Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
Grishwari moved forward, explosions erupting around Pratik with every attack.
Their fight was far too fast-paced for Apprentice Sorcerers to perceive properly.
Whenever her fists came within a certain range of Pratik, they exploded.
She was trying to grab Pratik and detonate her fists at point-blank range.
Yet the explosions didn't hurt her own body.
Pratik(thinking): This magic should only work when it comes into contact with something. How is it working even when she doesn't touch me?
Pratik realised it soon.
There was a contact.
The contact of air.
Pratik(thinking): I see... So the contact doesn't necessarily have to be with the opponent.
Pratik(thinking): This is troublesome.
Pratik(thinking): Since we are in Range Shiftling, Shadow Lord...
Pratik(thinking): This is my domain.
[Pratik]: Air evacuation.
The air around them rapidly dispersed.
Grishwari's explosive powers were extinguished.
Soon, we were making dozens of hand signs before activating our techniques.
Pratik(thinking): I feel more like a Ninja than a Sorcerer.
Pratik(thinking): Seems like I have become Karuto and she has become Kasuke.
Pratik(thinking): This is the Valley Battle.
Thousands of fiery globes were launched toward me.
They were neutralised by the blanket of darkness surrounding me.
[Grishwari]: I suppose I should use some heavy tricks.
She said as she created a magic circle.
Pratik(thinking): But isn't that magic generally effective against Dragons?
My heart...
Skipped a beat.
It was Haidoro.
[Haidoro]: If that magic hits you, you are gone for sure.
He said calmly.
Pratik(thinking): I suppose the reasoning is as follows:
Pratik(thinking): The magic specifically counters Dragons, including Dragoling forms.
Pratik(thinking): While I ain't a Dragon, Haidoro still exists inside me. His soul might be erased if I get hit.
Pratik(thinking): He could be clinging to my soul, which means both souls might be erased.
Pratik(thinking): Haidoro...
Pratik(thinking): That damn lizard!
Grishwari didn't seem to know about Haidoro.
She was probably using this attack for the first time against someone who wasn't a Dragon.
This was completely messed up.
The magic circle started approaching me.
Pratik(thinking): Wait...
Pratik(thinking): I can't move.
Pratik(thinking): Seems like the effects of this magic also paralyse the opponent's movement.
Pratik(thinking): As a result, even the caster becomes paralysed.
Pratik(thinking): I sensed something.
Pratik(thinking): Aha!
As soon as I sensed it, I deactivated my Range Shiftling.
The entire building collapsed, destroying the spell in the process.
Everything happened within a second.
Maybe less.
Pratik(thinking): I know what this was.
Pratik(thinking): Cannons!
Grishwari made an annoyed face.
Pratik(thinking): Now that I think about it, this place has attracted even more enemies.
*
The rebels fighting outside had the upper hand.
Victory seemed almost within their grasp.
Then, some of them noticed something.
Something very unusual was approaching the palace.
What was it?
It was falling from the sky like a shooting star.
Far away in the slums, a boy witnessing the phenomenon made a wish.
He wished for his father to be freed.
Many monster children wished for something similar.
PLEASE END THE TYRANNY OF LORD LOHIT.
Those were their wishes.
The falling star—or whatever it was—crashed into the palace, right into the hall where Pratik and Grishwari were fighting.
The impact blew away the nearby enemies and rebels.
Pratik smirked.
He knew exactly what had happened.
As the dust settled, four familiar faces became visible.
Mala.
Grimori.
Kel.
And Lila.
They had entered the battle.
Grishwari made a bitter face.
She couldn't take down all of them together.
That's absurd.
[Mala]: Aren't we standing at the right place?!
She said with a smile.
Grimori and Kel stood with their arms folded.
Lila was already analysing the situation.
To be honest, everyone was analysing the situation in their own way.
Mala approached Pratik and loudly patted him on the back.
[Mala]: Great work, boy. Now the rest lies with us.
Pratik made a straight face.
Everyone now glanced at Grishwari.
They were ready to start the fight at any moment.
[Grishwari]: This surely looks bad.
She said with a small smile.
Just then...
Footsteps could be heard.
Someone was approaching.
Someone was walking from behind Grishwari.
[Fur]: This looks bad, mon.
[Grishwari]: Haha... Right timing, Fur! Let us beat them tog—
Before she could finish, a blade pierced her.
It was Fur.
Pratik's eyes widened in surprise.
Grishwari turned around in shock as well.
[Fur]: My real name is Row. The leader of the rebels.
[Fur]: I have been working as a Royal Guard since my teenage years to infiltrate the palace.
Grishwari fell to her knees.
Row glanced at Pratik and the others.
[Row]: If you are here to free the slaves and save the people, then head towards the West.
He said while pointing toward the West.
Pratik felt conflicted.
He wanted to talk.
But Mala and the others dragged him along with them.
While running toward the West, Pratik still looked back at Grishwari one last time.
His eyes were filled with pity and sadness.
Then he finally disappeared from sight.
Row sat beside Grishwari, who was lying on the floor.
[Grishwari]: Why are you sitting next to me?
[Grishwari]: You do realise I might return as an obstacle later?
She asked calmly.
She wasn't angry.
She was sad.
[Row]: Despite my goals... I still feel attached to you.
[Row]: This might sound like a lie after everything I have done, but...
[Row]: I loved you.
Grishwari laughed a little.
[Grishwari]: You could have trusted me more.
[Grishwari]: I would have loved to be your ally, maybe.
She said with pain in her voice.
[Row]: You might be right...
[Row]: However, some things aren't about trust or love.
[Grishwari]: I didn't deserve it.
[Grishwari]: I have done many bad things in my life.
[Grishwari]: This was well deserved.
She placed her hand over his.
[Grishwari]: You are too soft, rookie...
She stopped breathing.
Her heart came to rest.
A farewell.
Row closed his eyes.
What came out were tears.
*
Many years ago...
Row, having changed his identity, entered the palace as a soldier.
A teenager with a determined goal.
He trained harder and harder.
He climbed through the ranks through sheer hard work.
It was then that he met Grishwari.
His sparring partner.
They fought and trained alongside each other.
She trained him to become more cold-hearted toward his enemies.
Something that eventually helped Row against her.
[Grishwari]: You are too soft, rookie.
*
This day had finally completed the circle.
Grishwari's soul departed.
It reached the afterlife.
She stood in the middle of it, with two gates in front of her.
One gate led to Hell.
The other led to Heaven.
She was among the few people who were voluntarily given the authority to choose their own gate.
With a smile, she walked toward the gate of Hell.
To be continued...