CHAPTER 72 : THE SHOWDOWN IN GEARFOLK The narrow alley of Gearfolk exploded into chaos as Veilith crouched behind a stack of metal crates, his twin revolvers gleaming under the faint light of overhead lamps. Each shot he fired was precise, punching through the smaller constructs that swarmed him. Sparks erupted with every hit, and the air filled with the acrid scent of burning metal.Milo stood at the far end of the alley, his mechanical arm glowing faintly as he watched Veilith with an expression that was equal parts amusement and irritation. His cloak fluttered in the wind as he adjusted the settings on his wrist device.“Still hiding behind cover, Veilith? I expected better from you.” Milo’s voice echoed, cold and taunting. Veilith peeked over the crates, his keen eyes scanning the battlefield. The smaller automatons were closing in, their glowing eyes and sharp appendages reflecting Milo’s cruel design. With a practiced motion, Veilith loaded special ammunition into his revolver

CHAPTER 74 : THE REST AT THE LAKEThe sun dipped lower on the horizon as Loren trudged to the edge of a serene lake nestled in the shadow of Dragonspire Mountain. The air here felt different, calmer, almost sacred, as if this place was untouched by the chaos of his recent battles. A cool breeze carried the crisp scent of pine and fresh water, a stark contrast to the scorching heat and fiery chaos he had faced atop the summit.Loren dropped his pack with a heavy thud near the water’s edge and let out a weary sigh. The aches in his body were relentless; his arms felt like lead, his legs struggled to hold him upright, and his chest burned with every breath. The wounds from his battle with Davion, the legendary swordsman-turned-dragon, throbbed painfully, a vivid reminder of how close he had come to losing.Kneeling by the lake, Loren cupped his hands to gather the cool, crystal-clear water. As he splashed it over his face, the sensation was almost shocking, a momentary escape from the fa

CHAPTER 76 : THE RADARGritting his teeth, Loren dug deep within himself. The air around him felt electric, charged with the immense pressure of the Warden’s next attack. Deep within his chest, he felt the dragon’s power stir faintly, a fiery pulse urging him to call upon it. The sacred relic in his hands seemed to hum with anticipation, as if it, too, yearned for the clash to come.But there was no time to think, no time to second-guess. The Warden raised its colossal arms, the molten sphere of light between them swelling with devastating energy. Loren’s mind raced, weighing his limited options. He could feel the Dragon’s Blood Gate pulsing in the back of his mind, a reservoir of strength waiting to be unleashed. But he also knew the risk of relying too heavily on the dragon’s power without full control.“Now or never.” Loren muttered under his breath, his grip tightening on the sacred relic.As the Warden prepared to hurl the molten sphere, Loren made his move. He charged straight a

CHAPTER 78 : “I AM THE GRAND MAGUSKael's eyes gleamed with a predatory focus. "Let’s begin, Loren." he declared, his voice calm yet laced with menace.Purple streaks of light surged from Kael’s magic circles, streaking toward Loren with blinding speed. Loren’s instincts kicked in as he dashed forward, weaving and sidestepping with precision to avoid the barrage. Each blast struck the ground behind him, kicking up dirt and grass in violent explosions.The gap between them closed rapidly. Loren's greatsword gleamed as he raised it high, muscles coiled with anticipation. "Your magic won’t be enough to stop me." he growled, his voice steady and confident.Kael smirked. With a quick leap, he propelled himself backward, his staff glowing with power. A new magic circle materialized under Loren’s feet, pulsing with energy. "Don't be so arrogant yet." Kael sneered.The ground beneath Loren erupted with a brilliant flash of light. Reflexively, Loren dove to the side, narrowly escaping the s

CHAPTER 80 : THE UNEXPECTED REUNIONLoren who is lay wounded on the battlefield, his vision blurred by pain and exhaustion, he struggled to push himself off the ground. Kael loomed over him, the stolen crystal in hand, gloating triumphantly.“You’ve fought well, boy, but all your effort was in vain. Now I’ll claim the fourth crystal, and no one can stop me.” Kael sneered and blinked forward.With a blink, Kael vanished from sight. Loren clenched his fists. He wasn’t ready to give up, not yet. He tried to stand, but his legs betrayed him, trembling under the weight of his battered body. His heart pounded, frustration surging through him. He couldn't let Kael win, but his strength was nearly depleted.Suddenly, a sweet, melodic sound filled the air. It was faint at first, like the distant hum of a harp, but it quickly grew louder. Loren's eyes widened in disbelief. He recognized that tune.“Anne?” he whispered, incredulous.A wave of soothing energy washed over Loren, easing his pain an