡¯t want to keep risking everything like an idiot just to win.¡± That moment flashed in Gorran¡¯s mind like a burning brand, and he shook it off quickly, returning to the present.

    Suddenly, the heavy sound of boots on stone echoed through the room. Klem entered, carrying a large wooden crate with ease. The steel inside clinked faintly with each step, and the faint glow of runes could be seen peeking out from the edges. Klem set the crate down with a thud and grinned, wiping his hands. ¡°Alright! I¡¯m here now! Training has just begun! Gridd just finished forging these for you. FOR US.¡±

    The group gathered around as Klem opened the crate, revealing an assortment of weapons. There were swords, hammers, axes, and other blunt and bladed weapons, all gleaming with pristine steel. Each weapon was inscribed with glowing white runes that pulsed faintly with light.

    Klem gestured toward the weapons. ¡°Gridd used Aethuis crystals to forge these. They¡¯re infused with Lancelot¡¯s light¡ªy¡¯know, the same stuff clerics use to purify potions and elixirs. But Gridd found a way to embed the crystals directly into the steel, so these weapons can cause wounds that heal after a few minutes. Means you can go all out without worrying about killin¡¯ each other.¡±

    Mertha raised an eyebrow. ¡°Aethuis crystals, huh? Fancy stuff. What¡¯d Gridd do, cook them in a stew or something?¡±

    Klem scratched his head, clearly trying to recall the process. ¡°Uh¡­ well, he said somethin¡¯ about heatin¡¯ the steel to a specific temperature, then using his overpowered super cool hammer to liquefy the crystals so they¡¯d bond with the metal. Or¡­ wait, no, maybe it was the other way around¡ª¡± He paused, frowning as he struggled to piece it together.

    Xyenn yawned loudly, leaning on Gorran. ¡°Is this story gonna take much longer? I might die of boredom.¡±

    Mertha snorted. ¡°Ughhhhhh.¡±

    Klem glared at them but pressed on. ¡°Oh! Got it! Anyway! The runes allow you to channel your own mana into the weapon. The light energy reacts with your mana type, so it enhances your attacks without losing the healing effect. It¡¯s revolutionary!¡± He grinned, clearly proud. ¡°Though, I¡¯ll admit, Faera and Vektor are probably gonna chew me out for this. They¡¯re real sticklers about Lancelot¡¯s light and how it¡¯s supposed to be used.¡± He shrugged. ¡°But fuck it. We can¡¯t win if we don¡¯t evolve.¡±

    ¡®And Faera is scared of change out of all the Clerics.¡¯

    Mertha¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Alright then. Let¡¯s put these fancy weapons to the test. How about me and Gorran versus you and Xyenn?¡±

    Klem¡¯s eyes gleamed with excitement. ¡°Been waitin¡¯ for this, Mertha. I¡¯ve been itching to fight you more than anyone here. You¡¯ve got the same lust for battle I do.¡±

    Mertha laughed. ¡°Damn right I do, pussy cat.¡±

    Klem¡¯s tail flicked as he grabbed his axes. ¡°That¡¯s lion, thank you very much!¡±

    In the far corner of the training room, the two teams stood facing each other. Xyenn hefted a large steel greatsword inscribed with glowing white runes that spiraled along the blade like vines.

    He inspected it, thinking, ¡®It looks cool. That¡¯s the only reason why I chose it. And my Dark Sun blade is almost this size. It¡¯s weighty, but not too heavy. I kinda have super strength after all. This is probably the most intense training session I¡¯ve had with Mertha. I remember my first session with her, and we beat the shit out of each other in V?rdrheim. Anyway, Mertha and Gorran have trained, so they would be stronger than before. So I know this won¡¯t be a walk in the park.¡¯

    Mertha held a massive hammer, its runes carved in jagged, lightning-like patterns. Gorran wielded two steel swords with elegant, spiraling runes, while Klem gripped three steel axes¡ªone in each hand and another wrapped tightly around his tail, the runes on them glowing faintly.

    As Klem explained how to channel mana through the runes, Xyenn conjured dark sun flames¡ªblack, dark yellow, and tinged with streaks of dark pink. The flames danced along his blade like living shadows. Mertha¡¯s hammer ignited with dark pink and black flames, while Gorran¡¯s swords were engulfed in spiraling black flames with flecks of red and faint dark pink.

    Clerics gathered around, whispering among themselves.

    ¡°Do you think they¡¯ll destroy the room?¡±

    ¡°Mertha¡¯s hammer alone could crack the walls.¡±

    ¡°Klem¡¯s insane for letting them use those weapons.¡±

    Klem raised his hand. ¡°Ready¡ª¡±

    Mertha cut him off with a roar. ¡°Go!¡±

    The room erupted into chaos as the two teams dashed toward each other. Xyenn clashed with Gorran, the impact of their blades sending shockwaves through the air. Mertha, laughing wildly, swung her hammer at Klem, who blocked with his axes, sparks flying as their weapons collided.

    The room became a maelstrom of chaos as the battle erupted in a flurry of movement and steel. Klem launched himself forward with a powerful dash, leaving streaks of white flames in his wake, the glowing heat carving through the air like a comet. His twin axes blurred as he spun low to the ground, aiming for Mertha¡¯s legs with a sweeping slash. Mertha barely twisted her body in time, leaping backward with enough force to crack the ground beneath her boots.

    ¡°Nice try, pussy cat!¡± Mertha barked, her voice loud and alive with exhilaration. She brought her hammer down in a two-handed vertical swing, the massive weapon cutting through the air with a whistling roar. Klem lunged to the side, the head of the hammer smashing into the stone floor with an ear-splitting crash, sending fiery shards of debris flying in every direction.

    ¡®For such a big muscular woman, she¡¯s fast!¡¯ Klem thought with an amused smile.

    Klem used the momentum of his dodge to twist mid-air, his tail whipping one of his axes in a brutal arc toward Mertha¡¯s exposed side. The axe screamed through the air, leaving a trail of white flames in its wake, but Mertha reacted with near-inhuman reflexes. She swung the shaft of her hammer to intercept, the two weapons colliding with a thunderous clang. Sparks erupted between them, and the sheer force of the impact sent both fighters skidding back across the cracked floor.

    Mertha grinned, blood dripping from a fresh cut on her cheek. ¡°Not bad, lion boy. But you¡¯re gonna have to hit harder than that!¡±

    Klem¡¯s golden eyes burned as he crouched low, digging his claws into the ground. ¡°And you need to move faster, haha!¡± He growled, his voice deep and menacing. His muscles coiled like springs, and in an instant, he launched himself forward, his axes spinning in his hands like twin buzzsaws. He knew she was already fast, but he mocked her so she could go faster. He was definitely enjoying this.

    Mertha stepped into his dash instead of retreating, her grin widening as she ducked low beneath his spinning blades. She drove the butt of her hammer into his gut with a brutal upward jab, the impact causing Klem to grunt as blood sprayed from his mouth. Undeterred, Klem grabbed the shaft of her hammer with one hand, his claws digging into the steel, and brought one of his axes slashing upward with his other hand.

    Mertha twisted her body, narrowly avoiding the blade as it grazed her shoulder, leaving a shallow but bloody gash. She laughed, the sound echoing through the room like a war cry, and used her free hand to punch Klem square in the jaw. The force of the blow sent him staggering, but his tail lashed out in retaliation, the axe attached to it slicing toward her midsection.

    Mertha caught the tail-axe with the head of her hammer, twisting the weapon to lock the blade in place. ¡°You fight dirty. I like it,¡± she said, grinning through blood-streaked teeth.

    Klem smirked, his eyes narrowing. ¡°You haven¡¯t seen dirty yet, muscle woman!¡±

    With a burst of strength, Klem yanked his tail back, freeing the axe and forcing Mertha to stumble slightly. He followed up with a rapid series of attacks, his axes striking from every angle in a blistering flurry of white flame and steel. Each slash was precise, deadly, and relentless, forcing Mertha onto the defensive. She spun her hammer in tight arcs, deflecting the blows with sparks and the sound of metal screaming against metal.

    ¡®Oooooh, I can see why he was Sugred¡¯s Siren. He¡¯s definitely got the skill and control for a Battle Mage.¡¯

    Klem suddenly feinted a high slash with his right axe, and when Mertha raised her hammer to block, he dropped low and drove his left axe upward into her ribs. The blade bit deep, slicing through flesh and muscle, and Mertha let out a grunt of pain as blood sprayed from the wound.

    Instead of backing off, Mertha grinned wider. ¡°That all you got?¡± she growled, grabbing Klem by the arm before he could retreat. With a roar, she twisted her body, slamming him into the ground with bone-shaking force. The stone floor cracked beneath his weight, but Klem rolled with the impact, using the momentum to kick Mertha¡¯s legs out from under her.

    Mertha crashed to the ground, but she was already moving, swinging her hammer in a brutal horizontal arc from her prone position. Klem leapt over the swing, his tail slashing downward with its axe like a guillotine. Mertha rolled to the side, the axe embedding itself into the floor where her head had been moments before.

    Before Klem could pull his tail-axe free, Mertha was on her feet, blood dripping from her side but her grin unbroken. ¡°You¡¯re good, lion boy,¡± she said, hefting her hammer onto her shoulder. ¡°But I¡¯m better!¡± She launched a devastating punch, which bashed Klem in the face, and sent Klem slamming against the wall.

    Meanwhile, across the room, Xyenn and Gorran¡¯s duel was just as vicious. Xyenn darted forward, his greatsword igniting with black, dark yellow and pink flames that spiraled along the blade like living shadows. He swung the weapon in a wide, horizontal slash, the flames trailing behind the blade in a crescent-shaped wave of destruction.

    Gorran met the attack head-on, his twin swords flashing as he parried the strike with a cross-block. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air, and both fighters were pushed back slightly.  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°You¡¯ve improved,¡± Gorran admitted, his voice calm and steady. ¡°But you¡¯re still too reckless. Don¡¯t hail mary shit, you knew I was gonna block it, but you did it anyway. Make each strike mean something.¡±

    Xyenn smirked, blood dripping from a cut above his eye. ¡°Reckless?! I beat Nacht and his assassins!¡± He feinted another horizontal slash, but at the last second, he twisted his wrist and brought the greatsword down in a vertical strike aimed at Gorran¡¯s shoulder.

    Gorran sidestepped, the blade narrowly missing him, and countered with a quick slash from his left sword. Xyenn leaned back just in time, the blade grazing his chest and leaving a shallow, bloody gash.

    Gorran said, ¡°Are you getting cocky?¡±

    Xyenn stuttered, ¡°N-No!¡±

    ¡®I was. That¡¯s my bad. It¡¯s hard to not be proud of myself for it, but it¡¯s slowly blaming me think I¡¯m super awesome. Wait, is that even a bad thing? But he was right about one thing: I have to make each attack count, each strike should have meaning, each one should be treated as a final killing blow!¡¯

    He planted his foot and spun, using the momentum to bring his sword around in a reverse grip. The blade slashed toward Gorran¡¯s midsection, but Gorran blocked it easily with one sword while driving the other toward Xyenn¡¯s throat.

    Xyenn ducked under the thrust and twisted his body, slamming the hilt of his greatsword into Gorran¡¯s ribs. The impact made Gorran grunt, but he didn¡¯t falter. Instead, he brought his knee up, driving it into Xyenn¡¯s stomach and forcing the younger fighter to stumble back.

    ¡°You need to make more blows connect than the blows that are thrown.¡± Gorran said. ¡°You forget I¡¯m a more experienced swordsman.¡±

    Xyenn coughed, blood dripping from his mouth, but he grinned nonetheless. ¡°You hit like a brick wall,¡± he said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. ¡°But I¡¯m not done yet.¡±

    ¡®Make more blows connect, it needs to outweigh the attacks that are released! Man if I was using my Dark Sun blade and going all out, I would win¡ª.¡¯

    Gorran said, ¡°I bet you¡¯re thinking if you were using your Dark Sun Blade along with its abilities, or you being merged with Yuuna, you would beat me easily. And though it¡¯s true that none of us would stand a chance against you when you use your power, it can''t be relied on all the time, fool. Imagine a dragon god or goddess who cancels out your magic or even creates a domain where you can¡¯t even use them. What then?¡±

    Xyenn gritted his teeth, thinking, ¡®I hate that he¡¯s right! I don¡¯t think about situations that could happen. Draconic deities are unpredictable, and with Gorran being older than me, it¡¯s best to listen.¡¯

    He charged again, this time feinting a high slash before pivoting and bringing the blade around in a low sweep aimed at Gorran¡¯s legs. Gorran jumped over the strike, his swords flashing as he brought them down in a scissor-like motion aimed at Xyenn¡¯s back.

    Xyenn twisted mid-swing, using the flat of his blade to deflect one of Gorran¡¯s swords while narrowly dodging the other. The maneuver left him off-balance, but he used the momentum to roll forward, coming up in a crouch and slashing upward with his greatsword.

    Gorran leaned back, the blade missing him by inches, and countered with a quick thrust. Xyenn twisted his body to avoid the strike, but the blade grazed his side, leaving a line of blood in its wake.

    ¡®In swordsmanship, Gorran has me beat! I can¡¯t land a crucial hit!¡¯

    But he didn¡¯t stop. He couldn¡¯t stop.

    The battle raged on, each clash of steel more brutal and precise than the last, the white flames from Klem¡¯s dashes and the dark spiraling energies from Gorran¡¯s blades painting the battlefield in a storm of light and shadow.

    The clash of steel and the roar of flames filled the training room as the fighters blurred into motion once again, their strikes relentless and ferocious. The air was thick with the heat of mana and the scent of blood, each fighter adapting to the chaos around them. It was no longer one team against another¡ªit was a deadly dance of switching opponents, brutal counters, and unpredictable strategies.

    Mertha and Gorran stood shoulder to shoulder as Klem dashed toward them with streaks of white flames trailing behind him, his axes spinning like bladed whirlwinds. Xyenn trailed close behind, his greatsword igniting once more as dark sun flames spiraled along the blade, flickering with deadly intent.

    Mertha moved first. With a battle cry, she launched herself forward, her hammer spinning in a wide arc that aimed to crush anything in its path. Klem didn¡¯t stop¡ªhe dashed low under the swing, his body twisting mid-slide as his tail snapped like a whip, the axe at the end slashing vertically toward Mertha¡¯s exposed ribs.

    ¡°Not this time!¡± Mertha thought, pivoting on her heel and slamming the butt of her hammer down, intercepting the tail-axe in a screech of sparks. The force of her block caused Klem to spin, and she took the opportunity to drive the head of her hammer in a brutal upward swing aimed at his chin.

    But Klem was faster. He planted one hand on the ground and vaulted over her attack, landing behind her with a feral grin. ¡°Too slow, oaf!¡± he snarled, both axes in his hands slashing horizontally toward her back.

    Before the blades could connect, Gorran appeared like a shadow, his twin swords crashing into Klem¡¯s axes with enough force to send white flames streaking out in all directions. ¡°Watch your back, Mertha,¡± Gorran muttered, his tone calm but sharp. ¡°Let¡¯s switch for now.¡±

    ¡°You nerd, I had it!¡± Mertha barked, spinning around to swing her hammer at Klem again, but Klem leapt backward, his white flames scorching the ground as he dashed toward Mertha.

    As Gorran stood, Xyenn dashed past him, his greatsword aimed at Mertha in a wild, flaming arc. Mertha turned just in time to block the strike with her hammer, the impact sending a shockwave through the air.

    ¡°Switching it up, huh?¡± Mertha said with a grin, pushing Xyenn back with sheer brute force.

    ¡°Just keeping things interesting,¡± Xyenn replied, flipping backward to create some distance.

    Klem, now facing off against Gorran, wasted no time. He dashed forward with streaks of white flames trailing behind him, his axes spinning in intricate patterns as he closed the gap. Gorran met him head-on, his twin swords flashing as they intercepted the axes in a flurry of sparks.

    ¡°You¡¯re fast,¡± Gorran admitted, his voice calm. ¡°But speed alone won¡¯t win this.¡±

    Klem grinned, his tail-axe lashing out toward Gorran¡¯s legs. Gorran jumped to avoid the strike, but Klem used the opportunity to leap upward, both axes coming down in a brutal overhead slash.

    Gorran crossed his swords above his head to block the strike, the force of the impact sending a sharp jolt through his arms. ¡°He¡¯s stronger than he looks,¡± Gorran said to himself, gritting his teeth as he pushed back against Klem¡¯s weight.

    Klem suddenly twisted his body, using the momentum to spin and drive his tail-axe toward Gorran¡¯s side. Gorran reacted instantly, dropping one sword to deflect the tail-axe while using the other to slash upward toward Klem¡¯s chest.

    Klem jumped back, the blade grazing his armor and drawing a thin line of blood. ¡°Not bad, big guy,¡± he said, landing in a crouch.

    Gorran didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he dashed forward, his remaining sword flashing in a series of rapid, precise strikes. Klem parried each one with his axes, the sound of metal clashing against metal echoing throughout the room.

    Meanwhile, Xyenn and Mertha were locked in a brutal exchange of blows. Xyenn¡¯s greatsword moved like a blur, his dark sun flames swirling around him as he pressed forward with a series of wild, unpredictable strikes.

    ¡®Keep her guessing, my attacks need to land, each one needs to be critical¡­ !¡¯

    Mertha laughed as she deflected each attack with her hammer, her movements heavy but deliberate. ¡°You¡¯re getting better, brat!¡± she shouted, blood dripping from a cut on her forehead.

    ¡°Thanks, Big Mertha,¡± Xyenn replied with a grin, his sword igniting with even brighter flames. ¡°But I¡¯m not done yet!¡±

    He suddenly feinted a high slash before twisting his body and driving the pommel of his sword toward her gut. Mertha blocked the attack with the shaft of her hammer, but Xyenn used the momentum to spin and slash upward toward her shoulder.

    The blade bit into her flesh, drawing blood, but Mertha didn¡¯t falter. Instead, she swung her hammer in a brutal horizontal arc, the head of the weapon crashing into Xyenn¡¯s side and sending him flying across the room.

    Xyenn coughed as he hit the ground, blood dripping from his mouth. ¡°Damn¡­ she hits like a truck,¡± he thought, pushing himself to his feet.

    Mertha charged towards him, and attacked again, but Xyenn flipped over her, and pretended to swing at her with his blade, but Mertha grinned, ¡°Predictable-!¡±

    Xyenn dropped his blade, and kicked it towards her in mid air, and Mertha ducked it, but Xyenn dropped to the floor, spun, and kicked Mertha in the face, sending her flying and bashing into the wall.

    ¡®Got her!¡¯

    The fighters continued to switch opponents, their movements blending into a chaotic montage of strikes, dodges, and counters. Each clash was more brutal and stylish than the last, the floor stained with blood and flames as the battle raged on.

    And Xyenn ended up facing Gorran again.

    ¡°Round two?¡± Gorran said.

    ¡°Last round, bitch.¡±

    ¡°Calling your trainer a bitch? I won¡¯t go easy, you fraud.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t ever go easy.¡±

    The room was a battlefield of chaos and fire, the air thick with the metallic tang of blood and the overwhelming heat of mana-infused flames. Xyenn stood across from Gorran, his chest heaving, blood trickling from a cut above his brow, the dark sun flames on his greatsword flickering like malevolent shadows. Gorran, as composed as ever, stood tall, his twin swords still burning with black flames and spiraling red energy.

    "You swing too much and land too little," Gorran said, his voice calm but cutting. "You''re wasting energy. Every attack needs purpose, boy."

    Xyenn gritted his teeth, his dark yellow and pink flames flaring brighter. "Yeah, yeah. I get it," he muttered, his grip tightening on the hilt of his greatsword.

    ¡®HE KEEPS REPEATING THE SAME THING!¡¯ Xenn roared in his mind.

    Gorran said, ¡°You¡¯re probably annoyed that I keep repeating the same thing. I don¡¯t care honestly¡ª.¡±

    ¡°¡ªHUH?! ARE YOU READING MY MIND?!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s weird. I don¡¯t read minds. Take this seriously, I¡¯m making you a god of death right now.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re insane.¡±

    Xyenn dashed forward, flames trailing behind him like a burning comet. His greatsword roared to life as he swung it in a wide horizontal arc, the sheer force of the strike kicking up debris and sending it flying toward Gorran. Gorran stepped in, his twin swords spinning in tight, controlled circles as he deflected the incoming blade with a ringing *clang*. But Xyenn didn¡¯t stop this time¡ªhe flowed into his next move with startling fluidity.

    Pivoting on his heel, Xyenn turned the momentum from his swing into a spinning kick aimed at Gorran¡¯s side. The blow connected with a heavy thud, forcing Gorran to slide back a few feet.

    ¡°Finally,¡± Gorran muttered, his tone almost amused.

    Xyenn didn¡¯t give him time to recover. He followed up with a downward slash, his greatsword splitting the air with a fiery hiss. Gorran moved to block, but Xyenn twisted his grip mid-swing, redirecting the blade at the last second to slice toward Gorran¡¯s thigh. The edge grazed Gorran¡¯s armor, drawing a thin line of blood.

    ¡°Good,¡± Gorran said, his voice steady even as blood dripped from the cut. ¡°But you¡¯re still leaving openings.¡±

    Before Xyenn could respond, Gorran surged forward, his twin swords moving in a blur of black and red. Xyenn barely managed to block the first strike, his greatsword shuddering under the impact, but the second blade whipped around in a tight arc, slashing toward his ribs. Xyenn twisted his body, letting the blade graze him instead of cutting deep, and countered with a quick upward thrust.

    The point of his greatsword drove toward Gorran¡¯s chest, but Gorran tilted his body at the last second, the blade skimming past his armor. Xyenn growled in frustration, but his mind was already racing. ¡°He¡¯s too fast¡ªif I don¡¯t keep moving, he¡¯s gonna keep reading me,¡± he thought, his eyes narrowing.

    Xyenn suddenly spun on the balls of his feet, bringing his sword around in a wide arc before dropping low to the ground. He planted one hand on the floor and used it as a pivot, spinning his entire body in a low, sweeping motion. His blade lashed out like a deadly windmill, forcing Gorran to leap backward to avoid the strike.

    Gorran raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "You''re learning," he said, his voice calm but with a flicker of approval.

    ¡°Damn right I am!¡± Xyenn shouted, pushing off the ground and launching himself toward the wall. He hit it running, his boots kicking up sparks as he sprinted along the vertical surface. Flames erupted from his greatsword as he kicked off the wall, spinning mid-air and bringing the blade down in a fiery, diagonal slash.

    Gorran crossed his twin swords above his head to block the strike, the impact sending a shockwave rippling outward. But Xyenn wasn¡¯t done. He twisted mid-swing, using the recoil from the block to spin and drive his knee into Gorran¡¯s chest. The blow connected, forcing Gorran to stumble back.

    Xyenn landed in a crouch, his greatsword already spinning as he threw it toward Gorran like a massive, flaming spear. The blade cut through the air with a roar, forcing Gorran to sidestep as it embedded itself into the ground behind him.

    Xyenn didn¡¯t hesitate. He dashed forward, his fists igniting with dark yellow flames as he threw a series of rapid punches at Gorran. Gorran deflected the blows with his swords, but Xyenn used the rhythmic exchange to close the distance. He ducked low, twisting his body into a sweeping kick that knocked Gorran off balance.

    Before Gorran could recover, Xyenn leapt toward his greatsword, grabbing the hilt and twisting his body around it. He used the embedded blade as an anchor, spinning around it to deliver a powerful kick to Gorran¡¯s jaw. The impact sent Gorran staggering, but he quickly regained his footing, his eyes narrowing.

    ¡°Not bad,¡± Gorran said, blood dripping from his lip. ¡°Byt mix it up more. You¡¯re becoming predictable again. You may have been able to defeat Nacht, but I will be honest with you. Going all out, the rest of the Tyrants could¡¯ve beat him. He was the weakest Dragon god. Victory won¡¯t come so easily in the future. You know this don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Tch! I do!¡±

    ¡®But I¡¯m still happy about my victory nonetheless. I know I still need more experience fighting stronger Dragon Gods, and I don¡¯t plan on running from them.¡¯

    Xyenn suddenly dropped to all fours, gripping the hilt of his greatsword with his teeth. The massive weapon seemed unwieldy at first, but Xyenn¡¯s movements became animalistic, his body low to the ground as he darted toward Gorran.

    Gorran¡¯s eyes widened slightly. ¡°He¡¯s mimicking that damned Lysf?dt¡¯s crystal beasts¡­from Gabriel¡¯s Ladder¡­¡± he thought, a flicker of amusement crossing his face. ¡°Interesting.¡±

    Xyenn lunged forward, his movements erratic and unpredictable. He twisted his body, using the weight of the sword in his mouth to swing it in a deadly arc. Gorran blocked the attack, but the force of it forced him to retreat a step.

    Taking advantage of the opening, Xyenn sprang upward, flipping over Gorran¡¯s head and grabbing the hilt of his sword with one hand. He twisted mid-air, bringing the blade down in a vertical slash that forced Gorran to raise both swords to block.

    The impact sent sparks flying, but Xyenn didn¡¯t stop. He landed behind Gorran and immediately spun, his blade trailing flames as he slashed toward Gorran¡¯s back. Gorran turned just in time, his swords flashing as they intercepted the strike.

    ¡°You¡¯re faster,¡± Gorran admitted, his voice steady. ¡°But can you keep it up?¡±

    Xyenn grinned, blood dripping from his mouth. ¡°Watch me.¡±

    He surged forward, his movements a blur as he unleashed a flurry of strikes. His greatsword moved like an extension of his body, each swing flowing seamlessly into the next. He mixed in kicks and punches, his flames burning brighter with each attack.

    Gorran countered with equal ferocity, his twin swords moving in intricate, spiraling patterns as they deflected and redirected Xyenn¡¯s strikes. The two fighters moved faster and faster, their blades clashing in a blinding storm of steel and fire.

    Xyenn feinted a high slash, then twisted his body into a spinning kick that connected with Gorran¡¯s ribs. As Gorran stumbled, Xyenn followed up with a horizontal slash that forced Gorran to block. But instead of retreating, Xyenn drove his shoulder into Gorran¡¯s chest, knocking him off balance.

    Gorran spoke, his red-spiraling eyes gleaming. "You¡¯re finally thinking ahead," he said, his voice tinged with approval.

    Xyenn grinned, his flames flaring brighter.

    ¡®It feels awesome for him to approve of what I¡¯m doing. Knowing how he is, it¡¯s like a big achievement. Thank you for training me, Gorran and Mertha.¡¯

    The two fighters clashed again, their movements faster and more precise than ever. Each strike was brutal, calculated, and relentless, the room echoing with the sound of steel and the roar of flames. Xyenn¡¯s improvement was undeniable, his attacks landing with increasing accuracy and force.

    Then, Klem and Mertha collided again, and the impact made them stagger back.

    The moment the weapons clattered to the ground, the training room transformed into something far more primal. Klem and Mertha locked eyes, their grins wild and feral. White flames still flickered around Klem¡¯s mane, and blood dripped from the gash on Mertha¡¯s ribs, but neither seemed to care. They were lost in the thrill of battle, their breaths heavy but their energy undiminished.

    ¡°Finally,¡± Mertha said, rolling her shoulders and cracking her knuckles. ¡°I was wondering when we¡¯d get to the real fun.¡±

    Klem chuckled, baring his sharp teeth. ¡°You talk a lot for someone who¡¯s about to get her ass handed to her.!¡±

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re cute,¡± Mertha replied, taking a stance, her fists raised. ¡°Let¡¯s see if those claws of yours are good for anything other than scratching walls when you have a fit!¡±

    With a roar, Klem dashed forward, streaks of white flames trailing behind him as he closed the distance in an instant. His fist shot out in a blur, aiming for Mertha¡¯s jaw, but she ducked low, pivoting on her heel to drive her own fist into his ribs. The impact sent a ripple through his body, but Klem only laughed, twisting his torso to deliver a brutal elbow to Mertha¡¯s temple.

    The blow connected with a sharp crack, and Mertha staggered back, blood trickling down the side of her face. But instead of retreating, she laughed even harder, wiping the blood away with the back of her hand. ¡°Not bad, pussy cat. But I hope you¡¯ve got more than that, or this is gonna be a short fight!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve got plenty more!¡± Klem growled, lunging at her again.

    The room echoed with the sound of fists colliding with flesh and bone as the two fighters exchanged brutal strikes in rapid succession. Mertha ducked under a wide hook from Klem and countered with a devastating uppercut that snapped his head back. Klem retaliated immediately, grabbing her wrist and yanking her forward as he drove his knee into her stomach.

    Mertha coughed, blood spraying from her mouth, but she used the momentum to headbutt Klem square in the nose. The sickening crunch of cartilage breaking filled the air, and Klem¡¯s head snapped back, blood pouring from his nose.

    ¡°Damn, woman,¡± Klem said, his grin widening even as blood dripped down his face. ¡°You hit like a beast.¡±

    Mertha grinned back, her teeth stained red. ¡°You¡¯re not so bad yourself, lion boy.¡±

    As they continued pounding into each other, their punches grew heavier, their movements more reckless. Each strike left bruises, cuts, and splatters of blood on the floor, but neither of them slowed down. If anything, the pain seemed to fuel them.

    Xyenn and Gorran stood a few feet away, their weapons still in hand, but neither moved to intervene. They simply watched, their expressions a mix of shock and amusement.

    ¡°Are they serious right now?¡± Xyenn asked, his brow furrowed as he watched Mertha land a brutal haymaker that sent Klem stumbling.

    Gorran crossed his arms, shaking his head. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t even know what to say. This is insane. We were supposed to be using our weapons. Guess that wraps this up.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re insane,¡± Xyenn corrected, wincing as Klem retaliated with a spinning backfist that sent Mertha crashing to the ground.

    Mertha immediately rolled to her feet, laughing as she spit out a tooth. ¡°Not bad. Not bad at all.¡±

    By now, the commotion had drawn the attention of everyone in the training room. Illyana, Yuuna, Quinara, Kivorn, and several of the clerics stood at the edge of the room, watching the fight unfold with varying degrees of disbelief.

    Yuuna clung to Illyana¡¯s back, her eyes wide with excitement. ¡°They¡¯re like two wild animals! This is awesome!¡±

    Illyana sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. ¡°They¡¯re going to kill each other before we even get to the Sanctuary.¡±

    Quinara leaned against the wall, smirking. ¡°Honestly? I think this might be the scariest thing I¡¯ve ever seen. And ive seen some SCARY stuff.¡±

    Kivorn replied, ¡°I mean, they¡¯re definitely committed. But this feels¡­ excessive.¡±

    ¡°Are you surprised?¡±

    ¡°Not really. Mertha is the kind of woman to do this out of nowhere. Even if it¡¯s a stranger.¡±

    One of the clerics whispered to another, ¡°Are they just¡­ punching each other now?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± the other replied. ¡°And they¡¯re laughing about it. It¡¯s kind of terrifying.¡±

    ¡°Definitely not cleric style, Klem is way too different.¡±

    Ten minutes later, the fight was still raging. Klem and Mertha were both covered in blood, bruises, and cuts, but neither showed any signs of stopping. Klem¡¯s mane was disheveled, white flames flickering weakly as he ducked under one of Mertha¡¯s wild swings and countered with a brutal uppercut that lifted her off her feet.

    Mertha landed hard on her back but immediately rolled to her knees, laughing as she wiped blood from her mouth. ¡°You¡¯re a tough bastard, I¡¯ll give you that,¡± she said, pushing herself to her feet.

    ¡°You too, oaf,¡± Klem replied, cracking his knuckles.

    The rest of the group, however, had grown visibly bored. Xyenn and Gorran were lying on the floor, their weapons discarded beside them as they dozed off in the middle of the chaos. Yuuna was sprawled across Illyana¡¯s lap, playing with her hair as Illyana sat cross-legged, watching the fight with a tired expression. Quinara and Kivorn were sitting against the wall, chatting idly while occasionally glancing at the brawl.

    One of the clerics yawned. ¡°Are they still going?¡±

    ¡°Yep,¡± another replied, lying flat on the floor. ¡°I think they might actually fight forever.¡±

    Finally, Illyana stood up, brushing Yuuna off her lap as she walked toward the two fighters. ¡°Alright, I think that¡¯s enough,¡± she said, her voice calm but firm.

    Mertha and Klem froze mid-punch, their fists inches from each other¡¯s faces. They turned to Illyana in unison, pouting like scolded children.

    ¡°Aw, come on!¡± Mertha whined, lowering her fist. ¡°We were just getting to the good part!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, this is unfair!¡± Klem added, his tail flicking in annoyance.

    Illyana placed her hands on her hips, raising an eyebrow. ¡°You two are covered in blood, bruises, and I¡¯m pretty sure you¡¯ve both broken at least three ribs. We¡¯ve got a raid on the Sanctuary coming up. You can¡¯t exactly fight if you¡¯re half-dead before we even get there.¡±

    Mertha and Klem exchanged a glance before sighing in unison. ¡°Fine,¡± they muttered, clearly disappointed.

    As the two fighters reluctantly stepped away from each other, the rest of the group let out a collective sigh of relief.

    And everyone said, ¡°Finally..¡±

 Chapter 68: New Rebellion

    The orphanage was alive with laughter and chaos, its halls echoing with the voices of dozens of children. Faera walked through the main corridor, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, fingers nervously wringing together. Her silver hair flowed softly down her back, catching the light filtering through the stained-glass windows above. Each step she took was hesitant, her golden eyes darting around the room as she absorbed the life and energy in the space.

    The walls of the orphanage were painted in warm hues¡ªsoft creams and pale yellows, designed to bring a sense of calm. Murals of trees, flowers, and fantastical creatures ran along the walls, clearly painted by the children themselves. Some were messy, with uneven strokes and splashes of color, while others were delicate and precise. Wooden beams lined the ceiling, giving the space a rustic charm, and the floors were polished but worn in places, the marks of countless little feet running and playing over the years.

    A group of children ran past Faera, their giggles filling the air as they chased each other with wooden swords. ¡°Get back here, Sir Hugo!¡± one boy shouted, brandishing his makeshift weapon. ¡°You¡¯ll never escape the wrath of the Moon Knight!¡±

    ¡°Not if I can help it!¡± the other boy yelled, his voice filled with determination.

    Faera paused as the two mock-duelists passed her, smiling softly despite the weight on her mind. She bent down to help another child, a small girl with a scraped knee, and her hands glowed faintly with light magic as she healed the wound. The girl looked up at her with wide eyes, her gratitude unspoken yet clear.

    ¡°Thank you, Mother Faera!¡± The girl said before darting off to join her friends.

    Faera stood slowly, watching them play. A pang of something bittersweet pulled at her chest as she walked further down the hall. She passed a group of children sitting on the floor in a circle, whispering to each other.

    ¡°Did you see that guy with the eyepatch?¡± one boy asked, his voice hushed but excited.

    ¡°Yeah! He came in last night,¡± another replied. ¡°And you know what? I flipped him off.¡±

    ¡°No way!¡±

    ¡°I did! And he got so mad! His face turned all red, and he started yelling about respect or something.¡±

    The group burst into laughter, and Faera couldn¡¯t help but let out a soft chuckle as she walked by. Xyenn¡¯s temper was as short as his patience, and imagining him getting riled up by a child¡¯s crude gesture brought a momentary lightness to her.

    As she continued, she passed by more children¡ªsome wrestling on the floor, others practicing with wooden swords, mimicking the battles they must have seen or heard about. The orphanage was chaotic, but it was a kind of chaos that was full of life, a stark contrast to the silence that often filled the Holy Branch¡¯s halls.

    She climbed the staircase, her footsteps light against the smooth wooden steps. The second floor was quieter, more serene, as she approached the largest room in the building¡ªVektor¡¯s office and study.

    The door was slightly ajar, Faera pushed it open gently. It revealed an empty room, but there was a crystal on the floor that was glowing white. She bent down to grab it, and clamped down on it, and she was teleported to Vektor¡¯s study, which was in its own separate pocket dimension away from the orphanage.

    The room was vast, almost cavernous, with walls lined from floor to ceiling with shelves filled with books, scrolls, and artifacts. The air smelled faintly of parchment and aged wood. A large desk sat in the center of the room, cluttered with papers, maps, and an ornate quill resting in an inkpot.

    At the far end of the office stood a towering statue of Lancelot, the Dragon God of Light. The statue was carved from pure white marble, its surface gleaming with an otherworldly brilliance. Lancelot¡¯s form was majestic, with wings unfurled and claws extended, his head tilted upward as if roaring to the heavens. Light magic seemed to hum faintly around the statue, a soft glow emanating from its eyes.

    Vektor stood before it, his hands clasped behind his back, his shoulders rigid. He was silent, his gaze fixed on the statue as though deep in thought.

    ¡°Vektor,¡± Faera said softly as she entered, her voice tentative.

    He didn¡¯t turn immediately, his focus still on the dragon god¡¯s image. ¡°Faera,¡± he finally said, his tone calm but distant. ¡°Is everything alright?¡±

    Faera hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, her hands still clasped nervously. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she admitted. ¡°I¡¯ve been¡­ thinking.¡±

    Vektor turned slightly, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. ¡°About what?¡±

    She exhaled shakily, her voice trembling as she spoke. ¡°About the Clerics. About us. About¡­ everything.¡± She moved closer to the statue, her gaze shifting upward to meet its glowing eyes. ¡°I feel like we¡¯re abandoning the ways of light.¡±

    Vektor turned fully now, his brow furrowing. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    She sat down on the floor, her back against the cold marble base of the statue. ¡°The Clerics¡­¡± she began slowly, her hands gripping her knees. ¡°The way they¡¯ve been acting lately. It¡¯s as if they¡¯re losing their focus. When I watched the Tyrants train earlier, I saw the Clerics laughing at Klem and Mertha¡¯s antics. The clerics were itching to get involved with everything. They didn¡¯t even ask to watch. They just¡­ came in. And they settled down, like they were entertained by it.¡±

    Vektor¡¯s expression remained neutral, but his silence prompted her to continue.

    ¡°They¡¯re being influenced,¡± Faera said, her voice growing more forceful. ¡°By the outside world. By the chaos. They¡¯re forgetting who we are¡ªwhat we stand for.¡± She gestured toward the statue of Lancelot. ¡°The Clerics of the Holy Branch are supposed to work on their souls for years, letting Lancelot¡¯s light fill their minds with peace and positivity. That¡¯s what we¡¯re supposed to be. But now¡­¡± She shook her head, her voice breaking slightly. ¡°Now it feels like we¡¯re becoming part of the darkness we¡¯re meant to oppose. Even if we followed Yuuna out of Sugred¡¯s watch, we still were bound to the light, because of our power, and our years of devotion. And even after the division, Lancelot didn¡¯t take his light from us. Meaning we¡¯re still useful. I hate Sugred, but not Lancelot. He gave me power when I had none, not Sugred. Though we abandoned Sugred, we didn¡¯t abandon the Light, or Lancelot. You know we couldn¡¯t just throw away our power, it would¡¯ve been taken from us. We couldn¡¯t be powerless with Sugred sending Clerics to hunt us down anyway on top of that.¡±

    She looked up at him, her eyes filled with uncertainty. ¡°I¡¯m one of the heads of the Clerics here, Vektor. Besides you. And I feel like I¡¯m failing. Like I¡¯m betraying myself by not trying harder to bring them back to the light. I don¡¯t want Lancelot snatching the light from them. They¡¯ll be weak.¡±

    Vektor remained silent, his gaze sharp and analytical.

    Faera continued, her voice trembling as she recited from memory. ¡°The Codex is clear on this. ¡®To be one with the light is to separate oneself from the world, for the world is steeped in darkness.¡¯ That¡¯s the first doctrine. The second: ¡®The heart that succumbs to worldly pleasures cannot be filled with the purity of the light.¡¯ The third: ¡®The light brings peace, but only to those who fully surrender to it.¡¯¡± She paused, her voice softening. ¡°It¡¯s like we¡¯ve forgotten everything we¡¯ve been taught. Everything we¡¯ve worked for.¡±

    Vektor finally spoke, his voice calm and deliberate. ¡°Faera¡­ do you feel free?¡±

    The question caught her off guard, and she blinked at him in confusion. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Do you feel free?¡± he repeated, his gaze unwavering.

    ¡°I¡­¡± She hesitated, her hands tightening around her knees. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    Vektor turned back to the statue, his voice thoughtful. ¡°It¡¯s not a sin to be one with the light,¡± he said. ¡°But the longer we hold ourselves down with doctrines and rules, the more likely we are to stray.¡±

    Faera¡¯s expression hardened, and she scoffed quietly. ¡°That¡¯s blasphemous, Vektor. After all, you¡¯ve been a Cleric longer than any of us¡­and you say that¡­¡±

    He turned back to her, his face calm but serious. ¡°Is it? Take Illyana, for example. She stepped out of the Holy Branch entirely. She joined Yuuna. Became a Tyrant. And yet¡­ she¡¯s one of the most tranquil people we know.¡±

    Faera frowned, her voice defensive. ¡°That¡¯s because she¡¯s deeply in tune with the light, despite being surrounded by chaos and the goddess of darkness¡ª.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Vektor said firmly, his voice cutting through her argument. ¡°She wasn¡¯t. Not until the day she was nearly sacrificed to Lancelot by Sugred. That was the turning point. She didn¡¯t find peace through the light. She found peace because she chose to live for herself. She stepped out of her comfort zone and embraced something new. Embraced change.¡±

    Faera was speechless, her mind racing as she tried to process his words.

    Vektor chuckled softly. ¡°Sometimes I wonder if I should¡¯ve gone with her. Followed right behind her and went with her to Yuuna. Maybe I should¡¯ve become a Tyrant myself.¡±

    Faera¡¯s eyes widened in shock. ¡°You can¡¯t mean that! Lancelot will take your power away!¡±

    ¡°He didn¡¯t take Illyana¡¯s, did he?¡±

    ¡°He¡­¡±

    ¡°Unless Yuuna¡¯s darkness immediately merged with their base affinity which keeps it from being taken from them, then that would be a reason why Lancelot can''t Illyana¡¯s light, which is dark light now.¡± He sighed, his voice heavy. ¡°There were times I felt like I was losing hope, Faera. The Codex, the doctrines, the endless pursuit of light¡ªit all started to feel like a prison. Pure luck brought us Yuuna, Xyenn, and the Tyrants. And for the first time in years, I felt a spark of hope again. We did all of this so we could keep this power, so it wouldn¡¯t be taken from us. So we wouldn¡¯t be defenseless. So I am guilty for trapping our own Clerics as well.¡±

    He looked at her, his expression both serious and wistful. ¡°Illyana found freedom by stepping away from the strict laws of Lancelot. And maybe¡­ maybe that¡¯s what we all need.¡±

    ¡°Even if that means we become powerless?!¡±

    ¡°¡­We¡¯re not powerless anymore. We have the Tyrants. And also a stoic dwarf who can give us magic weapons and armor. I don¡¯t think we need to be tied down anymore.¡±

    The air in Vektor¡¯s office felt heavy, weighed down by unspoken truths and years of devotion that were suddenly being questioned. Vektor stood by the towering marble statue of Lancelot, the Dragon God of Light, his hands still clasped behind his back. His hair caught the soft glow of the statue¡¯s radiant eyes, but his expression was far from reverent. He turned to Faera, who sat on the floor near the base of the statue, her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    ¡°I know Illyana stepped out of her comfort zone,¡± Vektor continued, his voice firm but calm. ¡°And because of it, she became stronger. Not just in power, but in resolve, in presence. That¡¯s something the Clerics of the Holy Branch have always lacked. We were bound by desperation, and our goals for tranquility and power.¡±

    Faera looked up at him sharply, her golden eyes narrowing. ¡°We¡¯re not weak.¡±

    ¡°Yes, we are,¡± Vektor said without hesitation. ¡°You, me, Klem¡ªwe¡¯re the strongest Clerics this place has. And yet, it still took all three of us to take down that demon Hathrakka. Do you remember that, Faera? Three of us against one. A current Siren of Sugred would¡¯ve taken it down alone quickly. Klem was a Siren, but his power has been weakened slowly because he has slowly been stepping out of his comfort zone. After what happened to him one day, he hasn¡¯t put his trust in Lancelot like that. Even if he chanted to him during his fight with Yuuna, that shows he¡¯s barely clinging on, but his power is slowly being taken away because of his slow abandonment.¡±

    Faera¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line, her fists tightening further. She didn¡¯t reply, but the memory stung.

    ¡°And if we were to raid the Sanctuary today,¡± Vektor continued, his voice hardening, ¡°if we were to face Sugred and his Sirens right now, we¡¯d be wiped out. Instantly. You know it, and I know it.¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± Faera muttered, her voice low, almost a growl. ¡°I know!¡±

    Vektor stepped closer to her, his tone softening slightly. ¡°We don¡¯t have the numbers, Faera. And even if we did, we don¡¯t have the strength. Not the kind of strength Illyana gained when she chose to leave. When she chose to evolve.¡±

    Faera¡¯s head snapped up at that word, her eyes flashing with anger. ¡°Evolve? Is that what you call abandoning everything we stand for?¡±

    Vektor sighed, his expression weary. ¡°I call it survival. I call it hope.¡± He turned back to the statue of Lancelot, his shoulders slumping slightly. ¡°I need hope, Faera. More than anything. And I¡¯ve come to realize that I¡¯ll never find it here¡ªnot as long as I cling to Lancelot, the Codex, and the doctrines that keep us chained. With powerful allies, why do we still decide to be slaves?¡±

    Faera stood abruptly, her voice rising. ¡°Chained? You think the Codex chains us? It¡¯s what gives us purpose, Vektor! It¡¯s what gives us peace!¡±

    ¡°Does it?¡± Vektor shot back, his voice finally gaining an edge. He turned to face her fully, his pale eyes sharp. ¡°The doctrines you recited earlier¡ª¡®To be one with the light is to separate oneself from the world,¡¯ ¡®The heart that succumbs to worldly pleasures cannot be filled with purity¡¯¡ªdo you even hear what you¡¯re saying, Faera? They don¡¯t make us stronger. They make us hollow. We¡¯re supposed to not enjoy life so we can keep our light? Our tranquility? Fuck that.¡±

    Faera¡¯s jaw tightened, her voice trembling with anger. ¡°The doctrines are meant to guide us, not weaken us.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re meant to control us,¡± Vektor countered, his voice lowering but no less intense. ¡°They tell us what we can¡¯t do, what we can¡¯t feel, what we can¡¯t enjoy. The world is dark, yes. But it¡¯s also full of life. And we¡¯ve spent so many years separating ourselves from it that we¡¯ve forgotten how to live.¡±

    Faera¡¯s fists unclenched, but only so she could slam one against the wall. ¡°I know that!¡± she shouted, her voice breaking.

    The room fell silent, save for the soft hum of the magic emanating from the statue. Faera took a shaky breath, her hands trembling as she ran them through her hair.

    ¡°I know,¡± she repeated, more quietly this time. ¡°And I hate it. I hate that you¡¯re right.¡±

    Vektor didn¡¯t interrupt. He simply watched her, his expression softening as she continued.

    ¡°I was raised by Lancelot worshippers,¡± Faera said, her voice trembling. ¡°Clerics and battle mages. From the moment I could walk, I was taught that the world was evil, that everything outside the light was darkness. I was taught to dedicate my life to Lancelot, to let his light fill me with peace and purpose.¡± She let out a bitter laugh, tears glistening in her eyes. ¡°And you know what? It worked. For years, it worked. I thought I was free. I thought I had everything I needed. I even had power, power that I used to dispel darkness, and help kill witches. Was it really the power I clung to¡­? Did I really end up becoming jealous of Illyana?¡±

    She turned to face Vektor, her voice rising again. ¡°But I wasn¡¯t free, was I? I was hollow. I didn¡¯t realize it until the Tyrants came. Until I saw how the Clerics acted around them¡ªlaughing, joking, feeling. We¡¯re supposed to be above that, right? We¡¯re supposed to be pure. But we¡¯re not. We¡¯re just... puppets.¡± Her voice cracked, and a single tear slipped down her cheek.

    Vektor stepped closer to her, his voice soft. ¡°Faera¡ª¡±

    ¡°And Illyana,¡± Faera interrupted, her voice breaking further. ¡°I admired her so much. I looked up to her. She was everything I wanted to be¡ªcalm, strong, peaceful. But she wasn¡¯t like us, was she? She wasn¡¯t hollow. She wasn¡¯t chained. She was free. And I hated her for it. Even if I kept claiming to look up to her. And yes I did, because she actually ended up abandoning the light, and seems fine, and more powerful. My jealousy when I saw her again the other day struck up.¡±

    Vektor¡¯s eyes widened slightly, but he didn¡¯t speak. He let her continue.

    ¡°I was jealous of her,¡± Faera admitted, tears streaming down her face now. ¡°Because she found a way to be free without Lancelot. She found peace while wielding dark light magic, tainted by Yuuna¡¯s blood. And here I am, clinging to the doctrines, to the Codex, trying to convince myself that I¡¯m doing the right thing, that I¡¯m still... good.¡±

    ¡®Why am I even saying all of this? Growing up surrounded by Lancelot¡¯s doctrine¡­this must¡¯ve been on my mind all along, and here I am spilling it all out. Was I scared to admit all of this out loud? I kept it in my thoughts, no matter how tough I tried to seem in front of other clerics, no matter how affiliated with the doctrine I was in front of them, trying to show off my faith. Was I really doing all that to keep my Light? Did I think if I lost the Light, then I¡¯d truly be hollow? But I would be free..right?¡¯

    Her voice dropped to a whisper. ¡°But I don¡¯t feel good. I don¡¯t feel free. I feel... lost.¡±

    The silence that followed her words was deafening. Vektor took a deep breath, his voice calm but firm as he replied. ¡°Then it¡¯s time to step out of your comfort zone, Faera. Just like Illyana did. Just like I want to.¡±

    Faera¡¯s expression twisted in anger, but it wasn¡¯t aimed at Vektor¡ªit was aimed at herself. She turned sharply, clenching her fists; she leaned against the wall, her breathing heavy. Her nails scratched against the wood, leaving faint marks as she tried to calm herself. Her thoughts were a storm, Vektor¡¯s words swirling in her mind.

    ¡°Is freedom really evolving?¡± she whispered to herself. ¡°What if I end up without power? Then what? This is a dark world, with lunatics like King Haldrek and Ezrael about to go to war with one another, alongside demons and Prophets floating around us..¡±

    ¡®But I¡¯m forcing myself to be tied to the Light so I won¡¯t be powerless, so I won¡¯t be truly hollow. But I feel hollow when I become jealous and gain the itch to do things that other people do that make them happy. Sugred told us that the light will keep us tranquil and happy, but never mentioned desperate.¡¯

    She thought of the Codex, of the doctrines that had shaped her entire life. They told her to reject the world, to separate herself from its darkness. But was it truly darkness? Or was it life?

    She closed her eyes, taking a deep, shaky breath. For the first time, she wondered if everything she¡¯d been taught was wrong.

    After a long moment, she pushed off the wall and walked forward, Vektor turned to face her, surprised by her sudden approach.

    Before he could speak, she stormed toward him, her footsteps purposeful and her eyes blazing. She grabbed him by the collar, pulling him down into a kiss.

    It was fierce, desperate, and full of emotion. Vektor froze for a moment, caught off guard, but then his hands lifted to her waist, pulling her closer. Her lips were soft but trembling, and he could taste the salt of her tears as they kissed.

    Faera¡¯s hands slid up to his shoulders, then down to his chest, her fingers gripping the fabric of his robe tightly. Slowly, Vektor¡¯s hands moved to her back, holding her as if afraid she might pull away.

    Her robe slipped from her shoulders, revealing smooth, pale skin. Beneath the light fabric, she wore a simple white underdress, its straps delicate against her shoulders. Her skin glowed faintly in the magic of the room, a soft sheen that made her look ethereal.

    As their kiss deepened, Faera shed another tear, her fingers loosening their grip on his robe and instead sliding into his hair. Vektor¡¯s hands moved with care, tracing the curve of her waist as he held her closer.

    Neither of them spoke. In that moment, words were unnecessary.

    Faera¡¯s heart pounded in her chest as she stood just outside Vektor¡¯s office door, her fingers trembling as they grazed the smooth wood. Her mind was a storm, a tangled mess of emotions she couldn¡¯t fully unravel, but one thought burned brighter than the rest: *What am I doing?*

    ¡®I¡¯ve spent my entire life believing in the Codex, letting its words shape me, mold me, tell me what¡¯s right and wrong. I¡¯ve always told myself that following the doctrines was freedom, that surrendering to the light meant peace. But if that¡¯s true, then why do I feel this way? Why do I feel so... trapped? ¡®This isn¡¯t who I¡¯m supposed to be. Clerics don¡¯t doubt. Clerics don¡¯t question. We follow the light, we surrender to it, and we trust that it will guide us. That¡¯s what I¡¯ve been taught since I was a child. That¡¯s what I¡¯ve believed since I was a child. But now... now I don¡¯t know what to believe anymore.¡¯

    The kiss deepened, their lips intertwining slowly..

    ¡®Vektor¡¯s words... they made sense. And that terrifies me. Because if he¡¯s right, if everything I¡¯ve devoted my life to is just a set of chains... then what does that make me? A puppet? A hollow shell? Have I ever truly been free? Or have I just been convincing myself that I am because it¡¯s easier than facing the truth?¡¯

    Her other hand moved to her chest, resting over her heart. She could feel it pounding beneath her palm, a relentless rhythm that mirrored the chaos in her mind.

    ¡®And now, here I am. About to do something crazy, something unthinkable. Something that goes against everything I¡¯ve ever stood for. Interloping within the society.  Why? Because I want to test this so-called freedom? Because I want to rebel? Is this rebellion, or is this...?¡¯

    Her fingers tightened against Vektor¡¯s hair.

    ¡®Illyana wasn¡¯t chained. She wasn¡¯t hollow. She left, and she became stronger. She found peace. And I hated her for it. I hated her because she proved that everything I believed in wasn¡¯t the only way. She proved that there¡¯s another path. A path I¡¯ve been too afraid to take.¡¯

    Her gaze drifted downward, her voice a whisper in her mind.

    ¡®I¡¯ve always followed the light because I thought it would bring me peace. But it hasn¡¯t. Not really. It¡¯s brought me purpose, yes. Discipline. Order. But peace? Freedom? No. I¡¯ve been weighed down by the doctrines, by the rules, by the constant struggle to be pure, to be perfect. And now... now I just want to feel something real.¡¯

    She lifted her head, her eyes narrowing.

    ¡®If this is rebellion, so be it. If this is a test of my freedom, then I¡¯ll take it. Because I need to know. I need to know if there¡¯s more to life than this constant battle to stay in the light. I need to know if I can be more than what the Codex says I should be.¡¯

    Vektor moved his hands down Faera¡¯s body, kissing on her cheeks and neck.

    ¡®What am I about to do? Blasphemy? Or is it something more? Something... necessary?¡¯

    He exhaled slowly..

    ¡®I¡¯ve spent my whole life devoted to the Codex, to the doctrines, to the light. I¡¯ve spent years honing my magic, memorizing proverbs, preaching the virtues of purity and peace. But for what? To live in fear? To live in chains? The Codex tells us to separate ourselves from the world, to reject its darkness. But in doing so, we¡¯ve also rejected its beauty, its life, its freedom. ¡®The Clerics of the Holy Branch have stagnated. We¡¯ve held ourselves back, clinging to traditions that no longer serve us. We tell ourselves that we¡¯re strong, that we¡¯re righteous, but the truth is, we¡¯re neither. We¡¯ve become weak. Fragile.¡¯

    His hands clenched into fists at his sides.

    ¡®Illyana saw that. She saw the truth and had the courage to walk away. She stepped out of her comfort zone, and because of it, she became stronger. And strength is what we need. But I¡¯m tired of having to feel like a prisoner just to keep my power.¡¯ He closed his eyes, his voice a whisper in his mind.

    ¡®The doctrines Faera recited earlier... they¡¯re not wrong. But they¡¯re incomplete. They tell us to separate ourselves from the world, but they don¡¯t tell us how to live. They tell us to avoid darkness, but they don¡¯t tell us how to embrace the light in a way that¡¯s real, that¡¯s meaningful. They tell us to surrender, but they don¡¯t tell us how to grow. If the Clerics are going to survive, we need to evolve. We need to embrace the freedom that comes with growth, with change. If we don¡¯t, we¡¯ll never stand a chance against Sugred. We¡¯ll never be strong enough to stop him or any devil. And we¡¯ll never be strong enough to truly live.¡¯

    A faint smile tugged at his lips, though it was tinged with sadness.

    ¡®Maybe we all need to leave in our own way. Maybe that¡¯s the only way we¡¯ll find hope again.¡¯

    Vektor gazed into Faera''s eyes in the candlelit study, his breath catching as his fingers traced her jawline. She trembled under his touch, her heart racing as his thumb brushed across her lower lip. Their mouths met in a tender kiss that quickly deepened, his tongue sliding against hers as she released a soft whimper into his mouth. Her hands shakily explored his chest through his robes, feeling the firm muscles beneath.

    His fingers traced down her neck, following the line of her collarbone as he kissed along her jaw. She gasped when his teeth grazed her sensitive skin, leaving a trail of tingling sensations. His hands found the clasps of her cleric robes, carefully undoing each one as his mouth continued its exploration. The fabric rustled as it fell away, revealing her pale skin inch by inch.

    Tears of nervous anticipation welled in her eyes as she stood naked before him, her breasts rising and falling with each rapid breath. Vektor''s eyes darkened with desire as they roamed her body, taking in every curve and valley. His hands cupped her breasts, thumbs circling her hardened light brown nipples as she arched into his touch, soft moans escaping her lips.

    He shed his own robes swiftly, revealing his muscled form. Faera''s eyes widened at the sight of his arousal, fear and desire warring in her expression. He pulled her close, skin against skin, kissing away her tears as his hands roamed her back, her hips, her thighs. She shuddered against him, overwhelmed by the new sensations.

    Lifting her onto his desk, he scattered scrolls and books to the floor. His mouth descended to her breast, tongue swirling around one peak while his fingers teased the other. She cried out, fingers tangling in his hair as pleasure shot through her core. Her inexperienced body responded eagerly to every touch, every caress.

    His kisses trailed down her stomach, making her muscles quiver. His hands spread her thighs gently, exposing her most intimate area to his heated gaze. When his tongue found her center, she nearly sobbed with pleasure, her hips bucking involuntarily. His fingers joined his mouth, carefully preparing her virgin body.

    Moving back up her body, he captured her lips again as he positioned himself between her legs. She tensed as she felt him pressing against her entrance, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. He whispered words of comfort, kissing each tear away as he slowly pushed forward.

    The initial penetration made her cry out in pain, her nails digging into his shoulders as her inner walls stretched to accommodate him. He held perfectly still, letting her adjust while continuing to kiss and caress her trembling form. Gradually, the sharp pain faded into a dull ache, then a pleasurable fullness.

    Blood had slightly dripped on the desk, and onto the floor.

    When she nodded hesitantly, he began to move with shallow, gentle thrusts. Her soft whimpers of pain transformed into moans of pleasure as her body adapted to the intrusion. His mouth found her breast again, sucking and licking as he maintained his careful pace.

    Her legs wrapped around his waist instinctively, drawing him deeper as pleasure built between them. Each thrust sent waves of sensation through her body, making her gasp and arch beneath him. His control began to slip as her inner walls clenched around him rhythmically.

    The wooden desk creaked beneath them as their passion intensified. His thrusts became deeper, more urgent, drawing louder moans from her throat. One hand slipped between them to circle her sensitive bud, making her cry out softy as new heights of pleasure crashed over her.

    Their bodies moved in perfect synchronization, sweat-slicked skin sliding together as they chased their release. Her fingers dug into his back, leaving crescent marks as she felt tension building in her core. His breathing grew ragged against her neck, his control fraying with each passing moment.

    Minutes later, They remained joined as their breathing slowly returned to normal, trading soft kisses and gentle caresses. Tears of joy and overwhelming emotion replaced her earlier ones of pain and fear. He carefully withdrew from her body, gathering her into his arms as she winced slightly at the movement.

    The candles had burned low, casting dancing shadows across their entwined forms as they held each other close. Her head rested on his chest, listening to his heartbeat as it gradually slowed. Their first joining had forever changed them both, creating an unbreakable bond that transcended the physical act itself.

 Chapter 69: Paint The Forest Red

    The training grounds had settled into a calm hush. The earlier chaos of drills, sparring, and madness had faded, leaving the Tyrants sprawled out across the pristine white floors, their breaths heavy and their bodies aching. The Clerics who had been watching earlier had dispersed, leaving the group to their exhaustion.

    Xyenn lay flat on his back, his arms spread wide as he stared blankly at the ceiling, his body still tense. His chest rose and fell slowly, his hair damp with sweat, and his legs twitched occasionally as if still feeling the phantom swings of Mertha¡¯s blows and Gorran¡¯s slashes. Beside him, Gorran stretched out with quiet composure, his Xenith blade resting beside him. Unlike Xyenn, he didn¡¯t look completely wrecked¡ªjust tired, as though the day had been draining in a way that wasn¡¯t entirely physical.

    Their moment of peace was interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps approaching. Xyenn tilted his head slightly, groaning. ¡°Oh no¡­¡±

    Gridd¡¯s stocky figure appeared over them, his runic hammer slung over his shoulder, his beard still glowing faintly from the forge magic he had used earlier. His sharp, dwarven eyes scanned the two of them, and his lips curled into an amused smirk.

    ¡°Ye lads done already?¡± Gridd asked, his voice carrying that unmistakable dwarven roughness. ¡°Hope this ain¡¯t all ye¡¯ve got.¡±

    Xyenn groaned, forcing himself to sit up slightly, his arms trembling from the effort. ¡°Done? Me? Never. I can keep going!¡± He pushed himself into a shaky seated position, his usual grin faltering as his muscles screamed in protest.

    Before he could fully get up, Gridd stomped down on Xyenn¡¯s chest, pinning him to the ground with his thick boot. Xyenn squirmed, his hands gripping at Gridd¡¯s leg as he let out a comical squeal. ¡°Move your dwarf leg, you walking brick wall!¡±

    Gridd didn¡¯t budge, his weight holding Xyenn firmly in place. ¡°Yer in no condition to train anymore, brat. Stay down before ye embarrass yerself further. I was jokin¡¯ witcha.¡±

    Xyenn flailed under the pressure, his face contorted in frustration. ¡°I¡¯m not embarrassed! I¡¯m just¡­ recovering!¡±

    Gridd smirked and leaned forward slightly, adding just enough pressure to make Xyenn groan louder. ¡°Recoverin¡¯, eh? Ye¡¯ll recover just fine layin¡¯ there. Don¡¯t make me knock ye out meself.¡±

    Gorran chuckled softly beside them, shaking his head. ¡°You¡¯re really enjoying this, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Aye,¡± Gridd replied. ¡°More than ye know.¡±

    Xyenn let out an exaggerated sigh, still pinned to the ground but finally giving up. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll stay down. Happy now?¡±

    Gridd lifted his boot, and Xyenn immediately rolled onto his side, rubbing his chest. ¡°Damn dwarves¡­¡± he muttered under his breath.

