The swirling mists of the Endless Void stretched endlessly before Lennon as he approached the faint but growing energy signature. His senses were on high alert, and his hand rested lightly on his staff. He knew this was no ordinary encounter—the presence ahead was unmistakably that of a Level 4 entity.
As he crossed into a clearing of floating jagged rocks, the air grew dense with power. A towering figure emerged from the mist, its form both monstrous and regal. Its body was covered in scales that shimmered with an eerie light, and its six glowing eyes burned with malice. This was a **Threxian Warlord**, a being infamous for its brutal campaigns across lesser realms.
"Third-circle Magus," the Warlord rumbled, its voice reverberating like thunder. "You dare step into my domain?"
Lennon's golden eyes narrowed as he assessed his opponent. The power difference was clear. A direct confrontation was unwise, but retreating now would mean forfeiting the rare resources he sensed nearby.
"Threxian Warlord," Lennon said calmly, his voice low and steady. "Your strength is undeniable, but I've no intention of leaving empty-handed."
The Warlord laughed, a guttural, echoing sound. "Then you'll die here, Magus!" It raised a massive claw, dark energy swirling around it, and launched a devastating beam of force.
---
Lennon reacted instantly, raising his staff. "Third-circle spell: **Aegis of the Abyss**." A dark, shimmering barrier formed around him, absorbing the brunt of the attack but shattering under the sheer force. He was flung backward, skidding across the jagged ground, but managed to stay on his feet.
The Warlord charged, its massive frame moving with surprising speed. Lennon countered swiftly, his expression cold and calculating. "Third-circle spell: **Void Lance**."
A spear of concentrated void energy shot forward, piercing through the air. It struck the Warlord's shoulder, eliciting a roar of pain, but the creature remained standing, its wounds already beginning to heal.
"You'll need more than that, Magus!" the Warlord growled. It raised both claws, summoning a tempest of black lightning.
Lennon's eyes narrowed as he calculated his next move. He spoke softly, almost to himself. "Third-circle spell: **Graviton Collapse**."
The air around the Warlord twisted as an immense gravitational force descended, crushing everything within a radius. Rocks crumbled, and the Warlord staggered, struggling against the oppressive weight.
But the Threxian Warlord was not so easily subdued. With a roar, it unleashed its own power. "Level 4 ability: **Annihilation Surge**!"
A wave of pure destructive energy erupted from its body, obliterating the gravitational field and hurling Lennon through the air. He hit the ground hard, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. His barrier spells flickered weakly around him, barely holding together.
---
### **The Narrow Escape**
Lennon staggered to his feet, his breathing heavy. He could feel his magical reserves dwindling. The Threxian Warlord advanced, its eyes gleaming with victory.
"You fought well, Magus," it said, its voice almost mocking. "But this is where your journey ends."
Lennon's mind raced. He was outmatched—there was no denying it. But he wasn't about to die here. His eyes glinted coldly as he made his decision.
Without hesitation, he tapped into the emergency reserves of his life force. His body burned with pain, but it fueled a desperate escape. "Third-circle spell: **Shadow Rift**."
A rift of dark energy opened behind him, swirling violently. Lennon stepped into it just as the Warlord's claws came crashing down. The portal sealed shut, leaving the enraged creature roaring into the void.
---
Lennon emerged from the rift in a hidden sanctuary deep within a forgotten plane. He collapsed to the ground, his body battered and broken. Blood seeped from his wounds, and his vision blurred.
For the next several months, he remained in isolation, using every resource at his disposal to heal. His recovery was slow, each day a battle against the lingering effects of his injuries. The wounds inflicted by a Level 4 being were not easily mended.
As his body recovered, Lennon's mind remained as sharp as ever. He knew that survival in the Endless Void required constant growth. The encounter with the Threxian Warlord had revealed the limits of his current power.
Once his physical wounds were sufficiently healed, Lennon turned his focus to creating new spells. In the solitude of his sanctuary, he worked tirelessly, pushing his understanding of magic to new heights.
---
The process was grueling, but Lennon thrived in the challenge. His first creation was a spell designed for both offense and defense, a hybrid technique that could adapt to different combat situations.
"Third-circle spell: **Netherstorm Bastion**."
This spell summoned a storm of dark energy that surrounded him, simultaneously attacking enemies and shielding him from harm. Its power was formidable, a testament to his relentless pursuit of strength.
His second creation was a pure offensive spell, one that capitalized on his mastery of void magic.
"Third-circle spell: **Oblivion Spiral**."
A spiraling vortex of destructive energy that could disintegrate anything caught within its radius. This spell was designed to end battles quickly, leaving no room for his enemies to retaliate.
---
Months passed, and Lennon emerged from his sanctuary, stronger and more dangerous than ever. His cold golden eyes betrayed no emotion as he looked out into the void. The scars of his encounter with the Threxian Warlord remained, both on his body and in his mind.
But he had learned from his defeat. He would not allow himself to be caught off guard again. Every step he took, every spell he crafted, was part of a larger plan—one that would ensure his survival and dominance in the Endless Void.
As he stood in the silence, he spoke softly, his voice low and resolute.
"Power belongs to those who dare to claim it, no matter the cost."
Lennon Uranus was ready for whatever came next.
---
**End of Chapter 9**