Chapter 39: When Wings Break, Empires Bleed
"Damn it... I don’t remember her being this powerful," Kael’thus growled under his breath, blood leaking from the corner of his mouth as he knelt. Gritting his teeth, he yanked a diamond-shaped crystal from a pouch hidden to his side.
With a surge of mana, the gem flared to life—and instantly cracked, releasing wisps of crimson vapor.
The red fumes spiraled into his body like hungry spirits, instantly sealing his internal bleeding and dulling the pain. Warmth spread through his limbs, and for a fleeting moment, he felt like his younger self—brimming with clarity, energy, and ruthless purpose.
This was no ordinary gem. It was a Vhalka Shard.
A rare relic mined only in the depths of the Khalidon Archipelago on the distant Tou-oh Continent—home to the merfolk and the sleeping Primordial Beast known as Vhalka the White. The Shards, when fed precise mana, could grant instantaneous healing and temporary battle resurgence. Extremely precious and limited in supply.
And Kael’thus had just used one.
Raijen, battered and buried half in rubble, did the same. He slapped his own Vhalka Shard onto his chest. A sharp breath escaped him as the healing mist soaked through his wounds and knit them shut with divine speed. Their swift recovery didn’t escape Queen Elarya’s watchful eye—and her expression tightened.
’So they came prepared.’
Still, the members of the Dark Fate weren’t expecting the elven queen to be this strong. Especially Kael’thus.
Last he saw her, she had barely broken into the realm of ascendants. Now she was two levels beyond—still graceful, still regal, but deadlier than ever.
"I need to end this... now." Elarya’s gaze flicked toward the volcano in the distance. Her heartbeat accelerated.