    Gorran turned his head slightly, his gaze shifting to Xyenn. His voice was quieter now, more thoughtful. ¡°Xyenn¡­¡±

    Xyenn stopped grumbling and looked over, his brow furrowing. ¡°What?¡±

    Gorran hesitated, his usual confidence replaced by something subtler, more vulnerable. He stared at Xyenn for a long moment before finally speaking. ¡°What¡¯s the feeling you get¡­ when you save people?¡±

    Xyenn blinked, caught off guard by the question. He pushed himself up onto his elbows, his expression shifting to one of curiosity. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡®Gorran? THE Gorran asking me a question like this randomly?¡¯

    ¡°When you spared Nacht,¡± Gorran clarified. ¡°Even after he tried to kill you. Tried to take your body. Or when you save others. What¡¯s the feeling? What¡¯s the name of it?¡±

    Gridd leaned against the wall, his interest clearly piqued. His sharp eyes flicked between Gorran and Xyenn, silently waiting for the answer.

    Xyenn sat up fully now, his face unusually serious. He thought for a moment, his gaze dropping to the floor as he tried to find the words. When he finally spoke, his voice was slow and deliberate. ¡°Like vengeance.¡±

    Both Gorran and Gridd stiffened at the word. Gorran¡¯s brow furrowed, and Gridd tilted his head slightly, intrigued but clearly confused.

    Xyenn continued, sensing their reactions. ¡°It¡¯s not like being a hero. Or a savior. I know that when I save people, they might see me that way, but that¡¯s not how it feels to me. It feels¡­ like vengeance. Like I¡¯m striking back at the dragon gods for all the suffering they¡¯ve caused. Like I¡¯m avenging the people who¡¯ve been oppressed, hurt, or killed by their cruelty.¡±

    Gridd folded his arms, his expression unreadable. ¡°Vengeance, eh?¡±

    Xyenn nodded. ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s not about being noble or righteous. It¡¯s about balance. Every time I save someone, it feels like I¡¯m resisting the temptation to become a monster myself. Like I¡¯m reminding myself that there¡¯s another way. I feel like¡­ like I¡¯m the harbinger of vengeance. Or maybe¡­ maybe I¡¯m just caring.¡±

    At the word ¡°caring,¡± Gorran flinched subtly, his jaw tightening. He looked away, his mind drifting.

    ¡°C-Caring?!¡±

    ¡®That can¡¯t be me, right¡­?¡¯ Gorran thought.

    Xyenn tilted his head. ¡°What? Did I say something wrong?¡±

    Gorran shook his head, exhaling slowly. ¡°No. It¡¯s just¡­ I didn¡¯t see myself as someone who cares. Not for anyone but myself.¡±

    But even as he said it, memories flashed in his mind. Training with Xyenn. Fighting alongside the Tyrants. The battle against the Lysf?dt¡¯s crystal beasts. The people he had saved in Soulcaris from the Sun-Drake¡¯s berserkers. And that moment a month ago, when he could have killed Xyenn in his sleep¡ªbut didn¡¯t.

    Gorran sighed and sat up, running a hand through his hair. ¡°Back in the Pool of Light¡­ I saw something. A vision.¡±

    Xyenn and Gridd exchanged a glance but stayed quiet, letting Gorran continue.

    ¡°I saw myself saving people. Over and over. And watering flowers.¡± He scoffed, shaking his head. ¡°I still don¡¯t get what the hell the flowers were about. But I was chasing you, Xyenn. I wanted to talk to you. But I didn¡¯t. I held back. Maybe because I¡¯m too damn prideful to ask you what saving people means. Maybe I didn¡¯t want to seem¡­ soft.¡±

    He paused, then shrugged. ¡°But now I¡¯ve asked. And I feel better for it.¡± His voice hardened slightly. ¡°Don¡¯t tell anyone I told you this. Either of you. Or I¡¯ll kill you both.¡±

    Xyenn stared at him, his mouth slightly open in shock. ¡°No way¡­is this¡­CHARACTER DEVE¡ª¡°¡±

    ¡°¡ªShut it,¡± Gorran interrupted, glaring at him.  ¡°But I¡¯m serious.¡±

    Gridd, meanwhile, stroked his beard thoughtfully, his expression calm. ¡°The flowers, eh?¡±

    Gorran glanced at him, his brow furrowing. ¡°What about them?¡±

    Gridd¡¯s voice took on a thoughtful tone, his dwarven accent adding weight to his words. ¡°Flowers grow where there¡¯s care, lad. But they don¡¯t grow easy. They need work. Water. Sunlight. Effort. Ye say ye don¡¯t care for anyone, but maybe that¡¯s the point. Maybe ye¡¯ve spent so much time wrapped up in yer own pride, ye never thought about what ye could grow if ye stopped bein¡¯ so selfish.¡±

    Gorran¡¯s jaw tightened, clearly insulted, but Gridd kept going, his tone unwavering.

    ¡°I know yer past, Gorran. Ye grew up with the Xenith clan. A prodigy assassin. A child praised for yer talent, spoiled by the attention. It got to yer head. Turned ye selfish, arrogant. That pride rotted ye from the inside out.¡±

    Gorran flinched, his hands clenching into fists.

    But Gridd didn¡¯t stop. ¡°Maybe those flowers mean somethin¡¯. Maybe they¡¯re tellin¡¯ ye to start growin¡¯ somethin¡¯ better. Somethin¡¯ worth savin¡¯. And maybe, just maybe, that starts with ye askin¡¯ what it means to care.¡±

    The silence that followed was heavy. Gorran looked away, his jaw tight, but he didn¡¯t argue. He knew Gridd was right, even if he hated to admit it.

    Finally, Gorran sat up fully, his gaze fixed on the floor. ¡°You don¡¯t tell me what to do, Gridd. But¡­ I¡¯ll give it a try. No promises.¡±

    Gridd smirked. ¡°That¡¯s more than enough, lad.¡±

    Xyenn, still staring at Gorran in disbelief, let out a quiet laugh. ¡°You¡¯re a completely different person from when I first met you. We used to hate each other.¡±

    Gorran shot him a sharp glare. ¡°Don¡¯t get used to it.¡±

    ¡°Thanks for actually talking to me about it. Guess you¡¯re not such a wuss after all.¡±

    ¡°Huh?! I¡¯ll end you!¡± Gorran scoffed as he immediately noticed Xyenn was just playing with him.

    Xyenn adjusted himself on the ground, leaning back on his palms as he looked over at Gridd. Gorran sat beside him, arms crossed, his typical stoic demeanor in place. Xyenn hesitated for a moment, then tilted his head toward the dwarf.

    ¡°Hey, Gridd,¡± he said cautiously. ¡°What about you? What did you see in the pool? If you don¡¯t mind me asking. Don¡¯t step on me again¡­¡±

    Gridd immediately squinted at him, his thick brows drawing together. ¡°What¡¯d I see, eh? Ye wanna know what I saw, brat?¡± His voice carried a sharp edge, his tone almost scolding.

    Xyenn flinched, his hands flying up in front of him defensively. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to pry! Just curious, that¡¯s all!¡± He quickly scooted closer to Gorran, hiding behind the larger man like a child seeking protection. ¡°Gorran, help me out here!¡±  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    Gorran didn¡¯t even bother looking at Xyenn, his arms still crossed as he scoffed. ¡°You¡¯re pathetic.¡±

    Gridd stared at the two of them for a long moment, his expression stern. Then, suddenly, he let out a loud, boisterous laugh. ¡°Bahaha! I¡¯m just pullin¡¯ yer leg, lad. Ye don¡¯t need to hide behind big broody there.¡±

    Xyenn peeked out from behind Gorran.

    Gridd chuckled again, shaking his head, he leaned his hammer against the wall and sat down on the floor with a heavy thud, his expression growing serious. ¡°But if ye really want t¡¯ know, I¡¯ll tell ye.¡±

    Xyenn straightened, his curiosity reignited. ¡°What did you see?¡±

    Gridd¡¯s voice softened slightly, his gaze distant. ¡°I saw¡­ death.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes widened, and he let out a small gasp. Even Gorran¡¯s stoic facade faltered slightly as he glanced at the dwarf.

    Gridd leaned back against the wall, his posture heavy with the weight of his words. ¡°Aye. Death. But not just any death¡ªit was my own.¡±

    Xyenn stayed silent, his playful demeanor fading as he listened intently.

    Gridd thought, ¡®I guess this would be the perfect time to let these lads know..¡¯

    Gridd inhaled deeply, his voice quieter now, almost reverent. ¡°It¡¯s tied t¡¯ my past. T¡¯ mistakes I made¡­ mistakes I can¡¯t undo. Ye see, once upon a time, I had a son. A boy who was everythin¡¯ t¡¯ me and my wife. He was the miracle we¡¯d prayed for, fought for, waited for. But¡­¡± He paused, his jaw tightening. ¡°He¡¯s gone now. And his death¡¯s been hauntin¡¯ me ever since.¡±

    Xyenn blinked, taken aback. ¡°A son..¡±

    Gridd nodded slowly. ¡°Aye. And I failed him, lad. Failed him as a father, failed him as a man. Let me tell ye the tale, so ye understand why I saw what I saw in that damn pool¡­¡±

    He shifted, resting his elbows on his knees as his voice grew heavier. ¡°When me first wife was alive, we struggled for years t¡¯ have a child. She had trouble carryin¡¯, ye see. We tried everythin¡¯¡ªprayers, potions, rituals. She even considered turnin¡¯ t¡¯ another dragon god for help, Freina, the goddess of birth, fertility, and motherhood. But I couldn¡¯t let her do it. I was already bound t¡¯ the dragon god of the forge. Breakin¡¯ that bond would¡¯ve been a death sentence for me¡ªand for her.¡±

    His hands clenched into fists as he continued. ¡°But then, miraculously, after years of heartbreak, we finally had a son. He was our greatest joy. Our miracle. I was so damn happy t¡¯ have a son that I spoiled him rotten. I spared the rod too many times, turned a blind eye to his faults. I thought, ¡®He¡¯ll grow out of it. He¡¯s just a lad.¡¯ Like ye are, Xyenn. Shows why I¡¯m so hard on ye at times. But I was a fool, ignorant of the damage I was doin¡¯.¡±

    Gridd¡¯s voice cracked slightly, but he pressed on. ¡°As he got older, he started mixin¡¯ with humans. That was banned in our clan back then¡ªthe humans were trouble, outsiders, forbidden. But my boy¡­ he grew prideful. Arrogant. He wanted more¡ªmoney, influence, wanted to explore. He started stealin¡¯ weapons and armor forged by me and the other clan members, sellin¡¯ them off t¡¯ humans. He wasn¡¯t even good at forgin¡¯. Too young, too inexperienced. But he didn¡¯t care about the craft¡ªhe cared about the gold it brought him.¡±

    Xyenn frowned, his brow furrowing. ¡°What¡­ what did you do?¡±

    Gridd let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. ¡°What did I do? Nothin¡¯. I scolded him, aye. Warned him. But every time he said, ¡®I¡¯ll never do it again,¡¯ I believed him. Trusted his words. And every time, he lied t¡¯ me. I was too soft on him. Too blind t¡¯ see what he was becomin¡¯.¡±

    His voice grew darker, his fists tightening. ¡°Then one day, he got in over his head. He tried t¡¯ cheat a group o¡¯ bandits out o¡¯ their gold. Thought he was clever enough t¡¯ pull it off. But he wasn¡¯t. They killed him. Cut him down like he was nothin¡¯. When I found out¡­¡± His voice broke slightly, and he took a deep breath before continuing. ¡°When I found out, it destroyed me. Destroyed me wife. She fell ill not long after. Refused t¡¯ be healed. Said she didn¡¯t want t¡¯ live in a world without him. She was bed-ridden for weeks, and then she was gone, too.¡±

    The room was silent, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air.

    Gridd¡¯s voice turned sharp, bitter. ¡°I went after those bandits. Gathered human mercenaries t¡¯ help me track them down. Killed every last one of them. But it didn¡¯t bring me peace. Didn¡¯t bring me boy back. And it didn¡¯t bring me wife back either.¡±

    He leaned back, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. ¡°That¡¯s why I saw death in the pool. It¡¯s been followin¡¯ me ever since. I¡¯ve been carryin¡¯ it with me, like a shadow I can¡¯t shake.¡±

    Xyenn was speechless, his usual energy completely gone as he stared at the dwarf. Even Gorran, who rarely showed emotion, looked somber.

    Gridd looked at the two of them, his expression softening slightly. ¡°But maybe¡­ maybe the pool was tryin¡¯ t¡¯ tell me somethin¡¯. Maybe it wasn¡¯t just about my death. Maybe it was about lettin¡¯ go of the past. About findin¡¯ somethin¡¯ worth livin¡¯ for again.¡±

    He sighed, running a hand through his beard. ¡°I dunno. I¡¯m still figurin¡¯ it out. But if there¡¯s one thing I¡¯ve learned, it¡¯s this¡ªdon¡¯t make the same mistake I did. Don¡¯t let pride or fear blind ye to what really matters.¡±

    The room was quiet for a long moment before Gorran finally spoke, his voice low and gruff. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ heavy.¡±

    Gridd smirked faintly, though his eyes remained serious. ¡°Aye. Life¡¯s heavy, lad. But we carry it anyway.¡±

    Xyenn, still processing everything, muttered, ¡°You¡¯re¡­ a lot deeper than I expected, Gridd.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t get used to it, brat,¡± Gridd replied, his smirk widening.  ¡°That day¡­that day when I got revenge..¡±

    (FLASHBACK)

    The moon hung high and cold in the black sky, its pale light casting jagged shadows across the sprawling bandit camp nestled in the heart of the forest. The distant crackle of campfires and drunken laughter echoed faintly, unaware of the storm about to descend upon them. Gridd stood at the edge of the clearing alongside his four mercenaries, his body rigid and his face grim beneath the faint glow of his rune-forged armor. Every carved line in the plate thrummed faintly with power, as if the runes themselves were angry, sharing in his fury. His left arm bore the weight of a massive crossbow affixed to his gauntlet, its edges jagged and brutal, carved meticulously with dwarven runes. At his side, his battle ax hung ominously, its blackened surface sparking faint streaks of dark electricity that hissed like whispering serpents.

    The mercenaries around him shared the same grim energy. Varnok Thaldriss, the towering human tank, rolled his tree-trunk shoulders as his massive hammer rested against the earth. The weapon was monstrous, inscribed with crests that pulsed faintly, promising carnage with every swing. His bald head shone faintly in the moonlight, and his scarred face twisted into a grin that showed yellowed, jagged teeth.

    ¡°Man it took forever getting here!¡±

    ¡°I always love a good bandit session!¡± Lirae ¡°Wisp¡± Orveth crouched low, her wiry frame coiled like a spring. Her alchemy knives gleamed faintly in her gloved hands, vials of volatile liquid strapped to her belt, the faint scent of acid and poison wafting from her. Her green eyes darted restlessly, scanning the camp like a predator waiting to pounce.

    Jorath ¡°Runeslinger¡± Keldren leaned against a tree, his cocky grin plastered on his face, his twin rune-forged daggers spinning deftly in his hands. The blades shimmered faintly with a strange light, their sharp edges glinting like the teeth of a beast eager to bite. His armor, sleek and light, was built for speed, allowing him to move like a shadow¡ªthough subtlety wouldn¡¯t be needed tonight.

    ¡°Let¡¯s get this done. I¡¯m starving.¡±

    Finally, Velka ¡°Ironchant¡± Rhass stood steady, his grizzled dwarven face set in stone. The long-handled mace in his hands was shaped like a bell, its surface covered in scratches and dents from countless battles, its deep resonance already faintly vibrating in the air. His thick beard was streaked with gray, and his eyes gleamed with a ferocity that belied his age.

    Gridd¡¯s voice was low, guttural, and cold. ¡°No stealth. No mercy. We go in, and we bring the bastards t¡¯ their knees. Leave no one standin¡¯.¡±

    Varnok smirked, gripping his hammer tightly. ¡°Been waitin¡¯ to break some skulls all night.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s paint the forest red,¡± Lirae murmured, her voice dripping with venom as she adjusted the straps on her belt.

    Jorath cracked his neck, grinning. ¡°Try to keep up, old man,¡± he teased Velka, who responded with a dry, humorless chuckle.

    Gridd didn¡¯t waste time. He stepped forward, every movement heavy with purpose. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    And then they rushed forward as one.

    The bandit camp exploded into chaos as Gridd and his mercenaries charged through the makeshift wooden barricades, smashing them to splinters with ease. The first bandit, a wiry man standing guard at the entrance, barely had time to shout before Gridd¡¯s ax left his hand. The weapon spun through the air, streaks of black electricity trailing behind it like ghostly tendrils. It struck the man in the chest with a sickening crunch, the force of the blow splitting his torso in half. His upper body flew backward, leaving his legs standing for a brief, grotesque moment before they collapsed.

    Gridd caught the returning ax with one hand and leaped forward, his rune-forged armor amplifying his speed. He brought the weapon down on another bandit, cleaving through the man¡¯s shoulder and burying it so deep into his ribs that the corpse stuck to the blade when he yanked it back. Blood sprayed in thick arcs, painting the dirt crimson.

    To his left, Varnok waded into a swarm of bandits, his massive hammer swinging in wide arcs. One bandit lunged at him with a rusty sword, but Varnok caught the blade against his forearm, the runes in his armor hardening the surface like stone. He grinned and brought his hammer down with a thunderous smash, crushing the bandit¡¯s skull like a ripe melon. The crest on the hammer flared, and a shockwave rippled outward, sending three more bandits flying, their bones snapping audibly as they hit the ground.

    Lirae darted between the chaos, her alchemy knives flashing. Her movements were serpentine, her body twisting and contorting unnaturally as she evaded strikes with ease. She threw one knife into a bandit¡¯s chest, the blade exploding on impact and sending shards of bone and viscera in all directions. Another bandit lunged at her with a spear, but she spun around him, slicing his throat with a blade that hissed with corrosive acid. His flesh bubbled and melted as he fell, gurgling.

    Jorath moved like the wind, his twin daggers a blur. He dashed between enemies, his blades slicing tendons and throats before they could even react. One bandit swung a club at him, but Jorath ducked, his daggers flashing upward to sever both of the man¡¯s arms in one fluid motion. Blood sprayed like a fountain as the man screamed, only to be silenced when Jorath plunged both blades into his chest, twisting them for good measure.

    Velka¡¯s mace rang out like a death knell, each strike sending shockwaves of sound that left bandits clutching their ears, their eardrums ruptured. He swung the weapon into a bandit¡¯s chest, the impact caving in his ribcage and sending him flying into a wooden post, his body crumpling like a ragdoll. Another bandit charged him with a dagger, but Velka let out a deep, resonant chant that froze the man in place, his body trembling as if caught in an invisible vice. Velka swung his mace, shattering the man¡¯s skull with a single blow.

    Gridd was unstoppable. He fired his arm-mounted crossbow at a bandit charging him with an axe, the rune bolt striking the man¡¯s leg. The limb exploded in a spray of gore, and the bandit collapsed, screaming in agony. Gridd silenced him with a brutal kick to the face, his boot caving in the man¡¯s skull. Another bandit tried to flank him, but Gridd hurled his ax again, the weapon slicing clean through the man¡¯s torso and leaving a blackened, smoking wound as it returned to his hand.

    The camp was a massacre. Bodies littered the ground, blood pooling in the dirt and soaking the crude wooden structures. The air reeked of iron and death, and the bandits¡¯ desperate screams were drowned out by the sounds of steel meeting flesh and the crackling of flames as tents were set ablaze.

    In the center of the chaos, the bandit leader, Kross Veldmar, stood trembling. He was a wiry man with a patchy beard and mismatched eyes, one of which was a milky white orb. His armor was cobbled together from stolen pieces, and a jagged scar ran from his temple to his jaw. He dropped his sword as Gridd approached, his ax dragging along the ground, leaving a trail of sparks.

    ¡°Please,¡± Kross stammered, falling to his knees. ¡°I didn¡¯t know it was your son! I didn¡¯t know! Have mercy!¡±

    Gridd¡¯s eyes burned with fury, and his voice was cold and quiet. ¡°Mercy? Did ye show me boy mercy when ye cut him down like an animal?¡±

    Kross scrambled backward, tears streaming down his face. ¡°It wasn¡¯t me! It wasn¡¯t me, I swear!¡±

    Gridd raised his ax, the black electricity crackling violently along its edge. ¡°Lies.¡±

    With one brutal swing, he brought the weapon down, cleaving Kross¡¯s head from his shoulders. The severed head rolled across the ground, the lifeless eyes staring blankly into the dirt.

    Gridd reached into a pouch at his side, pulling out a small urn. He opened it, pouring the ashes of his wife and son over Kross¡¯s corpse. The wind caught the ashes, scattering them over the blood-soaked ground.

    He turned and walked away as flames consumed the camp. Around him, the mercenaries were setting fire to every structure, their figures moving in slow motion through the carnage. The crackling of the flames, the screams of the dying, and the distant toll of Velka¡¯s mace created a symphony of destruction. Gridd didn¡¯t look back.

    (FLASHBACK END)

    Gridd leaned back against the wall, his hammer resting beside him. His eyes, heavy with years of burden, stared at the floor. The air between the three of them had grown still, almost reverent. His voice, gruff as always, carried a weight that neither Xyenn nor Gorran had ever heard before.

    ¡°After me boy and wife were gone¡­ I didn¡¯t see a point in livin¡¯ anymore,¡± Gridd began, his tone carefully restrained, though the emotion beneath it was undeniable. ¡°When I raided that bandit camp with the mercenaries, I wasn¡¯t just lookin¡¯ for revenge. I was hopin¡¯ it¡¯d be me end.¡±

    Xyenn and Gorran listened quietly, their usual sharp quips and stoic walls replaced with genuine attention.

    ¡°I thought¡­ once I killed those bastards, I¡¯d just let it end. I could¡¯ve had one of the mercs put me down after we were done. Or I could¡¯ve walked right into the fire we used to burn the camp down. I had plenty o¡¯ chances.¡± His voice faltered, but he quickly steadied himself. ¡°My plan was simple¡ªdie there, be with me wife again. Tell her I did it. That I avenged her. That I avenged him.¡±

    He paused, his hands tightening into fists. ¡°But when the moment came¡­ I couldn¡¯t do it. I just couldn¡¯t take meself out. Ye know why?¡±

    Neither Xyenn nor Gorran responded. They waited, knowing the answer would come.

    Gridd¡¯s voice softened, his words carrying a deep melancholy. ¡°Because of me clan. Without me, there¡¯d have been no leader to guide them. No one who could keep ¡¯em steady. I was young back then, but even then, I was the wisest among ¡¯em. The best fit to lead. And the thought o¡¯ leavin¡¯ them without anyone¡­ it kept me alive. Even though I was fightin¡¯ so damn hard within meself to just end it all right there, I turned around and went back.¡±

    Xyenn shifted uncomfortably, his throat tightening at the rawness of Gridd¡¯s words. Gorran remained still, his face unreadable, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of understanding.

    Gridd exhaled deeply, his shoulders slumping slightly. ¡°But goin¡¯ back didn¡¯t make it better. Through the years, it felt empty. Lonely. No matter if there were a hundred dwarves surroundin¡¯ me, I felt like I was walkin¡¯ alone. Me goal was still the same¡ªto seek death. But I could never bring meself to die. Every battle, every fight, I thought maybe this¡¯d be the one. But I clung t¡¯ life. Why? Because some small, foolish part o¡¯ me believed I could try again. That I could make up for me mistakes.¡±

    He glanced up at Xyenn and Gorran, his eyes tired but resolute. ¡°But I couldn¡¯t remarry. Not after her. Not after what I lost. I thought¡­ if I wanted t¡¯ die and see her again, then remarryin¡¯ would contradict that goal. Would make me a hypocrite. So I stayed alone. And I didn¡¯t know what kept me goin¡¯. Not really.¡±

    There was a brief silence before Gridd¡¯s voice softened further. ¡°But then, when I held yer kid, Xyenn... ye and Yuuna¡¯s little dragonkin baby¡­ it made me think. Just a little. I felt somethin¡¯ I hadn¡¯t felt in years¡ªa warmth. A warmth I thought I¡¯d lost forever.¡±

    Xyenn blinked, surprised, his expression softening.

    Gridd continued, his gaze distant. ¡°Even when I protected the wee one at Haldrek¡¯s castle, when that bastard was rampagin¡¯¡­ it showed me somethin¡¯. It showed me I wasn¡¯t completely devoid of emotions. That I still had somethin¡¯ left in me. A soft heart, buried deep under all the pain. Enough t¡¯ protect that child, even if it meant losin¡¯ meself.¡±

    He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. ¡°But me goal hasn¡¯t changed. I still want t¡¯ die. But not by me own hand. No, I want t¡¯ die in battle. Valiantly. Like a true warrior. So me clan can look at me and be inspired. So they can see that pressin¡¯ on is what matters most¡ªnot wallowin¡¯ in the past, but focusin¡¯ on what warms ye up every once in a while. That¡¯s what I want me death t¡¯ mean. That¡¯s the main reason¡­I decided t¡¯ come along with ye all here, to J?rvaldr.¡±

    Xyenn felt a lump in his throat. He quickly wiped his face with his sleeve, hiding the tear that had escaped. He turned his head away, his voice unusually quiet. ¡°Gridd¡­¡±

    Gridd looked at him, his expression softening. ¡°Aye, lad?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Xyenn said, his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°For asking. It must¡¯ve been hard to share all that.¡±

    Gridd waved him off, his tone lightening slightly. ¡°Bah, don¡¯t worry about it. Ye didn¡¯t know. And between ye and me, Yuuna doesn¡¯t even know that story. Besides me clan, ye two are the only ones who know the deep shit about it. So don¡¯t go flappin¡¯ yer gums to anyone.¡±

    Xyenn nodded quickly, his face still turned away. ¡°Of course. I won¡¯t say a word.¡±

    Gridd¡¯s tone grew serious again. ¡°And one more thing. If it comes down to it in battle, don¡¯t save me. Let me go. Ye hear me, Xyenn?¡±

    Xyenn turned back to him, his expression resolute. ¡°I can¡¯t promise that. I won¡¯t let you die, Gridd.¡±

    Gridd narrowed his eyes, and for a moment, the air between them grew tense. But before Gridd could respond, Gorran¡¯s voice cut through the silence.

    ¡°Respect it,¡± Gorran said firmly, his sharp gaze locking onto Xyenn.

    Xyenn frowned, looking between the two of them. ¡°But¡ª¡±

    ¡°Respect it,¡± Gorran repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.

    Gridd nodded slowly, his stern expression softening slightly. ¡°Ye¡¯ve got a good heart, Xyenn. A damn good heart. Even if yer brutal at times, ye always mean well. But there¡¯s honor in choosin¡¯ yer way t¡¯ go. And there¡¯s honor in respectin¡¯ that choice.¡±

    Xyenn clenched his fists, clearly torn, but he finally sighed and gave a small nod. ¡°Fine. But I still don¡¯t like it.¡±

    Gridd smirked faintly, patting the younger man on the shoulder. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect ye to. I know ye fully at this point.¡±

    For a moment, the three of them sat in silence, the weight of the conversation lingering in the air.

 Chapter 70: Race Wars

    Hours of grueling training had finally come to an end. The vast white-walled training room was now quiet, save for the occasional shuffle of feet as people stretched or leaned against the walls to catch their breath. Yuuna, however, was anything but quiet. She practically kicked the door open as she burst into the room with her usual energy.

    ¡°IT¡¯S TIME TO EAT!!¡± she shouted loudly enough to make a few Clerics jump in alarm.

    Xyenn, who had been sprawled out on the floor like a starfish, sat up immediately, his sharp teeth glinting in the light as he grinned. ¡°Finally! I thought I was gonna die out here!¡± His voice carried a dramatic whine, but his face was pure joy.

    Gorran, sitting cross-legged on the floor, didn¡¯t even flinch. He simply glanced at Yuuna with his usual stoic expression before muttering, ¡°Hmph.¡±

    Kivorn, on the other hand, wiped the sweat off his brow and leaned heavily on his staff. ¡°About time¡­¡±

    Quinara clapped her hands together gleefully. ¡°Yes! Food! I¡¯m starving!¡± she said, practically bouncing on her feet.

    Mertha, cracking her knuckles, smirked. ¡°Good. I could eat a whole damn mammoth right now.¡±

    As the group began to shuffle toward the door, one of the Clerics stepped forward, their voice curious. ¡°So¡­ who¡¯s cooking for all of us?¡±

    Yuuna spun around mid-step, her wild grin spreading across her face. ¡°Me, Kivorn, and Mertha!¡±

    Kivorn stopped mid-step, turning to glare at her. ¡°No. Absolutely not. I didn¡¯t agree to this.¡±

    ¡°You did now!¡± Mertha barked, grabbing him by the arm.

    ¡°Wait, wait, I¡¯m not a¡ªHEY!¡± Kivorn¡¯s protests were cut off as both Yuuna and Mertha latched onto him like wolves dragging a wounded deer.

    ¡°Let go. I¡¯m not cooking. I¡¯ll burn everything.¡± Kivorn said blankely, his feet  dragging uselessly against the floor as the two women hauled him away with devilish smiles. His staff clattered to the ground.

    ¡°Kivorn, you¡¯re gonna help make the best meal ever!¡± Yuuna chirped, completely ignoring his protests.

    ¡°Xyenn, Quinara, Help me.¡± Kivorn called out desperately, his voice echoing through the hall.

    Quinara, standing near the door, gave him a cheery wave. ¡°Good luck!¡±

    ¡°QUINARA!¡±

    ¡°Gotta save my energy for eating!¡± she called back, grinning like a troublemaker.

    Xyenn, meanwhile, just leaned against the wall, smirking. ¡°You¡¯ve got this, Kivorn. I believe in you.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re both the worst.¡± Kivorn yelled as he disappeared around the corner, still being dragged away by Yuuna and Mertha.

    The rest of the group made their way to the dining hall, which was already buzzing with energy. The long tables were quickly filling up with Clerics, some still in their robes, others having shed their ceremonial attire after training. At one end of the hall, a group of orphanage children had gathered, their mischievous energy palpable.

    As Xyenn walked in, one of the kids immediately pointed at him. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s the guy with the shark teeth!¡±

    Xyenn raised an eyebrow, a playful grin tugging at his lips. ¡°Yeah? What about it?!¡±

    Another kid, smaller but clearly braver, piped up. ¡°Bet you can¡¯t eat faster than me!¡±

    ¡°Oh, you wanna bet, squirt?¡± Xyenn crouched to their level, baring his sharp teeth in an exaggerated snarl. ¡°You know what happens to kids who challenge me? They get eaten first!¡±

    The kids screamed, half in terror and half in delight, scattering like a flock of birds. Xyenn stood up, laughing as they peeked at him from behind the tables.

    Quinara, sitting nearby, smirked. ¡°Wow, you¡¯re really out here terrorizing children now. Classy. First a woman beater, now THIS?! Threatening to EAT literal children. So low.¡±

    ¡°Hey, they started it!¡± Xyenn shot back, pointing at the group of giggling kids. ¡°And you¡¯re still on about that?!¡±

    ¡°Yes! And forever will be!¡±

    One of the braver kids returned, tugging on Quinara¡¯s sleeve. ¡°Are you his girlfriend?¡±

    Quinara froze, her face twisting into a mix of horror and laughter. ¡°What? No!¡± She shoved Xyenn in the shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t give them ideas! I AM NOT!¡± Quinara growled, her blue aura flaring slightly as she tried to grab him by the collar. Xyenn, laughing, sidestepped her.  ¡°I hate Xyenn sooo much! And plus he¡¯s like a little brother to me. Gross.¡±

    The kid, clearly enjoying the chaos, ran off yelling, ¡°They¡¯re gonna get married!¡±

    Quinara groaned, planting her face into her hands. ¡°I hate children.¡±

    ¡°Wow. Saying you hate children, literal children¡­so low.¡±

    ¡°Shut it!¡±

    Nearby, Gorran was sitting quietly, but the children had already targeted him. A small group had gathered around, tugging at his arms.

    ¡°Why are you so grumpy all the time?¡±

    ¡°Do you even smile?!¡±

    ¡°Bet you can¡¯t lift me!¡± one of them challenged, climbing onto his arm before he could respond.

    Gorran sighed deeply but didn¡¯t shake the kid off. Instead, he lifted his arm slightly, causing the child to squeal in delight as they dangled from his bicep.

    ¡°See? He¡¯s not grumpy, he¡¯s just pretending!¡± one of the other kids said.

    Gorran¡¯s lips twitched into what might have been a smile, though it disappeared just as quickly.

    ¡°Tch.¡±

    At one of the tables, Klem and Mertha had engaged in an impromptu arm-wrestling match. Mertha¡¯s sleeves were rolled up as she leaned into it, her muscles straining. Klem¡¯s face was a mask of concentration, sweat dripping down his temple.

    ¡°You¡¯re stronger than I thought,¡± Klem admitted, his voice strained.  ¡°Just a quick match before you go run off cooking!¡±

    Mertha grinned. ¡°You¡¯re not half bad either. But I¡¯m gonna win this.¡±

    ¡°Not a chance,¡± Klem replied, his voice tight as he pushed back.

    The table creaked ominously under the pressure, drawing the attention of a few nearby Clerics.

    On the far side of the hall, Faera stood with Vektor, observing the lively interactions between the Tyrants, the Clerics, and the children.

    Faera nudged Vektor with her elbow. ¡°You seeing this? They¡¯re all smiling. Even Gorran. It¡¯s..refreshing.¡±

    Vektor chuckled softly. ¡°This is what happens when we evolve. We get stronger, yes, but more importantly, there¡¯s hope. And hope changes people.¡±

    Faera raised an eyebrow. ¡°You getting all philosophical on me now? What¡¯s next, you gonna start writing poetry?¡±

    ¡°Maybe I will,¡± Vektor shot back, smirking. ¡°And it¡¯ll be about how annoying you are.¡±

    Faera pretended to gasp, clutching her chest dramatically. ¡°Me? Annoying? Never. Is this how you treat your comrades? No wonder you don¡¯t have friends.¡±

    ¡°Comrades is insane after what happened in my office¡ª,¡± Vektor replied flatly.

    ¡°Vektor.¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Silence please.¡±

    Their banter continued as the hall filled with laughter, the energy buzzing as everyone prepared for the meal to come.

    The kitchen of the Holy Branch was a sprawling, chaotic masterpiece of medieval design. Long wooden counters stretched across the room, stacked with piles of fresh vegetables, cuts of meat, and bowls of spices. Massive cauldrons bubbled over roaring hearths, and the scent of herbs and simmering broths filled the air. Clerics in white and green aprons shuffled nervously, their usual stoic composure replaced with uncertainty as they stared at Yuuna, who had somehow taken complete control of the situation.

    Standing in the middle of the kitchen like a conductor in an orchestra, Yuuna clapped her hands together, her wild grin spreading across her face. ¡°Alright, everyone! Today, we¡¯re making something special! But¡­¡± She paused dramatically, her eyes glinting with mischief. ¡°You can¡¯t just cook it. Nooo, no, no! You have to cook it with FLAIR!¡±

    The clerics exchanged confused glances, shifting awkwardly.

    ¡°What does she mean by flair?¡± one of them whispered.

    ¡°I think she¡¯s going to make us dance,¡± another muttered, already dreading what was to come.  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    Yuuna didn¡¯t wait for their hesitation to die down. She twirled on her toes, humming a tune as she grabbed a handful of flour and tossed it into a bowl with a flourish. ¡°Like this! You mix the flour, you hum, you sway your hips¡ªsoftly, gently! It¡¯s all about rhythm!¡± She spun around, her hair flipping dramatically, and grabbed a knife. ¡°And then you chop like THIS!¡± Yuuna¡¯s pink flames flickered to life around her hands as she diced vegetables with precision, the fire adding a theatrical flair to every movement.

    The clerics stared, wide-eyed.

    ¡°You¡­ you want us to dance?¡± one of them asked hesitantly, holding a wooden spoon like it might attack them.

    ¡°Yes!¡± Yuuna exclaimed, grabbing their hands and spinning them in place. ¡°Cooking is an art, and art needs movement, grace, passion! If you don¡¯t move with your ingredients, they¡¯ll never trust you enough to taste good!¡±

    ¡°That makes no sense,¡± muttered Kivorn, standing stiffly in the corner with his arms crossed.

    Yuuna spun toward him like a storm. ¡°Kivorn! You¡¯re part of this too!¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Kivorn said flatly, his voice deadpan.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Yuuna replied, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the counter.

    As Kivorn stood there, his expression completely emotionless, Yuuna placed a bowl of dough in front of him. ¡°Kivorn, knead! Knead with passion!¡±

    Kivorn sighed, his hands pressing into the dough with all the enthusiasm of someone being forced to dig a ditch.

    ¡°No, no, no!¡± Yuuna cried, waving her arms. ¡°You¡¯re doing it wrong! You¡¯re just¡­ squishing it. You need to feel it, become one with the dough!¡±

    Mertha, standing nearby, barked a laugh. ¡°He looks like he¡¯s tryin¡¯ to smash a bug.¡±

    Kivorn gave her a blank stare. ¡°I hate this.¡±

    Yuuna clapped her hands. ¡°Kivorn, you have to dance! Move your hips!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t dance.¡±

    ¡°You do now!¡± Yuuna spun him around, forcing him to sway awkwardly. He moved stiffly, like a puppet with broken strings, while the clerics tried not to laugh.

    Meanwhile, Mertha had taken over one side of the kitchen, barking orders like a ship captain. ¡°Alright, you lot! Grab those onions and chop ¡®em like your life depends on it! I want that garlic minced so fine it disappears! And don¡¯t just stand there like statues¡ªMOVE!¡±

    One cleric hesitated, holding a knife awkwardly. ¡°I¡¯m not used to¡­ well¡­ dancing while I work.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not here to be used to it!¡± Mertha boomed, slapping their shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re here to learn! Now chop!¡±

    Another cleric, who had been trying to mimic Yuuna¡¯s flourishes, nearly flung a carrot across the room. ¡°This is chaos,¡± they muttered under their breath.

    ¡°Chaos is good!¡± Yuuna called out, somehow hearing them. She twirled again, tossing a handful of spices into a pot like she was scattering rose petals. ¡°Chaos makes food taste better!¡±

    Mertha rolled her eyes but smirked. ¡°She¡¯s not entirely wrong. But you keep throwin¡¯ things like that, and we¡¯ll be eatin¡¯ dirt.¡±

    The clerics began to loosen up, their movements becoming less stiff as they started to follow Yuuna¡¯s and Mertha¡¯s instructions. A few even began humming along with Yuuna¡¯s tune, their feet shuffling awkwardly but enthusiastically.

    One of the clerics laughed. ¡°This is actually¡­ kind of fun?¡±

    ¡°See?¡± Yuuna said, grinning. ¡°Cooking is the best when you¡¯re having fun!¡±

    As the energy in the kitchen grew livelier, Yuuna grabbed a small jar from one of the shelves and held it up dramatically. ¡°Now, for the secret ingredient!¡±

    Mertha glanced over, her brows furrowing. ¡°What the hell is that?¡±

    ¡°Fermented radish paste!¡± Yuuna declared proudly.

    Mertha¡¯s face twisted in disgust. ¡°Radish paste? That smells like a dead animal¡¯s armpit!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s delicious! It adds depth!¡± Yuuna argued.

    ¡°It adds stink,¡± Mertha shot back, crossing her arms. ¡°No one¡¯s gonna eat that.¡±

    Yuuna grinned mischievously. ¡°Wanna bet?¡±

    Mertha leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. ¡°Fine. If they spit it out, you owe me.¡±

    ¡°And if they love it, you have to wash my hair every day for a week!¡± Yuuna shot back.

    ¡°Deal¡ªwait! Your hair doesn¡¯t even get dirty, it stays all silky smooth and wavy, that¡¯s cheating.¡±

    ¡°Haha!¡±

    The clerics watched the exchange with a mix of amusement and horror as Yuuna gleefully stirred the radish paste into one of the pots.

    Finally, after what felt like an eternity of chaotic cooking and awkward dancing, the food was ready. Bowls of steaming stew, fresh bread, and roasted vegetables were carried out into the dining hall by Mertha, Yuuna, and the clerics.

    As Yuuna passed Xyenn his bowl, she leaned in and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.

    ¡°Wha¡ª?!¡± Xyenn froze, his face instantly turning red.

    The clerics, watching from the sidelines, gasped and covered their faces like scandalized aristocrats.

    The orphanage children, however, had a very different reaction. ¡°EWWWW!¡± they howled, pointing and laughing. ¡°Xyenn got kissed!¡±

    ¡°Shut up!¡± Xyenn snapped, waving them off as he tried to hide his face. ¡°Stop looking at me!¡±

    One of the kids grinned wickedly. ¡°Are you blushing?¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Xyenn barked, his voice cracking slightly.  ¡°Buzz off!¡±

    Yuuna, laughing so hard she nearly dropped her bowl, gave Xyenn a playful nudge. ¡°You¡¯re so easy to mess with.¡±

    The children, emboldened by Xyenn¡¯s flustered state, continued to tease him mercilessly.

    As everyone finally settled down to eat, the room was filled with the sounds of laughter, clinking bowls, and the occasional groan of satisfaction. Gridd sat at one of the tables, quietly eating his stew with a look of approval.

    The dining hall was alive with the sounds of chatter, clinking bowls, and the occasional scrape of a spoon against the bottom of a dish. At the center of it all, Xyenn was tearing through his meal with the speed and ferocity of a starving wolf. His sharp teeth glinted between bites as he devoured the food with single-minded determination.

    Across the table, a group of orphanage children watched him with narrowed eyes, their competitive spirits flaring.

    ¡°You eat like a beast!¡± one of the braver kids shouted, pointing his spoon at Xyenn.

    Xyenn paused mid-bite, narrowing his eye at the child. ¡°What did you just say?¡±

    ¡°You heard me! Bet you can¡¯t eat faster than us! Right, guys?¡± The kid turned to his friends, who nodded furiously, their grins wide with mischievous intent.

    ¡°Bring it then, brats,¡± Xyenn barked, slamming his bowl down and grabbing another. ¡°You little demons are about to get humbled!¡±

    The kids grabbed their bowls, and the challenge began.

    It was chaos.

    Xyenn inhaled his food, shoveling it into his mouth with an intensity that could rival a dragon devouring a kingdom¡¯s worth of livestock. Across from him, the kids were no less ferocious, their hands a blur as they stuffed their faces, chewing furiously.

    ¡°Faster!¡± one of the kids yelled, his cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk.

    ¡°I am going faster!¡± another retorted, slamming his bowl down for a refill.

    Xyenn, his face absolutely covered in stew, grinned maniacally as he threw his bowl aside and reached for another. ¡°You¡¯re too slow, kids. Too slow!¡±

    ¡°Cheater!¡± a girl shouted with her mouth full. ¡°You¡¯re eating like an animal!¡±

    The entire hall had stopped to watch this absurd competition. Quinara leaned back in her chair, smirking as she wiped her mouth with a napkin. ¡°You know, for someone who acts so cocky, he¡¯s just a big kid.¡±

    Mertha, standing by the food table, laughed loudly. ¡°Oh Xyenn can eat. Don¡¯t underestimate him.¡±

    Finally, with a loud, dramatic slam of his spoon onto the table, Xyenn stood up, his chest puffed out triumphantly. ¡°DONE!¡±

    The kids froze mid-bite, staring at him in disbelief.

    ¡°You cheated!¡± one of them yelled, pointing at him accusingly.

    Xyenn¡¯s grin vanished, his face twisting into comedic outrage. ¡°Cheated?! How can you cheat at eating?! It¡¯s literally just shoving food in your face!¡±

    ¡°You distracted us with that sharp teeth of yours!¡± another kid accused.

    ¡°My teeth is badass!¡± Xyenn shot back, pointing at himself.

    The kids erupted into protests, their voices rising as they ganged up on Xyenn, who squealed comedically, backing away from their tiny but relentless accusations.

    Meanwhile, the others were finishing their meals. Quinara leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs. ¡°This is actually pretty good,¡± she said, swirling the last bit of stew in her bowl.

    Klem, sitting across from her, nodded in agreement. ¡°It¡¯s amazing!¡±

    Gridd, seated at the end of the table, gave a single approving grunt as he continued eating.

    ¡°Human food never disappoints.¡±

    Gorran, as usual, remained silent, though his empty bowl said all that needed to be said.

    Standing off to the side, Illyana, Faera, and Vektor watched the scene unfold. Faera leaned over to Vektor. ¡°I can¡¯t believe they actually liked it. I was half expecting someone to drop dead.¡±

    Vektor shrugged. ¡°Guess Yuuna got lucky this time.¡±

    Yuuna, overhearing this, skipped over to Mertha with a grin. ¡°Told you they¡¯d like it!¡±

    Mertha rolled her eyes, arms crossed. ¡°Yeah, yeah. You got lucky. They¡¯re probably too hungry to care.¡±

    Yuuna leaned closer, nudging her. ¡°Admit it¡ªI was right!¡±

    ¡°Pfft. Fine,¡± Mertha replied, though a small smirk tugged at her lips.

    Yuuna tilted her head, her voice softening. ¡°How you been doing, Mertha?¡±

    Mertha grinned, cracking her knuckles. ¡°Doin¡¯ good. Feels nice to punch things again..and cook alongside you once more. You?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m alright,¡± Yuuna said, her smile dimming slightly. Then, her expression brightened again. ¡°This reminds me of that time at your pub in V?rdrheim, when we had to feed Xyenn because of his draconic side effects.¡±

    Mertha laughed, her voice booming. ¡°Oh, gods, that was a mess! That was the first day I met him. Kid was practically frothing at the mouth.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Yuuna said, her grin widening. ¡°Look at us now. We¡¯ve come so far. Feeding orphans and clerics who are as barbaric as Xyenn.¡±

    Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room shifted. It started slowly¡ªa faint gurgle, like the distant sound of thunder. Then, another. And another.

    The laughter and chatter died down as people began to glance around nervously.

    Faera, standing with Illyana and Vektor, frowned. ¡°What was that?¡±

    Then it started.

    First, a long, drawn-out groan came from one of the clerics. They clutched their stomach, their face pale. ¡°Oh no¡­¡±

    Another cleric doubled over, their voice trembling. ¡°Something¡¯s¡­ wrong¡­¡±

    The gurgling sounds grew louder, spreading like an invisible plague. People began clutching their stomachs, their faces contorted in panic.

    Xyenn stood up abruptly, his eyes wide. ¡°How many bathrooms are there?!¡±

    One of the clerics managed to gasp out, ¡°Twenty.¡±

    Xyenn blinked. ¡°Oh.¡±

    For a split second, the room was silent. Then, chaos erupted.

    ¡°OUT OF MY WAY!¡±

    A horde of people¡ªclerics, children, even Tyrants¡ªbolted from their seats, racing for the doors. They shoved and tripped over each other, flipping chairs and knocking over tables in their mad dash.

    ¡°I WAS HERE FIRST!¡± one of the children yelled, shoving another aside as they sprinted toward the hallway.

    ¡°MOVE, BRAT!¡± a cleric shouted, jumping over three kids like a hurdler.

    Kivorn, normally calm and composed, was speed-walking with a grim expression, his staff clattering against the floor as he tried to beat the crowd.

    Xyenn, caught in the middle of the chaos, was frantically dodging elbows and flying bowls. ¡°This is a nightmare!¡±

    Yuuna, meanwhile, was doubled over in laughter, tears streaming down her face. ¡°This is AMAZING!¡±

    Mertha turned to her, her face a mix of shock and irritation. ¡°You knew this would happen, didn¡¯t you?!¡±

    Yuuna straightened, her devilish grin practically glowing. ¡°Of course I did! That radish paste was guaranteed to cause chaos. You¡¯re welcome!¡±

    ¡°You crazy goddess, why am I not surprised?¡±

    Yuuna shrugged, her grin widening. ¡°Things were gloomy before we showed up here. This¡¯ll liven things up forever! You should be thanking me!¡±

    From the sidelines, Faera and Vektor had their noses covered, their faces twisted in disgust.

    Illyana, standing calmly beside them, smiled faintly. ¡°I¡¯m used to this. Yuuna¡¯s definitely behind it.¡±

    As the chaos continued, Yuuna cupped her hands around her mouth, cheering loudly. ¡°GO, Xyenn! Tyrants forever!¡±

    The race to the bathrooms had begun.

    The dining hall erupted into complete chaos. The moment the first cleric bolted for the hallway, the dam broke, and everyone sprang into action like a stampede of desperate animals. The air was filled with the sound of chairs clattering, bowls crashing to the floor, and frantic shouts echoing through the corridors.

    Xyenn stood frozen in the middle of it all, his sharp eyes darting around the room. His legs tensed as his instincts told him to run, but he quickly shook his head. ¡°No way. I can¡¯t go all out. There are kids here¡­¡±

    ¡®But I have to shit! What was in that food?! It was so good too!¡¯

    His hesitation was his downfall. A group of children zipped by him like a well-coordinated pack of wolves, one of them tripping him up with a broom handle.

    ¡°Outta the way, shark boy!¡± one kid yelled, laughing maniacally.

    Xyenn stumbled but quickly recovered, glaring at the tiny saboteurs. ¡°Oh, you little gremlins wanna play dirty, huh?!¡±

    The children didn¡¯t answer; they were already gone, weaving through the crowd like seasoned warriors.

    Meanwhile, traps were already being set. A particularly devious group of kids had rigged one of the hallways with a cleverly laid tripwire, causing two clerics to tumble forward in comical unison.

    ¡°BOOM! Double score!¡± a boy yelled, fist-pumping as the fallen clerics groaned.

    ¡°I¡¯m gonna remember your face, kid!¡± one of the clerics growled, scrambling to his feet.

    ¡°Oooh, scary!¡± the boy taunted before running off.

    Kivorn, moving at a steady yet determined pace, sidestepped the chaos with his usual stoicism. A small child tried to grab his leg to trip him up, but Kivorn simply lifted the child by the collar of their shirt and set them down on the other side of the hallway like a piece of furniture.

    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me,¡± he said flatly, continuing forward.

    Quinara, meanwhile, took a more tactical approach. She used her moon-tainted magic to lightly push aside anyone in her way, her glowing blue aura giving her an almost ethereal presence.

    ¡°Move it, folks! Moon magic coming through!¡± she called out, laughing as one cleric stumbled into a wall.

    Gridd was less graceful. Barrel-chested and determined, he simply plowed through the crowd like a dwarf-shaped battering ram. ¡°Outta the way! Yer takin¡¯ too long!¡± he barked, sending two clerics spinning into a corner as he advanced.

    Gorran, on the other hand, relied on sheer intimidation. His dark glare and massive frame were enough to part the crowd like a tide. ¡°Move,¡± he said coldly, and people practically dove out of his path.

    The bathrooms were filling up fast. Frantic pounding could be heard from behind locked doors as people yelled, ¡°Hurry up!¡± and ¡°I was first!¡±

    One child clung to the doorknob of a bathroom, trying to keep a cleric from entering. ¡°It¡¯s mine! I claimed it!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re like ten! You don¡¯t even need it as bad as me!¡± the cleric yelled, trying to pry the kid off.

    In the chaos, Xyenn, Quinara, Kivorn, Gridd, and Gorran all spotted the same thing¡ªa lone, unclaimed bathroom at the end of the hallway. Their eyes locked on it simultaneously, and for a moment, they froze.

    ¡°That¡¯s the last one,¡± Xyenn muttered.

    ¡°Not for long,¡± Quinara said, narrowing her eyes.  ¡°Ladies go first, guys! Be respectful¡ª!¡±

    The five of them bolted, shoving and elbowing each other as they raced for the bathroom.

    As they ran Quinara tried to seduce Gorran, saying, ¡°Come on, handsome. You wouldn¡¯t mind letting me get the bathroom right? Help me take out the others¡ª.¡±

    Gorran replied, ¡°Fuck that.¡±

    Xyenn approached, and Gorran saw him. ¡°Move it, Xyenn!¡± Gorran shouted, trying to push him to the side.

    ¡°Not a chance!!¡± Xyenn shot back, ducking under his arm.

    Kivorn, keeping his usual deadpan composure, grabbed Xyenn by the back of his shirt and yanked him backward. ¡°You¡¯re in my way,¡± he said calmly.

    ¡°Aye!¡± Xyenn yelled, flailing as he stumbled.

    Gridd, not one for subtlety, shoved Quinara aside with his shoulder. ¡°Ye ain¡¯t takin¡¯ this from me, lass!¡±

    Quinara twisted back toward him, her blue aura flaring. ¡°Say that again, dwarf!¡±

    Gorran, meanwhile, surged ahead of all of them, his Xenith blade glowing faintly in his hand as if daring anyone to challenge him.

    ¡°Touch me, I''ll lop your heads off.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s cheating!¡± Xyenn yelled, pointing at the blade.

    ¡°All¡¯s fair in war,¡± Gorran replied, his tone cold.

    The five of them reached the bathroom door at the same time, colliding in a heap of tangled limbs and curses.

    ¡°Get off me!¡± Quinara yelled, trying to shove Gridd¡¯s elbow out of her face.

    ¡°You¡¯re the one on top o¡¯ me!¡± Gridd growled.

    Kivorn, still emotionless, simply muttered, ¡°This is undignified.¡±

    Xyenn scrambled to his feet first, his eyes wild as he looked at the group. ¡°Alright, that¡¯s it! If you don¡¯t leave, I¡¯m taking my clothes off!¡±

    The group froze.

    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t,¡± Quinara said, her tone half-challenging, half-wary.

    ¡°Oh, I would!¡± Xyenn shouted, his hands already on his shirt.

    ¡°Try it, and I¡¯ll kill you before you finish,¡± Gorran said flatly, his blade now pointed directly at Xyenn¡¯s chest.

    Before the situation could escalate further, Illyana appeared in the doorway, her calm presence immediately cutting through the chaos. She was smiling faintly, her violet eyes glowing softly as she raised her hands.

    ¡°Everyone, calm down,¡± she said, her voice soothing. ¡°I¡¯ve got this.¡±

    With a faint glow, Illyana¡¯s hands traced intricate white runes in the air. The markings shimmered as they floated forward, pressing gently against the stomachs of each person still clutching themselves in agony. As the glowing runes settled, the tension in their faces eased, and they let out sighs of relief.

    The glowing rune of ease pulsed softly, dulling the pain in everyone¡¯s stomachs.

    Quinara stood slowly, stretching. ¡°Finally. I thought I was gonna explode.¡±

    Gorran crossed his arms, his tone as stoic as ever. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you do this earlier?¡±

    Illyana tilted her head, her smile apologetic. ¡°I started helping people when the chaos broke out, but¡­ you all moved so fast.¡±

    Gridd grunted, rubbing his stomach. ¡°Fast? They were like bloody animals.¡±

    Illyana¡¯s smile widened slightly. ¡°Still, you¡¯ll all need to use the bathroom eventually. The rune only eases the pain¡ªit doesn¡¯t solve the problem.¡±

    There was a collective groan from the group.

    The others glared at him, and the tension returned immediately.

    Xyenn, already sitting on the toilet, told everyone to get out, he claimed it first. And everyone held their noses and left.

 Chapter 71: Seventh Siren

    The hallway was quiet, save for the faint sound of the wind brushing against the tall windows lining the walls. Xyenn and Yuuna stood side by side, their usual chaotic energy subdued as they faced Faera, Klem, Illyana, and Vektor. The four stood in a line, their expressions solemn. In Vektor¡¯s hands were two neatly folded sets of white cleric robes.

    ¡°These are for you,¡± Vektor said, stepping forward and holding them out. The robes were pristine, detailed with gold and silver embroidery that shimmered faintly under the torchlight. Each set came with matching gloves, greaves, and boots, all polished to perfection.

    Yuuna reached out first, her fingers brushing against the fabric as she took her set with a grin. ¡°Fancy,¡± she murmured, holding it up and inspecting the delicate patterns.

    Xyenn grabbed his set with less care, draping it over his arm as he raised an eyebrow. ¡°So, what¡¯s the catch? Do these make us glow or something like you guys?¡±

    Vektor gave a faint smirk. ¡°Not quite. But once you put them on, they¡¯ll change your appearance slightly. Enough to make you blend in with the clerics. No one will suspect a thing¡ªif you don¡¯t do anything stupid.¡±

    Yuuna gave Xyenn a pointed look. ¡°Hear that? Don¡¯t do anything stupid.¡±

    Xyenn rolled his eyes, ¡°HUH?! THAT¡¯S YOU! DON¡¯T FORGET YOU BASICALLY POISONED ALL OF US!¡±

    ¡°It was funny!¡±

    Illyana stepped forward gracefully, her hands cupped around something small. She reached for Xyenn and Yuuna¡¯s hands, gently pulling them forward. ¡°Hold still,¡± she said softly.

    Before either of them could ask why, Illyana pressed a small white shard into each of their palms. The shards were smooth and warm to the touch, but as they embedded themselves into their skin, a sharp sting followed, drawing blood. Xyenn and Yuuna didn¡¯t flinch, their faces impassive.

    ¡°What is this?¡± Xyenn asked, turning his hand to inspect the shard now firmly embedded in his palm.

    ¡°It¡¯s a light shard,¡± Illyana explained, her tone calm but firm. ¡°It will allow you to release very weak light magic. No one inside the Sanctuary will suspect you without it.¡± She paused, her expression darkening. ¡°But listen to me carefully¡ªwhatever you do, do not use your main magic skills until the final battle. The light magic is enough to get you in. Anything else will blow your cover.¡±

    Xyenn nodded, flexing his hand. ¡°Got it.¡±

    Klem stepped forward, his voice low and serious. ¡°And don¡¯t even think about dueling anyone or causing trouble. The Sirens of Sugred aren¡¯t a joke. If they figure out who you are, they¡¯ll be on your asses.¡±

    ¡°Noted,¡± Yuuna said, her usual grin gone as she gave Klem a small nod.

    Faera stepped forward, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Her voice, usually sharp and confident, softened. ¡°Thank you. Both of you. For coming here and giving us your aid. We can¡¯t let Sugred open the gates of Hell¡ªnot even for a second. Too much is at stake.¡±

    Yuuna smiled but said nothing, letting Faera¡¯s words hang in the air.

    Vektor¡¯s voice cut through the tension. ¡°Do you remember your objectives?¡±

    Yuuna stepped forward, her grin returning as she raised a hand dramatically. ¡°Of course! First, we sneak into the Sanctuary and head to the library to find the music notes. Then we find King Samuel¡¯s statue and sing to it¡ªbecause apparently, statues love music¡ªand that¡¯ll release him. After that, we pickpocket Sugred himself¡ªsuper easy, no pressure or anything¡ªand use whatever we steal to reach the base of the Ohnupilath Tree. There, we find King Samuel¡¯s sword, light the brazier to signal you guys, and then¡­¡± She paused, her grin widening. ¡°Big fight. Big win. We save the day.¡±

    Xyenn didn¡¯t say anything. He already had noticed¡­Yuuna was trying to hide her true emotions, covering them with her usual chaotic gestures and movement.

    Illyana nodded approvingly. ¡°Good.¡± She stepped closer to the two, her expression softening as she pulled them both into a gentle hug. ¡°Please¡­ be careful. The dragon god of light could appear there at any moment. If he does¡­ run. Don¡¯t try to fight him. Just run.¡±

    Faera, standing to the side, grinned faintly at the sight.

    ¡®Free..¡¯

    As Illyana pulled back, Vektor reached for Faera¡¯s hand, taking it gently. Faera blinked in surprise, her cheeks tinting pink.

    Klem, always the opportunist, pointed at them dramatically. ¡°OOOOOOOOOH!¡±

    Vektor scoffed, his face unamused. ¡°M-Mind your business, lion!¡±

    Klem grinned, leaning closer. ¡°I mean, look at you two! Hand-holding and all! Awwww, finally coming to the dark side?!¡±

    Faera groaned, pulling her hand back and crossing her arms. ¡°Don¡¯t say it like that!¡± Her face was still red.

    Illyana, watching the exchange, covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.

    Xyenn made a disgusted face, ¡°Grosssss¡­.i don¡¯t even wanna think about it.¡±

    Yuuna added and pointed with a smile, ¡°Romance between clerics?!¡±

    Vektor turned to Yuuna and Xyenn, his voice regaining its composure. ¡°Here.¡± He handed them an amulet glowing faintly with light magic. ¡°When you¡¯re ready, open the amulet. It will create a portal that¡¯ll take you to the tunnels beneath the Sanctuary. From there, you¡¯re on your own.¡±

    Yuuna and Xyenn both nodded.

    As they turned to leave, the group behind them called out encouragement.

    ¡°Good luck!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re counting on you!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t mess this up!¡±

    The last voice was definitely Klem, and Xyenn shot him a glare over his shoulder.

    And Vektor told Xyenn, ¡°This won¡¯t be a cake walk, but neither was the Delleren family situation. I know you¡¯ll succeed, kid. You two are our only hope right now.¡±

    Xyenn nodded, ¡°We¡¯re in this shit together, don¡¯t just put this all on us. We¡¯re all gonna win.¡±Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    Vektor grinned, ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±

    Faera said to Xyenn, ¡°I¡¯ve seen you do great things, you¡¯re special. Please keep Yuuna under control.¡±

    Yuuna grabbed Faera by the collar, saying, ¡°HUHH?! I can be a great actor, thank you very much!¡±

    Xyenn agreed, ¡°It¡¯s true, she can.¡±

    Illyana rubbed her hands together, and said, ¡°Xyenn, Yuuna, please come back to me. And don¡¯t forget to DON¡¯T act like yourselves.¡±

    Xyenn and Yuuna pouted at the same time, ¡°Awww we have to be boring?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s what it calls for. Acting like you do now, Sugred would see you as infected and tainted by the outside world and would go to such lengths to probably kill you. You could pose as newbie clerics, but you would be tested heavily. So avoid as much as you can.¡±

    The hallway faded as Xyenn and Yuuna entered their designated room. The door shut behind them, and for the first time in hours, they were alone.

    In the hallway, Klem said, ¡°Ahhh. It¡¯s about time, isn¡¯t it? A big war is coming up.¡±

    Illyana sighed, ¡°I worry for my Tyrants, but I guess that¡¯s normal isn¡¯t it? We¡¯ve faced impossible odds, but..an elder dragon god will be involved¡­¡±

    Faera said to Illyana, holding her hand, ¡°They¡¯ll light brazier for us.¡±

    ¡°There will be losses once the raid starts. And you all might¡ª.¡±

    Klem said, ¡°Listen here, woman. We know what we¡¯re getting ourselves into. We know the risks. People will die, clerics will die. But we will win.¡±

    Faera added, ¡°We evolved into rebels against the Light itself, and had I not realized I became a rebel when I conjured up the plan to raid the sanctuary, I wouldn¡¯t have been so ignorant before.¡±

    Illyana smiled at Faera, ¡°You are glowing, Faera. It¡¯s beautiful.¡±

    Faera smiled back, and told her:

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Back in the room, Xyenn sighed, tossing the robes onto a nearby chair before pulling off his shirt. The fabric hit the floor, revealing his torso. His body was a patchwork of scars, each one a story of battles fought and survived. But amidst the scars, his muscles had grown, more defined than before. He wasn¡¯t the same reckless fighter he¡¯d been before this journey.

    ¡®I look fucked up. But still alive. Some of these scars are when I used to be a slave for rich assholes, scars I¡¯m not proud of. But these new scars, I¡¯m proud of them.¡¯

    Yuuna watched him silently for a moment before stepping closer. She reached out, placing her hands on his chest. Her fingers brushed over the scars as she rested her head against him, her pink hair falling loosely around her face.

