June.

  Where the fuck am I?! Why are black ghostly things chasing us? Why can the butler fight really well? Kurt appeared out of nowhere and started beating the shit out of everyone, but why are we still hiding?!

  “Shh,” Kurt whispered by the wall. “Even your thoughts are loud. Quiet yourself the best you can. At least for today.”

  “I am trying my BEST-” Kurt physically closed my lips with his fingers!

  “Should have left you as bait.”

  “Harsh words, yet you hide with us except for going for the crystals,” Charles said, barely able to talk.

  “Mm…”

  A light armoured mage crashed to the floor with wounds infected with black mist. He saw us, nodded and teleported away from a large tentacle of black. Aching to fight, Kurt held his weapon tight, watching the summoner for any weakness. It was unnerving to see the golem of Osberg show such fear.

  My hugged

  “I will… help.” We turned to Charles as he huffed. “June, get me close. Kurt, get me closer.” Kurt and I looked at each other, wondering what this fool was talking about. Charles sighed, wiping sweat from his tawny hair. “Okay, don’t freak out.”

  On Charles's large hand, a small spectre waved. ”I promised the late duke, but times are desperate.”

  Vanessa

  “Are you sure?”

  Yes. Haru answered easily.

  “Haru-”

  You saw what he showed us... Dying again won't be so scary. It will be... let me think...third, yes, the third time.

  Waiting in the main medical tent, I hear the heavy breathing of nervous medics. With injured soldiers sent to other tents, we awaited his arrival with sweaty brows.

  “So this ring... allows you to be able to talk to each other from afar, connect minds. Where did you come across such an amazing tool?” Haru asked.

  “It’s…” Candlelight reflecting the metal, I felt a swelling of emotion as I remembered the moment he gifted it to me. “It's my wedding band. Said to pass down like Tarion's favourite cloak. You don’t seem so surprised by it. Are such runes common in your timeline?”

  “Mind to mind? Not at all. But we had something similar to a telephone from my world. Instead of electricity, Mana replicated everything.”

  “Your World.” In the calmness, I realised I never had a chance to take it in. To really understand how bizarre yet awesome all of this was.

  "Tarion does not talk about where he came from. As if he had shed it from his memory.”

  “I understand why. Here he is a Duke. Able to chart his destiny, capable of unbelievable power. Back in our world of concrete, glass and steel-filled cities, people struggled day by day despite having so much. The air tasted like smoke, causing disease. Judgmental people walk the streets silently, outdoing each other with vain purchases. It was hopeless, grey and dull.

  “Sounds like here, with fewer castles.”

  “Yes. Instead of a serf, I became a princess. How fortunate I was, but I didn’t see it at first.”

  Faintly, images passed through my mind of spectacular cities of light and metal. Horseless vehicles carry thousands across flat, clean roads at absurd speeds. I saw her. Walking down a street without an escort at the dead of night. Rain showered heavily upon her umbrella.

  I was just another corporate drone, insulted, overworked and abused. I was just… waiting for it to end.

  She waited at the flashing lights. Looking left and right, she decided to walk.

  And it did end.

  The last image of blood mixing with rainwater on the road struck me hard in my heart.

  Vanessa. This life. Your life was my opportunity for something better. I thought I had found my heaven... Tarion probably feels the same. But he will understand as I did. It's not a game. We can fail.

  I clutched my beating heart. “I want to hear more about your world...about you.”

  …

  My husband tore through the roof of the medical tent, where I waited with an apron and medics. Although with a hard landing, not a red hair on my brother-in-law's head was disturbed.

  “Vanessa! Vanes- …” He saw me, and his face warped by rage stilled. Finding a table, the tethers of mana place Joshua down gently. Turning to me with tears trailing on his dirty, wounded face, he pleaded. “Please…” I placed Tarion aside and saw work to be done.

  Oh dear…

  I looked down at the large gaping hole in Joshua's torso. Ribcage and spine destroyed. Both lungs are damaged. His heart is thoroughly ravaged. And with no heart, he cannot heal himself with his mana. Tarion's skillful water manipulation was the only thing keeping the lord alive. I glanced at my fellow frightened medics watching the brother of the duke die. No one else with the holy power but me, and I was empty.

