Chapter 89: The Vanguard's Desperate Stand
The ruins of Nyx became a battlefield of nightmares.
The underground chamber pulsed with dark energy as five abominations emerged—each a product of Xelthar's twisted experiments.
Four Alpha-Class Beasts prowled forward, their monstrous forms radiating lethal mana. Their eyes gleamed with the intelligence of something more than just feral creatures.
A King-Class Beast—a massive, armored behemoth with obsidian scales and crackling mana veins—stalked toward them, its mere presence warping the air.
And at the center of the madness—
A Calamity-Class Beast.
It towered over the ruins, its body constantly shifting, growing, mutating. A twisted fusion of mana-infused flesh, its six golden eyes burned with malice.
Kael's grip on his sword tightened.
Lucian stood beside him, jaw clenched, golden aura flaring.
Selene exhaled, silver eyes calculating.
Mira adjusted her grip on her blade.
Evelyne cracked her knuckles.
Cassian twirled his rapier.
Darius and Rael exchanged tense glances.
The Vanguard knew one thing—
This was beyond anything they had faced before.
And they were outnumbered.
The four Alpha-Class Beasts moved first.
Darius, Cassian, Rael, and Evelyne broke formation, each taking on a separate Alpha.
Darius clashed with a storm-infused serpent, its mana fangs crackling with violet lightning. He countered with a blinding arc of thunder, his body moving like a storm given form.
Cassian faced a shadow-beast, its body flickering in and out of existence. His rapier danced through the darkness, striking faster than the creature could vanish.
Rael engaged a twisted humanoid abomination, its limbs extending unnaturally. He Void-Stepped behind it, his daggers cutting deep before it could react.
Evelyne took on a colossal armored wolf, her Titan's Resilience flaring as she met its charge head-on, fists colliding with its mana-cloaked claws.
But the King-Class Beast was worse.
It stalked forward, targeting Mira and Selene.
The ground trembled beneath its steps, and with a single motion, it unleashed a shockwave of mana that shattered the ruins around it.
Selene activated Eclipse Sight, dodging at the last second. Mira countered with a precise slash, her blade glowing with crimson sigils.
But the beast barely flinched.
They needed more firepower.
The Calamity-Class Beast finally moved.
A single step shook the entire battlefield.
Its six golden eyes locked onto Kael and Lucian.
Then—
It attacked.
Its claws cleaved through the ruins, its sheer presence warping reality itself. The shockwave sent both warriors flying, crashing through debris.
Lucian gritted his teeth, wiping blood from his mouth.
Kael coughed, forcing himself to stand.
It's too strong.
Lucian's draconic aura surged. "We're not dying here."
Kael activated his Gravity Domain.
The air collapsed inward, increasing the weight around the beast—but it didn't stop moving.
Lucian lunged forward, his blade flashing with golden flames, cutting a deep gash into its side.
Kael followed up with Crimson Sigils, explosive runes igniting along the beast's form—
But its wounds sealed instantly.
It roared, and a wave of corrupt mana burst outward, forcing both warriors back.
Lucian cursed. "We need a new plan."
Kael's mind raced.
They needed time.
They needed help.
And then—
The sky split apart.
Reinforcements Arrive – The Last Hope
A blinding silver light descended.
And from it—
Two figures landed.
Rheon Veyrin.
Magnus Grimthorne.
Kael's eyes widened.
"Brother?!"
Evelyne's breath hitched.
"Magnus?"
Rheon stood tall, his violet eyes scanning the battlefield, taking in the chaos. His crimsonkatanarested on his shoulder, an aura of sheer dominance radiating from him.
Magnus cracked his neck, flexing his massive axe, his mana surging with raw force.
They both turned toward the Calamity-Class Beast.
And without hesitation—
They charged.
A Change in the Battlefield
Kael staggered back, breathing hard.
Rheon and Magnus clashed with the Calamity, forcing it back.
Lucian exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Guess we're not needed there anymore."
Kael's crimson eyes flickered. "Then let's go help the others."
Without another word—
They turned toward the King-Class Beast and rushed to Mira and Selene's aid.
The battle wasn't over yet.
It was just beginning.