Chapter 63

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third person

“I’M EXHAUSTED,” Crown Prince Lumine muttered, his voice strained as he cleaved a monster in half with a powerful swing of his blade. His black eyes flickered with determination despite the exhaustion weighing on him. Sweat dripped from his brow, and his furrowed eyebrows conveyed his frustration. He bit his lower lip, scanning the battlefield with sharp precision.

The chaos was overwhelming. Knights fought valiantly, but they were being outnumbered at an alarming rate. For every monster slain, three more seemed to rise from the darkness. It was as if the monsters were endless, an unnatural tide threatening to drown them all.

“You’re not the only one feeling the strain, Your Highness,” Darious said, his voice calm but strained as he lowered his glowing hands. A shimmering barrier rose higher, stronger than before, encasing the frightened townsfolk. The barrier hummed with arcane energy, flickering slightly as it absorbed the impacts of clawed monstrosities trying to breach it.

“Thank you, my lord!” an elderly man called from behind the shield, his voice trembling with gratitude. Others echoed his thanks, their faces a mixture of fear and hope.

Darious gave a tight smile and nodded in acknowledgment before shifting his gaze back to the battlefield, where the Crown Prince stood, sword in hand.

Lumine exhaled sharply, pressing his fingers to his temple as he surveyed the carnage. “How I wish this were a political war. At least I know how to cut through bureaucracy. This... this is madness.”

Darious let out a low chuckle, his blonde hair glinting faintly under the barrier’s glow. “I seem to recall you saying you’d rather face monsters than political affairs, Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince allowed himself a fleeting grin. “Well, I take it back.”

Both men ran their hands through their disheveled hair, exhaustion etched into their every movement. But even as fatigue threatened to weigh them down, they unsheathed their weapons once more, the steel glinting menacingly in the dim light.

“Reinforcements would be nice about now,” Lumine remarked dryly, his tone masking his desperation.

“That would be a miracle,” Darious muttered, raising his stance, his sword gleaming with an aura of magic.

“Exactly,” Lumine replied, no further words needed. The two men rushed back into the fray, their movements fluid and precise despite their weariness.

The Crown Prince moved like a tempest, his swordsmanship unmatched. His blade danced in arcs of silver light, severing limbs and piercing monstrous hides with practiced ease. Each swing was delivered with deadly precision, his royal blood granting him strength beyond that of ordinary men.

Darious fought with a commanding grace, his magic enhancing every strike. A surge of energy erupted from his sword as he struck, sending monsters flying with each calculated blow. Even as he fought, his gaze darted toward the barrier he had erected, ensuring it held firm against the relentless assaults of clawed creatures.

Behind the barrier, the townsfolk huddled together, their faces etched with fear. Mothers clutched their children tightly, and men whispered prayers to deities they weren’t sure could hear them.

“I hope the barrier holds,” one woman murmured, tears streaming down her face.

“It will,” an elderly man replied, his voice steady. “The Grand Duke’s son is protecting us. He won’t let us down.”

The barrier shimmered with every strike, holding strong despite the relentless onslaught.

Meanwhile, Lady Cecelia had regained her strength, though her face was pale. Determined not to remain idle, she had set up a small armory of weapons and shields, her ability working tirelessly to aid the knights.

“Are you certain you’re well, my lady?” Zacharias asked, his brown eyes filled with worry as he accepted a shield from her hands.

Cecelia gave him a faint smile, though the exhaustion in her expression was clear. “Yes, Sir Zacharias. This place is secure enough for now. Please, go. The others need you more.”

Zacharias hesitated, his gaze lingering on her, but he finally nodded. “Be safe, my lady. I’ll return as soon as I can.”

“Be careful, too,” Cecelia called after him, then turned to the knights around her. “Explosives! I’ve made some! Come here!”

The knights quickly heeded her call, rallying to her for the weapons and shields she provided. Each item glowed faintly, infused with her ability, giving the knights a much-needed edge.

Zacharias sprinted toward the palace grounds, his sword already drawn. His chiseled face was set in determination, every step bringing him closer to where Sebastian and the others fought against the tide of monsters.

