Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1623 1623: Failed Escape (Part 2)

Morok knew that, in the worst-case scenario, he would use the artifact to save himself. That was his plan of last resort.

Sure, Morok wanted to complete his mission. It would have had a positive impact on his status and career if he were the one to get rid of Adam Vinter once and for all. But it turned out to be far more complicated than he and his superiors could have imagined.

Things had gotten so bad that the only thing Morok could count on was that he would leave the Primal Lands alive.

Even Keranda couldn't stop him. Her artifact proved useless against him, but… Zargos had other plans.

Whoooooooosh.

At tremendous speed, in a flash of flame, Zargos appeared before Morok. His eyes widened in disbelief. He didn't understand why Zargos had done this, for to him it was a death sentence.

As soon as the rift closed, it would all be over for Zargos. He would find himself at the Befallen Crown alongside Morok. At best, imprisonment and torture awaited him there, but more likely a quick death.

"Doesn't he understand this?" Morok thought, looking at Zargos's confident smirk. "No… He's up to something!"

Strange as it may seem, once Morok activated the seal, he had no choice but to wait for the rift to close.

That was more than enough time for Zargos to devise a plan and carry it out.

"Huh, this artifact is a terrifying weapon, that's for sure." Zargos chuckled, feeling the pressure bearing down on him. "My flame can't do a thing against this darkness."

A gleam flashed in his eyes.

"Luckily, before fighting you bastards, I made sure to get enough power for this!"

The crimson flame surrounding Zargos had almost vanished. Under the artifact's darkness, it was being consumed at an incredible rate, but… soon, black particles appeared amidst his fire.

All the fire, all the gigantic volume that Zargos had at his disposal, was replaced by several black streams that paved the way forward for him.

Still, it was enough to cover Morok's face with primal fear.

"That's it, you bastard!" Zargos exclaimed as he grabbed Morok by the shoulder.

To tear open the rift, to destroy the darkness before him, he didn't need a bright light or a blinding flame.

All he needed was a more powerful and ancient darkness. The Dark Energy was better suited for this than anything else.

"NOOOOO!!!" Morok roared, realizing what awaited him.

He summoned his darkness, but against Zargos's black flame, it was nothing. His darkness couldn't even touch Zargos, for they were on two different levels.

CLASP!

The rift closed right before Keranda's eyes.

"Zargos!"

But, not even a second had passed when space tore open on the other side, releasing Zargos, who was holding Morok by the throat.

BAM!

Zargos slammed Morok to the ground with all his might.

"GHA!"

A gush of blood spurted from Morok's mouth as everything before his eyes blurred away.

In a desperate attempt to avoid death, Morok decided to keep fighting. He struggled to his feet, looking up.

Two shadows fell over him, and the most terrifying of them was not Zargos, but his older sister.

"Looks like your artifact wasn't as useful as you thought, was it?"

She clenched her fist as space trembled, warping around her hand with purple waves.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

In pulses, the tremors spread through the jungle, filling Morok's heart with fear. He realized he had lost. There was no turning back now.

"Wait!" Morok cried out. "We can still work this out! FUCK! Keranda! I was just following orders!"

However, there was not a hint of pity in her eyes.

"Hmm? What do you think that's supposed to change? If you had been stronger, you wouldn't just have captured Adam Vinter, but you would have killed my brother and his servant! We both know that's what happened!"

Realizing that Keranda wouldn't back down from her decision, Morok turned to Zargos, hoping he could at least come to an agreement with him.

"You! You defeated me! You should be the one to decide what happens to me!"

Strangely enough, Zargos nodded.

"Yep, you're right."

A slight smile appeared on Morok's face.

Tap.

Zargos placed his hand on Keranda's shoulder.

"But, I always prefer to leave important and difficult decisions to my older sister. She's the best at that."

He grinned.

"So, Keranda, what are we going to do with this bastard?"

Keranda snorted.

"Argh? Isn't it obvious?"

She raised her fist, shielding her eyes from the sun.

"There can only be one outcome — death."

Without hesitation, Keranda brought her fist down on Morok, who didn't even try to defend himself. Hundreds of years of his life ended in that very moment. He knew this just as surely as he knew he couldn't stop it.

BLAST!

A shockwave swept through the jungle, raising a cloud of dust and sending rocks flying in all directions.

The devastating gravitational blast left nothing but a deep crater and a bloodstain where Morok had stood.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Dark crimson drops fell from Keranda's fist. She had killed several Lords today, and she would be ready to do it again if it were necessary to ensure her younger brother's safety.

Zargos glanced at the scraps of black cloth, all that remained of Morok's coat, and turned toward a tall tree.

He waved his hand with a victorious smile on his face.

Rustle. Rustle. Rustle.

A minute later, Adam and Merra emerged from the trees.

"Sir, are you all right?" Merra asked with concern.

Zargos nodded, spreading his arms wide.

"Of course. I told you I'd win. Those bastards were stronger than the ones Goen fought, but I'm strong too! Hah!"

Merra pressed her palm to her chest.

"That's good. I'm glad you won."

Keranda waved her hand; blood dripped onto the ground as she turned to Adam, staring intently at him with her amber eyes.

"The Dark Energy — my brother used your power, right?"

Adam scratched the back of his head.

"If I understand correctly, then yes."

Suddenly, Keranda bowed deeply.

"Thank you. Nothing is more important to me than my brother."

Adam shrugged.

"No problem. I understand you; after all, I have a younger sister too."