CHAPTER 21: FACING REALITY

The silence was deafening. Only the crackling of the mounted torches and the whistle of the cold wind filled the space. The three of them stood still, each one cautiously waiting for the other to make a move.

Khal kept shifting his gaze between them—especially Merlin.

"Given the chance, the first thing I need to do is take Merlin’s hands. She’s the only real threat right now. It’d be a lot easier with my spear, but I’ll have to make do."

Khal took the first step, slowly advancing. Noticing this, Renold began to circle to Khal’s right, while Merlin stood directly ahead, slowly raising her hand.

FWOOSH!

Without warning, Khal charged at Merlin, trying to close the distance before she could finish casting.

His danger sense flared—a sharp tingle in his mind. Instinctively, he broke his momentum and stepped back.

SWOOSH!

A small, dark dagger whizzed past his face—thrown from Renold’s direction. Khal glared at him, jaw clenched at the sight of his smug expression.

FLOAT [⾶]

Khal was suddenly lifted into the air, suspended over fifteen inches above their heads. Merlin readied another spell, while Renold pulled out another knife, winding back to throw.

Shit. I’ve got no control over my movements like this—I won’t be able to dodge. No... think. There’s no ability that completely takes control of you without any chance of fighting back. There has to be a way to break it.

Khal focused on the mana flowing through his body, concentrating it into a single point.

Mana +1

Mana +1

Cognitive Acceleration +1

Cognitive Acceleration +1

The mana inside him began to shake violently, growing unstable.

I need to remove the mana she planted on me when the spell triggered. This is the only method I can think of right now.

Renold hurled the knife, aiming for Khal’s head.

Just before it hit, Khal released all the stored mana in a single, explosive burst.

BOOM!

The dagger was blasted away, and Khal plummeted to the ground.

THUD.

He landed on his feet.

Purple Lightning [☈]

A bolt of electricity surged toward Khal. He barely had time to raise his arms, shielding the area where it would hit.

This is gonna hurt.

PZZT!

The lightning struck him, slamming into his arms. Khal held his ground, grinding his teeth as pain surged through him. Dust kicked up from the sheer force.

He groaned, pushing back against the current.

The lightning dispersed, leaving behind a thick dust cloud. Merlin lowered her hands, squinting into the haze, searching for any sign of him.

"Please just stay down," she muttered.

She stepped forward, cautiously entering the dust.

From the corner of her eye, she caught movement—but before she could react, a hand clamped over her face.

Her expression froze. She looked to the left and saw Khal standing beside her. He didn’t even meet her eyes. His gaze was cold, fixed straight ahead.

Merlin slowly raised her hands, trying to cast again—but then she felt her feet leave the ground.

"I’ll be throwing you now."

WHOOSH!

Khal flung her like a ragdoll. Her body flipped and twisted through the air before crashing hard into the stone wall.

CRASH!

Renold clenched his jaw, a bead of sweat sliding down his face.

"Useless bitch!" he spat, vanishing into the darkness.

From within the shadows, knives began flying—but Khal dodged each one, steadily advancing.

This is pointless. If my blessing won’t work on him, it’s best I retreat and report to the family.

Let them deal with this monster.

Khal caught one of the blades midair, shoved it into the side of his hoodie, and burst forward.

Renold popped out of the darkness from Khal being too close—and froze.

Khal stood right in front of him, his fist drawn back, mana seeping out of it, aimed at his head.

Eyes full of fear, Renold stared at Khal, knowing what was to come.

BAM!

Khal’s fist slammed into the barrier, driving Renold straight to the ground.

Crack. The barrier fractured even more, Khal’s fist still pressing down relentlessly.

Seeing this, Renold’s arrogance vanished. Panic set in.

"Wait, let’s talk about this! No harm done, right? How about this—you take the spear and whatever’s in the grave, I’ll take the shard, and everyone walks away happy? Sound good?"

Khal raised his fist into the air, veins bulging. His gaze locked onto Renold’s eyes—burning with rage.

Then he brought his fist down with all his strength.

Shatter.

The barrier burst apart. The insignia on Renold’s armor split in half.

Renold raised both hands to shield his face, trembling.

"Wait, damn it! I’m the grandson of the Ninth Elder of the Leywin Family! Your father might be the Dragul Family’s acting patriarch, but we heard you’re about to be disowned! Touch me, and no one will protect you from my grandfather’s wrath!"

Khal ignored the threat. His fist rose again.

"Clench your jaw."

THWACK.

His fist connected with Renold’s face—again and again, blood splattering, the brutal sound echoing through the tomb.

Renold choked on blood as he tried to speak, but no words came out.

"STOP IT!"

Merlin’s voice rang out behind Khal.

He paused, glancing back. Merlin stood with her hands raised, lightning sparking at her fingertips.

"I said stop! Or I’ll burn you to a crisp," she warned, voice cracking, tears brimming in her eyes.

Cough. Cough.

Renold spat blood.

"Don’t... waste time... Kill this bastard..."

Khal struck him once more—another tooth flew from Renold’s mouth.

"I’m warning you!" Merlin shouted. A single tear fell from her eye, her hand trembling.

Tch.

Khal clicked his tongue.

I can’t take another hit from her lightning. My body’s wearing out. Two direct strikes and with all this torchlight feeding the Bane of Shadows, I feel like I could explode at any second. I need to finish this—fast.

But a normal punch won’t kill him. And if I channel mana, she’ll attack... Quite the situation.

"Don’t be foolish," Khal said coldly. "Saving him won’t save your sister. You think people who give ultimatums have good intentions?"

Merlin clenched her jaw. Her voice wavered.

"I don’t have a choice... When my sister failed to ascend, her blessing caused her mana to freeze her internal organs. Without extreme yang medicine, she’ll die. The Ninth Elder has a pill that could save her..."

Khal’s left hand crept toward the knife he’d hidden earlier, fingers curling around its handle.

"Think, Merlin. Medicine like that is rare and expensive. You never mentioned its name. Have you ever actually seen it? These people are willing to use me and toss me aside. Why wouldn’t they do the same to you—the family’s disgrace?"

Merlin hesitated. Doubt flickered in her eyes.

Renold saw it—and panicked.

"Don’t listen to him! Kill him! My grandfather would never lie to you!"

Khal narrowed his eyes. "So you’ve seen the medicine?"

"Of course I have! I was there when it was made! I know everything about it!"

"Then tell me... what’s it called?"

Renold froze. "Huh? It’s... it’s called... Hold on—it’s coming to me. I haven’t seen it in a while, so I’m a little forgetful. But I swear on my life, it’s real!"

Merlin’s hands fell. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"It... really doesn’t exist?"

"Merlin, put your hands back up! Kill this bastard! I swear—it’s real!"

Khal stared down at him.

"What is your life worth?"

He channeled mana into the knife—and in one swift motion, slit Renold’s throat.

Renold grabbed at his neck, trying to stop the bleeding. But it kept pouring out.

Merlin stood frozen, eyes wide, her face pale as she watched him bleed out.

"It’s... over now... Sister... I couldn’t save you..."

Khal stared at the dying man with an unreadable expression. Renold’s tears flowed freely as he reached for Khal’s leg with one hand, the other still pressed to his throat.

"Though this is quite the beautiful sight..." Khal muttered, pulling his leg free. "I have business elsewhere. So do me a favor—"

He placed a hand on Renold’s face.

"—and sleep... forever."