Kent’s body plummeted like a falling star, crashing into the soft desert sands. His golden throne flickered once and disappeared like glowing fragments, scattering into Kent’s body.
The Demon Emperor stood not far away, groaning as he clutched his bleeding chest. The crescent-shaped relic still pulsed with divine brilliance, embedded deep within his heart. He tried to take out the relic which clung at the last point, but it caused more pain. For the first time he felt the fear of losing his life.
The Demon Emperor growled, trying to rise. His skeletal hand trembled violently, but his legs buckled beneath him, sending him collapsing once more.
“Damn… What the hell is this thing?”
‘Cough’ ‘cough’
“I’ll kill you, boy. If it’s the last thing I do…”
But his words faded into gasps. His life force was slipping away, seeping into the cracked sands beneath his form.
He slowly leaned back onto the sandy floor and the black blood oozed out of his body. The sands made a screeching noise when the blood came in touch.
Find exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire
Meanwhile, Kent’s unconscious form lay lifeless, his breathing faint and shallow. The golden sands beneath him began to shift. His eyes became dim and there was no sign of godliness in his body.
But inside, he is fighting to hold back to his life. Like a Lion hanging at a cliff-end with paws, he held on without giving up. But his situation is not at all promising.
Suddenly, the air rippled. Flames erupted beside Kent, swirling like a vortex as a magnificent fire kirin emerged. Kavi’s eyes blazed fiercely as he stepped onto the desert floor.
“Master!” Kavi’s voice trembled, nudging Kent with his horn. But Kent’s body remained still.
In a flash of crimson feathers, Phoenix Lady Ruby burst from the storage ring, her wings spreading wide and casting fiery embers across the air. She descended gracefully, her sharp eyes locking onto Kent.
“No… not like this.” Ruby’s voice quivered. “Kavi, lift him. We must get him out of here!”
A deep rumble echoed as Jabil, the Serpent Beast, slithered from the ring. His forked tongue flicked nervously as he coiled protectively around Kent’s fallen form.
“Why isn’t he waking up?” Jabil hissed, his eyes narrowing at the Demon Emperor’s fallen figure. “Let me end this demon while I have the chance.”
A small roar echoed, and from the storage ring leaped the baby dragon. Its tiny yet formidable claws gripped the sand, and its golden eyes glared furiously at Demon Emperor.
“I’ll finish him!” the baby dragon growled, flames flickering from his nostrils.
“No!” Ruby’s wings flared as she blocked the dragon’s path. “His life is already fading. Master needs to be carried away and if not master will miss the Shrine of eternal sands also. Forget the demon and focus!”
The baby dragon huffed but relented, stepping back to Kent’s side.
Kavi bent low, sliding his head beneath Kent’s torso. “I’ll carry him. We don’t have time.”
Jabil shifted, curling around Kent’s legs while the baby dragon held onto his arm with its claws. Ruby hovered above, her wings spreading as she cast a protective flame around them.
“Let’s go,” Ruby commanded, her voice firm but heavy with worry.
As they lifted into the air, Demon Emperor spat blood and laughed weakly. “Flee… while you can. But he won’t last long… nothing escapes death forever.”
Ruby’s gaze burned with hatred, but she said nothing. Their only priority was Kent.
From the distant dunes, Jean, Aran Lam, and Gunji Zing still stood in a distance. The clash between Kent and the Demon Emperor had shaken the desert, and the lingering pressure still rippled across the sands.
“Forget them, Jean,” Aran shouted. “We’re wasting time! The shrine is—”
Jean wasn’t listening. Her sharp eyes fixated on the crumpled form of the Demon Emperor, struggling to breathe. Her knuckles tightened around the hilt of her Staff.
“Jean, don’t,” Gunji called, sensing her intent.
But it was too late. Jean’s body trembled with anger as her mana surged. Autumn leaves began to swirl around her, spinning faster with each breath she took.
“You vile creature,” Jean hissed through clenched teeth. “You think you can touch him and live?”
Demon Emperor lifted his gaze weakly. “Another one? Hah… you can’t kill me either.”
Jean raised her hands high, and golden wind twisted around her. “Wild Dance of Autumn Wind.”
The sky howled as razor-sharp winds erupted, swirling in a storm of light. In a flash, the storm struck Demon Emperor, slicing through him like a thousand blades. His eyes widened in shock as the wind pierced his body, ending his weakened life.
His form disintegrated into black mist, carried away by the wind.
Jean lowered her hands, breathing heavily. Her heart still throbbed painfully as she turned toward the distant flicker of light — the shrine.
“Kent…”
Without another word, Jean took to the skies, her body blurring as she followed after Kent and his beasts.
The shrine of eternal sands glowed ahead, its golden brilliance soft and inviting. As the divine beasts approached, the shrine’s barrier pulsed, sensing their presence.
Kavi hesitated. “Will it… let us in?”
Ruby’s eyes narrowed. “It must. Master bears godly intent. Also, we belong to the divine beast race.”
As they crossed the barrier, the golden light parted like flowing water, allowing them to pass. The warmth of the shrine enveloped Kent’s body, his wounds faintly glowing.
Jean arrived moments later, landing breathlessly at the edge of the barrier. She stepped forward, but the baby dragon descended in front of her, growling lowly.
Jean met its gaze, tears streaming down her face. “Please… I’m not here to harm him.”
The dragon’s claws dug into the sand, refusing to let her pass.
Gunji and Aran landed nearby, watching in silence.
“Let her through,” Ruby finally said, landing beside the dragon. “She’s… not enemy to master.”
The dragon hesitated, then stepped aside begrudgingly.
–
NOte: Thank you all for support. Please write your comments about story flow and speed. Any recommendations? Take a moment to write / comment