Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 963: The Fallen Ring Castle (Part 1)

”You see?” Adam smiled broadly, pointing at Risha, her aura actively growing to a level quite close to Adamʼs.

Vorx shook his head in disapproval. ”You just got lucky this time. Moreover, just because sheʼs about to open the third lesser gate is no guarantee of her victory. You could have handled those worms before your leap in strength.”

”Well, I have no doubt she can easily deal with the rock worms. If sheʼs not capable of killing two wounded S3 monsters at this stage, she should go home right now. Kreyna wonʼt leave her any chance, will she?”

At the mention of Kreyna, an unpleasant shiver ran through Vorxʼs body.

”Even now, our chances are slim. Letʼs see what kind of power she got to begin with. Only after that will I conclude.”

At the same moment, two rock worms attacked Risha, eager to finish what they had started. Their instincts told them that this was their last and only chance to win. No, not only that - they had to kill Risha to survive.

Risha met them with a devious smirk as she opened her eyes returning from her inner space.

From the look in her eyes, Adam saw that she did the same thing he did. She created the Foundation Artifact she wanted.

Adam leaned forward. ”Come on, donʼt disappoint me. If itʼs a wreath I will personally strangle you to death.”

Crackle.

A bright flash illuminated the cave as red flames covered the wrist of her right hand. A wide bracelet covering part of her hand slowly formed, emerging from the fire.

The first to appear was a skull on an iron bracelet with intricate carved patterns, its eyes glowing and its mouth missing like a silent killer.

Adam scratched the back of his head trying to guess the function of Rishaʼs artifact.

ʼHmm... Now that I see it. Isnʼt the Foundation Artifact just like the Nexus? I mean, only Nexus and the Foundation Artifact have a physical form, donʼt they?ʼ his eyes narrowed. ʼThis skull. I smell a strong odor of blood. Does it have something to do with regeneration? Maybe itʼs berserk mode?ʼ

He didnʼt have to guess for long, for Risha needed to respond to the monstersʼ lunge, or only death awaited her.

She smirked, clutching her axe tightly. At the same moment, bloody lines ran along her bracelet, covering the skull.

Whooooooooooooosh.

At the next swing, a shockwave came out of the axe not at all like the energy blades that Risha had launched before.

Furious energy and the screaming silhouettes of skulls filled the wave, tearing the rock worms to pieces in an instant.

All that was left of the worms were their tails, they were below the level of the attack and survived even though the monsters were already dead.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Applause erupted from outside, causing Risha to turn around and see a smiling Adam.

Vorx only sighed heavily scrutinizing the aftermath of Rishaʼs sweep.

”Not bad at all. Her artifact isnʼt as powerful as yours, one lightning strike was enough to practically kill me, even though Iʼm one of the strongest S4 monsters. To accomplish the same she would need to apply that wave two or three times, but...”

Adam nodded deeply. ”She can use her artifact much faster and more often. If my opponent had been an S5 monster, my lightning strike wouldnʼt be able to send it to the brink of death. I, on the other hand, was severely exhausted, which means I was taking a risk to some extent as well. She has less power, but higher speed and less risk.”

”Thatʼs correct. Her aura has increased greatly as well. As a monster, I can sense it much more clearly than you can. Perhaps we can defeat Kreyna if she opens the fourth gate.”

”Agh?” Adam raised an eyebrow in confusion. ”So you were just kidding before?”

”Something like that.”

Then, Vorxʼs tail quivered quickly heading for Risha. Before she could react, he grabbed her and placed her on his head.

”Hey! You should warn me about this kind of thing!” Risha shouted, hitting him irritably on the scales.

”Shut up. Youʼve wasted a lot of energy on your evolution. Better just enjoy the road in peace. Weʼll be arriving at the castle soon.”

With that, Vorx moved forward with redoubled speed.

Deep inside, he didnʼt expect anyone to attack them, especially some worms, weak S3 monsters.

ʼGhm...ʼ he internally grumbled. ʼWe should be more careful. The worms probably sensed I was hurt. Maybe they thought the Phantoms on my head were my enemies. After all, they attacked us by our auras rather than seeing us.ʼ

Whoooosh.

Vorx roared forward, streams of lava rushing along his sharp edges, not far from Adam and Risha.

After a few minutes, Risha gulped, turning uncertainly to Adam.

”So, what do you say about my artifact? I decided to go all in on power and a wide impact zone.”

Looking forward with deep eyes Adam nodded.

”Yeah, that was the right decision. I donʼt know what your other abilities are, but it suits your fighting style. If you get strong enough, you can use your artifact to take down units of the Light Legion.”

He looked at Vorx.

”Am I right?”

”Maybe... At the Light Legion, not all units are equal to each other. But, if Risha reaches the next stage while training for the rebellion, then I believe it is possible.”

Adam and Risha exchanged a glance, a faint smile, gentle and happy reflected on her face. She had long struggled with sticking in one place, and Adamʼs decision to go after Vorx helped her overcome her limit.

...

Nearly an hour later, while Adam and Risha sat quietly on the serpentʼs head as if in a deep sleep, Vorxʼs voice boomed out.

”Weʼre almost there. Keep your eyes peeled. This is my home and I will do anything to get it back.”

With the next burst of lava, the outlines of two great spires, towers, and an ancient castle appeared in the distance.

A great ring, the left part buried in the ground and the right still hovering over the land, surrounded the castle grounds, reminding every serpent of their defeat.