William's vision blurred with tears of pain and desperation. Jasmin's words echoed in his skull – the skeleton warrior, Vedik still fighting. He pushed himself forward, each step an agonizing testament to his love for his son. The world tilted, threatening to topple him, but he wouldn't give in. He had to reach Vedik.

Through the haze of pain, he saw thalnos who was looking completely different from before .

Thalnos's skin was falling , and he was looking like he has aged over 100 years.

Suddenly a single, horrifying image dominated the scene – a massive fireball hurtling towards his son. It roared through the air, a blazing comet promising annihilation.

A loud scream ripped from William's throat. The distance was too great and his body was giving him unimaginable pain. But he lunged forward , in a desperate attempt to shield his son.

Instinct kicked in, memories of his mana training flashing through his mind. He tried to channel the mana within him, to enhance his speed, his strength, anything to reach Vedik in time. But as he pushed, a searing agony ripped through his body. Muscles tore, veins bulged, and a sickening crack echoed in his ear.

William collapsed onto the forest floor, a choked sob escaping his lips. Tears streamed down his face, a mixture of pain and utter helplessness.

He watched in horror as the fireball grew closer, its heat scorching his skin even from a distance. Vedik, exhausted from the fight, stood frozen, with a tight grip on his blade, his fate seemingly sealed.

Suddenly, a blinding light erupted from Vedik's chest. The locket, the one he recieved from Miss Nuwa, pulsed with an otherworldly emerald glow. The light expanded rapidly, forming a shimmering shield that surrounded him completely.

The fireball collided with the shield, a deafening boom echoing through the forest. The ground trembled, leaves rained down, but the shield held. The flames danced impotently against the barrier before dissipating with a hiss.

The silence that followed was deafening. William, his body a wreck, could only stare in disbelief. The locket, its emerald glow fading, lay dormant once more. Vedik, his face pale but alive, sank to his knees.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

Relief, washed over William. With a surge of renewed strength, fueled by the sheer relief, William pushed himself up. His body still ached, but it was a dull throb compared to the terror that had gripped him moments ago.

He stumbled towards Vedik, his steps shaky yet determined. Reaching his son, he pulled him into a crushing hug. Tears streamed down William's face, a mixture of relief and pride. "Vedik," he choked out, his voice thick with emotion. "You're alright. Thank God, you're alright."

Vedik hugged his father back, tears of his own spilling over. The ordeal had left him drained, both physically and emotionally. But in his father's embrace, he found solace, a reminder of the love that protected him.

Jasmin also appeared, her face etched with worry and joined the hug. William after giving Vedik to Jasmin shouted ,

" You bastard dare to harm my child, Today even if I suffer from irreversible damage I will kill you."

Then William started dashing towards Thalnos in a frenzy when he suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder.

Young master William please don't push yourself , your body is not in the condition to fight.

William was flabbergasted . "Edgar? How… how are you here?" William stammered, his voice thick with disbelief.

Edgar, his face etched with concern, said with a smile "Don't waste your breath with questions, master William. There's time for explanations later. Right now, your family needs you." He then turned his gaze to the still-stunned Thalnos.

Edgar's demeanor shifted. The calm concern was replaced by a cold fury. "You bastard," he growled, his voice laced with venom. "You dare harm the member of Verna family? Do you have a death wish". His body started glowing golden and emitted enormous mana.

Thalnos, drained from the battle and weakened remained silent. He simply raised a bony hand and began to chant a low incantation.

Faster than the blink of an eye, Edgar vanished from his spot. William and Jasmin gasped, as a resounding thud echoed through the forest. They whipped their heads around to see Edgar standing a few feet from Thalnos, his fist buried deep in the sorcerer's chest.

Thalnos, eyes wide with shock and disbelief, coughed up a spray of blood. The chanting abruptly stopped, replaced by a strangled gasp. Edgar, his face showing immense anger, withdrew his fist, leaving a gaping hole in Thalnos's tattered robes.

But the blow didn't seem to faze the sorcerer. He cackled, a dry sound devoid of humor. "Foolish people," he rasped, blood trickling down his chin. "Do you think a mere warrior's attack can harm me? It is not over. Though I may be weakened, I will not be defeated. I will return, and when I do, Vedik will be mine!"

Then holding the black ornament on his neck , with a final, chilling laugh, Thalnos's form shimmered and dissolved into a cloud of black smoke that dissipated into the air. Silence descended once more, heavy and oppressive.

Witnessing Thalnos vanish sent a jolt of terror and relief through Vedik. Relief because they are safe for now , terror because Thalnos said he will be back.

Suddenly Vedik was hit by a wave of overwhelming pain. He started coughing blood.

The world spun , his vision blurred, the vibrant greens and browns of the forest replaced by a hazy grey. He felt his knees buckle, the strength seeping out of his limbs. Before anyone could react, Vedik crumpled to the forest floor, a loud scream escaping his lips due to the extreme pain .

"Vedik!" William's scream tore through the silence. In a heartbeat, he was at his son's side, cradling him in his arms. Jasmin followed suit, her face a mask of horror as she saw the Vedik's pale skin.

Jasmin than knelt beside Vedik . She checked for a pulse, finding it weak but steady. She then let her mana flow through Vedik body to find out what happened . She with watery eyes shouted " his internals are very damaged , Edgar carry him to the hut .

So, in a hurry Edgar carried Vedik in his arms towards the hut.