As Darious and Lumine fought side by side, another explosion rocked the battlefield. They exchanged a brief glance before redoubling their efforts, cutting down monsters with ferocious precision.

But as they struck down the last wave, a deafening roar tore through the air. Both men froze, their eyes darting toward the palace.

Above them, the sky darkened as an enormous shadow emerged. An abyssal-ranked monster descended, its massive form casting a suffocating presence over the battlefield. Its grotesque body shimmered with otherworldly light, and its piercing eyes glared down at the chaos below.

Lumine’s grip tightened around his sword, his jaw clenching. “Of course,” he muttered under his breath.

Darious raised his blade, his expression grim. “It seems reinforcements have arrived, but not for us.”

The townsfolk behind the barrier screamed in terror as the creature let out a bone-shaking roar, its presence signaling that the battle was far from over.

The Imperial Palace trembled violently, cracks spreading like veins across its once-majestic walls. The moment the monster’s massive, clawed foot touched the palace ground, the structure gave way, collapsing in a deafening cacophony of stone and marble. Dust and debris billowed into the air, swallowing the surroundings in a thick haze.

Zacharias froze mid-stride, his gaze snapping toward the palace as the monstrous roar pierced through the chaos. His breath caught in his throat when he caught sight of Sebastian standing at the edge of the ruins, his emerald-green eyes wide with something Zacharias had never seen on him before—terror.

“Faerie!” Sebastian’s voice cracked as he yelled, his body already in motion. He bolted toward the crumbling palace, his figure a blur as arcane circles sprang to life around him, pulsing with vibrant, defensive energy. Each step he took seemed to defy the chaos, the debris bouncing harmlessly off the shimmering barrier surrounding him.

Zacharias clenched his jaw, his instincts screaming to follow. His eyes flicked to the shadow looming within the dust cloud—the monstrous figure casting an ominous silhouette.

“The Lady Intruder is there,” Zacharias murmured, his voice barely audible, as if speaking the words would make them less true. His hand tightened on his sword’s hilt, and he pushed off the ground, sprinting after Sebastian.

“And that monster...” he muttered, his voice laced with dread. “It is not normal.”

As the dust settled, the monster, Avolkrath, the Abyssal Harbinger, stood ominously amidst the ruins of the Imperial Palace, its form a blend of human and beast. Its towering, obsidian-like body shimmered faintly, with crimson veins pulsing like molten lava beneath its skin. Broad, spiked shoulders crackled with arcs of sinister energy, while its serpentine lower half, covered in dark metallic scales, coiled powerfully, leaving deep gouges in the ground. Where its eyes should have been, hollow pits burned with a haunting red glow, trailing wisps of shadowy mist, and its wide maw, lined with jagged teeth, dripped with a glowing, corrosive liquid. Despite its terrifying stillness, every movement carried a sense of overwhelming power, as if the monster itself were a force of nature come to life.

The battlefield seemed to hold its breath as Avolkrath let out another roar, its shadow stretching across the ruins of the palace and beyond. The smaller monsters it spawned began to pour out of the palace grounds, heading toward the knights and soldiers struggling to hold their ground in the distance.

Above the chaos, storm clouds gathered unnaturally fast, swirling around the monster as if the heavens themselves were responding to its presence. The oppressive aura it exuded grew heavier, a chilling sense of despair washing over everyone who dared to look its way.

And at the heart of the crumbling palace, amidst the chaos, Lady Arthemice remained—relentless and unyielding, her silver hair catching the faint light as she stood beneath the shadow of Avolkrath.

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faerie/arthemice

I stared at the endless swarm of monsters spilling forth like a plague, their grotesque forms multiplying with every passing second. My grip tightened around the hilt of my dagger. Why did I create something like this? Vorith was bad enough, but Avolkrath? This one is far worse—a nightmare brought to life.

I pressed two fingers against my temple, the pounding headache threatening to cloud my focus. There was no time for distractions. A beast lunged at me, and I pivoted sharply, slashing my dagger clean through its neck. The creature collapsed, and I didn’t stop to watch it writhe.

Another wave surged toward me, their howls like nails scraping against glass. I darted forward, slicing through their ranks with precision, my movements a blur of calculated violence. If I can kill that monstrosity and destroy its core, I can finally end this chaos and retrieve the seal.

