Inside the dim mansion, the air grew heavy with tension. Lucy's eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms.
"And you see," she said sharply, gesturing toward Alfie, "you're the only one I can trust to mind his business without butting into others. This moron here—" she jabbed a finger in Alfie's direction, "—won't do the same."
Jackson raised an eyebrow, sinking into the couch with a casual smirk. "That's a good way to throw it off."
"I entrust Mr. Reaper to you, Jack. We promise to bring the antidote back. See you, buddy."
Alfie said with a thumps up.
"Yeah, yeah," Jackson muttered, waving them off.
Alfie grinned wide, following after Lucy. "Don't slack off, Jack!" he called, jogging behind his master as she strode out of the room.
—
They arrived at the mansion's vast library, its walls lined with shelves reaching the ceiling, thick tomes packed into every space. The girl stepped inside first and pulled a rolled parchment from one of the shelves. She laid it out on the table, the map spreading across the wood.
"Here," she said, pointing at it. "There's only one short route to him from here. It will take at least twelve hours."
Lucy leaned over the map, eyes sharp. "And where exactly are we heading?"
The girl's finger pressed down on a jagged drawing of a volcano. "You're heading to the Pit of Flame."
Alfie's mouth dropped. "A volcano… seriously?"
Lucy folded the map carefully and tucked it into her storage ring. "That's a long ride from here. But nevertheless, if the antidote is with your older brother—or kid brother, or whatever—I'll be taking it from him."
"He's the oldest," the girl said firmly. "There's no way I'd have a kid brother who would dare disobey me."
Lucy paused, studying her. "Interesting. If I'm to give him any emotional speech, I'd better remember your name,so what's it huh."
"it's Lizzy," she replied.
Lucy gave the faintest nod, then turned on her heel and left the library. Lizzy lingered behind, her gaze fixed on the window where
"Big brother…" she whispered, her voice soft with grief. "Are you strong enough for what's coming? Within just a year, you've made a name for yourself. I look forward to the outcome of this battle."
Her words carried through the empty halls, but Lucy and Alfie gave no reply. They were already outside, mounting their horses. The kingdom faded into the distance as the two of them galloped across the open plains.
"Do you know why I decided to bring you along?" Lucy asked as her horse thundered forward, her eyes never leaving the path.
Alfie's grin widened. "Because I'm the hot-headed one. And I can't stay out of people's business."
"That's one reason," Lucy said, her voice cutting through the wind. "But the truth is—Jackson has far more battle IQ than you. If you fought him sword to sword without Renshi, he would match you. Perhaps even surpass you."
Alfie chuckled. "Of course I know that. That's what I love about him. His brain works faster in difficult situations. That's something I admire."
Lucy's tone turned serious. "Then listen carefully. If the opponent is formidable, stand back. Allow me to finish him. If he has companions, fight them off with everything you've got. Do not engage in battles you cannot win. You can't risk cracking that seal."
Alfie clenched his fists, his smile fading. "I get it, Master. I won't fight recklessly—I'll fight wisely."
"Good." Lucy's eyes hardened. "See that you do."
—
Meanwhile, at the Pit of Flame
The volcano rumbled faintly in the distance, its peak spewing light into the sky. Near its base stood a tall abandoned structure—fourteen floors high, crumbling with age yet defiant against time.
On the roof, two figures faced each other.
One man leapt from the top, landing with a heavy thud that cracked the earth beneath his feet. Before the dust even settled, another figure descended after him, swinging a blade wreathed in dark purple energy.
The first man reacted instantly. A Renshi bone erupted from his elbow, stretching outward to block the strike. The air shook as bone clashed against sword, sparks flying.
Their duel began in an instant—a brutal contest of sword and bone, speed and reflex.
"I don't know who you are," the bone-user snarled, his voice guttural, "but I'm here for the antidote. If you're Lizzy's brother, hand it over now!"
The swordsman remained silent, his purple blade cutting arcs through the air without hesitation. He pressed forward, relentless.
The bone-user's temper flared. "Damn it—just let me know if I'm wasting my Renshi on the wrong person!"
Finally, the swordsman spoke, his tone calm yet menacing. "Calm yourself, Mister. This won't take long. Keep quiet… and let me end you quickly."
He vanished using switch mode, appearing behind his foe in a blink.
But the bone-user was ready. Another Renshi bone shot from his back, blocking the slash. He countered, switching positions to strike from behind—yet the purple blade spun back with vicious precision, cutting away his chance.
The battle surged into a deadly rhythm.
The bone-user—Bruno—gritted his teeth. "This guy… he barely speaks. But if he's Lizzy's brother, then his sword must be fused with poison. I can't afford even a scratch."
Bruno's elbow bones lengthened again, sharp like spears. He charged, driving his advantage with dual strikes.
The swordsman—the Protector of the Pit—lifted his blade, and dark Renshi erupted from his back. A serpent formed, its body twisting like a whip, its skull head gnashing with teeth made of bone.
The serpent lunged downward, slamming into the ground where Bruno had stood only seconds before. He leapt back, his instincts razor-sharp, dirt exploding where he'd dodged.
Bruno countered with a sudden thrust, his bone spear shooting forward at incredible speed.
But another serpent formed from his back, intercepting the bone midair. Its skeletal jaws clamped down, shattering sparks across the battlefield.
Bruno disconnected his arm from the bone at the last second and leapt high into the air. His body twisted mid-flight as he came crashing down with a vicious kick.
The strike smashed into the weakened serpent skull, shattering it into fragments of Renshi and bone.
The Protector slid backward across the earth, purple blade humming with venomous energy. His eyes glowed faintly.