Capítulo 669: Echoes Of The Broken Valley
Dravon rubbed his forehead slowly.
“So because you felt insecure,” he said in a flat, cold tone, “we had to abandon our duties and rush here. Are you telling me you now have the nerve to lie openly to the monarchy, without anyone forcing you to do so?”
Gyros swallowed hard. His throat felt dry, and for a moment he could not find his voice. He knew he was lying. We knew he was lying. And I believed even Dravon knew that Gyros was just a puppet.
“I… I was blinded by my own arrogance,” he said at last, his voice shaking. “I thought I could handle everything on my own, and I was wrong. Completely wrong.” He lowered his head, fists clenched at his sides. “I apologize. I know I failed in my duty. Please… I am ready to accept any punishment for what I have done.”
Dravon looked down at Gyros with open disgust.
“Do you have any idea how useless and pathetic you sound right now?”
He stepped forward and kicked Gyros hard in the chest.
Then again.
And again.
Each kick landed heavier than the last, curses spilling out with them.
“You worthless piece of trash.”
“What kind of spineless demon lies to the monarch’s forces?”
“I should bury you right here and feed you to the abominations.”
Gyros curled inward with every strike, barely able to groan.
Then Aurora clapped her hands once and brushed off her palms.
“It looks like we’re done here.”
“No,” Mazikeen growled.
She staggered forward, her gaze locked on Aurora, not with battle hunger, but something darker and more obsessive.
Aurora tilted her head slightly. “Are you alright in the head, little girl?”
Mazikeen didn’t answer.
She lunged.
This time, Aurora didn’t hold back.
She vanished and reappeared above Mazikeen in the same instant. Her heel came down like a hammer, smashing straight into Mazikeen’s forehead and driving her face-first into the ground.
The impact shook the earth.
Aurora snapped her fingers.
A rope of crackling lightning formed and wrapped tightly around Mazikeen’s body, binding her completely.
“So unruly,” Aurora said calmly. She lifted Mazikeen and slung her over her shoulder like a sack of grain. “Learn from your leader. He realized he was weak and stepped aside immediately.”
Dravon coughed at the insult.
“It’s called a strategic retreat,” he muttered as he dragged Gyros out of the crater, his expression completely dark.
The battle, at last, was truly over.
Dravon finally straightened and looked around the ruined valley, his expression settling into something calm and controlled again. He dragged Gyros up by the collar and held him there like a broken tool.
“We’ll take the envoy with us,” Dravon said. “For now.”
Mazikeen thrashed once more on Aurora’s shoulder, lightning rope tightening as she struggled.
“Mazikeen,” Dravon said sharply. “Enough. Cut it off and control yourself.”
Her body stiffened. The wild hunger in her eyes dimmed, replaced by irritation. She stopped struggling, though her jaw remained clenched.
“Tch,” she spat.
Aurora smiled faintly but said nothing, adjusting Mazikeen’s weight as if she truly were nothing more than luggage.
Dravon turned his attention back to Primus. The battlefield was silent now.
“This matter isn’t finished,” Dravon said. “We’ll investigate how the phantom gained access to Armus. Properly this time. If there are outside forces involved, they won’t stay hidden for long.”
Primus nodded once.
“Do what you must,” he said. “Armus won’t be used as someone else’s playground again.”
Dravon studied him for a few seconds, then turned his gaze to Aurora.
“And you,” he said. “You still haven’t told me your identity.”
Aurora tilted her head slightly, thoughtful.
“That’s because we don’t feel like it yet,” she replied. “But don’t worry. We’ll come to Dragos soon enough.”
She smiled, polite and calm, but her eyes held something sharp.
“When we do,” she continued, “you’ll hear about us. I promise.”
Dravon exhaled slowly and nodded.
“I’ll remember that.”
He raised one hand. The massive red portal behind him flared to life again, space folding inward with a deep hum. His thousand grandmasters formed ranks instantly, disciplined to the last movement.
Before stepping through, Dravon paused and looked back at Primus one final time.
“There are more pieces on the board than you’ve seen,” he said. “More players than you know exist. Today was just one move.”
His eyes narrowed slightly.
“I’ll see you in Dragos.”
With that, he stepped into the portal. Gyros was dragged through like a sack of regret. The other transcendent demons followed.
Aurora set Mazikeen down, though the latter looked as if she wanted to stay. Before stepping through the portal, Mazikeen glanced back one last time and said, “I will wait for your arrival on Dragos.”
The portal collapsed with a thunderous snap.
The valley exhaled.
Primus floated there for a moment longer, then slowly descended to the ground. Orobas approached him first, laughter booming from his chest.
“You did it,” the old ancestor said, clapping a heavy hand on Primus’s shoulder. “For a second I was not sure where all this will go. Thank your friends for me.”
Dorian followed, pride clear on his face, though his eyes were still sharp and calculating.
“This changes everything,” he said. “Armus will never be the same again.”
“Yes, it won’t,” Primus replied.
‘All right, we’re done here. I want each of you to take one of the Bloodreaver commanders and help free their forces from the abomination zones. Finish it quickly. Tomorrow we perform the ritual, then we move out of Armus,’ I said to my summons through the link.
‘Sounds good,’ Lyrate replied.
‘As you say, boss,’ came Aurora’s response.
‘You know what, Aurora. I’ll leave the naming of our group to you. But you have to make sure everyone agrees with it,’ I added, a hint of amusement in my voice.
‘Everyone? Why everyone? I only need to convince you,’ she shot back instantly.
‘No, no. Everyone. I don’t want another summon complaining about names, so we all need to be on the same page,’ I said.
‘Hmm… I will do so then,’ Aurora said in a serious tone. ‘I just need to convince these guys about the name I like. I’m sure a few punches will help them understand the greatness of my choice.’
Lyrate and the others simply ignored her and moved out to carry out the orders I had given.
I spread my perception across the entire valley one last time, taking in the remains of the battle that had taken place here. It was tragic. It was dark. Yet it also revealed an open truth about this world. The ambition of one woman had gone unfulfilled, and the final price was paid by people who may never have wanted any part of it.
I let out a slow breath and turned away, leaving the valley behind.
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!