Chapter 21: The Destruction Blast
The sky turned crimson.
An eerie silence swallowed the battlefield as dark clouds gathered overhead. The air grew unbearably heavy, as though the world itself sensed the end drawing near.
The Commander tightened his grip on his sword.
"It's time."
Shen looked at him in confusion.
"For what?"
The Commander gave a faint smile.
"For the Destruction Blast."
"The only technique capable of sealing him forever."
Kenya's eyes widened in horror.
"No!"
She rushed forward.
"That technique consumes the caster's life!"
Eliz's hands trembled as tears filled her eyes.
"You'll die..."
The Commander slowly shook his head.
"Only one of us has to make that sacrifice."
Shen immediately stepped beside him.
"Then let me share the burden!"
"If we combine our strength, we can survive!"
The Commander looked at Shen with quiet pride.
"No."
He gently placed a hand on Shen's shoulder.
"You still have a future."
"Your journey has only just begun."
Shen clenched his fists.
"I'm not letting you do this alone!"
The Commander smiled.
"Thank you..."
"But this is my duty."
He turned toward the Arcane General.
Ancient runes of light appeared around him as he began chanting the forbidden incantation.
The ground cracked beneath his feet.
The sky split apart.
A pillar of overwhelming energy descended from the heavens.
Shen's desperate voice echoed across the battlefield.
"Commander... STOP!"
But the Commander never turned around.
He continued walking toward the Arcane General.
For a brief moment, his thoughts drifted into the past.
He remembered sitting at a small wooden table with his father and the rest of his family. They laughed together as they shared a simple meal.
It was one of the happiest moments of his life.
Then everything changed.
The Arcanes attacked.
Flames consumed the village.
His parents stood before him, trying to protect him until their very last breath.
He remembered running.
He remembered surviving.
He remembered the promise he made that day.
Never again.
He slowly opened his eyes.
"If we fear them..."
"...we cannot protect anyone."
He tightened his grip on his sword.
"If we fear them..."
"...we can never win."
He glanced back at Shen, Kenya, Ruke, and Eliz one final time.
"Don't be afraid, you idiots."
A warm smile appeared on his face.
"I believe in all of you."
The Arcane General watched silently, his smile fading for the first time.
The Commander raised his sword toward the heavens.
"Let the world remember..."
His voice remained calm despite the raging storm surrounding him.
"This..."
"...is the price of peace."
A blinding pillar of light engulfed the battlefield.
BOOOOOOM!