Chapter 42: A Young Purgatorist
Lunara collapsed onto a crumbled stone slab at the edge of the battlefield, her breath ragged and shoulders slumped.
The scorched remains of the Skeleton Queen and VelTharion's corrupted constructs lay behind her. Her body trembled—not from fear, but from exhaustion.
The 60% boost that had been activated during the intense confrontation had finally faded.
Now, her powers had returned to their normal state, but she was visibly tired.
With her eyes still scanning the ruined terrain, she turned toward Annie, who was running in her side of the castle.
"It's over," Lunara said, voice low. "The Skeleton Queen is dead."
Annie gave a tired smile but nodded with relief. "Good job. You held out longer than anyone else could have. But you said a Purgatorist escaped?"
Lunara nodded. "Yes. One with a multiply creation. I couldn't stop him... he vanished right when I finished the Queen."
Annie frowned but quickly cheered up. "Rest. Heal yourself. You've done enough."
Elsewhere, Menma stood leaning against one of the Guardian Hall's carved marble pillars, his sword hanging loosely at his side.
He stared off into the distance, frustration evident in his furrowed brow.