    ¡°I¡¯m scared,¡± she admitted softly. Her voice was small, vulnerable, a stark contrast to her usual wild energy.

    Xyenn looked down at her, his expression softening. He placed a hand on her head gently, his fingers tangling in her hair. ¡°Yuuna..¡±

    Yuuna closed her eyes, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. ¡°We¡¯ve been through so much already. But this¡­ this feels different. Like we¡¯re standing at the edge of something we can¡¯t come back from.¡±

    Xyenn didn¡¯t reply immediately. Instead, he pulled her closer, his chin resting lightly on top of her head. ¡°You¡¯ve never felt like this before..?¡±

    ¡°When you fought Haldrek, when I saw the aftermath, I was scared. Mostly for you. Thought I was gonna lose you: When I saw the Lysf?dt in Gabriel¡¯s Ladder. I just need to calm myself down now. We¡¯re literally going UNDERCOVER. We have to act boring, and work with the weak light magic these crystals can dish out. Aren¡¯t you nervous?¡±

    ¡°Hell yeah I am. There¡¯s no telling what we could run into. But I didn¡¯t come this far to chicken out, and neither did you.¡±

    ¡°Yeahhhh yeah. You¡¯re right.¡±

    ¡°BUT. I worry a lot, worrying about too much. With Lancelot being an elder dragon god and Sugred being somewhat of an elder draconic vessel ... .It''s so much.¡±

    ¡®And I can¡¯t stop thinking about Gridd. Him wanting to die in this upcoming battle, that¡¯s the main reason why he¡¯s in J?rvaldr. He¡¯s only told me and Gorran, though I feel honored, I can¡¯t just bring myself to not save him. I hope he doesn¡¯t try and die on purpose. Gridd feels like the father I never had, helping me from time to time, making armor for me when he barely knew me, and even watched and protected me and Yuuna¡¯s child. I just can¡¯t let him die!¡¯ Xyenn thought. ¡®And for Yuuna, I don¡¯t want to even imagine how she¡¯ll react if she saw Gridd die. I hate seeing Yuuna distraught, sad..anything. To me she¡¯s perfect in a way, though she¡¯s not without her flaws, like me. But I¡¯m worse off than her. I know I¡¯m supposed to respect Gridd¡¯s wish, but I just can¡¯t bring myself to watch him die. The fuck would I look like? Watching off to the side as he¡¯s getting impaled? Just to respect his wish? I won¡¯t be able to sleep for months. I have power, and I intend to use it. Sorry, Gridd. But I¡¯m keeping you alive. Maybe you can find a new goal, maybe this will help you. You stoic dwarf.¡¯

    Yuuna smiled, replying to Xyenn¡¯s words before he went into deep thought, ¡°But we did choose this, so we¡¯re trapped. STOP BEING NERVOUS!¡±

    ¡°THAT''S YOU!¡±

    Seconds later, Xyenn and Yuuna exchanged a glance, their usual banter gone, replaced by a shared understanding of the weight of what lay ahead. Slowly, Xyenn grabbed the pristine cleric robes and began to change.

    He slipped his arms through the sleeves first, the fabric unnaturally soft, almost weightless, yet thick and reinforced like armor. The gold and silver embroidery shimmered faintly under the lantern¡¯s light, giving the impression that the robes were alive, pulsing with barely contained energy. The gloves slid on next, perfectly fitted to his hands, followed by the greaves and boots. Each piece seemed to mold itself to his body as if it had been crafted specifically for him.

    ¡®Fits perfectly. Not heavy, not too light either. I can be fairly mobile in it. That¡¯s good.¡¯

    Yuuna, meanwhile, stood on the other side of the room, holding her own robes with a skeptical expression. ¡°This better not make me look like one of those stiff clerics,¡± she muttered, slipping the long flowing fabric over her shoulders. ¡°It better not make me ugly either.¡±

    Xyenn agreed, ¡°Me too.¡±

    ¡°Darling.¡±

    ¡°¡ªHm?¡±

    THWACK!

    Yuuna put Xyenn in a chokehold with her tail, saying, ¡°I hope the outfit makes you look ugly! I don¡¯t want any of those cleric women trying to fall for you!¡±

    Xyenn gasped, ¡°I-! ACK! That¡¯s UNLIKELY! THEY¡¯RE ALL LIKE, MIND CONTROLLED I BET!¡±

    Yuuna let him go, smiling, ¡°Oh right, I forgot. That¡¯s a relief. I forgot how serious they were.¡±

    The moment the robes were fully on, the magic within them flared to life. Xyenn gasped as a tingling sensation coursed through his body. His pale skin glowed faintly as his hands began to change color, the veins beneath his skin turning gold. His usual black-and-grey hair shimmered, the strands transforming into a pure white streaked with golden highlights. His right eye, once dark and shadowed, now glowed a brilliant gold, like a miniature sun.

    Yuuna was no different. Her long, jagged black hair turned a stark white, glowing faintly with golden runes that seemed to weave themselves into the strands. Her pink halo, once jagged and chaotic, began to flicker and fade, disappearing entirely as her eyes turned a radiant gold. She stared at her reflection in the nearby window, her lips parting slightly in surprise.

    ¡°Wow,¡± Yuuna muttered, running a hand through her hair. ¡°I look¡­ weird.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not the only one,¡± Xyenn said, his voice quieter than usual. He flexed his hands, staring at the golden veins beneath the surface. ¡°This is¡­ different.¡±

    Yuuna turned to him, her eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°Haha! You look like you¡¯re about to join some holy choir.¡±

    ¡°And you look like you¡¯re about to lead it,¡± Xyenn shot back, smirking slightly despite himself.

    ¡°I hate that you still look kinda the same but with different colored hair and eyes. But you¡¯ll always be handsome nonetheless, even if you had a fucking frog head.¡±

    Xyenn chuckled, knowing Yuuna was trying to liven things up with her chaotic aura, hiding her nervousness and slight fear.

    ¡®I have to deliver the same energy! Or at least try.¡¯

    Xyenn walked up to Yuuna, grinning, rubbed her face, and said with a deep voice, ¡°And you¡¯ll always look dashing, goddess Yuuna.¡±

    Yuuna squealed, dashing away, turning her head to Xyenn, slightly covering her lips with a flustered grin, ¡°Oooh, starting to be a man huh?¡±

    Xyenn was flustered as well, staggering back, thinking, ¡®That was purely an act! Did she actually like that?! I looked so weird!¡¯

    They shared a brief laugh, a small moment of levity before the weight of their mission returned. Xyenn stepped forward, pulling the amulet of light from his robes. The faint glow around it intensified as he activated the artifact, the air around them shimmering with energy.

    ¡°Ready?¡± he asked, glancing at Yuuna.

    Yuuna nodded, but before he could move, she reached out and grabbed his hand, her fingers tightening around his. ¡°Don¡¯t let go,¡± she said, her voice firm. ¡°Please.¡±

    Xyenn gave a small nod, squeezing her hand in return. ¡°I won¡¯t.¡±

    ¡®This is it¡­¡¯

    Together, they leapt into the portal, disappearing into a burst of brilliant white light.

    The tunnel they entered was like nothing they had ever seen before. Endless streaks of radiant white and gold stretched in every direction, spiraling and weaving together like a living tapestry. Bright yellow runes floated in the air, glowing softly as they moved with the flow of the tunnel. The light wasn¡¯t harsh; it was warm and inviting, casting a soft glow on their faces as they soared through it.

    The sensation of moving through the tunnel was surreal¡ªneither flying nor falling, but something in between. The air was heavy with magic, humming with a melodic rhythm that seemed to resonate with their very souls.

    Yuuna stretched her arms out, spinning slightly as they soared. ¡°This¡­ this is insane!¡± she exclaimed, her voice echoing faintly in the vast expanse of light.

    Xyenn, more focused, kept his eyes forward, scanning the endless streaks of gold and white. ¡°It¡¯s beautiful,¡± he admitted quietly, though his tone was edged with unease.

    The runes around them began to glow brighter, their movements quickening as they neared the end of the tunnel. Ahead of them, a massive double gate materialized, glowing with a soft white light. The gates were enormous, towering as high as the eye could see, with intricate carvings of angels and dragons etched into their surface. Golden runes pulsed along the edges, creating an otherworldly shimmer.

    Landing on the platform before the gate, Xyenn and Yuuna took a moment to steady themselves. Yuuna brushed off her robes, glancing up at the gate. ¡°Okay, so¡­ how do we get through this thing?¡±

    Xyenn approached the gate, running his hands over the glowing carvings. ¡°There¡¯s no handle, no switch. Maybe it¡¯s some kind of magic lock?¡±

    ¡°Well, the clerics could¡¯ve at least told us how to open it,¡± Yuuna grumbled, crossing her arms.

    Before Xyenn could respond, a sudden rush of wind blew through the tunnel, carrying with it an intense pressure that made the hairs on the back of their necks stand on end.

    ¡°Something¡¯s coming,¡± Xyenn said, his voice sharp.

    Out of nowhere, a flash of light darted toward them. Before Xyenn could react, a figure slammed into him, grabbing his face with a gauntleted hand and dragging him across the platform.

    ¡°AGH!¡± Xyenn grunted as his head smashed into the ground with a sickening thud. He was dragged several feet before the figure stopped, pinning him to the ground.

    The being stood tall, bathed in radiant white light. She was clad in glowing fitted white armor, every plate etched with golden runes that pulsed with divine energy. Her helmet was uniquely shaped, resembling the head of a bird with long, flowing golden plumes trailing behind it. Massive white wings extended from her back, shimmering like polished glass, each feather inscribed with more glowing runes.

    Her voice was sharp and commanding, carrying an almost musical tone. ¡°Defeat me, and cross. Those who take the Tunnels of Light surely must be powerful enough to challenge a Siren!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes widened as he gasped. ¡°A¡­ Siren?¡±

    Before the Siren could say more, Yuuna darted in, her fist glowing faintly with residual magic. ¡°Get off of him!¡± she yelled, slamming her fist into the Siren¡¯s helmet.

    The Siren was flung backward, her wings spreading wide as she floated into the air. Yuuna landed beside Xyenn, helping him to his feet.

    The Siren hovered above them, her voice calm yet deadly. ¡°If you cannot defeat me, you will die here. The Tunnels of Light are not for the weak.¡±

    Xyenn wiped the blood from his mouth, his golden eye glaring up at her. ¡°Guess we don¡¯t have a choice, then.¡±

    Yuuna grinned, cracking her knuckles. ¡°Fine by me. Let¡¯s see how tough you are, bird lady.¡±

    The Siren said, ¡°Bird lady? I am Rye, Seventh Siren of Sugred.¡±

    Standing side by side, Xyenn and Yuuna prepared themselves.

    ¡®The clerics couldn''t warn us about this either?!¡¯

 Chapter 72: Beautiful Land

    The air was electric, the tension so thick it felt like even the light around them had grown sharp. Xyenn and Yuuna stood side by side, their glowing golden eyes locked on Rye, the Seventh Siren of Sugred. She hovered in the air before them, her radiant wings unfurled wide, each feather shimmering with blinding white light and intricate golden runes. The platform beneath them glowed faintly, a reflection of the celestial battle about to unfold.

    Xyenn said to Yuuna in a low tone, ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure Vektor and Faera didn¡¯t think this would happen. Even Klem told us specifically not to engage with a Siren. But..we have no choice I guess. We¡¯re not dying here.¡±

    Yuuna nodded, ¡°It¡¯s her or us. But I DO have a question.¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    ¡°Do you know how to use the light magic in our hands?¡±

    ¡°Uhhhh I guess we just shoot it out like we do our regular magic and see what happens.¡±

    ¡°We definitely could have figured out our skills back in the room!¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re probably limited, that¡¯s why they didn¡¯t suggest we use it then and there.¡±

    ¡°But they would¡¯ve told us that too, right?¡±

    ¡°But they most likely knew we would be able to wield it instinctively when the time came. When we drowned in their pool, adding runes of light to our souls. Prepared us to be able to even use the magic in the first place. Also, hold back a little. Knowing you, you¡¯re insanely strong. We can¡¯t appear to be super strong in front of a Siren. But we¡¯re not gonna lose, not gonna die on purpose just to keep up this act.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll sell it well, don¡¯t worry, darling!¡± Yuuna whispered.

    Xyenn thought, ¡®I was hoping to waltz through here without having so much attention on me. But my whole plan went to shits when this Siren came. This was supposed to be an easy mission, in and out and then the big bang at the end.¡¯

    Rye, watching them with a cool, almost detached expression, raised her hands in a slow, deliberate motion. Her movements, like a deadly dance, were fluid and hypnotic. Golden light sparked from her fingertips, weaving into strands of celestial power that spiraled around her body. ¡°You think you¡¯re strong enough to pass? Prove it,¡± she said, her voice calm but laced with a ferocious challenge.

    ¡®Alright, let¡¯s see what I can do¡­how weak is it?¡¯

    Xyenn didn¡¯t hesitate. His fist clenched, and the runes on his arms and legs ignited with radiant golden light, stretching up his neck as his body glowed with raw energy. His speed was instant, a blur of motion as he launched himself at Rye, leaping high into the air and conjuring his shield of light mid-flight. The shield''s golden glow pulsed as he swung it down like a hammer, aiming to smash into her with devastating force.

    ¡®Ohhhhhh! A shield and..that¡¯s it? Can it do anything else?¡¯

    Rye¡¯s wings folded around her body just before impact, forming a radiant cocoon. Xyenn¡¯s shield collided with her defense, unleashing a mini-explosion of light that sent shockwaves rippling across the platform. The blast pushed Yuuna back slightly, (she pretended to be effected by it) her hair whipping in the wind, but Rye remained unshaken.

    As the explosion cleared, Rye unfurled her wings with a powerful snap, sending a concussive wave of light outward that forced Xyenn to brace himself mid-air. She spun with deadly grace, her arm extending as her fingertips carved glowing glyphs into the air. The glyphs sparked with energy before unleashing a spiraling beam of white light laced with golden runes that spiraled around its pillar. The beam roared toward Xyenn like a celestial lance.

    Xyenn twisted his body mid-air, narrowly evading the beam as it carved through the platform behind him, leaving a molten trail of white-hot destruction. Landing on his feet with a somersault, he slammed his shield into the ground to steady himself before darting forward again, his movements seamless and ferocious.

    ¡®She¡¯s strong!¡¯

    Rye was already in motion, her wings beating once to lift her higher into the air. She spun in place, her arms weaving intricate patterns as strands of light erupted from her fingertips. The strands shimmered with golden feathers, twisting and writhing like living serpents. With a flick of her wrist, the strands lashed toward Xyenn, each one striking with the force of a battering ram.

    Xyenn raised his shield, deflecting the first attack with a resounding clang that sent sparks of golden light scattering in all directions. The second strand came from his blind side, slamming into his shoulder and sending him skidding across the platform. He gritted his teeth, rolling to absorb the impact before springing back to his feet.

    Yuuna was trying to work her new light magic, saying, ¡°Aww man, it¡¯s so boring! How come he looks all cool?¡±

    She lifted her hand, forming her fingers into a pointed gesture. A small orb of golden white light materialized at her fingertips, glowing brighter as she aimed. With a sharp flick of her wrist, she fired, the orb streaking through the air like a comet.

    The blast struck one of Rye¡¯s glowing strands, causing it to disintegrate in a burst of golden sparks. Rye glanced at Yuuna, her expression unreadable, before raising her hand and summoning more strands. This time, the strands coiled together, transforming into a massive serpent-like dragon of light. The dragon¡¯s form was majestic, its body covered in shimmering golden feathers, and its eyes burned with molten fire.

    Yuuna¡¯s jaw dropped slightly, clearly pretending to be scared, ¡°Oh no¡­¡± she muttered, quickly raising her other hand to gather more light from the environment. The runes in the air around her glowed as streams of light funneled into her palm, recharging her magic.

    The dragon roared, its sound a thunderous blend of crackling energy and celestial fury. It surged forward, its massive jaws snapping at Xyenn. He vaulted over the creature¡¯s head, his movements precise and acrobatic. As he flipped through the air, he conjured his shield again, slamming it into the dragon¡¯s back. The impact created another explosion of light, but the dragon barely faltered, twisting its body to swipe at him with its tail.

    Xyenn brought his shield up just in time, the tail¡¯s impact sending him flying backward. He hit the ground hard but rolled to his feet in one fluid motion, his golden eye blazing with determination.

    Rye descended slightly, her wings folding around her like a protective veil. With a graceful motion, she extended her fingers, slashing the air in a sharp, deliberate pattern. The air itself seemed to shatter as glowing fissures of light spread outward, each one detonating in a series of brutal explosions that forced Xyenn to dodge relentlessly.

    ¡°Y¡ª!¡± Xyenn shouted, his voice strained.

    ¡°¡ªI got it!¡± Yuuna replied, firing another orb of light at the dragon. The orb struck its head, causing it to reel back momentarily. She grinned, recharging her magic again as she darted to the side to avoid one of Rye¡¯s explosive fissures.

    Rye¡¯s attention snapped to Yuuna, her eyes narrowing. She raised both hands, her fingers moving in a rapid, intricate pattern. The air around Yuuna shimmered as a massive glyph materialized beneath her feet, its golden runes sparking with volatile energy.

    ¡°Move!¡± Xyenn shouted, sprinting toward her.

    Yuuna didn¡¯t hesitate, vaulting backward just as the glyph erupted in a column of blinding light. The force of the explosion sent her tumbling across the platform, but she quickly recovered, sliding to a stop with her fingers already forming another orb of light.

    ¡®It¡¯s fun acting like a weakling!¡¯

    Rye¡¯s wings flared out, and she ascended higher, her presence godlike as she looked down on them. With a slow, deliberate motion, she clasped her hands together, and a dragon of light formed above her, at an insanely large size mirrored her movements. Its massive jaws opened, and a torrent of burning light spewed forth, carving a molten path across the platform.

    Xyenn dove to the side, rolling to avoid the attack as the heat singed his robes. He lunged forward, his shield glowing brightly as he bashed it into the dragon¡¯s side. The explosion of light disrupted its form, causing it to flicker and writhe.

    ¡°Now!¡± Xyenn yelled.

    Yuuna grinned, firing another orb of light directly at the dragon¡¯s core. The blast struck true, causing the creature to explode in a shower of golden sparks.

    Rye didn¡¯t flinch, her expression calm as she raised her hand, summoning another glyph. ¡°You¡¯re persistent,¡± she said, her voice like a blade. ¡°But persistence won¡¯t save you.¡±

    The air around the platform shimmered with tension, an oppressive aura of light and power radiating from Rye as she floated in the air, her glowing wings spread wide like an angel of death. Xyenn stood below her, his chest rising and falling with labored breaths as his golden eye narrowed. His hand moved to his neck, tugging at the collar of the cleric robe, and with one sharp motion, he ripped it off and cast it aside.

    ¡®I gotta let loose. I¡¯m not dying because I¡¯m holding back. She¡¯s pretty tough actually, ill give her that. That¡¯s what makes this all the more weird because I have to use weak magic. I have to balance my real speed and strength with it.¡¯

    His body was revealed in full¡ªthe glowing white hue of his skin stretched across his torso, arms, and back, with intricate golden runes etched into his flesh, radiating faint pulses of energy. The brightness of his form was almost celestial, a stark contrast to the blood and dirt smeared on his face. He flexed his fingers against his shield, the light flickering faintly across it.

    Rye¡¯s eyes, glowing orbs of cold radiance, watched him with an unflinching gaze. She tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. ¡°You¡¯ve revealed your true form,¡± she said, her voice calm, yet laced with disdain. ¡°I see your physique is commendable, thus proves your physical strength. But it doesn¡¯t matter. You¡¯re still far beneath me.¡±

    ¡®And he¡¯s lost an eye, and has an arm brace on the other¡­what¡¯s his story

    Xyenn smirked, wiping the blood from his lips. ¡°You talk like you¡¯ve already won,¡± he said, his voice gravelly. ¡°I don¡¯t like that.¡±

    He lunged forward, his shield raised. The ground beneath his feet cracked with the force of his acceleration as he closed the distance in seconds, his glowing form streaking toward Rye like a comet.

    Rye¡¯s wings flared as she spun in the air, her spear materializing in her hands in a burst of golden light. She thrust it forward with blinding speed, the tip of the weapon streaking toward Xyenn¡¯s chest like a streak of lightning.

    Xyenn twisted his body at the last second, the spear grazing his shoulder as he pivoted on his heel. Using the momentum, he swung his shield upward, aiming for Rye¡¯s side. The impact connected, sending a shockwave of light and force rippling across the platform.

    ¡®At my current strength, with this weak magic I have, I¡¯d have to mix in my brute force. Though I can¡¯t go overboard with it. As a Jotyin, I can feel how much stronger I¡¯ve gotten from the last training session. This will be good practice.¡¯

    Rye staggered slightly, but her wings beat once, propelling her back into the air. She retaliated with a graceful spin, her spear slicing through the air in a deadly arc. Xyenn ducked under the strike and lunged forward, slamming his shield into her torso with a deafening clang.

    The explosion of light from the shield sent sparks flying, but Rye barely flinched. She twisted her body, her wings folding around her as she flipped backward, landing gracefully a few feet away. Her spear dissolved into golden particles as she raised her hands, her fingers moving in intricate patterns.

    Glyphs of light erupted around her, forming a swirling vortex of golden energy. The runes on her wings glowed brighter as streams of light shot out from the glyphs, carving through the air with devastating precision.

    ¡®Her movements are flawless¡¯, Xyenn thought as he darted to the side, his shield raised to deflect one of the streams. The impact sent a jolt through his arm, nearly dislocating his shoulder. ¡®Every attack is designed to pin me down. She¡¯s not just fast¡ªshe¡¯s controlling the entire battlefield.¡¯

    He leapt over another stream of light, landing in a crouch as he scanned her movements. Rye floated above him, her hands weaving patterns in the air, each motion creating more glyphs and beams of light.

    ¡®She¡¯s using those glyphs to keep me moving. They¡¯re forcing me into predictable patterns so she can corner me.¡¯ He narrowed his eyes, his mind racing. ¡®If I keep dodging, I¡¯ll exhaust myself before I can land a solid hit. I need to disrupt her control without giving her room to counter.¡¯

    He glanced at her wings, the runes pulsing in sync with her attacks. ¡®The wings. They¡¯re the key. Every time I hit them, her control falters. But they¡¯re also her greatest defense. If I can break through them¡­¡¯

    ¡°Brute strength.¡±

    Rye¡¯s glowing eyes followed Xyenn¡¯s movements as he darted across the platform, her expression calm and calculating. ¡®He¡¯s fast,¡¯ she thought, her fingers continuing their intricate dance. ¡®Every move he makes is reactive. He¡¯s testing me, looking for an opening. But there are none. He¡¯s experienced in battle!¡¯

    She shifted her focus to his glowing shield, watching the way it absorbed and redirected her attacks. ¡®That shield is his lifeline. He¡¯s using it to close the distance and deflect my strikes. If I can overwhelm it¡­ No, if I can make him overcommit to it, he¡¯ll leave himself vulnerable! I¡¯m a Siren, even though I¡¯m the weakest, I won¡¯t be defeated by a low magic rookie. His strength is carrying his survival!¡¯

    Her wings flared as she descended slightly, her hands moving faster. The glyphs around her shifted, their patterns becoming more chaotic and unpredictable.

    The glyphs erupted, unleashing a storm of golden beams that crisscrossed the platform. Xyenn gritted his teeth as he sprinted through the chaos, his shield raised to block the oncoming blasts. Each impact sent shockwaves through his body, but he didn¡¯t stop.

    Rye moved with him, her wings propelling her in smooth, graceful arcs as she rained down attacks from above. Her spear reappeared in her hands, and she hurled it toward Xyenn like a javelin.

    Xyenn sidestepped, the spear embedding itself into the ground and detonating in a blinding explosion. The force sent him sprawling, but he rolled to his feet, his golden eye narrowing.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    ¡®She¡¯s trying to push me into a corner.¡¯

    Xyenn launched himself into the air, vaulting toward Rye with his shield raised. She spun to meet him, her spear materializing once more as their weapons clashed mid-air. The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward, the platform beneath them cracking under the force.

    Xyenn twisted his body, using the momentum to swing his shield into Rye¡¯s wing. The impact sent her spiraling backward, her control over the dragon faltering.

    ¡°Now!¡± Xyenn shouted, his voice echoing across the platform. ¡°While it¡¯s staggered!¡±

    Yuuna grinned, ¡°Finally! My time to shine..¡± her glowing fingers forming another orb of light. She fired, the blast striking the dragon¡¯s head and causing it to writhe and flicker.

    Xyenn didn¡¯t hesitate. He sprinted forward, his shield glowing brighter than ever as he leapt toward the dragon. With a roar, he slammed the shield into its mouth, forcing it shut as its energy destabilized.

    The dragon exploded in a burst of golden light, and Rye staggered, her wings faltering. It stunned them, but didn¡¯t do any significant damage.

    But it was enough to close in quickly.

    Xyenn saw his opening. He charged forward, his hand glowing with golden runes as he made it into a sharp, chopping motion.

    ¡®Brute strength..it¡¯s her or us..I chose her.¡¯

    With a primal battle cry, he brought his hand down on Rye¡¯s head. The force split her skull with a sickening crack, blood and golden ichor spraying across the platform.

    He spun, his movements a blur, and delivered a brutal kick to the remaining chunks of her head, sending them flying.

    With one final roar, he punched her torso with all his strength, the impact shattering her body into grotesque, bloody fragments.

    Xyenn stood there, his chest heaving as he stared down at the remains of Rye¡¯s body. His hands were trembling, his shield flickering faintly as the runes on his body dimmed. Blood dripped from his knuckles, pooling on the cracked platform beneath him.

    Rye¡¯s once-radiant form was now a broken, grotesque shell. Her wings lay in shattered pieces, and her glowing runes had faded to nothing.

    Xyenn took a shaky breath, his golden eye flicking toward Yuuna in the distance. ¡°It¡¯s over,¡± he muttered, his voice hoarse.

    Yuuna smiled, ¡°Uhhh, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s over.¡±

    The air around the broken platform crackled with volatile energy, the atmosphere thick and suffocating as Rye¡¯s body lay shattered and lifeless at Xyenn¡¯s feet. Blood, golden ichor, and the remnants of her radiant wings were strewn across the glowing ground. Xyenn stood motionless, his chest heaving, blood dripping from his fists and the jagged pieces of his shattered shield clenched in his hands. His glowing golden eye scanned her remains warily, his body tense and ready for anything. He knew better than to let his guard down.

    The silence didn¡¯t last.

    A deep, resonant hum filled the air, vibrating through the platform like the growl of an awakening beast. Xyenn¡¯s eye snapped to Rye¡¯s corpse as a radiant crystal of light emerged from her chest cavity, spinning slowly and emitting swirling golden sigils that pulsated with celestial power. The crystal¡¯s energy lashed out violently, tendrils of light snaking across the platform and pulling Rye¡¯s mangled body back together.

    ¡°Shit¡­¡± Xyenn sighed.

    ¡®And my shield is broken. Shattered into chunks of sharp pieces. They weren¡¯t lying when they said this magic is weak.¡¯

    Yuuna bonked Xyenn on the head, ¡°I told ya!¡±

    Her wings snapped back into place with an agonizing crack, the jagged edges smoothing over as feathers of light regrew in bursts of radiant energy. Her skull reformed, her glowing eyes reigniting, now brighter and more furious than before. Muscles and flesh knitted themselves together grotesquely, the sound of grinding bones and tearing sinew filling the air as she stood once more, fully restored.

    The crystal embedded itself into her chest, pulsing with power as golden light poured from her wounds, sealing them shut. Rye¡¯s expression twisted into one of pure rage, her ethereal beauty now warped into something feral and terrifying. Her wings flared wide, their radiant glow illuminating the cracks in the platform.

    ¡°You thought you could defeat me?¡± she hissed, her voice low and thunderous, layered with a godlike echo. ¡°I am eternal. You are but a speck beneath Lancelot¡¯s divine light!¡±

    Xyenn tightened his grip on the shards of his shield, his glowing runes pulsing faintly as his body steadied. Blood dripped from his brow, stinging his remaining eye, but he didn¡¯t flinch. He squared his stance, his senses sharp as he prepared for her renewed wrath.

    ¡®When I fought Death, I used the shards of his scythe to finish him. I¡¯ll use the same strategy here. I¡¯ll use the shards of the weak ass shield.¡¯

    Rye didn¡¯t wait. She exploded forward in a flash of light, her speed blinding as she closed the distance in an instant. Her spear materialized in her hand mid-flight, and she brought it down with a ferocious overhead strike, aiming to cleave Xyenn in two.

    Xyenn twisted to the side, the spear carving through the ground where he¡¯d stood a moment before, splitting the platform with a deafening crack. Before she could follow up, he retaliated, slashing upward with one of the jagged shards of his shield. The blade scraped along Rye¡¯s armor, sparks flying as she spun away with a snarl.

    The battle ignited into chaos, their movements a blur as they clashed again and again in a deadly dance of light and fury. Rye¡¯s spear moved like a living thing, slashing, stabbing, and spinning in intricate patterns as she pressed her attack. Xyenn dodged and parried with precision, his body twisting and vaulting with agility as he countered her strikes.

    ¡®The shards and pieces won¡¯t last long either!¡¯

    Rye swept her spear horizontally, the blade glowing with volatile energy. Xyenn ducked under the strike, rolling to the side as the weapon carved a molten trench through the platform. He rose to his feet in a seamless motion, hurling one of his shield shards at her with all his strength.

    The shard spun through the air like a deadly boomerang, its jagged edge aimed for her throat. Rye deflected it with a flick of her spear, the force of the impact sending it spinning away. She shot forward again, her wings beating once to propel her into a devastating thrust.

    Xyenn sidestepped at the last moment, his golden eye catching the glint of her spear as it grazed his side. He pivoted on his heel, slamming the remaining shard of his shield into her ribs with a powerful strike.

    ¡®Brute strength.¡¯

    The impact forced her back, golden ichor and blood spilling from the wound, but Rye didn¡¯t falter.

    ¡°I¡¯m a Siren!¡±

    She spun with godlike grace, her wings slicing through the air as she unleashed a wave of radiant feathers. The feathers ignited mid-flight, becoming searing projectiles that rained down on Xyenn like a meteor shower. He darted through the storm, his movements fluid as he evaded the deadly barrage.

    One feather clipped his arm, burning through his skin and leaving a glowing scar in its wake. He gritted his teeth, ignoring the pain as he leapt into the air, flipping over another wave of attacks.

    ¡®Can¡¯t believe I¡¯m debuffing myself just so I won¡¯t seem overpowered to these people!¡¯

    Rye¡¯s fury only grew as her strikes became more ferocious, her movements more erratic. She slashed her spear downward, creating a fissure of golden light that raced toward Xyenn. He vaulted over it, landing in a crouch and immediately lunging forward to close the distance.

    He spun low, sweeping his leg out to knock her off balance, but Rye beat her wings, ascending into the air and avoiding the attack. She retaliated by slashing her hand through the air, summoning a massive glyph that erupted beneath Xyenn¡¯s feet.

    The explosion sent him flying, his body twisting mid-air as he crashed into the ground. He rolled to his feet, blood dripping from his mouth as he steadied himself. His golden eye locked on Rye as she descended, her spear spinning in rapid rotations.

    Xyenn roared as he charged forward, his body a quick speed of motion. He ducked under Rye¡¯s spear, closing the distance and slamming his shoulder into her chest. The impact sent her stumbling back, and he followed up with a brutal combo.

    He slashed horizontally with one shard, carving into her side and causing golden ichor to spray across the platform. Before she could recover, he spun and drove the second shard into her thigh, twisting it as he ripped it free.

    Rye screamed in pain, her wings flaring as she lashed out with a desperate strike. Xyenn ducked under the blow, his golden eye catching every movement as he leapt onto her back.

    With a primal roar, he drove one shard into the base of her wing, severing it completely. The wing tore free with a sickening crunch, and Rye collapsed to her knees, blood pouring from the wound.

    ¡°I¡¯m..a Siren¡ª!¡±

    Xyenn didn¡¯t stop. He grabbed her remaining wing and tore it off with both hands, the sound of ripping flesh and snapping bone echoing across the platform.

    Rye screamed, her voice a mix of fury and agony, but Xyenn thrashed her with a devastating blow to her chest.

    The light in her eyes flickered as her body convulsed, golden ichor pouring from every wound. Xyenn stepped back, his body trembling as he watched her collapse in a grotesque heap. Her wings lay in broken pieces, her radiant form now a twisted, lifeless shell.

    The platform was silent once more, save for Xyenn¡¯s ragged breathing. He dropped the shards of his shield, his bloodied hands trembling as he stared down at Rye¡¯s remains. His golden eye glowed faintly, the runes on his body dimming as the battle¡¯s toll finally caught up with him.

    Yuuna walked up on Xyenn, saying, ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    Xyenn grinned, ¡°Never better. I missed the crystal that was in her.¡±

    ¡°Yeah I saw. But that¡¯s good. We could use that.¡±

    Then, Rye began to reform.

    As the dust from the battle began to settle, the radiant light on the platform dimmed, leaving only the faint glow of the runes etched into the ground. Rye knelt before Xyenn and Yuuna, her once-terrifying presence subdued. Her wings, though battered and bloodied, folded behind her as she rested one hand on her knee and the other across her chest. Her golden eyes, now softer yet still piercing, lifted to the two standing above her.

    ¡°You are¡­ remarkable,¡± Rye said, her voice calm but laced with reverence. ¡°To have defeated me with such pitiful and weak light magic¡­ I am astounded. Though you relied on your natural strength and speed to make up for it; you used your own pitiful weak light magic as a stepping stone for your natural abilities.¡±

    Xyenn and Yuuna exchanged a glance, their expressions carefully neutral. Inside, both were grumbling with barely contained irritation.

    ¡®Pitiful?¡¯ Yuuna thought, her eyebrow twitching as she clenched her fists. ¡®I¡¯ll show you pitiful, you glowing pigeon.¡¯

    Yuuna knew her light magic was weak like Xyenn¡¯s, but she still felt insulted.

    Xyenn wasn¡¯t much better, his jaw tightening as he resisted the urge to roll his eyes. ¡®Weak, huh? It¡¯s cause this temporary magic I have! Maybe next time I won¡¯t hold back, and we¡¯ll see how ¡®weak¡¯ you think I am. I know the magic is weak but for some reason it still insulted me.¡¯

    Despite their inner frustrations, neither dared to break their cover. They knew the stakes were too high.

    Rye tilted her head, her gaze sharp. ¡°Tell me, warriors of light, your names and your stories. Those who pass through the Tunnels of Light are either guided by the will of Lancelot¡­ or by sheer audacity, or curiosity to evolve into true tranquility and power. Which is it for you?¡±

    Xyenn stepped forward, forcing a faint smile as he extended a hand to help Rye rise.

    ¡®Make up a fake name. Something believable.¡¯

    ¡°I¡¯m Trevor,¡± he said smoothly, his voice steady. ¡°And this is Alice.¡± He gestured toward Yuuna, who offered a dramatic curtsy that was a touch too theatrical.

    Yuuna smirked, and Xyenn side-eyed her with a flustered face.

    Rye¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, her brow furrowing. ¡°Trevor¡­ Alice. And what brings you to the Land of Sovereignty?¡±

    Xyenn took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself. ¡®Alright, time to sell this.¡¯ He placed a hand over his chest, his golden eye dimming slightly as he let his voice drop into an emotional tone.

    ¡°I grew up in a place where I was hated¡ªreviled¡ªfor reasons I couldn¡¯t understand. My family¡­ or what was left of it¡­ was taken from me. All I had was Lancelot¡¯s guidance. His light was the only thing that kept me going.¡± He paused, letting a hint of pain creep into his voice. ¡°I was alone¡­ until I met Alice. We¡¯ve been fighting ever since, trying to find a place to belong. A place where the light can guide us to something greater.¡±

    Rye¡¯s gaze softened slightly, her glowing eyes studying him intently. She gave a slow nod, her voice even. ¡°Your story carries weight, Trevor. Many have found themselves cast aside by the darkness of this world. It is through Lancelot¡¯s light that we find redemption.¡±

    Xyenn gave a humble nod, though internally, he was sweating. ¡®Please don¡¯t ask too many questions. Please don¡¯t ask too many questions!¡¯

    Rye then turned to Yuuna. ¡°And you, Alice? What of your story?¡±

    Yuuna stepped forward, her face instantly contorting into an exaggerated expression of sorrow. She clasped her hands dramatically over her chest and tilted her head back, staring upward as if she were calling on the heavens themselves.

    ¡°Ohhh, my story,¡± Yuuna began, her voice dripping with melodrama. ¡°It is one of pain and unimaginable suffering!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s eyelid twitched. ¡®Here we go.¡¯

    Yuuna flung her arms out, spinning in place as she continued, her voice rising with every word. ¡°I was born in the darkest of villages, where the sun *never* shone, and the people were cruel, calling me names like¡­ ¡®Weak Alice¡¯ and¡­ ¡®Lightless!¡¯¡± She gasped, clutching her chest as if she might faint.

    Rye tilted her head, her expression unreadable.

    ¡°They mocked me!¡± Yuuna cried, tears (fake) welling in her l eyes. ¡°For my magic was meager, my light barely a flicker compared to theirs. I was cast out, forced to fend for myself in the wilderness, where I fought off wolves, bears, and a particularly vicious goose with nothing but my bare hands!¡±

    Xyenn buried his face in his palm, hiding his expression.

    ¡°But then,¡± Yuuna continued, snapping out of her dramatic pose and placing a hand on Xyenn¡¯s shoulder, ¡°I met Trevor. He showed me that even the weakest light can shine brightly when given a chance. Together, we came here, hoping to strengthen our bond with Lancelot¡¯s light and defeat the darkness that plagues this world!¡± She paused for effect before adding, ¡°We¡¯ve heard rumors of people making contracts with demons. We came to stop it!¡±

    Rye stared at her for a long moment, her expression unreadable.

    The silence stretched.

    Yuuna glanced at Xyenn nervously, whispering out of the corner of her mouth, ¡°Did I go too far?¡±

    ¡°Did better than me,¡± Xyenn whispered back through gritted teeth.

    Finally, Rye raised an eyebrow, her wings shifting slightly. ¡°...I see.¡±

    Xyenn and Yuuna both froze, sweat forming on their brows.

    ¡°I must admit,¡± Rye continued, her tone measured, ¡°your stories are¡­ unusual.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s grin faltered, her hands twitching nervously. Xyenn¡¯s golden eye darted to the side, searching for an escape route.

    Then Rye smiled, folding her hands in front of her. ¡°But I believe you.¡±

    Both Xyenn and Yuuna nearly collapsed with relief.

    ¡°Your resolve speaks for itself,¡± Rye said, standing. She studied Xyenn closely, her expression turning thoughtful. ¡°However¡­ I must confess something. The Tunnels of Light can only be accessed by a portal created by a cleric of the Holy Branch. Which means¡­¡± She paused, her sharp gaze locking onto Xyenn. ¡°You must have defeated one to get here.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s back stiffened. ¡°Well, uh¡­¡±

    Rye stepped closer, looking him up and down. ¡°Your fighting style is ruthless¡ªcalculated. Not the way a cleric fights. And the way you wielded that shield¡­ it speaks of battle experience far beyond what most possess. Many years ago, there were a large number of clerics going rogue after following a traitor. Those rogues were hunted down, one by one. But for outsiders to defeat one of them¡­¡± She trailed off, her golden eyes narrowing.

    Xyenn clenched his fists, his mind racing. Yuuna glanced at him, her grin strained as she whispered, ¡°She might be onto us.¡±

    Yuuna asked Rye, ¡°What makes you so sure we¡¯re not working with them?¡±

    Rye chuckled, ¡°Please. Any worshipper of Lancelot with your magic levels wouldn¡¯t even dare side with those rogue traitors, and infiltrate the Land of Sovereignty on top of that. You two seem smart enough. I can feel the light in you, it¡¯s pure. Though it¡¯s not refined. It has potential. And those uniforms¡ª.¡±

    Yuuna spoke, ¡°After we faced off against the traitors, we didn¡¯t want to show up here in our dirty ragged outfits. We wanted to be at least presentable in front of you guys. We¡¯ve wanted this for a long time. And I¡¯m sorry my magic wasn¡¯t commendable; but I promise I''ll get stronger here! I hope. I almost faltered, I thought of myself as evil once we took their lives, it was only one Cleric, but still¡­he was a brother in the light.¡±

    Xyenn laid his hand on Yuuna¡¯s shoulder, acting alongside her, saying, ¡°It¡¯s okay, Alice. I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll help us.¡±

    Yuuna nodded at him, looking into his eye, ¡°Yeah I know they will.¡±

    They both thought at the same time, ¡®We¡¯re such amazing actors!¡¯

    But Rye¡¯s expression softened again. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. What¡¯s done is done. You¡¯ve proven your strength, and that is enough for me. I will personally escort you through the Land of Sovereignty. It is not only the sanctuary of the Clerics of the Holy Branch but also home to the vessel of Lancelot himself¡­ Sugred.¡±

    Both Xyenn and Yuuna tensed at the mention of Sugred, though they quickly masked their reactions.

    Rye extended a hand toward them, her wings flaring slightly. ¡°Come. You are no longer strangers. You are warriors of light.¡±

    Xyenn hesitated for a moment before nodding, his voice calm. ¡°Thank you. We¡¯ll follow your lead.¡±

    Yuuna, ever the actress, gave a dramatic bow. ¡°We¡¯re honored to have your guidance, oh glorious Siren of the Light.¡±

    Rye smiled faintly, turning and gesturing for them to follow. As her back was turned, Xyenn shot Yuuna a glare, whispering, ¡°Damn that was close..¡±

    Yuuna smirked. ¡°You¡¯re such a great actor, darling.¡±

    Rye said, ¡°One more thing¡ª.¡±

    That made Xyenn and Yuuna jump, then fixing their posture.

    Rye continued, ¡°Sugred would want to know how exactly you defeated those traitors. Every little detail. And so do I. But I am not worthy to hear it before he does, so I want to be in his presence as you speak of it. Along with the other Sirens who are stronger than me. You will surely be rewarded!¡±

    Xyenn asked nervously, but held his composure trying to act super serious, ¡°You¡¯ll be taking us TO Sugred himself?¡±

    ¡°Yes. That won¡¯t be an issue, right?¡±

    Xyenn and Yuuna shook their heads and slightly waved their hands, ¡°No no not at all.¡±

    Yuuna added, ¡°It would be an honor granted by the light itself to meet a vessel of our most humbled deity.¡±

    Xyenn looked at Yuuna, thinking ¡®She¡¯s good at this.¡¯

    Xyenn sighed, shaking his head as they followed Rye into the glowing gates of the Land of Sovereignty.

    The moment they crossed through the glowing gates, the air seemed to shift around them. Xyenn, Yuuna, and Rye floated on a cloud that shimmered faintly with golden light, its surface soft yet firm beneath their feet. Rye stood at the front, her hands weaving intricate patterns in the air, guiding the cloud like a captain steering a ship. The cloud moved smoothly, cutting through the misty expanse of glowing white and gold, rising higher and higher into the sky.

    As they ascended, the horizon began to open up, revealing a sight so breathtaking it nearly stopped Xyenn and Yuuna in their tracks.

    The Land of Sovereignty stretched out before them¡ªa floating metropolis suspended in the heavens, its sheer scale almost incomprehensible. The city glowed with an otherworldly brilliance, as if every structure was carved from pure light and polished to perfection. Massive towers spiraled upward, their surfaces shimmering with golden runes that pulsed like the heartbeat of the land itself. Bridges of translucent crystal connected the towers, and beneath them, cascading waterfalls of radiant light spilled into the infinite expanse of clouds below, vanishing into the endless horizon.

    The sky was an endless expanse of soft blues and radiant golds, the clouds swirling like an eternal dance. The air was crisp and carried a faint, sweet aroma¡ªlike wildflowers blooming after a fresh rainstorm¡ªbut it was tinged with something deeper, something ancient and sacred. It was the smell of magic, raw and untouched, filling their lungs with every breath.

    The city was alive with activity. Clerics moved gracefully along the bridges and streets, their robes flowing behind them like rippling streams of light. Each cleric was uniquely dressed¡ªsome wore gleaming white armor adorned with feathers and golden filigree, while others wore flowing garments of pure silk that appeared to shift colors as they walked. Even the children, who laughed and ran along the edges of the floating platforms, wore small halos of gold that shimmered faintly above their heads.

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes darted to one group of clerics gathered near a glowing fountain. They were performing a ritual, their hands moving in unison as golden glyphs formed in the air between them. The glyphs spun and twisted, creating shapes that seemed almost alive before bursting into radiant light that illuminated their serene faces.

    On another platform, a group of clerics tended to an enormous, bird-like creature with long, elegant wings that shimmered as if coated in liquid light. Its beak was sharp and curved, its eyes glowing with a soft blue hue. The clerics brushed its feathers with glowing tools, and the creature let out a melodic cry, its voice resonating through the air like a song.

    Other creatures flew through the skies, each one more fantastical than the last. There were massive, manta-ray-like beasts that glided effortlessly through the clouds, their translucent bodies glowing faintly with veins of golden energy. Smaller, dragon-like creatures with sleek, feathered wings darted between the towers, their scales reflecting the city¡¯s light like prisms. A herd of glowing stag-like creatures leaped from one floating island to another, their antlers crackling with arcs of blue and gold lightning.

    Yuuna''s mouth hung open as she took it all in, her golden eyes wide with awe. ¡°This¡­ this is insane,¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sounds of the city.

    Even Xyenn, who rarely showed much emotion, couldn¡¯t hide the look of shock on his face. His gaze was drawn to the massive statue at the center of the city¡ªa towering effigy of Sugred. The statue was easily the largest structure in the Land of Sovereignty, its base alone the size of a small village. Sugred was depicted as a radiant figure draped in flowing robes, his hands outstretched as if welcoming the heavens themselves. His face was serene, almost divine, and his head was encircled by a jagged, glowing halo that seemed to pulse with barely contained energy.

    The statue radiated power, and even from this distance, Xyenn and Yuuna could feel its presence, an oppressive weight pressing against their chests.

    Rye glanced over her shoulder, her expression calm but proud. ¡°Beautiful, isn¡¯t it? The Land of Sovereignty is the heart of the Clerics of the Holy Branch. It is where Lancelot¡¯s light is strongest, and where his vessel, Sugred, resides. This is the sanctuary of the faithful, a place untouched by the corruption of darkness.¡±

    Yuuna didn¡¯t respond. Her smile had faded, and her hands trembled slightly at her sides.

    The cloud drifted closer to the city, gliding just above a series of floating gardens filled with glowing flowers and crystalline trees. The air was warmer here, the sweet aroma of the flowers mingling with the faint hum of magic that seemed to emanate from every blade of grass. Clerics walked through the gardens, their faces serene as they tended to the plants or meditated near the glowing pools of water.

    But Yuuna¡¯s attention was elsewhere. Her chest tightened as a sudden, heavy *thoom* seemed to echo through her very being. It wasn¡¯t a sound, not exactly¡ªit was something deeper, something primal. Her fingers twitched, her breath hitching as an overwhelming sense of power washed over her.

    She leaned closer to Xyenn, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Do you feel that?¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s face had gone serious, his golden eye narrowing as he scanned the city. He could feel it too¡ªa suffocating presence that seemed to press down on him from all sides. It wasn¡¯t just power; it was something ancient, something alive.

    ¡°What even is that¡­?¡± he muttered, his voice low and tense.

    Yuuna swallowed hard, her eyes darting toward the massive statue of Sugred in the distance. ¡°So much power¡­ it¡¯s suffocating,¡± she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. ¡°Lancelot is already here.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s jaw tightened, his grip on the jagged remains of his shield instinctively tightening. He glanced at Yuuna, his expression unreadable, but she could see the tension in his frame, the way his muscles coiled like a spring ready to snap.

    The cloud continued its ascent, drawing closer to the heart of the city. Rye remained at the front, her hands steady as she guided them toward their destination, oblivious to the growing unease between her two passengers. The towering figure of Sugred loomed larger with every passing moment, its radiant presence dominating the skyline.

    The Land of Sovereignty was beautiful, yes. But beneath its stunning facade, Xyenn and Yuuna could feel it¡ªan undercurrent of something far darker.

 Chapter 73: Family Ties

    The cloud drifted lazily through the shimmering air, cutting through the golden mist that wove between the floating spires of the Land of Sovereignty. Yuuna leaned slightly against the edge of the cloud, her golden eyes flickering with awe as she forced herself to focus on the beauty around her. She inhaled deeply, the sweet, floral scent of the glowing gardens below filling her lungs. The soft hum of magic in the air was almost soothing, like the faint notes of a lullaby.

    Despite the serene landscape, her hands trembled faintly at her sides, her anxiety gnawing at her with every passing moment. Something about this place¡ªthis city of light and holiness¡ªfelt wrong to her. The oppressive power they had felt earlier still pressed against her chest, and though she tried to ignore it, the weight of it lingered, heavy and suffocating.

    Her thoughts spiraled as she looked out at the mesmerizing cityscape. ¡®It¡¯s beautiful. It¡¯s perfect. Too perfect¡­¡¯ She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms as she forced her breathing to stay even. ¡®Focus, Yuuna. Don¡¯t let it get to you. Just enjoy the view. Pretend you belong here. Mom..¡¯

    Ahead, Rye stood at the front of the cloud, her hands moving gracefully as she steered them through the metropolis. Her wings, still battered from the earlier battle, glimmered faintly in the light, and her expression was calm, almost serene.

    Xyenn, standing next to Yuuna, glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. He could sense something was off, but he didn¡¯t press her. Instead, he turned his attention back to the sights around them, his golden eye scanning the city with a mixture of caution and wonder.

    As they floated further into the heart of the city, more fantastical sights greeted them. A massive serpent of light, its scales shimmering with hues of gold and silver, coiled lazily around one of the towering spires. The creature was enormous, its body so long it seemed to vanish into the clouds below. Its head, adorned with glowing horns that curved backward like a crown, turned slightly as they passed, its glowing eyes locking onto them for a brief moment.

    ¡°That¡¯s the Serpent of Radiance,¡± Rye said, her voice breaking the silence. ¡°He is the guardian of the realm and the protector of the Ohnupilath Tree.¡±

    ¡°The tree¡­ it¡¯s not here, is it?¡± Xyenn asked, his voice quiet but firm.

    Rye shook her head. ¡°No. The Ohnupilath Tree exists in another dimension that is within this realm, accessible only to those chosen by Lancelot himself; like Sugred for example. The Serpent ensures that no one, not even the most devoted clerics, can approach it without permission.¡±

    Yuuna tilted her head slightly, forcing herself to focus on the serpent instead of the tightness in her chest. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ beautiful,¡± she murmured, her voice soft.

    Xyenn noticed Yuuna¡¯s forced smile, and thought, ¡®I hate that she is going through this. But it must be done. Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯ll be over soon.¡¯

    The serpent¡¯s massive head dipped slightly, acknowledging them before it unfurled its coiled body, stretching out and vanishing into the golden clouds below slowly.

    The cloud they rode on continued its journey, passing over more breathtaking scenes. Clerics meditated in floating gardens, their hands glowing as they manipulated golden runes that floated around them like leaves in the wind. A group of clerics on a distant platform tended to a massive, phoenix-like bird with feathers of pure flame, its cry echoing like a song across the city.

    Rye turned to glance at Xyenn and Yuuna, her calm expression softening slightly. ¡°Tranquility is the essence of this land,¡± she said, her voice steady. ¡°It is a place where the faithful can find peace and purpose, where the light of Lancelot guides every action. It is a realm untouched by the chaos of the outside world.¡±

    Yuuna forced a smile, nodding slightly. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ incredible,¡± she said, though her voice was tight.

    Xyenn, his gaze shifting back to Rye, raised an eyebrow. ¡°If this place is so perfect, how are you the weakest Siren? You fought like someone who could crush armies.¡±

    Rye chuckled faintly, her wings twitching as she held her hands steady. The cloud shifted slightly under her control, gliding smoothly through the air. ¡°I am the Seventh Siren of Sugred,¡± she said, her tone calm but tinged with a hint of pride. ¡°The weakest, yes, but not without reason. Each Siren is ranked by experience, power, and by the number of witches we have slain, and by the years we have served at Sugred¡¯s side.¡±

    She glanced back at them, her golden eyes glimmering faintly. ¡°I have only served Sugred for twenty years. The First Siren has been by his side since the days of King Samuel, the first vessel of Lancelot. His strength is unmatched, his power absolute. Compared to him, I am but a shadow.¡±

    Yuuna tilted her head, her curiosity momentarily overriding her anxiety. ¡°The First Siren... What''s he like?¡±

    Rye¡¯s expression darkened slightly, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her face. ¡°He is ruthless. Devoted. A true warrior of the light. But to stand in his presence¡­ it is to feel the weight of eternity pressing down on you.¡±

    Neither Xyenn nor Yuuna responded, the weight of her words sinking in.

    As they floated further, the cloud descended slightly, bringing them closer to a long, open courtyard lined with glowing white pillars. A group of children, dressed in simple yet elegant white garments adorned with golden accents, stood in a perfectly straight line. Their faces were calm, their wide, curious eyes glowing faintly with the light of Lancelot.

    Clerics of the Holy Branch stood near the children, their expressions warm and gentle as they spoke softly to them. In front of each child stood a witch, bound in glowing chains that crackled faintly with energy. The witches knelt, their faces obscured by shadow, their bodies trembling as the clerics chanted softly.

    Rye gestured toward the scene, her wings flaring slightly as she turned to Xyenn and Yuuna. ¡°Watch carefully, Trevor. Alice. This is one of the most sacred moments in the Land of Sovereignty.¡±

    Yuuna blinked, her anxiety momentarily replaced by confusion. ¡°Sacred? What¡¯s happening?¡±

    Rye smiled faintly, her voice soft. ¡°The children are the future of the Holy Branch. When clerics join the family of Lancelot, they are taught to love children above all else. They are the purest vessels of light, untainted by the darkness of the outside world. It is our duty to nurture them, to protect them, and to guide them so that they may one day carry on the light of Lancelot.¡±

    Yuuna thought, ¡®Is that why Faera and the others created an orphanage? Despite separating themselves from Lancelot, they never abandoned their love for children. Parentless children¡­at that.¡¯

    Xyenn crossed his arms, his golden eye narrowing slightly as he studied the scene below. ¡°And the witches?¡±

    Rye¡¯s expression hardened slightly. ¡°They are here for the children to witness. They serve as a reminder of the darkness that lurks beyond our sanctuary. The clerics teach the children to see their light as a shield against that darkness, to understand the weight of their duty when they grow older.¡±

    Yuuna forced herself to smile, though her chest tightened again, the oppressive power she had felt earlier creeping back into her mind. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ lovely,¡± she said, her voice strained.

    Rye nodded, her wings folding slightly as she gestured for the cloud to descend further. The three of them watched as the clerics continued their ritual, the children standing silently, their glowing eyes fixed on the bound witches.

    The cloud descended slowly, its golden edges dissolving like mist as it neared the courtyard where the children stood in perfect rows. Their clothes were immaculate and striking, a blend of holy elegance and practical design. The children wore white, form-fitting tunics embroidered with golden sigils that pulsed faintly, as if alive. The hems of their tunics were decorated with glowing threads that shifted between gold and soft yellow, resembling rays of sunlight. Some of the older children wore sashes of deep gold tied around their waists, denoting their rank as apprentices of the Holy Branch.

    Small halos of light hovered above their heads, not solid like the clerics¡¯, but faint and shimmering, as though their connection to Lancelot¡¯s mana was still blossoming. Their sandals were made of a translucent, crystalline material that caught the light, refracting it into faint rainbows with each step.

    The children stood silently in front of the bound witches, their glowing eyes wide but focused. The witches knelt in chains of radiant light that crackled and hummed with energy. Their bodies were frail, many of them gaunt and trembling, their faces obscured by flickering shadows cast by the golden runes etched into the very air around them.

    One of the clerics, an older woman with sharp, angular features and a soft golden glow radiating from her hands, stepped forward. She addressed the children with a calm, instructive tone, her voice carrying the weight of authority.

    ¡°Children,¡± she said, her golden eyes sweeping over them, ¡°today, you will learn what it means to harness the draconic mana of Lancelot. His light flows through each of us, a gift and a responsibility. It is not merely power; it is life itself, a piece of the divine. Through this mana, you can create, shape, and destroy. But heed me well¡ªthis mana must remain in harmony with Lancelot¡¯s affinity. It is not yours to twist into chaos for selfish ends. It must always align with his will, his light.¡±

    The children listened attentively, their expressions solemn.

    ¡°The spells you create,¡± the cleric continued, her glowing hands weaving patterns in the air, ¡°are limited only by your experience, your control, and your imagination. Some of you may already feel the stirrings of creation in your hearts. Others may still struggle to weave the mana into form. But remember, the more you practice, the more you understand, the closer you will come to truly becoming one with Lancelot¡¯s light.¡±

    Yuuna, standing on the cloud above the scene, forced herself to focus. Her anxiety was still gnawing at her, but she latched onto the cleric¡¯s words, letting the beauty and mysticism of the moment distract her. She glanced at Xyenn, who stood rigid, his arms crossed as he watched the children and clerics below with a sharp eye.

    Xyenn thought, ¡®It¡¯s like this for all draconic deities. Draconic mana is given to their followers by the god itself, and they can cultivate it and create their own skills from it within their gods affinity; aligning with their experience and power. And can be cultivated to increase power by training. For the dragon gods, they don¡¯t just assign magic skills to their followers, but allow them to create from their gods mana. Gabriel¡¯s mana if we¡¯re being technical. I already know from this angle, this isn¡¯t gonna end well.¡¯

    Before either of them could say anything, a shift in the atmosphere drew their attention.

    From the far end of the courtyard, a figure approached, his presence commanding yet oddly tranquil. The 6th Siren of Sugred, Joeseth, arrived with slow, deliberate steps.

    Joeseth was unlike Rye in every way. He was tall and lean, his body wrapped in a simple glowing white robe that hung loosely around his waist, leaving his chest bare. His bushy, unkempt hair was a mix of brown and white, wild and untamed, giving him a disheveled appearance. Around his hands, glowing yellow strands of light coiled like living ribbons, occasionally sparking with golden energy. His face was serene, a tranquil smile spreading across his lips, but his most striking feature was his eyes¡ªred crystals etched with intricate golden designs, their surfaces shimmering like molten jewels.

    Despite his peaceful demeanor, there was an undercurrent of menace in the way he moved, as though he could unleash unspeakable destruction with a single gesture.

    ¡°Children,¡± Joeseth said, his voice smooth and calm, yet carrying an undeniable weight that silenced the courtyard. ¡°You have been taught the importance of light. Today, you will wield it. Your task is simple: one shot, one kill. Harness your mana. Strike true. Prove that you are worthy of Lancelot¡¯s guidance. These witches are a part of a coven. They use their dark magic that goddess of darkness Yuuna spread many years ago, and they have successfully manifested it to their own will! Selling their souls to the demons of Hell. It¡¯s her fault they exist.¡±

    Yuuna gritted her teeth slightly, a low growl forming from the depths of her chest, and Xyenn slightly reached out and put his hand on her hand.

    Down below the children nodded in unison, their glowing eyes fixed on the witches before them.

    Joeseth¡¯s tranquil smile remained as he gestured with a slight wave of his hand. ¡°Begin.¡±

    The first child stepped forward, a young girl with short, curly hair and a faintly trembling halo above her head. She extended her hands, golden light pooling between them as she concentrated. Her breathing was steady, her expression calm. The light coalesced into a spear-like form, jagged and raw, but powerful. With a soft grunt, she thrust her hands forward, and the spear shot through the air, piercing the chest of the witch before her.

    The witch let out a gurgling scream, blood spraying from the wound as the spear exploded inside her, tearing her torso apart in a grotesque display of gore and viscera. The girl flinched slightly but kept her composure, stepping back silently as the clerics nodded approvingly.

    ¡®Yes! I did it!¡¯

    The second child, a boy with sharp features and a determined gaze, wasted no time. His hands moved quickly, weaving a complex series of runes in the air. The runes glowed brightly before shattering into shards of light that rained down on the witch in front of him. The shards tore into her flesh, ripping her apart in a spray of blood and shredded skin.

    Yuuna¡¯s stomach churned, but she forced herself to remain still, her golden eyes fixed on the scene. ¡®This is insane. They¡¯re just kids¡­¡¯

    ¡®Vulnerable and fragile children being taught how to kill at an early age..in brutal fashion. Witches are bad, yeah. But forcing them to kill without letting them experience life more first and the world of Kyrrin¡­fuck..¡¯

    The third child, a quiet girl with long, silvery hair, seemed hesitant at first. But when she stepped forward, her light magic was precise and devastating. She formed a glowing whip in her hands, snapping it forward with surprising force. The whip wrapped around the witch¡¯s neck, and with a sharp pull, the child decapitated her target in one brutal motion. Blood gushed from the stump of the witch¡¯s neck as her head rolled to the ground, her lifeless body collapsing moments later.

    The fourth child, a small boy with wide, innocent eyes, hesitated for a fraction of a second before extending his hands. His magic was raw, unrefined, but powerful. A burst of light erupted from his palms, vaporizing the upper half of the witch in front of him. The remains of her body fell to the ground, blood pooling beneath it as the boy stepped back, his face pale but determined.  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    ¡°Oh yeah! I-I got her!¡±

    Joeseth said, ¡°Do not celebrate, child. In a real fight, that celebration would¡¯ve caused your early demise.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Siren Joeseth.¡±

    The final child stepped forward, a young boy with short, messy hair and a nervous expression. He raised his trembling hands, golden light flickering weakly between them. The witch before him, a woman with hollow eyes and a gaunt face, stared at him silently, her chains rattling faintly as she trembled.

    And the witch exclaimed, ¡°I¡¯m glad I¡¯ve done what I¡¯ve done! These fucking dragon gods ruining peoples lives. At least we stepped up! Go ahead and do it, brat. You¡¯re only scarring yourself!¡±

    The boy released a burst of light, but it struck the witch¡¯s shoulder instead of her chest. The attack tore through her flesh, leaving a brutal, gaping wound, but she was still alive. She let out a guttural scream, her body convulsing as blood poured from the wound.

    The boy froze, panic flashing across his face.

    ¡°I-I can¡¯t do it..¡±

    Joeseth stepped behind him, placing a hand on the boy¡¯s shoulder. His tranquil smile remained, but his voice was low and steady. ¡°Do not hesitate. Your light is your strength. Focus. End her suffering. She will join her whores of darkness.¡±

    The boy nodded shakily, his breathing uneven as he raised his hands again. This time, he formed a glowing orb of light, its edges crackling with unstable energy. He hurled it at the witch, and it struck her midsection, blowing a chunk out of her abdomen.

    The witch screamed louder, her voice raw and agonized. Blood splattered across the courtyard as she writhed in her chains.

    ¡°Keep going, brat! Turn into the killer they want! Destroy the darkness!¡± The witch laughed.

    The boy¡¯s hands trembled violently, tears welling in his eyes as he tried again.

    ¡®Destroy the darkness..¡¯ Another burst of light struck the witch, tearing another piece of her body apart, but she still clung to life, her screams growing weaker but no less horrifying.