“Faerie!” a voice bellowed behind me. I knew it was Sebastian, but I didn’t turn around. He’d survive—he always did. And so would I.

I reached into my Aether Pouch, pulling out a handful of explosive vials. With a flick of my wrist, I hurled them into the charging horde. The vials exploded midair, the shockwave sending fragments of monsters flying. The acrid smell of burnt flesh filled the air, but I didn’t flinch.

Leaping onto a shattered piece of marble, I scanned the battlefield for my target. Avolkrath loomed in the distance, its hulking form like a dark god amidst the ruins. My jaw tightened. Time to end this.

Another monster lunged at me, claws outstretched. I twisted my body mid-air, dodging the attack, and drove my dagger deep into its chest. With a fluid motion, I pulled the blade free and continued running, the adrenaline coursing through my veins like fire.

As I approached the crumbled remains of the palace, Avolkrath finally turned its attention toward me. Its hollow, burning eye sockets locked onto my form, and the air grew heavier, suffocating under its oppressive presence.

“You’re the source of this mess,” I muttered under my breath, my voice cold. “Let’s see if you bleed.”

The ground quaked as Avolkrath let out a guttural roar, its massive claws tearing through the palace ruins as it advanced toward me. Smaller creatures crawled out from beneath its coiling body, their shrieks piercing through the chaos.

I leaped onto a fallen column, using the momentum to propel myself higher. Avolkrath’s claw swiped where I had been standing moments ago, leaving deep gashes in the ground. “Too slow,” I hissed, landing gracefully on its coiled tail.

Its scales were slippery but not impenetrable. With a quick slash of my dagger, I carved into its hide, eliciting a deafening roar. Black, glowing liquid oozed from the wound, sizzling as it hit the ground.

Avolkrath twisted violently, trying to throw me off, but I held on, driving my blade deeper. Its movements became erratic, the ground beneath us splitting further. My focus sharpened as I climbed higher, dodging its swipes and stabbing at every exposed point I could find.

As I reached its broad shoulders, I pulled an explosive vial from my pouch and wedged it into one of the glowing veins pulsing beneath its skin. “Let’s see how you like this.”

I leaped off its back just as the vial detonated, sending a surge of energy ripping through its body. Avolkrath staggered, its roar shaking the heavens, but it wasn’t down yet. Its burning eyes fixed on me, its rage palpable.

“My lady, behind you!” Sebastian’s voice rang out, but it was too late.

Pain exploded in my skull as something struck the back of my head, sending a searing jolt through my entire body. My knees buckled, and my vision blurred as I tried to stay conscious.

“Damn it, Reynald!” Sebastian’s furious shout cut through the haze, his voice trembling with rage. I blinked rapidly, trying to clear my sight, but what I saw only made my heart race. The monster before me had recovered, its grotesque form now poised to strike.

Move, damn it! My mind screamed at my body, but it refused to obey. Paralyzed, I could only watch as the creature’s massive claws gleamed, ready to finish me off. What the hell hit me? My breaths quickened. Move, you useless body!

Before the monster could strike, strong arms scooped me up. The world spun, and in the next moment, we were no longer on the battlefield. A flash of light signaled the teleportation, and we landed hard on the cracked stone floor near the edge of the palace.

The ground trembled violently as the monster’s attack missed me by mere seconds, leaving a massive crater in its wake.

“Are you alright?!” Sebastian’s voice was raw, his breath hitching as he knelt beside me. He gently laid me down, his hands trembling as he grasped mine. His eyes bore into mine, wide and desperate, the storm of emotions in them impossible to miss.

“I’m fine, Sebastian,” I murmured, forcing a faint smile despite the throbbing in my head.

His jaw tightened, but relief flickered briefly in his expression. “Good,” he whispered, though his hands lingered on mine as if to reassure himself.

“Sebastian!” Zacharias’s voice called out, and he rushed toward us, his face pale with shock.

Sebastian shot him a sharp glance before barking orders. “Charlie! Guard my lady. Don’t let anything near her.”

