Chereads / The Light's Last Stand / Chapter 6 - Episode 6: A Tense Resolve

Chapter 6 - Episode 6: A Tense Resolve

Scene 1: The Weight of the Past

The forest echoed with the sounds of wild boars rustling through the undergrowth. Christopher shook Elliotte's shoulder, calling out, "Elliotte... Elliotte! Do you hear me, Elliotte?!"

Elliotte jolted awake, his eyes wide with panic. "Huh? What happened? Where did Anther go?"

Christopher sighed, shaking his head. "You dozed off after I got you out of that cave. Seriously, you need to toughen up."

Elliotte stayed silent, his gaze fixed on the ground. Christopher crossed his arms and broke the tense silence. "So... That was the guy you were looking for? He didn't look too happy to see you."

Elliotte hesitated before answering softly, "That's because his family died because of me..."

Christopher's expression shifted to one of shock, then confusion. "Wait, if that's the case, why were you even looking for him?"

"I wanted to say sorry," Elliotte muttered.

Christopher let out a sharp laugh, though there was no humor in it. "Sorry? You really thought saying sorry would fix it? Look, I don't know the full story, but let me tell you something. Saying sorry isn't gonna mean a thing to a man who lost his family because of you."

Elliotte bit his lip, unable to respond.

Christopher sighed, softening his tone. "So, what's next? What are you gonna do now?"

Elliotte wiped a stray tear from his cheek and stood up, his voice firm. "For now... I'll continue with the mission I actually came for."

Christopher tilted his head, skeptical. "Huh? So, you're just gonna let your 'friend' keep going like this? The way he is now, he'll end up killing a lot more people, and you know it."

Elliotte looked down for a moment, his voice quiet but resolute. "I never said I wouldn't go after him again."

Christopher smirked, letting out a small chuckle. "You've got guts. I like that. I'll join you on your mission, then."

Elliotte glanced at him, surprised. "If you want to come along, you'll have to leave this forest."

Christopher waved it off casually. "That's not a problem. My pack can take care of the forest."

"But I'm leaving right away," Elliotte warned. "You won't have time to visit your pack."

Christopher shrugged. "Wasn't planning to meet them now, anyway. It's better this way."

Elliotte raised an eyebrow. "Won't your pack come looking for you or worry about you?"

Christopher chuckled again. "I'm from the Alpha pack. We know what's necessary at the moment and what isn't."

Elliotte sighed but nodded. "Alright, let's go."

Scene 2: The Devil's Encounter

The deep, echoing silence of the cave was broken by the sound of footsteps. Anther and Morvanious moved deeper into the dimly lit cavern. Shadows danced ominously on the jagged walls as a voice suddenly boomed.

"What are you doing here?"

Anther spun around instantly, his dark ring transforming into a wicked blade. He pointed it toward the source of the voice, a tall, wrinkled old man in a tattered cloak. The man smirked and, with a sudden flash, teleported behind Anther, delivering a swift kick to his face. Anther crashed against the rocky wall with a grunt of pain.

The old man chuckled. "Children shouldn't meddle in adults' business."

Anther staggered to his feet, glaring. He prepared to charge, but Morvanious placed a hand on his shoulder. "Stop, Anther. You won't stand a chance against this man. Stay back for now."

Grinding his teeth, Anther reluctantly stepped aside.

The old man sneered. "You've trained your dog well, Morvanious."

Morvanious remained composed, his voice low and menacing. "Theodore, what brings you here?"

Theodore's expression hardened. "Why are you here, you devil?"

Morvanious let out a chilling laugh. "Oh, I was just looking for another dark ring. I hear there's one hidden in this cave."

"You won't be laying your hands on another one of those wretched rings," Theodore declared firmly.

Morvanious smirked. "And what makes you think that, old man?"

In a blur of motion, Theodore dashed forward, his fist glowing with immense power. Morvanious deflected the punch effortlessly, but Theodore's gaze fell on his hand, his expression darkening.

"You... You already have five of them?" Theodore exclaimed, horrified.

Morvanious grinned wickedly. "Eager to know how? I killed the other old fools who had them."

Fury flashed in Theodore's eyes. He raised his hand, revealing four glowing rings on his own fingers. Each pulsed with energy, their abilities unknown.

"Let's see if you can kill me as easily," Theodore growled.