    ¡°Finish it,¡± Joeseth said softly, his hand still on the boy¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Haha! Finish it!¡± The witch screamed.

    The boy let out a scream of his own, raw and desperate, as he unleashed one final blast of magic. The light engulfed the witch, disintegrating her body in a grotesque explosion of blood and gore. When the light faded, nothing remained of her but a smoldering stain on the ground.

    The courtyard was silent for a moment before the clerics and children began to clap, their applause echoing across the floating city.

    The boy collapsed to his knees, his chest heaving as tears streamed down his face. Joeseth knelt beside him, his tranquil smile unwavering. ¡°Well done,¡± he said softly. ¡°Lancelot is proud of you.¡±

    When Xyenn saw the condition of the boy, he thought of himself in the arena, dropped to his knees covered in blood and face streaked with tears.

    He shook his head, and focused.

    The courtyard fell into a tranquil silence after the clapping subsided, the golden light of the Land of Sovereignty shimmering faintly in the air. Rye stood next to Xyenn and Yuuna, her glowing wings folding neatly behind her as she cast a glance toward Joeseth, who remained by the children. His tranquil smile never faltered as he quietly observed the scene.

    "The 6th Siren," Rye began, her voice soft but commanding, "is unlike the rest of us."

    Yuuna tilted her head, her golden eyes narrowing slightly. "He seems... different. Peaceful almost, but terrifying at the same time."

    Rye nodded, her gaze lingering on Joeseth. "Joeseth is known for his calm demeanor, a trait many mistake for weakness. But make no mistake¡ªhis power is unmatched by anyone beneath Sugred himself. His skill with Lancelot¡¯s mana is extraordinary, his creativity in weaving spells as fluid as the light he commands. His eyes¡ªthose red crystals¡ªare a permanent transformation from his battles with some of the most dangerous witches in history."

    Xyenn crossed his arms, his golden eye narrowing as he studied Joeseth from a distance. "If he¡¯s that strong, why isn¡¯t he the first Siren?"

    Rye turned back to them, her expression neutral. "The Sirens are not ranked solely by power, like I mentioned earlier. Experience, loyalty, and history with Sugred and Lancelot all play a role. The First Siren has been with Sugred since the beginning, from the days of King Samuel, the first vessel of Lancelot. Joeseth, though powerful, joined many years later."

    Yuuna crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "I thought the Sirens stayed close to Sugred. Why is he out here with the children?"

    Rye smiled faintly, tilting her head toward the glowing spires in the distance. "We are always close to Sugred. However, when Sugred and Lancelot are in a meeting with the elder dragon gods, even we are forbidden to disturb him."

    Xyenn¡¯s eyebrow arched slightly. "Elder dragon gods?"

    "Lancelot is but one of many," Rye explained. ¡°Many older dragon gods that are pretty ancient, alongside others¡ªgather for matters beyond our comprehension. During these times, the Sirens are tasked with maintaining order and ensuring that nothing interferes with Sugred¡¯s focus."

    Yuuna¡¯s voice was quieter now, her tone cautious. "So, how do you approach Sugred¡¯s domain if he¡¯s¡­ occupied?"

    Rye¡¯s expression grew more serious. "We may approach the domain, but we cannot enter until the gates open. Only when the meeting concludes will we be permitted to stand in his presence."

    Inside Sugred¡¯s domain, the air shimmered with a surreal brilliance, as though the pocket dimension itself was alive. The space was vast yet intimate, a dreamlike expanse where the boundaries of sky and ground blurred into one. The floor was a mirror-like surface of glowing white and gold, reflecting the figures within in perfect detail. Above them, a swirling sky of soft blues and purples seemed to stretch infinitely, dotted with faint stars that pulsed gently.

    Sugred floated in the center of this space, his presence both tranquil and menacing. His shoulder-length red hair was messy and wild, strands often falling across his pale face. Two bright white horns curved upward from his head, their surfaces faintly etched with glowing runes. His eyes were pure white, devoid of pupils, giving him an otherworldly appearance. In the center of his forehead, a vertical third eye glowed faintly gold, its presence both unsettling and mesmerizing.

    He wore a loose, flowing garment that seemed to be made of light itself, its edges flickering and shifting like flame. He hovered effortlessly, his posture relaxed but his aura oppressive, filling the space with a weight that made it difficult to breathe.

    Beside him was Lancelot, the dragon god of light. Lancelot¡¯s form was massive, his body a masterpiece of divine craftsmanship. His scales were a blinding white, each one radiating a soft golden glow. His wings, enormous and majestic, spread wide, their edges lined with radiant feathers that shifted between hues of gold and silver. His eyes were pools of molten light, their gaze piercing and absolute. A glowing crest of horns adorned his head, their intricate patterns flowing like liquid gold.

    Lancelot, the Dragon God of Light, was an awe-inspiring embodiment of divine power and celestial beauty. His form radiated an overwhelming brilliance that seemed almost impossible to look at directly, his presence filling the air with a hum of energy that resonated deep within the soul. His body was enormous, towering like a living mountain of light and majesty. His scales were pure white, each one perfectly smooth and polished, glowing faintly with an inner luminance. But they weren¡¯t uniform; each scale carried faint golden veins that pulsed slowly, like the heartbeat of an ancient star. As he moved, his scales refracted the light, creating shimmering halos that danced around his form, making him seem both solid and ethereal.

    His wings were impossibly vast, spanning so far that they seemed to stretch into the horizon of any space they occupied. Unlike typical dragon wings, his were made up of radiant, feather-like structures¡ªeach feather intricately detailed, long and sharp, glowing with alternating hues of white and gold. The edges of his wings were lined with a fine, shimmering dust that sparkled like the remnants of a dying star, trailing faint golden streaks of light whenever he moved. His head was a masterpiece of divine craftsmanship. His elongated snout was regal and sharp, his jawline accented by glowing runes etched into his skin¡ªa language of light that seemed to shift and rearrange itself with meaning far beyond mortal comprehension. His eyes were his most striking feature: twin orbs of molten gold, swirling endlessly like galaxies caught in an eternal dance. They seemed to pierce through anything they gazed upon, revealing truths and secrets hidden beneath the surface.

    Adorning his head was a crown of glowing horns, a crest that extended backward in a series of elegant, spiraling arcs. The horns were translucent, their cores glowing with liquid gold that flowed in intricate patterns, resembling rivers of light. Between the horns, a faint halo hovered, its edges rippling like the surface of a calm lake touched by moonlight.

    His neck was long and graceful, adorned with flowing streams of light that cascaded down like radiant ribbons. These streams pulsed gently, as if channeling raw mana from his core. Along his neck and down his spine, glowing spines extended outward, each one sharp yet delicate, almost crystalline in appearance.

    Lancelot¡¯s limbs were thick and muscular, exuding a sense of both grace and raw power. His claws were long and sharp, but instead of appearing menacing, they glowed faintly with a soft golden light, as if even his tools of destruction were meant to create beauty. His forearms were encased in intricate golden markings, almost like bracers, that seemed to shift and ripple with his movements.

    His tail was long, flexible, and adorned with glowing scales that grew brighter toward the tip. The end of his tail split into a fan-like structure, resembling a radiant sunburst with sharp edges that shimmered with golden fire.

    Finally, his chest¡ªthe core of his divine form¡ªwas where his power was most concentrated. Embedded deep within the center of his chest was a radiant crystal, the Heart of Lancelot. It pulsed like a living star, its light spilling outward in faint beams that seemed to ripple through the air. Around the crystal, glowing veins extended outward, connecting to the rest of his body like a vast network of divine energy.

    Every breath he took was a symphony of light and sound, a faint hum that resonated with the rhythm of the universe itself. His presence was both calming and overwhelming, a reminder that he was not simply a dragon¡ªhe was a god, a being of infinite power and purpose.

    Lancelot¡¯s very existence seemed to blur the line between physical and spiritual, as if he existed on multiple planes of reality at once. To stand in his presence was to feel the weight of eternity pressing down upon you, to feel insignificant and yet uplifted by the light of his gaze. He was a being that inspired reverence, fear, and awe all at once¡ªa creature of perfect balance, embodying the pure, unyielding light of creation.

    Sevyini, the dragon goddess of the moon, stood across from them, her presence equally commanding. Her skin was a soft light blue, glowing faintly like the moon¡¯s reflection on water. She was tall and imposing, with an ethereal grace that made her movements seem like a slow, deliberate dance. Her gown was majestic, woven from shimmering light and adorned with silver and sapphire accents that rippled like waves. A glowing halo of pale blue light hovered above her head, and her eyes, also light blue, were framed by dark blue tattoos that cascaded down her cheeks like tears. Her multiple arms moved effortlessly, each one radiating power and elegance.

    The three figures stood in perfect balance, their energies intertwining and filling the pocket dimension with a quiet hum of overwhelming power.

    Sugred said, ¡°Ugh. Where are the others?¡±

    Lancelot replied, ¡°Patience. No need to be¡ª.¡±

    ¡°¡ªIn a rush? I¡¯ve done enough waiting.¡±

    ¡®The ritual is almost complete. This could¡¯ve waited.¡¯

    Sevyini replied, ¡°Freina is..well have you heard?¡±

    ¡°What do you know? Who told you?¡±

    ¡°Orin did. He told me she was going crazy again. And now she¡¯s not listening to the other elders.¡±

    Sugred sighed, ¡°Let me guess, she¡¯s going after Yuuna and her little vessel after we told her NOT to? Could she not be more foolish?¡±

    Lancelot added, ¡°She fears the Cycle like most of those dragon gods, she was always the one to have rushed plans during the meetings. She couldn¡¯t take it anymore it seems.¡±

    Sugred pointed at Sevyini, ¡°Orin has always been sneaky. Why did he tell you and not us?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, Sugred. And please do not point at me.¡±

    Lancelot scoffed softly, ¡°Sugred is not yours to command, Sevyini of the Moon.¡±

    ¡°I may not be an elder, but I will not be controlled like your other elders tried.¡±

    ¡°If I aim to control you, I would in a heartbeat. But if you came here yourself, that means you have something we want.¡±

    ¡°The Ohnupilath Tree. It¡¯s becoming¡­corrupted. Orin mentioned you would need me for it.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s something I already know. The tree from the base is rotting, rotting with shadows.¡±

    Sugred said, ¡°¡ªIt was Yuuna. She did so much in her evil reign¡ª.¡±

    Lancelot shook his head, ¡°Silence, Sugred. Do not interrupt when I am talking. Do not forget that I have no emotions for you whatsoever. You became my vessel off a whim, King Samuel will always be my First Vessel. Even after hundreds of years, you cannot compare to him. You got power like you wanted, I gave it to you. Not emotions. Sugred looked after you for years, taught you the ways of light. But you still have long ways to go.¡±

    Sugred indeed had shut up, but scoffed silently.

    Lancelot looked at Sevyini, ¡°Those demons..the First Monarch, one of his Monarchs invaded Kyrrin during its early stages, but it was because of him. Xlemmeth was his name. The one who battled King Samuel, and my daughter who sealed him..tch. Xlemmeth had used his dark magic to pose as King Samuel¡¯s wives. But stole the shard that teleported one to the base of the Tree. And he corrupted it with the First Monarch¡¯s blood, and that¡¯s when he battled my daughter and King Samuel, but my power is strong enough to hold it back, but not cleanse it. But you, Sevyini, you can make the process slower.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t come here to help you, Lancelot.¡±

    ¡°If the Tree dies, you die. Everyone is dead. You would have no choice. The dragon deities are out of control as it is. King Haldrek and Ezrael are about to go to war that will negatively impact the world and might put it in an apocalyptic state. Two elder gods battling for nothing, only human desires.¡±

    ¡°Lancelot! I-I came only to tell you to talk to the other elders. Those bastards are using my people, the Quen, to escape the Cycle. And it worked, but the dragon god of the Sun was killed by Xyenn and Yuuna. These Quen are my people. My children, I understand Freina¡¯s anger. Her main source of worship, brutally killed off. So she¡¯s taking matters into her own hands, tracing Xyenn and Yuuna¡¯s every step. So you¡¯d understand where I¡¯m coming from.¡±

    ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for the fact that I need your power, I would destroy you at this moment. I was Gabriel¡¯s right hand, and I will be shown respect. But their decisions are not mine, you must take it up with them.¡±

    ¡°Please help me find them. Point me in the right direction. I don¡¯t want to suffer the Cycle, I don¡¯t. And cursing my people..I can¡¯t allow them to keep doing this.¡±

    ¡°Like I said, find them and confront them and be prepared to die. Or, use your magic to slow down the process of the Tree rotting, until we can unseal King Samuel.¡±

    ¡°What can he do..?¡±

    ¡°His sword is within the Tree. A sword crafted by the dragon god of the Forge, with a piece of Samuel¡¯s soul in the blade itself. Samuel is the only one who can wield it, and one can cut the darkness out with it. But for him to be unsealed, Yuuna must be alive to sing the song notes to him.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why you haven¡¯t ambushed her yet..¡±

    ¡°Yes. I need her alive. But if Freina is locating her, she is too late.¡±

    ¡°Why is that?¡±

    Sugred said, ¡°Yuuna is already here.¡±

    Lancelot added with a grin towards Sevyini, ¡°You¡¯d think I wouldn¡¯t sense the soul of my own granddaughter? In my own realm? A direct breed from my daughter? I thought my daughter had died, until she helped King Samuel. Death was supposed to have claimed her, but apparently she didn¡¯t stay long. Her mother..was outside the realms of Kyrrin. Yuuna is here, and she can unseal King Samuel. The Tree needs to be fixed! Gabriel trusted Kyrrin in my hands, the Tree was created by me, I have a responsibility.¡±

    ¡°What about Yuuna¡¯s vessel? Xyenn? He¡¯s a Jotyin, and if he¡ª.¡±

    Sugred said, ¡°Did Orin tell you that too? Got me thinking he¡¯s working with Yuuna. Maybe even working with the All Mother, the Vessels of Gabriel.¡±

    Lancelot chuckled, ¡°The All Mother wouldn¡¯t work with an elder dragon god. They are hell bent on radiance, order, and Gabriel¡¯s perfect will. Not knowing Gabriel only created them to remind him of how radiant Kyrrin was. They were just reminders of his success.¡±

    ¡°Why do you need me..if Yuuna is here already?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t ask questions. There¡¯s no guarantee my granddaughter can awaken King Samuel, you are my trump card to protecting the life of the Tree until we can find another solution if Yuuna cannot do it.¡±

    Sugred asked Lancelot, ¡°Aye. What can she do for the Tree with her power?¡±

    Sevyini said, ¡°I¡ª.¡±

    Lancelot interrupted, ¡°You''ve done enough talking, Sevyini. It¡¯s Sugred¡¯s turn.¡± Then he looked over at Sugred, and explained, ¡°I know these dragon gods power better than they know them themselves:

    Sevyini weaves her protection magic with the precision and beauty of celestial rhythms, binding the light of the Ohnupilath Tree to the lunar essence she commands. Her magic does not merely shield the Tree from darkness but creates a dynamic interplay between light and shadow, invoking a slow, deliberate resistance. By channeling the silvery glow of moonlight, Sevyini forms a barrier of lunar threads¡ªeach a fragment of her divine essence¡ªthat wraps around the Tree in shifting patterns. These threads act as conduits for the Tree¡¯s light, amplifying its radiance while simultaneously absorbing and neutralizing the invading darkness. The threads hum with a rhythm resembling a heartbeat, synchronized with the phases of the moon, slowing the darkness¡¯ progress by forcing it to navigate an ever-changing labyrinth of light. The corruption, unable to find a stable entry point, is caught in a perpetual struggle against the Tree¡¯s illuminated defenses, like a predator chasing prey through a forest of mirrors.

    The complexity of Sevyini¡¯s magic lies in her ability to manipulate the essence of time itself, an intrinsic aspect of her lunar dominion. As the goddess of the moon, she entwines her protective magic with the waxing and waning cycles, deliberately stretching and compressing time around the Ohnupilath Tree. To the darkness, this creates a disorienting distortion, where every attempt to advance feels like centuries of futile effort. The light of the Tree, bolstered by Sevyini¡¯s presence, becomes a timeless beacon, constantly regenerating faster than the darkness can deplete it. Her magic does not simply block corruption but transforms the environment around the Tree into a battlefield where time, light, and shadow wage an eternal war. This temporal manipulation ensures that the darkness is not only slowed but gradually weakened; its own corruption begins to decay under the burden of Sevyini¡¯s timeless influence, like rot consuming itself.

    Sevyini also employs the subtlety of moonlight¡¯s duality¡ªits ability to illuminate while leaving shadows intact¡ªto deceive and confuse the darkness. Her magic introduces illusions within the Tree¡¯s light, creating false vulnerabilities that draw the corruption into traps. These traps, formed from condensed lunar energy, collapse inward the moment darkness touches them, fragmenting its essence and scattering it harmlessly into the aether. At the same time, the Ohnupilath Tree, infused with Sevyini¡¯s power, learns to adapt and evolve, its roots and branches shifting to mirror the moon¡¯s cycles. The Tree grows an intrinsic resistance, its light pulsing with the goddess¡¯s resolve, becoming a living extension of her will. In essence, Sevyini¡¯s protection magic transforms the Ohnupilath Tree into a beacon of defiance¡ªa radiant monument that, under her guardianship, can endure the encroaching darkness for a little bit of time. Hopefully enough time to hold it back. Just in case Yuuna cannot do this.¡±

    Sugred said, ¡°Ah.¡±

    Sevyini said, ¡°Please! I¡¯ll do it only if¡ª.¡±

    Lancelot threatened, ¡°¡ªOnly if what?¡±

    Sevyini didn¡¯t say anything, she merely looked down.

    ¡®Lancelot. Orin told me as an elder dragon god, he knows the weakness of every draconic deity, and how their magic works. I cannot win. Especially with his Vessel here. Sugred, despite being a vessel, can defeat me. My Quen¡­my people..my followers¡­I tried to stand in for you all, but I¡¯m faced with impossible odds. But I won¡¯t give up.¡¯

    Sevyini said, ¡°Okay. I will help.¡±

    ¡°Great! Also, if you see Orin, tell him his end will come. He cannot be trusted. Like those damned Prophets. They¡¯ve been silent for weeks. I guess I scared them too.¡±

    As the meeting concluded, Lancelot¡¯s massive form began to swirl and shift, his radiant body dissolving into streams of golden light. The light funneled toward Sugred, coiling around his outstretched hand before vanishing into his palm. Sugred¡¯s horns gleamed faintly as his eyes flickered with a brief golden glow.

    The pocket dimension dissipated, and Sugred reappeared in his throne room.

    The throne room was vast and imposing, a fusion of beauty and menace. The walls were made of a translucent material that shimmered like crystal, etched with glowing runes that pulsed in a steady rhythm. Golden light streamed in from massive arching windows that seemed to open into an infinite sky.

    Sugred¡¯s throne itself was carved from a single piece of radiant stone, its surface smooth and glowing faintly. The back of the throne was adorned with intricate patterns that resembled the wings of a dragon, and at its base, streams of golden light flowed like rivers, pooling into a glowing moat that surrounded the dais.

    Sugred sat back on his throne, resting his elbow on the armrest and pressing his hand to his face. His expression was calm, but his golden third eye glowed faintly, a sign of his deeper thoughts.

    ¡°This is why this must happen fast,¡± he muttered to himself, his voice low and deliberate. ¡°We¡¯re close¡­¡±

    ¡®Tch! That fucking Lancelot..he doesn¡¯t know about the ritual..if King Samuel is awakened before the ritual succeeds, the ancient bastard will stop the ritual. He¡¯s not omnipresent, so he is not everywhere at once. I don¡¯t want Yuuna unsealing Samuel. I¡¯m treated as trash by Lancelot, but never by Samuel. I will open Hell and conquer it! I¡¯m not a Jotyin, but I¡¯m an elder vessel. I¡¯m even better than them! If I do this, I will be taken seriously. I made the light what it is. I¡¯ve been a vessel longer than King Samuel was. I even offered my past wife Illyana to Lancelot. I¡¯ve devoted everything to the light just to prove myself. Why? King Samuel..it¡¯s what he told me to protect. I¡¯ll destroy anything¡ªI¡¯ll do anything to make myself on par with a Jotyin! Conquering hell now, would get rid of the darkness forever. I can give the Clerics the promised Holy Land. The light and their faith will be the fruits of their labor, which is the holy land. I will convert Hell into another Land of Sovereignty. There will be no more darkness, no more damned witches! These clerics yearn for the Holy Land I promised, and I will deliver. Lancelot will have no choice but to acknowledge me and my efforts. King Samuel can be unsealed after. Then he will do the same..¡¯

    The massive double doors to the throne room creaked open, their golden surfaces reflecting the light of the chamber. Rye entered first, her wings folded neatly behind her as she bowed deeply. Behind her, Xyenn and Yuuna followed, their expressions composed as they stepped forward.

    ¡°Lord Sugred,¡± Rye began, her voice steady but reverent, ¡°allow me to introduce Trevor and Alice. They are outsiders who have proven themselves worthy of entering the Land of Sovereignty.¡±

    Sugred¡¯s white eyes flickered toward them, his tranquil smile curving into something sharper. ¡°Rye,¡± he said, his tone calm but laced with a subtle menace, ¡°you¡¯re not being cautious when you¡¯re letting people into our land, no matter if they have light magic or not.¡±

    His gaze lingered on Xyenn and Yuuna as he added, ¡°Especially ones with such¡­ weak light magic.¡±

    Rye immediately dropped to one knee, her head bowed low. ¡°My lord, forgive me. I should have been more cautious. But Trevor and Alice have proven themselves¡ªthey defeated me in battle and took the Tunnel of Light, which means¡ª¡±

    Sugred¡¯s grin widened, his horns gleaming faintly. In a blink, he vanished, reappearing directly in front of Xyenn and Yuuna. The speed of his movement sent a sharp gust of wind through the chamber, the force rattling the glowing runes on the walls.

    Sugred¡¯s white eyes bored into Xyenn and Yuuna, his presence suffocating as he tilted his head slightly, his grin never faltering. ¡°Tell me,¡± he said softly, his tone almost playful but dripping with menace, ¡°how did you kill them?¡±

 Chapter 74: My Demands Will Be Met

    Xyenn and Yuuna stood before Sugred, feeling the suffocating weight of his presence. His third eye glowed faintly, as if it could see through everything they were, every lie they might speak. Xyenn¡¯s golden eye darted toward Yuuna, and she gave him an almost imperceptible nod. They had to act fast¡ªthey had to create a story convincing enough to satisfy the vessel of Lancelot himself.

    Sugred looked into their eyes, thinking, ¡®This is them. Xyenn and Yuuna. Yuuna..the queen of darkness herself. I¡¯m staring right into her eyes.¡¯

    Xyenn turned back to Sugred, his expression steady as he began to speak, his voice calm but purposeful. ¡°We didn¡¯t come here looking for conflict, my lord. When we were searching for Gabriel''s Ladder, hoping to reach this realm , we didn¡¯t know what to expect. But¡­¡± He glanced at Yuuna, as if for confirmation, before continuing. ¡°We encountered the cleric there. At first, we thought he was going to help us, but¡­¡±

    Yuuna stepped in seamlessly, her voice soft but layered with just enough tension to sell the story. ¡°He thought we were members of the Holy Branch sent to hunt him. He said Sugred had commanded you all to destroy him. We tried to reason with him, but he attacked first. We had no choice but to defend ourselves.¡±

    Sugred grinned, thinking more, ¡®Even using a realistic story to add to their story. No wonder Yuuna was able to cause so much damage! Am I enjoying this? I shouldn¡¯t be.¡¯

    Xyenn nodded, his expression darkening as though recalling the fabricated struggle. ¡°We didn¡¯t want to kill him, but his light magic was overwhelming. We had to fight back with everything we had.¡± He hesitated for a moment, adding a subtle tremble to his voice. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to do it, but¡­ if we didn¡¯t, we¡¯d have died.¡±

    Sugred said nothing, his tranquil yet menacing smile remaining as he tilted his head slightly. The room was silent, save for the faint hum of the glowing runes on the walls. Xyenn could feel his pulse quicken, the oppressive aura of Sugred¡¯s presence making every second drag on endlessly.

    Before Sugred could respond, the heavy doors of the throne room creaked open once more. The sound echoed through the chamber as six figures entered, one after another, their footsteps deliberate and synchronized.

    The Sirens of Sugred.

    Each one radiated an aura of power and authority, their unique appearances and presence filling the room.

    Joeseth, the 6th Siren, remained tranquil as always, his bushy brown and white hair wild and untamed. His glowing white robe hung loosely around his waist, and yellow strands of light coiled around his hands, sparking faintly as he walked. His red crystal eyes with intricate golden designs glimmered faintly as he joined the others.

    Behind him came the 5th Siren, Olnir Vast. Olnir was tall and broad-shouldered, with deep indigo skin that shimmered like obsidian in the light. His head was adorned with a crown of jagged, golden spikes, and his battle robe was a deep crimson, lined with glowing runes of gold. His hands were encased in gauntlets of translucent light, each one tipped with razor-sharp claws. His expression was stoic, but his piercing gaze seemed to judge everything in the room.

    The 4th Siren, Belith Corsai, was lean and wiry, his pale silver hair falling in sharp, uneven strands across his face. His robe was asymmetrical, with one sleeve long and adorned with intricate light-glyphs, while the other arm was exposed, revealing glowing tattoos that pulsed with golden energy. His eyes were golden slits, like those of a serpent, and his lips curled into a subtle smirk as he entered.

    The 3rd Siren, Vethar Ryen, was an older man, his face lined with scars that glowed faintly like molten metal. His robe was heavy and armored, its surface etched with countless runic symbols that shimmered as he moved. His hair was long and snow-white, tied back into a braid that fell over one shoulder. He carried a massive staff with a golden crystal embedded at its tip, its light flickering like a contained storm.

    The 2nd Siren, Kezrath Vorn, exuded raw power. His body was covered in armor made entirely of glowing light, the plates shifting and reforming as he walked. His piercing blue eyes burned like twin suns, and his bald head was adorned with a glowing circlet that pulsed in rhythm with the energy radiating from his body. He carried no visible weapon, but the sheer force of his presence suggested he didn¡¯t need one.

    And finally, the 1st Siren, Thalzak Grin. Thalzak was a towering figure, his presence utterly commanding. His hair was jet black and slicked back, and his eyes were like molten gold, glowing fiercely even in the bright throne room. His robe was regal, a blend of white and deep gold, with intricate embroidery that seemed to shift and move like flowing water. His demeanor was calm, but the slightest tilt of his head carried an air of absolute authority.

    The Sirens walked forward in silence, each one glancing briefly at Rye as they passed. Their gazes were sharp, filled with silent judgment, and Rye visibly tensed under their scrutiny. She bowed her head slightly, her wings folding tighter against her back as if trying to make herself smaller.

    The Sirens said nothing, their presence speaking volumes as they aligned themselves beside Sugred, forming a powerful and imposing semicircle.

    As Xyenn and Yuuna finished their story, Sugred¡¯s smile widened, and his third eye blinked slowly. He leaned back slightly, his voice calm yet chilling. ¡°Interesting,¡± he said, his tone dragging out the word. ¡°So, you defended yourselves against a cleric who believed you were hunters sent by me.¡±

    Sugred¡¯s smile didn¡¯t falter as he began to explain. ¡°The Holy Branch has always been divided between loyalty and betrayal. The traitors you fought were likely among those who followed my former wife, Illyana. She, like the demon Yuuna, sought to turn the Holy Branch against me. They abandoned Lancelot¡¯s light for the promises of darkness.¡±

    His gaze shifted to the far wall, and with a casual wave of his hand, golden light began to swirl through the air. Scenes formed within the glowing light, revealing images of the Land of Sovereignty and its people.

    ¡°The Holy Land,¡± Sugred continued, his voice deep and resonant, ¡°is more than a city. It is a promise. A vision. My goal is to remake Hell itself into a second Land of Sovereignty. To banish the darkness that festers there and replace it with the purity of light. Imagine a world without darkness, without demons, without suffering.¡±

    The images shifted, showing peaceful scenes of clerics tending to gardens, children laughing and playing, and mages meditating in glowing sanctuaries. Then, the vision darkened, revealing grotesque stacks of witch corpses piled high, their bodies bloodied and broken. The corpses were being dragged toward the edge of the land, where the massive Serpent of Radiance coiled, its glowing eyes watching as the bodies were fed to it.

    ¡°This is what we strive for,¡± Sugred said, his voice unyielding. ¡°A world where peace reigns, where darkness is eradicated. It is what King Samuel strived for, and it is what I shall achieve.¡±

    The light faded as Sugred turned back to Xyenn and Yuuna. His smile widened further, his white horns gleaming faintly in the golden light of the throne room. With a snap of his fingers, a small witch girl appeared before them, her frail body trembling as she fell to her knees. Trails of light followed her, dissipating as she landed.

    Sugred reached down, his hand closing around the girl¡¯s neck with alarming ease. He lifted her effortlessly, his tranquil smile never faltering as he turned to Xyenn.

    ¡°Trevor,¡± he said, his voice soft but menacing. ¡°Kill her.¡±

    ¡®¡­.What¡­?¡¯

    The throne room was silent, the weight of Sugred¡¯s command hanging in the air like a blade poised to drop. Xyenn¡¯s golden eye darted to the small girl trembling in Sugred¡¯s grasp, her frail body shaking as her wide, terrified eyes locked onto his. The strands of light trailing her from the summoning spell were fading, leaving her looking impossibly small and vulnerable.

    Xyenn¡¯s mind raced. He knew what Sugred wanted¡ªobedience, loyalty, blood. The followers of Lancelot despised witchcraft, and children were no exception if they were branded as witches. But this was wrong. The girl didn¡¯t feel like a witch to him. There was no darkness, no taint of Hell¡¯s corruption in her aura. He clenched his fists at his sides, forcing himself to think. He couldn¡¯t blow their cover. Not here. Not now. He had to think fast.

    ¡°My lord,¡± Xyenn began carefully, his voice steady but measured, ¡°I¡­ thought the followers of Lancelot had a soft spot for children. Surely, this girl¡ª¡±

    Sugred¡¯s tranquil smile widened, and the room grew colder. The Sirens shifted slightly, their glowing eyes narrowing in unison as if Xyenn¡¯s words had just offended the very foundation of their existence.

    ¡°You thought wrong.¡± Sugred¡¯s voice was calm, but the menace in it was unmistakable. ¡°Softness is for the weak, Trevor. Do you think light shows mercy to darkness? Do you think purity comes without sacrifice?¡±

    ¡°Children are not exempt,¡± Joeseth added, his tranquil tone carrying a sharp edge. ¡°A child who carries darkness is no different than an adult witch. Corruption is corruption, no matter the vessel.¡±

    Olnir, the 5th Siren, scoffed, his voice deep and rumbling. ¡°What weakness is this? Hesitation? If you truly serve the light, you would not question this act.¡±

    Xyenn opened his mouth to respond, his mind scrambling for a way to salvage the situation. But before he could even form a word, Sugred moved.

    FWOOSH!

    In an instant, Sugred¡¯s hand shot forward, and Xyenn felt a searing pain in his chest. His breath hitched as he looked down, his heart pumping visibly in Sugred¡¯s hand. It glowed faintly, suspended by strands of bright white and golden light that tethered it to his chest.

    Xyenn dropped to his knees, his hands shaking as he clutched at the ground, blood spilling from his lips as he coughed violently. The pain was unbearable, radiating through his entire body like fire.

    ¡®No¡­no way! Did I fuck up?! Dammit! No¡­¡¯The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    ¡°Do not speak of softness in my presence,¡± Sugred said, his voice low and deliberate, each word like the toll of a bell. ¡°The doctrine of Lancelot is clear: ¡®Light is the blade that cuts through all darkness. To falter is to fail. To doubt is to betray.¡¯¡± He began to drag Xyenn across the glowing floor, the strands of light tethering Xyenn¡¯s heart pulling taut as Sugred moved.

    ¡®Moving me like I¡¯m so animal..some fucking beast!¡¯

    Xyenn gasped, his vision blurring as he tried to crawl, his hands clawing at the smooth, glowing floor. Blood dripped from his mouth, leaving dark stains on the pristine surface. He bit down on the inside of his cheek, forcing himself to stay conscious, to focus.

    ¡°You hesitate,¡± Sugred continued, his tone almost mocking. ¡°You doubt. Do you truly serve the light, Trevor?! Or are you a coward hiding behind your weak magic?!¡±

    The little girl whimpered, her small hands clutching at Sugred¡¯s wrist as he dragged Xyenn closer to her. Her wide eyes were filled with terror, tears streaming down her cheeks.

    Yuuna clenched her fists at her sides, her teeth grinding as she fought to keep herself from acting. Her entire body trembled with barely contained rage, her golden eyes sharp and burning. A faint, dark aura began to shimmer around her, almost imperceptible but growing stronger with every passing second.

    ¡®How dare he¡­!¡¯ she thought, her nails digging into her palms hard enough to draw blood. ¡®I¡¯ll take them all down¡­¡¯

    Xyenn¡¯s mind was a storm of pain and fury. Haldrek¡¯s voice echoed in his head, a dark, insidious whisper that clawed at his thoughts.

    ¡®Look at them¡­ embarrassing you, humiliating you... like I did. Are you going to let them? Are you going to crawl like a dog while they drag you through the dirt? Kill them. Kill them like you killed the bandits. Show them what a monster you are.¡¯

    Xyenn shut his eyes tightly, shaking his head as his teeth gritted against the pain. ¡®Dragging me around like a dog¡­am I letting my pride be crushed?! After I fight hard to keep it intact?! Letting it be destroyed so I can struggle to raise it again?! Even if I was posing as a weak character¡­I hate experiencing this shit!¡¯

    His sharpened teeth bit into his lip, blood trickling down his chin as he dug his hands into the floor, forcing himself to stay in character. ¡®Stay in control. Stay in control!¡¯

    He even thought of Yuuna¡¯s smile, and the fun moments he had with the Tyrants, even if blood was leaking out of his mouth.

    Yuuna couldn¡¯t take it anymore. She stepped forward, her eyes blazing as she ignored the dark energy flickering faintly around her. ¡°Xy¡ª¡±

    ¡°ALICE!¡± Xyenn¡¯s voice cut through the tension like a blade. He thrust a bloodied hand toward her, stopping her in her tracks. His voice, though strained and weak, carried an unwavering determination. ¡°Don¡¯t interfere! This¡­ this is a test from Lancelot! My faith is being tested!¡±

    Yuuna froze, her mouth slightly open in shock. Despite everything¡ªdespite the blood pooling beneath him, despite Sugred holding his heart in his hand¡ªXyenn was still committed to the act.

    ¡®How¡­?! How can he still be in character in that position!¡¯

    Sugred tilted his head, watching as Xyenn, trembling and coughing blood, raised his head to look at him. ¡°My lord,¡± Xyenn rasped, his voice hoarse but steady, ¡°this girl¡­ she isn¡¯t a witch.¡±

    Sugred¡¯s third eye narrowed slightly, his tranquil smile shifting into something sharper. ¡°Oh? And how would you know that?¡±

    Xyenn hesitated for half a second, his mind scrambling for an explanation. He couldn¡¯t reveal the truth¡ªthat he could notice darkness in someone because of Hell''s darkness within him as well. He forced a weak smile, blood smeared across his lips. ¡°This girl can¡¯t be a witch. It¡¯s like how children have weak magic¡­their bodies aren¡¯t grown enough to handle so much power. Better yet..dark magic. And dark magic in itself is powerful and corrupt, a child would die almost immediately! It¡¯s like a new worshipper or servant of a deity, too much power would make them combust, or they¡¯ll lose control of their power and it would backfire on them, not until they can get stronger. A child¡¯s body isn¡¯t suitable for immense power. Dark magic is no exception.¡±

    Xyenn had remembered that concept when he first met Yuuna.

    Sugred¡¯s eyes narrowed, but then, to Xyenn¡¯s surprise, he began to laugh. It was a low, chilling sound that echoed through the throne room. The Sirens exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable, but none of them spoke.

    Sugred released Xyenn¡¯s heart, and it flowed back into his chest, the strands of light disappearing as if they had never existed. Xyenn collapsed onto the floor, gasping for breath, his body trembling from the pain and exertion.

    ¡®I did it¡­I did it¡­¡¯

    Yuuna immediately knelt beside him, her hands fluttering uselessly as she tried to check on him without breaking their cover. ¡°Trevor,¡± she whispered, her voice laced with concern but still playing the part.

    Xyenn smiled weakly at her, his golden eye meeting hers. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Alice. See? Lancelot¡¯s test is over.¡±

    Sugred¡¯s laughter subsided, his smile widening as he spoke. ¡°Impressive, Trevor. You may be weak, but you¡¯re clever. And you¡¯re right.¡± He turned his gaze to the little girl, still trembling on the floor. ¡°She isn¡¯t a witch. She¡¯s an apprentice. Dressed as one to test you.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s heart pounded in her chest as she helped Xyenn to his feet, her hands trembling with barely contained rage and relief.

    Sugred¡¯s smile remained as he leaned back slightly, his horns gleaming faintly in the golden light. ¡°You¡¯ve proven yourself¡­ for now.¡±

    Sugred thought, ¡®Of course he knows that! He¡¯s a vessel of that queen of darkness beside him! I don¡¯t know what Yuuna is doing here, but knowing how evil she was, and how she killed the Sun-Drake ruthlessly, she would definitely help me with my situation, becoming my guidance through Hell. Of course she wouldn¡¯t refuse, after all the darkness she spread, there¡¯s no doubt she wouldn¡¯t want to open Hell again and get rid of the dragon gods. But then there¡¯s Lancelot..I have to reason with her, to leave him alive if she works with me. If she can guide me through Hell, and I reach the right spot¡­the Holy Land will be ours. And Lancelot wants to use her to unseal Samuel. She will not be used for that until after the Holy Land is acquired!¡¯

    The Sirens watched in silence, their expressions unreadable, but the faintest flicker of approval passed through their glowing eyes. Even Rye, standing off to the side, looked at Xyenn and Yuuna with a mix of shock and respect.

    Sugred stood over Xyenn and Yuuna, his tranquil yet menacing presence filling the throne room like a storm cloud waiting to burst. He gestured vaguely toward the golden double doors behind them, his voice calm but brimming with authority.

    ¡°Trevor, Alice,¡± he said, his smile widening slightly, ¡°go. Explore the Land of Sovereignty. Let its light remind you of what it means to serve Lancelot. We¡¯ll be holding a celebration feast soon, and your attendance will be required.¡±

    Xyenn, still recovering from the ordeal of having his heart nearly ripped from his chest, straightened himself and asked, ¡°A feast? What¡¯s the occasion?¡±

    Sugred¡¯s white eyes gleamed, his third eye narrowing ever so slightly. For the first time, there was a flicker of emotion in his voice¡ªexcitement. ¡°Because,¡± he said, his tone dripping with anticipation, ¡°we¡¯re close. So very close to retrieving the Holy Land.¡±

    The Sirens behind him exchanged glances, but none of them spoke. Sugred continued, his voice growing more animated as his excitement bubbled to the surface. ¡°The Holy Land, shining with purity and light, will be a place of eternal peace. No darkness, no corruption, no suffering. I¡¯ve already envisioned its design¡ªgolden spires that touch the heavens, rivers of light that flow endlessly, gardens that bloom with eternal beauty¡­¡±

    Rye, standing slightly off to the side, stepped forward hesitantly, her wings twitching slightly. ¡°My lord,¡± she said softly, ¡°perhaps¡­ we should contain our excitement. You know how carried away you can get.¡±

    Sugred¡¯s smile didn¡¯t falter, but his third eye turned to Rye, locking onto her with an intensity that made her gasp audibly. Her knees buckled, and she quickly dropped into a bow, her head nearly touching the floor. ¡°Forgive me, Lord Sugred,¡± she said, her voice trembling. ¡°I spoke out of turn.¡±

    The tension in the room was suffocating, the other Sirens remaining perfectly still as Sugred¡¯s gaze lingered on Rye for a moment longer. Then, he chuckled softly, his smile returning to its tranquil state. ¡°It¡¯s all right, Rye,¡± he said, his voice calm once more. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong. I do get carried away.¡±

    He turned his attention back to Xyenn and Yuuna, his tone shifting to something more serious. ¡°The feast will not just be a celebration. It will be a sign¡ªa symbol of freedom, of what is to come. Families and children will gather. They will see the promised Holy Land, the paradise I will create. A land free from darkness. A land where even Hell itself will kneel before the light.¡±

    Sugred¡¯s smile widened further as his voice softened, almost reverent. ¡°Do you know, Trevor, that in many ways, I¡¯m not so different from King Haldrek? He wants to end war, to create equality and purity. I desire the same, but on a grander scale. I want infinite tranquility. A world where there is no need for conflict, no need for despair. That is what the Holy Land will be.¡±

    Xyenn and Yuuna exchanged a glance but said nothing, keeping their expressions neutral.

    ¡®Tired of hearing that name. Haldrek.¡¯ Xyenn and Yuuna thought at the same time.

    Sugred¡¯s third eye blinked slowly as he leaned back into his throne. ¡°Go now. The feast will begin soon. Enjoy the land. And prepare yourselves¡ª.¡±

    As Xyenn and Yuuna turned to leave, one of the Sirens¡ªBelith Corsai, the 4th Siren¡ªstepped forward. ¡°My lord,¡± he said, his voice smooth and snake-like, ¡°shall we keep an eye on them? Just to be sure?¡±

    Sugred waved a hand dismissively, his smile never faltering. ¡°No. Let them wander.¡±

    ¡®I have to play into their little act in front of my own Sirens..¡¯

    As Xyenn and Yuuna stepped out into the radiant streets of the Land of Sovereignty, the tension began to ease slightly. The golden spires loomed above them, their surfaces glimmering with runes that pulsed in rhythm with the magic that filled the air. The streets were lined with glowing trees, their crystalline leaves shimmering in hues of gold and silver. Pools of radiant water reflected the light, casting shimmering patterns across the cobblestone paths.

    Yuuna walked beside Xyenn, her hands clenched tightly at her sides. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she said suddenly, her voice trembling. ¡°I should¡¯ve come here alone. I hate seeing you like that. I hate what they did to you.¡±

    Xyenn glanced at her, his lips twitching slightly. At first, he said nothing, and Yuuna continued. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have to go through this. I should¡¯ve¡ª¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s shoulders began to shake, and Yuuna stopped mid-sentence, her golden eyes widening in confusion. Slowly, Xyenn tilted his head back and began to laugh. It wasn¡¯t his usual chuckle¡ªit was a full, loud, almost maniacal laugh, echoing through the glowing streets.

    ¡°Ha!¡± he whispered loudly, a grin spreading across his face. ¡°I¡¯m a badass.¡±

    Yuuna blinked, her mouth slightly open in disbelief. ¡°What?¡±

    Xyenn turned to her, his grin widening as he wiped a bit of blood from his chin. ¡°The old me would¡¯ve tried to protect my pride. Especially since I¡¯ve gone through similar situations like that before. I almost and would¡¯ve let my temper get the best of me, been reckless, and gotten us both killed. I just had my heart ripped out, got dragged around like a dog, and kept my composure at the same time¡­¡±

    Yuuna puffed her cheeks out, crossing her arms as she gave him a sharp glare. ¡°Don¡¯t laugh at something like that! You¡¯re worrisome!¡±

    Before Xyenn could respond, Yuuna raised her hand and gently bonked him on the head.

    ¡°Ow! What was that for?¡± Xyenn squealed, holding his head with mock indignation.

    ¡°Because you¡¯re reckless!¡± Yuuna huffed, her voice a mix of frustration and concern.

    Xyenn chuckled, his grin softening as he placed a hand on her shoulder. ¡°You did good, though. For going along with roleplay even after I did. I¡¯m proud of you.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s cheeks flushed slightly, and she looked away, muttering, ¡°I wasn¡¯t doing it for you¡­¡± before bonking him on the head again, softer this time. ¡°Okay I did! But man you piss me off, darling. You¡¯re so strange.¡±

    The two continued walking through the glowing streets, passing clerics and children who sat near the pools of light. Some of the children were gathered in groups, drawing glowing shapes in the air with their magic. The shapes shimmered and shifted, forming crude drawings of what they believed the Holy Land would look like.

    ¡°I think it¡¯ll have even bigger spires than these!¡± a boy exclaimed, his glowing hands forming a tall, jagged tower that reached into the sky.

    ¡°No way,¡± a girl argued, her hands weaving a glowing image of a massive tree. ¡°It¡¯ll have a tree like the Ohnupilath Tree, but even bigger!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re both wrong,¡± another child said confidently, drawing a vast river of light that wound through glowing fields. ¡°It¡¯ll be all rivers and flowers!¡±

    Xyenn and Yuuna exchanged a glance, their expressions growing darker as they passed the children.

    ¡°That bastard will pay for dragging me around like that. When the time comes,¡± Xyenn said quietly, his voice low and firm, ¡°I¡¯ll tear this place to the ground. He wouldn¡¯t want to see this place destroyed.¡±

    ¡®But the kids will have to be put somewhere safe.¡¯

    Yuuna glanced at him, her expression a smile. ¡°Damn right we will. But Sugred is indeed strong.¡±

    Xyenn nodded thoughtfully. ¡°But we¡¯ll have King Samuel, so we won¡¯t be entirely powerless. And for Sugred, What¡¯s his weakness? You know the weaknesses of most dragon gods, right?¡±

    Before Yuuna could answer, a scream shattered the serene atmosphere.

    Across the square, a witch stood with a terrified child clutched in her arms. Her skin was a sickly gray, her glowing red eyes filled with rage. Her black dress clung to her wet, matted hair, and crow feathers were stuck haphazardly to her skin. In one hand, she held a swirling mass of dark green and black magic, its power crackling ominously.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t meet my demands,¡± she screamed, her voice raw, ¡°I¡¯ll kill the boy!¡±

    The child whimpered, tears streaming down his face as the witch tightened her grip.

    The clerics around just smiled at the witch, not showing any anxiety or worry at all. And Xyenn noticed.

    Before anyone could move, Sugred appeared.

    He didn¡¯t walk. He didn¡¯t run. He was simply there, and he kneeled, his tranquil smile as calm and menacing as ever.

    ¡°Now, now,¡± Sugred said softly, his third eye glowing faintly. ¡°What seems to be the problem?¡±

 Chapter 75: Another Day In Paradise

    The air in the square was thick with tension, the oppressive silence broken only by the soft whimpers of the child clutched in the witch¡¯s trembling arms. Her wet, black hair clung to her face, and her glowing red eyes darted frantically between the clerics, the onlookers, and Sugred, who now stood before her.

    Sugred knelt slowly, lowering himself to the boy¡¯s level. His glowing white eyes softened, and his tranquil smile remained as he extended a hand toward the child, palm open and inviting. The glow of his horns bathed the scene in soft, golden light, casting his presence as both comforting and commanding.

    ¡°Shhh,¡± Sugred said gently, his voice smooth and calming. ¡°It¡¯s all right, little one. You¡¯re safe now.¡±

    The boy hiccupped through his sobs, his wide, tear-streaked eyes locking onto Sugred¡¯s. He shook his head slowly, his tiny body trembling.

    ¡°No darkness can hurt you here. Not while I¡¯m with you.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t listen to him!¡± the witch hissed, tightening her grip on the boy. The dark magic swirling in her hand flared violently, crackling with energy. ¡°This is no sanctuary! It¡¯s a prison! Let me and my sisters go, or the boy dies!¡±

    The clerics around the square smiled, their expressions calm and serene as though the witch¡¯s words were nothing but idle threats. Their glowing eyes never wavered, their hands still folded in silent prayer.

    ¡°Why are you smiling?!¡± the witch screamed, her voice shrill and breaking. ¡°You¡¯re all insane! You¡¯re all¡ª¡±

    Sugred didn¡¯t react to her outburst. His attention was entirely on the boy. His glowing third eye blinked slowly as he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. ¡°I need you to trust me, little one. Can you do that for me?¡±

    The boy sniffled, his small hands clutching at the witch¡¯s arm as his gaze flickered between her and Sugred. His lips quivered, and his voice came out in a shaky whisper. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m scared¡­¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± Sugred said softly. ¡°But do you know what we do when we¡¯re scared?¡±

    The boy shook his head, his tears still falling.

    Sugred¡¯s smile widened slightly, glowing faintly in the golden light. ¡°We speak the language of light. It¡¯s ancient. Powerful. It will protect you. Will you say it with me?¡±

    The boy hesitated, but something in Sugred¡¯s tone¡ªsomething gentle yet commanding¡ªmade him nod slowly.

    ¡°Good,¡± Sugred said. He began to speak in a low, melodic voice, the words flowing like a song:

    ¡°Veythar lumnis, thalor en drax. Lumnis kai shalar.¡±

    The boy blinked, his lips parting as he tried to repeat the words. ¡°V-Veythar¡­ lumnis¡­ th-thalor¡­¡±

    ¡°Stop this!¡± the witch screamed, her magic flaring again as she tightened her grip on the boy. ¡°I¡¯ll kill him! I swear I¡¯ll do it! Let me and my coven go, or his blood is on your hands!¡±

    The clerics continued to smile, their serene expressions unwavering as they looked on. Some of them even began to whisper the mantra under their breath, their voices blending into the tense air like a distant hymn.

    ¡°Why are you smiling?!¡± the witch shrieked, her voice cracking with desperation. Her red eyes burned with frustration and fear. ¡°You¡¯re all insane! Do you hear me?! You¡¯re all *crazy!*¡±

    Sugred¡¯s voice remained calm, his golden horns casting light over the boy¡¯s tear-streaked face. ¡°Keep going, little one. You¡¯re doing so well. Say it again: *Veythar lumnis, thalor en drax. Lumnis kai shalar.*¡±

    The boy hesitated, his breath hitching as fresh tears spilled down his cheeks. He closed his eyes tightly and repeated the words, his voice trembling but growing steadier with each syllable. ¡°Veythar¡­ lumnis¡­ thalor en drax. Lumnis kai shalar¡­¡±

    At the exact moment the boy finished the mantra, Sugred¡¯s smile vanished.

    In the blink of an eye, faster than light itself, Sugred and the boy switched places.

    The witch froze, her red eyes wide with shock as she realized she was no longer holding the boy. Her arms were wrapped around Sugred, who now stood in her grasp, his calm smile replaced by a look of almost casual amusement.

    The boy, unscathed, stood a few feet away, blinking in confusion as the clerics immediately moved to shield him.

    ¡°W-What?!¡± the witch stammered, her grip tightening instinctively on Sugred. Dark magic flared from her free hand, the swirling green and black energy crackling as she tried to unleash it on him.

    Sugred¡¯s third eye opened fully, its golden glow piercing and unyielding. The witch¡¯s magic fizzled out immediately, her body trembling as light began to seep from her skin.

    ¡°No¡­¡± she whispered, her voice breaking. ¡°No, no, NO!¡±

    Sugred tilted his head slightly, his calm smile returning as he spoke softly. ¡°You wanted freedom, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    The witch screamed as her body was suddenly teleported high into the sky, golden light lingering around her like chains. She floated there, helpless, her dark magic dissipating as Sugred¡¯s third eye glowed brighter.

    Then, with a single glance, it happened.

    A brutal explosion of light erupted inside the witch¡¯s body. It didn¡¯t tear her apart; instead, it tore through her. Golden light burst from her eyes, nose, mouth, and ears, her screams echoing across the land. Blood poured from her orifices as the light seared through her insides, rupturing organs and forcing her to cough up blood and fragments of her intestines.

    Her screams were cut short as the Serpent of Radiance emerged from the clouds above, its massive glowing form coiling around her. Its radiant eyes locked onto her broken body, and with a single, fluid motion, it devoured her whole.

    The square was silent for a moment, the tension thick and suffocating. Then, the clerics began to clap, their serene smiles unbroken as they cheered for their lord. The children joined in, their small hands clapping enthusiastically as they looked up at Sugred with awe.

    Sugred floated above them, his glowing white dragon wings spreading wide as he addressed the crowd. ¡°Bravery,¡± he said, his voice carrying over the square, ¡°is not the absence of fear. It is the strength to stand in the light, even when darkness threatens to consume you. This is what it means to serve Lancelot. This is what it means to be free.¡±

    The crowd erupted into applause, their cheers echoing through the golden streets.

    Xyenn and Yuuna stood frozen, speechless. Neither of them could find words to describe what they had just witnessed. But Xyenn¡¯s mind rushed immediately.

    ¡®That¡¯s his power¡­? I bet that¡¯s not even half of it¡­¡¯

    A slight thought of doubt hit Xyenn, but he kept himself together.

    Suddenly, Sugred¡¯s gaze shifted to Yuuna. His glowing white eyes locked onto hers, and before she could react, she felt a sudden pull. In an instant, she and Sugred were gone, teleported to a new location.

    Yuuna blinked, disoriented, as she found herself in a beautiful garden. The air here was cool and fragrant, filled with the scent of blooming flowers that glowed faintly in the soft golden light. Crystalline streams of water wound through the garden, their surfaces shimmering like liquid sunlight. The trees were tall and majestic, their leaves a radiant mix of gold and silver.

    Sugred stood a few steps away, his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed out over the garden.

    ¡°Why?¡± Yuuna asked, her voice sharp but controlled. ¡°Why did you bring me here?¡±

    Sugred turned to her, his tranquil smile returning. ¡°You don¡¯t have to play the role of a weakling anymore, Yuuna. I¡¯ll send you back to your vessel, but we need to talk.¡±

    ¡°¡­You knew.¡±

    ¡°Walk and talk.¡± Sugred nodded as Yuuna followed him down the garden.

    ¡°Speak.¡±

    ¡°What are you doing here?¡±

    ¡°Why? Aren¡¯t you just gonna fight us anyway? You fucked Illyana up. She came to me, and sent clerics after those who followed her. And you were gonna sacrifice her to that bastard Lancelot.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re the goddess of darkness, Illyana only followed you because she didn¡¯t wanna die.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re wrong.¡±

    ¡°So I ask again, what are you going here? In my realm? Surely it¡¯s not to avenge Illyana, is it? Did you sense the ritual? The darkness flowing from it? Did it attract you?¡±This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

    ¡°¡­I..¡±

    Yuuna stopped herself, thinking, ¡®He knows about my past, and how much of a monster I was. I can use that. He clearly wants something from me, I have to play into my old role of being evil. A time that I can¡¯t stand to think about, I have to tap into I guess. To protect Xyenn if I fuck up, and to not screw the mission up. Everyone back at the orphanage is counting on us. Xyenn put his all into this role back in the throne room. It¡¯s my turn.¡¯

    Yuuna¡¯s face darkened, and she said, ¡°I couldn¡¯t have detected it, since it¡¯s in a separate realm. I came here due to word of mouth, one of your clerics has been getting information on this place and what you were doing. Saying about how you are using a ritual, taken from a pixie witch from Soulcaris, and you are gonna open Hell for one second. And conquer it.¡±

    ¡°Oh? They must¡¯ve been in and out of here secretly, but it doesn¡¯t matter. That doesn¡¯t explain why you''ve come? Even with your vessel.¡±

    ¡°I want to go back. I feel I have cultivated enough power to take down my father..the First Monarch.¡±

    Sugred grinned, ¡°Even after spreading so much darkness and paved the way for witches to dominate the lives of the weak, you would turn your back on your origins?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re an elder vessel. You know Lancelot has never liked me, none of the draconic deities did. Seeing I was from Hell, they didn¡¯t trust me. But my mother gave me an amulet to reach Gabriel¡¯s realm in the first place. Which led me out. And I wanna head back.¡±

    ¡°Ahhh. You¡¯re bent on revenge? Is that it?¡±

    ¡°¡­No. Redemption.¡±

    Sugred grinned, ¡°Hehe. This is why I wanted to be alone with you and discuss terms. My Siren¡¯s are fully obedient to me, but if I get caught dealing with you of all beings, they will seek Lancelot and he will forcefully make them turn on me.¡±

    ¡°Tch. I don¡¯t care.¡±

    ¡°You will be my guidance. You will guide me through Hell and we will reach where your father is.¡±

    ¡°Even a demon monarch is as powerful as an elder dragon god. Why are you so confident?¡±

    ¡°Me, you and your vessel, and Lancelot are enough. Alongside my Sirens. For hundreds of years I have cultivated my light to at least be on par with King Samuel¡¯s. And then after I conquer Hell, I will use you unseal King Samuel so he can be proud of me, to see me achieve the dream he wanted to achieve.¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡±

    ¡°King Samuel, a Jotyin. Like your vessel. His seed was the first to sprout, the others sprouted prematurely. Lancelot told him his role as a Jotyin, which was to conquer Hell and defeat the First Monarch. Jotyin¡¯s have the power to match the power of The King of Sen, Gabriel and the First Monarch¡¯s father.¡±

    Yuuna thought, ¡®Gabriel and My Father¡­brothers¡­¡¯

    Sugred continued, ¡°Samuel¡¯s dream was to bring about the Holy Land. And that¡¯s my goal. I won¡¯t be kicked under the rug any longer. So are you with me?¡±

    ¡°¡­Of course I am. If you¡¯re opening Hell, let us know when.¡±

    ¡°Splendid¡ª.¡±

    Yuuna almost fainted, she stumbled as she bumped into Sugred¡¯s chest. And Sugred said, ¡°What is your issue?¡±

    Yuuna pushed back slowly, holding her head, even making her real appearance flicker in and out, making her jagged dark pink halo form in and out, saying, ¡°All this damn light¡­¡±

    She was lying.

    ¡°We¡¯ll be in your land in no time.¡±

    ¡°¡­Hey.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Nothing. Take me back now.¡±

    ¡°Of course. Get ready for the feast. The ritual is almost completed. You two must still play the part in front of my Sirens. You will be cleaned up.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    ¡°Also do not try to do anything you¡¯ll regret. I will not be around much as I must check in on the rituals progress, but my Serpent lingers. Plus, if you tried anything, you know you wouldn¡¯t win.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be foolish. I built up destruction and wouldn¡¯t walk into where I can be defeated so easily without a plan. I came here for one reason and one reason only.¡±

    ¡°That being said, you could try and turn on me when we conquer Hell together.¡±

    ¡°And the same goes for you. We¡¯ll just have to see. Also, aren¡¯t you worried?¡±

    ¡°Hm? About?¡±

    ¡°Lancelot. Can¡¯t he hear and see all of this?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s not omnipresent, and I can shut him out of my head if I want. I can tell when he¡¯s around.¡±

    FWIP!

    The golden streets of the Land of Sovereignty glimmered under the soft light of the crystalline trees, but Yuuna moved quickly, her steps light and deliberate as she darted between structures, looking for Xyenn. Her heart pounded, not from fear but from the weight of everything Sugred had told her in the garden. When she spotted Xyenn standing near a glowing pool of light, his arms crossed and his golden eye scanning the area, she released a breath she didn¡¯t realize she was holding.

    ¡°Hey,¡± Xyenn said as she approached, his tone casual but laced with worry. ¡°What the hell happened back there? You just disappeared¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish, Yuuna grabbed his arm and yanked him toward a quiet blind spot behind a tall, golden spire. The light from the structure cast faint shadows, giving them a moment of privacy.

    Xyenn blinked, caught off guard by her sudden movement. ¡°Okay, bossy. What¡¯s the big¡ª¡±

    ¡°Ugh, Xyenn, you don¡¯t understand!¡± Yuuna hissed in a hushed voice, her cheeks puffing slightly as she poured her thoughts out in rapid-fire. ¡°I hate this! I hate having to act like my old self in front of Sugred! That¡¯s all he knows me as¡ªthis evil, power-hungry witch who wants to destroy everything! He doesn¡¯t know about my resolve to not be a villain anymore! He doesn¡¯t know I¡¯ve changed! He doesn¡¯t know I¡¯m trying to be better! He doesn¡¯t know I¡¯m trying to fix all the things I¡¯ve broken, and every time I have to pretend to be that person, it makes me want to¡ª¡±

    ¡°Yuuna¡ª¡± Xyenn started, holding up a hand.

    ¡°¡ªpuke and scream and maybe even punch something!¡± she continued, cutting him off without even noticing. ¡°And now he wants us to escort him through Hell to kill my father and conquer it so he can build his precious Holy Land because that¡¯s what Samuel wanted in the first place!¡± She threw her hands up in frustration, her voice still low but frantic.

    ¡°Yuuna,¡± Xyenn tried again, his voice calm, ¡°breathe.¡±

    Yuuna froze mid-rant, her hands still in the air. She blinked at Xyenn, then let out a long, dramatic sigh as she slumped against the spire. ¡°Okay, fine. I¡¯m breathing,¡± she muttered, crossing her arms.

    ¡°You done?¡±

    ¡°For now,¡± she mumbled, puffing her cheeks again.

    Xyenn raised a brow, his delinquent-like smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. ¡°Good. ¡®Cause you were about two seconds away from blowing the hell up..¡±

    Yuuna rolled her eyes, muttering something under her breath, but before she could say more, she straightened up, her expression growing serious. ¡°Do you remember the Serpent?¡±

    ¡°How could I forget?¡± Xyenn said, his tone shifting to match hers. ¡°Big, glowing, and ate that witch like she was a snack. Yeah, it¡¯s burned into my damn brain.¡±

    Yuuna frowned, leaning closer as her voice dropped to a whisper. ¡°Sugred said that beast is everywhere. If we¡¯re going to unseal King Samuel and get to the Ohnupilath Tree, then the Serpent will be there too I think. I¡¯m gonna assume it will be.¡±

    Xyenn crossed his arms, his golden eye narrowing slightly as he mulled over her words. ¡°Makes sense. Sugred doesn¡¯t fully trust us, no matter how much we play along. He¡¯s probably got that thing watching every move we make.¡±

    Yuuna hesitated for a moment, then reached out softly, her hand glowing faintly as she summoned a fragment of her darkness. The energy coalesced, forming into a familiar shape¡ªa demonic mask.

    Xyenn¡¯s eye widened slightly as he recognized it. ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±

    Yuuna nodded, her fingers tracing the edge of the mask. ¡°The mask. The one I took from that witch Parcy back in Soulcaris. It can control beasts, bending them to the will of the demon inside it. If that Serpent gets in our way, this might buy us some time. It was originally created to control demonic beasts in Hell, but yeah. It works for any beast or non human. That¡¯s what Hell called non-humans anyway. Beasts

    Xyenn tilted his head, ¡°Isn¡¯t it unpredictable? Doesn¡¯t it affect each person differently? Parcy had the mask and wanted to open Hell just to see her sisters from the coven of witches again. What if the Serpent decides to turn on us halfway through? You really wanna gamble with that?¡±

    Yuuna shrugged, a mischievous glint in her eyes. ¡°If it does, it¡¯s still a distraction. Those clerics will have a hard time controlling it, and that¡¯ll give us an opening to grab King Samuel¡¯s sword and unseal him.¡±

    Xyenn stared at her for a moment, ¡°You¡¯re really going all in on this, huh? Chaotic, but I like it. Plus it¡¯s the best we could do right now. Don¡¯t have any other options. And we have to hurry.¡±

    Yuuna smirked, but it quickly turned into a pout as she muttered, ¡°I¡¯m not that chaotic¡­darling.¡±

    Before Xyenn could reply, Yuuna suddenly started rummaging through the large pockets of her oversized shirt. Her movements were frantic, almost comical, as she muttered to herself.