He stood abruptly, his shoulders stiff with barely contained fury. I caught a glint of something unhinged in his eyes as he turned his gaze to the palace ruins. His hand gripped the hilt of his sword so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

“I’ll end this,” Sebastian growled, his voice low and dangerous. He shifted his gaze toward the left wing of the palace, where the creature’s roars echoed. “And Reynald...” His lips curled into a snarl. “He’ll meet his demise tonight.”

End this? My heart skipped a beat as I pieced together his words. Does he mean... he’s going to use it?!

I tried to stand, but my body betrayed me, trembling uselessly beneath me. Frustration flared. What the hell is this guy thinking?!

“What are you planning to do?!” I shouted, my voice cracking with a mix of anger and desperation.

Sebastian stopped, his back to me, silent for a moment. The tension in the air was suffocating. I clenched my fists, the words spilling from my lips like a plea.

“If you use that ability, you’ll die! You know that, don’t you?” My voice wavered. I clenched my fists, watching him with a growing sense of dread.

I know... I know because I wrote you. My mind raced, unearthing memories of every detail I had crafted. On your 85th regression, you wiped out the monsters, trying to end this kingdom’s torment early. You did it out of boredom—just to try something new. And you died for it.

My throat tightened, the weight of the truth suffocating me. But this time is different. This is your 100th regression, Sebastian. Your last one.

The thought sent a chill down my spine.

He turned to me then, and his expression was calm—too calm for the storm raging in my chest. A faint smile tugged at his lips, as if I hadn’t just told him he was marching toward certain death.

Why was he so calm? Why did he keep smiling like he wasn’t walking into his own end?

“No, my lady,” he said softly, kneeling before me so our eyes were level. His gaze held an intensity that rooted me to the spot. “Because if I did, I wouldn’t get to see you again. And there’s no world—no life—worth living without you in it.”

“Shut up!” I hissed, my voice trembling with fury and fear. “That doesn’t suit you, Sebastian. We’ll defeat these monsters, but we’ll do it together. No shortcuts. No sacrifices. Especially not that!”

I hadn’t even finished my tirade when he leaned forward and stole a quick kiss from my lips. My breath caught, the world narrowing to that fleeting moment.

“Make sure you seal the Colossal Tree,” he murmured against my forehead, his voice gentle but firm, “and end this madness.” He pulled back, his emerald eyes searching mine. “You don’t have to worry about me, my lady. If my death means your safety, then so be it. Because the only life I want is the one where you live.”

He stood, pulling on his gloves with deliberate precision, as if preparing for war.

“Charlie,” he said without looking back, “you have my word.”

“Yes, Sebastian,” Zacharias replied, his voice steady.

I tried again to move, to stop him, but my body refused to obey. My hands clawed at the ground as I struggled against the paralysis. “Sebastian, don’t you dare—”

But he was already walking away, his figure disappearing into the chaos, the glow of his protective circles blazing like a beacon in the dark.

“Zacharias! Stop him!” My voice cracked, and I bit down on my lower lip, fighting the tears threatening to spill.

“I’m sorry, my lady...” Zacharias murmured, his tone hollow as he scooped me into his arms. With a powerful leap, he sprinted toward the Emperor’s crumpled form. The man lay embedded in the shattered cement, clutching Artemisia’s lifeless body and the seal branded on his right hand.

Zacharias’s eyes darkened, dull and distant as they locked onto the sight of his friend’s body. “I’m sorry, Reynald,” he whispered, voice heavy with regret. Still holding me, he bent down and carefully pried the seal from the Emperor’s grip, slipping it into his pocket.

“Zacharias, Sebastian is—” My voice was barely a whisper as he rose to his feet.

“I know.” His jaw tightened as he turned to glance at the palace’s center, where Sebastian stood. Black arcane circles swirled around him, his barrier unyielding as he prepared for his final stand against Avolkrath. “But this... this is the only way to stop this mess, my lady.”

“Let me go, Zacharias!” I demanded, my voice laced with desperation.

“You can’t even move an inch,” he replied bluntly, his tone devoid of emotion. “Reynald paralyzed your body. You’ll regain movement... but not for another hour.”

“Then help him, you coward!” I spat, rage and helplessness boiling inside me.

