Alric swung his hammer down — CLANG!
The strike was blocked by a red Mana barrier covering Kaelen.
Though Kaelen managed to block it, the force of the blow sent him flying back, crashing through part of the castle wall.
He continued flying through the air—
[Scene shift — inside the castle hallway.]
Lyriana, Draven, and Aldric sprinted down the hall, with Draven in the lead, his sharp gaze fixed ahead.
Suddenly, his eyes widened.
> "Hmm?"
He stopped instantly.
Both Aldric and Lyriana halted beside him. All three now stood still, gazes locked forward.
The sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor — slow, deliberate, unhurried.
A calm, cold voice spoke:
> "Ah… there you are, nephew. How long's it been, huh? What — five years? Six?"
A man stepped into view — Ivan — walking toward them with a smirk on his lips.
Draven narrowed his eyes, muttering:
> "Ivan…?"
Why the hell is he here?
Ivan kept speaking, his tone mocking and amused.
> "Come now, don't be shy. Isn't this the part where you say, 'It's nice to see you again, Uncle'?"
"Go on. Say it. This is a happy reunion, isn't it?"
He chuckled — low, cold, and sharp.
> "Don't tell me you didn't see the little surprise I left out front."
Draven scowled.
What the hell is this bastard yapping about? I don't have time for this shit…
Then something caught his eye.
Out of the corner of his vision, he saw crimson Mana surging from Lyriana. Her red eyes were glowing, burning with fury.
He glanced to his right — Aldric, too. Rage twisted his face, blood magic coiling around his weapon arm.
What the fu—
His thought was cut off.
Both Lyriana and Aldric vanished from his sides in a blur of motion.
A loud CLANG rang out — metal crashing against metal.
Draven's gaze snapped forward.
Lyriana and Aldric were already attacking Ivan, weapons formed from blood magic in their hands.
Lyriana wielded a long crimson spear. Aldric's weapon was a massive poleaxe.
They struck in perfect sync.
But Ivan didn't flinch.
He reacted instantly, conjuring a Mana barrier that wrapped tightly around him.
The weapons slammed into it — sparks flew, the ground cracked beneath him — but he stood untouched.
Ivan slowly raised his head. His crimson eyes narrowed, expression twisting into one of cold irritation, as if looking at flies buzzing too close to his face.
> "Since when do you insects think you can interrupt me?"
Mana began to surge from his body—thick, heavy, oppressive.
Draven's eyes locked on him.
What the hell is with those two? Why are they so angry? They don't even know Ivan. Why attack like that?
Fuck it. I don't have time for this. I've gotta get to Ma.
He took a step forward, trying to slip past while Ivan was distracted—
But his eyes narrowed again.
Ivan's Mana burst outward, blowing both attackers back.
At the same time, his arm lashed out — he grabbed Lyriana by the throat, lifting her clean off the ground.
Aldric was sent flying across the hall.
Draven saw the blur of movement as Aldric was flung toward him.
He quickly raised his arms just as Aldric slammed into him, knocking them both back.
But Draven dug in, planted his feet, and skidded to a halt, managing to stop them from falling.
He muttered:
> "This is starting to piss me off…"
He shoved Aldric aside.
Aldric's hand tightened around his blood weapon. Red Mana flickered along his arms. His eyes burned with rage as he stared forward.
> "Lyriana…"
"Damn bastard — let go of her!"
He was about to charge again—
But Ivan's voice cut through the hall like ice:
> "If either of you move even an inch, I'll kill her. Instantly."
"Let me demonstrate."
His grip tightened.
CRACK.
He crushed her neck with a sickening sound.
But Lyriana didn't die.
Even with her throat shattered, her body began to heal — bones snapping back into place, skin and muscle regenerating in an instant.
Her red eyes flared even brighter.
Already in motion, she shifted her grip on the spear.
She lunged—
Ivan spoke again, soft and cold:
> "And if you move one more inch… I'll kill him first."
The tip of her spear stopped an inch from his eye.
A slow smile curved Ivan's lips.
> "There we go. No more insect interruptions."
He glanced toward Draven.
> "Now, tell me, my little nephew… how do you like the presents I brought?"
Draven narrowed his eyes.
> "Presents…?"
What the hell is this dumbass talking—
Then it hit him.
His eyes widened — then narrowed sharply.
He stared at Ivan, who still wore that smug smile.
> "Hmph. Looks like you've finally caught on."
"To think I'd be ignored by a disgusting mixed-blood…"
Draven's mind raced.
So he's the one who brought them here.
Should've seen that sooner. I was too focused on reaching Ma… ignored whatever bullshit he was saying.
His fingers tightened around the hilt of his dagger.
I knew this bastard was no good from the first time we met.