– Ohh! So you know about the Abyssal Serpent? – he exclaimed in surprise.
– I'm impressed. Those creatures are almost nonexistent, living beneath the desert's sand layers, buried deep where almost no one can reach. Harrr... – he sighed. – Well, it's to be expected from the mighty Guardian of the Empire!
– You fool, of course I know. And it was easy to identify the venom. Guess what? I have two elements... care to guess what one of them is? – She smiled at him, mocking.
– Hahaha! You're unbelievable, woman. Who would've thought you'd also have the poison element? You're even more dangerous than I imagined. No wonder all the leaders are cautious and want you dead at all costs.
– Hmph! You're just cowards hiding with your tails between your legs. – She snorted in disgust.
– But tell me, you filthy thing, is that all? You paralyze us and think that'll solve anything? Soon the effect will wear off, and when it does, I'll free Ravina. What good did your little plan do?
The man looked at her with a deep grin and burst into laughter.
– Hahaha! My plan worked perfectly! Hahahahah!
Evo, standing a little further away with Elizabeth supporting him to keep him from collapsing, felt his instincts scream in warning — the same dread he had felt that morning when he awoke in that room.
A powerful voice inside urged him: Leave now... or you'll regret it.
Every hair on his body stood on end. His heart pounded violently, almost bursting from his chest.
He grabbed the elf's arm.
– Elizabeth!
She looked at him — his eyes pleaded for salvation.
– What's wrong, Eylam? Are you all right?
– Listen to me, Instructor, I'm begging you! – He clutched her sleeves, trembling lips barely forming words. – Please, take Ravina and Freya away from here. That's all I ask. Take them and leave with the others... now!
Elizabeth froze, staring at him in disbelief. The person before her wasn't the proud, confident young man she knew. No — this was someone broken, hollowed by despair.
– Calm down, Eylam. Why are you acting like this? Freya will recover soon, and then it's over. Relax—
– No! It's not over, Instructor. It's not over at all! – He buried his face in her arm, gripping the torn fabric with what remained of his fingers.
– You three! – he shouted at the members of the Order nearby.
Startled, they hurried to him.
– What should we do, Leader? – Velra asked.
– This is an order! – he paused, breathing heavily. – Take the two of them away, along with everyone else. Now! Quickly!
The three exchanged uncertain looks, confused by his tone.
Freya and Ravina, still frozen, didn't understand why Evo was panicking.
– Why is he so desperate? What's making him act like this? – Freya wondered.
Then she looked at the dying man on the floor — he was staring at Evo, a wicked glint in his eyes. Something about that look struck her heart like ice.
– Did he... set something else up? Did Evo notice it? But what could that bastard possibly do now? He'll be dead in less than a minute... – She tried to reason, but her thoughts shattered when the man began laughing hysterically.
– Hahahaha! So you noticed, boy?! Hahahahah! – He laughed, choking on his own breath.
Everyone turned to him as the laughter died. His lips twisted into a grin of pure malice.
– But it's too late!
Evo's eyes widened, panic consuming him.
– Go! Get them out of here! All of you, run! Now!
His broken voice echoed through the hall like a dying roar.
The members hesitated only for a moment.
– All right, Leader, we'll go! But... what about you?
Evo met their eyes, his expression calm, yet empty.
– Look at me. Even if someone tried to carry me, I'd turn to ash before reaching the door. Elizabeth stopped the corrosion, but the damage is too severe. My life's already over. Now go. Don't waste another second!
As they began to move, a new voice echoed through the hall.
– Well then... I suppose it's my turn.
The voice was familiar — too familiar.
Everyone turned toward it. Kalistro, sword in hand, walked toward Freya and Ravina.
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes.
– What are you doing, Instructor Kalistro? What do you mean, "your turn"?
The air grew heavy. A single metallic sound — steel sliding free from its sheath.
Elizabeth's temper flared.
– I asked you a question! What the hell do you think you're doing?! – She rose in fury, but a cold blade pressed against her neck from behind.
– Don't move. – A cold voice whispered in her ear.
She turned her eyes slowly toward the voice's owner... and froze.
Evo, watching it unfold, felt his blood boil with rage.
– You... – he hissed.
– I knew I recognized you. I had my suspicions, but now it's confirmed, isn't it... Umbra?!
– Hahaha! You really are sharp, Leader. I did my best to stay invisible, to keep you from connecting the dots... but oh well. – The man removed his mask with a mischievous grin. – It didn't matter anyway.
The man behind the codename Umbra was none other than Talier, Kalistro's supposed apprentice — and one of Evo's classmates.
After the Tower Examination, Talier and two others had vanished. Evo had seen him again during the first meeting of the order and felt something off... and now, the truth stood before him in the worst way possible.
Evo glared, filled with killing intent. He wanted to tear the traitor apart piece by piece.
– Ahh, don't look at me like that! – Talier smirked. – I'm just following orders.
– Why?! Why are you helping them?! – Evo's voice broke, filled with fury and disbelief.
– Why? Simple. This side... is far more rewarding. – He grinned wide. – And I like rewards.
The words hit the room like poison. Velra and Sevran stood frozen. The dwarf and the elf nearby clenched their fists in silent rage.
If Evo had the strength, he would've killed him right there.
Kalistro, sword in hand, turned his gaze to Talier with amusement.
– Talier, hold that elf down and make sure no one interferes.
– Got it, Kalistro. Now hurry and do your job. The others should've already contacted the emperor. Kill those bitchs, and let's leave. If something goes wrong, I don't want to hear a word of complaint.
Ravina and Freya, still paralyzed, trembled.
– I can't believe it... You, Kalistro. One of the instructors we trusted the most. You were one of them all along... one of those filthy traitors. I'm disgusted. – Freya's voice trembled with anguish and disappointment.
Evo looked at her. He felt the same — rage, betrayal, sorrow.
– Haha, sorry to disappoint. – Kalistro smiled coldly. – I've spent years pretending to be the mentor of spoiled brats. Harrr... – He sighed. – It was exhausting. But it was worth it. Now I can finally reap what I've sown — starting with you two, my troublesome ladies.
He raised his sword, ready to strike.
Evo's face went pale. His heart thundered violently. He couldn't lose them — not the two who had filled his life with light, with warmth.
Desperation devoured him whole.
Anything... please... anything that can save them.
Take my life — I'll give it gladly.
– Don't do it! – he whispered, trembling, desperate.
– Please, I beg you... don't take them from me...
Ravina and Freya looked back at him, eyes soft, sorrowful — and smiled, as if silently asking for forgiveness.
Kalistro moved. The blade rose high.
– Don't move! – Evo roared.
The instructor's arm froze midair.
He looked at Evo, irritated.
– That ability of yours... how annoying. I was going to kill you after them, since you might've been trouble later... but I see that won't be necessary anymore.
Evo was barely alive. His left arm was gone; his right one crumbled to ash. Blood poured from his mouth as his body broke apart. Still, his eyes never left Kalistro's.
But it didn't last long.
His strength gave out — and Kalistro broke free of the invisible chains.
The sword swung down.
Ravina and Freya didn't look away. Their eyes locked on Evo's, full of pain and love.
– Don't... – he murmured weakly, voice hollow, soul shattered.
Swishhh!
The blade sliced through the air — sharp, merciless, final.
Blood splattered across the floor. Two heads rolled toward Evo's knees.
Their bodies collapsed beside him, lifeless.
Evo lowered his head slowly.
The two heads rested against him — and their eyes... still looked at him.
As if he were the last thing they saw.
His lips trembled. Tears streamed down his broken face.
– Freya... Ravina... – he whispered, voice fading into silence.