Zacharias flinched but didn’t stop moving. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice barely audible, “but I gave him my word.”

“Charlie! Get out of the palace now! Get to Darious’s barrier!” Sebastian’s voice roared from the throne room, veins bulging along his neck as his body pulsed with raw power.

“Yes!” Zacharias called back, tightening his grip on me as he leapt through the crumbling palace. As we reached the door, I turned my head, catching one last glimpse of Sebastian.

“I swear, if you die, I’ll drag myself to the abyss just to slap your ass, you jackass!” I shouted, anger and despair mixing in my voice. The odds of him surviving were slim—a mere five percent at best—but he was stronger now, wasn’t he? Strong enough to defy fate... right?

He looked at me, his lips curving into a soft smile. “See you soon, Faerie,” he said, his voice steady despite the chaos around him.

Zacharias bolted through the door, and moments later, we were out of the palace and in the heart of the city.

“Everyone! Gather at Darious’s barrier! Now!” Zacharias’s voice thundered across the street. The knights hesitated, confused and frightened, but the urgency in his command spurred them into action.

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The ability [Evoke] has been activated.

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“Chewy, Mire, Kaelios,” I whispered, my voice trembling as the three loyal creatures gathered just outside the shimmering barrier.

“Goodbye,” I said softly, a bittersweet smile forming on my lips.

“Goodbye, master,” Mire replied, her smile mirroring mine. The pain in my chest deepened as I looked at them. Kaelios tilted his head slightly, blood dripping from his battered form, his eyes solemn yet unwavering. Mire and Chewy bore similar injuries, their once-pristine forms marked by the brutal battle.

“You can keep him, master,” Mire continued, her voice steady despite the sorrow in her eyes. “He is not one of us.”

My gaze shifted to Chewy, who had transformed into his smaller, gentler form. Without hesitation, he stepped through Darious’s barrier, his tiny body curling at my feet. He nuzzled against me, his warmth a faint comfort in the chaos. Mire was right—Chewy could remain here, while they...

“Now, it was fun serving you,” Mire said with a faint smile.

I opened my mouth to respond, but before the words could leave my lips, a sudden embrace startled me.

“My lady, you’re okay!” Lady Cecelia’s voice broke through my thoughts, and I turned to see her relief-filled eyes.

When I looked back, Mire, Kaelios, and Mire were walking away, their forms becoming silhouettes against the chaos. I clenched my fists and exhaled a shaky breath. Thank you...

“What happened?” Darious’s worried voice brought me back to the present. His face was tight with concern as he scanned me for injuries.

“Someone’s about to save us,” I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm as hot tears spilled freely down my cheeks. “So, let’s sit back and watch him die.”

The words burned my throat, the bitterness of helplessness swallowing me whole.

In the distance, the Imperial Palace began to glow with an otherworldly light. The ground trembled violently beneath our feet as Sebastian’s unleashed power surged outward, an unstoppable force. The air grew thick, crackling with raw energy, as his ability swept across the land.

A deafening roar echoed as the monsters screamed in agony, their grotesque forms disintegrating into ash. The blackened remains swirled like a storm, scattering into nothingness as the blast expanded. Every twisted creature caught in its path was obliterated, their ashes consumed by the growing light.

The palace itself quaked under the intensity of Sebastian’s power, the once-grand structure groaning as it bore witness to the final stand. The barrier surrounding us flickered and trembled, its shimmering surface barely holding. Darious stood firm, his hands glowing as he poured his strength into maintaining the barrier. Beside him, the Crown Prince gritted his teeth, his focused gaze locked on the palace.

Chaos consumed the city around us. Buildings crumbled, streets fractured, and the air reverberated with cries—a blend of terror and awe. The light from the palace cast an eerie glow over everything, a haunting mix of destruction and fragile salvation.

I couldn’t see Sebastian—only the faint glow of arcane light emanating from the palace. It stood as a crumbling ruin now, barely recognizable as the grand structure it once was.

And yet, my tears wouldn’t stop. Even as the monsters fell and the tide of battle seemed to shift toward hope, one unbearable truth gnawed at my heart: He might not survive this.

fin.