Chapter 5 - Warmth of death

Mykon Conho's eyes locked onto the Ultrax with an intensity that bordered on obsession. As he advanced towards the object, his pupils dilated, reflecting a burning desire for the power it promised. His jaw clenched, his nostrils flared with every breath, and a palpable hunger for strength radiated from his very core.

Mykon Conho's face contorted with a mix of determination and longing. His brows furrowed deeply, casting shadows over eyes that blazed with an insatiable craving for power. Lips pressed together into a thin line, he held back a primal roar of ambition that threatened to escape.

In this moment, Mykon Conho was a man possessed by his own hunger for greatness, ready to seize the Ultrax and let its might shake worlds, all in pursuit of etching his name into the Book of the Divines.

Mykon Taro noticed the intensity in Conho's eyes and gestures toward the object. "This Object can cloud the mind if one isn't cautious," he cautioned, his brow furrowing in concern, mirroring the unease etched across his face. "So I implore all of you to maintain a safe distance while I retrieve it."

However, Mykon Conho's determination returned, and his features hardened as he spoke. "No, there could be unforeseen dangers tied to the Ultrax. I will take the risk," he declared, his jaw set firmly. His eyes softened slightly, revealing a flicker of empathy.

"And besides, you have a wife and an unborn child anxiously awaiting your return. I don't think they can bear the news if anything unfortunate were to happen to you." Mykon Taro, though reluctant, had no option but to acquiesce to his friend's unwavering resolve.

Mykon Conho stood proudly before the Ultrax, his eyes alight with an unmistakable hunger for power. His lips curled into a confident smile as he declared, "With this, one can become unstoppable."

Mykon Taro wore a more cautious expression. His brow furrowed slightly, and a thoughtful look crossed his face as he responded, "Yes, but the one who wields it must possess the knowledge to control it, or else it will control them." There was a trace of concern in his eyes, a recognition of the peril that lay within that very object. "That's why we must take it to..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Mykon Conho interrupted with a sly grin, "Maestro, right?" His eyes sparkled with mischief and anticipation.

Mykon Taro nodded in reluctant agreement, a hint of shyness in his expression as he acknowledged the undeniable truth in his friend's words.

A sudden, electric surge of power enveloped the Ultrax, crackling and pulsating with intensity as Mykon Conho's fingers closed around it. It was as though the very air around them had come alive, vibrating with raw energy.

As he held the object, a torrent of energy coursed through his veins, igniting a fiery sensation that surged upward from his fingertips. The power seemed to follow a deliberate path, converging like a whirlwind, focusing its might at the very core of his being, deep within his chest.

Mykon Conho's eyes snapped shut, overcomed by the electrifying ecstasy of this newfound power. His entire body trembled with the thrill of it all, and a triumphant grin played upon his lips. It was as if he had harnessed the very essence of the universe itself, and in that moment, he felt invincible, ready to conquer whatever challenges lay ahead.

***********

In the heart of Kahani, chaos reigned supreme. Layd Sohs, a figure fueled by a malevolent obsession, led his relentless army of spies on a relentless hunt. Their footsteps thundered through the narrow streets, each stride punctuated by the ominous clank of armor and weapons.

Driven by a consuming hatred, Layd Sohs left a trail of terror in his wake. His eyes burned with a chilling determination as he scoured every house, every alley, and every corner, relentless in his quest for the elusive Ultrax. The very air seemed to quiver with fear as he prowled through the city.

As Layd Sohs and his merciless spies closed in on their prey, no one was spared from their wrath. Men and women alike fell victim to their ruthless onslaught, their cries of despair echoing through the streets. It was a scene of unparalleled pandemonium and brutality, a storm of violence and vengeance that sent shockwaves through Kahani.

Malie's face, despite the impending danger and the adrenaline coursing through her veins, remained surprisingly composed. Her eyes held a determined glint, reflecting a resolute resolve to protect both herself and her unborn child. There was no hint of fear in her gaze, only a fierce determination to defend what was precious to her.

As the door splintered into pieces under the force of a swordsman's strike, Malie's features tightened. Her brow furrowed with concentration, and her lips formed a firm line. She gripped the sword tightly, her knuckles white with the pressure, ready to unleash the few fighting techniques she had learned during her time as an Actant.