  Step aside.

  Tarion

  His hand grew colder. Yet his smile continued on his rosy face. His eyes open once again.

  “Why did you get in the way…!?” I asked the fool. “Uncle would have…”

  Blood Spilled from Joshua's cough “I have no *COUGH* fucking clue…you know… family…you do crazy…things for them…”

  “Dumb bastard.” Just as Joshua's consciousness left him, footsteps alerted me.

  “Wait, why is everyone leaving!?” The medical halt by the tent opening, eyes aghast at the sight of my blade. “Move an inch or-”

  “Let them go.” Bent over my brother's body, Vanessa poured diluted holy water. “Use it.”

  I resonated with the holy water pumping through Joshua's system—this speech pattern.

  “Haru! What's the meaning of this!?” I saw a little fear in her delicate face, and I calmed down. “…Explain.”

  Haru sighed. “Joshua's state… it can't be healed or regenerated-”

  My legs wobbled under me.

  “Without the purest of holy power, ether. Untainted power from the Lands above.”

  “The ceremony…” I said.

  Haru nodded, closing her eyes; Mana hummed from her in a soft amber-gold light. “We can't afford to wait.”

  “I am sorry. For taking her from you, I am truly sorry. I will fix everything." I covered my eyes from the bright flame consuming her. A figure dropped into the tent from the hole I made with his 9th circle mana flared.

  “I saw you rushing into camp and wanted to say hi… But what a surprise!” With intense hunger and temptation in the prince's eyes, Kyros's hand reached Vanessa.

  Before a swing of my blade cut through a royal's arm, Haru's knuckled pommelled Kyros’ jaw, and a blaze of golden flame twisted him to the end of the medic tent. Five more persons dropped from the night sky, catching the unconscious prince as he smouldered from holy fire. Using the little mana I had, I quickly formed a mana shield around Haru. Red-cloaked, heavy-armoured men surround the injured prince.

  “Pantheon, don't be fools!” My greatsword grip rattled, and the five warriors of the elements shifted in fear. They saw my battle and still think I have my power. “Take your prince, heal him, and I’ll allow this mistake!” I levelled my mana-less sword at them. “Don’t make this a disaster.”

  A quick glance between the five, and a quick decision was made. “As you wish, your Grace,” said a woman's voice. Swift like the wind, they took the royal of the tent, leaving no trace of their presence for miles.

  The notification made me turn to see Haru glowing brighter than ever before.

  I stopped myself.

  “No.” I placed my greatsword into my inventory. “Let her heal.”

  You don’t get to decide, Edward.

  My arm felt numb. A static feeling under my skin felt disgusting; I couldn’t feel my arm moving to grab Haru.

  This time I do.

  The world shut down as we returned to the dark once more.

  Jimmy.

  Blood at the exit of the tunnel. Large footsteps.

  “Fuck me… Here!?”

  Patting me like a young child, Rydel smiled as his silver spear formed in his veteran hands. “Still remember your time up north?”

  “Every damn night! Ready yourselves, men! SHAVED AHEAD!”

  Haru

  “Haru…”

  I turned around in the dark expanse, hearing my quaking, weary heart. His confident stride, his soothing smile, and his dragon eyes enraptured me in his gaze.

  My fingers wander over his beautiful face, wondering if this was a mirage. I felt his soft cheeks. “Yuran…!” I jumped into his arms, enveloped in his love. He held my head as I cried, bringing me deeper into his chest.

  “I couldn't let you leave me behind without saying goodbye again.”

  Heavy banging on metal woke me from my dream. I peeked at a duke whose face was screwed by desperation. His fists thundered on the chain-linked wall that surrounded us.

  “TAKE US BACK!! HEAL MY BROTHER!!”

  Yuran Smiled. “How Funny! Your subconscious built this cage for me, and now it has become a cage for you. Yuran’s left hand pushed the empty air gently, and the duke bounced off the cage like a bug on a blue light. “Wait a moment. Let me say goodbye once more.”

