2025-02-21 01:00:47Joaquin lay on the small bed, arms folded behind his head, staring at the ceiling. His body still ached from the battle, but his mind was restless.
The room was simple—bare walls, a wooden chair, and a small desk. Nothing luxurious, just functional. But right now, it was the quiet that mattered.
The cheers of the crowd, the adrenaline of the fight—it was all fading, leaving behind exhaustion and a lingering sense of unease.
He had won.
Joaquin frowned.
The knock was firm, deliberate. Not hesitant like a servant, nor impatient like Rick.
Slowly, he sat up. "Come in."
The door creaked open.
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Chapter 261: The Flame Returns
He felt different. Joaquin emerged from the Grove of Echoes a changed man.The sky above the Realm of the Ancients had shifted—no longer heavy with dread, but humming with anticipation. Every step he took left a faint glowing imprint on the earth, like the ground recognized him now and accepted his presence as something sacred.At his back, the ancient tree pulsed gently, its blessing still warm in his chest. He had faced his regrets. Confronted his failures. And now, he carried more than just fire—he carried resolve.He didn’t know how long he’d been inside the Grove. Time flowed differently here. But he felt Jasmine’s pain calling to him like a beacon. Whatever connected them—heart, soul, or something even deeper—was tugging at him again.He followed that pull.The villagers gasped when they saw him return. Lila was the first to run up to him, followed by Lilo and the elder, Apo.“You… you survived,” Apo said, eyes wide with awe.Joaquin offered a slight nod. “I need to see her. No
Chapter 260: The Tree of Echoes
Joaquin stood in silence, his gaze fixed on the sigils surrounding Jasmine. The steady rhythm of her breathing was the only proof that she was alive—if this state could even be called life. His soul, separated from his body. Jasmine, caught in the same fate. And a dark god named Neraxis was lurking somewhere in this forest realm.The mere thought made his jaw tighten."How long before we can return to our bodies?" he asked, not taking his eyes off Jasmine.Apo Damaso approached slowly, his long staff tapping softly against the earthy floor. "It depends on how quickly Jasmine recovers. Her soul is still fragile. Yours, though bruised, is stable."“I can’t just wait,” Joaquin muttered. “I have to do something.”“You will,” the elder replied. “But not as you are now.”Joaquin finally turned to face him. “What does that mean?”A faint smile ghosted over Apo Damaso’s lips, as though he had been expecting this. “There is a reason your soul was not destroyed, Joaquin. The Forest Realm acc
Chapter 259: Soulbound
Joaquin followed Apo Damaso into a narrow tunnel made of twisted roots and vines.Behind them, Lila and Lilo— the tiny sibling spirits—trailed in quiet chatter, their steps light as whispers on moss.Even now, Joaquin still couldn't believe he was back in the Forest Realm.He had thought his first visit—when he retrieved the healing elixir for Serena—would also be his last.And yet, here he was again.What amazed him most was how he still fit into the tunnel despite its size.The vines parted just enough to let him pass, almost like they knew who he was.He pressed on, bare feet sinking into the damp earth, the squish of mud grounding him.The air was thick with the scent of herbs, dew, and ancient wood. His nose wrinkled at the earthy tang.Floating around them were tiny golden orbs of light, twinkling like fireflies—but they moved with unsettling intent, weaving between the roots and circling their heads.“Don’t let them distract you,” Apo said without turning back. “Those are ilaw-
Chapter 258: A New World
Joaquin slowly opened his eyes.The first thing that greeted him was a blinding white light. A sharp pain immediately sliced through his head like a blade dragging against his skull.He groaned and shut his eyes tightly once more.“Is he awake?” a small voice asked curiously.“He is! He’s awake!” another voice chimed in, slightly higher-pitched, a girl’s voice—shrill and tinny in his ears.“Quiet down, both of you! You’ll wake the Queen’s wrath upon us!” came the scolding of an older male voice—also small, like the others, almost like whispers carried by the wind.Joaquin frowned. These voices… they weren’t familiar.‘What is going on?’ he asked himself.The last thing he could recall was the warehouse… the explosion…Jasmine!His heart jumped. His body jerked as he tried to sit up, and another groan escaped his lips from the sharp pain in his back and side.“He’s really awake now!” the same girl-like voice exclaimed.Forcing his eyes open despite the sting, Joaquin blinked until his v
Chapter 257: He Knows
Gracia couldn’t stop smiling as she clung to her son’s arm. Finally, their problems had ended. Finally, the Villareal name was theirs once again.“Don’t worry, Son. Just focus on the company now, okay?” she said sweetly, encouraging her son.James only nodded. He didn’t want to spoil his mother’s joy, so he kept silent and agreed with her, even if something inside him didn’t quite sit right.They were on their way up to the second floor when, by sheer coincidence, Javier stepped out of his office.The mother and son paused immediately, stopping in their tracks to meet him.Javier also stopped the moment he saw them.“Dear, you seem like you’re in a hurry. Where are you going?” Gracia asked, her voice light, but her eyes sharp.James cleared his throat.“Dad. I’m glad you’re safe too. You disappeared so suddenly from the venue earlier,” he said, trying to sound casual.Javier clenched his fists. There were too many things he wanted to say—especiall
Chapter 256: A Father's Worry
“What?! Where are they now?”Javier’s voice thundered across the mansion’s halls.The news had just reached him—something had happened to his children.“Y-Yes, sir. Don’t worry. I already sent men there. They’re currently looking for the… for the siblings,” Michael answered, his voice uncertain.Javier collapsed onto the couch, rubbing his temples with trembling fingers.He couldn’t understand why this had to happen now—just when he had finally seen his son again.“I knew this was going to happen! I shouldn’t have let Joaquin leave!” Javier growled.More Chapter
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