She sprinted toward Vexara, but Krovak was faster. His hand, shrouded in black mist, lunged forward. Vexara's eyes widened, too slow to react. His fist landed, and a thick cloud of black smoke exploded outward, engulfing them.
"VEXARA!" Lirith screamed, skidding to a stop. Her chest heaved. Power surged through her as her emotions spiked. Her aura burst violently, her level surging to Master Tier Two.
Kael watched in disbelief. "She just ascended in real-time... from Adept Six to Master Two?!" He turned to ask what had happened, but the smoke cleared before he could speak.
A blur shot through the air—a clone of Ronan aimed a flying kick at Krovak, who swatted it away effortlessly. Another clone emerged behind him, its fist wreathed in icy blue fire. "Flame Fist!" it roared, slamming into Krovak's side with Ice Flame magic. The impact sent Krovak flying. Both clones vanished in a puff.
Mordek blinked. "Clay Aegis..." he muttered, a hint of admiration in his voice. "That kid never stops surprising."
Ronan collapsed to his knees, pale and breathless. Vexara caught him just in time.
Lirith rushed over, trembling. Seeing Vexara safe, her power settled again, and her Tier dropped back to Adept Tier Six. But the fear and rage still lingered in her eyes.
Ronan, gasping, looked up at Kael. "I have... a plan. Just one shot."
Kael knelt beside him. "What do you need?"
Ronan nodded toward Mordek and Gorvath. "Sir... Gorvath... hold him down."
Without hesitation, Mordek and Gorvath charged Krovak again, matching his pace, swords flashing. Lirith joined them, fury fueling her strikes.
Ronan turned to Kael, barely holding himself up. "Take out Enmu."
Kael obeyed. Ronan placed his hand on the blade and infused it with a radiant Ice Flame. The sword shimmered, cold mist spiralling around it.
"Stab him," Ronan whispered, his voice fading. "Right in the centre of the chest. All the way."
Ronan collapsed, unconscious. Vexara held him close, shielding him with her magic.
Kael didn't waste the chance. As his allies bought time, he sprinted forward, dodging a desperate strike from Krovak. With a roar, he drove Enmu into Krovak's chest, burying it to the hilt.
The sword pulsed. A bluish-white flame erupted from the wound, spiralling upward and consuming Krovak from within. His body twisted and howled in a voice that was not his own. In seconds, he dissolved into nothingness.
Silence followed.
Everyone stood frozen, gasping for air. Blood, sweat, and ash clung to their skin. Only Ronan remained motionless.
Vexara cradled him gently. "He'll be alright... right?"
Kael knelt beside them, hand on Ronan's shoulder. "He'd better be. After all that... he damn well better be."
Lirith whispered, "Thank Ronan."
Mordek, still catching his breath, gave a small, proud smile. "This fight... will be remembered."
Outside the mouth of the mine, the sun dipped low, casting long shadows across the rocky clearing. The air was thick with tension as Sylphie, Garrick, Darius, Mr. Alaric, and Mr. Valmire waited in silence.
Darius paced back and forth, his brows knitted in frustration. "It's almost evening," he said sharply. "We should go in. I can't wait any longer. Something could've happened!"
Just then, a pulse of magic shimmered through the air. A bright light flared to life as a teleportation circle materialised on the ground in front of them. In a flash, six figures appeared—Mordek, Gorvath, Vexara, Lirith, Kael, and an unconscious Ronan, slumped over Kael's back.
Gorvath let out a heavy breath. "Finally... back from that goddamn place."
Sylphie, Garrick, and Darius bolted toward them. Sylphie reached first, her eyes wide with worry as she placed a hand on Ronan's chest. Her expression shifted immediately—her worry hardened into anger.
She spun on Kael, her voice low but trembling. "What happened to him? Are you all right?" Then, with a growl, "I know Ronan is reckless and carefree. That's why you're with him—to watch his back. So tell me... how could you let him get hurt like this?!"
Kael lowered his head, unable to meet her eyes.
Off to the side, Mordek watched quietly, his thoughts heavy. "'Ronan... didn't feel so carefree to me."
Mr. Alaric stepped forward, his voice laced with guilt. "How are you all holding up? I'm sorry we didn't arrive sooner."
Mordek gave a respectful nod, his voice calm despite the tension. "It's all right, sir. In truth, it was a valuable experience for all of us."
Mr. Valmire approached, eyeing the group with quiet intensity. "While Alaric tends to your wounds, can you tell us what happened inside?"
Mordek nodded again. "Of course, sir. But please, before that... help Ronan. He's the most injured."
Mr. Valmire's gaze shifted to where Ronan now lay on a bed of grass, Sylphie's hands glowing softly as she channelled healing magic into him. He studied Ronan closely.
"His masking ability... It's grown so much in such a short time," Valmire thought. "Even unconscious, his magic is passively running a fabricated inner world. If I didn't already know it was false, I wouldn't be able to tell. Incredible foundation... truly remarkable."
Mr. Alaric looked from Sylphie to Mordek. "Sylphie is doing good work. She's a gifted healer in her own right. I'll examine him more thoroughly once I've seen to the rest of you."
Mordek gave a short bow. "Then I'm in your hands, sir."
As Alaric moved to tend to them, Mordek began recounting the events within the cave. Kael stepped forward as well, took out the sword Enmu and held it out in both hands.
He bowed deeply. "Sir... I must apologise. I made a mistake in the cave. I hope this doesn't cause any trouble between the Viridion and Flamecrest families."
Mr. Valmire's eyes fixed on the weapon, narrowing slightly. "Enmu..." He stepped closer. "Did the sword choose you as its master?"
Kael, still bowed, nodded silently.
Mr. Valmire placed a firm hand on Kael's shoulder, raising him gently. "Then there is nothing to worry about. The sword's will is its own. If it chooses you, then so be it. No one has the right to challenge that."
Meanwhile, Ronan remained unconscious, his body twitching slightly, a sheen of sweat forming on his skin. Garrick and Darius hovered close, concern etched across their faces.
"Come on, man," Garrick muttered. "You can't tap out now."
"Yeah," Darius added, forcing a grin. "We still need you to do the reckless stuff so we can yell at you for it."
Sylphie's glare cut through both of them. "If either of you speaks again, I swear I'll silence you myself."
But her voice cracked slightly. Inside, she was barely holding it together."Please... Ronan, wake up. Just open your eyes. Please."
Suddenly, Ronan's fingers clenched. His body twitched again, this time more violently. His breath came in shallow gasps.
"Mr. Alaric!" Sylphie called out, panic rising.
Before Alaric could reach him, Mr. Valmire stepped in, his voice calm and steady. "Don't worry, Sylphie. He's not dying. His soul took some damage—that's all. He's trapped in a nightmare."
Sylphie knelt beside Ronan, her hands trembling as she took his. Gently, she stroked his forehead. "I'm here," she whispered. "We're all here. You're safe now, so don't be afraid."
Then, with a sudden jolt, Ronan sat up, shouting, "KAEL!"
His eyes darted around, breath ragged. Sweat poured down his face.
Everyone turned to him in stunned silence.
Ronan blinked, taking in the familiar faces. Realising what just happened, he gave an awkward, sheepish smile. "Heh... Sorry. That... that was intense."
Sylphie let out a shaky breath, half-laughing, half-sobbing, as she smacked his arm gently. "Idiot... don't scare us like that again."
Even Kael cracked a relieved smile, while Mordek, Vexara, and the others let their shoulders ease for the first time since they'd returned.
The sun dipped behind the horizon, but the clearing glowed with the soft light of reunion—and quiet relief.