The professor worked with meticulous precision, examining how he might solve the amulet problem and restore the people to their normal state. To avoid unnecessary risks, he placed the mysterious object inside a transparent box, from which he could manipulate it without fear of turning into a statue.
Inside Rose, Karpi collaborated with other scientists from Bacadolia, assisting the professor by organizing the statues on special platforms. This ensured they wouldn't be damaged if another seismic tremor like the one earlier were to occur.
"You felt that, didn't you? The shaking was intense," Dall said, bursting in abruptly. He had intended to ask Toco-Toco something, but the elusive figure had vanished "like a spirit carried away by the wind," the young man muttered absentmindedly. At that moment, he tripped over a pen lying on the floor, nearly knocking over one of the delicate statues.
"Dall, it might be best if you stay outside," Karpi suggested kindly, though her tone betrayed a hint of concern.
"I'll take care of him," Paris interjected, guiding the clumsy youth out of the room. However, just before leaving, Dall stumbled again, this time due to a raised edge of the carpet.
"What are we going to do with that boy?" Karpi sighed, shaking her head.
On the battlefield, Rodelos fought fiercely against the soldiers of the Red Shadows, who seemed to multiply endlessly.
"Leave this to me, Lord Rodelos! I've got your back!" shouted Chip, whose new robotic hand launched explosive balls that detonated on contact.
"Thank you, lad," Rodelos replied gratefully before delivering a precise blow to a nearby enemy.
"Not bad, that arm suits you well, my dear friend," Ludra remarked as she distributed kicks and punches, skillfully disarming any foes who dared approach her.
"If nothing stops us, we must press forward," Ban declared firmly, wielding his sword with exacting precision to carve a path through the soldiers.
"We should move soon. We need to reach Paltio," Mok added, cutting through enemies with his sword and kunais that seemed to materialize from beneath his coat. "At least… to give him a proper burial…" Ron murmured, his voice breaking in silent tears as he struck down adversaries with restrained fury.
"My daddy… He can't be dead. He just can't…" Rykaru sobbed, tears glistening under the combat lights. With each fist charged with blue energy, he unleashed his anguish in devastating attacks against the enemy soldiers.
Nearby, Alita and the true Lukeandria fought side by side against the army of the Blue Shadows. Alongside them, Lucca wielded her staff with grace and precision, disarming enemies without shedding a drop of blood.
Meanwhile, Nakia launched her enchanted feathers onto the battlefield, illuminating the chaos with silvery flashes. Chiki, for her part, protected the wounded, using her attacks to keep enemies at bay.
Lume created clones of himself to fight, multiplying his efforts in the face of the endless tide of soldiers. Though they were overwhelmingly outnumbered, his determination never wavered. Geki, on the other hand, distributed weapons among his companions, ensuring no one was left defenseless amid the fury of the battle.
The fight seemed endless. Every time they defeated one soldier, another from a different faction emerged to confront the allies.
"Hey, Troba, aren't you going to join the fight?" Mejod asked as he prepared to leap into combat.
"No, I'm just waiting for something. You know how things go," she replied with unusual calm.
"Yeah, typical of you," Mejod quipped before leaping onto his enemies, taking down several with a single sweep of his spear.
At that moment, Trebolg soared across the battlefield on his flying saucer, firing beams at his opponents. "Yes, die, scum, die!" he shouted with unrestrained enthusiasm, his voice echoing amidst the chaos.
No one gave a quarter to anyone. Amidst the tumult, Tertrol and Meloc exchanged a meaningful glance. It was time to initiate their plan. They watched as Pax—or rather, Lukeandria—betrayed Tejod, snatching the amulet from him. Both turned their attention toward where Tejod stood, just as someone approached the leader of the Red Shadows.
"Master," said the newcomer, stopping in front of Tejod.
"Ah! It's you, Bleko. I thought you had cowered and stayed away from the battlefield," Tejod replied with disdain.
