Chapter 55: Amulet and Crimson Vortex
The battle between the strongest always attracted the attention of the rest.
Groza, Daren, Liam, Azura, Judith, Grender, and their opponents were in the midst of battle, but they couldn’t help but pause when Vaarh himself appeared in the distance.
For them, it was especially important. If Ardur lost, the Wurhen Family could actually fall, because in that case, Liliane would be the last member of the family, if she survived, which was unlikely.
On the other hand, if Ardur won, even wounded, he would come for them and help his people. Even in his weakened state, he would be formidable.
"Brother..." Ozdor muttered as he watched the black chain bind Ardur, as Vaarh rose above him, gathering all his strength for one mighty strike.
Could Ardur defend himself?
He used all his strength, but even he could not break the enhanced black chain. Most likely, he would have succeeded in time, as Kreyn’s strength would have waned, but he couldn’t wait that long.
"Bastard...! Instead of fighting me fairly, like a true warrior, you use the power of monsters? Whose side are you on anyway?" Ardur gritted his teeth in anger.
Kreyn narrowed his eyes.
"Stop this charade. If it were beneficial to your family, you would form an alliance with anyone. I realized long ago what kind of person you are. And what honest battle are you talking about? Our levels of power are drastically different."
He tightened the chain, causing Ardur’s face to contort in pain.
"I’m on my own side, on the side of the victor, and so should everyone who wants to achieve anything in this world."
TREMBLE!
At the same moment, the green orb trembled before unleashing its full power. The energy ray, powerful enough to destroy half of Varthon, streaked across the night sky like a stellar blade.
Ardur’s eyes widened as he watched the green charges tear through space.
"This will be your end..."
Vaarh’s hoarse voice rang out. Only Kreyn could understand his words, but for Ardur, everything was obvious from Vaarh’s many eyes.
"You will disappear, just like every arrogant human, just like your entire family!!!"
It seemed that his will reached straight to Ardur’s heart as his gaze changed.
Now, he was ready to give up everything, even the things his family had kept for decades.
Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.
The amulet around Ardur’s neck trembled as the crimson light fell on his face.
At the last moment, the amulet shattered, and the spirit, the evil red eye, burst out, soaring right in front of Ardur.
Like an ancient monster, the evil eye opened its terrifying jaw, inside which was only darkness, as endless as the abyss.
Under Vaarh’s shocked gaze, the evil eye absorbed his ray, while red streams of energy headed toward Ardur.
Too late, but Kreyn understood what was happening:
’This artifact didn’t just protect him, this eye absorbed Vaarh’s ray and redirected all its power straight to Ardur!
Of all the possible defenses, this was one of the worst for Kreyn and Vaarh.
Now, their combined attack, into which they had put most of their strength, had turned against them.
They didn’t know it, but Vaarh’s ray had become Ardur’s power, albeit for a limited time.
"RGH!" Ardur let out a beast roar as his black eyes glowed bright red and his veins bulged.
Crack!
In one swift motion, he tore the black chain apart. The links flew off in shreds of flame, whizzing past Kreyn’s eyes.
What he feared had happened.
Their most powerful attack had not only failed to achieve anything—instead, they had made Ardur stronger!
"Vaarh..." Ardur rasped. "You got what you wanted, you made me lose my family heirloom, but... You will pay a great price for this!"
Before Kreyn could realize it, Ardur lunged forward as the ground cracked beneath him.
In a red flash, followed by a cold wind, Ardur reached Vaarh.
Vaarh was an old monster and had been through many battles. He was ready to act even when things didn’t go according to plan.
But... even he was not prepared for the power Ardur possessed.
The crimson flame covered Ardur’s sword as he raised his weapon above his head.
Vaarh’s eyes narrowed as, for the first time in years, he did the unthinkable—he moved his body to the side to dodge, rather than take the attack or counterattack.
GUSH!
Blood gushed from Vaarh’s neck. A wide wound gaped, as his thick skin and sturdy scales were powerless to protect him from Ardur’s sword.
"Grh..." Ardur exhaled hot steam like an angry bull as he pressed down on the blade with all his might.
At that moment, everyone watching the battle witnessed a gruesome and inspiring scene:
The crimson vortex rushed wildly across Vaarh’s great body, leaving a long cut running from his head to his body hidden beneath the surface.
Dark blood flooded the ground as Vaarh’s painful roar shook the entire region.
RGGGHHHOOOOOOO!!!
When even such a majestic creature was in agony, a chill ran down everyone’s spine. No one could watch this scene and feel nothing.
But, for some, it was an impending horror, and for others, a reason for coming joy. It all depended on which side one was on.
"Ghaa..."
Ardur sighed heavily while drops of blood fell on his broad shoulders like crimson rain.
Still, disappointment was visible in his eyes as they returned to their natural black color.
Even with the power of an Artifact that he could only use once, he did not have enough strength to kill Vaarh.
Tremble! Tremble! Tremble!
With the earth trembling, Vaarh fled the battlefield, returning to the depths of the free caves. His heart wanted to help Kreyn, but he had fulfilled his part of the bargain. If he continued the fight, nothing but death awaited him.
"I see..." Ardur grunted, pulling his sword out of the ground. "So from the beginning, there was only one warrior on this field."
He stared at Kreyn, who did not take a step back.
Moreover, there was no despair or fear in his eyes, just the understanding that it was necessary to move on to the backup plan.
"What now, Kreyn?"
In response, Kreyn pulled a dagger with a wavy blade out of the red box.
"Now, we will be equals, Ardur."