  “How..?!” I tug on his dark liuen robes, still checking if his was real. “I thought you died. Zhi…”

  “I did. My brother knew how to nip a bud early. But what he didn’t know was that Yuran was my third self.”

  I peeked again at the duke, whose strong will brought him back to the cage fighting. “Can you see what I deal with? Luckily, the bastard is quite capable.” Shaking his head of unnecessary thoughts, Yuran looked me straight in the eyes. “This time we do it together.”

  Sniffing, I nodded with damp eyes, holding tight to his hand. “Yes… Together…”

  Yuran clicked his fingers, and a young couple fell in front of us inside the cage.

  “GET US BACK!” the duke roared at us. Yuran's beastly past jolted before the bouncy-haired girl held him back.

  However, an orb of rich golden energy nearly blinded us. Ether grew in Yuran’s palm while Vanessa, Tarion and I stood stunned. “Ether. Not as pure as the gods’, but close enough. But don’t worry; your brother will be mended. For now, we talk.”

  “How did you save so much?” I whispered to Yuran as he closed his fist, snuffing the light in his palm.

  “Patience.”

  “Tarion, let's heed their words. Time moves slowly here.”

  “Not slow enough.” The duke bared his teeth at us until a deathly stare from a younger me simmered him down.

  “I always loved how you disciplined this dog, Vanessa.” Yuran chuckled. “He is right. Joshua needs our help outside. But first, let me tell you how to save the world.

  Jimmy

  Armour torn to shreds, blood covering from head to boot, a Greystone made his presence known. Blood of half a dozen of the shaved was turned into a sword-whip, slaughtering the wall of enemies blocking the tunnel hole.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “KILL THEM ALL. GIVE ME THEIR BLOOD!!” Loran howled with tears of blood flowing from red eyes, and his pack howled back.

  Tarion.

  “First, let me tell you of our past and your future gone.”

  A left hand waved across, and a map of Friedland lay with its borders and cities. Points of light shone like white pillars into the sky. One in Osberg, one in the deep north, one to the southwest, one in the Liu States, one in Alar and the last appeared close—Maize.

  “The cursed eruption zones.” Yuran began to speak. “Or what we thought they were.”

  “Seven lights for seven betrayers,” I said, and Yuran nodded in agreement.

  “After thousands of years, their prisons deteriorated. With the constellation restricted to the lands above. They created a being who could use their spectacular power once again.” Yuran and I glanced at our loves. “So fate moves as fate does, and the saint becomes one with the powers of the gods. She travelled across the world with her holy army in tow and a prince by her side, fighting down the horde of possessed and healing the zones till they were purified of the stench. Months go by, all six zones were healed, and Haru returned to fanfare and celebration.”

  “Six?” Vanessa asked. “Which did you miss?”

  Remembering the manhwa, I immediately answered. “The last light. Liu States.”

  Yuran sighed. “This is where my brother joins the story.” Yuran pointed with his fingers interlaced with Haru. “You had died. Allowing me to pass on to another fellow's body by accident. And I began my new life as a descendant of the Heavenly Demon. I wanted to come back, but I began to love my new life. Years passed, and on the other side of troubles, I broke past my previous fate and became the leader of the cult while my brother became my advisor. During my reign, the Liu state had peace, as I had the strength to keep it, and my brother had the wisdom to maintain it. However, my brother had been scheming, working in the shadows even after Haru’s ‘story’ ended. I only learnt later on that he was the first to find the entrance to the demon’s prison. With our family inbreeding of generations, we had an affinity for the curse, and when the prison began to crack, it was as easy for my brother as smelling freshly cooked pie. I, who was a half-breed, didn’t notice it directly under my palace." Yuran could barely hide his anger. “He did as he does with the cult now. Sacrifice upon sacrifice, probably numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Each soul he exhumed was given to a patient and hungry demon. An intelligent being who knew how to control the foolish and manipulate the strong. Power. It's a very attractive thing to the insecure. The prince of Freidland is such a boy. So talented, he saw himself as the protagonist of this world because, frankly, he was. Until Haru came. Legions followed her grace as she healed the world. Every street and corridor she walked, people prayed and bowed, prostrating themselves lower than they ever did for him. Instead of fear, his subjects looked at his wife like a god. He felt invisible. He felt useless. He felt…

  “Normal?” Vanessa spoke up.