    ¡°Where is it? I know it¡¯s in here somewhere¡­¡±

    Xyenn raised an eyebrow, watching her struggle, ¡°Yuuna?¡±

    ¡°Shhhh!¡± Yuuna hissed, her voice still low but exasperated. She dug deeper, her arm nearly disappearing into the fabric. Finally, she pulled out a glowing white shard.

    Xyenn¡¯s eye widened as he recognized it. ¡°Is that what I think it is?¡±

    Yuuna grinned, holding the shard up like a trophy. ¡°Yep! I pickpocketed Sugred.¡±

    ¡°H-How?!¡± Xyenn hissed, leaning closer.

    ¡°Wellllll,¡± Yuuna drawled, her grin widening as she tucked the shard back into her pocket, ¡°back when I was a villain, I used to disguise myself as a thief all the time. Had to blend in, y¡¯know? Dragon gods were on the prowl, and I didn¡¯t want to bring attention to myself. Turns out, I¡¯m really good at stealing stuff. I have some experience with it. I acted like I was being worn down by all of this light, and I fell into his chest, and took the shard. Hopefully it¡¯s the right one. I just grabbed what I thought would be a shard.¡±

    ¡°And if you had grabbed his¡ª.¡±

    ¡°I would¡¯ve ripped it off. If I grabbed his thingy I would¡¯ve ripped it to pieces. Only one I want is yours. I would risk this entire mission if that meant proving you belong to ME.¡±

    Xyenn cheeks flushed red, and he stuttered, ¡°A-And it was that easy? P-pickpocketing him?¡±

    Yuuna shrugged, looking smug. ¡°For me? Yeah. I¡¯m a pro. You have more to learn about me, darling.¡±

    Xyenn smirked, crossing his arms. ¡°So, what¡¯s next, oh master thief?¡±

    Yuuna tilted her head, her expression turning curious. ¡°I was gonna ask you that.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°Umm..the Library. Time to find those song notes.¡±

    The golden streets of the Land of Sovereignty stretched endlessly, glowing with a soft, ethereal light. Xyenn and Yuuna walked purposefully, their expressions calm and composed as they stopped clerics here and there, trying to stay in character.

    ¡°Excuse me,¡± Xyenn said, his tone casual but respectful as he addressed a group of clerics who were gathered near one of the glowing pools. ¡°We¡¯re looking for the library. Lord Sugred wants us to do some research.¡±

    The clerics turned to them, their serene smiles never faltering. One of them, a middle-aged woman with golden runes etched into her cheeks, pointed toward a distant spire that shimmered like a beacon. ¡°The library is that way, just past the Hall of Reflection. You¡¯ll find it easily¡ªit¡¯s hard to miss.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Yuuna said, nodding politely as she tugged on Xyenn¡¯s arm.

    As they walked toward the library, Yuuna leaned in slightly, her voice low. ¡°This place is so¡­ unsettling. Everyone¡¯s so nice.¡±

    Xyenn smirked, his uncanny demeanor slipping through for a moment. ¡°What, you don¡¯t trust the glowing cult of sunshine? Me either.¡±

    Yuuna chuckled, ¡°Glowing cult is INSANE. Still, for some reason I see why Illyana is so ruthless.¡±

    ¡°Yeah I¡¯ve seen her ruthlessness outside the orphanage, and then I compare it to Sugred and the clerics when facing witches, it¡¯s not even a difference.¡±

    Unbeknownst to them, high above on a nearby rooftop, Siren Rye stood, her wings folded neatly behind her back as she watched them. Her eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze sharp and calculating. She didn¡¯t move, blending seamlessly with the golden light that bathed the city, but her focus on the pair was unwavering.

    ¡®What are those two rookies up to? I know Lord Sugred didn¡¯t want us to watch over them, but I¡¯m not just watching them. But everything else. Or maybe that¡¯s just my excuse. How long is that ritual gonna take? Last I heard, it¡¯s almost complete.¡¯

    When Xyenn and Yuuna reached the library, they stopped in their tracks, their eyes widening in awe.

    The library was a massive, circular structure, its golden exterior shimmering as if it were alive. The entrance was adorned with intricate carvings of dragons and spires, their designs glowing faintly with runic magic. As they stepped inside, the sheer beauty of the place took their breath away.

    The interior was vast, a mythical wonderland of knowledge. Towering shelves stretched endlessly in every direction, lined with thousands upon thousands of books, their spines glowing faintly with light magic. The domed ceiling was painted with an intricate mural of Lancelot, the dragon god of light, surrounded by celestial beings and streams of golden energy. Glowing orbs floated through the air, casting a soft, warm light that made the entire space feel tranquil and otherworldly.

    Clerics moved quietly through the aisles, some reading books, others teaching small groups of children about the doctrines of the Holy Branch.

    A young cleric sat with a group of children near a glowing pedestal, her voice gentle as she read from a large book. ¡°And so, King Samuel, guided by Lancelot¡¯s light, vowed to bring peace to the world, banishing the shadows that threatened to consume it. Remember, children, light is not just a weapon¡ªit is a promise.¡±

    One of the children raised a hand, their small voice curious. ¡°But what if the darkness comes back? What do we do then?¡±

    The cleric smiled, her eyes glowing faintly. ¡°We hold onto the light. As long as we believe in it, it will always guide us.¡±

    Nearby, a pair of clerics were practicing light magic, their hands glowing as they conjured small, radiant structures in the air. One of them created a glowing golden bridge, its intricate design shimmering with runes.

    ¡°Not bad,¡± the other cleric said, inspecting the bridge. ¡°But try stabilizing the runes more. Remember, light magic is about precision, not just power.¡±

    Xyenn and Yuuna exchanged a glance, both of them momentarily stunned by the beauty and activity within the library.

    ¡°This place is¡­ incredible,¡± Yuuna whispered, her golden eyes wide as she took in the sight of the floating orbs and the endless shelves.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Xyenn said, his voice quieter than usual. ¡°Incredible and creepy. Let¡¯s not forget creepy.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that too.¡±

    They moved through the library, their eyes scanning the countless shelves as they tried to figure out where to begin.

    ¡°This is going to take forever,¡± Yuuna muttered, crossing her arms. ¡°How are we supposed to find anything in here?¡±

    Xyenn responded, ¡°We¡¯ll just ask someone. Play the role, remember?¡±

    Yuuna rolled her eyes but followed him to the front desk, where a librarian sat.

    The librarian was an older man with deep golden skin, his bald head adorned with faintly glowing tattoos that seemed to shift and flow like liquid light. His robes were pristine white, trimmed with faintly glowing silver embroidery, and his long, thin fingers moved gracefully as he flipped through a book on his desk. His eyes, a soft amber and green, radiated a sense of calm and wisdom.

    As Xyenn and Yuuna approached, the librarian looked up, his tranquil expression warm but unreadable. ¡°Welcome,¡± he said, his voice deep and soothing. ¡°How may I assist you?¡±

    Yuuna stepped forward, her hands clasped behind her back as she gave him a polite smile. ¡°We¡¯re looking for books about King Samuel. Do you have a section for that?¡±

    The librarian tilted his head slightly, his glowing tattoos shifting faintly as he considered her request. ¡°King Samuel¡­ a popular topic among our clerics. You¡¯ll find what you¡¯re looking for in the west wing.¡± He gestured gracefully to the left, where a large archway led to a smaller, more secluded section of the library. ¡°The section is marked with Lancelot¡¯s crest. You can¡¯t miss it.¡±

    ¡°Thank you!¡± Yuuna said quickly, grabbing Xyenn¡¯s arm and pulling him along.

    ¡°AH!¡± He squealed.

    The librarian watched them go, his calm smile lingering as he returned to his book.

    Xyenn and Yuuna dashed into the west wing, their footsteps echoing softly in the quiet space. The section was lined with shelves dedicated entirely to King Samuel, each book glowing faintly with runic symbols.

    ¡°Okay,¡± Xyenn said, scanning the shelves. ¡°Now we just have to figure out which book has the song notes. Should be easy, right?¡±

    Yuuna groaned, running her hands through her hair. ¡°There are hundreds of books here, Xyenn. How are we supposed to find the right one?¡±

    Xyenn smirked, pulling a book off the shelf. ¡°Easy. We read through all of them.¡±

    Yuuna stared at him, her mouth slightly open. ¡°You¡¯re kidding, right? We don¡¯t have time for that do we?¡±

    ¡°I was definitely being sarcastic, I don¡¯t wanna do that.¡±

    Yuuna sighed, grabbing a book from the opposite shelf. ¡°Ugh. Fine. You take that side, I¡¯ll take this one. Good luck.¡±

    ¡°Good luck.¡±

    The two of them settled into the task, the soft glow of the library¡¯s light casting long shadows as they began their search.

 Chapter 76: Sword Crafting

    Stacks of books surrounded Xyenn and Yuuna as they sat on the library floor, flipping through the pages of yet another tome about King Samuel. The books described Samuel¡¯s countless achievements in agonizing detail¡ªhis battles, his reforms, his speeches, his laws, his favorite foods, even his preferred method of polishing armor. Every page was dense with glowing text and intricately illustrated images that seemed to hum faintly with light magic.

    ¡°This is so boring,¡± Xyenn groaned, leaning back against the shelf and holding up a book with one hand as he flipped through it lazily. ¡°¡®Samuel led his army to victory against the beasts corrupted by dark magic on the Fields of Everlight.¡¯. Who cares? Where¡¯s the juicy stuff? Where¡¯s the secrets and stuff?¡±

    Yuuna, sitting cross-legged on the floor with a pile of books surrounding her, let out a frustrated sigh. She dropped the book she had been skimming onto the growing stack of rejects. ¡°Do you know how many times I¡¯ve read the word light in these books? I swear, if I see it one more time, I¡¯m gonna start throwing shit.¡±

    Xyenn raised an eyebrow, smirking. ¡°You¡¯re the one who insisted we split up the stack. Look, if you want, we can switch sides. Maybe your half has all the boring stuff, and mine has the¡ª¡±

    ¡°Darling.¡± Yuuna smiled menacingly, grabbing another book and flipping it open with exaggerated force. ¡°Don¡¯t test me, love.¡±

    Xyenn rolled his eyes, ¡°Fineee fine.¡±

    The two of them continued flipping through the books, their frustration mounting with every page.

    ¡°¡®Samuel¡¯s favorite type of bread was honey wheat,¡¯¡± Xyenn read aloud, his voice dripping with sarcasm. ¡°Wow, Yuuna, did you know that? Isn¡¯t that fascinating? Really useful stuff here. Surely will help me in the future.¡±

    Yuuna didn¡¯t even look up, slamming her book shut. ¡°¡®Samuel¡¯s favorite battle hymn was sung by the Choir of Radiance during the Siege of Dawn..¡¯ Oh, goody! Let me just memorize this life-changing information.¡±

    They groaned in unison, tossing their books onto the pile.

    Just as Yuuna opened her mouth to complain again, the librarian appeared out of nowhere, standing directly behind them.

    ¡°Excuse me,¡± the librarian said in his deep, tranquil voice, his golden tattoos shimmering faintly in the soft light.

    Xyenn and Yuuna both jumped, nearly knocking over their stacks of books.

    ¡°We¡¯re sorry!¡± Yuuna blurted out, holding up her hands as if to defend herself. ¡°We weren¡¯t being loud! We¡¯re just¡ªuh¡ª¡±

    ¡°¡ªjust really excited!¡± Xyenn cut in, his voice cracking slightly as he forced a grin. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re just happy to be reading about King Samuel. What an inspiring guy, huh? Truly a legend.¡±

    ¡®He has to buy that. Samuel is all these weirdos talk about anyway.¡¯

    ¡°Yeah! A legend!¡± Yuuna chimed in, nodding rapidly. ¡°We¡¯re just¡­ overwhelmed by his greatness! So overwhelmed we might¡¯ve gotten a little loud. Sorry about that.¡±

    The librarian stared at them for a moment, his calm expression unreadable. ¡°I understand,¡± he said finally, his voice as soothing as ever. ¡°King Samuel¡¯s legacy often elicits¡­ strong emotions. Please, though, do try to keep it down. Others are studying.¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡± Xyenn said quickly, giving a thumbs-up. ¡°We¡¯ll be as quiet as mice. Promise.¡±

    The librarian nodded once, then turned and walked away, his glowing robes flowing behind him.

    The moment he was out of earshot, Xyenn and Yuuna let out identical sighs of relief, slumping back against the shelves.

    ¡°That was close,¡± Yuuna muttered, rubbing the back of her neck.

    ¡°Tell me about it,¡± Xyenn replied.

    Yuuna snorted, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh, but quickly regained her composure. She glanced at the pile of books between them and sighed. ¡°This is hopeless. We¡¯ve gone through almost all of them, and there¡¯s nothing useful. Just a bunch of boring achievements and glowing praise.¡±

    Xyenn leaned his head back against the shelf. ¡°Didn¡¯t Faera and the others tell us what we were supposed to look for? Like, specifically?¡±

    Yuuna blinked, tilting her head as she tried to remember. ¡°¡­I think they did?¡±

    Xyenn gave her a skeptical look. ¡°You think?¡±

    ¡°I forgot, okay?!¡± Yuuna huffed, crossing her arms.

    ¡°Well, so did I!¡± Xyenn shot back, throwing up his hands.

    They both groaned again, slumping in defeat.

    Just as they were about to give up, their eyes simultaneously landed on a small shelf tucked into the corner of the section. It was partially hidden behind a larger shelf, almost as if someone didn¡¯t want it to be noticed. On that shelf sat a single, glowing book.

    Xyenn and Yuuna exchanged a glance, their eyes lighting up with curiosity and determination. They both scrambled to their feet and lunged for the book¡ª

    ¡ªonly to bump heads with a loud *thud.*

    ¡°OW!¡± Yuuna cried, clutching her forehead. ¡°What was that for?!¡±

    ¡°What do you mean, what was that for?!¡± Xyenn shot back, rubbing his own head. ¡°You bumped into me.¡±

    ¡°I think we¡¯re both just frustrated at this. Let¡¯s calm down, okay?¡±

    ¡°Yeah yeah. I agree.¡±

    They glared at each other for a moment before both of their gazes drifted back to the book.

    The title on the cover was written in elegant, glowing script that seemed to shift and shimmer as they looked at it. It read:

    ¡°Samuel the King.¡±

    They stared at the book in silence for a moment.

    ¡°This has to be it,¡± Xyenn said finally, reaching for the book.

    ¡°Obviously,¡± Yuuna replied, rolling her eyes as she grabbed the other side of it.

    Carefully, they opened the first page.

    The moment Xyenn and Yuuna opened the first page of ¡°Samuel The King¡±, the world around them began to shift. The glowing words on the page stretched outward, unraveling like threads of light that coiled around their bodies. The library, its shelves, clerics, and faintly glowing orbs, dissolved into nothingness, leaving behind an infinite sea of white.

    ¡°Uhhh¡­ Yuuna?¡± Xyenn¡¯s voice wavered as he floated, weightless, in the blinding void.

    ¡°W-What¡¯s happening?!¡± Yuuna shouted, her golden eyes darting around as she twisted in the air, desperately searching for something to grab onto.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± Xyenn replied, his voice tinged with both frustration and worry. He flailed for balance, but there was no ground, no gravity¡ªjust endless white.

    ¡°I hate when this happens to us all the time,¡± Yuuna snapped, though she reached out instinctively, gripping Xyenn¡¯s hand tightly. ¡°What if we¡¯re falling?!¡±

    ¡°Into what?!¡± he retorted, though his fingers tightened around hers all the same.

    ¡°If we¡¯re falling into an ancient abyss of death, I just wanted to say we should do it one more time while we¡¯re falling! We¡¯ve never done it like that before!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s cheeks flushed red, ¡°Huh?! Are you mad?!¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious?! You and the Tyrants mention it all the time!¡±

    For a moment, the void was silent, its emptiness almost suffocating. Then, like the distant rumble of a mountain breaking apart, a deep, resonant pounding echoed through the space.

    ¡®Where even are we¡­? It¡¯s quiet¡­can¡¯t feel any heat or cold..but I can smell¡­smells like metal..heat¡­¡¯ Xyenn thought, his eyes trying to adjust to the darkness.

    CLANG!

    The sound was heavy and metallic, reverberating through the void like the heartbeat of an ancient beast.

    CLANG!

    Another strike. The sheer weight of the sound seemed to shake the air, and the void around them began to crack, faint fractures of darkness spreading like veins across the white expanse.

    ¡°What is that?¡± Yuuna whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound.

    Before Xyenn could respond, the void shattered completely, fragments of white light raining down before dissolving into shadow. The two found themselves standing on solid ground.

    The air was heavy, thick with the acrid scent of molten metal, smoke, and ash. The surface beneath their feet was rough and uneven, dark stone that seemed to drink in the faint light that barely illuminated the cavern.

    The pounding sound was closer now, accompanied by the hiss of steam and the crackle of fire.

    Yuuna clung to Xyenn¡¯s arm, her voice dropping to a whisper. ¡°Where¡­ are we?¡±

    ¡°Someplace we shouldn¡¯t be,¡± Xyenn muttered, his golden eye scanning the dimly lit cavern. The shadows danced around them, their shapes twisting and writhing like living things. ¡°Or should?¡±

    ¡®Magic was definitely involved with this book¡­¡¯

    In the distance, a faint grey light glowed from one corner of the cavern. As they approached cautiously, the sight before them made them freeze.

    Kaldor, the Dwarven Dragon God of the Forge, loomed over a massive black anvil, his colossal form illuminated by the fiery glow of molten steel. He was a being out of myth, a fusion of dwarven craftsmanship and draconic might.

    His body was massive, his scaled skin gleaming like tempered steel. Each scale was etched with ancient runes that pulsed faintly, as if infused with molten light. His thick, braided beard hung down to his chest, shimmering with veins of gold, silver, and copper, tied with glowing iron clasps. His horns were jagged and asymmetrical, curling outward like molten lava frozen mid-flow.

    Kaldor¡¯s arms were thick and muscular, covered with scars from centuries of forging divine weapons. His hands, encased in massive gauntlets carved with glowing runes, gripped a colossal hammer. The weapon was magnificent, its head engraved with mythic symbols that shifted and glimmered with every strike. Around his neck hung a necklace of crystalline shards, each one glowing faintly, as if containing the essence of fire itself.

    A thick, blackened leather apron covered his chest, reinforced with dragonhide and adorned with sigils of power. His wings, enormous and leathery, were folded tightly against his back, their veins glowing faintly like rivers of molten steel.

    Before him, on the anvil, lay the beginnings of a sword. Its molten surface shimmered with an otherworldly light, the metal humming faintly as it took shape under Kaldor¡¯s hammer.

    Standing before the forge was King Samuel, his regal figure bathed in the glow of the molten steel.

    Xyenn said, ¡°Kaldor..dragon god of the forge..the ones Dwarven and his clan are bound to!¡±

    Yuuna pointed, ¡°I don¡¯t recognize that royal looking guy there.¡±This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    ¡°Me neither.¡±

    Samuel was the embodiment of nobility and power. His short, snow-white hair glowed faintly under the light, and his piercing golden eyes burned with resolve. His expression was calm and focused, though his stance revealed the weight of the burden he carried. And he was wearing a glowing white crown.

    He wore a king¡¯s outfit that radiated both elegance and authority¡ªa white tunic embroidered with intricate patterns of dragons and spires, trimmed with gold. A red cape flowed behind him, its edges glowing faintly as if kissed by embers. His armor, though light, was intricately designed, with golden accents that shimmered in the forge¡¯s light.

    Hovering above Samuel was a spirit-like woman. Her form was ethereal, her presence protective yet sorrowful. She watched the scene silently, her posture regal and motherly, though her features were obscured by the faint glow of her form.

    CLANG!

    Yuuna noticed the woman, thinking with a slight gasp, ¡®She looks like the same spirit from the pool of light..! Mom¡­?!¡¯

    Kaldor¡¯s hammer struck the blade again, sending a shower of sparks into the darkness. The sound was deafening, yet rhythmic, like the pulse of a god¡¯s heart.

    ¡°This blade,¡± Kaldor rumbled, his deep, gravelly voice carrying a thick dwarven accent, ¡°will be the bane o¡¯ darkness itself, forged from yer very soul, lad. It¡¯ll be tied tae ye as long as ye draw breath.¡±

    Samuel nodded, his voice steady. ¡°That is as it should be. The light cannot fall into unworthy hands.¡±

    ¡°Aye,¡± Kaldor grunted, his fiery eyes narrowing. ¡°The other dragon gods¡¯ll be grateful tae have a Jotyin wield such a weapon. Their fear o¡¯ the First Monarch an¡¯ the fires o¡¯ Hell¡¯ll be put tae rest¡­ fer a time.¡±

    The hammer struck again, the sound reverberating through the cavern.

    ¡°But the cycle¡­¡± Kaldor growled, his voice lowering. ¡°The damned cycle o¡¯ rebirth. A curse upon us dragon gods, makin¡¯ us die an¡¯ be reborn wi¡¯ no memory o¡¯ what came before. Like hollow shells, we are. An¡¯ yet¡­¡± He paused, his hammer hovering over the blade. ¡°There¡¯s a way tae banish it. Using this blade.¡±

    Samuel¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°Without taking Yuuna¡¯s heart?¡±

    ¡°Aye,¡± Kaldor growled. ¡°Her heart¡¯s tied tae Gabriel¡¯s, makin¡¯ her the conduit fer the curse.¡±

    The molten glow of the blade on Kaldor¡¯s anvil reflected in Samuel¡¯s golden eyes as the king stood tall, resolute. The rhythmic pounding of the hammer echoed through the cavern, its sound both deafening and mesmerizing.

    Kaldor continued, his voice a deep, gravelly rumble that carried the wisdom of millennia, each word punctuated by the powerful clang of his hammer. ¡°The Prophets, lad. Everywhere. They see what we cannot. Seein¡¯ fate, they are. Invisible eyes lingerin¡¯ on every thread o¡¯ destiny. But where they come from? That, even I cannae say. The Lysf?dt guards their secrets well. If ye can get yer hands on ¡®em, make ¡®em spill what they know...that could help..¡±

    Samuel¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°You believe they know about the curse itself? If they can tell us if it¡¯ll be successful if I banish the curse with the sword?¡±

    Kaldor nodded sharply. ¡°Aye. If anyone knows, it¡¯d be them. The King o¡¯ Sen vanished after creatin¡¯ the Ohnupilath Tree, usin¡¯ Lancelot¡¯s power tae do it. Gabriel built Kyrrin an¡¯ everythin¡¯ else through that tree. But why¡¯d Sen disappear, eh? Where¡¯d he go? I reckon the Prophets know th¡¯ answer tae that too. I¡¯m sayin¡¯ they¡¯re conveniently good assets, gettin¡¯ our hands on em¡¯ is a top priority for us gods, eh?¡±

    Samuel¡¯s gaze remained steady, though his voice grew firm. ¡°If the Prophets see everything, then they already know what must be done. They¡¯ve likely been watching, waiting.¡±

    Kaldor struck the blade again, sending a shower of sparks into the darkness. ¡°Aye. But watchin¡¯ and actin¡¯ are two different things. They may see all, but they¡¯re no gods. They¡¯re cowards, puppets to fate itself.¡±

    Kaldor¡¯s eyes burned brighter as his hammer paused mid-air. He leaned closer to the blade, inspecting it with the precision of a craftsman who knew this weapon would change the course of history.

    ¡°Now, lad,¡± Kaldor continued, his voice heavy with meaning, ¡°this sword¡­ it¡¯s more than just a weapon. It¡¯s a beacon. A promise. As long as ye live, it¡¯ll hold yer light, vanquishin¡¯ th¡¯ shadows. But¡­¡± He turned his smoldering gaze toward Samuel. ¡°Should ye fall, its power will fall with ye. Ye understand what that means?¡±

    Samuel nodded, his expression unflinching. ¡°I do. That is why the burden must be mine alone.¡±

    Kaldor grunted approvingly, then struck the blade again.

    As the hammer fell, a low hum filled the cavern, resonating with a strange, otherworldly energy. The molten steel of the blade began to shift, glowing brighter and brighter with each strike, until it seemed as though it were absorbing the very essence of the king who stood before it.

    Samuel¡¯s body remained still, but a faint, ethereal glow began to rise from his chest¡ªa fragment of his soul, pulled from within him and flowing toward the blade.

    Above him, the spirit-like woman hovered closer, her faintly glowing form becoming more defined. Her presence was calm and maternal, yet tinged with sorrow, as though she were watching her loved one prepare to sacrifice a piece of himself for a cause greater than any mortal could bear.

    ¡°Yer soul,¡± Kaldor rumbled, his hammer poised above the sword, ¡°is what binds this blade to ye. It¡¯ll be yers and yers alone. An¡¯ when ye wield it, it¡¯ll sing wi¡¯ yer light.¡±

    Samuel¡¯s voice was calm, yet resolute. ¡°The other dragon gods will understand. They will know that this sword is the key to ensuring the balance of light and dark. And Kota has prepared for me this. Lancelot has as well, though¡­his goals don¡¯t align with mine yet.¡±

    Kaldor nodded, though his expression darkened. ¡°Aye, they¡¯ll understand, King Samuel. But don¡¯t forget, lad¡ªthis blade¡¯s not just fer the gods or yer people. It¡¯s fer the cycle. The curse that binds us all. Freina¡­ Death¡­ Orin¡­¡± His voice grew thick with disdain as he listed the names.

    Samuel¡¯s gaze flickered, his tone sharpening. ¡°Freina, the goddess of motherhood and fertility, betrayed Gabriel alongside her allies. She believed that overwhelming him would bring peace to his realm. That her actions would stabilize the land of gods. She was one of the ones who orchestrated the rebellion¡­¡±

    ¡°Aye,¡± Kaldor growled, his hammer striking the blade again. ¡°But Gabriel¡¯s realm was a land o¡¯ gods! His power was infinite, a force beyond reckoning. Freina¡¯s nature blinded her, makin¡¯ her think she could control what she couldn¡¯t. She saw herself as a mother of Gabriel¡¯a realm, in which in a way, she was. She turned to Death himself, th¡¯ reaper who governs us all, an¡¯ Orin, the dragon god o¡¯ blood, tae stand against Gabriel. Together, they caused an uprising. Having followers with them, and it was like a damn branch, others helped lead the charge.¡±

    Kaldor paused, his fiery eyes narrowing as he spoke with bitter certainty. ¡°An¡¯ fer their betrayal, they became the conduits o¡¯ the cycle. The three pillars that hold th¡¯ curse together. Like Yuuna¡¯s heart, they¡¯re bound to it. They cannae die permanently. Even if Freina¡¯s killed, she¡¯ll return. Always.¡±

    Samuel nodded solemnly. ¡°As long as the cycle lives, so do they.¡±

    ¡°Aye,¡± Kaldor rumbled, his voice heavy. ¡°An¡¯ as long as Yuuna¡¯s heart beats, the cycle endures. Her heart¡¯s the key, forged from Gabriel¡¯s own essence, an¡¯ the First Monarch knows it. He wants her to be his Hell Maiden, tae bring the end o¡¯ Kyrrin an¡¯ unleash damnation upon us all.¡±

    The spirit-like woman above Samuel lowered her gaze, her voice breaking the silence for the first time. Her tone was beautiful and majestic, carrying the weight of a mother¡¯s love and pain. ¡°My daughter¡­ Yuuna¡­ is the key to more than destruction. If her darkness can be severed, if she can be freed from the First Monarch¡¯s grasp, she can become what she was meant to be. A pure human.¡±

    Samuel looked up at her, his golden eyes meeting her ethereal gaze. ¡°Your daughter holds the balance of light and dark within her. If I can cut her down with this blade¡­¡± He hesitated, his voice softening. ¡°...it may drive Hell¡¯s darkness from her body. She could become human, free of her torment.¡±

    Yuuna said, ¡°Mother¡­¡±

    ¡®Cure me¡­? It¡¯s actually possible¡­?¡¯

    Xyenn thought, ¡®So that¡¯s King Samuel..and Yuuna¡¯s mothers name is Kota¡­?¡¯

    Kaldor¡¯s hammer struck the blade once more, the sparks flying like a burst of stars. ¡°Aye, lad. If ye succeed, she¡¯ll be free. Free to wield her grandmother¡¯s magic, like Kota mentioned. But as long as the First Monarch¡¯s power binds her, she¡¯ll never be whole. She¡¯ll never escape her fate.¡±

    The spirit, now fully visible, was revealed to be Kota, Yuuna¡¯s mother. Her face, now clear, was breathtakingly beautiful. Her features were delicate yet regal, her skin glowing faintly with a soft, golden light. Her eyes, the same golden hue as Yuuna¡¯s, shimmered with a mixture of love and sorrow.

    Yuuna, who had been silent as she watched the scene unfold, took a shaky step forward. Her voice was barely above a whisper. ¡°Mom¡­?¡±

    Kota¡¯s gaze shifted, and though she could not see her daughter.

    Yuuna¡¯s eyes filled with tears as she stepped closer, her voice trembling. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ still as beautiful as the last time I saw you¡­mom.¡±

    Kota¡¯s lips curved into a gentle smile, though her eyes remained sorrowful. She turned, her glowing form radiating warmth and love, and Yuuna took another step forward, reaching out toward her.

    Yuuna gasped, locking eyes with her mother. Wasn¡¯t this supposed some scene in a book?

    ¡®She fucking looked at me¡­¡¯ Yuuna gritted her teeth.

    The cavern¡¯s glow began to fade, the molten steel on the anvil dimming as the scene dissolved into shadow. The rhythmic pounding of Kaldor¡¯s hammer grew fainter, like an echo reverberating through an immense void. Xyenn and Yuuna floated there, suspended in the emptiness, the world around them crumbling into fragments of light that vanished into the darkness.

    Yuuna stared into the void where the forge had been just moments ago, her eyes trembling with unshed tears. The image of Kota¡¯s face was burned into her memory¡ªso vivid, so achingly familiar. She brought a hand to her chest, clutching her heart as if trying to steady the storm of emotions surging within her.

    ¡®The same face¡­that same radiance, she had the same face when she was in Hell, taking care of me, watching over me, and also a captive of my damned father..was this entire thing meant for us? For me?¡¯

    Xyenn floated silently beside her, watching her carefully. He knew better than to interrupt her thoughts, but he couldn¡¯t ignore the way her shoulders quaked, the way her lips pressed tightly together as if holding back a flood.

    Finally, Yuuna broke the silence, her voice soft and trembling. ¡°Seeing her again¡­ seeing my mom¡¯s face¡­¡± She paused, her voice cracking as tears began to spill down her cheeks. ¡°It did something to me, Xyenn. It¡¯s like¡­ it¡¯s like I finally understand. She¡¯s trying so hard¡­ she¡¯s doing everything she can¡­ just to make sure I¡¯m not tied to the darkness of Hell anymore.¡±

    She wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand, though the tears kept falling. ¡°If her plan works, the First Monarch¡¯s hold on me will be gone. I¡¯ll finally be free¡­¡± Her voice trailed off, a single tear trailing down her cheek as her lips curved into a small, hopeful smile. ¡°I¡¯ve wandered Kyrrin for years upon years, hating myself in the process because of what I was bound to. Maybe I took my anger out on innocents, tied in with me just wanting to survive. But it all rooted from feeling like a puppet, a pet of my father. Feeling tied down heavily, it pissed me off. My reign as an evil bitch rooted from that feeling of being controlled, watched, and a target. My father wanted me back, and yet, the dragon gods wanted me as well.¡±

    For a moment, Xyenn thought she might actually smile, due to the fact that Yuuna would actually wipe off her sad face and start smiling and making jokes and acting crazy, just so no one would see her in her sad state; but then she turned to him, her expression twisting into worry. Her voice was barely above a whisper. ¡°But¡­ what about you?¡±

    Xyenn blinked, startled by the question. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s grip on her chest tightened as she took a shaky breath. ¡°You¡¯re my vessel, Xyenn. Part of your soul is bound to mine¡ªto the darkness of Hell. If my mom and Samuel¡¯s plan works, and I¡¯m cured¡­ what happens to you?¡± Her voice cracked as the words spilled out, her eyes wide with rising panic. ¡°If I¡¯m freed from the darkness¡­ does that mean you¡¯ll¡­ does that mean you¡¯ll die? You know the only way for any vessel to separate from their contract with their dragon god is death and death only. If any magic tries to seperate it, I fear it¡¯s the same concept..¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides as he processed her words. He had thought about it before, of course. He wasn¡¯t stupid¡ªhe knew their contract wasn¡¯t without risks. But hearing her voice tremble like this, seeing the fear in her eyes, made the weight of it all hit him harder than he¡¯d expected.

    He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand tall, even as the truth clawed at the back of his mind. ¡°Yuuna,¡± he said firmly, his voice steady even though his hands trembled, ¡°you deserve to be free. You deserve to live your life without being tied to Hell¡­ without becoming your father¡¯s Hell Maiden.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s breath hitched as she stared at him, her tears falling freely now.

    ¡°You¡¯ve come so far,¡± Xyenn continued, his eyes locking with hers. ¡°This¡­ this is what you wanted, right? No more feeling like you¡¯re bound to something. No more chains holding you down.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s lip quivered as she looked away, her hands trembling. ¡°You don¡¯t mean that,¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible.

    ¡°Yuuna¡­¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t mean that,¡± she said again, louder this time. Her shoulders shook as she repeated it, over and over. ¡°You don¡¯t mean that, Xyenn. You don¡¯t mean that, darling!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s fists tightened so hard his knuckles turned white. She was right. He didn¡¯t want to say those things. He didn¡¯t want to think about what might happen to him if she was freed from the darkness. The thought of dying¡ªof ceasing to exist after everything they had been through¡ªterrified him.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to die,¡± he admitted, his voice low and raw. ¡°Not after everything we¡¯ve been through. Not after coming this far. To not see this to the end¡­ it¡¯d feel like a waste!¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s head snapped toward him, her eyes wide and filled with heartbreak.

    ¡°But,¡± Xyenn continued, his voice softening, ¡°I meant what I said. You deserve better, Yuuna! You deserve to be free. To not feel like you¡¯re bound to anything¡ªor anyone. Not Hell, not your father, not me.¡±

    ¡°I felt free with you and the Tyrants! Mertha, Sethrak, Zyphira, Draeven, Illyana, Quinara, Gorran, Kivorn, hell even Gridd! And even that day I have birth to your child!¡± Yuuna¡¯s tears spilled over as she screamed, her voice echoing through the void. ¡°What about you?! What happens to you, Xyenn?!¡±

    Her words hung in the air, heavy and desperate. She took a step closer to him, her hands trembling as she clutched the fabric of her shirt over her heart. ¡°You¡¯ve been there for me since the beginning. You¡¯ve fought for me, protected me¡ª¡° Her voice cracked as she continued, her tears streaming down her cheeks. ¡°You¡¯ve stayed with me through everything, Xyenn. You¡¯ve always been the one constant in my life. I can¡¯t¡­ I can¡¯t imagine a future without you in it.¡±

    Xyenn flinched at her words, his fists still clenched tightly at his sides. He couldn¡¯t bring himself to look at her, his heart thundering in his chest.

    ¡®A future without me¡­?¡¯

    Yuuna stepped closer, her voice trembling, almost poetic in its pain. ¡°You saw me for me. Even when I told you the stuff I did in the past, you didn¡¯t judge me. You¡¯re the only one who¡¯s ever made me feel like I¡¯m more than just some tool for Hell or some pawn in my father¡¯s plans. You¡¯re the reason I¡¯ve come this far. Without you, I wouldn¡¯t have survived any of this. And that goes for my Tyrants as well. But YOU, Xyenn. You¡¯re special to me.¡±

    Her eyes burned with anger as she stared up at him, her voice breaking again. ¡°But if my mom¡¯s plan works, if she can split me from the darkness¡­ where does that leave you? If I¡¯m free, and the darkness is gone, does that mean there¡¯s no room for you in my future? How could I possibly continue to walk around like everything is okay after that?¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s breath caught in his throat, and his eye glimmered faintly in the dim light of the void. He wanted to say something¡ªanything¡ªbut the words wouldn¡¯t come.

    Yuuna¡¯s voice grew quieter, shaking as she wrestled with the impossible choice before her. ¡°I want to be free. I want to live without feeling tied to Hell or my father or¡­ or any of this. I don¡¯t want to be his Hell Maiden. I don¡¯t want to feel this weight anymore. But¡­¡± She choked back a sob, wiping at her tears with trembling hands. ¡°But I can¡¯t live without you, Xyenn. I just¡­ I can¡¯t. I know I keep repeating it, but you see how desperate I am. Because there¡¯s a high chance you would die if I¡¯m hit with Samuel¡¯s sword. The same sword we came here to release from the tree itself.¡±

    Her words hit Xyenn like a punch to the gut. He closed his eyes tightly, gritting his teeth as he forced himself to stay calm. He couldn¡¯t let her see how much this hurt him.

    ¡°¡­Don¡¯t let me hold you back.¡±

    Yuuna shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks as she whispered, ¡°You don¡¯t understand¡­¡±

    ¡°Yuuna¡ª¡±

    ¡°No!¡± she screamed, her voice raw and filled with anguish. ¡°You don¡¯t understand, Xyenn. You¡¯re not just my vessel! How many times do I have to explain it to you? You¡¯re my partner. You¡¯re my¡­ you¡¯re my damn everything!¡±

    Her words hung in the air, echoing through the void. Xyenn¡¯s jaw tightened as he stared at her, his chest aching with emotions he couldn¡¯t fully process.

    Yuuna took another step closer, her hands trembling as she reached for his. ¡°I don¡¯t care what my mother says. I don¡¯t care what anyone says. I don¡¯t want a future without you in it. If being free means losing you, then maybe I don¡¯t want to be free after all.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s breath hitched, and for a moment, he couldn¡¯t speak. He didn¡¯t know what to say. Part of him wanted to tell her that she was wrong, that she needed to let him go, that her freedom was worth any sacrifice¡ªeven his own life. She wouldn¡¯t be able to be the First Monarch¡¯s Hell Maiden any longer. But as long as she¡¯s bound to Hell¡¯s magic, which is her affinity, she has the potential to be turned into a Hell Maiden.

    But the other part of Xyenn, the selfish part he tried so hard to ignore, whispered that he didn¡¯t want to die. That he didn¡¯t want to lose her either.

    After a long moment, he sighed, his shoulders slumping as he unclenched his fists. ¡°Yuuna,¡± he said softly, his voice heavy with emotion, ¡°I meant what I said. You deserve your freedom after all you¡¯ve done. And if that means I have to¡­¡± He hesitated, swallowing hard before continuing, ¡°...if that means I have to let go, then so be it. I can¡¯t just fucking sit here and allow myself to continue roaming around and I could¡¯ve been the key to your freedom. And what if you do become a Hell Maiden? Kyrrin gets destroyed, everyone dies, the Tyrangs die, then what? I¡¯ll be alone again¡­and I told you and myself I don¡¯t want to experience that. Not again. But I don¡¯t wanna die. I don¡¯t..I don¡¯t..¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s tears continued to fall as she stared at him, her heart breaking with every word. She shook her head slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°I¡­¡±

    As the void consumed them, Xyenn fell silent, his body weightless in the endless darkness. But in his mind, it felt as though he was being crushed under the weight of everything¡ªYuuna¡¯s words, the truth of their situation, and the impossible choice that loomed over them both.

    ¡®You don¡¯t mean that¡­¡¯

    Her words echoed in his head, cutting deeper than he would ever admit. He gritted his teeth, his hands trembling at his sides as he tried to push the thought away. But it clung to him, refusing to let go, repeating over and over like a relentless mantra.

    ¡®You don¡¯t mean that.¡¯

    And maybe¡­ maybe she was right.

    His mind told him one thing: to be selfless, to risk it all for her. It told him that this was the right thing to do. That Yuuna had suffered long enough, that she deserved to be free of the darkness, of Hell, of her father¡¯s grasp. She deserved to be free of the cycle that had bound her since the day she was born¡ªa cycle she never asked for, a fate she never chose.

    And Xyenn did believe that. He had believed it since the day they¡¯d formed their bond, since the moment he¡¯d realized what kind of life she had been forced to endure.

    But his heart¡­

    His heart told him something else entirely.

    He didn¡¯t want to die.

    The thought hit him like a punch to the gut, sharp and visceral. His breathing quickened as the realization settled in. He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms as his chest tightened.

    He didn¡¯t want to die.

    It wasn¡¯t just fear¡ªit was anger, frustration, and desperation all tangled together in a knot that he couldn¡¯t unravel. He had come so far, after all. They both had. Together, they¡¯d fought and bled and clawed their way through impossible odds. They had survived what should have killed them. They had endured pain and loss and despair, all for the hope of something better.

    And now, just when things were beginning to feel different¡ªjust when Xyenn had started to feel like maybe, *maybe* there was something worth living for¡ªhe was being asked to let it all go.

    He had finally found a sense of happiness, fleeting though it may have been. For the first time in a long time, he wasn¡¯t just surviving; he was living.

    And now, all of that was at risk.

    ¡°You don¡¯t mean that.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s voice rang through his head again, and this time it stung even more. Because she wasn¡¯t wrong. He didn¡¯t mean it¡ªnot entirely.

    Xyenn closed his eyes, his jaw tightening as he fought the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. He wanted to mean it. He wanted to be the kind of person who could look at her and say, ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to set you free, even if it costs me everything.¡± He wanted to believe he was selfless enough to make that choice without hesitation.

    But he couldn¡¯t.

    He couldn¡¯t ignore the voice in his heart, screaming at him to hold on. To fight. To survive.

    Because it wasn¡¯t just about dying. It wasn¡¯t just about the fear of losing his life. It was about everything they¡¯d been through. Every battle they¡¯d fought, every step they¡¯d taken to get here. If he died now, it would all feel like a waste.

    And staying alive and feeling like Yuuna¡¯s anchor, would torture him.

    What was the point of coming this far if it only ended with him being erased?

    What was the point of finally finding something¡ªsomeone¡ªworth fighting for, only to lose it all in the end?

    Xyenn¡¯s thoughts felt like a storm, each one crashing against the other in an endless battle. His mind told him to let go, to give himself up if it meant Yuuna could finally be free. But his heart, his selfish, aching heart, screamed at him to hold on, to fight for himself just as much as he fought for her.

    And then there was Yuuna herself.

    She was the one who had shown him love for the first time in his life. Real love¡ªnot the hollow, fleeting kind that came with ulterior motives, but something genuine. She had chosen him, and in doing so, she had given him a reason to keep going.

    He loved her. He didn¡¯t know exactly when it had happened, but he did. He loved her in a way that scared him, in a way that made him vulnerable, in a way that made him question everything he thought he knew about himself.

    And because of that, he did mean it when he said she deserved better. Yuuna deserved to be free, to live a life without fear or pain or darkness. She deserved to have a future, one that wasn¡¯t dictated by the First Monarch or Hell or anyone else.

    But what about him?

    Was he being selfish to himself, to Yuuna? Or both?

    Could he really let her go?

    The thought twisted in his chest, a sharp ache that he couldn¡¯t ignore. He didn¡¯t know. He didn¡¯t have the answer.

    And maybe that was what scared him the most.

    He opened his eyes, staring into the void around him as Yuuna¡¯s voice echoed in his mind once more.

    You don¡¯t mean that¡­

    She was right.

    And she was wrong.

    He didn¡¯t know what he meant anymore. He didn¡¯t know how to reconcile the war between his mind and his heart, between what he wanted to do and what he should do.

    All he knew was that he loved her.

    And for now, that would have to be enough.

 Chapter 77: Deadly Dance

    ¡®For me to avoid what my Mother intended for me¡­she wants to cure me, I guess. Separate me from the darkness of Hell itself. But that means I won¡¯t be bound to that bastard of a father anymore. Mom..I know why you would do this. Maybe I even overreacted on Xyenn, I did scream and cry, and I kept repeating the same thing over and over¡­but I just can¡¯t do it. Xyenn¡¯s telling me I should, but I know he¡¯s just saying that be on my side. He¡¯s cute honestly, but why are choices so hard to make? I¡¯ve yearned for you, mother. And even hearing your name again, brought me so much peace, hope, and even faith as crazy as that sounds. I don¡¯t know if I can go along with your plan, mother. I can¡¯t even bring myself to just resist it, a plan you''ve probably worked so hard to set up. All for me to resist it. Can I even forgive myself for it? I yearned for you for so long, just to see you physically again, not by some dream or vision or ritual, but physically. And for me to..do this to you? Now, I feel hopeless again. Why did I fall in love?¡¯ Yuuna thought.

    The transition was seamless, like falling through endless shadow. One moment, Xyenn and Yuuna were suspended in the void, the echoes of their emotions still raw in the air around them. The next, they were thrust into chaos¡ªa dark grey sky stretched infinitely above them, heavy rain pounding relentlessly against broken stone and lifeless earth.

    ¡®Why did I fall in love? I hope I didn¡¯t think that¡­because I¡¯m regretting it? I¡¯m not. Not at all. Never in a million years. My mind almost made me regret it, love is the obstacle between me and my freedom from my father. His plans of using me will be stopped. I hate this so much. Why is life so hard?¡¯ Yuuna thought even more.

    They stood on the edge of a battlefield that was apocalyptic in its ruin. The remnants of a once-great kingdom lay in shattered pieces around them. Towers that had once reached for the heavens now jutted out of the ground like broken teeth. Crumbled walls sprawled across the landscape, their foundations blackened and scorched. The air reeked of blood, ash, and the acrid tang of magic. Lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the carnage in brief flashes of stark, blinding light.

    ¡®I sang songs to you, mother. The same song you taught me, I snuck out almost every night to sing them, to feel closer to you. Even when I caught Xyenn watching me that night the first day I met him, I was singing seconds before. Though I don¡¯t know if he heard it or not. I sang for so many years and nights, just to feel closer to you, mother.¡¯

    In the center of the devastation stood King Samuel, his draconic humanoid form radiating celestial power despite the destruction around him. He was a sight to behold, a king transformed into a warrior of legend. His body was an intricate fusion of human and dragon¡ªhis skin shimmering with golden scales that seemed to glow faintly, as if lit from within. His arms were thick and clawed, his hands tipped with talons sharp enough to carve through iron. His face was still regal, though partially draconic, with sharp, angular features that exuded raw authority. His golden eyes burned like miniature suns, glowing brighter with every breath he took.

    ¡°I will bring about the Holy Land! The sword of Sovereignty¡­will make that happen. Darkness will be no more.¡±

    From his back sprouted immense, leathery wings lined with veins of light, their edges glowing faintly as the rain hissed and evaporated upon contact. His crown, a radiant piece of living light, hovered just above his head, shifting and reshaping constantly as if it were alive. Around his body, intricate celestial sigils burned faintly, their shapes shifting and realigning with every movement he made. In his right hand, he wielded a blade forged from pure light¡ªan ethereal weapon that hummed with divine energy and left glowing, celestial crests in the air with every swing.

    Facing him was a towering monstrosity that dwarfed even his draconic form. Xlemmeth, the Demon Monarch of Cataclysm, was a nightmarish amalgamation of flesh, armor, and ancient malevolence. His massive, armored horse-like lower body stomped the ground with crushing force, sending tremors rippling outward. His humanoid torso was grotesque, with seven massive arms, each wielding jagged, demonic blades that pulsed with a faint, malevolent glow. His face was still and emotionless, almost mask-like, though it was marred by countless blades and arrows embedded deep into the flesh. Chains hung heavily around his neck, clinking ominously with each movement, and his wild, bushy hair seemed to writhe as if alive.

    ¡°¡­Show me.¡± Xlemmeth said.

    Above his head hovered flaming orbs, their light casting flickering shadows across the battlefield. His weapons, monstrous in their design, were adorned with spiraling red eyes that blinked and twisted unnaturally, glowing with a cruel, ancient power. Behind him, a massive circle of glowing red runes burned in the air, pulsating like a second heart, feeding him raw energy.

    The two titans clashed with such ferocity that the very air seemed to scream.

    Samuel moved first, his body a blur of golden light as he surged forward, his wings propelling him with explosive speed. His blade carved through the air in an intricate arc, leaving trails of blazing celestial crests that shimmered for a split second before detonating in bursts of radiant energy. Xlemmeth retaliated immediately, his seven arms moving with terrifying precision. His blades blurred as they countered Samuel¡¯s strikes, each clash sending out violent bursts of light and darkness that lit up the battlefield like a storm of stars and shadows.

    Samuel spun mid-air, his wings folding inward as he twisted his body to avoid a downward slash from Xlemmeth¡¯s largest blade. He retaliated with a series of rapid, devastating strikes, his blade carving glowing sigils into the air with each swing. The sigils expanded outward, forming intricate patterns that detonated as soon as Xlemmeth¡¯s weapons made contact, forcing the demon to stumble backward.

    But Xlemmeth was relentless. He surged forward, his massive body charging like an unstoppable force of nature. His lower body stomped the ground, sending jagged cracks of burning earth spiraling outward. Samuel vaulted over the attack, his wings snapping open to propel him higher as he spun expertly in the air. He descended with blinding speed, his blade slamming into one of Xlemmeth¡¯s weapons in a clash of light and shadow that sent shockwaves through the ruins.

    Xlemmeth¡¯s seven arms moved in perfect unison, each blade seeking to overwhelm the king with sheer force. Samuel parried and evaded with breathtaking precision, his movements seamless and fluid as he twisted, vaulted, and spun through the onslaught. He planted his taloned feet against Xlemmeth¡¯s massive chest and kicked off, flipping backward through the air. With a single motion, he hurled his blade forward, the weapon splitting into dozens of smaller, radiant copies that spiraled toward Xlemmeth like a deadly constellation.

    Xlemmeth roared, his voice a guttural, earth-shaking sound that carried the weight of centuries of destruction. The glowing red runes behind him flared violently, and with a single motion, he swung one of his massive blades in a wide arc. The air itself seemed to split as the blade tore through the incoming light weapons, shattering them into fragments.

    Samuel landed gracefully, his blade reforming in his hand as he charged again. The ground beneath his feet glowed faintly with celestial crests that activated with each step, propelling him forward with incredible speed. He ducked under one of Xlemmeth¡¯s strikes, his blade carving a glowing sigil into the demon¡¯s side. The sigil expanded rapidly, exploding in a burst of radiant light that sent Xlemmeth reeling, some pieces of darkness sizzling and becoming one with the light.

    ¡°I can use the sword to heal and to kill. Doing both at the same time..shows me I can really bring about the Holy Land..¡±

    But Xlemmeth recovered almost instantly. He swung his seven blades in a brutal flurry, the sheer force of the attacks carving deep trenches into the battlefield. Samuel dodged and parried with inhuman precision, his wings folding and unfolding as he vaulted over attacks and twisted through gaps in the demon¡¯s assault.

    The battle raged on, a deadly dance of light and darkness. Samuel¡¯s movements were blindingly fast, his attacks precise and devastating, while Xlemmeth¡¯s sheer size and power made every swing of his blades feel like the end of the world. The ruined battlefield trembled beneath them, the rain hissing as it evaporated against their magic.

    Xyenn watched, saying, ¡°They¡¯re fighting like Titans..¡±

    ¡®So this was the battle..the first demon battle of Kyrrin..right before our eyes¡­¡¯

    Finally, Samuel landed a decisive blow, his blade carving through Xlemmeth¡¯s chest and leaving a massive, glowing sigil in its wake. The sigil pulsed with radiant energy, expanding outward and detonating in a blinding explosion that sent the demon monarch staggering backward.

    But Xlemmeth was far from defeated. Even though the wounded parts of his body were turning into light itself and healing, all while bleeding out. His red eyes burned brighter, and the runes behind him flared violently as he unleashed a surge of dark magic. The ground beneath Samuel cracked and erupted as jagged, blackened spikes shot upward, forcing him to retreat.

    Samuel¡¯s breathing was labored, his body battered and bloodied. The wounds inflicted by Xlemmeth¡¯s dark magic refused to heal, the malevolent energy seeping deeper into his flesh with each passing moment. He dropped to one knee, his blade trembling in his hand as he tried desperately to channel his light magic to heal himself.

    But it wasn¡¯t enough. The darkness was spreading too quickly, consuming him from the inside out.

    Xlemmeth loomed over him, dragging his jagged blades along the ground as he approached. The demon¡¯s emotionless face was twisted into something almost resembling satisfaction, the glowing red runes behind him pulsing steadily.

    ¡®Just that one attack..took down King Samuel?! Are they really that strong?¡¯ Xyenn said in his head.

    Yuuna calmly said, ¡°That¡¯s Xlemmeth, a demon Monarch. Of Cataclysm. He¡¯s a high ranking one at that.¡±

    ¡®Xlemmeth..¡¯

    Samuel¡¯s eyes flickered as he struggled to rise, his body trembling under the weight of his injuries. Blood dripped from his lips as he raised his blade weakly, the light within it dimming.

    The rain continued to pour, washing away the blood and ash as the battlefield fell silent, save for the sound of Xlemmeth¡¯s ominous footsteps.

    The rain poured harder, streaking the battlefield in rivulets of ash and blood as Xlemmeth lumbered forward, his massive, horse-like body crushing the earth beneath him. His jagged blades scraped against the ruined ground, sending sparks flying with every step. The glowing red runes behind him pulsed violently, as though feeding off of the destruction around him.

    Samuel, struggling to rise, coughed violently, blood dripping from his lips. His eyes flickered weakly, his draconic form battered and broken. The celestial sigils that once danced around him were dim now, flickering like dying embers. His claws dug into the ground as he forced himself to kneel, his wings trembling and folded against his back.

    Xlemmeth raised all seven of his jagged blades, their spiraling red eyes glowing with malicious purpose. The runes behind him flared brighter, their energy surging into his weapons. The demon monarch roared, a guttural, bone-shaking sound that reverberated across the battlefield.

    Samuel¡¯s eyes widened as Xlemmeth lunged, the air trembling with the force of his attack. But just as the blades descended, Samuel slammed his clawed hand against the ground, his voice rasping through the rain.

    ¡°Kota¡­! I summon you..¡±

    Xyenn gasped, ¡°Summon..?¡±

    Yuuna added, ¡°Summoning my mother..?¡±

    A glowing crest burst forth from the ground beneath him, its intricate patterns spiraling outward in radiant, golden light. The sigils etched within the crest shimmered with astral energy, their shapes shifting like constellations in motion.

    From the crest, Kota emerged in an instant, her form radiant and ethereal. Her presence was calm yet commanding, her golden eyes shining with an otherworldly light. In her hand, she held a blade unlike any other¡ªits form shimmering and shifting, made of sparkling, colorful astral energy that seemed to reflect the entire cosmos within its surface. The blade hummed with raw, celestial power, its edges glowing with a prismatic brilliance.

    Kota raised her sword with elegance and precision, meeting Xlemmeth¡¯s attack mid-strike. The clash was cataclysmic.

    The collision of Xlemmeth¡¯s seven blades against Kota¡¯s astral sword sent out a shockwave of destruction so immense it tore through the battlefield. The ground beneath them shattered, massive chunks of stone and debris sent hurtling into the air. The rain evaporated instantly in the radius of their clash, leaving only steam and the sharp scent of burning earth. A fissure split the earth apart beneath their feet, glowing faintly with residual magic.

    Samuel shielded his eyes as the force of the impact sent him backward, his body too broken to withstand the overwhelming energy. He coughed again, more blood spilling from his mouth as he tried to push himself up.

    ¡°Kota¡­¡± he rasped, his voice filled with pain and anger. ¡°I wasn¡¯t strong enough! I needed more time! He tried..he corrupted the tree! I had to face him! I even told my soldiers to run far away from here! Even Sugred..¡±

    Kota turned her head slightly, her voice as soft and beautiful as the rain. ¡°You¡¯ve done well, King Samuel.¡±  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    Her words were gentle, yet they carried an undeniable finality. Her hand extending toward Samuel. A sparkling astral light began to flow from her palm, weaving through the air like threads of silk.

    ¡°What are you¡ª¡± Samuel¡¯s voice broke off as the golden threads wrapped around him, growing brighter with each passing second. His claws dug into the ground, his body trembling as he realized what was happening.

    ¡°No!¡± he growled, his voice rising in defiance. ¡°I can still fight! Don¡¯t do this, Kota! I didn¡¯t call you here to¡ª¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve done enough,¡± Kota repeated, her voice steady but filled with a quiet sorrow. ¡°Let me carry this burden now.¡±

    The threads began to solidify, turning into stone as they encased Samuel¡¯s body piece by piece. His legs were the first to be sealed, the draconic scales turning to solid rock as the magic spread upward. Samuel thrashed weakly, his claws scraping against the ground as he tried to resist.

    ¡°Kota, stop!¡± he shouted, his voice breaking with frustration and despair. ¡°I can still¡ª¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Kota said softly, her golden eyes meeting his. Her expression was calm, but a faint sadness lingered in her gaze.

    The magic flowed from her outstretched hand, and as she worked, she began to sing. Her voice was beautiful, carrying a haunting melody that seemed to resonate with the very essence of the battlefield.

    ?? ¡°In the fields where roses bloom,

    Under skies of bronze and gold,

    A song of light, a heart of flame,

    A story waiting to be told.¡± ??

    The spirit¡¯s voice joined hers, soft and ethereal, harmonizing perfectly with Kota¡¯s melody.  Even as she sang, she was holding back Xlemmeth¡¯s blades with just her one blade. And Xlemmeth was trying to press down on her, but Kota held her ground.

    ?? ¡°Through the dark, where shadows stay,

    We ride to chase the night away,

    A sword of light, a bond of kin,

    A love that burns within.¡± ??

    As the song continued, the magic flowed more rapidly, encasing Samuel¡¯s torso. He gritted his teeth, his golden eyes blazing with anger even as his strength began to wane.

    Yuuna noticed this, saying, ¡°That song¡­the same song from the vision, from the pool of light. The same song I¡¯ve been singing almost every night when I¡¯m out alone. Ever since I was a child, the exact same song.¡±

    Xyenn added, ¡°The spell was shown to you since you were a kid. Like she was preparing you¡­¡±

    ¡®Yuuna¡¯s mother had been planning this from the start. Either her mother was dealing with the Prophets..or she is one..or from the same place where they¡¯re from..either way, there¡¯s gotta be an explanation for this..¡¯

    Down below, Samuel growled, ¡°Kota..,¡±, his voice trembling with frustration. ¡°I didn¡¯t want this. I didn¡¯t want to summon you. I was supposed to finish this¡­ I was supposed to win¡­¡±

    The stone crept higher, sealing his arms and wings. Kota¡¯s expression didn¡¯t waver, her voice still as soft and peaceful as the rain.

    ¡°You¡¯ve done enough, Samuel,¡± she said again. ¡°Rest now.¡±

    Samuel¡¯s head was the last to be encased. His golden eyes softened slightly, the anger giving way to reluctant acceptance as the stone began to cover his face. ¡°Okay¡­¡± he whispered, his voice barely audible.

    With a final surge of magic, Samuel was fully encased in stone, his draconic form frozen in a pose of defiance, his blade still clutched in his hand. A faint golden light shimmered around the statue, the celestial magic sealing him in a protective cocoon.

    The rain fell harder, washing over the battlefield as silence settled once more.

    Xlemmeth stood still for a moment, his glowing red eyes fixed on Kota. Chains clinked around his neck as he raised one of his massive blades, pointing it at her.

    ¡°Go back,¡± he rumbled, his voice deep and resonant, like the grinding of mountains. ¡°Go back to that forbidden realm where you came from.¡±

    Kota didn¡¯t respond. She simply raised her astral blade, her golden eyes unwavering as she stared him down.

    Xlemmeth roared, his seven blades glowing with dark energy as he lunged forward. Kota dashed toward him in an instant, her movements fluid and precise. Their weapons clashed violently, sending out another wave of destructive energy that shattered the ground beneath them.

    In the chaos, a massive explosion erupted, blinding the battlefield in a burst of light and shadow.

    High above the battlefield, Xyenn and Yuuna watched in stunned silence. The explosion¡¯s shockwave rippled through the air, causing the rain to scatter briefly before falling even harder.

    Xyenn¡¯s eye was wide with shock as he stared at the battlefield below. ¡°Your mother was a summon?¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s expression was unreadable, her golden eyes fixed on the destruction below. After a moment, she whispered softly, her voice barely audible over the rain. ¡°It¡¯s strange¡­and that magic she had..astral magic..¡±

    ¡°From another world? Could she have come from one?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s..not impossible.¡±

    ¡°The astral world..¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. My mother is a human, but there is no dragon deity of anything astral. There is a deity of stars, but that¡¯s the closest you¡¯ll get. Though nowhere near related.¡±

    ¡°Then she has to be from another world. Did Gabriel ever mention something like that?¡±

    ¡°Another world? Only briefly. He only heard him say, ¡®The Other Place¡¯, but that¡¯s it.¡±

    ¡°What makes you think her astral magic isn¡¯t tied to the astral?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been around for a while, Xyenn. There is no astral magic in Kyrrin. Even if there is an astral world. But I¡¯m not saying it¡¯s not completely unrelated.¡±

    ¡°The Astral realm could be the bridge to this other world..or inside of it?¡±

    ¡°¡­Yeah maybe. That¡¯s why I wanna go there so bad. I wanna know more about it. For some reason, it was a place I avoided. That place isn¡¯t suitable for deities to walk around in. Based on her involvement with everything I''ve only seen her spirit form in visions. Spirits are from the astral realm, but not astral magic. Which supports my mothers existence, but doesn¡¯t support it because of her magical affinity.¡±

    ¡°Seems Death couldn''t hold her, escaping him as well. Wherever she¡¯s from..they have to be damn strong.¡±

    ¡°Mhm.¡±

    ¡°Why do you call it astral magic? If it didn¡¯t originate from Kyrrin, how do you know about it?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t even know why I called it that..¡±

    Xyenn inspected her, thinking, ¡®She¡¯s not playful right now, not even giving a smirk. After that incident with her mother and Samuel and me, she¡¯s had a lot on her mind. I miss her crazy ass attitude, but I have to understand her. Her mind is full of everything bothering her.¡¯

    The flash of light and shadow from the battlefield faded into a hazy, dreamlike vision. Xyenn and Yuuna found themselves standing in a golden field under a warm, midday sun. The rain was gone, replaced by the soft rustling of trees and the gentle hum of life. The ruins, the blood, the despair¡ªall of it had vanished.

    Before them stood a young boy, no older than eight, his snow-white hair ruffling in the breeze. His golden eyes sparkled with innocence as he ran through the tall grass, laughing. He was chasing something¡ªor rather, someone.

    Kota stood beside him, her ethereal form shimmering faintly in the sunlight. Though her feet barely touched the ground, she moved effortlessly, mirroring the boy¡¯s playful energy. Her glowing golden eyes watched him with a soft, maternal warmth.

    ¡°Catch me, Kota!¡± young Samuel called out, his tiny legs pumping as he sprinted after her.

    Kota laughed, her voice like the sound of wind chimes in a gentle breeze. She floated just ahead of him, always within reach but never letting him catch her fully. ¡°You¡¯re getting faster, Samuel,¡± she teased, her tone light and playful.

    From their vantage point, Xyenn and Yuuna stood frozen, watching the scene unfold.

    ¡°Samuel¡­ as a child?¡± Xyenn murmured, his golden eye narrowing.

