Emperor's Reckoning

Chapter 1139 Struggle

Cecile's eyes met Selena's and Karina's, a silent communication passing between them. With a subtle nod from Cecile, the trio understood the urgency of the situation.

"Selena, Karina, we need to get out of here. This clash is going to be beyond anything we've witnessed," Cecile urgently whispered, her voice barely audible amidst the rising panic.

Selena nodded, her expression mirroring the gravity of the situation. "I agree. Let's find a safe place, away from the epicenter of their clash."

Karina, her eyes wide with concern, added, "I don't want to be caught in the crossfire. Lead the way, Empress."

The three of them with Kesya on top of Selena's back navigated through the tumultuous crowd, their movements deliberate and purposeful. The onlookers, driven by fear and uncertainty, failed to notice the three figures slipping away. The urgency in their steps echoed the unspoken understanding that their safety lay in retreat.

As they distanced themselves from the chaotic scene, Cecile glanced back at the unfolding confrontation, more importantly, her eyes laid toward her husband with a mixture of awe and concern etched on her face. The intensity of his focus was palpable, beads of sweat clinging to his forehead as if acknowledging the immense strain he bore. "Lyon, you can do it," she whispered the words more a reassurance to herself than to him. The air crackled with the energy Lyon harnessed, and the world seemed to hold its breath in anticipation.

The surrounding creatures sensed the impending clash of titans and responded with chaotic cacophony. Birds took flight, their wings creating a dissonant symphony against the backdrop of beasts' roars. Nature itself seemed to react to the imminent clash, resonating with both fear and awe.

Selena stood at a distance, her eyes fixed on Lyon's determined form. The unfolding events had her on edge, and she shared a concerned glance with Karina.

As Karina watched the unfolding events, her amazement couldn't be contained. "I-Incredible! The Fourth Realm is yielding!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying a mixture of astonishment and awe. The unexpected surge of power had a tangible effect on her, evident in the goosebumps that rose on her skin.

In the midst of the escalating energy, Lyon's thoughts echoed internally, ( I may be in the wrong realm based on my energy, but they all have the same magic principle, both anti-mana and mana. I don't need to absorb everything, and it's a good thing that I exhausted that stored mana in my ring before )

As Lyon's focus intensified, Karina couldn't help but voice her awe, "C'mon, Lyon, win the race!" She understood the stakes, realizing that Lyon was engaged in a race against time, attempting to amass enough power before Rakumtatak broke through the illusion.

The panic among onlookers became palpable, and Karina shared a glance with Selena, both silently acknowledging the urgency of the situation. The chaos in the Fourth Realm heightened the tension, and Lyon's determined efforts to manipulate the magical forces showcased his unwavering resolve.

The crescendo of energy reached its peak, and suddenly, the chaotic symphony of the Fourth Realm fell silent. Lyon, now hunched over, struggled to catch his breath amid the aftermath of his intense magical manipulation. His hands were ablaze with gathered anti-mana, numb and alight.

The once vibrant sounds of nature, the wind rustling through the leaves, and the distant calls of creatures, all vanished, leaving Lyon in a surreal world of silence. The Fourth Realm, once teeming with life, now stood frozen in an unnatural tranquility that echoed the intensity of Lyon's magical feat.

Selena and Cecile, standing on the outskirts of the Fourth Realm, gasped in unison as they witnessed Lyon's condition. The formidable energy that Lyon had harnessed left an indelible mark on him, evident in his hunched form and labored breathing. Their eyes widened in shared concern, and a sense of foreboding hung heavy in the air.

"No..." Karina uttered, the word escaping in a hushed whisper that echoed the collective worry etched on her face. Lyon's state had taken a toll not only on his physical well-being but also on the emotional equilibrium of those observing the mystical spectacle.

The onlookers, too, felt the gravity of the moment. The once chaotic scramble to escape had transformed into a somber vigil. The stillness in the air spoke volumes, an unspoken understanding that Lyon's pursuit of power had pushed him to the limits. The air crackled with palpable tension as they anxiously awaited the resolution of this magical odyssey.

Lyon's hands trembled as if bearing the weight of the entire Fourth Realm. His two index fingers moved with deliberate precision, attempting to inscribe something using the condensed anti-mana. The air around him pulsed with a unique energy, and the onlookers, including Selena and Cecile, strained their eyes to decipher the mysterious glyphs taking form. The enigmatic dance of his fingers painted a story only the initiated could comprehend.

