Chapter 89: The First Seal Breaks
Lightning licked the edges of a shattered sky, its jagged arcs tearing through the blood-orange clouds like claws of a dying god. The heroes had escaped the Chrono Tomb by the slimmest of margins, collapsing onto a scorched plateau that trembled beneath their weight. The portal behind them snapped shut with a thunderous crack, sending shockwaves that fractured the earth. In the distance, rifts of corrupted crimson light sliced across the landscape like jagged scars, each one pulsing with an otherworldly malice. The realm itself seemed to scream, a primal cry of pain and defiance that echoed in the bones of everyone present.
Valerian lay flat on his back, his chest barely rising, his silver eyes staring into the turbulent heavens. His breath was shallow, each exhale a labored gasp. His body was a wreck—skin scorched black in places, veins glowing faintly beneath the surface, pulsing with the unstable energy of his Chrono Core. The Epoch purge, the act of tearing time apart to pull the Anchor from Alex’s grasp, had nearly destroyed him.
Selene knelt at his side, her hands glowing with silver light as she poured her mana into stabilizing the burst veins running beneath his skin. Her face was etched with desperation, her voice trembling. "He’s burning inside. His core can’t handle the purge’s backlash."
Kael stood nearby, his greatsword buried in the cracked earth, his grim expression carved in stone. "He just tore time apart and denied Alex the Anchor. What did we think would happen?"
"Don’t just stand there!" Lira snapped, her voice sharp as she scanned the horizon for threats. Her bow was drawn, an arrow of pure mana notched and ready. "We need a field ward—NOW!"
Seraphina, her golden hair matted with blood and ash, extended her hand, golden fire sparking to life at her fingertips. She pressed her palm against Valerian’s heart, her magic surging to anchor his fading lifeforce. "Wait..." she whispered, her eyes widening.
Everyone froze.
Valerian’s chest had stopped rising.
A system alert blazed into their vision, its crimson text pulsing with dread:
> **[SYSTEM ALERT: Host Vital Signs—Flatline]**
> **[Reboot Attempt: FAILED]**
> **[Soul Integrity: DAMAGED]**