Chapter 142The black energy struck Rufus like a wave.He raised both hands.The six stones answered.Red fire exploded from his right side.Blue water formed a wall around his left.Green vines burst from the floor.Dark energy spread across his shoulders.White light formed a shield around his body.Golden light gathered above him.The six powers collided with the black wave.The entire tower shook.Rufus was pushed backward.His boots dragged across the stone floor.The first guardian stood at the other end of the chamber.It had not moved.“You have grown stronger,” it said.Rufus breathed heavily.“I don't want to fight you.”The guardian tilted its head.“You said the same thing before.”“And I still mean it.”“You destroyed my city.”Rufus looked around.“This city was already falling.”“You caused its destruction.”“I know.”“You killed those who trusted me.”Rufus lowered his hands.“I know.”The guardian moved closer.“Then why do you refuse to fight?”“Because fighting you

The underground passage was darker than before.Rufus walked at the front, holding the six stones close to his chest.Their lights moved together.Red.Blue.Green.Black.White.Gold.Behind him came Tina, Rodri, Kael, Mira, the Water Stone bearer, Aron, the dwarves, Clovis, Vikram, and the sixth guardian.The ancient King followed at the rear.Nobody spoke.The ground continued shaking.Dust fell from the ceiling.Tina looked at Rufus.“How long do we have?”Rufus shook his head.“I don't know.”Clovis answered instead.“Not long.”Rufus looked back.“How long?”Clovis glanced toward the ceiling.“The connection between the worlds is expanding. If it reaches the throne before we do, the first king will control the passage.”Rufus continued walking.“And if he controls it?”“The worlds will be connected permanently.”Kael looked worried.“Is that really so bad?”Clovis looked at him.“Not necessarily.”Everyone stopped.Rufus turned.“What?”Clovis took a breath.“The connection itse

The sphere of light floated silently in front of Rufus.Inside it, two worlds moved together.The human world.The Infinite Forest.For the first time, they were connected without a throne controlling the connection.Rufus slowly lowered his hand.Nothing happened.No explosion.No great wave of power.Just silence.Tina looked at him.“Is it over?”Rufus shook his head.“I don't know.”The first traveler stepped closer to the sphere.“The choice has been returned.”Kael looked at the golden line inside the sphere.“But nobody has chosen anything.”“That is the point.”Mira looked confused.“Then what happens now?”“The worlds decide for themselves.”Vikram stared at the sphere.“And if they choose to remain separated?”The first traveler looked at him.“Then they remain separated.”“And if they choose to connect?”“They will.”Vikram looked at Rufus.“You really gave up control.”Rufus nodded.“I was never supposed to have it.”Clovis smiled faintly.“That was the lesson you forgot.”

The black doorway stood before Rufus.Nothing moved inside it.No light.No sound.Only darkness.Rufus took one step forward.The moment his foot crossed the doorway, the seven powers around him became silent.The fire disappeared.The water became still.The green energy stopped moving.Even the golden light faded.Rufus looked around.He was standing on a road.But there was no sky.No sun.No stars.Above him was endless darkness.The road stretched into the distance, surrounded by broken pieces of stone that floated in the air.Tina stepped through behind him.Her eyes widened.“This place is strange.”Rufus nodded.“It feels familiar.”Clovis entered next.The moment he saw the road, his face changed.Rufus noticed.“You know this place.”Clovis slowly nodded.“I've been here before.”Vikram stepped through.He looked around.“So have I.”Rufus turned.“You remember?”Vikram frowned.“I remember pieces.”The ancient King stepped through last.He looked toward the darkness above.

The black throne stood at the end of the chamber.It was larger than the Throne of the Six.Its surface looked like black stone, but darkness moved beneath it as if something was trapped inside.Rufus stared at it.He remembered seeing it before.Not in a dream.Not in a forgotten memory.He had been here.Long ago.The crowned figure stood beside the throne.“You finally returned.”Rufus tightened his fists.“I didn't return for you.”The figure laughed.“You still don't understand.”Tina stepped beside Rufus.“Then explain.”The crowned figure looked at her.“You are not part of this.”Rufus immediately stepped in front of her.“She stays.”The figure smiled.“That is exactly why you were always weak.”Rufus's eyes narrowed.“What did you say?”“You care about others.”The figure looked toward Kael, Mira, Vikram, Clovis, Rodri, the dwarves, Aron, the ancient King, and the others.“You carry their fears.”“You carry their memories.”“You carry their lives.”The figure pointed toward