ONLINE: Blades of Eternity-Chapter 184: ALL I NEED IS ONE STRIKE

As the aged man scowled, realizing his domain was rendered ineffective by Reeves, he barked out a hurried command. "Aron, Selene, take him down now! Agents, follow their lead!"

Aron and Selene, their expressions resolute, lunged forward, their mana igniting in a blaze of shadows and lightning. The agents of the Dragonyx family followed in synchronized formation, their movements sharp and precise as they converged toward Kaelen and his companions.

’Seems like I will still practice some sword techniques before I get to Valoria kingdom’

Kaelen instinctively gripped the disguised Blade of Eternity tighter, his companions readying themselves for the impending clash. The Mysterious Swordsman and the dark Prince exchanged silent glances, their expressions cold and calculating as they prepared to counter the onslaught. General Cao drew his massive halberd, his battle-hardened presence exuding an aura of unshakable resolve.

But just before the attackers could reach them, a deafening roar echoed through the valley, shaking the very air. Zephryon, Reeves’ contracted beast, let out an ear-splitting cry that reverberated like thunder. The sheer force of its roar unleashed a powerful shockwave that pushed Aron, Selene, and their entourage back, scattering them like leaves in a storm. The agents struggled to regain their footing, their faces pale with disbelief as they stared at the ferocious beast.

Zephryon’s eyes burned with primal fury, its wings spreading wide as it hovered protectively over Kaelen and his companions. It exhaled a gust of air so intense that it cleared the surrounding mist, revealing the full magnitude of its mythical presence.

And then, amidst the tension, an eerie stillness fell over the battlefield. Every individual present froze as a voice, deep and menacing, resonated directly in their minds.

"All I need is one strike."

The voice was chilling, each word dripping with lethal intent. It was as though the very air had been sliced by the sheer weight of its promise.

Kaelen’s breath caught in his throat. The voice was unmistakably Reeves’. Yet, it carried a tone so ruthless and absolute that it sent shivers down his spine. Even the usually stoic Mysterious Swordsman and the dark Prince stiffened, their gazes shifting to the Vice Chancellor.

Reeves stood at the center of it all, his posture unyielding, his aura a tempest of contained power. His eyes locked onto the aged man, who now seemed less sure of himself. "You’ve underestimated us," Reeves said, his voice calm yet laced with an edge sharper than any blade.

The aged man hesitated, weighing his next move as Zephryon growled low and threatening, its razor-sharp talons gleaming in the dim light. Aron and Selene exchanged uneasy glances, the confidence they had shown earlier now wavering under the overwhelming pressure.

’Is this the end?’

Aron and Selene stood motionless, their faces pale and drenched in sweat. The roar of Zephryon and Reeves’ overwhelming presence had shaken their resolve, but a memory suddenly flickered to life—words spoken by the hazy figure of their family.

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"This is your last chance. Succeed, or there will be no place for you among us."

The weight of the words crashed down on them, and their expressions hardened. Gritting their teeth, they exchanged a glance, an unspoken agreement passing between them. This was do-or-die.

With a roar of desperation, Aron unleashed his full power, shadowy tendrils erupting from his body as he channeled the forbidden techniques of the Dragonyx family. Selene followed suit, her mana flaring wildly as she conjured orbs of crackling lightning, their energy pulsating with unstable ferocity. Together, they charged at Reeves, their attacks aimed directly at him with everything they had.

Reeves, however, didn’t even flinch. His calm demeanor remained unshaken as he slowly raised his hand.

"Zephryon." His voice carried no urgency, just a commanding authority.

In the next instant, Zephryon’s massive form shifted as its eyes glowed with an intense golden hue. Its wings, now spread to their fullest, shimmered with intricate patterns of mana that seemed to condense into a singular point at its maw.

A deafening hum filled the air as Zephryon unleashed its spell. A beam of pure mana, denser and more precise than anything a human could conjure, erupted forth with a brilliance that momentarily turned night into day.

The attack hit the battlefield with catastrophic force. Half of the agents of the Dragonyx family were obliterated instantly, their bodies disintegrating into nothingness. The ground trembled violently, and the surrounding landscape bore deep scars from the sheer intensity of the magic.

Aron and Selene barely had time to react as the beam surged toward them. Their eyes widened in horror, their lives flashing before them. But just as it seemed they would meet their end, the aged man intervened.

