The battle had only grew hotter.

Little One's heart hammered, his foot halfway forward before he yanked it back. He turned his head, refusing to look. "It's not like I'm scared or anything," he muttered, voice cracking. "It just… feels like I shouldn't interfere. The Fire God's settling some old grudge, so it's not my place to step in. That's all. Totally not fear. Not a chance."

He was lying. Not to Balor. Not to the others. To himself.

That was his victory, convincing himself he wasn't a coward.

Balor slid out from the void, his laughter dripping mockery. "You're right. You're really right." He shook his head and smirked. "But first… let's get the hell out of here, brave hero." His tone made brave sound like a curse.

Little One ignored the sting, nodding stiffly. Together, they pulled back, putting distance between themselves and the storm where three great spirits and two humans clashed like gods tearing the world apart.

Meanwhile, in the support camp, Aiden and Elexa had finally clawed back their strength. Shin and Brom had recovered some, but not enough....their bodies needed time to rebuild what had been drained. Even the elite channeler from Little One's guild had burned out, hitting his limit on how much energy he could draw and pass through.

Still, Aiden and Elexa had enough. Enough to keep fighting. Enough to matter.

The two were just preparing to move when Clara approached.

"What is it, Clara? You still need rest." Aiden's tone carried worry, heavy and sharp.

Clara only smiled faintly, shaking her head. "Don't worry about me. I'll have plenty of time to rest after the cursed are dealt with. First, we finish this."

Aiden stared at her for a beat, then nodded.

Clara pulled out a sleek blue tablet, tapping it. A wide interface sprang to life, covering the entire island in sharp detail. Green patches. Red crosses. Blinking zones of warning.

"I've mapped out their base," Clara explained, her eyes hard. "With the help of a few of my bots."

Aiden's brow furrowed. His gut clenched. She had been mapping out the cursed's entire stronghold all while fighting? The sheer mental load that demanded... it was insane. But then again, this was Clara. If anyone could do it, it was her.

She pointed at the glowing grid. "The green zones are harmless—storage houses, kidnapped scientists, supplies. Nothing dangerous."

Her finger slid across the screen, landing on the first red X. "But these…"

The air seemed to tighten around them.

"These are bad news. The worst kind."

Aiden's eyes narrowed. His pulse spiked. "How bad?"

From the colors alone, Aiden already knew the red zones spelled trouble. Big trouble.

Clara's finger tapped the first crimson mark. "Here. The leader of the cursed. Some kind of throne room."

"So that's where you want me and Elexa?" Aiden asked.

Clara shook her head, moving her finger to the second mark. "Not that one either. Security's too intricate. Layers on layers. I couldn't break through in time. Maybe with more minutes, but we don't have that luxury."

"So we're not going there?" Aiden pressed.

Another shake of her head. Then she tapped the last red mark. "This one. I need you here."

Elexa, quiet until now, leaned forward. "And what's waiting for us there?"

Clara hesitated, her gaze steady, voice low. "The secret. The one behind the cursed."

"The one… helping them?" Elexa echoed, confused.

Clara's eyes hardened. "Don't you see? The cursed rose out of nowhere. God-defying powers, endless resources, weapons, artifacts. All in just a few years? Drake couldn't have built this alone. Someone's backing him. Someone with influence—someone dangerous."

Elexa's face shifted as the pieces clicked. "So the clues… you're saying they're in that part of the base. We might find the backer's identity."

Clara nodded once. "Yes. If you reach this place, you'll uncover how the cursed were born."

Elexa glanced at Aiden. His brow was furrowed, torn between the urge to clash with the dark emissaries and the weight of Clara's words. This mission was just as critical. And they were the only two heroes left standing who could still fight.

Aiden finally nodded. "We'll do it."

Together, he and Elexa followed Clara's directions, slipping into the base. Through tunnels, shadowed halls, the air thick with tension. The red-marked zone burned in their minds as they pressed on, until at last, the path opened into a grey garden.

At the far end sat a massive storage crate, but neither of them were staring at that.

No, their eyes locked on the figure already waiting.

A dark emissary. Long crimson hair spilling over his shoulders. A black chair his throne. A cheerful smile that didn't reach the ice in his gaze.

"Striker," Aiden muttered, teeth grinding.

The emissary's smile widened. "To think you'd really come here. Drake's foresight never ceases to amaze me." His fingers twitched, red lightning dancing along them.

"Well then, heroes," Striker said pleasantly, as if inviting them to dinner. "Let's not waste time." His tone dropped solemn, but the smile never wavered.

"You came here seeking answers. But what you've found…" His eyes gleamed, lightning cracking louder.

"…is death."

---

TO BE CONTINUED...

AUTHOR'S NOTE

That's the chapter, everyone!

If you enjoyed it, don't forget to vote with your Power Stones, drop a Golden Ticket, and leave a comment or review—it really helps the story grow and keeps me motivated to deliver more chapters for you all.

Your support means everything, so let me know what you think:

✨ Who's your favorite character so far?

✨ What do you think will happen next?

✨ Any wild theories? I love reading them!

Stay tuned—the next chapter is coming soon.

– Ultra

AUTHOR'S NOTE

That's the chapter, everyone!

If you enjoyed it, don't forget to vote with your Power Stones, drop a Golden Ticket, and leave a comment or review—it really helps the story grow and keeps me motivated to deliver more chapters for you all.

Your support means everything, so let me know what you think:

✨ Who's your favorite character so far?

✨ What do you think will happen next?

✨ Any wild theories? I love reading them!

Stay tuned—the next chapter is coming soon.

– Ultra

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