  Yuran brought Haru closer until she was thawed out of her trembling. “The prince met Jianlin as I met Haru, coming for a customary visit to the Liu states. While I saw her beauty for the first time, my brother ensnared him with an opportunity. And an opportunity to be her. To be the deity they worshipped. With the aid of the golem maker, they..." Yuran stopped talking, his eyes wandering as his fist balled up tight. With a quivering mouth, Haru began to speak softly.

  “I was told we were ‘testing’ new methods of mana control by my best friend, Vel. My husband, whom I trusted the most, convinced me it’s for the greater good. That she could share her gift and spread it around the world, bringing peace and prosperity… Years did I spend in that dark room; my only light came with the curse as it sucked me of all my ether.”

  “A saint manifests her power from her soul,” Yuran interjected.

  “Stabbing, disease,” Haru spoke again with more vehemence in her voice. “Nothing can compare to the pain of a soul ripped apart on the hour. I prayed that hunger would take me. But the gods’ power sustained me for years on. There were times-”

  “Enough.” Yuran’s commanding voice stopped her before she said anything that would make me fly into a rage. Someone sniffled beside me. How could I be so foolish? I grasped her hands, rubbing them softly on her soft fingers. With no words, I showed her I was by her side. This will never be in the timeline, or the world will cease to be in my hands.

  “The prince finally had his strength. He wanted more. And so Jianling spoke words to his impressionable ears and laid out a plan. The first to fall to the prince was the north and his old enemy. With Vel by his side, the ‘Ghouls’ slowly took over Freidland, eliminating noble factions he hated, and when the dust settled and no one was left to fight, the prince's holy sword rode in to slay the rest. He was done with the pretence of saving the world. War is all he wanted. Battle was all he loved. Slowly, instead of the saint, the prince was exalted. The more territory he took, the more his infamy grew. He didn’t care. So long as that woman wasn’t there to make him feel small again. All the while, my brother was sent to the cursed zones as the only cost of their bargain, as demons are locked away with ether, and they can be freed with ether. Kyros, unaware of his true purpose, was more than willing to oblige, as he felt the connection between Haru and him strengthen each time a prison was broken. The mages of the tower realised his plan of world dominance and threw the pact into the fire. But even the half-gods failed to measure up to a genius powered by almost infinite holy ether. Friedland fell. The North fell. Alar fell. The Liu states…held on.”

  “Because of him, he is so humble.” Yuran blushed from her compliment.

  “I tried my best, sure. But my best was not enough. Not at all... So many comrades died. Millions ran to my realm seeking help I couldn't give them. I was lost. And alone. Then a lone mage of silver hair met me on my throne. From waving hands, he brought up an image of her alone in the dark. ‘Save her, and he weakens,’ the mage said. And I didn't hesitate. I am teleported into the premises, and a simple exhale tore the room apart. Tearing the rune-imbued chain from her, I busted through ceiling after ceiling of the prince’s palace. And thus began the best year of my life.” Eyes full of love, Yuran and Haru snuggle together. I ignore the disgusting display of love.

  “I see… First priority: protect Vanessa. Her ether is needed to release the betrayers and is the only one capable of keeping them caged. Lesser priorities: guard the zones from outside forces. And heal them all. The main goal is to defeat Jianling and the demon he works for before they bring disaster to this world.

  “You are a great listener,” Yuran said. “But you’re missing something. Look at my brother’s motives. He sent those bandits in the blizzard to eliminate everyone, including the saint. He didn’t try to take Vanessa away. Why?” Yuran waited for my answer.

  “He doesn’t need her anymore.”

  “Meaning…?” Yuran asked.

