The sky cracked open, swallowed by shadows.

  From the heart of the storm, a figure descended—calm, composed, and utterly terrifying. His aura pulsed with such overwhelming force that the very air felt heavy, suffocating. Dark hair fell across his pale face, and his crimson eyes shimmered with deadly intelligence.

  The moment he touched the ground, several royal guards standing nearby—warriors who had trained for decades—began to tremble. Their bodies spasmed violently, blood leaking from their eyes and ears. Then, one by one, they exploded—unable to withstand the pressure of his spirit energy.

  Kyle stepped forward, his voice grim.

  “This is Erwin Alther.”

  The silence that followed was deafening.

  “If he’s here,” Kyle continued, “then not all of us will make it out alive. I’ll hold him off. No matter what happens—protect Ravel. Even if it costs your life.”

  Without waiting for a reply, Kyle soared into the sky, his spirit energy crackling like lightning. He flew straight toward Erwin, sword drawn, ready to meet death head-on.

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  But Erwin didn’t even flinch.

  He stood as if watching an insect buzz toward him—an annoyance, not a threat.

  Then he spoke.

  “I’m not in the mood for killing today,” he said, his voice smooth, too casual. “Hand over the boy—the holder of the Heavenly Flame Dragon—and I’ll spare your life. Or perhaps… even your master’s.”

  Kyle's eyes burned with fury.

  “You dare speak her name? You’re not even worthy to breathe the same air as Queen Hai Ri!”

  Erwin smirked, unfazed.

  “Hai Ri? Please. A washed-up relic with fading eyes. She couldn’t even tell who among her own would betray her. But I’ll give her credit—her body is exquisite for someone her age.”

  He paused, and then the smile turned cruel.

  “Perhaps after I rip every ounce of soul power from her veins, I’ll let my disciple's enjoy her for a few nights. Then I’ll kill her myself.”

  Time stopped.

  Kyle’s face turned red, his aura flaring like a wildfire. He vanished in an instant—and the sky above erupted.

  Clashes of blinding lightning and flashes of spirit power shattered the heavens. I watched in stunned silence. Sparks burst in the sky like firecrackers, but each one carried the weight of two titans at war.

  And I—I stood below, wondering if I had ever truly been strong at all.

  I used to protect Ravel. I used to fight off the bullies, shield him from pain. I was the strong one. The older brother. His hero.

  But now... Ravel was something else entirely. A being with power so great, the fate of kingdoms rested on his awakening.

  As I stood there, lost in my thoughts, a blur shot toward us at blinding speed.

  A man skidded to a stop in front of us, his presence as fierce as the storm above.

  He had emerald-green hair, glowing red eyes, and a strange beauty to him. Snake-like scales shimmered on his arms—demonic, clearly. But his scent… it was human.

  Something ancient. Something wrong.

  He stepped toward Ravel.

  I stepped in front of him.

  “Who are you?” I asked, voice sharp.

  He smiled—but it wasn’t a warm one. It was the kind of smile that made your blood run cold.