The air crackled with intensity as the battle raged on. The awakened warrior, now exuding an overwhelming aura, stood tall, his newly transformed greatsword humming with raw energy. His eyes burned with an unshakable resolve, the echoes of his past blending with the present as he unleashed a devastating strike toward Liam.
Liam barely had time to react. He threw himself to the side, the ground splitting apart where he once stood. The shockwave sent debris flying, forcing Kai and Selene to retreat further back. Echo analyzed the situation, its glowing eyes scanning the warrior's movements with precision.
"His power has increased exponentially," Echo noted. "This level of awakening is abnormal for someone without a known ability."
Liam gritted his teeth. "Then we push him past his limit."
Kai nodded, gripping his weapon tightly. "Let's do this together."
The three of them launched forward. Liam used Override to manipulate the environment, causing jagged rocks to rise as obstacles. Selene darted through the shadows, striking with precision before fading into the darkness again. Kai, though less experienced, matched their intensity, his movements becoming sharper with each passing second.
But the warrior was relentless. With a single swing of his greatsword, he shattered Liam's obstacles. He moved with newfound speed, intercepting Selene mid-attack and sending her skidding across the ground. Kai barely dodged a counterstrike, his heart pounding.
Despite their efforts, the warrior still stood strong, his expression unreadable. But beneath his stoic exterior, something was breaking. His body trembled, veins pulsing unnaturally. He was reaching his limit.
Liam noticed it. "He's forcing himself beyond his own strength…"
Selene wiped blood from her lip. "Then we just need to hold out."
The battle intensified. Liam called upon his tamed beasts, sending the Ravager and his wolf to attack from multiple angles. The warrior fought them off but was slowly being pushed back. His breathing grew heavier, his attacks wilder.
Finally, as the last of his strength left him, the warrior dropped to one knee. His sword, once a weapon of destruction, now dug into the ground to support his weight. He let out a heavy breath, his gaze lifting toward Liam.
"You… are strong," he admitted. "Stronger than I ever was."
Liam stepped forward cautiously. "Why fight so desperately? You knew you couldn't win."
The warrior let out a bitter chuckle. "Because… I had no choice. My fate was sealed the moment I lost everything." His voice softened, his past flashing before his eyes. "Someone… someone like me doesn't deserve to live in this world."
The silence that followed was heavy. Then, with one last look at the group, the warrior closed his eyes. His body began to fade, his energy dispersing into the air. His story ended here, but his battle had left an impact.
Liam clenched his fists. This wasn't just about fighting anymore. It was about survival in a world that had turned against them all. And if they wanted to make it through, they had to get stronger.
As the last remnants of the battle faded, Echo spoke up. "We should move. The entrance to the Obsidian Rift is near."
Liam took one last look at where the warrior had fallen. Then, with determination in his eyes, he turned toward their next destination.
The real challenge was just beginning.
End of Chapter 17