2026-10-10 21:00:36
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Chapter 57
Clifford's blade came down toward Marcus's shoulder.Marcus shifted to the side and caught Clifford's wrist before the second strike. Clifford twisted free, stepped back, and swung again, forcing Marcus to retreat from the fountain.The older man moved with more speed than Marcus had expected.Marcus blocked the next strike with his dagger. The impact traveled through his arm, and he adjusted his grip to keep the weapon from slipping.“You're slower than you were during our last encounter,” Clifford said.Marcus glanced at the wound on his thigh. It had closed, but the injury still affected his movement.“I'm still standing.”Clifford thrust forward.Marcus deflected the blade and struck Clifford across the ribs with his elbow. Clifford stumbled but recovered quickly, bringing his cane sword around in a low sweep.Marcus jumped back.Across the courtyard, Stephan and the guards were still fighting. Two guards had already fallen, while the others tried to surround him. Lord Micah stood
Chapter 56
Marcus stepped away from the old man.“What do you mean there's another presence inside my mana core?”Shiva answered before the man could speak.“I detected an irregular response when you attempted to stabilize the king. Something reacted from within your core, but I cannot identify it yet.”“Can you remove it?”“No. I don't know what it is, or how it became connected to your core.”Marcus looked at the old man.“You know what it is.”“I know what they told me.”“Who told you?”“The people who prepared the dungeon.”Marcus's expression tightened.“The dungeon was created to bring someone to the Phoenix.”“That's what you were led to believe.”The old man walked toward the table and picked up an empty glass bottle.“The dungeon had a purpose long before you entered it. The creatures, the traps, the rewards—none of them were placed there at random. Someone wanted a particular person to reach the end.”“And that person was supposed to find the Phoenix?”“Yes.”“Then why was I there?”Th
Chapter 55
The door opened slowly.Marcus kept his hand near his dagger while Stephan raised his sword.A man stood on the other side.He was dressed in an old black coat, with gray hair falling over his forehead. He looked at the two men without any concern.His eyes moved to the assassin's blood on Stephan's clothes.“You found him.”Marcus stepped forward.“Who are you?”The man ignored the question.Instead, he looked at Stephan.“General.”Stephan's grip tightened around his sword.“You know me?”“I know everyone who serves the throne.”Marcus watched the man's face.There was no fear.“Where is the antidote?”The man smiled.“Straight to the point.”“The king is dying.”“I know.”Marcus moved closer.“Then give it to me.”The man stepped aside.“You can take it yourself.”Marcus entered the room.Stephan followed.The old treasury was much larger than he expected. Empty shelves covered the walls, and several stone tables stood in the middle of the room.Most of the room had been abandoned
Chapter 54
Marcus stared at the assassin.“Where is the antidote?”The man smiled despite the blood running from the corner of his mouth.“I told you. Find it yourself.”Stephan tightened his grip around the man's arm.“You have seconds.”“I don't care.”Marcus looked back at the king.The king was barely conscious. His body shook against the sheets while blood stained the corner of his lips.Marcus stepped closer.“Shiva.”“Yes.”“Can you identify the poison?”A short pause followed.“I can identify traces of it, but I need to examine the king directly.”Marcus moved toward the bed.One of the palace healers was already kneeling beside the king, but his hands were shaking.“Move.”The healer looked at Marcus.“I can help—”“Then tell me what you know.”The healer swallowed.“His pulse is dropping. His breathing is becoming weaker. Whatever he was given is attacking his mana core.”Marcus stopped.“His mana core?”“Yes.”Shiva spoke inside his mind.“If the poison reaches the center of the core,
Chapter 53
Marcus and Lord Stephan moved quickly through the garden.Neither of them spoke as they made their way back toward the palace. The message Marcus had read kept running through his mind.The king must die before midnight.They reached the palace wall and found a narrow opening between two sections of stone.Stephan stopped.“Through here.”Marcus looked at him.“Where does it lead?”“Into the eastern corridor.”Stephan pushed aside a loose section of stone and slipped through.Marcus followed.They emerged inside the palace and immediately heard the sound of fighting.Steel struck steel somewhere ahead of them.Stephan drew his sword.“They've already started.”Marcus looked down the corridor.Several palace guards were fighting men dressed in dark clothing. Some guards were already lying on the floor.One of the attackers saw them.“It's the General!”The men turned toward Stephan.“Kill him!”Stephan stepped forward.Marcus moved beside him.The first attacker charged.Stephan blocke
Chapter 52
Marcus and Lord Stephan finally reached the service exit.Stephan pushed the heavy wooden door open, and cold air entered the passage as they stepped outside.Marcus looked around.The area behind the palace was quiet. There were gardens on one side and a stone wall separating the palace grounds from the road beyond it.“Which way?” Marcus asked.Stephan pointed toward the wall.“We need to get beyond the palace first.”Marcus started walking, but he stopped after a few steps.“Wait.”Stephan turned.Marcus looked toward the gardens.“What is it?”“I heard something.”Stephan became quiet and listened.For a few seconds, neither of them moved.Then they heard it.A faint cry came from somewhere beyond the gardens.Marcus immediately ran toward the sound.“Marcus!”He ignored Stephan.The General followed quickly, drawing his sword as they moved between the flowers and trees.The cry came again.This time, Marcus recognized the voice.“Lora?”He increased his speed.They reached a smal
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