The pulsating energy crackled through the atmosphere, a blood-red comet searing through the night as it sped toward the Goodie Hunters' palace. In the grand courtyard, Manav stood unmoving, a figure of composed authority. His expression betrayed nothing—no fear, no anticipation, not even curiosity. The air around him rippled with tension as the energy barreled closer, the ground trembling under its intensity.
The commanders, who had defeated 2nd branch commanders , watched from a distance, murmurs of concern breaking the heavy silence. None dared approach Manav, whose unshakable presence seemed to dwarf even the heavens' fury.
Suddenly, a lone figure stepped forward—Ryan Jim. His footsteps were deliberate, each one echoing with purpose. As he reached Manav's side, the pulsating core now just seconds away, he spoke, his voice calm.
"I'll take care of this."
Manav didn't respond. He didn't need to. His silence was an unspoken command, his cold gaze fixed on the horizon.
Ryan extended his hand as the core hurtled toward him, the pulsating light now overwhelming. When it struck, the courtyard exploded in a blinding flash, forcing the others to shield their eyes. The energy surged into Ryan, its tendrils wrapping around him like living flames, attempting to consume him.
But Ryan stood firm. His body absorbed the energy, his silhouette glowing faintly in the aftermath. When the light faded, he was unchanged—no scars, no transformations, just the same steadfast man. He turned to Manav, his expression unreadable.
"It's done," he said simply.
Manav nodded once, a slight incline of his head, before turning back to the palace. "Prepare the next phase."
Meanwhile, the battle against Yurika raged on within the labyrinthine corridors of the Crimson Serpent's 4th branch. Thane Xyro and Liora Crest pushed forward, their movements precise and deliberate. Yurika, her twin plasma blades spinning in arcs of deadly light, fought with the ferocity of a cornered animal.
"You're resilient, I'll give you that," Yurika sneered, dodging a perfectly timed swing from Liora's blade. "But it won't be enough."
Thane stepped in, his strikes slow but deliberate, each one designed to test her defenses. Yurika parried effortlessly, her agility making her a near-impossible target. Sparks flew with every clash of their weapons, the confined space amplifying the heat of the battle.
"
Liora's eyes narrowed, and she lunged forward, her blade slicing through the air. Yurika sidestepped, countering with a swift strike that Liora barely managed to deflect. The dance of blades continued, each move calculated, each step a test of endurance and skill.
As the battle continued, far away in the quiet of the palace, Manav sat in his private chamber, his gaze distant. The events of the evening had stirred something within him, a memory long buried. His thoughts drifted to Ryan Jim—a man whose loyalty had never faltered, whose strength had been forged in a fire few could withstand.
Years ago, Ryan had been a soldier in a crumbling faction, a nameless army forgotten by history. Betrayed by his comrades and left for dead, he wandered through the desolate wastelands, a broken man. His body bore the scars of countless battles, but it was his spirit that had suffered the greatest wound.
It was in those barren lands that he met Manav for the first time. At the time, Manav had been building his empire, seeking individuals who shared his vision—those who had been discarded by the world but still had the fire to fight.
Manav found Ryan leaning against a crumbling wall, his wounds festering, his eyes hollow.
"Do you want to die here?" Manav had asked, his voice devoid of sympathy but laced with an undeniable authority.
Ryan didn't respond at first. His gaze shifted to Manav, studying the man who had spoken. There was something about him—a presence that demanded attention, a purpose that transcended the chaos around him.
"What if I said you could still serve a cause greater than yourself?" Manav continued, his tone unwavering.
Ryan chuckled dryly, the sound bitter. "And what cause would that be?"
Manav leaned forward slightly, his piercing gaze locking onto Ryan's. "One that will reshape this world."
It was those words that sparked a fire in Ryan, one that had been long extinguished. He didn't fully understand what Manav stood for at that moment, but he knew one thing: he was willing to follow this man, if only to find a purpose once again.
The sound of blades clashing jolted Manav from his memories. He rose from his seat, his expression as unreadable as ever. He stepped out onto the palace balcony, his cold gaze sweeping over the horizon where the glow of the battle still lingered.
Back in the 4th branch, Thane and Liora continued their struggle against Yurika. The facility trembled as the energy released earlier still rippled through its foundations. Yurika fought with a renewed ferocity, her movements almost frantic as she realized the tide of the battle was slowly shifting against her.
Thane, calm and methodical, pushed forward, his strikes relentless. "You've lost, Yurika," he said, his voice steady.
But Yurika merely smirked, her eyes gleaming with defiance. "You think this is over? You've underestimated the Crimson Serpent."
Before Thane could respond, a sudden tremor shook the facility. Yurika used the distraction to retreat deeper into the command center, her voice echoing through the corridors.
"You've made it this far, but you'll regret coming here."
Thane and Liora exchanged a glance, their expressions grim. They knew Yurika wasn't bluffing. Whatever she had planned, it was far from over.