A brief silence fell over the battlefield.
Beneath the glow of raging flames, that figure strode slowly forth from the center of the holy army.
Silver sacred armor clad his entire body, a shattered moon insignia etched upon his chest, and the holy spear in his hand glinted with a frigid light.
With each step he took, the earth trembled faintly; the remaining soldiers dared not even breathe.
Irea and Lucian stood side by side, the Oath of Ash Flames burning around them, yet they still felt the weight of this aura pressing down upon them.
"The Soul-Burning Pact..." The Apostle of the Shattered Moon's voice was low, as if emanating from the abyss of the void. "As radiant as the legends claim. Pity, even the brightest flame cannot escape the fate of being extinguished."
Lucian sneered, flame-wreathed sword in hand: "If fate is controlled by the likes of you, then I shall burn it to ashes."
Irea lifted her gaze, her voice cool: "Who are you? A pawn of the Shattered Moon, or an apostle of the Gray Realm?"
The apostle's gaze remained unchanged. He merely raised his hand, resting the holy spear across his chest, and began to chant in a low voice.
In the next instant, the sky suddenly split open, and a broken blood moon hung over the wasteland, casting a ghastly crimson glow.
Beneath that light, the holy army's soldiers howled in agony, their eyes rolling white, their bodies contorting as if transformed into slaves of the blood moon.
Irea's heart jolted: "This is... a sign of the Shattered Moon's descent."
Lucian tightened his grip on her hand, and the Oath of Ash Flames surged violently: "Whether it is a sign or the end, we shall burn through it together."
Their lips met once more, and a phoenix of ash flames roared forth, darting toward the blood moon's light.
Yet the holy spear suddenly pierced through the void, splitting the phoenix in two with a single strike.
Irea let out a muffled gasp, her body trembling violently, nearly collapsing.
"Is this your so-called Oath of Ash Flames?" The Apostle of the Shattered Moon sneered. "Powerful, yet fragile. The closer you grow, the nearer you are to burning out."
Lucian roared, suddenly pulling Irea close. Desire and oath flames swelled together. Their figures nearly merged, ash flames surging wildly between their bodies.
Irea's breath quickened, tears and sweat dripping from her jaw, yet she mustered the strength to whisper in his ear: "Let me... merge deeper with you. Only then can we shatter His light."
Lucian answered her plea, and the oath flames erupted suddenly. The Soul-Burning Phoenix took shape once more, its wings ablaze, charging straight for the apostle.
Beneath the blood moon, the holy spear and the Soul-Burning Phoenix collided with a thunderous crash. The heavens and earth split apart, flames and blood light intertwining, as if the entire mortal realm trembled for their oath-bound battle.
At last, a flicker of change crossed the apostle's eyes. He murmured softly: "So... the Oath of Ash Flames has not yet fully awakened."
Then, he withdrew his holy spear, his figure merging into the blood moon. Before vanishing, he left a chilling remark:
"When the blood moon fully descends, your vow shall be the sweetest offering to the Shattered Moon."
The crimson glow of the blood moon faded gradually, and the holy army fled in disarray.
Irea all but collapsed into Lucian's arms, her voice hoarse yet firm: "Whether it be an offering or a sacrificial flame, I will not let you leave me."
Lucian lifted her, his gaze icy: "Then let us — burn the blood moon to ashes as well."
On the wasteland, only the embers of ash flames and lingering blood remained, intertwined.