In an instant, he launched himself toward Morvanious, his fist radiating with immense energy. Morvanious met him head-on, their clash causing a shockwave that reverberated through the cave, shaking the ground and walls.

The impact of their clash sent cracks spiraling across the walls of the cave, jagged debris raining down as raw energy crackled in the air. Morvanious, his calm demeanor unshaken, gripped Theodore's arm mid-punch and smirked.

"You've grown weak, old man," Morvanious taunted, his grip tightening as he began to twist Theodore's arm. "This is what happens when you cling to outdated ideals."

Theodore grimaced but retaliated with a swift kick, forcing Morvanious to release him. With a quick movement, Theodore leapt back, creating distance. The glowing rings on his hand flared brightly, illuminating the cavern in hues of red, blue, and gold.

"Don't underestimate me, devil. The power I wield is beyond your comprehension," Theodore said, his voice filled with unwavering determination.

Morvanious chuckled, brushing dust off his cloak. "Is that so? Then let's see what your so-called power can do against mine."

He raised his hand, his own rings gleaming ominously. The dark aura around him grew more intense, the air itself seeming to grow heavier with each passing moment. Anther, who had been watching from the side, instinctively stepped back, his hands trembling.

"Stay out of this, Anther," Morvanious ordered without looking at him. "This fight is far beyond you."

Theodore wasted no time, unleashing a torrent of energy blasts from his rings. They shot through the air like bolts of lightning, each one aimed directly at Morvanious. But Morvanious stood still, his dark aura forming a shield that absorbed each attack effortlessly.

"You'll have to do better than that," Morvanious sneered before launching a counterattack. He thrust his hand forward, and a wave of black, smoky energy surged toward Theodore, consuming everything in its path.

Theodore leaped high into the air, narrowly avoiding the attack, and landed gracefully on a rocky ledge. He raised his hand, and the air around him began to shimmer. The ground beneath Morvanious' feet cracked as sharp stalagmites shot upward, aiming to impale him.

Morvanious dodged with ease, his movements fluid and calculated. "Impressive. You're putting up more of a fight than I expected," he admitted, his tone almost respectful. "But this is merely a warm-up for me."

As the battle raged on, the cave itself seemed to be reaching its limit. Rocks crumbled, and the sound of groaning stones filled the air. Anther clenched his fists, his mind torn between staying and retreating.

"Anther," Morvanious' voice cut through the chaos like a blade. "If you're going to just stand there, at least make yourself useful. Find the ring while I deal with this relic."

Anther hesitated but then nodded, turning to venture deeper into the cave. Theodore's gaze followed him, a flicker of concern crossing his face.

"I won't let him have another ring," Theodore declared, his determination reigniting. He charged forward, his entire body glowing with the combined power of his rings.

Morvanious' eyes gleamed with cruel delight as he observed Theodore struggling in his grip. "Oh, I see now. You wield the Rings of Thunder," he sneered. "Impressive, but even their combined power won't save you from me."

Dark energy surged around Morvanious as he tightened his hold on Theodore's neck. Theodore gasped for air, his body trembling as he clawed at Morvanious' unyielding grip.

"Ugh… you… won't get away with this," Theodore choked out, his voice barely audible. He winced as the dark energy burned against his skin, but his resolve didn't waver. Through his labored breaths, he murmured, "Go… inform the others… that the devil… is on the move."

Suddenly, Theodore's four glowing rings detached from his fingers, each one radiating a different hue of energy. With a brilliant flash, they shot off in different directions, disappearing into the shadows of the cave at incredible speed.

Morvanious let out a low, menacing laugh. "Inform whoever you want," he said, his voice dripping with arrogance. "They'll meet the same fate as you."

Without hesitation, he plunged his fist through Theodore's chest. Blood spattered across the cave floor as Theodore's body convulsed, his eyes wide with pain and disbelief. A final, defiant gasp escaped his lips before his body went limp.

Morvanious withdrew his bloodied hand and tossed Theodore's lifeless body aside like a discarded rag doll. He turned to face the deeper recesses of the cave, his dark aura still pulsating around him.

"Pathetic," he muttered, wiping his hand on his cloak. His gaze flickered to the path Anther had taken moments before.

"Anther," he called out, his voice echoing coldly through the cavern. "Have you found the ring yet? We're done here."