    Yuuna, her golden gaze fixed on Kota, whispered, ¡°And my mother¡­ she was with him even then.¡±

    Samuel sat on the edge of a sparkling creek, his feet kicking in the water as he hummed to himself. Kota floated beside him, her form shimmering faintly in the sunlight. He held a small wooden boat in his hands, carefully carving patterns into its surface with a tiny knife.

    ¡°Do you think it¡¯ll float?¡± Samuel asked, holding up the boat to show her.

    Kota smiled gently, kneeling beside him. ¡°It will if you believe it will.¡±

    Samuel grinned. ¡°Then it¡¯ll float for sure!¡± He placed it in the water, watching it drift downstream. As it sailed away, he turned to Kota, his expression softening. ¡°Why can¡¯t anyone else see you?¡±

    Kota¡¯s gaze turned wistful for a moment, but she reached out to tousle his hair. Her touch didn¡¯t disturb it, but Samuel laughed as if it did. ¡°Because I¡¯m here for you, Samuel. Only you.¡±

    Samuel stood in the castle courtyard, a wooden sword in hand, clumsily swinging it at invisible enemies. His movements were awkward and unrefined, but his determination was unmistakable.

    Kota floated behind him, her glowing eyes watching his every move. ¡°Careful with your footing,¡± she said softly. ¡°You¡¯ll fall if you¡¯re too heavy on the right leg.¡±

    Samuel huffed, trying to adjust his stance. ¡°I don¡¯t want to just fall! I want to be strong, like Lancelot!¡±

    ¡°And you will be,¡± Kota said, her voice calm and reassuring. ¡°But strength isn¡¯t just about swinging a sword. It¡¯s about balance. Precision. Understanding yourself.¡±

    Samuel paused, lowering the wooden blade as he looked up at her. ¡°And you¡¯ll help me, right?¡±

    Kota¡¯s smile was radiant. ¡°Always.¡±

    The night sky stretched above them, filled with stars that shimmered like diamonds. Samuel lay on the rooftop of the castle, his small hands tucked behind his head. Kota sat beside him, her gaze fixed on the heavens.

    ¡°Do you think Lancelot is watching me?¡± Samuel asked, his voice soft.

    Kota tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. ¡°Perhaps. But even if he isn¡¯t, you should act as though he is. Not because you want to impress him, but because you want to be true to yourself.¡±

    Samuel frowned slightly, his young mind processing her words. ¡°So¡­ I have to be good even when no one¡¯s looking?¡±

    Kota chuckled softly. ¡°Exactly.¡±

    Samuel grinned, turning his golden eyes toward her. ¡°You¡¯re really smart, Kota.¡±

    ¡°And you¡¯re really kind, Samuel,¡± she replied, her voice filled with warmth.

    Samuel sat alone in the castle library, surrounded by books stacked taller than his head. He flipped through the pages of an ancient tome, his brows furrowed in concentration.

    Kota floated beside him, her presence calm and steady. ¡°That¡¯s a difficult one,¡± she said, glancing at the book.

    Samuel pouted. ¡°But I want to understand it. If I¡¯m going to protect everyone someday, I need to know everything.¡±

    Kota placed a hand over her heart, her gaze softening. ¡°It¡¯s not knowledge that will make you great, Samuel. It¡¯s your heart. Never lose that.¡±

    Samuel looked up at her, his young face filled with determination. ¡°I won¡¯t.¡±

    The scene shifted suddenly, the golden field and peaceful moments giving way to the grand courtyard of Samuel¡¯s kingdom. The air buzzed with excitement as children from all over the land stood in neat rows, their parents watching anxiously from the sidelines.

    Samuel stood among them, his small frame straight and proud, though his golden eyes darted nervously across the crowd. Whispers rippled through the audience, some questioning whether he was truly fit to be chosen as Lancelot¡¯s vessel.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that the boy who talks to himself?¡± a woman whispered to her husband.

    ¡°Yes,¡± the man replied, his tone skeptical. ¡°He claims to see something no one else can. Do you think Lancelot would choose someone like that? A crazy kid?¡±

    Samuel heard the murmurs but didn¡¯t flinch. He clenched his fists, his gaze focused on the flickering flame of light hovering above the children. It was said that the light would choose the vessel for Lancelot, the dragon of celestial might.

    The flame began to move, weaving through the rows of children. It paused before some, only to drift away moments later. When it approached a boy named Sugred, a younger child standing nervously among the others, the crowd held its breath. The flame hovered for a moment, flickering as if considering him. But then, it moved on.

    Sugred¡¯s shoulders slumped, his small hands trembling as he stared at the ground.

    The flame continued its path until it reached Samuel. It hovered above him for a long moment, growing brighter and brighter until it finally descended, enveloping him in its radiant glow.

    Samuel¡¯s face lit up with joy. ¡°Kota! I did it!¡± he exclaimed, turning and hugging her tightly.

    But to the crowd, it looked like Samuel was hugging empty air.

    ¡°Is he¡­ hugging something?¡± someone whispered.

    ¡°Crazy boy,¡± another muttered.

    Samuel didn¡¯t care. He turned to Sugred, whose sad, tear-filled eyes made his heart ache. Samuel walked over to him, extending a hand. ¡°Hey, buddy. Do you want to be my friend?¡±

    Sugred looked up, his eyes wide with surprise. ¡°Friend?¡±

    Samuel grinned. ¡°Yeah. And maybe¡­ my apprentice? We¡¯ll learn together!¡±

    ¡°¡­Why me?¡±

    ¡°Because you looked down, and I didn¡¯t see anyone trying to help you out, so I gotcha!¡±

    Sugred hesitated for a moment, then smiled shyly, taking Samuel¡¯s hand. ¡°Okay.¡±

    The two boys stood together as the crowd erupted into cheers, the flame above Samuel burning brighter than ever.  Some didn¡¯t want to cheer, mostly because they didn¡¯t want a ¡°crazy¡± kid getting the blessing of inheriting a large fraction of Lancelot¡¯s power. And since he was a child, he wouldn¡¯t have been given the entire power of a vessel in its entirety, but the more he trained his body, the more he grew older, the power of a vessel would be given to him in fractions.

    The dim light of evening filtered softly through the high arched windows of the study, casting golden rays against the stone walls. The room was quiet except for the faint crackle of a fire in the hearth, the warmth of its glow complementing the soft hum of magic that filled the air.

    In the center of the room, Samuel stood on a wooden stool, his hands raised as he drew glowing lines of light in the air. His magic danced like paintbrush strokes, creating a sprawling, golden outline of a magnificent landscape that hovered in the open space of the room. Mountains, rivers, and cities took shape in the shimmering light, all connected by winding paths and radiant structures that seemed to hum with life.

    ¡°And here,¡± Samuel said, gesturing dramatically to a section of the glowing map, ¡°is where the Great Hall of Unity will stand! Everyone will come together here, no matter who they are. No more fighting, no more hurting.¡±

    Sitting cross-legged on the stone floor, Sugred watched in awe, his pale blond hair ruffled and unkempt. He tilted his head as he studied the glowing map. ¡°The Great Hall of Unity?¡± he asked, his voice small but curious. ¡°What¡¯s that gonna look like?¡±

    Samuel grinned, hopping down from the stool and rushing over to Sugred¡¯s side. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s going to be amazing!¡± He knelt beside his friend, using a smaller flicker of light magic to draw a rough sketch in the air. His fingers moved quickly, creating the outline of a massive hall with towering arches and glowing walls. ¡°Big glass windows! But not normal glass¡ªlight glass! It¡¯ll glow all the time, even at night. And there¡¯ll be a huge table in the middle where everyone can sit and talk about important stuff. Like¡­ like making sure no one¡¯s ever sad or hungry again!¡±

    Sugred¡¯s pale blue eyes widened as he stared at the glowing sketch. ¡°That sounds¡­ really nice,¡± he said softly. He hesitated for a moment before adding, ¡°I¡¯d like to live in a place like that.¡±

    Samuel turned to him, his golden eyes bright with excitement. ¡°You will, Sugred! We¡¯re going to make it happen! Lancelot told me all about it¡ªabout how things are right now, and how they should be.¡±

    Sugred tilted his head. ¡°What do you mean? What did Lancelot say?¡±

    Samuel¡¯s expression grew a bit more serious as he sat back, the glowing sketch still hovering in the air. ¡°He told me about Hell. He called it the Dark Place. But Kota told me it was really called Hell. About how it¡¯s¡­ broken. It¡¯s just pain and darkness, thanks to the First Monarch. And I¡¯m gonna defeat him once I get stronger and stuff.¡±

    Sugred frowned, hugging his knees to his chest. ¡°That sounds awful.¡±

    ¡°It is awful!¡± Samuel exclaimed, jumping to his feet again. He started pacing, his light magic following him as he drew more shapes in the air. ¡°But that¡¯s why I¡¯m going to change it. I¡¯m going to turn Hell into something better. A Holy Land! A place where no one gets hurt, and everyone can be happy.¡±

    Sugred¡¯s eyes lit up at the idea. ¡°You really think we can do that?¡±

    Samuel stopped pacing and turned to Sugred, his hands on his hips. ¡°Of course we can! And you¡¯re going to help me, buddy!¡±

    Sugred blinked, pointing at himself. ¡°Me?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, you!¡± Samuel said, grinning. He crouched down in front of Sugred, his eyes sparkling with determination. ¡°You¡¯ve got light magic too, remember? We¡¯ll train together, and then we¡¯ll build the Holy Land together. It¡¯ll be our place! I don¡¯t have anyone else to do it with because they think I¡¯m a weirdo. To share my dream with. I see the way people treat you, treating you like they treat me.¡±

    ¡°My light magic isn¡¯t really as honed as everyone else''s.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not an issue!¡±

    ¡°Adults think I¡¯m not worthy enough to take on darkness, as most children my age have a good grasp on the light.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not an issue! If you were a leader here, what would you make it like?¡±

    ¡°¡­The¡ª.¡±

    ¡°HOLY LAND!¡±

    Sugred hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ I¡¯m not as strong as you, Samuel. And my parents¡­¡± He trailed off, biting his lip.

    Samuel¡¯s grin softened into a warm smile. He placed a hand on Sugred¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Hey. You¡¯re strong, Sugred. Stronger than you think. And as for your parents¡­¡± He paused, his expression darkening slightly. ¡°They don¡¯t get to decide who you are. You do.¡±

    Sugred looked up at him, his eyes wide with hope. After a moment, he nodded. ¡°We might get laughed at. I¡¯ll start crying.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the spirit!¡± Samuel exclaimed, ruffling Sugred¡¯s hair.

    ¡°Crying is the spirit, yeah definitely.¡±

    The two boys worked together late into the night, practicing their light magic and sketching out their plans for the Holy Land. Samuel would draw glowing outlines of buildings and landscapes in the air, explaining every detail with boundless enthusiasm. Sugred would listen intently, occasionally adding his own ideas or asking questions.

    ¡°What if we had a garden,¡± Sugred suggested, ¡°where everyone could grow their own food? And¡­ and maybe there could be a pond with fish that glow like your magic!¡±

    Samuel¡¯s eyes lit up, putting his hand on Sugred¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Sugred..that¡¯s brilliant!¡± He quickly added a glowing pond to their sketch, complete with tiny, shimmering fish swimming in its waters.

    Sugred beamed with pride, and for the first time in a long while, he felt like he belonged.

    As they got older, during their training sessions, the room was often filled with laughter as the two boys experimented with their magic. Samuel¡¯s control over light magic was strong and confident, while Sugred¡¯s was more timid and clumsy.

    ¡°Focus, Sugred!¡± Samuel said with mock seriousness one afternoon, his hands on his hips as he watched Sugred attempt to form a simple sphere of light.

    ¡°I am focusing!¡± Sugred shot back, his tongue sticking out in concentration. The flickering ball of light in his hands wobbled dangerously before exploding into a harmless shower of sparks.

    Samuel burst out laughing, doubling over as Sugred glared at him. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s not funny!¡± Sugred protested, though a small smile tugged at his lips.

    ¡°It¡¯s a little funny,¡± Samuel teased, wiping a tear from his eye.

    Sugred crossed his arms, pouting. ¡°Well, let¡¯s see you do it then, Mr. Perfect.¡±

    Samuel grinned. ¡°Watch and learn, buddy.¡± With a flick of his wrist, he conjured a perfectly round sphere of light, spinning it effortlessly on the tip of his finger like a glowing ball.

    Sugred groaned, but he couldn¡¯t help but laugh.

    One evening, as they were sketching out yet another addition to the Holy Land¡ªa massive fountain that would glow with rainbow-colored light¡ªSugred noticed Samuel talking to the air again.

    ¡°Kota, do you think we should add flowers around the fountain?¡± Samuel asked, tilting his head as if listening to a response. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right! Roses would look great!¡±

    Sugred raised an eyebrow, smirking. ¡°You¡¯re doing it again.¡±

    Samuel turned to him, confused. ¡°Doing what?¡±

    ¡°Talking to Kota,¡± Sugred replied, grinning. ¡°You know I can¡¯t see her, right?¡±

    Samuel huffed, crossing his arms. ¡°She¡¯s real, Sugred! Just because you can¡¯t see her doesn¡¯t mean she¡¯s not there.¡±

    Sugred laughed, holding up his hands in mock surrender. ¡°Okay, okay, I believe you! Kinda.¡±

    Samuel rolled his eyes but couldn¡¯t help smiling. ¡°One day, you¡¯ll see. Kota¡¯s the best.¡±

    Sugred chuckled. ¡°If you say so, buddy.¡±

    As the days turned into weeks, the two boys grew closer, their bond strengthened by their shared dreams and laughter. Together, they began to imagine a brighter future¡ªa Holy Land where kindness and light would reign, and where no one would ever feel alone.

    For Sugred, Samuel wasn¡¯t just a friend. He was hope.

 Chapter 78: Feeding The Serpent

    The library was quiet again, the hum of activity distant and muted. Xyenn and Yuuna sat at the same table where they had opened the book on King Samuel. The air between them was heavy, neither willing to speak just yet. The faint glow of the floating orbs above cast their solemn expressions in soft light, but neither of them looked at one another.

    Yuuna crossed her arms tightly, her gaze fixed on the table. Her mind was racing, trying to piece together everything they had just seen. Across from her, Xyenn leaned forward, elbows on the table, his hands clasped together. His usual carefree demeanor was gone, replaced by a quiet weight that pressed down on his shoulders.

    The silence lingered, the tension as thick as the golden light that filled the room.

    Xyenn said, ¡°Yuuna..I¡¯m serious about what I¡ª.¡±

    Yuuna ignored him, and said, ¡°¡ªMy mother raised Samuel up, so he could cure me with the sword. She saw how much potential he had as a Jotyin, and once he was blessed with Lancelot¡¯s light, that¡¯s when the plan came into fruition. She knew he would be powerful..she did this all for me¡­¡±

    ¡®Yet..here I am¡­wanting to refuse everything she worked hard for..what the hell she had to go through.¡¯

    Xyenn kept his mouth shut, thinking, ¡®Earlier, I was gonna tell her I meant what I said about her needing freedom, but she cut me off in an instant. Man, I''m stupid. That was stupid of me. Out of everyone, she doesn¡¯t wanna hear that from me. She cried her eyes out at me, screamed at me because she loved me, and I¡¯m bring it up again..Fuck..I should be sensitive to her feelings. I¡¯m sorry.¡¯

    Xyenn said, ¡°Yeah, that''s what it looked like. She knew the Jotyin¡¯s like me and Haldrek and Samuel, and some others I don¡¯t know can do impossible shit. But I still think she¡¯s connected to the Prophets, or from where they¡¯re from.¡±

    ¡°And I stand by what I said about the astral world. We need to get there.¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°And as for Sugred, after seeing what we saw in that book, talking him out of this is out the door. Being fully committed to the Holy Land and his childhood memories with King Samuel, he¡¯s bound to take this risk. Even if I tell him the risks of opening that dark place.¡±

    ¡°He spent too much time with Samuel mapping out the Holy Land¡¯s world. Especially after Samuel was the in my one who showed any attention to him and became friends¡­¡±

    ¡°Mhm. And Xlemmeth¡­¡±

    ¡°The demon monarch..¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s very strong. Those years in Hell, my mom would rush out to take me back to my chamber, because she didn¡¯t want me seeing anything outside of it. But I would see Xlemmeth cultivating his dark magic, my father and him were close, closer than these Sirens are to Sugred. Based on what I saw, Xlemmeth is way stronger than before.¡±

    ¡°You think he¡¯s the demon in the mask..?¡±

    ¡°¡­Yes. I think so. Every day I carried that piece of crap, I always felt a familiar aura. Tempted to destroy it and talk to it, but I didn¡¯t bring myself to do it because I figured it would be useful. But it made sense. Parcy was gonna open Hell, right? She wore the mask, and the mask told her what ritual to use to connect Hell to Kyrrin, And it would¡¯ve caused¡ª.¡±

    ¡°Cataclysm. Destruction.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. I can¡¯t believe I didn¡¯t try and piece it together before. Maybe I was scared that the mask would do something to me, or if my father was on the other end ready to use his power. The constant thoughts of becoming his Hell Maiden kept me on edge, I didn¡¯t wanna risk anything. Xlemmeth¡­.wants to return. Cataclysm is what would come if Hell is opened.¡±

    Xyenn gasped slightly, clenching his fists. ¡°It¡¯s like he wants his rematch with King Samuel¡­¡±

    Yuuna stood and said, ¡°Or to finish his job: to destroy the Ohnupilath tree, to cover it with darkness. And if that happens..¡±

    ¡°Then your father would become the new god of Kyrrin. He would be just like Gabriel.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. We can¡¯t let that happen. We¡¯ve wasted enough time¡ª.¡±

    Suddenly, the faint pop of a book vanishing into thin air broke the silence. The sound reverberated through the library, loud enough to make nearby clerics turn their heads. Some of them paused mid-step, their glowing eyes narrowing as they focused on the table where Xyenn and Yuuna sat.

    Yuuna¡¯s head snapped up, her golden eyes wide as she realized everyone was staring at them.

    ¡°Uh, it¡¯s fine!¡± she said quickly, forcing a nervous laugh as she waved her hands in the air. ¡°Totally fine! Just, uh, magic book stuff! Happens all the time, right?¡±

    The clerics exchanged confused glances but seemed to accept her explanation. Slowly, they returned to their books and activities, though a few of them cast lingering looks in their direction.

    Yuuna let out a quiet sigh of relief, ¡°Close one.¡±

    Xyenn didn¡¯t respond. He was still staring at the table where the book had been, his golden eye distant.

    Yuuna frowned, leaning forward slightly. ¡°Xyenn?¡±

    He blinked and gave a small shake of his head, but his expression didn¡¯t lighten. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he muttered, though his tone said otherwise.

    Yuuna studied him for a moment, her frown deepening. She wanted to say something, to tease him like she usually did to shake him out of a funk, but the seriousness of the situation weighed too heavily on her.

    ¡°We need to find Samuel¡¯s sealed body,¡± she said quietly, her voice steady. ¡°If we wait too long, the ritual could start, and then it¡¯s all over.¡±

    Xyenn nodded slowly, his eyes still distant. ¡°Yeah. But where do we even start looking?¡±

    Yuuna crossed her arms, leaning back in her chair as she thought. ¡°We need a plan. Something that gets us close without blowing our cover.¡±

    Xyenn glanced at her, his brow furrowing. ¡°You¡¯ve got something in mind, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Yuuna hesitated, then nodded. ¡°The mask. I already told you it can control beasts. Sugred can see through the Serpent¡ªI¡¯m sure of it. The way he talked in the garden, it was obvious. If we use the mask, we might be able to disrupt his connection to it, even if it¡¯s only for a few minutes. That should give us enough of a window to find Samuel¡¯s body.¡±

    Xyenn frowned. ¡°That¡¯s a big ¡®if.¡¯ The Serpent¡¯s no ordinary beast¡ªit¡¯s a divine protector. The literal guardian of the Ohnupilath Tree and this entire place. The mask might not be strong enough to control it completely.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t have to,¡± Yuuna said firmly. ¡°Even a small distraction would be enough to cripple Sugred¡¯s control for a moment. But first, we have to figure out where Samuel is.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes narrowed in thought. ¡°When we talked to Sugred in the throne room, he showed the clerics feeding the Serpent dead witches on that platform.¡±

    Yuuna blinked, sitting up straighter. ¡°The feeding platform¡­¡±

    Xyenn nodded. ¡°If we can get there, we can plant the mask on the Serpent. But we can¡¯t just wander over there without a reason. We¡¯ll need someone to guide us.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s gaze darkened slightly as she thought. ¡°¡­Siren Rye. She¡¯s been watching us since the beginning. If we can convince her to take us there, we¡¯ll have our way in.¡±

    ¡°You really think she¡¯ll just escort us over there?¡± Xyenn said, walking towards the exit with Yuuna.

    Yuuna shrugged. ¡°We¡¯ll play the part of eager clerics. She doesn¡¯t have to know the real plan.¡±

    ¡°Even if we get to the Serpent, Sugred¡¯s still a problem. He can teleport people just by looking at them¡ªwe saw it with the witch earlier. If he catches us messing with the Serpent, we¡¯re done.¡±

    Yuuna nodded grimly. ¡°I know. But I¡¯ve been around for years. I¡¯ve seen enough to understand most of the skills these vessels and dragon gods have. Back in Soulcaris, when we fought the Sun-Drake, remember how I knew his weakness? I know most of these deities and vessels'' weaknesses and power, But I¡¯ve never stuck around long enough to figure them all out.¡±

    Xyenn frowned, his tone more thoughtful. ¡°If Sugred¡¯s this powerful, why doesn¡¯t Lancelot just handle things himself? He¡¯s got to know we¡¯re not real clerics by now.¡±

    Yuuna hesitated, her gaze distant. ¡°Most dragon gods let their vessels handle things. That¡¯s what they¡¯re for¡ªthey¡¯re extensions of their will. But¡­ maybe Lancelot doesn¡¯t know what¡¯s happening. Sugred could be blocking him out or withholding information.¡±

    Xyenn raised an eyebrow. ¡°You¡¯re sure about that?¡±You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    Yuuna¡¯s gaze darkened. ¡°Lancelot hated being around me years ago. He¡¯d avoid me like I had a disease. I think he doesn¡¯t want to deal with me directly, so he entrusted Sugred to handle it. But Sugred has his own plans.¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s brow furrowed. He wanted to reach out to Yuuna as her back was turned, but he stopped himself.

    ¡®What am I doing? Again? This isn¡¯t the right time. But these feeling of uncertainty and feeling like a jerk is clawing at me.¡¯

    High above the golden streets, Siren Rye crouched low on a rooftop, her glowing white wings tucked tightly against her back. She scanned the streets below, her sharp eyes darting from one alley to the next.

    ¡°Where are they?¡± she muttered to herself, her voice tense.

    She leapt silently to the next rooftop, her movements swift and precise. Her mind raced as she searched for Xyenn and Yuuna, her thoughts a chaotic storm.

    ¡°They¡¯re rookies,¡± she whispered, trying to convince herself. ¡°Nothing to worry about. But those two are odd..¡±

    ¡®And Sugred just let them go? Am I being paranoid? He sees what others can¡¯t in people, maybe I¡¯m getting carried away.¡¯

    But the unease in her chest wouldn¡¯t go away.

    ¡°Then why do I feel like they¡¯re up to something?¡± she muttered, her wings twitching nervously. ¡°They¡¯ve been too quiet. Too calm. What were they doing in that library for so long?¡±

    She shook her head, trying to steady her thoughts.

    As she landed on the next rooftop, a voice suddenly chimed in behind her.

    ¡°Hey, Siren Rye!¡±

    Rye¡¯s entire body tensed, her wings flaring out in surprise as she spun around.

    Xyenn and Yuuna stood behind her, both wearing wide, fake smiles.

    ¡°Trevor? Alice?¡± Rye stammered, her composure slipping for a moment.

    Yuuna grinned, tilting her head. ¡°Wow, you¡¯re fast! Were you¡­ watching us this whole time?¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Rye snapped, quickly regaining her composure. ¡°I was just¡­ patrolling. Making sure everything¡¯s secure.¡±

    Yuuna leaned closer, her grin widening. ¡°Ohhh, so you were watching us!¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t!¡± Rye protested, her expression stern.

    Yuuna crossed her arms, smirking. ¡°You totally were.¡±

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t!¡±

    ¡°Were.¡±

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t!¡±

    Rye cleared her throat, straightening up. ¡°What do you want?¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s expression shifted, her golden eyes gleaming. ¡°Trevor and I were just talking, and we realized we haven¡¯t done enough to help. So we want to feed the Serpent. We¡¯ve been in the library for awhile, reading up on Lancelot¡¯s legacy, Sugred¡¯s power, and Samuel¡¯s influence!¡±

    Rye raised an eyebrow. ¡°You want to what?¡±

    Xyenn nodded, his tone calm. ¡°You know, contribute. Do our part for the Holy Branch. Can you take us there?¡±

    The golden light of the Land of Sovereignty dimmed slightly as Siren Rye folded her arms, her sharp gaze sweeping over Xyenn and Yuuna. Her expression was unreadable, her wings folded neatly against her back as she studied them.

    "Feeding the Serpent is a gruesome duty," Rye said finally, her voice calm but firm. "It devours the remnants of dark magic left in this land. Witches¡­ they always have something cursed on them. Dark amulets, artifacts, enchanted blood¡ªit doesn¡¯t matter. Anything consumed by the Serpent vanishes forever.¡±

    Yuuna tilted her head curiously. ¡°Forever?¡±

    Rye nodded. ¡°Yes. Dark magic cannot survive in the Serpent¡¯s stomach. But¡­¡± she paused, her tone lowering slightly, ¡°if the Serpent devours a god, it will die. Its body cannot process divine essence. The god will be reborn in the cycle of rebirth, as all gods are, but the Serpent will be gone.¡±

    Xyenn and Yuuna exchanged a glance, their expressions serious as they absorbed this information. Rye¡¯s sharp eyes flicked between them, narrowing slightly.

    ¡°I¡¯ll admit,¡± Rye continued, taking a step closer, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect newcomers to volunteer for something like this. It¡¯s not for the faint of heart. But I¡¯ll take you seriously, especially you.¡± She gestured toward Xyenn with a slight nod. ¡°Something about you, Trevor¡­ you¡¯re strong. I can see it.¡±

    Xyenn blinked, his posture stiffening as her words sank in. For a split second, his mind was a flurry of silent celebration. *She¡¯s taking me seriously! She thinks I¡¯m strong!* His cheeks flushed faintly red, and he quickly turned his head to the side, pretending to inspect the horizon to hide his reaction.

    Yuuna, noticing the slight change, smirked faintly but said nothing.

    Xyenn took a slow breath, forcing himself to calm down. The unexpected praise had helped soothe the weight that had been pressing on him since their experience in the book. He straightened his posture, nodding slightly. ¡°Thanks,¡± he said simply, trying to keep his voice steady.

    Rye gave him a slight nod of approval before stepping back. ¡°I¡¯ll guide you to the Feeding Area. Follow me.¡±

    She extended her hand, summoning a glowing cloud of light beneath her feet. It formed into a sleek, shimmering platform, large enough to carry all three of them. Without hesitation, she stepped onto it, gesturing for Xyenn and Yuuna to join her.

    Yuuna climbed on first, her arms crossed as she balanced herself on the floating cloud. ¡°Fancy fancy,¡± she muttered.

    Xyenn followed, standing next to her, and the three of them ascended into the sky. The cloud glided smoothly over the golden streets, carrying them toward their destination.

    As they traveled, Yuuna glanced at Rye, her curiosity getting the better of her. ¡°So, where are the other Sirens?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re with Sugred,¡± Rye replied curtly, her gaze fixed ahead. ¡°Preparing for the events that will bring about the Holy Land.¡±

    Yuuna raised an eyebrow, her tone casual. ¡°Sounds important. How close is it?¡±

    Rye hesitated, then shrugged nonchalantly. ¡°Close. That¡¯s all you need to know.¡±

    Yuuna and Xyenn exchanged a brief look, their expressions tightening slightly. They both knew what ¡°close¡± truly meant¡ªit was the ritual.

    Xyenn broke the silence, his tone intentionally light. ¡°And what about you? What are you doing out here?¡±

    Rye¡¯s wings shifted slightly as she glanced over her shoulder at him. ¡°I¡¯m keeping an eye on things. That¡¯s all. I usually stay with Sugred, but with newcomers like you two, I have to be cautious.¡±

    Yuuna smirked faintly, leaning back on the cloud. ¡°Cautious, huh? Sounds like you don¡¯t trust us.¡±

    Rye didn¡¯t reply, though her silence spoke volumes. She turned her attention back to the horizon as the Feeding Area came into view.

    The Feeding Area was a massive, open platform suspended high above the ground, surrounded by golden clouds that shimmered faintly in the light. The platform was made of polished white stone, engraved with intricate runes that pulsed faintly with light magic. At its center stood an enormous altar, where clerics worked tirelessly to prepare offerings for the Serpent.

    The Serpent itself was a monstrous, divine beast, its immense body coiled high above the clouds. Its scales shimmered with a metallic sheen, and its massive head loomed over the platform, its jaws wide as it devoured the remains of a captured witch. The grotesque crunching of its sharp teeth echoed through the air, sending a chill down Yuuna¡¯s spine.

    The clerics moved methodically, carrying cursed artifacts and remnants of dark magic to the altar. They chanted softly as they worked, their voices blending into a haunting hymn. Some carried the bodies of witches, bound and lifeless, their dark magic seeping into the air as they were thrown into the Serpent¡¯s gaping maw.

    Yuuna¡¯s gaze lingered on the scene, her expression unreadable. Xyenn, standing beside her, clenched his fists slightly, his discomfort hidden behind a stoic mask.

    The cloud of light descended onto the platform, and Rye stepped off first. ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± she said simply, gesturing for them to follow.

    As soon as they stepped off, Rye approached one of the clerics in charge of the Feeding Area. He was a tall, lean man dressed in elaborate robes of gold and white, the fabric shimmering with an otherworldly glow. His hair was long and silver, tied back into a sleek braid, and his face was adorned with faint runic tattoos that curved along his jawline. He wore a golden circlet on his forehead, and around his neck hung a chain with a brilliant, crystalline pendant at its center. His name was Eryndurn, and his presence exuded calm authority.

    Rye greeted him with a slight bow. ¡°Eryndurn. These two are Trevor and Alice, newcomers who defeated me in combat in the Tunnel of Light.¡±

    Eryndurn raised an eyebrow, his gaze shifting to Xyenn and Yuuna. He studied them for a moment, his expression unreadable, before nodding. ¡°Impressive,¡± he said, his voice smooth and measured. ¡°If they¡¯re capable of that, then they¡¯re more than welcome here. Any and all are welcome to serve the Serpent.¡±

    He stepped forward, placing a hand on each of their shoulders in a gesture that felt simultaneously welcoming and heavy with expectation.

    ¡°Let¡¯s get started,¡± Eryndurn said, his tone firm but not unkind.

    Xyenn and Yuuna exchanged a brief glance before nodding, standing side by side as Eryndurn led them toward the altar.

    MThe Feeding Area was silent except for the subtle hum of light magic in the air and the grotesque crunches of the massive Serpent devouring its latest offering. The platform stretched wide, glowing faintly under the weight of divine energy, and the coiled body of the Serpent disappeared into the golden clouds above. Its size was incomprehensible, a living mountain of scales and muscle, its presence overwhelming.

    Eryndurn stood at the center of the platform like a beacon of authority, his shimmering robes catching the faint light. His braided silver hair flowed down his back, and the golden circlet on his forehead glinted as he turned to Xyenn and Yuuna, his expression calm but firm.

    ¡°The Serpent,¡± Eryndurn began, his voice low and resonant, ¡°is not just a protector of this land. It is a symbol of Sovereignty itself. Created by King Samuel using a shard of the Sword of Sovereignty, the Serpent is bound to this land, its magic, and its purity. It devours the remnants of dark magic that would otherwise taint this holy place.¡±

    Xyenn and Yuuna listened intently, their faces serious as Eryndurn continued.

    ¡°Witches, when captured, often carry cursed objects or remnants of their own dark magic. Amulets, artifacts, blood rituals¡ªthey are vessels of corruption. The Serpent consumes these impurities, ensuring they vanish forever. No curse, no artifact, no shadow can survive in the Serpent¡¯s stomach. It is divine purification in its purest form.¡±

    Eryndurn paused, his sharp gaze locking on them. ¡°But understand this: the Serpent is sensitive to emotions. It can sense fear, hesitation, anger. If your heart is not truly aligned with Lancelot¡¯s light, the Serpent will know. And it will not tolerate betrayal.¡±

    Yuuna crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. ¡°So just¡­ stay calm, and we¡¯ll be fine?¡±

    Eryndurn nodded solemnly. ¡°If you are truly covered by Lancelot¡¯s light, yes. But beware. The Serpent is not merciful.¡± He gestured toward the piles of offerings on the platform. ¡°Approach carefully. Take anything from the pile and feed it to the Serpent. Prove yourselves.¡±

    Xyenn and Yuuna followed his gesture. To their left was a pile of dark magic artifacts¡ªbroken amulets, cursed trinkets, and shattered remnants of enchanted weapons. The objects pulsed faintly with dark energy, their edges jagged and unnatural.

    To their right was the pile of bodies.

    The witches¡¯ corpses were twisted and grotesque, evidence of their violent ends. Some had scorch marks across their bodies, others bore deep gashes, their limbs bent at unnatural angles. Blood pooled beneath the pile, dark and viscous, and the air around it was thick with the stench of death and dark magic.

    Yuuna didn¡¯t flinch. She stepped forward with purpose, selecting one of the bodies from the pile¡ªa lifeless witch with her mouth frozen in a scream. Her arms were still bound in glowing chains, and faint traces of black smoke seeped from her chest.

    Xyenn hesitated for a moment before following her lead.

    ¡®I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m doing this. Every second counts. Once shit hits..that¡¯s it. No going back.¡¯

    He grabbed another body, his grip tightening as the weight of it settled in his arms. This one was heavier, its robes torn and bloodied, and its chest emitted a faint, unnatural glow. Beneath its robes, hidden in the folds of its cloak, Xyenn had already concealed the mask. The dark magic seeping from the witch¡¯s body helped mask the presence of the artifact, making it indistinguishable from the rest of the offering.

    Eryndurn¡¯s voice rang out again as they stepped forward. ¡°The Serpent¡¯s connection to King Samuel is absolute. It was born from him, a living extension of his light. The shard of the Sword of Sovereignty within it binds it to his will, even in his absence. Remember that as you approach¡ªit is no mere beast.¡±

    Xyenn winced, thinking, ¡®Tch. How many times is he gonna repeat it?¡¯

    The weight of his words settled over them as they walked toward the Serpent. The platform was eerily quiet now, all activity halted as the other clerics stopped to watch. Even Rye, who had been leaning casually against the side of the altar, straightened in surprise.

    The Serpent¡¯s massive head turned toward them, its glowing eyes locking onto them with an intensity that made the air feel heavier. Its gaze pierced through them, ancient and unyielding.

    Yuuna moved with confidence, her steps steady as she approached the Serpent. Xyenn followed behind her, his jaw clenched tightly, his body tense.

    The Serpent¡¯s head lowered slowly, its massive form casting a shadow over the platform. As it descended, steam puffed from its open nostrils, the heat of its breath washing over them in waves. The ground beneath them seemed to tremble slightly with every exhale.

    Xyenn gritted his teeth, forcing himself to keep moving. His mind raced as he felt the weight of the Serpent¡¯s gaze on him. ¡®Don¡¯t show fear. Just keep moving.¡¯

    Yuuna reached the Serpent first. She raised the lifeless body in her hands and held it out. The Serpent moved with terrifying speed, its head snapping forward and snatching the body from her grip in an instant. The sound of its jaws crushing the bones was deafening, and the speed of its movements made the clerics around them flinch.

    Yuuna stepped back and turned to Xyenn, her expression calm but alert. ¡°Your turn.¡±

    Xyenn nodded, stepping forward. The witch¡¯s body in his arms felt heavier now, the hidden mask pressing against his chest.

    The Serpent¡¯s head swayed from side to side, its glowing eyes narrowing as it studied him. Its massive form loomed over him, its presence suffocating.

    Xyenn¡¯s mind began to spiral. ¡®If I do this¡­ if this mask works¡­ what happens next? The Serpent¡¯s outburst could destroy everything. There are kids here. Innocent kids. What if they die because of me?¡¯

    His grip on the body tightened. ¡®I didn¡¯t think about this before. Why didn¡¯t I think about this before? What if I¡¯m the reason everything falls apart? What if¡ª¡®

    He shook his head, trying to dispel the thoughts. ¡®No time for this. Focus. The mission comes first.¡¯

    But the weight of his doubts pressed harder. ¡®If the chaos spreads too fast, the clerics won¡¯t have time to get the kids to safety. What kind of person am I if I let that happen?¡¯

    His jaw clenched as he forced his thoughts into submission. ¡®Stop wasting time. You don¡¯t have a choice. This is it. Everything that happened with Yuuna..it¡¯s starting to make me lose focus.¡¯

    He took a deep breath, steeling himself. ¡®I¡¯m sorry. In advance¡­ I¡¯m sorry. Even if this needs to be done, Sugred must be stopped. This whole fucking thing¡­needs to end.¡¯

    With a final push, Xyenn stepped forward and threw the witch¡¯s body toward the Serpent.

    The Serpent¡¯s jaws snapped shut around the body, the sound echoing across the platform. But as the creature swallowed, Xyenn darted forward, his movements a blur as he closed the distance between himself and the Serpent¡¯s head.

    He reached out, the mask hidden in his grip, ready to plant it on the Serpent.

    But before he could make contact, the Serpent¡¯s glowing eyes flared with an intense, blinding light.

    A deafening bang erupted, and Xyenn felt a sharp, overwhelming force hit him. Blood shot from his ears, His vision went white for a second, and his body weightless as he was thrown backward.

    When his vision cleared, he realized too late where he was.

    Inside the Serpent¡¯s mouth.

    The creature¡¯s jaws closed around him, and with a powerful beat, the Serpent soared upward into the sky, its body tearing through the clouds.

    The platform below erupted into chaos. Clerics screamed, some shielding themselves as the Serpent¡¯s massive tail swung wildly, smashing into the edges of the structure and sending chunks of stone plummeting to the ground below. The destruction was brutal and immediate, the force of the Serpent¡¯s movements shaking the entire area.

    Yuuna¡¯s scream pierced through the chaos. ¡°Xyenn!!!¡±

    She surged forward, her fists clenched, but the Serpent was already rising higher, its immense form disappearing into the sky.

    The ground beneath them trembled as the Serpent¡¯s tail lashed out again, carving massive gouges into the platform. Clerics scrambled to avoid the destruction, their cries of panic filling the air.

    ¡­

    Somewhere, Sugred was grinning, saying, ¡°Seems the mind is the greatest enemy¡­or it¡¯s greatest pleasure..¡±

 Chapter 79: J?rmungandr

    The platform trembled violently beneath Yuuna¡¯s feet as the Serpent¡¯s colossal body thrashed, coiling and uncoiling with terrifying force. Everything was chaos¡ªchunks of white stone crumbled and fell from the Feeding Area, clerics screamed and scattered, and the massive serpent¡¯s tail slammed down repeatedly, obliterating everything in its path.

    But Yuuna wasn¡¯t focused on the destruction. Her sharp gaze tracked the massive creature¡¯s movements, and for a moment, she froze when she saw its body lower to the ground, its immense bulk rippling and thumping unnaturally.

    Her lips parted, and her breath caught as she realized what was happening.

    Inside the beast¡¯s body.

    Its body¡­ was moving.

    Thumping.

    A laugh escaped her lips¡ªquiet at first, then louder, ringing out above the chaos. It wasn¡¯t one of fear or madness. It was joy. A pure, unshakable trust in the person she knew was inside that monster.

    ¡°Darling,¡± she whispered, her smile widening. ¡°You¡¯re fighting it¡­of course you are.¡±

    The Serpent roared, its jaws snapping at the air as it continued to flail, its tail demolishing anything in its path. Clerics hovered in the air around it, glowing with light magic as they tried to calm the beast, chanting soothing hymns designed to pacify divine creatures. But it was no use. The Serpent¡¯s fury didn¡¯t subside.

    In a sudden, violent motion, its tail lashed out toward the clerics. The massive appendage struck them mid-air, the force of the impact reducing their bodies to nothing but a mist of blood and entrails. Limbs and fragments of white robes scattered, falling to the crumbling platform below.

    Yuuna didn¡¯t flinch. Her gaze remained on the Serpent¡¯s massive body as it continued to thrash. Her laughter softened into a small, confident smile as she clenched her fists.

    ¡°He said he wouldn¡¯t ever lose again,¡± she said to herself, her voice full of determination. ¡°And I always believed him.¡±

    She turned abruptly, her movements sharp and precise, her focus shifting to Siren Rye, who stood a few feet away, her wings flaring out as she prepared to act.

    ¡®Now I have to do my part!¡¯

    But Rye froze the moment she saw Yuuna¡¯s true form.

    Yuuna¡¯s long, smooth black hair cascaded down her back, perfectly straight, with sharp, clean bangs framing her face. Her dark pink eyes burned with intensity, the black slits of her pupils narrowing dangerously. A jagged, dark pink halo hovered above her head, pulsing faintly with a sinister aura, and her entire body was cloaked in a shroud of dark energy.

    The transformation back to her original appearance was seamless, terrifying, and mesmerizing all at once.

    Rye¡¯s eyes widened briefly, but her expression quickly hardened as she straightened her posture. ¡°So¡­ this is the real you,¡± she said coldly, her voice steady.

    Yuuna didn¡¯t respond. She moved so fast that Rye barely had time to react.

    In an instant, Yuuna was in front of Rye, her hand piercing through Rye¡¯s chest with terrifying precision. Her sharp fingers wrapped around something inside Rye¡ªa faintly glowing shard embedded deep within her body, pulsing with light.

    Rye gasped, blood spilling from her mouth as she gritted her teeth. Her wings flared out, the feathers trembling as she tried to push Yuuna away, but Yuuna¡¯s grip was unrelenting.

    ¡°What¡­ are you doing?¡± Rye hissed, her voice laced with pain but still defiant.

    Yuuna leaned in closer, her dark pink eyes locking onto Rye¡¯s. ¡°You¡¯re going to show me the way to King Samuel¡¯s sealed body. Now.¡±

    Rye¡¯s expression twisted into a snarl, but there was fear in her eyes, no matter how hard she tried to hide it.

    ¡°Shit..¡±

    Yuuna tilted her head slightly, her voice calm but cold. ¡°Don¡¯t bother trying to hide it. I can see it in your eyes. You¡¯re afraid.¡±

    Rye clenched her jaw, blood dripping down her chin as she tried to summon the strength to fight back. ¡°I don¡¯t fear you, demon. You¡¯re nothing but a¡ª¡±

    Yuuna tightened her grip on the shard inside Rye¡¯s chest, cutting her off. Rye¡¯s body convulsed, her wings twitching violently as pain wracked her form.

    ¡°Don¡¯t test me,¡± Yuuna said sharply, her voice dropping into a dangerous growl. ¡°You know what this shard is, don¡¯t you? The source of your regeneration. The reason you can take hit after hit and walk away. Without it, you¡¯re just another mortal with fancy tricks. I could ravage this entire place with no one in my way besides Sugred and Lancelot, and that Serpent. Anything else is fodder for me.¡±

    Rye¡¯s breathing grew labored, her glare faltering as Yuuna¡¯s words sank in.

    ¡°All it takes,¡± Yuuna continued, her tone softening into something almost playful, ¡°is one little fucking squeeze, and you¡¯re done. Forever.¡±

    Rye¡¯s lips trembled, and for a moment, the fear in her eyes was undeniable. But then, she forced herself to speak, her voice trembling slightly. ¡°You¡­ wouldn¡¯t kill me. Not here. Not now.¡±

    Yuuna leaned in closer, her dark aura intensifying. ¡°You¡¯re right. I won¡¯t kill you. Not yet.¡± She tilted her head, her smile sharp and vicious. ¡°But I will if you don¡¯t do what I say. Now show me the body.¡±

    Rye¡¯s wings drooped slightly, her body shaking as she tried to maintain her composure. But Yuuna¡¯s dark presence was overwhelming, and the destruction surrounding them only added to the weight of the moment.

    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t show any mercy to you anyway, Sugred sent you all to hunt down the innocent clerics who followed Illyana. You all disgust me.¡±

    ¡°W-We had to! For the light! For the Holy Land! They were obstacles!¡±

    Behind them, the Serpent¡¯s movements grew more erratic, its tail smashing through the remains of the platform as it roared in fury. Its massive body coiled and uncoiled violently, sending tremors through the ground.

    Yuuna¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t waver. She held Rye in place, her sharp fingers still wrapped around the shard, waiting for an answer.

    ¡®Time to go.¡¯

    All around them, the destruction continued to spread as the Serpent¡¯s rage consumed the Feeding Area. Clerics scrambled to avoid the chaos, their light magic flickering uselessly against the beast¡¯s overwhelming power. The platform was in ruins, and the air was thick with dust, blood, and the echoes of screams.

    The moment Xyenn regained consciousness once again after almost passing out a few times, he was falling.

    Right down the belly of the Serpent.

    The air burned against his skin, thick with the acidic stench of blood and decay. The walls of the Serpent¡¯s stomach were alive, pulsating and coated with a slick layer of crimson that dripped endlessly. Embedded within them were smaller serpents¡ªhundreds of them¡ªwrithing and slithering as if they were extensions of the larger beast itself. Their scales gleamed wet with blood, their eyes glowing dimly in the dark like embers.

    ¡®Crap!¡¯

    Xyenn¡¯s body slammed against one of the walls, the impact tearing through his skin as razor-sharp scales scraped against him. He gritted his teeth, the pain spreading like wildfire as he tumbled further down. His left arm¡ªthe cursed one¡ªscreamed in agony, the dark energy within it reacting violently to the Serpent¡¯s divine essence.

    The mask was clenched tightly between his teeth, his only lifeline to the mission. He couldn¡¯t lose it. Not now.

    ¡®Fast! I have to move faster than ever! But my movements are sluggish here, so much blood, so much pain¡­I have to push as hard as I can! I know Yuuna is out there continuing the mission, I won''t be the reason we fail! We came too far..fuck failure. Fuck losing..¡¯

    With a scream of defiance, Xyenn twisted his body mid-fall, slamming his feet against the wall to stop his descent. His muscles burned as he pushed off, darting up the pulsating interior of the Serpent¡¯s stomach. Blood splattered everywhere, the walls slick with gore and still shifting like a living nightmare.

    In his right hand, the Dark Sun Blade burned with black and dark yellow flames, the fiery edges glowing like the dying light of a corrupted star. His left hand gripped Yuuna¡¯s scythe, it''s dark pink and black flames licking the air with deadly intensity. The contrast between the weapons made his movements jagged, chaotic, but he didn¡¯t care.

    He slashed upward, carving through the writhing serpents that lunged at him from the walls. Their bodies coiled around him, their fangs sinking into his flesh, but he screamed and swung wildly, severing their heads in a spray of blood and ichor.

    ¡®I don¡¯t have time for this! Faster dammit!¡¯

    Another serpent lashed out, its body winding around his torso and squeezing with bone-crushing force. Xyenn snarled, his cursed left arm flaring with dark energy as he drove Yuuna¡¯s scythe into its body, splitting it down the middle. The creature let out a high-pitched screech before falling limp, its blood splattering across his chest.

    ¡®I can¡¯t look Yuuna, the Tyrants, or Vektor and the clerics in the eye if I screw this up..I can hear the whispers of the mask¡­it¡¯s telling me to put it on. I¡¯m fighting too many battles.¡¯

    He barely had time to recover before another serpent struck, its fangs grazing his shoulder. He spun, twisting his body in mid-air as he slashed with both weapons, leaving a trail of dark sun flames and black-pink fire in his wake.

    The walls of the Serpent¡¯s stomach throbbed violently, reacting to his presence. The entire space felt alive, like a massive beast trying to crush him from all sides.

    Xyenn glanced down for a moment and immediately regretted it.

    Below him, the Serpent¡¯s digestive system churned¡ªa swirling vortex of pure light and energy. It glowed like a comet, the heat from it radiating upward in waves that seared his skin even from a distance. The light was blinding, but the message was clear: ¡°Fall, and you¡¯re dead. If the Serpent devours you, you will be erased from existence forever.¡±

    The sight only fueled his desperation. He clenched his jaw, pushing off the walls again as he darted upward, slashing through anything in his path.

    ¡°RAGGHHHHHH!!!¡±

    Blood poured from his wounds, streaking his shirtless body as he moved. His black and grey hair clung to his face, damp with sweat and gore, and his dark red eyes burned with focused rage. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest, but he ignored it. Pain didn¡¯t matter. Dying here wasn¡¯t an option.

    Another serpent lunged at him, its body erupting from the wall like a living spear. Xyenn ducked low, spinning with the momentum as he drove the Dark Sun Blade upward. The serpent¡¯s head flew off, its body thrashing violently as it sprayed blood in every direction.

    But there were more. Always more.

    They came at him from all sides, their movements synchronized as if controlled by a single mind. Xyenn screamed while the mask was still in his mouth as several of them coiled around him simultaneously, their fangs sinking into his arms, his legs, his sides. He could feel the sharp pain radiating from his cursed arm as the snakes tore into it, the dark energy within him reacting violently.  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    ¡®GET OFF ME!¡¯ His mind roared, unleashing a burst of flames from both weapons. The combined force of the dark sun flames and Yuuna¡¯s black-pink fire erupted outward, incinerating the serpents in a blinding explosion. Their charred bodies fell away, leaving him gasping for air as he pushed upward again.

    His mind raced. ¡®This isn¡¯t working! The walls are too strong. I can¡¯t break through like this! I''m fighting to just keep going upwards and just falling down again and again! Without any clear direction¡­¡¯

    The Serpent¡¯s stomach shifted violently, the walls tightening around him as if trying to crush him completely. Xyenn stumbled, his footing slipping as he fell again. His body slammed against the wall, the impact forcing blood from his mouth.

    He looked down again, the swirling vortex of light growing closer.

    With a guttural scream with the mask still checked between his teeth, he launched himself upward, slashing wildly at the serpents embedded in the walls. The creatures shrieked and hissed as his blades tore through them, their blood spraying across his face and chest.

    He slipped again, his cursed left arm giving out as pain shot through his body. The arm felt like it was on fire, every movement sending waves of agony through him. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to push past the pain.

    ¡®I¡¯m desperate..I¡¯m desperate to win! I¡¯ll do anything! This mission is do or die, with a short window, I¡¯m moving too slow!¡¯

    The colossal sized Serpent roared, its body thrashing violently. Outside, the chaos was palpable. The massive creature¡¯s movements were destroying everything around it, its tail smashing through what remained of the Feeding Area. Clerics who tried to calm it with light magic were swatted out of the air like flies, their bodies crushed mid-flight. Blood and chunks of flesh rained down as the Serpent¡¯s fury consumed everything.

    Xyenn didn¡¯t have the luxury of witnessing it. He was too focused on surviving.

    Finally, he reached the upper part of the stomach, where the walls narrowed toward the snout. But the passage was blocked by a mass of serpents, their bodies tangled together like a writhing nest. Their glowing eyes locked onto him as he approached, their hissing filling the air.

    ¡®The nostrils¡­that¡¯s the way out!¡¯

    Xyenn landed heavily, his chest heaving as he stared at the blockade. His body was shaking, every inch of him screaming in protest. Blood dripped from his arms, his legs, his cursed hand.

    But he didn¡¯t stop.

    He charged forward, both weapons blazing with fire as he slashed at the serpents. Their bodies fell apart under his blades, but for every one he killed, more took its place. Their fangs tore into his flesh, their coils wrapping around him and pulling him back.

    Xyenn roared, his voice a mixture of rage and desperation. He swung wildly, his movements erratic but powerful. Flames erupted around him as he pushed forward, leaving trails of fire in his wake.

    This desperation¡­

    It was almost poetic..

    Xyenn¡¯s heart pounded like a war drum against his broken ribcage as he clawed his way upward, every inch of progress feeling like an eternity. His breaths were ragged, each one scraping against the back of his throat like shards of glass, but he couldn¡¯t stop. He wouldn¡¯t stop. The heat of the Serpent¡¯s stomach seared his skin, the grotesque, blood-soaked walls closing in around him as if the beast itself knew he wasn¡¯t supposed to be here. He could feel the weight of his own mortality pressing down on him, suffocating him, but it only fueled his rage. Every scream that tore from his throat was a war cry against the crushing despair that threatened to swallow him whole. He thought of the children, their innocent faces in the Holy Land, the fragile lives that would be trampled underfoot if he failed. His desperation was a living thing, clawing at his insides, screaming louder than the pain. ¡®I don¡¯t care if I¡¯m broken. I don¡¯t care if this body is nothing but ash when I¡¯m done. I¡¯ll burn my way through this hell if I have to.¡¯

    But still, there was doubt, gnawing at the edges of his mind like a vulture circling a dying animal. He hated it. Hated the way it whispered to him in the quiet moments between his screams. He clenched his teeth so hard it felt like they might shatter, his bloodied hand gripping the hilt of his blade until his knuckles turned white. The thought of failure was a knife twisting in his gut, but it wasn¡¯t fear that drove him forward¡ªit was rage. Rage at himself for even entertaining the idea, for letting the weight of the moment crack his resolve. His body was failing, his cursed arm a searing reminder of his limits, but the fire in his heart burned brighter than the flames of his blade. Every beat of his heart was a declaration, every step upward a defiance against the impossible. ¡®If I die here¡­ it won¡¯t be because I gave up. It¡¯ll be because I gave everything.¡¯ And in that moment, the desperation, the rage, the pain¡ªit all became one. It was beautiful in a way, the rawness of it, the purity of his will to survive against all odds.

    The serpents hissed and screamed, their bodies burning as he carved through them. But it wasn¡¯t enough. They kept coming, their sheer numbers overwhelming him.

    Xyenn fell to his knees, the weight of the serpents pressing down on him. Their fangs tore into his arms, his legs, his back. Blood pooled beneath him as he struggled to move.

    For a moment, he felt the crushing weight of despair.

    He clenched his jaw, the mask creaking from his crunch, his dark red eyes burning with renewed determination.

    With a guttural scream, he unleashed another burst of flames, the explosion incinerating the serpents holding him down. He pushed forward, slashing at the blockade with everything he had. He swung again and again, his blades carving through the writhing mass of serpents. Blood sprayed in every direction, the walls slick with gore.

    Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he broke through.

    The snout was just ahead, the passage narrow but within reach.

    Xyenn stumbled forward, his chest heaving as he clutched the mask in his teeth still. His vision blurred, his body trembling from exhaustion and blood loss. But he didn¡¯t stop.

    He couldn¡¯t stop.

    With one push, he sprinted toward the snout, his blades blazing as he prepared to finish the mission.

    Inside the Serpent, Xyenn¡¯s desperate battle raged on, as his escape was just in front of him. Blood streamed from his countless wounds, painting the pulsating walls of the beast¡¯s stomach as he continued his relentless ascent. His body was battered, his cursed left arm barely functioning, and his breath came in ragged gasps. Yet, his focus remained sharp. He had to get to the snout. He had to plant the mask.

    The serpents embedded in the walls came at him in unending waves, their movements synchronized and precise. Each strike, each lunge felt like an extension of the Serpent itself. Their jagged fangs tore into his skin, their coiling bodies squeezed him until his ribs creaked, but Xyenn refused to give in.

    He slashed upward, sideways, and diagonally with the Dark Sun Blade, its black and dark yellow flames carving a brutal path through the writhing mass of serpents. In his left hand, Yuuna¡¯s flaming scythe burned with dark pink and black fire, its curved blade slicing through flesh and bone with deadly precision. The combined flames left trails of destruction in his wake, the walls of the Serpent¡¯s stomach briefly illuminated by their unholy glow.

    But the serpents were relentless.

    One lashed out, biting deep into his shoulder and dragging him downward. Another coiled around his legs, pulling him toward the swirling vortex of light below¡ªthe Serpent¡¯s digestive system. The heat from it grew more intense as he was pulled closer, the radiant energy searing his skin.

    Xyenn roared, twisting violently. He drove Yuuna¡¯s scythe into the serpent coiling around his legs, severing its body in an explosion of gore. Blood sprayed across his chest as he kicked off the wall, propelling himself upward once more.

    His mind raced as he darted through the chaotic interior, his movements erratic but purposeful.

    But the walls seemed to tighten around him, the space growing narrower and more oppressive. The serpents in the walls hissed in unison, their glowing eyes narrowing as they prepared to strike again.

    Xyenn glanced downward for a brief moment, his dark red eyes locking onto the swirling comet of light below. It pulsed with divine energy, a radiant vortex of death that threatened to consume him if he fell.

    Clenching his jaw, he pushed forward, his blades carving through the serpents blocking his path. Blood and ichor coated his weapons, his hands, his face, but he didn¡¯t care. The pain, the exhaustion, the fear¡ªthey were all secondary to the mission.

    Another serpent lunged at him, its massive body coiling around his torso and squeezing tightly. Xyenn screamed as the pressure crushed his ribs, blood pouring from his mouth. His cursed left arm flared with dark energy, the pain nearly unbearable as he raised Yuuna¡¯s scythe and drove it into the serpent¡¯s head.

    The creature let out a high-pitched screech before falling limp, its body collapsing around him. Xyenn shoved it aside, his breathing ragged as he stumbled forward.

    The snout was close now. He could see the narrow passage leading upward, but it was blocked by an impenetrable mass of serpents. Their bodies coiled together like a living wall, their glowing eyes watching him with predatory intent.

    Xyenn¡¯s chest heaved as he stared at the blockade, his muscles trembling from exhaustion. Blood dripped from his wounds, pooling beneath him as he tightened his grip on his weapons.

    With a guttural scream, he charged forward, slashing wildly at the serpents with both weapons. The Dark Sun Blade arced through the air, its flames scorching the creatures¡¯ flesh as Yuuna¡¯s scythe tore through them in a blur of black and pink fire.

    The serpents screeched and writhed as his blades cut through their bodies, but for every one he killed, more took its place. Their fangs sank into his arms, his legs, his back, tearing into his flesh with brutal efficiency.

    Xyenn fell to his knees, the weight of the serpents pressing down on him as they coiled around his body. Blood poured from his wounds, his vision blurring as he struggled to move.

    But he didn¡¯t stop.

    With a roar of defiance, he unleashed a burst of flames from both weapons, the combined force incinerating the serpents holding him down. Their charred bodies fell away, leaving him gasping for air as he rose to his feet.

    The snout was just ahead even closer. He could see it now, the narrow opening glowing faintly with light.

    Xyenn stumbled forward, his chest heaving as he clutched the mask in his hand. His vision blurred, his body trembling from exhaustion and blood loss. But he didn¡¯t stop.

    Outside, the chaos continued to escalate.

    The Serpent¡¯s massive body thrashed violently, its tail smashing through the crumbling remains of the Feeding Area. Clerics scrambled to avoid the destruction, their light magic flickering uselessly against the beast¡¯s overwhelming power.

    High above the chaos, the Sirens of Sugred stood in formation, their glowing forms hovering effortlessly in the air.

    The 6th Siren, Joseth, remained tranquil as always, his untamed bushy brown-and-white hair shimmering faintly in the light. His glowing white robe hung loosely around his waist, and the yellow strands of light coiled around his hands crackled softly. His crystalline red eyes, etched with intricate golden designs, glimmered faintly as he surveyed the destruction below.

    Next to him, the 5th Siren, Olnir Vast, stood tall and imposing. His deep indigo skin shimmered like obsidian, and the jagged, golden spikes crowning his head glowed faintly. His crimson battle robe, lined with golden runes, billowed slightly in the wind as he crossed his arms, his gauntleted hands tipped with razor-sharp claws.

    The 4th Siren, Belith Corsai, smirked faintly, his golden slit-like eyes gleaming with amusement. His asymmetrical robe shimmered with intricate light-glyphs, the exposed tattoos on his arm pulsing with energy. He ran a hand through his pale silver hair, his expression one of casual confidence.

    The 3rd Siren, Vethar Ryen, stood silently, his scarred face illuminated by the faint glow of the runes etched into his armored robe. His snow-white hair, tied back into a long braid, swayed slightly as he leaned on his massive staff, the golden crystal at its tip flickering like a storm.

    The 2nd Siren, Kezrath Vorn, exuded raw power, his glowing light armor shifting and reforming with every movement. His piercing blue eyes burned like twin suns, and the pulsing circlet on his bald head radiated energy with every heartbeat.

    Finally, the 1st Siren, Thalzak Grin, stood at the forefront. His towering frame and commanding presence radiated authority. His jet-black hair was slicked back, and his molten gold eyes burned with intensity. His regal robe, a blend of white and deep gold, shimmered with intricate embroidery that seemed to flow like water.

    Thalzak¡¯s voice cut through the air, calm yet firm. ¡°Sugred entrusted us with this. The ritual is almost complete, and he must remain near it at all times. We cannot fail him.¡±

    The other Sirens nodded in unison.

    ¡°For King Samuel,¡± Thalzak said, his voice rising.

    ¡°For Lancelot,¡± Kezrath added.

    ¡°For Sugred,¡± Joseth intoned, his voice steady.

    ¡°And for the Holy Land,¡± they all said in perfect sync.

    Their plan was clear: suppress the Serpent by any means necessary.

    The air burned with chaos, destruction, and the stench of blood. The massive Serpent continued its rampage, its colossal body thrashing wildly as its tail smashed through the remains of the Feeding Area. Clerics, desperate to protect the innocent, worked tirelessly to evacuate the children. Their light magic shimmered uniquely, forming glowing bridges of energy and protective barriers. The children were guided across these radiant constructs, their wide, frightened eyes reflecting the devastation around them.

    The clerics moved with precision, chanting in unison as their glowing hands extended outward, lifting the children into the air with beams of light. The youngest clung to the robes of the older ones, their small hands trembling as they were carried to safety. The light bridges shimmered and pulsed, forming an intricate web above the ruins, leading the children away from the violent battlefield below.

    But the destruction was relentless. The Serpent¡¯s tail lashed out, smashing through the remnants of the platform, sending debris flying in all directions. The clerics worked faster, their chants growing louder as they carried the last of the children away, their glowing forms disappearing into the distance.

    High above the chaos, the Sirens of Sugred floated in formation, their glowing forms radiating divine energy. They hovered in a perfect circle, their movements synchronized as they chanted in the draconic tongue of Lancelot, the Dragon God of Light.

    Other clerics saw them, saying, ¡°There they are! The Sirens! They¡¯ll save us!¡±

    Their voices were a symphony of power, ancient and commanding, resonating through the air like the tolling of a great bell. The words of their chant carried the weight of Lancelot¡¯s authority, their syllables sharp and guttural, each one laced with divine energy.

    ¡°Ohtrem vir Lancelar. Yorthon im Saolyr. Zalthyr im Uktheos.¡±

    The ground trembled beneath them as their power grew, light magic swirling around their bodies in radiant streams. The streams began to connect, intertwining in the air like threads of molten gold, forming a massive sigil above their heads. The sigil pulsed with energy, its intricate patterns glowing brighter with every beat.

    Joseth¡¯s yellow strands of light coiled tighter around his hands, sparking violently. The crystals in his eyes glimmered with intensity as he raised his arms, his voice unwavering in the chant.