With a desperate shout, he activated a small, glowing talisman hanging from his neck. A barrier of golden light sprang forth, enveloping him, Aron, and Selene. The beam clashed against the barrier, and though it held, the force behind the spell shattered the talisman and sent the three of them hurtling backward, blood spilling from their mouths as they slammed into the rocky ground.

Aron and Selene coughed violently, their bodies trembling as they struggled to get up. The aged man knelt beside them, panting heavily, the strain of using his one-time life-saving item evident on his worn face.

"Fools," he hissed, his voice trembling with both rage and fear. "You nearly got us all killed."

Reeves lowered his hand, his gaze cold as he surveyed the remnants of their attackers. Zephryon let out a low growl, the air around it still crackling with residual energy.

"This is what happens when you underestimate us," Reeves said, his voice sharp and unyielding. "Now, retreat, or the next attack will leave no survivors."

The aged man clenched his fists, his pride wounded, but the reality of their situation was undeniable. He looked at Aron and Selene, both barely holding on, and realized that staying any longer would be suicide.

With a bitter glare, he spat, "This isn’t over, Reeves." Then, with a wave of his hand, he conjured a shadowy portal. Supporting Aron and Selene, he led them through it, their forms disappearing into the void.

As the battlefield fell silent, Kaelen and his companions stared in stunned disbelief. The sheer power displayed by Zephryon and Reeves was unlike anything they had ever witnessed. Reeves turned to them, his expression softening.

"Let this be a reminder," he said, his tone firm yet reassuring. "You are under my protection, and no harm will come to you so long as you walk this path."

Kaelen nodded, his determination burning brighter. This was only the beginning. "Let’s go" Reeves suddenly continued as the Zephryon resumed in his flight through the Willowing Valley.

.....

The shadowy portal shimmered as the aged man emerged, dragging a bloodied and battered Aron and Selene behind him. The chamber they stepped into was dimly lit, its oppressive atmosphere amplified by the distant flickering of a single ethereal flame. At the far end of the room sat the hazy figure, cloaked in darkness, an aura of unapproachable power radiating from it.

The figure tilted its head slightly, its form shifting like smoke in the air. "Is it done?" the voice echoed, deep and chilling.

The aged man took a deep breath, his face lined with exhaustion and bitterness. "It isn’t," he said flatly. "Reeves personally escorted them this year, along with his contracted beast. We were overwhelmed."

A heavy silence followed. Then, the hazy figure chuckled—a low, guttural sound that quickly erupted into a disturbing, echoing laugh that seemed to shake the very walls of the chamber. Aron and Selene, barely conscious, flinched at the sound, their injuries and failure weighing on them like chains.

"Reeves..." the figure drawled, its tone laced with amusement. "How unexpected. The great Vice Chancellor himself taking the role of a mere escort. This makes things... interesting."

The aged man bowed his head slightly. "What are your orders, my lord?"

The hazy figure leaned forward slightly, its presence growing even more suffocating. "Send the Hollowed One after Kaelen," it said with a chilling nonchalance. "If Reeves wishes to play protector, let him see the futility of his efforts against true darkness."

The aged man’s face tightened, but he nodded. "As you wish, my lord."

The figure then shifted its gaze toward Aron and Selene, who, despite their pain, began pleading desperately.

"Please, my lord!" Aron gasped, his voice trembling. "Give us another chance! We can still prove ourselves!"

"We’ll do whatever it takes!" Selene added, tears streaming down her face. "Just don’t discard us!"

Their cries filled the chamber, echoing off the walls. The figure remained silent, watching them with an unreadable expression. Then, with a flick of its fingers, an enormous, dark rift opened behind Aron and Selene.

"You’ve failed me once," the figure said, its voice devoid of emotion. "Prove your worth in the Labyrinth of Desperation. If you survive, I may consider giving you another chance."

"No! Please, anything but that!" Aron screamed, his voice breaking in desperation.

"We’ll do better! We swear it!" Selene cried, clawing at the ground as the portal began to drag them in.

Their pleas fell on deaf ears. With a final wave of its hand, the hazy figure sent them hurtling into the rift. It sealed shut with a thunderous clap, leaving the chamber eerily quiet once more.

The aged man remained standing, his gaze fixed on where the portal had been. "The Labyrinth of Desperation," he muttered. "Most don’t come back from there."

"Exactly," the hazy figure replied, leaning back into its seat. "Failure has a price, one they must pay. Now, see to the Hollowed One. It’s time to remind Reeves and his precious students what true despair feels like."

The aged man nodded solemnly and disappeared into the shadows, leaving the figure alone in the chamber, its faint laughter lingering long after the silence returned.