"No, master. I've already uncovered what they're planning and what their scheme is," explained Bleko. However, there was something odd about his posture and tone. His gait was stiff, and his voice lacked its usual loyalty. But Tejod, distracted by his own euphoria after accomplishing his mission of freeing his lord, paid no mind.
"Good, tell me," Tejod commanded.
"Master, it would be best if I told you in private. There are still those loyal to them nearby, and they might overhear us," Bleko suggested with feigned caution.
Tejod nodded. "Fine, then come closer and whisper it to me."
Bleko obeyed, slowly approaching until he was beside Tejod. When he reached his ear, he whispered, "This is from Tertrol… Die, Tejod."
Before Tejod could react, he felt the cold steel piercing his chest, reaching his vital point. His eyes bulged in disbelief at the betrayal as he fell to his knees, stammering, "You? How dare you betray me?"
Blood gushed out in torrents, and his words barely escaped his lips.
"Well, well… Who do we have here, motionless?" Tertrol said, approaching from behind with a triumphant smile. "You, you despicable badger, always thought yourself superior to me. Look at you now. In case you didn't know, we captured Bleko and brainwashed him. He's just another one of my pets now."
"Damn you, Tertrol... You always wanted my position... Always schemed against me... I should have ended you long ago..." Tejod murmured weakly, his voice almost inaudible.
"Yes, but you never had the guts," Tertrol spat back with disdain. He drew his sword and plunged it deep into Tejod's back.
"Now I will be the supreme leader of the shadows," Tertrol declared arrogantly, wiping his blade clean. "Pity you won't live to see my precious secret weapon."
Everyone was stunned by Tertrol's betrayal—all except Blajon, who was already privy to the plan.
"Hmm, a betrayal… I love it. I'll allow it," Urugas said with a sinister grin as he watched Tertrol end Tejod's life. "Poor Tejod... Always loyal, but utterly devoid of vision. However, I see in you a thirst for knowledge and power that fascinates me. You could become the commander of my shadow army, eh, Tertrol?"
"If you have more tricks like this, delight my senses with further suffering," Urugas added, licking his fangs with a malevolent gleam in his eyes.
"He deserved it for killing Paltio," Lukeandria commented from afar. "Tejod was stabbed in the heart while fighting. It's like that saying: 'An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.' In this case, I'd add: heart for heart."
"Indeed, he got what he deserved," Ron replied, supporting Lukeandria's words.
"Yes, but we mustn't be vengeful or celebrate such things," Mok interjected, trying to stay calm after witnessing Paltio's death and now seeing the villain meet the same fate.
"You're right," Rodelos nodded as he blocked an enemy attack.
"Focus!" Alita shouted, unleashing a burst of magic that obliterated several nearby soldiers.
"What are you waiting for? You heard me! I am now your supreme leader! Go and crush the enemy!" Tertrol ordered, his face lit with a mix of excitement and bloodlust.
Galatea, observing everything unfolding before her, knew she couldn't stand idly by any longer. It was time to act.
"I believe it's time to intervene," Galatea said, turning to her daughters, Nomak, and their soldiers.
"Yes," they responded in unison, shedding the veil of Meliradal's magic and revealing their true identities.
"So you weren't Troba after all," Mejod remarked with an ironic smile as he watched the warriors who had switched sides, transitioning from soldiers of the Yellow Shadows to allies of Fuertelia. "Your behavior seemed off. Even for the real Troba, I never imagined anyone could defeat her so easily. She was always such a foolish and weak badger."
Mejod adjusted his spear, preparing for battle. "But I'm neither as benevolent nor as weak as that badger," he added before charging directly at Galatea.
"Hmm, what a surprise: another betrayal, but this time from the enemy's ranks," Urugas said, clapping slowly, savoring the spectacle. "You never cease to amaze me. Good, keep entertaining me."
The dark lord opened both eyes, letting out a low, guttural laugh. "I think it's my lucky day."
"Hmm, the master is pleased, and he doesn't even know everything I have planned yet," Tertrol muttered, licking his lips with malice as he contemplated his next moves.