    Olnir Vast¡¯s obsidian-like skin shimmered as the golden runes on his crimson robe flared to life, glowing with a blinding brilliance. His gauntleted hands stretched outward, the translucent claws extending as arcs of golden energy crackled between them.

    Belith Corsai¡¯s smirk faded, his golden slit-like eyes narrowing as the tattoos on his exposed arm pulsed in rhythm with the chant. The glyphs on his robe shifted and reformed, their patterns aligning with the glowing sigil above.

    Vethar Ryen¡¯s staff slammed into the ground, the golden crystal at its tip erupting with light. The runes on his armored robe shimmered like molten metal, his scarred face set in grim determination as he chanted louder.

    Kezrath Vorn¡¯s glowing armor shifted and reformed, the plates locking into place as his body radiated raw power. The circlet on his bald head pulsed with energy, his piercing blue eyes burning brighter as he poured his strength into the sigil.

    Thalzak Grin stood at the forefront, his towering frame exuding authority. His molten gold eyes glowed fiercely, his regal robe shimmering like flowing water as he raised a hand toward the sigil. His voice was calm but commanding, leading the chant with the confidence of a leader.

    The sigil above them began to rotate, its intricate patterns spinning faster as the energy within it reached its peak. The Sirens¡¯ voices rose in unison, their chant echoing across the battlefield as they shared their power with one another, preparing for the climactic strike.

    The Serpent¡¯s massive head loomed closer, its glowing eyes locked onto the Sirens as it roared, its voice shaking the very air around them.

    KATHOOM!

    But before the Sirens could unleash their power, a deafening explosion erupted from the Serpent¡¯s nostril in a grotesque burst of flames and gore.

    The explosion was brutal, sending chunks of flesh and bone flying in all directions. The Serpent¡¯s head reared back, its roar turning into a pained screech as flames erupted from its snout, engulfing the air around it in a destructive inferno.

    The Sirens were caught in the blast, their glowing forms consumed by the flames as the shockwave sent them hurtling backward. The sigil above them shattered, its golden light dissipating into the air as the Sirens crashed into the ground below.

    Smoke and debris filled the air and ground like a wave of water, obscuring everything in a thick, choking haze. The battlefield fell silent for a moment, the only sound the faint crackling of flames.

    As the smoke began to clear, the grotesque state of the Sirens became visible. Their once-pristine forms were charred and mangled, their glowing robes torn and stained with blood. Joseth¡¯s bushy hair was scorched, his crystal eyes cracked and leaking faint streams of light. Olnir¡¯s obsidian-like skin was blistered and peeling, exposing raw, glowing flesh beneath. Belith¡¯s tattoos flickered weakly, the golden energy within them dimmed. Vethar¡¯s scars glowed faintly, his staff shattered beside him. Kezrath¡¯s armor was in pieces, the plates melted and fused to his skin. Thalzak¡¯s regal robe was in tatters, his molten gold eyes dimmed but still burning with resolve.

    Despite their horrific injuries, the white shards embedded in their bodies began to rise slowly into the air, pulsing with light. The shards radiated divine energy as they worked to regenerate the Sirens, their charred flesh and broken bones reforming before the shards returned to their places within them.

    As they stood, fully regenerated, Thalzak spoke first, his voice calm but laced with frustration. ¡°His darkness is powerful. But Lancelot¡¯s light¡­ is stronger.¡±

    The others nodded in agreement, their gazes turning toward the source of the explosion.

    ¡°We must stop the demon boy.¡± Joseth replied.

    As the smoke cleared completely, Xyenn came into view.

    He stood shirtless, his body covered in blood and grime, his weapons clutched tightly in his hands. His form was monstrous, his transformation unmistakable. Black dragon scales covered parts of his skin, glowing faintly with red and dark sun hues. A single black dragon horn jutted out from the side of his head, and a long, sinewy black tail swayed behind him. His dark pink and black aura pulsed violently, and a third eye¡ªpitch black and vertical¡ªhad formed on his forehead, radiating malice.

    The Sirens stared at him, their expressions unreadable.

    Thalzak¡¯s lips curled into a faint sneer. ¡°Of course. He¡¯s with the demons of Hell. Trying to eliminate us, they don¡¯t want us to reach the Holy Land.¡±

    ¡°Fuck¡­your Holy Land.¡±

    Xyenn stood there, panting heavily, his dark red eyes burning with desperation. He didn¡¯t have time for this. His mind raced as he thought of the brazier, of Yuuna, of Sugred, and of the ritual he couldn¡¯t afford to let succeed. He trusted Yuuna to play her part, but the uncertainty gnawed at him.

    Xyenn knew he had to light brazier, to signal the others to join him in his fight.

    Behind him, the ground began to tremble.

    The massive Serpent rose from the smoke, its colossal form towering over the battlefield. Its body was grotesquely transformed, its once-divine appearance corrupted by the mask. Black and grey scales now covered its body, streaked with crimson veins that pulsed with dark energy. Its glowing white and gold features were tainted, patches of light flickering weakly against the overwhelming darkness.

    The Serpent spoke, its voice deep and guttural, reverberating through the air. ¡°All this light¡­ disgusts me.¡±

    Its massive tail lashed out, striking Xyenn with brutal force. The impact sent him flying, his body smashing through several walls before he caught himself mid-air, his claws digging into a crumbling surface.

    Xyenn crouched against the wall, his breathing ragged as he glared at the Serpent. In an instant, his body flickered in speed, and he blinked forward, vanishing into the chaos as he moved to find the brazier.

    ¡®I can move freely now¡­I did it¡­I really did it..¡¯ he shed a small tear and chuckled at himself, but then he got his act together, getting serious again.

    The Sirens stood together, their glowing forms radiating power once more as they watched the Serpent.

    ¡°We¡¯ll suppress the beast,¡± Thalzak commanded, his voice firm. ¡°The rest of you, hunt down the boy of darkness. He cannot be allowed to interfere further.¡±

    The Serpent laughed, its massive form coiling as it prepared to strike. ¡°Haha! Yes¡­ show me this light that can conquer even Hell itself! Show me the one who is capable of carrying that Jotyin Samuel¡¯s torch!¡±

    The Sirens¡¯ voices rose in unison. ¡°Silence!¡±

 Chapter 80: Fire Punch

    The ruined streets of the Land of Sovereignty blurred around Xyenn as he darted forward, leaping from rooftop to rooftop with inhuman speed. His feet barely touched the crumbling tiles before he propelled himself to the next building, his movements so fast they left streaks of black and crimson in the air. His bloodied chest heaved as he pushed himself harder, his cursed left arm screaming in pain with every motion.

    The golden light of the city was a blur around him, its once-pristine streets now drenched in chaos. Fires burned, debris rained down from above, and the Serpent''s violent thrashing echoed in the distance. Xyenn¡¯s eyes burned with desperation, scanning every corner of the city as he searched for the brazier.

    ¡®Where is it? Where is it?¡¯ His thoughts raced as his body moved faster than ever, darting across narrow alleys and shattered towers. His claws dug into walls as he scaled them in seconds, his movements erratic and animalistic. Blood dripped from his wounds, leaving a faint trail behind him, but he didn¡¯t care. He couldn¡¯t stop.

    The Serpent¡¯s roar shook the ground beneath him, and Xyenn¡¯s gaze darted upward for a split second. Its massive, corrupted body writhed in the distance, tearing through the city like a force of nature. The Sirens were engaging it, their glowing forms clashing against the beast¡¯s overwhelming darkness.

    Xyenn¡¯s focus snapped back to his mission. ¡®The brazier. Find the brazier!¡¯

    He darted into the streets, his feet pounding against the ground as he weaved through the wreckage. His speed was blinding, his form a blur as he tore through the chaos, his black dragon tail trailing behind him. His breaths came in ragged gasps, his dark red eyes scanning every corner of the city for his target.

    And then he saw it.

    At the far end of the Land of Sovereignty, atop a massive golden dome that gleamed faintly in the chaos, the brazier stood. Its flames burned bright white and gold, a beacon of purity amidst the destruction. The dome¡¯s surface shimmered with intricate carvings of Lancelot¡¯s sigils, glowing faintly beneath the brazier¡¯s light.

    Xyenn¡¯s heart pounded as he locked onto it. ¡®There it is!¡¯

    He crouched low, preparing to launch himself toward it, but before he could move, a sudden burst of energy surged behind him. Two of the Sirens¡ªOlnir Vast and Belith Corsai¡ªappeared in a flash of light, their glowing forms closing in on him with terrifying speed.

    ¡°Stop him.¡± Olnir¡¯s deep voice boomed, his gauntleted claws crackling with golden energy as he lunged toward Xyenn.

    Belith followed closely, his smirk gone, his golden eyes narrowed with deadly focus. The tattoos on his arm pulsed with energy as he raised his hand, summoning a blade of pure light. ¡°You¡¯re not going anywhere, ¡®boy of darkness.¡¯¡±

    But before they could reach him, the ground beneath them erupted.

    The Serpent¡¯s massive body burst from the earth, its corrupted scales tearing through the golden streets in an explosion of rubble and debris. Its glowing eyes locked onto the Sirens as it roared, its voice a guttural mix of fury and malice.

    The beast¡¯s tail lashed out, forcing Olnir and Belith to dodge as chunks of stone and golden dust filled the air. The Sirens turned their attention to the creature, their glowing forms darting toward it as they prepared to suppress it.

    The distraction was all Xyenn needed.

    ¡®Idiots..¡¯

    He darted upward, his body a flicker of speed as he scaled the dome with desperate speed. His claws dug into the shimmering surface, his blood smearing against the golden carvings as he climbed. His vision blurred from exhaustion, but he forced himself forward, his gaze locked on the brazier above.

    But just as he reached the halfway point, a sudden, searing pain erupted inside him.

    A burst of destructive light exploded within his chest, sending him reeling. Blood erupted from his mouth, ears, and nose as his body convulsed violently. His claws slipped, and he screamed, his voice raw and guttural as he tried to regain control.

    ¡°AGHH!¡±

    ¡®Where..is he looking at me from?!¡¯

    The pain was unbearable, burning through him like molten fire. His vision swam as he fought to steady himself, but his body betrayed him. With a final burst of pain, he fell.

    Xyenn plummeted through the dome, crashing through its golden surface in a shower of debris. He hit the ground hard, the impact sending a shockwave through the massive chamber below.

    Groaning, Xyenn slowly sat up, his body trembling. Blood dripped from his mouth as he clutched his weapons, his breaths ragged and shallow. The chamber around him was vast, its walls rusty and grey, covered in faint, glowing runes. The air was thick with the scent of iron and decay, and every breath felt like swallowing ash.

    In the center of the chamber, the ritual circle glowed an ominous red. Its intricate patterns pulsed like a heartbeat, each second growing stronger and more menacing. Black blood seeped from the runes, pooling around the circle as unholy screams echoed from within it. The sound was a chorus of Hell itself, a cacophony of torment and despair that clawed at Xyenn¡¯s mind.

    Around the circle, clerics knelt in broken, contorted positions. Their faces were pale and lifeless, black blood streaming from their eyes as they chanted in low, guttural voices. Their words were incomprehensible, but the power behind them was undeniable, feeding the ritual with every syllable.

    Xyenn¡¯s eyes widened in horror as he struggled to stand. ¡°No¡­ wait¡­ stop it! You don¡¯t know what you¡¯re doing! You¡ª.¡±

    Before he could move, a quick motion shot toward him.

    Sugred.

    The man appeared in front of Xyenn in an instant, his glowing form a mix of divine power and madness. His hand shot out, grabbing Xyenn by the throat and lifting him off the ground with terrifying ease.

    Xyenn choked, his hands clawing at Sugred¡¯s grip as his feet dangled above the ground. He raised his weapons, slashing wildly at Sugred¡¯s chest and stomach. The Dark Sun Blade tore through his flesh, and Yuuna¡¯s scythe left deep, burning gashes, but Sugred didn¡¯t flinch.

    ¡°AGHHHH!¡± Xyenn roared as he slashed and slashed.

    Instead, Sugred laughed.

    The sound was broken, unhinged¡ªa mix of manic joy and deep sorrow. Tears streamed down Sugred¡¯s face, mixing with the blood pouring from his wounds.

    But Sugred wasn¡¯t crying.

    ¡°¡­The Holy Land¡­¡± Sugred muttered, his voice trembling. ¡°Do you see it, boy? The power of the light¡­ what Samuel expects of me¡­ what I must do¡­¡±

    Xyenn screamed, slashing again and again, his weapons carving through Sugred¡¯s flesh. Blood sprayed across the chamber, but Sugred didn¡¯t falter. His grip on Xyenn¡¯s throat tightened, his glowing eyes flickering with madness.

    ¡°I see it now!¡± Sugred laughed, his voice rising. ¡°The visions of Hell¡­ they claw at me, they tear at me, but I will replace them! I will replace them with light!¡±

    The clerics¡¯ chanting grew louder, their voices echoing through the chamber as the ritual circle pulsed violently. The screams of Hell intensified, shaking the walls as the red glow grew brighter.

    Xyenn¡¯s vision blurred as Sugred¡¯s grip crushed the air from his lungs. His arms trembled as he continued to slash, his guttural cries echoing through the chamber. Desperation consumed him.

    ¡°Stop¡­ it¡­¡± Xyenn rasped, his voice barely audible. ¡°If you even open it for one second¡­you¡¯ll unleash Hell in Kyrrin¡­you already risked the lives of your clerics to perform the ritual..you¡¯ll only be risking more after this.¡±

    Sugred¡¯s laughter turned into sobs as he stared into Xyenn¡¯s eyes. ¡°The Holy Land will rise¡­ I will not fail them¡­ I will not fail him! Not after everything we¡¯ve been through¡­to make this dream a reality. It¡¯s like..it¡¯s like he knew all along. That day he asked me what I would do if I was a leader? It¡¯s like he foresaw everything! He trusted me! I can¡¯t let this fail..he was the only one who actually had time to spend with me, as a friend. My parents were no exception. They even told me they wouldn¡¯t want anything to go with me if I wasn¡¯t chosen as Lancelot¡¯s vessel. Look how far I¡¯ve come..¡±

    ¡°So you would..unleash Hell just to prove a point?! People would die..it¡¯ll be an apocalypse..¡±

    ¡°I am not King Haldrek! I am not a broken father like him! I am not doing this to prove a point or to get revenge! It¡¯s for getting rid of the darkness! The Holy Land will make Hell into a land of light! It was Samuel¡¯s dream after all..and it was mine. I wasn¡¯t chosen at first, but I was chosen for this. That counts for something¡­boy. I don¡¯t do this to prove a point, that¡¯s how people get caught up with themselves and end up failing, I do this because I¡¯m worthy of it. I¡¯ve worked too hard, slaughtered so many witches, and even tried to sacrifice my former wife, just to get Lancelot¡¯s approval before..but now I don¡¯t care. It made me see that proving a point is worthless. Humans do it to seem egotistical, and it makes them prideful. That¡¯s how you fail. I won¡¯t be a failure anymore..I¡¯m saving the world. And you dare try and stop me? Are you sure you¡¯re not the villain?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t lump me in with you¡­there¡¯s no telling what¡¯s gonna jump out the portal once the ritual finishes!¡±

    Sugred¡¯s tears mixed with his blood as he screamed, his voice filled with equal parts agony and joy. The mask on the Serpent was still affecting Sugred¡¯s vision, shoving dark visions into his head.

    And Xyenn, still held by the throat, could do nothing but watch in horror.

    ¡®This is insane¡­.¡¯

    The chamber was tense, the air thick with blood, heat, and the stench of despair. Xyenn¡¯s body convulsed in Sugred¡¯s crushing grip, his weapons still frantically slashing at Sugred¡¯s chest and stomach, though his swings grew slower and weaker. His strength was fading, his vision blurred by exhaustion and blood loss, but he refused to stop.

    Sugred, however, remained calm. His pale, bloodstreaked face softened as he released a long, shuddering sigh of relief. His grip loosened slightly, though Xyenn¡¯s body still dangled limply in his hand like a broken doll.

    ¡°I¡¯ve severed it,¡± Sugred murmured to himself, his voice hollow. He tilted his head back, closing his glowing eyes as his body shuddered. ¡°The Serpent¡­ it¡¯s no longer tied to me. I¡¯ve done it¡­¡±

    Xyenn, barely able to breathe, still forced himself to act. He raised the Dark Sun Blade weakly, slashing at Sugred¡¯s ribs, but the strike was slow, barely grazing him. Sugred looked at him with a strange mix of pity and amusement.

    ¡°You don¡¯t give up, do you?¡± Sugred said, his voice soft, almost wistful. He studied Xyenn¡¯s bloodied, battered face and let out a faint chuckle. ¡°You remind me of him¡­ of Samuel. So young, yet so brave. So stubborn. So full of strength, even when you have nothing left.¡±

    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°Fuck you¡­stop the ritual!¡±

    With that, Sugred released his grip, dropping Xyenn unceremoniously to the ground. Xyenn hit the rusty floor hard, his body crumpling. His weapons clattered beside him, but he immediately began crawling away, his bloodied hands leaving streaks of crimson on the cold surface.

    ¡°I need¡­¡± Xyenn rasped, his voice barely audible over the chanting of the clerics. ¡°I need¡­ to light the brazier¡­¡±

    Sugred turned, walking slowly toward the glowing ritual circle in the chamber¡¯s center. The runes on the floor pulsed brighter with each passing second, and the screams of Hell emanating from the circle grew louder and more chaotic. The clerics kneeling around it were slumped forward, their faces pale and lifeless as black blood streamed from their eyes and mouths.

    ¡°They did me a great service. Now they will rest in peaceful death¡ª.¡±

    Xyenn yelled, ¡°You asshole! They¡¯re in hell¡­you made them create the ritual..and now they¡¯re bound to it! Anyone who prepares a ritual will have to bind the slaves to the dark magic like the witches do..their souls already bound to the darkness and the First Monarch¡¯s control¡­¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter! Because once I conquer Hell and the First Monarch, they¡¯ll be in the Holy Land!¡±

    Sugred tilted his head slightly, his smile widening as he regarded the glowing circle. ¡°And for Yuuna¡­ I had a feeling she¡¯d cause havoc,¡± he murmured, half to himself. ¡°That girl is clever, I¡¯ll give her that. But it doesn¡¯t matter. I won¡¯t chase her. My Sirens will handle her.¡±

    He turned to glance at Xyenn, who was still crawling weakly toward the chamber¡¯s edge, dragging his broken body forward with sheer willpower.

    ¡°No¡­¡± Xyenn rasped, his voice hoarse with desperation. ¡°No¡­ you don¡¯t¡­ understand¡­¡±

    Sugred¡¯s expression darkened, and in a flash, he appeared beside Xyenn, grabbing him by the back of his neck and lifting him off the ground with ease. Xyenn groaned in pain, his body limp, but his eyes still burned with defiance.

    ¡°You¡¯ll do just fine,¡± Sugred said with a smile, his tone disturbingly calm. ¡°Yuuna may have been my first choice, but you¡­ you¡¯ll suffice. In fact, I think you might even be better.¡±

    Xyenn snarled weakly, his claws twitching as he tried to swing his weapons, but his strength was gone.

    Sugred continued, his voice taking on a reverent tone. ¡°I can¡¯t leave this place. The ritual is already nearing its peak. The bridge to Hell will open for one second¡­ and one second only. That¡¯s all the time I have. I can¡¯t risk missing it. I don¡¯t have time for distractions or mistakes.¡±

    He leaned closer, his glowing eyes locking onto Xyenn¡¯s. ¡°But you¡­ you can guide me through Hell. If you can¡¯t, I¡¯ll use you to lure the First Monarch to me. Either way, you¡¯ll serve me. You¡¯ll serve Samuel¡¯s dream.¡±

    Sugred¡¯s smile widened, but Xyenn¡¯s bloody lips curled back in a weak snarl. ¡°Why don¡¯t¡­ you include Lancelot?¡± Xyenn hissed, his voice filled with venom. ¡°You¡­ worship Samuel more than Lancelot, don¡¯t you?¡±

    The words struck a nerve. Sugred¡¯s smile vanished, replaced by a cold, furious glare. His grip on Xyenn tightened.

    ¡°I am only Lancelot¡¯s vessel,¡± Sugred growled, his voice low and dangerous. ¡°Do you know why? Because Samuel chose me. Samuel, the former vessel of Lancelot himself, told the Dragon God that if anything were to happen to him, I would be his successor. Lancelot agreed, but hated it. That¡¯s why I stand here now, carrying Samuel¡¯s will. Fuck Lancelot. He¡¯s scared..no matter how strong he is, for some reason he hates being near Yuuna.¡±

    Sugred¡¯s voice grew louder, his frustration bubbling to the surface. ¡°And Lancelot? He fears Yuuna. His own granddaughter. He wants to use her first, then to kill her, because he knows she¡¯s a threat to his plans. But now I think¡­¡± He paused, his glowing eyes narrowing. ¡°I think you¡¯ll suffice. You¡¯ll be my tool.¡±

    ¡°You must be stupid¡­I¡¯m not your tool¡­¡±

    ¡°The weakest things in life are the tools we use to build, but the tools can be used to destroy. You let a demonic goddess turn you into a weapon. It has gotten to your head, to defy me, a vessel of an elder dragon god whom I can¡¯t stand!¡±

    Xyenn¡¯s chest heaved as his body trembled, his bloodied hands twitching weakly. His weapons slipped from his grasp, clattering to the ground.

    Sugred¡¯s smile returned, soft and approving. ¡°Good,¡± he said, his voice calm again. ¡°You¡¯re finally being reasonable.¡±

    For a moment, silence filled the chamber, save for the faint chanting of the clerics and the pulsing hum of the ritual circle. Sugred turned slightly, preparing to continue his speech¡ª

    But in an instant, Xyenn¡¯s knee shot upward with brutal force, slamming into Sugred¡¯s chin.

    The impact was devastating. Sugred¡¯s head snapped back, blood spraying from his mouth as his body staggered. Xyenn dropped to the ground, landing heavily on his knees, but he immediately pushed himself upright, his fists igniting with flames.

    The black-and-pink flames of Yuuna¡¯s scythe combined with the dark yellow-and-black sun flames from the Dark Sun Blade, coating Xyenn¡¯s fists in an inferno of destruction. With a guttural roar, Xyenn swung his flaming fist into Sugred¡¯s face, the force of the punch sending him flying.

    Sugred¡¯s body smashed through the dome, tearing through the walls in a shower of debris and smoke.

    Xyenn stood there, panting heavily, his chest heaving as he watched the destruction. But before he could catch his breath, a burst of light erupted in front of him, and Xyenn found himself teleported outside of the dome in the air.

    Sugred appeared, his face calm and smiling, though blood dripped from his lips. Without hesitation, the two charged at each other.

    Their fists collided mid-air in a devastating explosion of energy, the sheer force breaking the sound barrier. The shockwave tore through the surrounding ruins, sending debris flying in all directions.

    Sugred pressed his palm forward, a glowing rune of light forming on his hand. With a sudden burst of force, he slammed his palm into Xyenn¡¯s chest, sending him hurtling back into the dome.

    Xyenn¡¯s body smashed into the ground, the impact shaking the chamber as smoke filled the air.

    High above, Sugred floated in the air, his expression calm and thoughtful. He glanced down at his arm¡ªor rather, where his arm used to be. His right arm was gone, severed cleanly at the shoulder.

    Sugred tilted his head slightly, unfazed. ¡°You¡¯re really odd¡­¡± he murmured, his voice tinged with curiosity.

    He teleported back into the chamber, his glowing form appearing amidst the smoke. As the dust cleared, his gaze locked onto Xyenn.

    Xyenn stood slowly, his body trembling but defiant. His face was twisted into a menacing snarl, blood dripping from his mouth and nose. His sharp teeth were clamped tightly around Sugred¡¯s severed arm, holding it sideways in his jaws like a predator savoring its prey.

    The sight was monstrous. Xyenn¡¯s black dragon horn glinted in the dim light, his third vertical eye glowing faintly. His scales shimmered with a dark, deadly energy, and his bloodied form exuded raw malice.

    Sugred smiled faintly, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Menacing,¡± he said softly, his tone both amused and intrigued.

    ¡­

    The vast chamber was silent, save for the faint echo of Yuuna¡¯s footsteps against the cold stone floor. The space was immense, a cavernous emptiness cocooned in ancient stone walls that stretched high above. Dust particles floated lazily in the air, illuminated by the faint blue glow of astral magic that pulsed softly from the figure at the center of the room.

    King Samuel¡¯s sealed body stood there, encased in stone, its surface rough and cracked with age. Yet, despite the wear, there was an undeniable majesty to it. Samuel stood tall¡ªslightly taller than Yuuna¡ªwith his head held high and his arms at his sides, his posture proud even in stasis. The faint sparkling magic wrapped around his stone form like a veil, shimmering in waves. The air around him hummed lightly, heavy with power and history.

    Yuuna moved closer, her dark aura fading as her expression softened. Her sharp pink eyes studied the statue, taking in every detail. The room was eerily clean in terms of illumination, bathed in astral light, but the ground was filthy¡ªdirt and debris scattered everywhere, as if no one had dared to clean this sacred yet forsaken place in years.

    Behind her, Rye was crawling, struggling to push herself up. Blood dripped down her chest from the wound Yuuna had inflicted earlier, and her silver-feathered wings hung limply behind her. She managed to stand, though her legs wobbled beneath her.

    "You should leave," Yuuna said without turning to face her. Her voice was cold but not harsh. "You don¡¯t stand a chance against me. Fighting would only make things worse for you."

    Rye glared at her, hatred and desperation flashing across her face. Her fists tightened at her sides, trembling. ¡°You think you¡¯ve already won?¡± she spat, her voice hoarse. ¡°You think dragging me here means you get to tell me what to do? No. I demand you fight me!¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s shoulders tensed briefly, but she still didn¡¯t turn around. Instead, her voice rose, sharp and commanding. ¡°Go!¡± The single word echoed throughout the chamber, reverberating off the walls like a warning bell.

    Rye flinched, her defiance faltering.

    Yuuna exhaled deeply, her next words quieter, almost as if she were trying to reason with Rye. ¡°I¡¯m trying to be decent with you. I don¡¯t want to kill you. Because I said I wouldn¡¯t, since you helped me. Do you even understand what Sugred sent the Sirens to do all those years ago? You hunted down the clerics who followed Illyana like they were animals. You don¡¯t stand a chance against me, and I don¡¯t want to make things worse for you. Please¡­I¡¯m giving you an option.¡± Yuuna said with sorrow. ¡°But if you keep trying to fight me, I¡¯ll have to end you.¡±

    Rye¡¯s fists lowered slightly, but her jaw clenched tightly. Her wings drooped further as she took a shaky step back.

    Her voice cracked as she spoke. ¡°¡­I hate that I¡¯m this weak. I hate that I led you here. I hate myself for doing it.¡± Her knees buckled, and she fell to the ground. She reached a trembling hand into her chest, her fingers closing around the glowing shard embedded within her.

    Yuuna turned slightly, just enough to see Rye out of the corner of her eye.

    Rye¡¯s voice was barely above a whisper now, bitter and full of regret. ¡°I wanted to see the Holy Land. That¡¯s all I ever wanted. But now¡­¡± She let out a hollow laugh, tears streaming down her face. ¡°I¡¯m no better than Illyana, am I? A traitor. A failure.¡±

    Her fingers tightened around the shard, and with a sickening crunch, she crushed it.

    The light in her chest dimmed, and her body convulsed as the energy holding her together faded. Blood trickled from her mouth as she looked up at Yuuna one last time. ¡°I¡­ I thought I could kill you. Sneak up on you, use my speed, call for help¡­ But I couldn¡¯t. I couldn¡¯t even try. I don¡¯t know why, but even with all the darkness in you, I knew you wouldn¡¯t kill me. And yet¡­ Sugred won''t spare me either.¡±

    She coughed, her voice growing weaker. ¡°A failure in every sense of the word¡­¡±

    Yuuna turned fully to face her now, her expression blank. She stared at Rye for a long moment before finally speaking. ¡°You don¡¯t deserve pity.¡± Her voice was cold, cutting. ¡°You don¡¯t deserve mercy either. You¡¯re a murderer. So are the rest of the Sirens. You killed innocent clerics. You hunted down anyone who didn¡¯t bow to your light.¡±

    Rye looked down, her hands trembling.

    Yuuna¡¯s tone softened slightly, though it was no less bitter. ¡°But..I don¡¯t deserve pity either. I was evil once too. Worse than you could imagine. You and all you other clerics know this about me already, that I did terrible things, and I¡¯ve had to live with them every day. I don¡¯t deserve mercy, and I don¡¯t ask for it. I¡¯m just trying to outweigh all the wrong I¡¯ve done with something better. That¡¯s all I can do. I don¡¯t deserve happiness¡­that feeling is supposed to be foreign to me. But for some reason, I¡¯m happier than I ever been..¡±

    Rye blinked slowly, her lips curling into a faint, sad smile. ¡°Then¡­ we should¡¯ve gone with Illyana, shouldn¡¯t we? Are we really even happy here? Or forced to be? For power? Light? Promises? We¡¯re we desperate..?¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change.

    ¡°How is she?¡± Rye asked softly. ¡°Is she¡­ alive?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s better,¡± Yuuna replied. ¡°She¡¯s free now. Not bound to any bullshit light. She¡¯s not being sacrificed to your god, or anyone else, for some ritual.¡±

    Rye chuckled weakly, her smile growing faintly brighter. ¡°I¡¯m glad¡­ I guess you¡¯re building your own Holy Land, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Her voice trailed off as her body slumped forward, lifeless.

    Yuuna stared at Rye¡¯s fallen form for a moment, her expression unreadable. She didn¡¯t say a word. Slowly, she turned back toward Samuel¡¯s sealed body.

    The statue of the king loomed over her, its presence both powerful and solemn. The faint astral magic surrounding it pulsed gently, like the heartbeat of a sleeping giant. Yuuna stepped closer, her dark aura fading completely as she reached the base of the statue.

    She tilted her head back, her dark pink eyes gazing up at Samuel¡¯s face. His features were strong, regal, even in stone.

    Yuuna took a deep breath, steadying herself. This was it.

    She prepared to sing.

    The air was heavy and still as Yuuna stood before the sealed, stone body of King Samuel. She stared at the figure, her chest rising and falling as she took a steadying breath. Her pink eyes softened as she gazed at him, his form encased in the astral magic that shimmered faintly like a starry veil.

    She closed her eyes, and the words came to her, soft at first, then growing stronger as her voice echoed through the chamber.

    ?? ¡°In the fields where roses bloom,

    Under skies of bronze and gold,

    A song of light, a heart of flame,

    A story waiting to be told.¡± ??

    ?? ¡°Through the dark, where shadows stay,

    We ride to chase the night away,

    A sword of light, a bond of kin,

    A love that burns within.¡± ??

    Her voice carried through the vast space, bouncing off the ancient stone walls and filling the void with its haunting melody. She sang the lyrics again, her tone unwavering, her heart steady.

    As the song flowed, she felt something behind her. It was faint, almost imperceptible at first¡ªa warmth, a light, like the touch of someone gently placing their hands on her shoulders. It felt peaceful, comforting. She could almost hear a faint whisper of encouragement, but Yuuna didn¡¯t turn. She didn¡¯t acknowledge it. Her focus couldn¡¯t falter now.

    ?? ¡°In the fields where roses bloom,

    Under skies of bronze and gold,

    A song of light, a heart of flame,

    A story waiting to be told.¡± ??

    ?? ¡°Through the dark, where shadows stay,

    We ride to chase the night away,

    A sword of light, a bond of kin,

    A love that burns within.¡± ??

    As the last note faded into silence, Yuuna opened her eyes and stared at the stone figure. The air remained still. Nothing happened.

    Her chest tightened, and a flicker of doubt crept into her expression. Her lips moved silently before she whispered, ¡°No way¡­ it didn¡¯t work?¡±

    But then, a faint crack echoed through the chamber.

    Her breath caught as she saw a thin fracture spiderweb its way across the stone surface. The crack widened, and from it, a piercing beam of white light shot out, illuminating the room. More cracks began to spread, each one glowing with a blinding brilliance.

    The astral magic surrounding the statue pulsed violently, sparking in all directions as if responding to an ancient call. A powerful gust of wind erupted from the figure, swirling through the chamber with such force that Yuuna had to shield her face. Dust and debris whipped around her, and her hair flared wildly in the storm of power.

    The cracks deepened, and the light intensified, its brightness so overwhelming that it bathed the entire chamber in white. Yuuna stumbled back slightly, sliding across the dusty floor as the force pushed her, but she caught herself, digging her heels in.

    The statue began to crumble, pieces of stone breaking away and falling to the ground in bursts of light and astral magic. The debris dissolved into nothingness before it even hit the floor. The winds grew stronger, howling through the chamber, and Yuuna could only watch in awe as the ancient power of King Samuel began to awaken.

    Finally, with a deafening BOOM, the stone exploded outward, releasing a shockwave of energy that rattled the entire chamber. Yuuna skidded back once more, shielding her eyes from the blinding light.

    And then¡­ silence.

    The room was still again, save for the faint shimmer of lingering astral magic that drifted like embers in the air. A thick veil of smoke and dust obscured the center of the room, swirling slowly before it began to clear.

    Yuuna lowered her arm and blinked through the haze. As the smoke dissipated, her breath hitched.

    There he stood.

    King Samuel.

    His royal attire was pristine¡ªwhite and gold robes that flowed gracefully around him, bearing intricate patterns of light and runes. A long white cape draped from his shoulders, its edges glowing faintly. His short, flowing white hair shimmered as if kissed by divine light, and his golden eyes burned with a quiet intensity. Dust clung to parts of his skin, remnants of his long imprisonment, but his presence was undeniable.

    Yuuna¡¯s lips slowly curled into a small smile as she whispered, ¡°King Samuel¡­¡±

    Samuel¡¯s eyes locked onto her, his expression unreadable. He didn¡¯t say a word, simply standing there, his posture regal and imposing.

    Yuuna stepped forward quickly, her voice urgent. ¡°We need to stop Sugred! He¡¯s about to unleash Hell!¡±

    At her words, Samuel raised his hand slowly. Yuuna¡¯s voice faltered as she watched, her eyes widening. From the air itself, the Sword of Sovereignty began to form in his grip.

    The blade was breathtaking. Its hilt was adorned with brilliant jewels that glinted in the faint light, and runes etched along the length of the blade glowed softly, shifting like liquid light. The blade itself was radiant, a pure beam of light given form, its edges sharp enough to cut through the very fabric of existence.

    Yuuna gasped, her heart racing. ¡°That¡ª¡± she stammered. ¡°That¡¯s supposed to be in the Ohnupilath Tree!¡±

    Samuel didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he moved.

    In an instant, he was in front of her.

    The sheer speed of his movement caught Yuuna completely off guard. One moment, he was across the room; the next, he was inches from her, his golden eyes boring into hers.

    Before she could react, he raised the Sword of Sovereignty high, its blade glowing with blinding light as magic swirled around it.

    Yuuna¡¯s breath caught as she realized his intent. The blade descended quickly, cutting through the air toward her.

    Time seemed to slow as Yuuna¡¯s mind raced.

    Her lips trembled as another thought struck her. ¡®If I¡¯m split¡­ Xyenn will die. His soul is tied to the same darkness. It¡¯s always deadly¡­I¡¯m happy because he¡¯s a part of my life, and the Tyrants are with me.¡¯

    Her brow furrowed, and her heart ached as she thought of the Tyrants, of Xyenn, of everything they¡¯d been through. Her chest tightened as the weight of the decision pressed down on her. ¡®I want to outweigh my bad deeds with good ones. I want to use the power I once terrorized the world with and turn it into salvation.¡¯

    ¡°Because I¡¯ve been saved¡­¡±

    She closed her eyes briefly, a single tear slipping down her cheek. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mother¡­¡± she whispered.

    ¡®Thank you, for thinking of me..¡¯

    At the last second, Yuuna dodged, twisting her body and leaping away from the blade.

    The Sword of Sovereignty struck the ground.

    The impact was catastrophic.

    A catastrophic KATHOOM erupted as the blade connected with the stone floor, releasing a blinding wave of light magic that tore through the chamber. The ground split apart violently, massive cracks ripping through the floor in jagged patterns. Entire sections of the ground collapsed, sending debris tumbling into the dark abyss below.

    The walls shook, chunks of stone breaking away and crashing to the floor. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the air, creating powerful gusts that threw dust and debris everywhere.

    Yuuna hovered in the air above the destruction, her dark aura flaring to steady herself. She looked down at the devastation, her breath shaky as she tried to process the sheer power of Samuel¡¯s strike.

    Samuel slowly lifted his gaze to her, his golden eyes calm but unrelenting. His body rose from the ground, hovering effortlessly as he leveled his sword toward her.

    Yuuna¡¯s voice was steady, but her heart pounded in her chest. ¡°Why¡­¡± she asked, her voice sharp. ¡°Why is he swinging at me the second he¡¯s freed?!¡±

 Chapter 81: Let Me Slash You

    The destruction in the chamber was relentless. Every time King Samuel moved, it was like the heavens themselves were tearing apart. His body flashed in and out of sight, each movement faster than the eye could track. A thunderous crack of light followed every step, leaving behind bursts of white-hot energy that engulfed everything nearby in violent eruptions.

    Yuuna soared through the chaotic air, her dragon wings beating furiously to keep her ahead of him. Each flap sent her darting through the chamber, narrowly avoiding the deadly swath of destruction Samuel left in his wake. Her breath was sharp and controlled, her mind racing as she dodged and weaved through the chaos.

    Samuel¡¯s eyes remained emotionless, his face like stone. He raised his blade, and with a swing, a massive crescent-shaped wave of light tore through the air toward Yuuna. She tilted her wings sharply, twisting her body to the side just in time to avoid it. The light slash carved through the wall behind her, obliterating it in an instant and sending stone shards raining down.

    ¡°Samuel, stop!¡± Yuuna shouted, her voice carrying over the roar of destruction. ¡°I freed you! I¡¯m not your enemy!¡±

    But Samuel didn¡¯t respond. He vanished again, his body consumed by light, only to reappear a split second later directly in front of her. The sudden flash disoriented her, and her eyes widened as his blade came down, a vertical strike aimed straight for her.

    Yuuna twisted at the last possible moment, her wings snapping hard to propel her backward. The blade sliced through the space she¡¯d just occupied, the light trailing from its edge cutting a scorching wound into the air itself. The force of the swing sent a shockwave outward, cracking the ground below and throwing chunks of debris into the air.

    ¡°You¡¯re tearing this place apart!¡± Yuuna yelled, her voice strained as she poured energy into her wings, pushing herself faster. ¡°Listen to me, damn it!¡±

    Samuel¡¯s figure blurred again, and Yuuna barely had time to react before he reappeared beside her, his sword swinging in a horizontal arc. She dropped suddenly, her wings folding briefly as the blade passed just inches above her head. The swing tore through more of the chamber, sending another shockwave of destruction outward.

    ¡®What¡¯s with him?!¡¯ Yuuna thought.

    She twisted mid-air, her wings snapping open again, and darted toward the other side of the ruined space. But Samuel was relentless. He moved again, faster than should have been possible, his body flashing with light as he appeared directly in her path.

    Yuuna¡¯s eyes locked onto him for just a second before he swung again, this time sending another crescent-shaped blast of light toward her. She veered sharply upward, the slash missing her by a hair, but the resulting explosion below sent a column of energy shooting into the air, grazing her leg.

    She winced as pain shot through her body, a searing burn now visible just above her knee. ¡°Damn it¡­¡± she hissed through clenched teeth, her wings flaring as she pushed herself higher.

    ¡®I can¡¯t let him slash through me with the blade itself..I''m struggling to even outrun him!¡¯

    Samuel didn¡¯t slow down. He moved again, each step a blinding flash of destruction that made light destroy the area even more. His form was like a storm of light, and every movement sent waves of devastation rippling through the chamber.

    Yuuna twisted and turned through the air, her dragon wings giving her just enough speed and agility to stay ahead of him for only a millisecond until she was almost killed. But it was getting harder. Every time she dodged, another blast of light or shockwave of energy would follow, forcing her to react again.

    Samuel swung his sword downward as he landed, the blade crashing into the ground with earth-shattering force. The impact sent cracks spreading outward in all directions, and from those cracks, streams of light erupted, creating jagged pools of glowing energy that spread across the floor.

    Yuuna¡¯s wings flapped hard as she ascended higher, avoiding the spreading pools below. But Samuel wasn¡¯t done yet. He raised his sword and stabbed it into the ground with precise, deliberate motion.

    ¡®What kind of shit¡­if that blade hits me, is it gonna sever the darkness in me or sever me entirely?! It¡¯s insanely strong!¡¯

    The entire chamber shook violently as a massive whirlwind of light erupted around him. The tornado of radiance spun faster and faster, sending beams of light and slashes of energy shooting outward in all directions. Streams of glowing liquid burst from the ground beneath the tornado, arcing into the air like geysers before crashing back down.

    Yuuna gritted her teeth as she flew higher, narrowly avoiding one of the liquid streams as it shot past her. Another burst of light grazed her arm, leaving a shallow but painful burn. She hissed, clutching the wound briefly before forcing herself to focus.

    ¡®I can¡¯t keep running like this. He¡¯s too fast, too precise. If I slow down for even a second, I¡¯m dead.¡¯

    She hovered in the air, her mind working frantically as she watched the whirlwind of destruction below. Samuel¡¯s figure was barely visible within the glowing maelstrom, but she could feel his presence, unwavering and relentless.

    ¡®Think, Yuuna. Think. I can¡¯t waste too much time! My darling is out there¡­I¡¯m coming, Xyenn. Hold on a little longer. For me..¡¯

    Her eyes narrowed as an idea began to form. It was risky, but it was all she had.

    She closed her eyes briefly, focusing her energy. Her body began to glow faintly as her form shifted, expanding and twisting. When she opened her eyes again, she was in her dragon form, her massive wings beating powerfully as she hovered above the chaos.

    She raised her head, her tail vibrating with raw energy as she summoned a flaming orb between her claws. The orb was dark pink and black, crackling with unstable power as it grew larger and larger.

    Yuuna let out a deafening roar, the sound shaking the chamber as the flaming orb shot forward, blazing toward the center of the whirlwind. The orb moved with terrifying speed, its energy rippling through the air as it flew.

    The moment the orb reached the tornado, it exploded in a massive burst of energy, the force of the blast momentarily disrupting the whirlwind and sending shockwaves outward.

    Yuuna used the brief opening to dart forward, her wings propelling her with incredible speed as she closed the distance between herself and Samuel.

    The explosion had forced Samuel to pause, his figure now visible within the fading light of the disrupted tornado. Samuel slashed at her again, and this time, the blade was an inch from hitting her.

    But Yuuna avoided the attack by transforming back into her human form, which caused Samuel¡¯s swing to whiff HEAVILY. And Yuuna was beside him and changed back into her dragon from.

    Her claws dug into his shoulders as she pressed him down, her large form towering over him. ¡°Now calm down!¡± she growled, her voice echoing through the chamber.  ¡°Please calm down..¡±

    Samuel¡¯s golden eyes slowly looked up at her, his face still emotionless.

    For a moment, there was silence.

    And then, finally, he spoke.

    ¡°Yuuna.¡±

    Yuuna huffed, her claws still pinning Samuel to the ground as her dragon form loomed over him. Her wings flapped idly, keeping her balanced as she stared down at the former king.

    Samuel, still calm and emotionless, sighed as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. ¡°Yuuna,¡± he began, his tone steady, ¡°you need to let me slash you.¡±

    Yuuna blinked. ¡°What?¡±

    He repeated himself, slower this time. ¡°Let. Me. Slash. You.¡±

    She tilted her head, frowning. ¡°Uh, no?¡±

    Samuel raised an eyebrow, his voice softening. ¡°It¡¯s for your own good.¡±

    Yuuna scoffed loudly, almost insulted. She leaned closer¡ªso close her horns nearly touched his forehead. ¡°Are you nuts? Absolutely not! Damn lunatic!¡±

    Samuel blinked, his tone shifting to something almost gentle. ¡°Please?¡±

    ¡°No means no!¡± Yuuna snapped, pulling her head back and bonking Samuel on the head.

    He sighed, a faint trace of exasperation slipping into his otherwise stoic demeanor. ¡°You don¡¯t understand, Yuuna. If I slash you, you¡¯ll be free. Completely free of your father¡¯s influence. It¡¯s what Kota wanted. Stop being ridiculous.¡±

    Yuuna rolled her eyes, letting her wings fold slightly. ¡°Yeah, free, sure, but if your shiny-ass sword touches me, Xyenn dies, and I¡¯m not doing that. I mean, my darling Xyenn is out there doing who-knows-what, probably fighting for his life, and here you are playing the ¡®let me slash you¡¯ card? No way, buddy. We need to stop Sugred! So I need you to not attack me, because we¡¯re wasting time!¡±

    Samuel¡¯s head lolled back against the cracked stone floor, and he groaned like a man too tired to deal with any of this. ¡°Ughh. Seal me back up.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Yuuna asked, incredulous.

    ¡°I said, seal me back up,¡± he repeated lazily. His head rolled to the side as he sighed again. ¡°Being sealed made me lazy. I don¡¯t want to deal with this. Just put me back in the stone. When I was in there, I was drifting..somewhere in some world¡­some plane..it was relaxing. But now I''m back, I wanna go back to it.¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s mouth dropped open. ¡°You¡¯ve gotta be kidding me! You can¡¯t be the same king from the books! Absolutely not! Do you know how much we went through to free you?! Do you have any idea how annoying this whole thing has been?!¡±  Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    Samuel waved a hand dismissively. ¡°You¡¯re right. It¡¯s too much effort. Let¡¯s just pretend you never woke me up. It¡¯s fine.¡±

    ¡°NO!¡± Yuuna shouted, shaking him slightly. ¡°You¡¯re getting up, and you¡¯re helping me!¡±

    Samuel sighed again, this time more dramatically. ¡°Fine, fine. But¡­¡± His voice trailed off, and he looked at her with a faint hint of curiosity. ¡°Why did you tackle me in the first place?¡±

    Yuuna glared at him. ¡°Why did you attack me the moment you woke up?! That¡¯s the real question!¡±

    Samuel sat up slightly, though Yuuna still kept him pinned. ¡°The last thing on my mind before I got sealed,¡± he said slowly, ¡°was to complete Kota¡¯s mission.¡±

    Yuuna froze. ¡°Shit..¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Samuel replied, his tone steady again. ¡°She wanted you to be free from your father¡¯s grasp. And the only way to do that is to use the Sword of Sovereignty to sever the connection. If I succeeded, Hell would lose another soldier, and you¡¯d be free.¡±

    Yuuna frowned, her wings twitching slightly. ¡°Hell¡¯s got plenty of soldiers, Samuel. You think I¡¯m the only one? These dragon gods and their vessels have been looking to Hell for an escape from the cycle for years. And guess what? It worked. But they didn¡¯t realize the rituals binding them to Hell make them my father¡¯s puppets forever. The Dragon god of the sun was the first victim. Me and my darling happily killed him!¡± Yuuna smiled.

    Samuel raised an eyebrow. ¡°So if they die¡­¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re gone,¡± Yuuna said flatly. ¡°Forever. No cycle. No rebirth. Just pawns in Hell for eternity.¡± Her voice softened, and she looked away briefly. ¡°And if I die in Kyrrin? Same thing. My father would control my body anyway. I¡¯d never truly be gone..or alive.¡±

    Samuel studied her for a long moment, his face unreadable.

    Yuuna caught herself, shaking her head. ¡°Mhmmmm, look, I¡¯m not letting you slash me, okay? But if I get up¡­ you won¡¯t try anything, right? We really need to hurry but I don¡¯t trust you.¡±

    Samuel raised a hand, placing it over his chest in a mock pledge. ¡°I promise.¡±

    Yuuna narrowed her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re not lying, are you?¡±

    ¡°Of course not,¡± Samuel said smoothly, but his faint grin was far from reassuring.

    She hesitated, her claws loosening slightly. ¡°Okay¡­¡±

    Slowly, Yuuna stepped off him, her form shrinking back into her human shape. She rolled her shoulders and crossed her arms, glaring at him. ¡°Alright, you¡¯re up. And¡ª¡±

    Before she could finish, Samuel nodded politely, slightly bowed, and in one fluid motion, swung his sword at her.

    Yuuna yelped, leaping backward as the blade narrowly missed her. ¡°What the hell?!¡± she shouted.

    Samuel straightened, his expression calm. ¡°That was a reflex test.¡±

    ¡°A what?!¡± Yuuna barked, pointing an accusatory finger at him.

    ¡°I promise it won¡¯t happen again.¡±

    Yuuna glared at him for several long seconds, her body tense. ¡°You better not¡ª¡±

    Samuel swung again, this time with less force, and Yuuna ducked, her movements sharp and quick. ¡°Are you kidding me?!¡±

    ¡°I swear, that was the last one,¡± Samuel said casually, his tone almost apologetic.

    Yuuna¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°You¡¯re seriously testing my patience right now¡ª¡±

    Samuel swiped one last time, this time slower, which Yuuna easily sidestepped. She stood there, fuming, her hands clenched into fists.

    Samuel gave her an almost sheepish look. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m done. For real this time.¡±

    Yuuna threw her hands in the air. ¡°I swear, if you try that again¡ª¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± Samuel interrupted, raising both hands in surrender.

    Yuuna huffed, muttering under her breath, as the two of them began dashing side by side through the crumbling chamber. The destruction around them slowly began to settle, though the air was still heavy with the lingering effects of Samuel¡¯s earlier attacks.

    Samuel finally spoke. ¡°There¡¯s darkness here..Sugred¡­ what has he done?¡±

    Yuuna¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°He¡¯s trying to open Hell. Even for just one second. He wants to go in and conquer it, turn it into some twisted version of a Holy Land.¡±

    Samuel frowned, his grip on the Sword of Sovereignty tightening slightly. ¡°¡­He wanted to compare himself to me all the time. He saw us as equals, even when I told him he needed to be himself no matter what. Copying people leads to you forgetting who you are..that¡¯s what your mother told me.¡±

    Yuuna nodded. ¡°Awww she was always saying some wise and encouraging stuff!¡±

    ¡°Sugred sees himself as a Jotyin. Literal sons and daughters of the King of Sen. Premature seeds of a forgotten world. Your mother told me that also. Just some of us were awakened at different times. But Sugred wanted to be like me, since I took him under my wing, he thought of himself as not worthy to inherit or complete the Holy Land when we got older, simply because he would get bullied for even training under me. Even when I was a vessel, I was mocked for talking to Kota, and with Sugred by my side, they mocked him too.¡±

    ¡°Uhhhh Why would he wanna be you then if you were bullied too?¡±

    ¡°He knew I didn¡¯t care. But he did. He knew I was guided by your mother and the light. And he wanted that. So he mimicked me, in hopes of changing..¡±

    ¡°¡­He hated himself...¡±

    ¡°But for it to lead to this¡­¡±

    ¡°I know he won¡¯t listen to us if we explain the risks and all that stuff, so we MIGHT have to kill him¡­I KNOW that sounds a little evil, but¡ª.¡±

    ¡°Whatever it takes..he can¡¯t open Hell up! No matter what! And..thank you for unsealing me. Let¡¯s move faster¡­how strong is your¡­darling? He¡¯s my new ally, so I must know.¡±

    Yuuna replied, ¡°My darling is amazingly strong, brave, and he¡¯s a Jotyin.¡±

    Samuel gasped slightly as they had darted outside, seeing the detection and battles.

    ¡®A Jotyin¡­our chances have just gone up. For better or worse. Who is this Xyenn? If he¡¯s a Jotyin..then he¡¯s my brother..connected by power..¡¯

    ¡­

    (Svarthelm)

    (J?rvaldr)

    The line stretched painfully long, curling around the block like some overgrown, rusted serpent. Sethrak stood with his arms crossed, his tail flicking in barely-contained irritation. His thin draconic pupils narrowed dangerously as he glanced at the sign above the building, "Gunthr¡¯s Vagabond, Taking care of every issue you need, because we¡¯re the city¡¯s last hope of defense!" The words made him wince, as if the sign had personally insulted him.

    Sethrak was with Zyphira, both of them out of their kid forms, and Draeven was standing with them.

    ¡®Finally found it, after hearing word on the street they already started their own business. Who would¡¯ve guessed these losers would survive Gabriel¡¯s Ladder after everything that happened, and run a business in J?rvaldr. Feel like the bastards are following us like weirdos.¡¯ Sethrak thought.

    Zyphira, meanwhile, was crouched next to Draeven, who was sweating bullets and clutching his hands like it might sprout legs and run away.

    ¡°Hey, Draeven,¡± Zyphira said casually, poking him on the shoulder.

    ¡°Ah! W-what?¡± Draeven stammered, his voice cracking as he glanced at her.

    ¡°Let¡¯s spar,¡± she said with a grin that could¡¯ve powered half the city¡¯s steam engines and automatons.

    ¡°W-what? No! We¡¯re in a line¡­Y-you can¡¯t just¡ª¡±

    ¡°Stop being so boring. I need something to do, and get my mind off certain things, so it¡¯ll be fun!¡± She lunged at him with a playful jab, only for Draeven to duck and nearly tumble into the poor woman in front of them.

    ¡°Hey! Watch it!¡± the woman snapped, clutching her bag of groceries. ¡°Some of us are here for serious business!¡±

    ¡°Sorry!¡± Draeven yelped, bowing so low it looked like he might fold himself in half. ¡°She used to be a drunk¡ª.¡±

    Zyphira snorted, putting Draeven in a headlock, ¡°Huh?! Tellin¡¯ my business to some old farts?!¡±

    ¡°Sorry!¡±

    Sethrak sighed so heavily it sounded like a bellows. ¡°This is insufferable.¡±

    ¡®Insufferable line we¡¯re in. I¡¯m gonna just cut everyone. I wonder how the other Tyrants are doing¡­what Xyenn and Yuuna are doing¡­gross. Why am I thinking like this? Like I miss them? Ew.¡¯

    But Zyphira wasn¡¯t done. She turned back to Draeven, tilting her head with a mischievous grin. ¡°Alright, no sparring. Let¡¯s have a flyting match instead.¡±

    ¡°A¡­ a what?¡± Draeven asked, blinking nervously.

    ¡°It¡¯s like a battle of wits but with insults,¡± Zyphira explained, smirking. ¡°You know, like a verbal spar. I insult you, you insult me back. Whoever¡¯s insult is worse wins.¡±

    ¡°W-why would I insult you?¡± Draeven asked, shifting uncomfortably.

    ¡°Because it¡¯s fun?¡± Zyphira said, spinning on her heel to face him fully. ¡°Unless you¡¯re scared.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not scared¡­¡± Draeven protested, a little louder than intended.

    ¡°Prove it,¡± Zyphira said, crossing her arms.

    Draeven hesitated, glancing nervously at Sethrak, who was too busy glaring at the front of the line to care.

    ¡°U-uh¡­ fine,¡± Draeven finally muttered.

    Zyphira clapped her hands together. ¡°Alright! I¡¯ll go first.¡± She cleared her throat dramatically, putting on a mock-serious face. ¡°Draeven, you¡¯re so jumpy, I bet if someone sneezed behind you, you¡¯d end up in the next city over.¡±

    Draeven frowned, his face turning red. ¡°W-well¡­ you¡¯re so loud, you could wake up the dead and annoy them!¡±

    ¡®Shit..that was horrible! I¡¯ve never played this game before..¡¯

    Zyphira raised an eyebrow. ¡°Not bad, not bad. But¡­¡± She leaned in, smirking. ¡°You¡¯re so clumsy, Draeven, the last time you tried to swing a sword, you managed to hit yourself twice.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s because I don¡¯t USE swords,¡± Draeven snapped softly as he kept his voice down. ¡°A-and, uh¡­ y-you¡¯re so reckless, I bet you¡¯d charge into a dragon¡¯s mouth just to see what it looked like on the inside!¡±

    Zyphira laughed, shaking her head. ¡°That¡¯s not an insult, that¡¯s just true!¡± She tapped her chin, pretending to think. ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­ oh, I¡¯ve got one. You¡¯re so awkward, I bet if someone handed you a treasure chest, you¡¯d apologize to it for opening it.¡±

    Sethrak smirked at that, and Draeven looked at him, saying, ¡°You¡¯re not even in this game¡­¡± Draeven stammered, then looked back at Zyphira, ¡°And¡­ and you¡¯re so¡­ so¡­¡± He fumbled for something, his hands waving in the air as he searched his brain for a good comeback. ¡°You¡¯re so¡­ short-tempered, even a rock would tell you to calm down!¡±

    Zyphira burst out laughing, almost doubling over. ¡°A rock? Really? That¡¯s the best you¡¯ve got? I¡¯m not MERTHA.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m still thinking!¡± Draeven protested, his voice cracking.¡± Draeven groaned, covering his face with his hands. ¡°I¡¯m not good at this¡­¡±

    ¡°You think?¡± Zyphira teased, grinning ear to ear. ¡°I¡¯ve heard better insults from drunk sailors.¡± She leaned closer, wagging a finger in his face. ¡°But don¡¯t worry, Draeven. One day, you¡¯ll come up with an insult that doesn¡¯t make me want to pat you on the head and say, ¡®Nice try.¡¯ You¡¯re coming out of your little shell, proud of you.¡±

    Draeven muttered something unintelligible under his breath, his shoulders slumping in defeat. ¡°Thanks I guess.¡±

    The people in line were chatting away, oblivious to the dragonkin¡¯s growing irritation.

    ¡°Did you hear? Gunthr and the Crimson Claws took down a whole pack of shadow wargs last week. Cleared out the entire forest!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, and they handed out maps to Gabriel¡¯s Ladder! Can you believe it? He¡¯s doing more for this city than the guards ever have!¡±

    ¡°Gunthr¡¯s a genius, I tell you. A real hero¡ª¡±

    ¡°Hero?¡± Sethrak muttered, his eye twitching. ¡°That fool wouldn¡¯t know heroism if it bit him on the tail.¡±

    Zyphira raised an eyebrow. ¡°You have a tail.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not the point,¡± Sethrak snapped.

    The chatter continued.

    ¡°Did you hear about the guild¡¯s new headquarters? They¡¯re making so much gold, they¡¯re practically swimming in it!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I heard they¡¯re sitting on piles of treasure right now. Literally!¡±

    That was it. Sethrak¡¯s patience snapped like a rusty cog under too much pressure. ¡°Enough of this,¡± he growled. ¡°Follow me.¡±

    ¡°Wait, what are you¡ª¡± Draeven started, but Sethrak was already moving.

    With a flick of his tail, he began shoving his way through the line, much to the dismay of the people waiting.

    ¡°Hey! Watch it!¡±

    ¡°Wait your turn!¡±

    ¡°Who does he think he is?!¡±

    One particularly bold man stepped in front of Sethrak, puffing out his chest like a rooster defending its coop. ¡°Hey, buddy! You think you¡¯re special or somethin¡¯? Get back in line like the rest of us!¡±

    Sethrak stopped, barely glancing at the man. His draconic pupils narrowed to razor-thin slits, ¡°Move.¡±

    The man¡¯s bravado melted like cheap wax. ¡°D-dragonkin!¡± he stammered, stumbling back and tripping over his own feet. The man scrambled out of the way, muttering apologies under his breath.

    Zyphira burst out laughing. ¡°Did you see his face? Priceless!¡±

    Draeven was busy trying to apologize to everyone they bumped into. ¡°S-sorry! He¡¯s just¡­ uh¡­ not great with lines!¡±

    Sethrak said to Draeven, ¡°Stop apologizing to everyone please.¡±

    Sethrak didn¡¯t stop until he reached the rusted doors of the building. With a single shove, the doors swung open, slamming against the walls with a metallic clang.

    Inside, the scene was straight out of the most absurd play imaginable. Gunthr and his two guildmates were lounging on literal piles of silver and gold, tossing coins into the air and letting them rain down like confetti. One of the guildmates was hugging a golden goblet like it was his long-lost child, while the other was using a silver plate as a mirror to admire himself.

    Gunthr, reclining on a throne of treasure, let out a high-pitched squeal of laughter. ¡°We¡¯ve done it! We¡¯ve finally made it in J?rvaldr! This city¡¯s ours! We¡¯re heroes! No¡ªicons!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a genius, boss!¡± one of the guildmates said, practically bowing as he handed Gunthr a shiny new crown.

    ¡°The smartest man alive!¡± the other added, throwing a handful of coins into the air.

    Gunthr preened. ¡°Of course I am! And this is just the beginning! With the impending war, we¡¯ll be richer than kings!¡±

    Sethrak stood there, staring at the scene with a look of pure disgust. ¡°This is what you¡¯ve been doing?¡±

    Gunthr froze mid-laugh, his eyes landing on Sethrak and his companions. His face turned pale, and he let out a high-pitched squeal that could shatter glass. ¡°It¡¯s them!¡±

    One of the guildmates dropped his goblet, while the other nearly choked on his own spit.

    ¡°B-boss, isn¡¯t that the dragonkin? And the scary lady? And the guy who always looks like he¡¯s about to faint?¡±

    Gunthr¡¯s squeal turned into a nervous laugh. ¡°Oh, right¡­ it is them.¡± He cleared his throat, trying to sound confident. ¡°What do you guys want? Jealous of me, huh? Didn¡¯t think I¡¯d make it this far, did you?! Where¡¯s that other guy who was with you? That broody man with the sword with those creepy eyes on it, the one who insulted our pride!¡±

    Draeven replied, ¡°I think he¡¯s talking about..¡±

    Zyphira finished Draeven¡¯s sentence, ¡°Broody? Sword with eyes on it? Definitely Gorran.¡±

    Sethrak didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he strode forward, grabbed Gunthr by the collar of his armor, and hoisted him off his pile of treasure like he weighed nothing.

    ¡°Listen to me, you arrogant worm,¡± Sethrak growled. ¡°Stop acting like you¡¯re important. I¡¯m in need of¡ª.¡±

    Gunthr let out a squeak, his feet dangling helplessly.

    ¡°¡­I¡¯m in need of your services,¡± Sethrak continued, his voice low and dangerous. ¡°Do you know how long it took me to find this place? Hours.¡±

    Gunthr¡¯s guildmates were frozen in place, unsure whether to intervene or run for their lives.

    ¡°Uh, boss,¡± one of them whispered, ¡°maybe we should do what he says?¡±

    ¡°Y-yeah,¡± the other stammered. ¡°I mean, they¡¯re the ones who fought that crystal lady in Gabriel¡¯s Ladder¡­¡±

    Gunthr groaned. ¡°Fine! What do you want?!¡±

    Sethrak dropped him unceremoniously onto the pile of coins, the metallic clinking filling the room. He dusted off his hands and leaned in, his pupils narrowing like daggers. ¡°I need information. And I¡¯m not in the mood to deal with your nonsense.¡±

    Gunthr gulped, straightening his crooked crown. ¡°Information? About what?¡±

    Zyphira chimed in, leaning casually against a nearby pile of gold. ¡°Oh, you know, little things. Like where we can find someone who¡¯s not spending their time rolling in money like a spoiled pig in mud.¡±

    Gunthr¡¯s eye twitched, but he forced a smile. ¡°W-well, if it¡¯s information you want, I¡¯m your guy! The Crimson Claws know everything! And we¡¯re WELL KNOWN throughout Svarthelm! Right, boys?¡±

    His guildmates nodded furiously.