Facing the three fierce-looking men who had invaded her home, Malie's stance remained unwavering. Her jaw was set with unwavering resolve, and her chest rose and fell with measured breaths. In this critical moment, her face conveyed a potent mix of courage and defiance, an unyielding spirit that refused to be intimidated, even in the face of imminent danger.

One of the Swordsmen, his face etched with a mocking grin, taunted her, "You don't actually intend to use that, do you?" His expression carried an air of jest.

Malie, undeterred and with a steely resolve in her eyes, retorted, "It depends on the target, actually." Her face conveyed a calm determination, belying the danger that lurked in her words.

Seeing her as a mere threat, the first swordsman approached her, his guard lowering as a sense of superiority washed over him. Confidence was etched across his face.

With lightning speed and a grace that belied her apparent vulnerability, Malie swung her sword. Her features transformed into a determined mask as she struck, leaving behind a trail of shock and disbelief in the eyes of the swordsman. His expression shifted from arrogance to sheer horror as his head tumbled to the well-adorned floor, blood pooling around his lifeless form.

The two remaining swordsmen, their faces twisted with shock and rage, dashed forward in a desperate attempt to subdue Malie. Fear and anger mingled on their features as they closed the distance, driven by a thirst for vengeance.

Malie, her face contorted in anger, summoned every ounce of strength within her. She swung her sword once more, her eyes locked onto her targets.

A mixture of determination and anger played across her face as she struck with all the skill and fury she possessed. One of the swordsmen fell victim to her relentless attack, his expression shifting from surprise to sheer disbelief as her blade found its mark.

However, the other swordsman managed to evade her strike, and with a swift, ruthless motion, he pierced her shoulder with his blade. Malie's face twisted in an agonizing scream as searing pain coursed through her body.

In a desperate bid for survival, with a final burst of strength, she retaliated, her face etched with a grim resolve. Her blade found its mark, piercing the swordsman's stomach. His eyes widened with shock and pain, his grip on his weapon weakening as he pushed Malie behind him.

Malie's agonizing pain overcame her, causing her to collapse onto her large, swollen stomach. Her face contorted in a heart-wrenching scream as the pain surged through her body, her features twisted with suffering.

With great effort, she managed to roll over, her back now against the floor, blood staining the surface beneath her. The room seemed to blur around her as her mind raced with a flurry of anxious thoughts.

"Is the child coming out now?" she wondered, her eyes wide with fear and uncertainty. Her face revealed the torment of not knowing what would happen next.

"Was he able to bear the shock from the fall?" Another wave of distress washed over her as she considered the potential harm to her unborn child.

"Is he still alive?" Her voice quivered with desperation as she wrestled with the fear of the unknown.

"Do I still have the strength to give birth to him?" These haunting questions swirled through her mind, etching a portrait of despair on her tear-streaked face. Malie lay there, trembling and crying, caught in a whirlwind of pain and anxiety.

**********

A hushed silence hung in the air as the only words that escaped Mykon Conho's lips were, "The North doesn't have to possess this power." His face carried a solemn determination that seemed to radiate from his very being.

Mykon Taro, utterly shocked by his friend's declaration, responded, "Taking the Ultrax to the North was our sole objective for coming here, nothing more." His face mirrored a sense of disbelief and conflict.

With his eyes glowing with an unearthly intensity, Mykon Conho stated firmly, "I will claim the Ultrax." His face became a testament to his unwavering ambition.

"But that's not possible," Mykon Taro countered, his grip tightening on the 'Lightbringer,' his expression revealing a readiness to unleash a powerful attack.

Mykon Conho's response was swift and chilling, "Only if you're alive." His face took on a cold, resolute edge, showing that he was willing to go to any lengths to attain the coveted power of the Ultrax.

In the blink of an eye, a cataclysmic wave-like explosion erupted, sending the swordsmen hurtling lifeless into the air. The sheer force of the blast was staggering, and their faces contorted in a final, frozen expression of shock and terror.

However, amidst the chaos and devastation, Mykon Taro's face displayed an incredible act of heroism. His eyes widened with a fierce determination as he instinctively shielded his brother, Bain, from the deadly onslaught. His features contorted with pain as the explosion raged around them, and he bore the brunt of the injury with courage.

Mykon Taro's face told the story of selfless sacrifice, a brother's love, and the agony of enduring the consequences of his noble act. It was a moment of profound heroism etched in the lines of pain and determination on his face.