  “He found a different method to free them. Explains why Vel was desperate to keep her safe.”

  “Shit.” We all looked, shocked at the young woman who swore. “What the hell do we do then?!” Vanessa shouted.

  “Crystals,” They all turned to me. “They may not be as pure as ether, but in the obelisk there is enough mana to supply the mages' tower for generations. Rarest of the rarest gems, mana concentrated to its limits. If someone were to pull off a big spell, that would be useful.”

  Yuran smiled widely, causing concern in Haru. “You don’t know how great it is to able to speak like this.” He smirked at my lifted eyebrow.

  Vanessa took her turn to speak. “What if they have already left with it?”

  I reassured her, “I already sent people to get it, and they wouldn’t leave far when the cursed zone is right under the Wolfburn castle.”

  “Um”, Vanessa bent down, looking at the map. “Very convenient. It seems every cursed zone spirit roamed the empty world. Monsters destroy all they see in the madness. We were alone but together. But my dear made the ultimate sacrifice… Facing all seven demons. At the last stand at Great Mount, she gave her all, her soul, her existence and a great flash of light. Six betrayers dropped to their knees. Wounded by holy light, one endured. The one known as the most beautiful, Jianling partner. ”

  “Iedir…” A small tear sparkled in Haru’s eye. “

  “He was a tough one,” Yuran smirked. “But one I could handle. Two days of fighting tore flesh and bone. We ravaged each other like hungry beasts. No holds barred. It was a glorious battle.” I watched Yuran's proud face as he boasted, feeling jealous.

  In the end, I prevailed. The demon flesh burned in the ether fire as my blood leaked on the floor. I just had the most splendorous battle of my life, and I felt empty. My light was no more in this world. I had attained Heaven stage, able to weave pseudo-ether like a demigod, and yet I couldn’t save my family; I couldn’t save my love. I wallowed for what I think were hours in the mile-wide crater, crying goodbye to my loved ones. Thinking I was totally alone, it surprised me to hear my brother’s voice. A wave of Yuran’s hands showed a scene. Two black-robed Liuen stood in the middle of devastation.

  “WHY, BROTHER!??”

  “Why…” Jianling looked at his unsheathed Jian with a mirror finish. Too clean to survive this war. “Shh, half-breed, let me breathe this in.” His skin greyed over, his eyes blackened, and his irises became sharp like a lizard's.

  Black mist towered to the sky; in the crackle of his power, I could hear screams. A flash step brought Jianling’s sword deep into Yuran's guts. Jianling wiped his shoulder-length hair from his surprisingly handsome face and twisted his sword, letting the Heaven demon kneel before him.

  “Why betray us?! “

  “I did to survive at first. I was just a boy. But as I grew older and wiser, I saw the benefits. Anyone would. ”

  “*COUGH* YOUR FAMILY, THE CULT, THE WORLD?!”

  “My Family?” The cult member chuckled softly. My only family died quietly in her sleep. Oh, I wish my dear mother could see this. You, on your knees, would give her a good laugh. The cult... I can remake as only a pureblood can.”

  “In..bred bastard.” A slap shook Yuran’s brain.

  “Shh… The world…” he spoke absent-mindedly, playing with souls in the black mist on his arm. “I have stored some good women. We will rebuild. And with this power, I will have time. I wanted your woman as one of the stock; however, she thought herself too good for me.” Jianling turned, sensing something.

  “Where is she!?” A skinny hand of warts and pus teleported around Jianling’s neck. “WHERE IS SHE?? I TOLD YOU TO LEAVE HER TO ME!!” Finger exploded on contact, and a slap bashed the nine circles to the ground. And clouds of mist kept the silver-haired mage locked down.

  “I don’t know, friend.” Jianling bent to pat his rune master. “I guess she couldn’t take it. But look at the bright side; she took out the opposition.” Tears burst from Vel's eyes. “Aya, why cry? You made this happen. Okay, back to your office to calm down. When you have, you’ve got demon-cursed collecting to do.” A finger click disappeared the mage.

