Dareth flew toward Zorayel.
Zorayel was still burning.every breath felt like fire tearing through his chest.
Dareth clasped both of his hands together and brought them down with brutal force.
Zorayel was smashed into the ground.
The impact shattered the earth, cracks spreading in every direction. He coughed violently, blood spilling from his mouth. He lost his consciousness.
Dareth landed moments later.
Arcane reached out, ready to summon his sword
But suddenly, he heard footsteps.
From the sides, Allesio, Arcel, Ysera, Durein, Liraeth, and Orion came rushing.
They were heavily injured. Bloodied. Exhausted.
Yet they still walked forward. Ready to fight.
Dareth took a step and suddenly clutched his chest.
His heart throbbed violently.
He collapsed to his knees.
"What's happening?" someone shouted.
Dareth screamed.
"Why… why does it hurt this much?!"
Dark flames erupted around him, spiraling wildly, lashing out as if trying to consume him.
"Don't go near him!" Arcane shouted. "He's dangerous!"
"He's overused the Demon Heart," Arcane realized. "At this rate… he'll die in moments."
"I can't take it anymore!" Dareth screamed.
He staggered to his feet and began walking toward the forest.
Everyone moved to stop him.
Everyone except Arcane.
"How is he even alive after using Ragnarok?" Arcane thought, his mind racing.
Just as they were about to strike…
Dareth screamed again.
Dark fire exploded outward, blasting everyone away.
The ground trembled.
A dark portal opened in front of him.
Without looking back Dareth stepped into it.
No one could stop him. Dareth escaped.
At Omeria's Side…
Omeria stood atop Selvana's corpse.
Selvana's head lay severed, her body brutally mutilated.
"Looks like the work here is done," Omeria said calmly.
She glanced down at the body. "It was fun playing with you."
Turning away, she smiled faintly. "See you."
She disappeared into the forest.
At Aize's Side…
"It's been a long day," Aize muttered as he walked out of the town.
His clothes were torn near the neck.
There etched into the fabric was a skull-shaped mark.
"When did they cut this?" he wondered.
He paused, then shrugged. "Well… why does it matter anyway?"
And he vanished into the forest.
A Few Hours Later…
Dusk settled over the land.
The Royal Guard of the Capital finally arrived.
They began capturing the remaining Black Troops.
Healers moved through the ruins, tending to the wounded.
Those who had fled the town slowly returned.
Fear filled their eyes. Despair followed.
Homes… once built with years of effort… were now piles of rubble.
Some searched desperately for their families.
Some found them.
When they did, they ran, embracing each other tightly, crying, refusing to let go.
Some lay wounded, being treated.
And some… Never found anyone.
Their loved ones were gone. Perhaps lying somewhere beneath the ruins.
What was once the most beautiful town had become a city of ashes and sorrow.
At the Healing Camp…
"Ugh…" Zorayel slowly opened his eyes.
Every part of his body screamed in pain, as if it had been shattered and stitched back together.
"He's awake," one of the healers said in relief.
"Don't push yourself," the healer warned gently.
Zorayel ignored the pain and forced himself to sit up.
His vision cleared.
On nearby beds lay Rahzei, Servil, and Allesio, all unconscious, their bodies wrapped in bandages.
"What… happened after I passed out?" Zorayel asked weakly.
"Let me tell you," a familiar voice replied.
Zorayel turned his head.
Orion lay on the bed beside him.
"After you collapsed, all of us went after Dareth," Orion said, slowly sitting up. "But he escaped."
Zorayel clenched his fists.
"Then Allesio collapsed at the scene. We brought him here," Orion continued. "They also found Rahzei unconscious near another Blacktroops member. And Miren too."
"Where is everyone else?" Zorayel asked.
"Those who aren't badly injured are helping others who needs help," Orion replied.
Zorayel nodded.
"Then why are you here?" he asked.
"Just taking a short rest," Orion said with a faint smile as he stood up. "Are you ready for a walk? Though sorry, you'll be stuck in bed for quite a while…"
Before Orion could finish, Zorayel stood up.
Orion stared in disbelief.
"How can you even stand after all that beating?"
"I… don't know," Zorayel said. "It doesn't hurt that much—"
Suddenly, sharp pain stabbed through his chest.
Zorayel grabbed it, gasping.
"Wait! I'll call the healer!" Orion said urgently.
"Don't," Zorayel said, steadying himself. "I'm fine."
His eyes shifted to Servil. "What happened to her?"
"She overused her power," Orion replied quietly. "She collapsed right after."
Zorayel and Orion stepped outside the tent.
On one side, the camp was filled with the wounded- groans, whispers, and cries echoing softly.
On the other side… bodies. Laid out in rows.
Zorayel felt his stomach twist.
"You shouldn't be out here," Orion said.
"I'm fine," Zorayel replied.
Then, in a low voice… "I want to see master's body… one last time."
Orion hesitated.
"…There's something you need to see," he finally said.
They arrived in front of the Town Hall.
A crowd had gathered.
Two special coffins were placed at the center.
One belonged to Eldrick. And the other belongs to the Town Chief.
People stood silently, some crying, some unable to speak.
The Advisor addressed the crowd.
"Today, we gather to pay tribute to two men who gave everything for this town. May their souls rest in peace."
Zorayel couldn't move. He couldn't breathe.
Without saying a single word… he turned away.
"I'm going to rest," Zorayel said quietly, walking back toward the tent.
Later…
A healer entered Zorayel's tent.
The bed was empty.
There was only a note.
The healer screamed.
Orion rushed in. He read the note. His face went pale.
He immediately called the nearby Pillars of MAA.
They all gathered. They all read it.
"I failed to keep my promise to my master. I'm going after Davi. I won't return until I find him. It was nice knowing you all. I'm grateful to all of you. Goodbye."
"Is he out of his mind?!" Ysera shouted.
"He's not far. Let's find him," Servil said, struggling to stand.
"It's useless," Durein said grimly. "I can't track him."
Silence fell.
One by one, they accepted the truth…. They had lost Zorayel.
Orion looked up at the sky. "…Be safe."
"We were the Pillars of Magic Association Administration," Ysera said bitterly. "Protectors of this town… and yet we couldn't protect anyone."
"We couldn't protect our friend," she continued. "And we couldn't even find the one who saved us all."
Her words reminded everyone of Aeron.
"…I hope Allesio and Arcane find him soon," someone said quietly.
No one replied.
The wind carried their unspoken fear into the darkening sky.