The wound inflicted by the explosive attack throbbed in Mykon Taro's arm, a searing pain akin to a burning coal embedded in his flesh. His face contorted with agony, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he fought to suppress the pain.

With great effort, he managed to turn his gaze toward the other swordsmen who lay lifeless, their faces frozen in the stark visage of death. A mixture of relief and sorrow washed over him, and his expression revealed the weight of the sacrifices made in that fateful moment.

His eyes then settled on his brother, Bain, who had sustained only minor bruises. Mykon Taro's face softened with a sense of gratitude and protectiveness, a profound relief that at least one loved one had been spared the grim fate that had befallen the others.

The aura radiating from the transformed Conho was nothing short of intimidating. It engulfed him like a shroud of raw energy, and its sheer presence weighed heavily upon the wounded Taro.

His face contorted with a mixture of awe and fear, as he realized the vast gap that now existed between them in terms of power and danger.

Summoning every ounce of his remaining strength, Mykon Taro urgently gestured for his brother to make a run for safety. His face bore the strain of his injuries, marked by sweat and a determined resolve to ensure Bain's escape.

Deep within, Taro knew that confronting the now overwhelmingly mighty Conho in a direct battle was futile. His face showed the weight of this realization, an acknowledgment of the desperate situation at hand.

As he watched Bain flee, a determined expression settled over Taro's features. His face transformed into a mask of concentration and focus, ready to unleash the formidable power of the Tongue of the Mind, the only hope left to him in this dire moment of need.

Mykon Taro knew that invoking the Tongue of the Mind might come at an immense cost, even risking his own life, but his determination to prevent the monstrous Conho from escaping remained unwavering.

With a face that displayed a grim and resolute determination, Taro summoned the very last reserves of his energy. His brows furrowed deeply, and his eyes burned with a fierce intensity as he uttered the word:

"99th form: Phetana Ensilia."

In this critical moment, his face became a testament to his sheer willpower and resolve, ready to unleash a power that could change the course of their fate, even at the cost of his own life.

As Mykon Taro's blade ignited into a fierce inferno, the very air seemed to crackle with anticipation. His face became a mask of intense concentration, eyes locked onto his target with a burning resolve that was nothing short of electrifying.

In an instant, Taro swung his sword with a furious, blinding ray of light slicing through the space. The attack struck with an unstoppable force, and a deafening roar of energy filled the air. It was a moment of breathtaking spectacle, a climax of power and determination.

Conho, caught off guard, had no time to react. His face contorted in a nightmarish scream as the blinding ray hit him at his very core. His body convulsed, and he plummeted to the ground, wracked with agony. The intensity of the attack fractured his energy core, and the very ground seemed to shudder beneath the cataclysmic impact.

As he lay on the cold, unforgiving cave floor, the realization that he might not live to see his son tore through Mykon Taro's mind. His face contorted with a profound mix of sorrow and regret, his eyes clouded with anguish.

The weight of this thought pressed heavily upon him, and his features revealed the heartbreaking truth that, in this dire moment, the hope of witnessing his child's life was slipping away, just like his own fading vitality.

*********

Summoning every last ounce of strength, Malie fought through her pain and exhaustion to bring her child into the world.

However, as she looked upon the fragile, motionless infant, a sense of profound disappointment washed over her. Her face displayed a heartbreaking mix of exhaustion, sorrow, and resignation.

With trembling lips and tears in her eyes, she whispered, "He couldn't make it after all." Her facial expression conveyed the immense grief and despair of a mother who had desperately tried to bring her child into a world filled with danger and uncertainty.

As the life slowly drained from her, her face revealed the agony of knowing that her sacrifice had come at an immeasurable cost, and she slipped away, leaving behind a heart-wrenching scene of loss and tragedy.

**********

As Mykon Taro's life ebbed away, the chilling cold that had enveloped him slowly transformed into a comforting warmth. His vision blurred, and each breath became a laborious effort. His face contorted with a mixture of curiosity and acceptance.

In the final moments of his existence, he wondered, "Is this the warmth of death?" His facial expression carried a sense of both wonder and resignation, as if he were on the cusp of an unknown journey.

As his consciousness waned, the only word that echoed through his fading mind was "Malie." His face softened with a touch of serenity, as if her name were a beacon guiding him into the embrace of the afterlife.

Then suddenly.....