  “A mage…”

  “The new Heaven Demon needs to be the best. Stages and Mage Circles are branches of the same tree. Feed the tree well-”

  Jianling levitated Yuran's limp body close, and his Jian glinted, ready for a beheading. “And it will bear fruit. Any last words, Yuran?”

  “None that you, my dear brother, will truly hear.”

  “Mmm… Then I will say mine. Have you talked to a demon, listened to the woes? They are very sad creatures, very lonely, very homesick. Day after day, the demon regales his time in the holy land, lording over its perfectness. In that perfect land, they build. They create worlds, stars, and interstellar objects too giant to comprehend. They create life.”

  A head rolled.

  “Perhaps when I am bored with this small world, I will make a visit.”

  The vision cut out, and four of us returned to the darkness of the mindscape.

  “Jianling…” I said as my heart raced

  "What happened to Kyros?” Vanessa asked.

  “He bored Jianling,” Yuran spoke. “His job was done. So was his usefulness.”

  “The only silver lining in this whole story. Only met the prick for a few minutes and already wanted to kill him. Why did you marry such a fool, Haru?” Vanessa asked her future self, and Haru shrugged.

  “I don’t know, maybe because a better option died by poison.” All four of us laughed in the levity of the moment. Haru touched Yuran’s shoulder.

  It's getting a bit sticky out there. It's time.” Letting his love go with a gentle kiss, Yuran gestured the saints together. “But first, let me have a little chat with my friend of there.” With Yuran’s arm around my shoulder, suddenly Vanessa and Haru’s bright light illuminated in the far distance.

  “You realise the night is not over.”

  “Yes…”

  “I cannot help you anymore.”

  “Mm.”

  Hands on my shoulder, he turned me to him. “Are those circles still worth the price?”

  I stayed silent.

  “Ruin your body with endless training; take as many drugs as possible; you will not pass that limit.”

  Silent still, but I heard his every word. But why couldn't I give them up? Was it the time I spent building from scratch? The extreme pain I endured...

  Yuran’s sigh echoes in the mindscape. “Greystones and their stubbornness.” Any liuen accent left Yuran's voice, and he voice sounds like a recording of mine. “Have you ever wondered why there is not a single Duke in a millennium who has gained eight circles yet rules the lands with impeccable skill and strange ability? Loran and his strange ice. You have the power to absorb mana like a black hole. Dragon fucking scales, mate! Think, you daft idiot.

  “...A Descendent.” I finally spoke.

  “Yes! A being manifested as a living cursed weapon, the dragon stood on humanity's side in the holy war. His blood protects his descendants to this day. Embrace the demonic blood you left untapped! Shatter the chains that hold it back!”

  I am silent yet again.

  Yuran spoke with sadness in his voice. “My Vanessa sacrificed herself for me... because I lacked power. Will it be the same-”

  “NO.” Yuran winced in pain as I gripped his arms around my shoulders. “I…understand…” I let go.

  "Good, great to-” A right hook from me sent Yuran tumbling.

  “Never control my body like that again.”

  “Yeah, haha, of course.” Yuran picked himself off the dark floor. You don’t need to worry about that anymore.” His liuen accent and a click of fingers brought us back to the two Vanessas, “I am ready. Time to save our dumb brother.

  “So I was hearing right…” Yuran interrupted me with a wink.

  “Haha, it was fun.” Yuran hugged with his love, and golden ether simmered off his body. “But I will have to admit, I was jealous at times. You change so much. Done what I had always dreamt of. And I always wanted to kill my stepmother myself.” Ether erupted, twisting around the couple.

  “You will get your chance!” Beside me, Vanessa shook her head.

  “I can feel her, Tarion. To kill Vel, Haru must have used most of the Ether that joined us. And Yuran barely has enough for Joshua...”

  “Mm… One last question!” Yuran broke eye contact with his beloved, awaiting my question. Why Me? Who brought me here? For What Purpose?” I yelled as the ether grew into a whirlpool of swirling holy power slowly, turning the mind space into infinite white.

