As I regained consciousness and rose to my feet, I immediately sensed that the battle had come to a close. Blinking away the remnants of disorientation, my vision cleared, revealing the aftermath that lay before me.
The icy ground, once pristine, now bore deep cracks and fissures that snaked across the battlefield. Splashes of violet acid and scorch marks from lightning strikes marred the previously untouched landscape. It was a testament to the intensity of the clash that had unfolded here.
Gathering my bearings, I noticed that my companions had already regrouped, their focused gazes fixated on a specific point. Intrigued, I followed their line of sight and found myself exhaling a sigh of relief. Baek, though visibly battered and bruised, was still alive, slowly making his way towards something with faltering steps. His body, drained of all energy, betrayed the extent to which he had exerted himself.
As I joined my companions in observing the scene, my attention shifted to the fallen figure of Indikar lying motionless on the ground. His once-pale skin was now adorned with dark, ominous spots from which blood trickled. His once-white hair had been transformed into a shadowy black, a result of the thunderous impact that had left its mark.
Without hesitation, we hurried towards the scene, with Celina offering her support to Baek by gripping his arms, ensuring he could continue moving. Her comforting words reassured Baek, urging him to relinquish his burden and leave the aftermath in our capable hands.
"You’ve done enough, teacher." Leave the cleanup to us," Celina reassured him, her voice filled with genuine concern.
But Baek’s resolve remained unyielding. Barely audibly, he mustered his remaining strength and voiced his intentions. "We must confirm his death," he said in a weary yet determined tone.
As we approached Indikar, Baek suddenly halted, his gaze fixed on something that caught his attention. He released himself from Celina’s grasp, his voice echoing with newfound urgency. "I’ll buy time. Celina, take them and run as fast as you can!"
Before any of us could protest or question his decision, an overwhelming pressure encompassed our surroundings. It was as if the very air had thickened with an oppressive malevolence, making it difficult to stand or even draw breath. Gasping for air, I struggled to maintain my footing amidst the palpable weight that bore down on us.
Baek’s voice broke through the tension, his words laden with a solemn revelation.
"There is one more," he uttered, his voice barely carrying above a whisper. Just as he finished speaking, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed around us, signalling the arrival of an unknown entity.
And then, the source of this mounting tension revealed itself—a towering, robust figure whose skin bore the hue of the sky itself.
His piercing brown eyes stared out from beneath a helm, while his hair remained hidden from view. Adorned in armour studded with glimmering sapphire gems, he brandished a menacing pitch-black mace, its surface bristling with sharp spikes.
"The higher-ups had assigned me the task of monitoring Indikar. Initially, I deemed it a pointless endeavour, considering his immense power. He could easily dispatch a single hero. However, it seems I underestimated the situation," the man declared, his voice carrying an air of authority.
Baek’s feeble voice emerged in response, barely audible. "I didn’t expect to encounter you here, Cyanthos, Leader of the Voidshades."
Upon hearing Baek’s words, despair washed over me. If this individual was indeed the leader of the Voidshades, then his strength would surpass that of Indikar. Our fate was sealed, and it seemed inevitable that we would meet our end here.
"Celina, follow my command. I will buy us some time," Baek whispered, his determination evident. His plan was clear—he would expend his last ounces of strength to hold off our adversaries while we made our escape. However, it was a decision that would surely cost him his life.
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Celina’s face displayed a resolute expression, as though she had accepted the grim reality before us. She cast a solemn glance at us, prepared to carry out Baek’s orders. Yet her movement halted upon hearing Cyanthos’s next words.
"Your disciple, the green-haired man, remained silent about your whereabouts, even if it meant sacrificing his own life. Such loyal students you have. I must say, I’m impressed," Cyanthos remarked, his words resonating with a mix of admiration and malice.
"Where is my brother?" Celina’s voice erupted, her face etched with despair.