    ¡°Everything!¡± one of them said.

    ¡°Absolutely everything!¡± the other added, though his voice cracked halfway through.

    Sethrak raised an eyebrow. ¡°Then why did it take me hours to find you? Only one person knew where this place was.¡±

    Gunthr laughed nervously. ¡°We¡¯ve, uh¡­ been busy! You know, with the war and the wargs and, uh¡­ the treasure!¡± He gestured wildly at the piles of coins, as if they were a defense.  ¡°We haven¡¯t had times to spread out our business further out yet!¡±

    ¡°You mean the treasure you¡¯re sitting on instead of doing your job,¡± Sethrak said, his voice dripping with venom.  ¡°Aren¡¯t you a business? What worth are you proving sitting here?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­ resource management!¡± Gunthr squeaked. ¡°We¡¯re, uh, consolidating assets!¡±

    Zyphira snorted. ¡°You¡¯re consolidating something, alright.¡±

    Draeven, who had been standing quietly in the corner, finally spoke up. ¡°C-can we just get what we need and leave? This place is giving me secondhand embarrassment¡­¡±

    Gunthr shot him a glare. ¡°Hey! This is a legitimate operation!¡±

    Sethrak cracked his knuckles. ¡°Do you want to keep arguing, or do you want to stay alive?¡±

    Gunthr deflated like a punctured balloon. ¡°¡­What do you need?¡±

    Sethrak replied, ¡°The cursed region. The one you all claimed to have seen. Take us to it.¡±

 Chapter 82: Raging Bull

    The moon hung high above the treetops, casting silver streaks of light through the dense canopy as the group darted through the darkened woods at breakneck speed. Leaves and branches whipped past them, the wind howling in their ears as their boots pounded against the forest floor. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and something¡­ off. Something lingering just beyond the senses.

    Gunthr, panting as he struggled to keep pace, called out between breaths, ¡°Alright¡ªhuff¡ªso before we get there, you should know¡ªgasp¡ªthis place is¡­ weird.¡±

    Sethrak, running just ahead of him, didn¡¯t even glance back. ¡°How so?¡±

    Gunthr exchanged nervous glances with his guildmates, who weren¡¯t faring much better in keeping up. One of them nearly tripped over a root, but recovered with a pathetic wheeze.

    ¡°Well,¡± Gunthr started, his voice dripping with unease, ¡°we¡¯ve been telling people it¡¯s crawling with abominations of war. You know, horrors left behind by Ezrael¡¯s influence, twisted beasts from the battlefields. That¡¯s what everyone thinks.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what you told everyone,¡± Sethrak corrected.

    Gunthr threw up his hands as he ran. ¡°Yes! Exactly! Because King Alaric told me to say that! He approached me personally, said to keep up the story. And I figured, hey, a king asks you to do something, you do it, right?¡±

    One of his guildmates piped in, still gasping for air. ¡°B-but here¡¯s the thing¡ªwe¡¯ve never been inside the cursed region. Not once. And, uh¡­ people who do go in?¡±

    ¡°They don¡¯t come out,¡± the other guildmate finished grimly.

    Gunthr nodded quickly. ¡°Exactly! And Alaric knows that I¡¯ve never stepped foot in there. Yet he still wanted me to push the story about it being all ¡®war abominations¡¯ and ¡®remnants of Ezrael¡¯s wrath.¡¯ Turning such adorable animals into monstrosities!!!¡±

    His guildmates shared nervous glances.

    ¡°So we started thinking,¡± Gunthr continued, ¡°why that story? Why that explanation? It¡¯s not like we haven¡¯t all seen some horrific battlefield monstrosities before, but this? This place just doesn¡¯t let people come back. And the king wants everyone to think it¡¯s because of the war.¡±

    Sethrak¡¯s teeth clenched, his jaw tightening as his draconic pupils thinned into razor-like slits.

    Zyphira, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, bit her nails, her free hand softly scratching at her arm.

    Sethrak finally spoke, his voice low and edged with something dangerous. ¡°If my father is telling people it¡¯s the abominations of war, then it¡¯s something else entirely.¡±

    Gunthr blinked. ¡°Wait¡ªyour father? As in King Alaric?¡±

    Sethrak shot him a sharp look, and Gunthr audibly gulped.

    ¡°Something I need is in there,¡± Sethrak continued, ignoring the guild leader¡¯s growing panic.

    Gunthr and his guildmates exchanged uneasy glances.

    Gunthr hesitated before asking, ¡°Okay, but¡­ what do you need in the cursed region? I mean, don¡¯t get me wrong, you¡¯re strong¡ªterrifyingly strong¡ªbut that place just REEKS of dark stuff! And curses! I mean, I don¡¯t know if you¡¯ve ever smelled a curse before, but if you could, that place would stink like shit!¡±

    Sethrak winced, his patience thinning. ¡°Mind your business.¡±

    Gunthr let out a nervous chuckle. ¡°R-right, of course! None of my business! But, uh¡­¡± He rubbed the back of his neck. ¡°I am leading you there, so, uh¡­ just wondering¡­ how much am I getting paid for this? And plus you¡¯re rich as the kings son! We¡¯re still trying to make it! You already did!¡±

    Sethrak didn¡¯t even slow his pace. ¡°The price is keeping your lives.¡±

    Gunthr and his guildmates¡ªboth froze mid-stride, their bodies locking up in pure, unfiltered panic.

    ¡°WHAT?!¡± Gunthr screeched.

    ¡°WE ACCEPT GOLD! GOLD IS A GREAT FORM OF PAYMENT!¡± his guildmates added, waving their hands frantically.

    Draeven, despite his usual nerves, sighed and turned back to them. ¡°H-he¡¯s only kidding.¡±

    Gunthr and his guildmates let out a synchronized sigh of relief, sagging as they kept running.

    ¡°I hope so,¡± Gunthr muttered, clutching his chest.

    Then, suddenly, the forest opened up, the dark trees giving way to something¡­ wrong.

    The group skidded to a stop at the edge of the cursed region.

    Before them sprawled a massive forest of rotting trees, their trunks and branches coated in a sickly red rot that pulsed faintly under the moonlight. The air was thick, heavy, like it was pressing down on them.

    But it wasn¡¯t just the forest that held their attention.

    Hundreds of King Alaric¡¯s soldiers were stationed along the region¡¯s borders, clad in ornate golden and brown armor that gleamed even under the dim light. The insignia of Alaric¡¯s royal force was etched into their chest plates, and their weapons hummed with golden energy.

    They were working tirelessly, restoring massive magical golden barricades that had been broken, their hands glowing as they channeled raw magic into the runes engraved in the barriers.

    Beyond the barricades, monstrous chimera-like beasts¡ªtwisted, grotesque things that looked like they had been cooked in the red rot¡ªclawed and shrieked, desperate to escape. Their bodies were unnatural, shifting, screaming, their forms barely holding together as they slammed against the barriers.

    The soldiers gritted their teeth, their golden weapons striking out with radiant energy, slicing through the beasts that managed to slip through.

    One soldier barked orders. ¡°Hold the line! Reinforce the barricades!¡±

    Another grunted as he pushed his hands forward, golden chains lashing out and wrapping around one of the creatures. ¡°It¡¯s breaking through! I need more reinforcement here!¡±

    A third soldier, standing on a raised platform, observed the battlefield grimly. ¡°We can¡¯t keep patching the barricades forever. At this rate, we should inform the king¡­¡±

    The beasts roared, their red-rot-covered bodies thrashing violently against the golden defenses.

    Sethrak¡¯s eyes narrowed, his claws flexing.

    Zyphira swallowed hard, her fingers still nervously scratching at her arm.

    Gunthr, meanwhile, was staring at the chaos with his mouth agape. ¡°Oooookay. So. Uh. This is slightly worse than I thought. I forgot to tell you that they aren¡¯t really LETTING anyone in, and were no exception. We just know that those beaters are not like normal abominations we¡¯ve seen in other continents!¡±

    His guildmates nodded furiously.

    Draeven took a cautious step back. ¡°S-so¡­ what now?¡±

    Sethrak exhaled slowly, eyes locked on the cursed region ahead.

    The night was thick with tension, the cursed region pulsing with an eerie, unnatural energy. The grotesque chimera-like abominations slammed against the golden barricades, their twisted forms writhing in desperation. The soldiers fought valiantly, their golden weapons flashing in the dark, but the cracks in the defenses were widening.

    Then, the inevitable happened.

    With a sickening CRACK, a section of the barrier shattered like brittle glass. From the rupture, something wrong emerged.

    The beast that stepped through was unlike the others¡ªa towering monstrosity of shifting, semi-corporeal flesh, a grotesque fusion of a horse¡¯s powerful frame, a deer¡¯s hauntingly empty sockets and branching, rotting antlers, the muscular limbs of a lion, and the disproportionate, twitching ears of a rabbit. Its body was soaked in red rot, the putrid substance sloughing off its skin in thick, bubbling patches, revealing something dark and writhing beneath.

    Its form flickered between the physical and the spectral, its shape never staying the same for long. Its gaping maw was lined with jagged, uneven teeth, dripping with a substance that hissed upon contact with the ground.

    One of the soldiers barely had time to scream before the creature lunged.

    With a wet, bone-snapping CRUNCH, the beast sank its teeth into the man¡¯s torso, biting through him like he was nothing more than paper. Blood sprayed in a grotesque arc, painting the ground in thick crimson. The soldier¡¯s upper half dangled for a moment, his eyes frozen in shock, before the monstrosity ripped him apart, his entrails spilling out like tangled ropes.

    Another soldier swung his golden blade, but the creature twisted unnaturally, its elongated limbs bending in ways that should have been impossible. It lashed out with a hoofed leg, caving in the man¡¯s skull with a sickening pop before trampling over his twitching corpse.

    The screams of dying men filled the night, the wet slaps of flesh and the crunch of bones mingling with the chimeric beast¡¯s guttural, echoing growl.

    Sethrak exhaled sharply, his pupils narrowing to razor slits.

    "Draeven."

    Draeven nodded.

    Then, in a rapid shift of quick motion, he was gone.

    A streak of m smoke shot forward, twisting unnaturally through the battlefield. The wraps covering Draeven¡¯s body lashed out like whips, snapping against the air as he materialized in front of the beast.

    The creature barely had time to react before Draeven struck.

    His first hit¡ªa palm strike to its shifting ribcage¡ªsent shockwaves through its spectral-physical body, disrupting its form.

    ¡®An astral physical body¡­this creature is from the astral world..but why here..? How could a spiritual being become rotten? To this core and degree?¡¯If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    The second¡ªa whip-like lash of his wraps, coiling around its antlers and yanking¡ªsnapped one of them clean off, sending black-red ichor splattering into the air.

    The beast roared, swiping its massive clawed hoof at him. Draeven twisted, his body bending at an unnatural angle as he swiftly ducked under the attack, his movements as fluid as smoke itself.

    His third attack¡ªa rapid spinning kick¡ªconnected with the beast¡¯s midsection, its unstable form flickering violently as cracks of red rot spread across its body.

    The fourth and final hit¡­

    Draeven¡¯s fist shot forward, piercing through the creature¡¯s chest.

    For a moment, there was silence.

    Then¡ª

    BOOM.

    The beast detonated, its body erupting in a violent explosion of black smoke and red rot. The force of the blast sent debris flying, the shockwave rippling through the battlefield.

    The soldiers who had witnessed the display stood frozen, their golden weapons trembling in their hands.

    "Who is that?" one of them whispered.

    Before anyone could answer, Draeven darted ahead, his body flickering like a shadow. He reappeared amidst the chaos, his fist slamming into a wave of chimera-beasts, sending them flying back in a cascade of shattered limbs and wailing cries.

    The soldiers, snapping out of their stupor, seized the opportunity.

    "Rebuild the barrier!" one of the officers shouted. ¡°This one¡¯s strong!¡±

    The golden barricade began to reform, the soldiers pouring their magic into the broken sections, sealing the cursed region once more.

    As the battle settled, Sethrak turned his attention to Zyphira.

    She was still biting her nails, her other hand scratching her arm softly, her eyes fixed on something ahead.

    Sethrak frowned. "What¡¯s wrong?"

    Zyphira¡¯s fingers trembled slightly as she whispered, "¡­Father."

    Sethrak followed her gaze.

    And then he saw him.

    King Alaric.

    The man stood near the barricades, his steel-fitted mask held loosely in one hand. His brownish-white hair was disheveled, strands falling across his face. But it was his eyes that caught Sethrak¡¯s attention.

    Deep brown, but not normal.

    Thin slits in his pupils, like a predator¡¯s.

    And within his irises¡­ runes.

    Golden runes, shifting and twisting, etched into his very being. Arcane symbols of power, knowledge, and something ancient. They pulsed faintly, as if alive.

    His attire¡ªregal browns and golds, once opulent and untouchable¡ªwas now dirty, worn, and full of holes. A king¡¯s robes reduced to mere fabric, stained with sweat and dust.

    Sethrak and Alaric locked eyes.

    A long, silent stare.

    Then, Alaric spoke.

    "Son." His voice was hoarse, tired. His gaze flicked to Zyphira. "Daughter¡ª"

    KATHOOM.

    Sethrak¡¯s fist collided with Alaric¡¯s face, the impact sending the king flying backward. Alaric¡¯s body skidded across the ground, tearing through dirt and debris before coming to a stop.

    Gasps rippled through the soldiers.

    A few of them immediately rushed forward, weapons drawn.

    "You dare attack the king?!" one of them roared. ¡°Kill them!¡±

    Before they could strike, a shadow loomed over them.

    Draeven.

    His wraps uncoiled slightly, and his voice¡ªlow, steady, and dangerous¡ªcut through the air like a blade.

    "You¡¯re not touching them.¡±

    The soldiers hesitated.

    There was something unnerving in the way Draeven spoke. A quiet, subtle menace that sent a shiver down their spines.

    Slowly, the soldiers lowered their weapons, though their hands still trembled over their hilts.

    Meanwhile, Zyphira remained still.

    Her fingers continued to scratch at her arm, but it wasn¡¯t fear that held her frozen.

    It was something else.

    ¡®Father..¡¯

    The air was thick with tension, the scent of blood and rot mingling in the night. The golden-armored soldiers surrounding them gripped their weapons tightly, their muscles tensed, their eyes filled with fury and uncertainty. Sethrak stood over Alaric¡¯s fallen form, his fists clenched, his chest rising and falling with slow, controlled breaths.

    Then, the first soldier made his move.

    "You dare strike the king?!" a soldier snarled, raising his golden spear, its intricate engravings glowing with divine energy.

    Several soldiers lunged, some hesitating as they glanced at their comrades still struggling to hold back the horrors beyond the barricade.

    Draeven exhaled sharply.

    The moment the first spear thrust toward him, Draeven shifted. His body moved between the golden strikes like flowing water, his motions precise, efficient, and effortless. His wraps shot out, snaking around the soldiers in a flurry of rapid movements, coiling around their weapons, their limbs, their necks.

    One by one, their bodies jerked as Draeven yanked back, pulling them toward himself, their armor clanking as they were forcibly reeled in. The wraps tightened, binding them together, each strand connected to Draeven¡¯s arm like he was pulling an intricate web into place.

    The soldiers struggled, their radiant weapons flickering as they tried to free themselves.

    Then, the ground trembled beneath approaching steps.

    A massive soldier, clad in reinforced golden plate, charged forward at unnatural speed, his colossal golden weapon¡ªa halberd infused with glowing sigils¡ªswinging with immense force.

    Draeven¡¯s eyes flicked toward him.

    The soldier brought the halberd down with a deafening crash.

    Draeven reacted instantly.

    His foot shot up, stopping the colossal weapon mid-swing, the force of impact dispersing in a shockwave. The massive soldier barely had time to register what had happened before Draeven pressed his palm against his stomach, planted his other foot on the back of the man¡¯s head, and twisted hard.

    The sheer speed of the movement sent the soldier¡¯s head *slamming* into the dirt with a brutal crack, the force of the impact leaving a deep crater in the ground.

    Draeven didn¡¯t even glance at the broken body. He simply released the struggling soldiers from his wraps, letting them collapse in a tangled heap.

    ¡°Oh no..I didn¡¯t kill him did I?¡± Draeven said with actual regret, but then saw that he wasn¡¯t dead and he released a sigh.

    The battlefield was a chaotic swarm of magic, monstrous roars, and golden steel clashing against abominable flesh. Draeven moved like a ghost among the chaos, ducking and weaving between strikes from Alaric¡¯s soldiers. His wraps lashed out like serpents, deflecting blows or wrapping around weapons to disarm his attackers. His movements were precise and cold, each step and strike a calculated masterpiece of combat.

    Gunthr stood off to the side, nervously watching as Draeven danced through the fray, his guildmates clinging to him like frightened children. Every time Draeven effortlessly dodged another attack, Gunthr took a step back, muttering to himself.

    "Why¡­ why do I keep getting involved with people like this?" he whispered, beads of sweat forming on his brow.

    ¡°That guy''s got moves,¡± one of Gunthr¡¯s guildmates said, his voice trembling. ¡°Think he could teach us?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯d kill us before the first lesson!¡± the other hissed.

    As they bickered, a sudden and imposing voice cut through the chaos, silencing the battlefield.

    ¡°Enough!¡±

    The heavy, rhythmic sound of boots against the earth echoed as Commander Grandbelle stepped forward, his presence demanding immediate attention. The soldiers parted for him, their golden weapons lowering slightly as they made way for their commander.

    Grandbelle was a sight to behold¡ªtall, broad-shouldered, and radiating an aura of authority. His long, jet-black hair was pulled back into a thick, neat braid that fell just past his shoulders, with a few loose strands framing his angular face. His hazel eyes glimmered with a molten gold hue, sharp and unflinching, like the gaze of a predator sizing up its prey. A faint scar ran diagonally across his left cheek, a reminder of battles long past, but it only added to his intimidating presence.

    His armor was immaculate, a shining masterpiece of golden plating adorned with intricate engravings of suns and roaring lions. Every piece of his armor seemed alive with magic, faint golden light emanating from the etchings, pulsing in time with his movements. Draped across his shoulders was a heavy brown and gold cape, its edges frayed from years of use but still regal in appearance.

    But it was the weapon in his hand that truly commanded attention. At first glance, it appeared to be a golden firearm, its sleek design covered in runes that shimmered faintly under the moonlight. As Grandbelle approached, he twisted his grip, and the weapon began to shift, its components unfolding and rearranging with a series of metallic clicks. In seconds, the gun transformed into a massive five-sided blade. The golden edges of the weapon dripped with liquid gold, which fell to the ground in heavy drops, sizzling and burning into the dirt like molten metal.

    Grandbelle¡¯s eyes locked onto Gunthr, then shifted to Draeven, narrowing sharply.

    ¡°You there,¡± he barked, pointing the massive blade at Draeven. ¡°The one wrapped in tissue!¡±

    Draeven, mid-dodge, paused just long enough to glance at the commander with the faintest hint of annoyance. His voice tanged with unease and awkwardness, as he replied, ¡°It¡¯s not tissue. It¡¯s seals.¡±

    Gunthr, who had been trying to stay as inconspicuous as possible, froze as Grandbelle¡¯s piercing gaze turned to him. His face paled as the commander took a step toward him, his golden blade gleaming ominously.

    ¡°Gunthr! You¡¯re with them?¡± Grandbelle¡¯s voice thundered, his tone leaving no room for excuses.

    Gunthr immediately threw up his hands, his guildmates doing the same. ¡°Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold on a second! Let¡¯s not jump to conclusions here! And why come after me?! Get the one actually kicking your men¡¯s ass! I¡¯m just standing here!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re not with them!¡± one of his guildmates chimed in, his voice shaking.

    ¡°We were kidnapped!¡± the other added, his hands trembling as he pointed accusingly at Draeven. Lying.

    ¡°Oh wow,¡± Draeven said, his voice still flat but with a hint of sarcasm.

    Grandbelle¡¯s eyes narrowed further. He wasn¡¯t buying it. ¡°I just needed an excuse to take you down, you always annoyed me, even the day I first met you, begging the king for gold. This city is built on your worth, and if you¡¯re not willing to show it, you don¡¯t deserve to live!¡±

    Before anyone could react, the commander charged forward, his golden boots cracking the earth beneath them. Gunthr stumbled backward, holding his hands up in panic.

    ¡°That¡¯s a little extreme! And it seems like you¡¯re only saying that so you don¡¯t have to fight Draeven! But l wait! WAIT!¡± he stuttered, his knees buckling under the weight of the commander¡¯s presence.

    Then, to everyone¡¯s shock, Gunthr dropped to all fours. His body tensed, his chest expanding as he took in a deep, shuddering breath. His guildmates scrambled back, their eyes wide with confusion.

    ¡®I guess it can¡¯t be helped.¡¯

    Gunthr¡¯s voice erupted in a deep, guttural yell that echoed across the battlefield.

    ¡°BUUUUULLLLLLLL!!!¡±

    The air around him rippled as a surge of raw magic exploded outward. The ground beneath him cracked and sizzled as a thick aura of black energy enveloped his body. Slowly, the outline of a massive black bull began to take shape around him. Its horns were jagged and twisted, its eyes glowing with an eerie crimson light. The bull¡¯s form pulsed with power, its hooves stomping against the ground with enough force to send tremors through the earth.

    Gunthr¡¯s skin darkened, volcanic ash spreading across his body like a second layer of flesh. Cracks formed along his arms and face, glowing with fiery magma that oozed out like molten veins. Steam hissed from his body as the intense heat warped the air around him.

    Draeven paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the transformation. ¡°Well¡­ that¡¯s new.¡±

    Grandbelle, however, remained unfazed. His molten gaze locked onto Gunthr, and his voice was as steady as ever.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter what dragon god is giving you power. I¡¯ll cut it down all the same.¡±

    Gunthr¡¯s guildmates, far from scared, immediately began hyping him up.

    ¡°Our boss is incredible!¡± one of them shouted, clapping enthusiastically.

    ¡°Absolutely unstoppable! The greatest of all time!¡± the other added, practically bowing.

    Gunthr stood up slowly, steam rising from his volcanic skin. He clenched his fists, magma dripping from the cracks in his knuckles as he stared down Grandbelle. ¡°I don¡¯t want to fight royalty,¡± he said, his voice deep and resonating like a thunderclap. ¡°But I refuse to die here. I have a business to run! Gold is waiting for me. No¡ªgold is calling for me. It¡¯s reaching out, begging for me to return! Usually I would run from fighting others, but if I have something I finally have, like my business, I¡¯m gonna defend my honor! I finally have something to fight for!¡±

    He turned to his guildmates, raising an eyebrow. ¡°How was that? Was that good?¡±

    His guildmates immediately erupted in applause, nodding furiously.

    ¡°Inspirational!¡± one of them said.

    ¡°A speech for the ages!¡± the other declared, practically in tears.

    ¡°Gold itself is shedding tears of joy!¡±

    Gunthr beamed, clearly proud of himself. He turned to Draeven, expecting at least a small nod of approval.

    Draeven stared at him for a moment, completely deadpan. Then, in the flattest voice imaginable, he said, ¡°Traitor.¡±

    ¡°Aww man I didn¡¯t MEAN to say you kidnapped us.¡±

    The battlefield erupted as Commander Grandbelle lunged forward, his golden blade dripping with molten liquid, its edges hissing through the air like a burning brand of judgment. Gunthr, his body still radiating with volcanic ash and magma, braced himself, his fiery aura flaring in defiance. The charging commander was a blur of ferocity, his weapon already shifting mid-flight, collapsing into its firearm form with a series of metallic clicks. The barrel ignited with golden energy, and in one seamless motion, Grandbelle fired a blinding shot that screamed through the air like a comet.

    Gunthr twisted to the side, his horns glowing with a searing crimson light as the ground beneath him cracked from the surge of his magic. The golden projectile exploded behind him, showering the battlefield with molten sparks, but Gunthr didn¡¯t falter. Instead, he lowered his head, his horns carving through the air as he charged forward with the force of an avalanche.

    Grandbelle spun, his cape whipping around him as his firearm expanded back into the massive five-sided blade. The commander slashed downward, meeting Gunthr¡¯s charge head-on. The impact was cataclysmic, a shockwave ripping through the ground as molten gold clashed against volcanic fury. Gunthr skidded back, his hooves grinding against the earth, but he planted his feet firmly, his magma-encrusted fists slamming into the ground to steady himself.

    Grandbelle didn¡¯t let up. With a roar, he vaulted into the air, spinning with impossible precision, his blade carving an intricate crescent of golden light through the sky. Gunthr leapt back just in time, the golden arc cleaving the ground where he had stood, leaving a glowing scar of molten earth.

    ¡°Is that all you¡¯ve got, Commander?¡± Gunthr shouted, his voice rumbling like an earthquake. His horns surged with fiery energy, and with a violent toss of his head, he unleashed a barrage of molten projectiles that streaked toward Grandbelle like shooting stars.

    Grandbelle didn¡¯t flinch. With a fluid motion, he twisted his weapon back into firearm form, the barrel spinning as he fired shot after shot, each golden projectile colliding with Gunthr¡¯s molten attacks mid-air. The sky lit up with explosions, the battlefield drowning in a storm of fire and gold.

    ¡°Gunthr, you¡¯re amazing!¡± one of his guildmates screamed from the sidelines.

    ¡°You¡¯re unstoppable, boss!¡± the other cheered, practically jumping up and down.

    Gunthr grinned, his molten aura intensifying. ¡°You hear that? I¡¯ve got fans, Commander!¡±

    ¡°Damn your fans to Hell along with you!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s harsh.¡±

    Grandbelle growled, his form blurring as he surged forward again, his blade reforming in the blink of an eye. He spun with blinding speed, his strikes ferocious and unrelenting. Each swing of his weapon left trails of golden light that carved through the air with devastating precision. Gunthr ducked, twisted, and vaulted over the strikes, his movements surprisingly agile for his massive frame.

    At one point, Grandbelle¡¯s blade came within inches of Gunthr¡¯s throat, but Gunthr leaned back into a seamless somersault, his horns glowing as he whipped his head forward mid-flip. A wave of molten energy erupted from his horns, forcing Grandbelle to brace himself as the fiery blast slammed into him, pushing him back several feet.

    ¡°You think raw power will save you, bull?¡± Grandbelle spat, his voice sharp and commanding.

    ¡°No,¡± Gunthr said with a smirk, lowering his head. ¡°But it sure helps.¡±

    With a bellowing roar, Gunthr charged again, his horns blazing with fiery runes. The ground beneath him shattered as he barreled forward, his form wreathed in a swirling vortex of molten ash and flame. Grandbelle planted his feet, his blade raised, but Gunthr¡¯s charge was relentless.

    At the last second, Grandbelle sidestepped, twisting his blade downward in an attempt to cleave Gunthr¡¯s side. But Gunthr anticipated the move, his body twisting mid-charge as his horns slashed upward. The molten energy coating his horns clashed with Grandbelle¡¯s blade, creating an explosive burst of heat and golden light that sent both combatants flying back.

    Gunthr skidded to a halt, his feet digging trenches into the ground. Grandbelle landed with a roll, immediately springing back to his feet with the grace of a predator. His weapon shifted again, the blade retracting into a compact, cannon-like form. Without hesitation, he fired a series of rapid golden blasts, each one aimed with deadly precision.

    Gunthr leapt into the air, twisting his body as the golden projectiles streaked past him, exploding in a cascade of molten sparks. Mid-air, Gunthr¡¯s horns ignited with fiery runes, and with a violent toss of his head, he unleashed a spiraling wave of molten energy downward.

    Grandbelle vaulted to the side, the molten wave carving into the ground where he had stood. But Gunthr was already on him, landing with a seismic crash that sent fissures of magma racing toward the commander. Grandbelle barely managed to leap away, but as he landed, Gunthr was there, his molten fists swinging in a flurry of devastating strikes.

    Each punch was like a hammer blow, the air rippling with heat as Gunthr¡¯s magma-coated fists clashed against Grandbelle¡¯s blade. Sparks flew as the two traded blows in a seamless exchange of power and precision, their movements fluid and ferocious.

    Gunthr spun, his horns carving through the air as he aimed a devastating strike at Grandbelle¡¯s midsection. The commander parried with a swift upward slash, but Gunthr used the momentum to vault over him, twisting mid-air to deliver a fiery kick to Grandbelle¡¯s back. The commander stumbled forward, but he recovered quickly, spinning with his blade in a wide arc.

    Gunthr ducked under the strike, his horns glowing as he retaliated with a ferocious upward slash that sent a wave of molten energy crashing into Grandbelle. The commander braced himself, his golden blade absorbing most of the impact, but the force still sent him sliding back.

    ¡°You¡¯re not bad, Commander,¡± Gunthr said, his molten aura flaring brighter. ¡°But I¡¯m not losing today. Gold is waiting for me!¡±

    With a final bellow, Gunthr charged again, his entire body wreathed in volcanic energy. Grandbelle met him head-on, his golden blade glowing with celestial light. The two clashed in an explosion of fire and gold, the battlefield trembling under the force of their collision.

    For a moment, it seemed like neither would give in. But then, with a sudden burst of strength, Gunthr slammed his horns into Grandbelle¡¯s blade, shattering the weapon¡¯s magical energy in a blinding flash.

    Grandbelle staggered, his weapon reforming, but it was too late. Gunthr spun, his horns glowing as he delivered a devastating blow to the commander¡¯s chest, sending him flying back and crashing into the ground with a thunderous impact.

    The battlefield fell silent, the air thick with heat and molten sparks. Gunthr stood tall, his molten aura flickering as he grinned.

    ¡°Boss, you did it!¡± one of his guildmates shouted, running forward.

    ¡°The greatest of all time!¡± the other cheered, practically bowing.

    Gunthr turned to Draeven, who stood frozen, his expression unreadable.

    ¡°Well?¡± Gunthr asked, still grinning.

    Draeven blinked, then said flatly, ¡°Traitor.¡±

    Gunthr groaned, rubbing his face. ¡°You¡¯re impossible.¡±

    The battle was over, and the guildmates swarmed their victorious leader, cheering him like the legend he now believed himself to be. But the soldiers still weren¡¯t happy.

 Chapter 83: Rage Of The Goddess

    Meanwhile, Sethrak was already moving.  With soldiers dashing after him, dozens of them.

    Sethrak¡¯s claws dug into Alaric¡¯s collar, yanking him up with raw, unfiltered rage.

    "You think I¡¯ve forgotten?" Sethrak growled, his voice shaking, his pupils razor-thin.

    Alaric didn¡¯t respond.

    Sethrak slammed him into the nearest tree, the impact causing the bark to explode outward. Before Alaric could recover, Sethrak *ripped* him from the shattered trunk and hurled him into another, the force sending cracks spider webbing through the wood.

    "You think I don¡¯t remember what you did?!" Sethrak roared, his voice a mixture of fury and something deeper¡ªsomething raw and broken.

    Alaric barely had time to stagger before Sethrak was on him again.

    He drove his knee into Alaric¡¯s ribs, the sickening sound of bones giving way filling the air. He followed up with a vicious elbow strike to the jaw, snapping Alaric¡¯s head to the side before grabbing him by the throat and *slamming* him down into the forest floor, dirt and debris flying into the air.

    "You tried to take advantage of Zyphira," Sethrak spat, his voice venomous. "She was a child!"

    Alaric coughed, blood spilling from his lips, but his expression remained disturbingly blank.

    Sethrak wasn¡¯t done.

    He raked his sharp fingers down Alaric¡¯s chest, cutting through flesh like paper, carving deep, jagged wounds into his skin. The golden flames licking at Sethrak¡¯s hands seared into the wounds, the scent of burning flesh filling the air.

    "Do you know what it¡¯s like," Sethrak growled, his voice quieter now, but no less dangerous, "To never once think about yourself? To never have dreams? To never have goals?"

    Alaric said nothing.

    Sethrak¡¯s grip tightened. He lifted Alaric and threw him.

    Alaric¡¯s body crashed through a thick tree, snapping it in half before slamming into the rocky hillside beyond. Blood trailed behind him, staining the ground in thick streaks.

    Sethrak marched forward, his golden flames intensifying, his claws twitching with rage.

    "I never had a choice," he muttered, his voice shaking. "I never had time to care about what I wanted. I spent my whole life worrying about Zyphira. About keeping her safe. About making sure she didn¡¯t..."

    His breath hitched, his jaw tightening.

    "...didn¡¯t break."

    Alaric sat slumped against the boulder, blood dripping from his mouth. His once-opulent robes were now completely tattered, his body battered and torn.

    But his expression remained cold.

    Sethrak¡¯s fists clenched. The golden flames consuming his hands flared violently.

    "I let her drink herself to sleep every night," he admitted, his voice quieter now. "I let her bury herself in anything that could make her forget. I thought¡­ I thought if I let her do it, I was helping her. That if she could just forget, then maybe¡­"

    His jaw tightened.

    "But I was wrong," he whispered. "She wasn¡¯t healing. She wasn¡¯t living. I let her drown herself in a false escape, all because I thought it was better than the alternative. I could¡¯ve helped her..put a stop to it. My dumbass thought I was helping her.

    He exhaled shakily, his eyes burning.

    "But Zyphira isn¡¯t meant to forget." His voice hardened. "She¡¯s meant to fight. She¡¯s meant to be something in this world. And I¡ª"

    He took another step forward.

    "I spent so long trying to protect her that I never realized I was just holding her back."

    Alaric finally lifted his gaze.

    Sethrak¡¯s teeth bared in fury as he lunged.

    His fist collided with Alaric¡¯s face, the golden flames bursting outward from the impact. The force sent Alaric through the boulder behind him, his body tumbling violently across the dirt before coming to a stop.

    Blood coated the ground.

    Alaric¡¯s body was motionless, his form slumped, his head tilted downward.

    But there was no expression on his face.

    No pain.

    No anger.

    Nothing.

    Sethrak stood over him, his breaths ragged, his golden flames still flickering in the cold night air.

    Sethrak stood over his father, fists clenched, his breath ragged. The golden flames around his hands had dimmed, but the rage still burned within him.

    He raised his fist and brought it down¡ªagain, and again. Each strike sent blood splattering across the dirt, Alaric¡¯s body jerking with every impact. The once-mighty king didn¡¯t resist, didn¡¯t move to defend himself. He just lay there, allowing his son to unleash every ounce of fury he had buried for years.

    Sethrak¡¯s punches slowed.

    Behind him, the sound of hurried footsteps approached¡ªZyphira.

    She was running toward him, her breath uneven, her arms tensed as if unsure whether to stop him or let him continue. But something in her movements made him pause.

    ¡®Why¡­? Why am I not doing anything¡­? If he kills him before I get to say anything¡­am I wrong? What would I even say..? I contemplated this when we first reached J?rvaldr¡­and I still can¡¯t really come up with anything¡­¡¯ Zyphira thought.

    Still gripping his father¡¯s collar, Sethrak¡¯s voice cracked as he cried out¡ª

    ¡°¡­What about me?"

    Zyphira slowed to a stop.

    The soldiers all came, and King Alaric heels his hand up at them, telling them, ¡°Do not come any closer, as your king commands it.¡±

    They did stop, and nodded with sweat beading from their foreheads. Of course they wanted to at least keep their weapons and magic pointed, just for safety measures.

    Sethrak¡¯s grip tightened, his claws digging into the torn fabric of Alaric¡¯s robes. His shoulders trembled as a single tear slipped down his cheek, disappearing into the bloodstained dirt below.

    "Why was I such a bad brother?" he whispered, his voice hoarse. "Why did I have to be so ignorant before?"

    His chest heaved.

    "You did this to me," he growled, shaking Alaric slightly. "You made me feel like I had no place in this world. You made me believe I couldn¡¯t have dreams or aspirations because I had to be her protector. You took everything from me¡ªeverything!"

    ¡®But why does it fee like I regret watching over her?! I don¡¯t wanna think that¡­I fucking don¡¯t!¡¯

    His fist pulled back again, ready to strike.

    But then¡ª

    His eyes locked onto his father¡¯s.

    For a moment, the past bled into the present.

    Sethrak remembered those eyes. Those same brown eyes, once filled with something else¡ªsomething dark, something lustful.

    The same eyes that had looked at Zyphira all those years ago.

    His rage reignited.

    A violent snarl tore from his throat¡ª

    But instead of striking his father, Sethrak swung his fist downward, slamming it into the ground with a thunderous impact, letting out a scream, The earth beneath them cracked from the sheer force, dirt and debris exploding into the air.

    He let out a ragged yell, his voice filled with frustration, pain, and something deeper.

    Silence fell over the battlefield.

    Nearby, Draeven and a few soldiers stood watching, their faces unreadable. Some of the soldiers still clutched their weapons, unsure whether to intervene or simply let the moment unfold.

    But Gunthr and his guild made a run for it quickly, leaving the area.

    Sethrak didn¡¯t look at them.

    He turned away from Alaric, his gaze locked onto the ground. His hands trembled as they curled into fists.

    "Maybe¡­ maybe it¡¯s my fault," he muttered.

    Zyphira¡¯s breath hitched.

    Sethrak exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Maybe I should have just let go. Maybe if I had forgotten about it all, I wouldn¡¯t have to become a Tyrant. Not that integer it though. The Tyrants are better annoying bastards then you¡¯ll ever be.¡±

    He let out a bitter laugh.

    "I ran to Yuuna and the Tyrants because I didn¡¯t know how to be a good brother. I let my pride get in the way. I never asked anyone how to properly care for someone. I thought if I watched how the Tyrants worked, I¡¯d understand. Maybe even learn.¡±

    His fingers dug into his palms.

    "I acted like I had everything figured out. I put on this face for people, this arrogant, untouchable mask¡ªbecause if I didn¡¯t, they¡¯d see what was really going on. I saw how much I¡¯ve been failing. It sucked¡­I acted prideful so much that I let it become my personality..¡±

    Slowly, Alaric moved.

    Sethrak turned just in time to see the former king rise to his feet.

    His movements were slow, unsteady. Blood continued to drip from his wounds, staining the remnants of his royal attire.

    Then, Alaric turned his back to them.

    Sethrak¡¯s eyes narrowed.

    That¡¯s when he saw them.

    Old stab wounds.

    Scars that ran deep, crisscrossing his back like a history written in flesh. Some had faded over time, but others were fresher, as if reopened again and again.

    Alaric¡¯s voice broke the silence.

    "After that night," he began, "I sent search parties. Every day. Every night. For months."

    Sethrak and Zyphira both stiffened.

    "I looked for you," Alaric continued, his voice calm, but not devoid of emotion. "I searched until I realized¡­ maybe it was better this way."

    His shoulders rose and fell with slow, measured breaths.

    "For years, I felt nothing but sadness. It consumed me. I became stricter with the kingdom. I ruled with a heavier hand. I thought if I could control everything, I wouldn¡¯t have to think about what I had lost. This kingdom has always been a kingdom of worth, to prove yourself to Vuben, to yourselves, and to me. I felt like a Tyrant myself. After much thought, I figured my worth wasn¡¯t as valuable as I sought it out to be. For me to try and take advantage of a child? My own daughter? How much value was I worth? If I was a piece of gold, would it be rotten? Or would it be flawless? It would¡¯ve been neither. It wouldn¡¯t have even been brought up, brought up to sell, nor to melt. There is gold in this world that has no value, and I realized..even if I am a vessel of a dragon god, then I¡¯m no better than a piece of dirt.¡±This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

    Sethrak¡¯s fists clenched.

    Alaric slowly turned back to face them.

    "I let my servants pierce me every year as punishment," he admitted. "For what I did. For what I almost did to your dear sister. My dear daughter..¡±

    Zyphira¡¯s expression remained unreadable. She had stopped scratching her arm, but her fingers twitched slightly, as if resisting the urge.

    She thought, ¡®He has to be lying¡­right? He¡¯s smart, and he¡¯s always been good at it..this isn¡¯t going how u thought it would¡­I can¡¯t say I hate it¡­¡¯

    Alaric¡¯s gaze softened just slightly.

    "I thought I was doing the right thing," he said, almost to himself. "I thought¡­ I was preparing her to rule. That if I made her a woman at a young age, she would be ready to stand by your side as a co-ruler."

    Sethrak¡¯s stomach churned.

    He felt sick.

    Alaric inhaled deeply.

    Then, in a slow, deliberate motion, he raised his hand.

    He drew blood from his thumb, then wiped it across his neck.

    A solemn oath.

    "I swear¡ªI am sorry for everything." His voice was steady, unwavering. "And if you wish to kill me for what I¡¯ve done¡­ then do it. I would feel at peace knowing it was you who ended my life."

    Silence.

    Sethrak and Zyphira stood motionless.  They knew this blood oath has been there for years, those who mark their own necks with blood meant: if they are lying and they know it themselves, they had to allow the person their lying to, to end them.

    Neither spoke.

    Neither moved.

    For years, they had dreamed of this moment.

    But now that it was here¡­

    They felt something else entirely.

    ¡®The fuck is happening¡­?¡¯

    Sethrak stood there, fists clenched, his breath heavy. His golden flames flickered, casting an eerie glow against the bloodied ground. Alaric¡¯s words rang in his ears¡ªhis father, standing there, his back exposed, covered in scars both fresh and old.

    The silence between them stretched, thick with tension and something deeper.

    Then Sethrak exhaled, his voice low, almost a whisper.

    "You think saying you''re sorry changes anything?"

    Alaric didn¡¯t turn around.

    Sethrak took a step forward, his hands trembling. "You say you punished yourself. That every year, you let them pierce you, that you became stricter with your rule, that you felt something." His voice wavered between fury and something dangerously close to sorrow. "But you don¡¯t understand, do you?"

    His jaw tightened, his teeth grinding together. "You don¡¯t understand what you did to me."

    Alaric remained silent.

    Sethrak¡¯s breath hitched. He closed his eyes for a moment, and the memories surged forward¡ªunbidden, raw, and unrelenting.

    Sethrak¡¯s fingers twitched. His claws flexed, his golden flames flaring slightly before dimming again.

    "You made me feel like I didn¡¯t exist," Sethrak said, his voice hoarse. "Like I didn¡¯t matter."

    Alaric exhaled slowly but didn¡¯t turn to face him.

    "You ruined me," Sethrak continued, his voice gaining strength, his words carrying the weight of years of silence, years of restraint, years of pain. "I never got to be a child. I never got to dream, to think about what I wanted to be, because I couldn¡¯t afford to. I had to protect Zyphira. I had to make sure she was okay, even at the cost of everything else."

    His claws dug into his palms. "You think I wanted to become this? You think I wanted to be the kind of person who doesn¡¯t know how to live for himself?"

    His breathing was heavy now, his chest rising and falling rapidly. "Every day, I woke up thinking about her. Every night, I wondered if I had done enough. If she was safe. If she was still her. I was so busy making sure she didn¡¯t break that I never realized..."

    His voice faltered.

    "...that I was breaking too."

    Alaric finally turned his head slightly, just enough to glance at his son from the corner of his eye.

    Sethrak let out a bitter chuckle. "I never told her, you know? I never told Zyphira how angry I was. How much I wanted to just stop caring. But I couldn¡¯t. Because if I let go, if I stopped worrying about her, then who the hell was I? What else did I have? What kind of brother would I be?¡±

    He shook his head. "I let her drink herself into oblivion because I thought¡ªit¡¯s fine, right? As long as she¡¯s not thinking about it, then maybe she won¡¯t feel it. I let her throw herself into distractions because I thought I was helping."

    His fists clenched.

    "But I wasn¡¯t helping. I was just letting her drown in a different way."

    His voice cracked slightly. "And the worst part? I didn¡¯t even know how to stop it."

    He exhaled sharply, forcing himself to meet his father¡¯s gaze; The words hung between them, heavy and unshakable.

    Sethrak¡¯s shoulders sagged slightly, the weight of everything pressing down on him. "I thought if I acted like I had everything figured out, if I made myself untouchable, then no one would see the truth."

    He looked down at his hands¡ªthe same hands he had used to beat his father senseless just minutes ago.

    "But the truth is¡ªI don¡¯t know who I am without my anger. Without my guilt. Without her."

    Alaric remained still.

    Then, slowly, he turned around.

    Sethrak¡¯s eyes narrowed as he took in his father¡¯s face¡ªbloodied, bruised, but still unreadable.

    He looked up at the sky.

    The stars were distant pinpricks of cold light, indifferent to the pain that weighed down the earth below. Sethrak¡¯s breath slowed, his fists unclenching as his arms hung limp at his sides. His thoughts swirled, chaotic and relentless, like a storm he couldn¡¯t stop.

    ¡®Why can¡¯t I just end this?¡¯ He thought, his eyes narrowing. ¡®Why can¡¯t I just kill him? After everything he did, after everything he took from us¡­ why does this feel so... wrong?¡¯

    The words Alaric had spoken earlier echoed in his mind like a haunting refrain. "I am sorry. And if you wish to kill me, I will accept it."

    Sethrak clenched his jaw, his teeth grinding as the memories clawed their way to the surface.

    For years, Sethrak had built himself around his hatred. It was the foundation of everything he had become. Every fight, every battle, every step he had taken¡ªit had all been a means to an end. A way to finally have the strength to destroy the man who had ruined their lives.

    But now, as he stood there, something else was gnawing at him.

    ¡®Why is revenge a privilege¡­ while adversity isn¡¯t?¡¯

    The thought came unbidden, and it hit him like a blow to the chest.

    He bit the inside of his cheek, his fists clenching again as he tried to shove the thought away. But it wouldn¡¯t leave.

    ¡®Why do I get to stand here, thinking about whether or not to kill him, while Zyphira had no choice but to live with what he did? Why do I get to choose revenge, while she had to choose survival? Why is revenge something I can take but everything else has been taken from her?¡¯

    His nails dug into his palms, hard enough to draw blood, but the pain didn¡¯t ground him. It only made the knot in his chest tighten.

    And then, another thought slipped into his mind, one that made his stomach twist.

    ¡®Why can¡¯t I be more like him?¡¯

    The moment the thought formed, Sethrak froze. His breath caught in his throat, his heart pounding in his chest.

    ¡®What the hell am I thinking?¡¯

    He shook his head, trying to banish the idea, but it lingered, persistent and cruel.

    ¡®Why can¡¯t I be more like him?¡¯

    It didn¡¯t make sense. It shouldn¡¯t make sense. After everything Alaric had done, after all the pain he had caused, how could Sethrak even think about wanting to be like him?

    But the scars on his father¡¯s back flashed in his mind again. The way Alaric had stood there, unmoving, unflinching, as if he had already come to terms with his sins. The way he had apologized, not with excuses or defenses, but with quiet acceptance.

    ¡®He¡¯s made peace with himself,¡¯ Sethrak thought bitterly. ¡®He¡¯s come to terms with who he is, with what he¡¯s done. And me? I don¡¯t even know who I am.¡¯

    The thought hit him harder than any punch ever had.

    He closed his eyes, and an image came to him¡ªunbidden, vivid, and haunting.

    He saw himself walking through a rotten, desolate land. The sky was black, the ground beneath his feet cracked and oozing with decay. He held Zyphira¡¯s hand as they walked, her fingers small and fragile in his grasp. But as he looked down, he saw his own body beginning to crumble.

    His flesh was peeling away, piece by piece, revealing the rot beneath. His bones were blackened, brittle, breaking apart with every step.

    Zyphira didn¡¯t say anything. She just kept walking, her pace steady, her hand gripping his tightly.

    And Sethrak?

    He didn¡¯t stop.

    Even as his body fell apart, even as the rot consumed him, he kept moving forward. Because he didn¡¯t know how to do anything else.

    He opened his eyes, his chest heaving as he tried to steady his breathing. The image lingered, burning in the back of his mind.

    ¡®Why am I like this?¡¯ He thought, his voice silent but desperate. ¡®Why can¡¯t I be better? Why can¡¯t I figure out how to let go of all this?¡¯

    He looked at the sky again, his gaze searching the stars for answers he knew he wouldn¡¯t find.

    ¡®I thought joining the Tyrants would make me strong. I thought it would teach me how to be the protector she needed. But it didn¡¯t. It just gave me another mask to hide behind. But I still..don¡¯t regret joining them.¡¯

    He clenched his jaw, his throat tightening as he fought back the tears threatening to spill.

    The thought sat heavy in his mind as he lowered his gaze.

    His father¡¯s words, his scars, his apology¡ªthey all lingered, pressing on him like a weight he couldn¡¯t shake.

    Sethrak exhaled slowly, his sharp fingers twitching at his sides, already slick with his own blood. His claws had dug into his palms too deeply, but he barely felt it. His golden flames flickered weakly, his body caught between action and hesitation.

    He looked at his father, his expression unreadable.

    ¡®Maybe if I just do it,¡¯ he thought, his voice silent but heavy in his mind. Maybe if I kill him, I¡¯ll suppress these thoughts. ¡®Maybe I¡¯ll move forward. Maybe I¡¯ll finally figure out what I¡¯m actually good at besides warfare..¡¯

    His grip tightened.

    ¡®Everyone is born with a gift, right?¡¯ He thought. Something different than just magic. Something natural. Maybe¡ªmaybe if I do this, I¡¯ll finally understand what mine is.¡¯

    But then, his own words echoed in his head.

    ¡°What about me?"

    The thought hit him harder than he expected.

    His breath wavered as he raised his claws. His father didn¡¯t move. He just stood there, waiting, accepting.

    Sethrak prepared himself, And just before he could strike¡ª

    Two arms wrapped around him from behind.

    Sethrak¡¯s breath hitched as he felt Zyphira press herself against his back, her grip tight, almost desperate.

    "I¡¯m sorry," she whispered.

    Sethrak¡¯s body tensed. His claws trembled. His golden flames flickered, then dimmed.

    He gasped slightly, not from pain, but from something deeper¡ªsomething raw.

    Zyphira¡¯s grip didn¡¯t loosen.

    "I should¡¯ve been there for you," she murmured, her voice hoarse. "Like you were for me. I should¡¯ve¡­ I should¡¯ve considered what I was doing to you. I should¡¯ve noticed what it was doing to us."

    Sethrak¡¯s throat tightened.

    Zyphira kept speaking, her voice steady, but layered with emotion. "I was ignorant. I thought I was the only one suffering. I thought¡ªif I drowned myself in distractions, if I made myself forget, then maybe it wouldn¡¯t hurt as much."

    She exhaled shakily. "But what really kept me alive¡­ wasn¡¯t the distractions. It wasn¡¯t the drinks I had, or the recklessness, or the pretending."

    Sethrak furrowed his brows slightly.

    "I guess it was hope," Zyphira admitted softly. "Hope that things would get better. That you¡¯d be okay. And I never told you that, did I?"

    Sethrak¡¯s jaw clenched, but he remained silent.

    "I see it now," she continued. "I see you now. After seeing you like this¡­ after seeing what all of this has done to you¡­ I get it. I get that I wasn¡¯t the only one hurting."

    She swallowed hard. "I should¡¯ve seen it sooner."

    Sethrak let out a slow breath, his fists loosening slightly.

    Silence stretched between them for a moment.

    "And the forbidden feelings I have for Xyenn," she admitted, her voice quieter now. She let out a small, almost embarrassed laugh. "I¡¯ve been watching him¡ªwatching the way he deals with everything, the way he fights like every day is his last. And I thought¡­ maybe if I got closer to him, I¡¯d learn how to be like that. To help the both of us¡­¡±

    Sethrak slowly turned his head, his expression unreadable.

    "I¡¯ve been working on it," Zyphira continued. "Illyana¡¯s been helping me. Her peaceful magic¡ªit helps. But¡­ it¡¯s not infinite. I know that now."

    Sethrak exhaled through his nose, considering her words.

    Then, after a long pause, he finally spoke.

    "So," he muttered, his voice low, "you¡¯ve given up your foolish feelings for Xyenn? Knowing he¡¯s with Yuuna?"

    Zyphira tilted her head slightly, a small, amused smile tugging at her lips.

    "I can¡¯t get over him that easily," she admitted.

    Sethrak¡¯s eye twitched.

    Zyphira chuckled. "I love Yuuna. She¡¯s my best friend. But watching Xyenn..."

    Before she could finish, Sethrak immediately grabbed her ear, yanking it with a sharp tug.

    "Ow¡ªHEY!" Zyphira yelped, swatting at his hand.

    "You¡¯re seriously out here catching feelings for someone who¡¯s taken?!" Sethrak growled, his tone shifting into something far more comedic.  ¡°She¡¯ll DEVOUR YOU! YUUNA IS A GODDESS, HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN?!¡±

    "It¡¯s not like that!" Zyphira whined, trying to pry his hand off her ear. "It¡¯s just a weeee little crush! Not that serious! Let go, you damn brute!"

    "You better not be planning to do anything stupid¡ª"

    "As long as you know about it," Zyphira huffed, still trying to break free, "and we keep it amongst ourselves, then it¡¯s fine¡ª"

    A sudden voice interrupted them.

    "We know about it."

    Both of them froze.

    Slowly, Sethrak and Zyphira turned their heads.

    Draeven stood there, arms crossed, his expression completely neutral.

    Gunthr and his guildmates were beside him, all watching with varying degrees of amusement.

    Draeven looked at Gunthr, ¡°Hey, when did you guys get back?¡±

    Gunthr replied, ¡°We heard yelling, and were being nosey. We¡¯ll be outta your hair in no time.¡±

    Zyphira¡¯s eye twitched.

    Then, in a split second, her expression morphed into something *feral*. She **bared her sharp teeth**, her eyes flashing dangerously.

    "YOU BETTER NOT SAY A DAMN WORD!" she screeched, her voice carrying across the battlefield.

    The guildmates immediately took a step back, hands raised in mock surrender.

    Sethrak sighed, finally letting go of her ear.

    Zyphira huffed, crossing her arms.

    Sethrak ran a hand down his face before finally turning back to Alaric.

    His father stood there, still watching, still waiting.

    ¡®The love between them still resides..I¡¯m just glad they¡¯ve been with each other all this time..¡¯

    Sethrak inhaled deeply, his eyes burning with something quieter now¡ªsomething not quite forgiveness, but not quite hatred either.

    "I don¡¯t forgive you fully yet," he said, his voice even.

    Alaric nodded slowly, as if he already knew that would be his answer.

    But for the first time in years¡ª

    Sethrak felt like maybe he was finally on the path to figuring out who he really was.

    Alaric nodded, and looked at Zyphira, but Zyphira slightly looked away. She didn¡¯t know what to say yet.

    Alaric said, ¡°It¡¯s come to my attention you and your Tyrants have been searching for Kassius. Kassius Velmire.¡±

    Sethrak nodded, ¡°Mhm.¡±

    ¡°We have tried your method. Kassius had given us his own horn just in case. Kassius is one of those young men who will do anything for some coin. And that¡¯s how he ended up here. He was a kid who took on my requests on the quest board in the middle of the city, and I saw potential in him, and I took that opportunity. I paid him good, I was gonna make him the captain of my knights. After seeing how much power he had, easily wiping out enemies, I knew he could be my front runner for the upcoming war.¡±

    ¡°Let me guess, you used him as another soldier to protect this place if Haldrek or Ezrael ever came across it?¡±

    ¡°Indeed I did. That¡¯s why when people found out about the cursed region, I¡¯d inform everyone that it was an abomination of war, from Ezrael and that my strongest soldiers are easily taking care of them, which kept them at ease. But I never wanted for them to freely know unless it got out of hand.¡±

    Draeven stated, ¡°I-I remember you telling us it was the abominations¡­but what is it really?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. The cursed region..Kassius is in there, after I sent him on a mission to rescue a band of knights. And he hasn¡¯t come out. I know what Ezrael¡¯s abominations look like, those creatures you saw aren¡¯t abominations. Their..otherworldly. I also knew if I told the truth to my people, some eager fools would try and explore. There¡¯s many people in this world who are like this. And yes, I did lie to your group about the abominations, because people in this city still have good ears, no matter how low my voice was.¡±

    Draeven gasped, saying, ¡°I might be wrong..but maybe he¡¯s in the astral world? That¡¯s why the Lysf?dt can¡¯t get in contact with him? Two completely different worlds that are in the same realm.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve heard only rumors of the astral world, a place where necromancers can travel to with their magic. I don¡¯t know how they do it, but they do it. But it¡¯s a weird set of darkness and weird creatures that your theory could be correct.¡±

    ¡°I know it is..¡±

    ¡®I¡¯ve been there before¡­haven¡¯t I? Of course they don¡¯t know that..but I often dream of it. All the time..¡¯

    Sethrak said, ¡°He was supposed to come with us to kill King Haldrek, but things are iffy now..¡±

    Alaric lowered his head, ¡°I¡¯ve been lying to my people about this,

    The tension in the air was shattered by the sudden arrival of a knight, his golden armor gleaming even in the dim moonlight. He rode in atop a sleek mechanical steed, its legs hissing with bursts of steam as it galloped toward them.

    The knight dismounted in one fluid motion, his golden cape billowing behind him. His hair, dark and tied neatly back, framed a sharp, clean-shaven face. His expression was frantic, his eyes wide with fear as he approached Alaric.

    ¡°Your Majesty!¡± he shouted, his voice ringing with urgency. ¡°You must return to the kingdom immediately!¡±

    Alaric, still struggling to his feet, growled low. ¡°What is it? Speak!¡±

    The knight hesitated, his hands trembling at his sides as he tried to find the words. Finally, he blurted out, ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s Freina!¡±

    Alaric¡¯s eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat. ¡°Freina?!¡±

    In Alaric''s head, the dragon god of wealth and gold, spoke, saying, ¡°The hell is an elder god doing here?!¡±

    The knight nodded rapidly, his voice shaking. ¡°She¡¯s in the capital, Your Majesty. In Svarthelm!¡±

    Alaric¡¯s gasp was audible, and the blood drained from his face. He turned to Sethrak and Zyphira, his expression grim.

    Svarthelm, the heart of Alaric¡¯s kingdom. The city was a sprawling masterpiece of medieval fantasy architecture with steampunk flourishes. Tall, spiraling towers gleamed with golden runes, while intricate railways carried floating steam-powered platforms between buildings. The streets were paved with moss-covered stone, winding through an array of vibrant markets, lavish estates, and industrial workshops. Yet, amidst the beauty, chaos reigned.

    Overhead, the dragon goddess Freina hovered in the air, her presence casting an ethereal glow across the city. Her form radiated divine energy, her silhouette both awe-inspiring and humbling as she floated effortlessly above the tallest spires.

    She held a massive bow in her hands, an otherworldly weapon that seemed to hum with life. Its design was intricate, matching her goddess nature perfectly. The bow¡¯s frame was carved from rich, ancient wood with veins of glowing green light running through it, pulsating softly like a heartbeat. Spiraling vines of gold and silver entwined the bow, their leaves shimmering with a faint iridescence. At its center, where the arrow was nocked, sat a crystal orb that refracted light into a thousand colors, casting dancing patterns onto the clouds above.

    The arrow itself was just as breathtaking¡ªa shaft of pure light, its tip shaped like a delicate leaf that seemed to sway in an invisible breeze. Gold and green ribbons trailed from its base, swirling around the arrow like spirits as it rested, ready to be loosed. The entire weapon exuded beauty, power, and the weight of something ancient and sacred.

    Below, the streets of Svarthelm were alive with the reactions of its citizens.

    ¡°She¡¯s here! The goddess of fertility!¡± shouted a nobleman, his voice trembling with reverence.

    ¡°What does she want? Why is she here?¡± another whispered, clutching his wife¡¯s hand tightly.

    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ve heard tales. They say to see her is a blessing, but why does it feel like a curse?¡±

    A drunken man staggered out of a nearby tavern, his face red as he pointed up at Freina, laughing. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be damned! She¡¯s beautiful! I wouldn¡¯t mind her blessing *me*!¡±

    Others were less bold. ¡°Hide the children!¡± a mother screamed, dragging her two young daughters into the safety of an alleyway. ¡°We don¡¯t know what she wants!¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s a goddess! She doesn¡¯t need a reason!¡±

    Yet Freina showed no signs of aggression, her expression tranquil but heavy with sadness. Tears glistened in her eyes, though she did not sob or break down. Instead, her voice rang out, calm yet carrying an unshakable weight, echoing across the city.

    ¡°Children of this world¡­ listen to me.¡±

    Her words stilled the crowd. Even those who had been running stopped to listen, their breath caught in their throats.

    ¡°Motherhood, fertility, and birth are sacred. They are the foundation of life itself. Without them, there is no future. Without them, there is no you.¡±

    The streets were utterly silent, save for her voice.

    ¡°I am the one who brought humanity into this world. The first dragon, Gabriel, used me as a conduit to create life. Through me, humans, dragonkin, and all other beings were born. You are all my children.¡±

    Her voice wavered slightly, but it did not break.

    ¡°But I am afraid. Afraid of what is to come. Afraid of dying and returning as something hollow¡­ a shell of myself. My children, I do not want to leave you. I do not want to fade into nothingness.¡±

    The crowd below began whispering again, their muted voices filled with confusion and fear.

    Freina¡¯s expression hardened, though her tears remained. ¡°A Jotyin¡ªa bratty, arrogant child named Xyenn¡ªhas taken from me. He has wiped out the last of my beloved ¡®special humans¡¯. The ones who were meant to shepherd this world and feed me my deserved power for all the labor I bore birthing you loving creatures! It was painful... And he has consorted with that demon goddess, Yuuna. Together, they have robbed me of everything I hold dear.¡±

    The mention of Yuuna sent a ripple of unease through the crowd.

    ¡°Yuuna?!¡±

    ¡°Who is even Xyenn?¡±

    ¡°Yuuna can¡¯t be HERE, right?¡±

    ¡°Some say they saw her walking and smiling out and about!¡±

    ¡°Oh..Freina must be here to stop her! All Yuuna is, is bad news!¡±

    Freina tightened her grip on her bow, raising it slightly. The motion was deliberate, smooth, and filled with grace. Golden-green light flared from the weapon, illuminating the city below.

    ¡°I will take drastic measures to ensure my legacy does not end here. Xyenn will be drawn out, and I will use him to create a new race of dragonkin. A race that will finish what my special humans started. A new race that will do my bidding, and ones who are hard to kill. A baby with a Jotyin..I deserve that for the pain from the labor..I bore birthing all of you that day Kyrrin was made!¡±

    Her fingers glided over the bowstring as she nocked the glowing arrow. The movement itself was mesmerizing, the divine energy radiating from her weapon painting the sky in vibrant hues of green and gold. The air around her shimmered, and the sound of the bowstring being drawn was like a celestial chord, reverberating across the city.

    Freina aimed the arrow forward, her body glowing brighter with an almost blinding light. The ribbons of energy trailing from the arrow swirled furiously, like a storm trapped in a vortex.

    ¡°I do not wish to do this, my children. But I must. For the sake of all life, for the sake of what is to come, I must ensure the Cycle no longer holds me. I will not let death take me and return me as something I am not. I will end this.¡±

    Her voice grew softer, almost tender, even as the power surrounding her intensified.

    ¡°I will draw the Jotyin out. And when I do, I will create a future where I no longer have to worry about the Cycle¡­ or about you. You all will be replaced in due time, but for now, I must draw the Jotyin Xyenn out of hiding, and I will use him to draw Yuuna to me, so I can finish her, and take her heart. Even if I have to ravage through every city.¡±

    Her grip on the bow tightened, and the arrow flared with an even greater intensity, its light splitting the sky like a beacon. The heavens above seemed to tremble, the clouds swirling in response to her divine will.