The pitch-black rift slowly widened. From its depths, an abyssal darkness—like the endless Abyss—devoured all surrounding light. A suffocating aura pressed down, freezing the very air solid with its power.
“You go first.”
The Greatsword Woman and the Dual Blade Sorceress stood shoulder to shoulder, their silhouettes tiny against the rift. Responding to the shout, the Greatsword Woman joined the Dual Blade Sorceress, giving their all to hold back the Dragon of Nature while rescuing civilians trapped beneath the earth.
Vines and poisonous growths erupted madly from cracks in the ground. Twisted like venomous serpents, they slithered across the soil, greedily coiling around trees. The once-vibrant forest became an impenetrable thicket, as if the land itself were bound.
The Greatsword Woman gripped her massive blade. Cold light shimmered along the steel. Each swing carried thunderous force, aiming to sever the vines—but they were unnaturally resilient. Severed sections regrew instantly, pulsing with endless vitality.
The Dual Blade Sorceress wove through the thicket with agile grace. Her twin blades danced like shadows, each strike precise, targeting weak points without fail.
Yet their efforts were a drop in the ocean. Merely holding back the vines drained them completely—how could they possibly face the Dragon of Nature?
Run? Abandon the civilians?
As members of Chapter Three, escape was within reach even if victory wasn’t. Centuries of life had gifted them secret techniques and hidden cards.
“Take this punch!”
Nearby, a human clad in armor etched with Array Patterns hammered his fists against thorny vines, trying to free trapped civilians. Even with the armor’s enhancement, his blows barely dented the Dragon of Nature’s creations. Each impact thudded dully; the vines trembled only slightly—as if tickled.
Beside him, a Halfbeast warrior swung a man-tall axe with feather-light ease. Each chop sliced the air with a heavy *whoosh*, striking vines entangling civilians. Coordinated strikes finally severed one vine.
“There’s hope!”
The Dragon of Nature recoiled—a tearing pain shot through it. Severed vines were like severed nerves. New vines sprouted like avenging spirits, surging with fury toward the Halfbeast and the armored human. The Halfbeast roared, swinging his axe—but thicker, tougher vines coiled around him before he could react. The human activated his armor’s Formation. Light flared; an invisible barrier erupted. It shattered like paper before the Dragon.
A blade of light slashed down like lightning. The Dual Blade Sorceress appeared between them. Her swords traced elegant arcs, cleanly severing every vine. With a wave of her hands, invisible force hurled the two warriors toward the rift.
“Go!”
Her voice was firm, decisive.
Leaving only the two of them was enough.
The Dragon of Nature shot forward like a cannonball. The Greatsword Woman lunged, pulling the Sorceress aside—barely dodging. The impact whipped up a gale, scattering trees and vines. As they steadied themselves, a crushing pressure descended. Above, the Dragon’s colossal claw plummeted like a mountain peak. Scales glinted coldly; compressed air shrieked. Trees snapped under its shadow.
Startled but unbroken, the Greatsword Woman swung upward—a massive sword aura surged to meet the claw. The Dual Blade Sorceress vanished in a flash, leaving only an afterimage.
*BOOM!*
The aura shattered instantly. The claw kept falling.
“Second Release… Twin Blades, Immeasurable—All sins converge into a timeless strike. Sever all!”
Her roar shook the heavens. The Dual Blade Sorceress erupted like a beast freed from hell. Her skin split under raw power; blood sprayed like crimson blossoms, staining the air thick with iron. Her blades, wreathed in razor-sharp Mana, glinted with chilling light—each swing tearing the air itself.
The twin strikes slammed into the Dragon’s hide. Dust and debris exploded outward. The colossal body trembled; the earth shook. A gash tore through ancient bark and emerald scales. Tumor-like growths burst across its surface. As the Dragon staggered back, a silver blade-light erupted from the ground—a dragon of steel piercing its abdomen. Soil and stone flew. The Greatsword Woman clawed free, blood-soaked, bones twisted—but her eyes burned with unyielding resolve. This was her final strike.
“Arrow… pierce it!”
High above, the Elderly Elf poured every ounce of Mana into the Elf Arrow. Most civilians had already fled through the Abyssal passage. Only they remained. *If not now, when?*
The arrow tore through the void with a sharp whistle. Moonlight glinted on its silver trail—a dancer weaving effortlessly through the vine wall, shattering the barrier. Unslowed, it streaked like a meteor toward the Dragon’s brow.
For the first time in ages, the Dragon felt a trace of threat. Lifeless pupils fixed on the arrow. It stepped back. Claws slammed the earth—vines wove a thick wall. Useless. The arrow pierced deep. As the Dragon roared in pain, the Dual Blade Sorceress hoisted the Greatsword Woman and sprinted for the rift.
“Hurry!”
They’d barely moved when the Dragon lunged. The wound wasn’t fatal. In two seconds, it closed the gap. Gritting her teeth, the Greatsword Woman shoved the Sorceress away. Swinging her dislocated arm—still gripping the greatsword—she slammed it toward the beast.
The Dual Blade Sorceress turned. Saw the Greatsword Woman clamped in the Dragon’s jaws. A faint smile. Two whispered words:
“Run.”
Mana ropes yanked her to safety. The Elderly Elf withdrew his power. The spatial rift began to seal.
The Dragon lunged—missed. Enraged, it prepared to crush its prey. But the Greatsword Woman twisted her broken waist, thrust the blade tip straight into its eye.
Only sparks answered.
“As expected…”
Just as she knew—she couldn’t pierce its defense.
The Dragon bit down. Her lower half plummeted into the ruins. Blood soaked the earth. Twisted vines drank deeply, swelling with dark vigor.
“No…”
Kneeling in the pitch-black void, the Dual Blade Sorceress covered her face. Tears slipped silently through her fingers, dampening the cold floor. Her shoulders trembled—a grief too vast for sound.
The Elderly Elf placed a hand on her shoulder. Opened his mouth. Shook his head. Said nothing.
Behind him, Lurie stood still.
This scene unfolded exactly as the prophecy foretold.
