Arcane Drifters – Chapter 115: "The Blade of Betrayal"
Final Chapter of Volume 4
The Arcane King's body collapses, his crystal heart shattering into fragments of fading light.
The Realm, though torn and broken, begins to stabilize — its jagged skies slowly knitting together.
Kenya lands hard beside Shen, chest heaving, his flames dimming.
Eliz limps toward them, her staff dragging along the ground.
> Kenya:
"We… we did it…"
> Eliz:
"It's finally over."
Shen nods, his smile tired but warm.
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🌠 The Portal
The air behind them ripples.
A deep hum, like the low growl of the world itself.
A ring of violet fire spirals open in midair.
All three turn to face it.
From the portal steps Rin Sherzaki — her black hair swaying, her eyes burning like embers in the dark.
Kenya's voice cracks.
> Kenya:
"…Rin…? You're… alive?"
Eliz takes a hesitant step forward.
> Eliz:
"Where have you—?"
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⚔️ The Strike
Rin doesn't answer.
In a flash, her blade is out — faster than any of them can react.
The steel pierces straight through Shen's chest.
The sound is sharp, final.
Shen gasps, his swords slipping from his hands.
His eyes meet hers — confusion in every breath.
> Shen:
"…Rin?"
Her face is unreadable.
Her voice… almost trembling.
> Rin:
"Forgive me."
---
💀 Dust
Cracks of golden light spread from the wound across Shen's body.
Kenya roars and lunges forward, but Rin steps back through the portal before he can reach her.
The violet ring closes with a hiss.
Shen's body begins to disintegrate — black ash and gold sparks drifting into the wind.
> Shen:
"Guess… this is my stop…"
He smiles faintly — and is gone.
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🌑 Aftermath
Kenya falls to his knees where Shen stood, fists trembling.
Eliz stares at the drifting dust, tears falling silently.
No one speaks.
The Realm is quiet — too quiet.
Far above, where the Arcane Throne once floated, the stars flicker… as if something greater has just begun.
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