  “Win. Save my world, and you will get your answers.

  “Bloody tease, haha.” I put a fist up. “Thank you for everything.” And Yuran looked at it strangely. Haru moved his fist to bump mine. Tarion and Yuran, but not Edward. “And Haru… I have forgiven you. So stop getting sad about it.” Haru ran to me for a small hug before holding Vanessa tightly. “I wish I could have seen her one more time… Take care of her for me.

  “You can! Merge with me!”

  “No… My time has passed.” Haru cupped Vanessa’s face like an older sister would. “Don’t be weighed down by my future; experience your own.”

  A gust blew the couple apart, and I held my tearing wife, feeling a heavy heart as well.

  as the storm of ether grew too large and loud to hear anything but wind. Light flashed, and white consumed all.

  “Tarion. Your hand.”

  “Vanessa…”

  I held Vanessa's arm in a dark tent. Letting go, a sharp pain wormed its way into my head. All senses seemed to be super sensitive. After a few breaths, it calmed down.

  I had never felt so alone. So free to think, to feel.

  Grass moved in the distance. Many beings with irregular pace and a few heavy-footed warriors surround the camp. Feel the glow of holy light. Hand to heart. I tried to engrave the sound of my grinding circles to my memory.

  “Shaved hid with the city walls.” An elder voice said in the dark. A tap of his crystal-tipped cane created a protection spell. “Rogue mages aid them, whilst summoners keep your butler busy. I sent seekers. But it may not be enough.”

  “Tower master…” The dark-skinned mage sat in the corner.

  “Things have changed; the shaved and rogues have made their move on your army. The seekers can no longer stand by. Go. Your wife will be teleported-”

  “And let thousands of the injured die? I'm staying.” Vanessa said without taking her eyes from Joshua.

  “Beatrice”, I called.

  Four shadows kneel.

  “With your life.”

  “It would be an honour.” All four salute, and back to the shadows they go. Almost ready for the inevitable, I took my brother’s hand. To his cheek returned its usual glow.

  “Good…good…” Letting my brother heal in peace, I wrapped my arms around my busy wife. I miss her smell so bad; I miss her touch.

  “I am in the middle of something.” As my love turned back, our lips locked like missing pieces. Amber light brightened, as with our love, as we delved deeper into each other.

  A small hand hit me hard enough to cough. “I said I was busy…” Said my blushing dame.

  I love you.

  Love you too… NOW LET ME HEAL!

  When we get back home…

  I shook my head of horny thoughts and thought of the mission ahead.

  If it's the key they are after, shall we give them a chase? I forgot my thoughts spoke to no one else. So freeing…

  From my inventory, a vial of poison flashed into my hand. I gulped, dreading its taste.

  It ends how it began.

  I drank the poison.

  I resonated with black liquid, flowing directly to my heart.

  Circles made with such care crumble away.

  Now!

  Qi rushed to my chest, and poison was vomited on the ground.

  Hammers and axes pound against the tent’s shield from outside.

  I understand. My middle dantian/Mana heart was underused. So reliant on circles when it could be powerful on its own. Cultivator. My true strength.

  I sucked in one breath, and my middle dantian was full. A sharp pain came out of nowhere. Every part of my body felt like it was ripping apart, cell by cell. Qi flowed calmly on my skin, healing damage. I surmised I overdid my training in body Stage, and my body was due for a reconstructing

  So much to learn. Exciting!

  My left hand rang a bell as knuckles smashed the shaved warrior’s nose inwards. A palm destroyed his innards. Dozens of the shaved and bandits halted while I hopped over the corpse. I remembered Zhi’s teachings.

  Resonate.

  I clapped, and a gust pushed enemies away. I had an idea. Inspired by the stone skippers, wind collected below my boots. A single jump brought me kilometres above the trees, and I caught sight of the wall of Maize lit by fire.

  STATUS.

  Good. Still there. But wow… It’s all gone.

  He was really gone.

  105 to agility.

  With Qinggong, the night sky became my road, leaping miles with every step.

  I am free, unburdened at last.