Riven ran as fast as he could, but deep down, he knew—he wouldn't make it in time. The distance was too far; his battle with the two men had left him separated from Melly. His breath came in gasps, his blood pounded in his ears, but time seemed to slow before his eyes as the massive axe came swinging down toward Melly.

And then something happened.

Melly's eyes, usually wide with fear, now glowed with light. Lightning sparked within her brown irises. Her right hand shot up on instinct and—

CRAAAK!!

A bolt of lightning burst from her palm, striking the large man squarely in the chest.

He didn't have time to react. No chance to dodge. His eyes widened in shock as his entire body convulsed violently from the current. His massive frame was thrown backward, skin blackened, limbs twitching.

He hit the ground with a heavy thud. Then he went still.

It was unclear whether he was dead… or merely unconscious.

The bystanders froze. They couldn't believe what they had just seen, that this seemingly frail child… was a Lawbearer.

Riven was just as shocked. His steps faltered before he reached Melly's side and dropped to his knees, checking her in panic. "Are you hurt?" he asked quickly, his eyes scanning her body for wounds.

Melly shook her head slowly, her breathing ragged but her eyes still glowing. "I… I'm okay," she whispered, then looked up at him, voice firm. "I can help… I don't want to be a burden anymore, Riven."

Riven stared at her in silence. Pride flickered across his face, but so did deep worry. He gave a small nod. "Alright. But stay close to me."

There was no time for more.

Footsteps approached rapidly from the right. Three men advanced with sharp eyes and weapons raised. Without hesitation, they charged at Riven and Melly.

.

.

.

Far in the distance, atop a small hill cloaked in shadow and trees, a middle-aged man stood in calm observation. He wore a well-fitted dark coat, his lean frame upright and dignified. His slicked-back dark blue hair gleamed under the faint moonlight, and in his hand was a refined silver-inlaid bow.

His sharp eyes followed the battlefield with quiet calculation.

In a low voice, he murmured to the man beside him, "Well done. I didn't think Aiden would actually send out his whole family."

The man beside him, the same one who had spied on Lyanna's earlier fight with the bandits, gave a quick nod with a nervous smile. "My Lord… you will pay me, won't you?"

The blue-haired man turned his head slightly, a warm smile playing on his lips but it never reached his eyes. "Of course."

And in a movement as smooth as the night breeze, he unsheathed a dagger and slashed it sideways.

Slash!

The man's head fell to the ground with a dull thud. His body followed a moment later, collapsing in silence.

The nobleman let out a soft breath, staring coldly at the fresh corpse at his feet. "It wasn't a waste letting all of you roam around… hiring your lot just to watch this road." He wiped the blade clean on a white cloth and tucked it back into his coat.

His gaze returned to the battle through the gaps in the foliage.

"Useless. Taking this long to capture just three people," he muttered with an annoyed click of his tongue.

He slowly raised his bow. With steady fingers, he drew the string, and instantly, crackling lightning gathered—forming a shimmering arrow of pure electricity.

With icy precision and unwavering hands, he took aim at the chaos below.

TWANG!

The lightning arrow shot out, slicing the air with a searing trail of silver-blue light.

Toward them.

.

.

.

Riven struggled to stand, his body battered and aching. The three men closed in, their steps steady, weapons drawn, eyes filled with smug certainty. Riven gritted his teeth. He was nearly out of strength, but surrender wasn't an option.

"I have to hold on…" he muttered under his breath, pushing through the pain that burned through his bones.

But before he could swing Riftmaker.

Something flashed in the sky—a streak of blinding silver-blue light, descending like judgment from the heavens.

Riven realized it too late.

"Melly!!" he shouted, but the words couldn't outrun the bolt.

Melly saw the lightning too. Without hesitation, she lunged toward her brother, wrapping her arms around him. Her tiny frame shielded his with everything she had, both arms raised to block the coming strike.

But this time—

BRZZZZTTTT!!!

The explosion of lightning struck them directly.