Inside the illusory realm, Rakumtatak stood amid the shattered mirrors, but one. A smirk played on his lips. The shattered mirrors, like obedient servants, reassembled at his unspoken command. His understanding of the illusion deepened, and with a flick of his finger, he sent a ripple through the glass, pinpointing the one mirror that remained untouched. The orc emperor's actions exuded confidence born of experience as if he was a master orchestrating the symphony of illusions.

"I see," Rakumtatak murmured, acknowledging Lyon's cunning strategy. The orc emperor thrust his finger forward, and the wind went through the mirrors, targeting the final reflection that resisted his dominance. The mirror shattered, and with a serene expression, Rakumtatak prepared to exit the illusion and return to the tangible realm.

As Rakumtatak opened his arms and closed his eyes, a quiet acknowledgment echoed through the Fourth Realm. The illusion dissipated, leaving behind the lingering resonance of an ephemeral battle fought in the recesses of the mind.

Reality quivered as Lyon's intricate spell approached its zenith. The air pulsated with magical currents, and those who witnessed the unfolding spectacle were caught between awe and trepidation. Rakumtatak, who had been in a state of contemplative repose, abruptly snapped his eyes open, a sudden awareness gripping him. Onlookers gasped at the unexpected awakening of the orc emperor.

"He's awoken!" exclaimed one of the onlookers, their voices tinged with a mix of astonishment and concern.

Selena, poised to rush towards her husband, was halted by Cecile's restrained yet resolute gesture. Despite the urgency of the situation, Cecile's gritted teeth and determined expression conveyed a silent message. Acknowledging the limitations of their current cultivation, Selena hesitated, realizing the potential harm they might cause if they intervened prematurely.

Rakumtatak, his senses attuned to the subtle shifts in the environment, furrowed his brows. A vague intuition hinted at something different, something significant. "Something is... different," he murmured, his instincts on high alert.

Lyon, with one eye opened and the other still sealed, gritted his teeth as he etched the final strokes of his spell. Each movement felt like moving a mountain, the weight of the magical incantation bearing down on him. Rakumtatak, scanning the surroundings, suddenly locked eyes with Lyon, his shock palpable. "Magic...? Don't tell me?!" he exclaimed, realization dawning upon him.

In an instant, Rakumtatak shot out, seizing Lyon's face and pushing the former with the latter. Lyon, caught between the orc emperor's formidable fingers, felt the pressure around him intensify. Rakumtatak, his laughter echoing through the realm, recognized Lyon's audacious plan. "Hahaha, Torga you sly dog! You're going to use the entire Fourth Realm against me?" he grinned, acknowledging Lyon's cunning maneuver.

Rakumtatak's grip on Lyon remained unyielding as he subjected him to a brutal display of force. The orc emperor, reveling in his self-proclaimed role of "physician," taunted Lyon with each successive slam to the ground. The impact resonated through the surroundings, leaving an unsettling impression on those witnessing the relentless assault.

"This is the treatment for memory loss from physician Rakumtatak, savor it well!" Rakumtatak declared with a sadistic glee, emphasizing each word as if etching the memory back into Lyon's consciousness. The resounding thuds of Lyon's head meeting the ground sent shivers down the spines of onlookers, who were torn between horror and morbid curiosity.

Raising Lyon once more, Rakumtatak inquired with a malicious grin, "Well, do you remember now?" Lyon's eyes twitched in response, his battered form giving no indication of restored memories. Yet, before Lyon could muster any coherent response, he was slammed to the ground again, the vicious cycle repeating.

"What about now?" Rakumtatak's words echoed through the Fourth Realm, a twisted symphony of torment. The brutal interrogation unfolded against the backdrop of Lyon's resilience, his endurance tested with each bone-jarring impact. The onlookers caught between empathy and the spectacle of power, could only watch as Lyon faced the relentless onslaught in his quest for memory and identity.

In the midst of Rakumtatak's relentless assault on Lyon, a sudden disturbance shattered the rhythm of the brutal encounter. The orc emperor's eyes widened in surprise and confusion as his back was unexpectedly torn, blood spilling from the fresh wound. The abrupt interruption halted Rakumtatak's assault, and Lyon, released from the grip, slumped to the ground, battered and weakened.

Anger flared in Rakumtatak's eyes, evident in the grim expression that twisted his features. "You dare to disturb the meeting of two emperors?!" he thundered, turning to confront the source of the disturbance. To his astonishment, the one awaiting him was none other than a beggar.

The beggar, seemingly inconspicuous and out of place in the grandeur of the Fourth Realm, stood unwavering. His appearance, in stark contrast to the mighty emperors, carried an air of mystery that left Rakumtatak momentarily speechless. The onlookers, their attention torn between the battered Lyon and the unexpected intruder, awaited the unfolding of a confrontation between the beggar and the orc emperor.