Cyanthos rummaged inside his pocket, retrieving an item that he revealed to us—a rapier’s hilt, devoid of its blade.
"He is awaiting you in the realm beyond, my dear," Cyanthos said, showcasing the item before us.
Celina’s voice trembled as she spoke, her words faltering. Tears cascaded down her face as she collapsed to the ground.
Avery had met his demise. I glanced at Kei, his countenance stern and unyielding. Despair permeated the air, eradicating any remnants of the earlier triumph. Taking a determined step forward, I prepared to confront the unfolding tragedy.
"Wait… Stop!" Baek’s weakened voice pleaded, though he was bereft of the strength to intervene.
Consumed by anger, I propelled myself towards Cyanthos, hurling my weapon with full force and aiming for his head. Strangely, he made no attempt to evade the attack, as if inviting the blow.
But just as the blade was about to connect, he swiftly turned his head, evading the strike with remarkable agility. Ready to adjust my trajectory, I found Cyanthos’s image blurring before my eyes, and suddenly, he vanished.
As I prepared to search for his whereabouts, a hand gently tapped my shoulder. I instinctively spun around, only to find Cyanthos standing behind me, his towering figure casting a formidable shadow.
Reacting swiftly, I jumped backward, creating distance between us.
"Wallace, listen carefully. The Voidshades have been instructed not to kill you. I don’t know the reason behind it, but we have become familiar with your appearance, your past, and your personality. The higher-ups believe that ‘your existence must be preserved. Cyanthos spoke in a composed tone.
"Why? Why does the Void Order want me alive?" I inquired, my voice brimming with anger.
"I don’t have the answers, but I can assure you that I can end your life in an instant if I so desire. After I obtain what I seek from the Herald, I will allow you and your teammates to escape. Step aside, please," he replied.
A part of me urged me not to accept his offer. The anger fueled by Avery’s death amplified my determination to defy him. Deep down, I sensed that if I fled now, I would never be able to return to this place.
Without hesitation, I charged towards him, abandoning all rationality.
"If you refuse to step aside, I will have no choice but to defy my orders and eliminate you. I have a volatile temperament, he said, his words hanging in the air.
In a state of complete focus, I leaped towards him, preparing to deliver a swift kick. However, once again, he evaded my attack with uncanny speed, the malevolence surrounding him intensifying.
"This is your final warning, Wallace. I don’t know why ‘that’ person desires to keep you alive, but I am willing to find out for myself by ending your life. So please, depart before I change my mind. Cyanthos issued his ultimatum, his voice tinged with a mixture of menace and intrigue.
Without heeding the warning, my mind swiftly activated the first phase of sol-weaving, creating a distortion in the space behind Cyanthos’ head. In an instant, I launched my weapon towards the mid-air distortion, the blade materialising behind Cyanthos, poised to sever his head from his body.
Yet Cyanthos blurred in motion; his movements were too rapid for me to perceive. In a matter of moments, he reappeared in the same spot, his bare hand firmly gripping my blade.
With immense strength, he seized the chains that connected the blade, forcefully yanking them towards him. As a result, I was swiftly drawn towards him, suspended in mid-air.
His grip tightened around my neck, choking the life out of me, as he began to speak.
"That’s it. Your powers bear a resemblance to ‘that’ person. Perhaps by killing you, I can gain insight into overpowering him and claiming his position," he declared, a wave of intense pain surging through me.
My vision blurred, and as he flung me forcefully to the ground, causing cracks to form on the unyielding icy surface, I could barely make out his impending action—hurling his mace towards my defenceless face, an attack that would undoubtedly bring instant death.
However, an inexplicable sensation washed over me. Instead of succumbing to despair, an overwhelming calmness enveloped my being. I could faintly perceive a radiant white light enveloping my body, as if shielding and preserving it.
My vision finally surrendered to darkness, and a drowsy sensation overcame me. As I slipped into unconsciousness, I felt a dormant power stirring within, awakening in the depths of my being.