Kyle collapsed to the ground. His body lay motionless, having expended every last ounce of his energy in the final assault. The hammer glow faded, and a heavy silence fell.
Ryan didn't hesitate. He rushed forward, scooping his friend into his arms, his eyes fixed on Kyle pale face. He made sure he was still alive, then placed him in a safe spot away from the battlefield.
Then he turned. Arena was still kneeling beside her father body, weeping silently, her tears heart-wrenching. The king of the jungle, who had sacrificed himself to protect his daughter, to safeguard the future of his kingdom. Ryan approached slowly. Words failed him.
Arena turned to him, her eyes filled with sorrow and despair, and his body spoke for her. He embraced her, holding her close to his chest, and said in a low voice, "Don't grieve… If your father were here, he would ask the same of you. He sacrificed himself for the future of this kingdom… and that future is you. So, don't let his sacrifice be in vain."
Arena broke down in tears in his arms.
In the Sea Kingdom, Lucian had finally arrived after a long chase for Myretha. He stopped abruptly. He felt four immense energies concentrated in one place. He sped off. As soon as he arrived, he saw the scene: Selena fighting Myretha, and Atlas clashing with the eighth-ranked player, Venara. Myretha smiled sarcastically and said, looking at Selena, "So… you're that handsome man's fiancée? I even forgot to ask his name."
"You mean Lucian?" Selena said.
Myretha raised an eyebrow in slight surprise. "Lucian? A beautiful name… I can't wait to make him mine."
At that moment, Lucian appeared between them. "Lucian!" Selena exclaimed in surprise.
Myretha smiled broadly. "My husband… you've arrived."
Selena turned to Lucian and whispered sharply, "What's wrong with this woman?"
Lucian sighed. "She wants me as her husband. And when I refused… she decided to kill you so she could have me for herself."
"But she's older than you!" Selena exclaimed in shock.
"Yes," he replied coldly.
"Take her out quickly!" Atlas voice cut through the scene, hissing fiercely.
At that moment, Venara soared high into the sky. "No more stalling," she roared.
Her foot slammed into the ground, creating a sea shield around her. A glowing blue spear appeared in her hand. "The ultimate skill… Poseidon!"
The sheer energy pressure she emitted caused everyone to take a step back. "Go and help your brother," Lucian said quickly to Selena. "I'll take care of Myretha."
Selena nodded and set off. Myretha looked at Lucian with sad eyes. "Do you really want to fight me… my husband?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied without hesitation.
Myretha sighed bitterly. "Why does everyone hate me?"
Layers of ice began to cover the area. The temperature gradually dropped. She glared at him, her eyes filled with murderous intent. "Even you don't want me… so there's no point in you staying alive."
Kaven, Hidan, and Ethan, along with Master Ragnar, had finally found the Reconstruction Scrolls. They reached the Abyss prison, and Master Ragnar and Ethan began to activate the scrolls. A tremendous burst of dark energy erupted, felt by everyone in the Ten Kingdoms. "Old man… how long will it take to repair the prison?" Kaven asked anxiously.
"About four hours," Ragnar replied.
Kaven eyes widened. "Four hours?!"
"You both felt the energy, didn't you?" Master Ragnar said.
"Yes," Kaven and Hidan answered together.
"The prisoners will come to stop us," Ragnar said. "If either Ethan or I are taken out of the weather… we'll have to start from scratch."
Kevin sighed. "Why are these missions always so complicated?"
Then he smiled. "Well… we'll stop them."
Back in the Sea Kingdom, Lucian was bleeding. His wounds were deep, and his body could barely stand. Myretha stood before him, clad in ice armor, and hurled hundreds of icy shards at him. "Your last words?" she said coldly.
Lucian laughed and took a deep breath until his lungs were filled with freezing air. Smoke billowed from his mouth as he said, "Breathe ice… Level Two."
Suddenly, Myretha felt her movements slow, her control over the ice unsteady. She looked up, but Lucian had vanished. He reappeared in front of her and delivered a powerful punch to her face. She was thrown aside.
Before she could hit him, he had already struck again, moving from place to place with terrifying speed. With each blow, time seemed to slow down further, and his speed increased. "Thank you," Lucian said as she slowly fell before him. "Without you… I wouldn't have been able to develop Ice Breathing."
Behind him, the unfinished Asterazine formed, and the Asterazine Spear took shape. He screamed and struck it with all his might; it pierced the earth violently. Exhausted, Lucian collapsed to the ground, whispering to himself, "I must go… Selena and Atlas are facing Venara; they need my help."
He struggled to his feet and moved away, but behind him, Myretha rose from the rubble. "You won't get away with this, Lucian."