Chapter 76 – The Price of Forbidden Flame
Jean had barely caught her breath when the first ripple hit.
Magic—dense and cruel—rippled through Valor's Hollow like a thunderclap. Whitney's fur bristled instantly. "Magistery," he growled. "And not just any."
A voice rang out, laced with disdain. "So the prodigy awakens the Third Spiral. How quaint."
From a tear in the sky stepped a woman cloaked in violet and silver robes. Her eyes glowed with arcane symbols. Hovering behind her were six magical rings, each inscribed with ancient runes.
She floated a foot above the ground, untouched by the world.
Grand Mage Lysandra of the Magistery.
Sage. Battlemaster. Assassin.
Jean stood, exhausted but defiant. "You're far from your court, Lysandra."
Lysandra's lips curled. "Your Spiral cannot stop what's coming. You were never meant to survive this trial. The Magus Family sends its regards."
She raised her hand, and all six rings ignited with power.
Before Jean could raise Luxclade, a shadow streaked across the Hollow—and Silvia appeared, blade drawn.
"You won't touch her."
Lysandra smirked. "Ah. The Silent Guardian finally unsheathes her blade."
"You've made a mistake," Silvia said calmly, "coming here."
The Hollow shook as Silvia's aura exploded—a Transcendent Master unleashing her full might.
But Jean noticed something different. The air bent around her sister. Her blade glowed black.
"Silvia," Jean said, eyes widening. "That's—"
"Forbidden Flame." Silvia's eyes gleamed. "A technique passed only to the Luther Clan's guardians. It burns not the body… but the soul."
Lysandra snarled. "You'd sacrifice your essence for her?"
Silvia raised her sword. "I'd sacrifice everything."
---
The battle ignited.
Silvia and Lysandra clashed in the air, each strike releasing waves of flame and arcane light. Silvia's Forbidden Flame spiraled like a dragon, her aura breaking Lysandra's spells mid-cast.
Lysandra shrieked. "Your soul will fracture!"
Silvia gritted her teeth. "Then I'll shatter it for her!"
Her blade exploded with light, and with a scream of defiance, she carved through Lysandra's barrier—driving her through a stone obelisk.
The ground shattered.
When the smoke cleared, Lysandra was gone—teleported in retreat, her rings in disarray.
Silvia dropped to one knee, coughing blood. Her aura flickered erratically.
Jean rushed to her side. "You used too much."
Silvia smiled weakly. "Worth it."
Jean gripped her sister's hand.
"I'll make this count," she whispered. "I swear."
---