Riven and Melly were thrown back at once. The young coachman, along with Lyanna and Daphne, were also caught in the blast and couldn't react in time. They were struck hard, their bodies flung like rag dolls into the earth. The ground trembled, nearby trees were scorched black, and the air was thick with the stench of burnt ozone.

Even the attackers weren't spared. The three men charging at Riven were caught in the blast, hurled back with bones snapping from the force. Some didn't get back up.

Smoke billowed. Leaves turned to ash. Only the faint hum of dying electricity lingered in the air.

Then, silence.

A moment later, footsteps echoed through the smoke.

A man emerged, walking calmly through the haze. His frame was strong, his cloak billowing gently in the night breeze. His dark blue hair gleamed like deep sea under starlight. His eyes were cold and untouchable, void of compassion.

Riven lay helpless on the ground, his body frozen, paralyzed by pain. His muscles screamed like fire had been poured through his veins. He clenched his teeth, vision blurred and shaky.

But he never looked away from the small figure still in his arms.

Melly.

She trembled in his grasp, her eyes glassy but she was conscious. Her breath came in sharp bursts, her chest heaving, but she had survived.

Riven shivered. If she hadn't protected him…

He would've died.

Some of the attackers began rising, though most were still groggy from the blast. But when the dark blue-haired man stepped out of the woods, silence fell again. Those still standing immediately bowed their heads in respect.

Riven heard them whispering:

"Count Yilesh…"

The man stood regal and terrifying in his dark noble cloak. His eyes were razor-sharp, like blades that sliced into the minds of those he stared at. His left hand still held the elegant bow, while his right rested casually on his hip.

He surveyed the battlefield with a faint smile. "Capture them all," he said smoothly.

His subordinates moved at once, heading toward Daphne and Sally. Then they turned to Lyanna, who lay still near the wreckage.

But the moment one hand reached toward her.

A sudden eruption of power exploded from Lyanna's body.

Her eyes snapped open, glowing with burning red light. Veins bulged across her skin, pulsing with raw fury. Her mana surged uncontrollably, shaking the ground and slicing through the air.

In an instant, she was on her feet.

Flames of rage roared through her.

Before anyone could react—

BUUAAAGH!!

Lyanna launched forward like a missile, all instinct and rage. Count Yilesh, standing not far away, narrowed his eyes—surprised she was still conscious, let alone this fast.

But he was too close.

ZRAK!

Her kick landed square on his chest.

Lyanna's strength was monstrous—her foot shattered the earth beneath her, transferring all that force into the noble's torso. Count Yilesh was blasted backwards, crashing into a thick tree that cracked under the impact.

BRAAAAK!!

He bounced off the trunk and tumbled to the ground. Leaves and dust scattered everywhere.

Silence spread like wildfire across the battlefield.

All eyes watched—stunned.

A single soldier shouted, "Kill her!"

Dozens of weapons rose, pointed at Lyanna who stood with wild eyes and trembling limbs, still radiating violent mana. But before they could charge—

SREEEEEKKKKK!!

A deep cracking sound tore through the earth. The ground split open, and from the gaps—

Came roots.

Thick, black, moss-covered roots erupted from below. They moved like living beasts, snaking toward their prey with unnatural speed. In seconds, they latched onto Lyanna's body, wrapping tightly until only her face remained visible.

"ARGH!!" Lyanna howled as she was lifted off the ground, bound by vines like a struggling insect.

And she wasn't alone.

The roots erupted everywhere—ensnaring Riven, Melly, Daphne, Sally, even the young coachman.

"Ugh!"

Riven groaned as his body was yanked up and twisted. He struggled, but the last of his strength was gone. Melly, still clinging to him, whimpered as the cold vines coiled around her legs and waist.

Daphne, just waking, didn't even get to lift her sword. The roots dragged her down, pinning her.

The coachman swung his blade one last time, but the roots bent his wrist back and forced him to his knees.

Within moments…

All of them had been subdued.

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