Chapter 26: The Beast Tide (1)
A few hours before the climax of Alex and Thunder Wolf’s battle.
High above the wolf’s domain, the Patrician King hovered silently in the sky. His deep, earthy brown robes, with streaks of golden threads, fluttered against the wind currents created by the violent battle below.
His face, typically a mask of indifference and regal calm, was now contorted with uncharacteristic greed. His sharp eyes, glowing faintly with the authority of his rank, meticulously focused on the earth-shaking clashes between the Thunder Wolf and the unknown figure.
"A legend-rank mana core," he thought, his lips twitching into a faint smirk. "Such a prize would elevate me beyond my peers. The Earth Clan’s dominance over this world will be solidified. No other higher clan would dare challenge us, with it."
His gaze lingered on the epicenter of destruction, where lightning surged and cracked through the skies, and the ground trembled under their power. The battle was drawing closer to its climax. He could feel it—the palpable tension, the sharp spikes of energy. The combatants were reaching their limits. And when they did...
"Whoever survives will already be too weak to resist," the Patrician King mused. His fingers curled into fists at his sides, his thoughts racing. "And if neither survives, even better. I will at least be able to defeat one of them, if possible both, and take the cores and claim it as my own."
He glanced down at the swirling black thunder barrier encasing the battlefield. It irritated him that he could not see who the combatants were nor their true capabilities. But it didn’t matter. Legend-rank entities were rare, and no matter who emerged victorious, their weakened state would at least ensure his victory.
His face darkened with determination as he prepared to wait a little longer. He had already begun calculating his ambush, but as his thoughts grew darker, a sudden telepathic message broke into his mind, conveying a sense of urgency.
"My lord!" The voice belonged to one of the Earth Clan’s elders stationed within the Geb Fortress. "Forgive the intrusion, but we have a critical situation. A beast tide has begun!"
The Patrician King’s brows furrowed deeply. "A beast tide?" he replied telepathically, his tone sharp. "What of it? The fortresses should be able to handle the usual numbers."
"No, my lord!" The general’s voice trembled slightly, betraying the gravity of the situation. "This is not a regular tide. It is the largest beast tide ever registered. The destruction and tremors from the battle in the Thunder Wolf’s domain have disrupted the balance of the surrounding territories.