An Extra's POV

Chapter 911: Arbiter

chapter 911: arbiter



it was unlike anything either of them had ever seen, a radiant glow that consumed everything in its path.

"what is this?!" k'arba'diel roared, shielding his eyes.

rey squinted against the light, his instincts screaming at him to prepare for another attack.

from within the light, a massive magic circle began to form, its intricate runes glowing with an otherworldly brilliance.

the circle expanded, encompassing both rey and the dragon emperor.

"this is ?!" the two of them yelled out instantly.

it was similar-no, identical to the magic circle within the chamber of ancients; an invincible power that was sure to take effect due to the nature of the ancient magic. "how-?!"

before they could say anything more, the two were silenced by the presence of a third party. right then, before they could fully process who it was, a voice rang out-clear, authoritative, and filled with an ominous edge.

"i've finally got you."

for a fleeting moment, everything seemed still-time, sound, even the air itself.

then, as the brilliance of the light began to subside, rey's blurry vision locked onto a figure standing at the epicenter of the chaos. the figure was tall and composed, clad in a flowing, dark coat that billowed slightly in the unnatural breeze emanating from the massive magic circle etched into the ground.

-adrien chase.

'adrien...?'

rey's heart sank, though he struggled to grasp why.

relief flooded him momentarily.

'he's here to help, isn't he?' adrien had always been an unknown factor in his mind, but he had fought beside them once. besides, he was rey's co-conspirator when it came to the plan that got them into this mess, to begin with.

surely, now of all times-

"adrien..." rey's voice cracked, his exhaustion evident. his blade was heavy in his hand, his body trembling after nearly a year of relentless combat with the dragon emperor.

"you're... here to end this, right?"

adrien chuckled softly, an almost melodious sound that sent chills down rey's spine.

"end it? oh, rey." his tone was light, almost amused, yet there was an undertone of something colder, sharper.

"why?" he asked hoarsely. "why are you doing this? i thought... i thought you wanted to go home. to earth. like alicia did."

adrien's smile faded, replaced by something colder, more calculating.

"home?"

his voice echoed as he moved closer to the circle.

"earth was never my home, rey. nor is h'trae. all of this-" he gestured around them, to the ruins, to the magic circle, to the broken sky above. "it's a lie. a construct. a façade hiding the

truth."

"the truth?" rey's voice was tinged with desperation. "what truth?"

adrien's eyes gleamed with an almost fanatical light. "the truth of the real world. beyond this falsehood. beyond this... existence. i don't expect you to understand, rey. you've always been too rooted in what you can see, what you can feel. but me? i see the cracks in the surface. and i intend to shatter them."

rey staggered back a step, shaking his head. "you're insane."

"perhaps," adrien conceded. "but insanity is the price of clarity."

the dragon emperor roared from within the circle, his voice like grinding stone. "human! do you think your schemes can bind me forever? i will-"

adrien snapped his fingers without even sparing the creature a glance. the circle flared, and the emperor howled in pain, his body writhing as if the magic itself were tearing him apart.

adrien turned back to rey, his smile returning. "see? even he is powerless here. and so are

you."

rey's hand trembled as he raised his sword, his fury bubbling over. "i won't let you get away with this."

adrien chuckled softly, almost pityingly. "get away with it? oh, rey. i already have."

the magic circle pulsed brighter, its runes humming with ominous energy. adrien stepped back, his expression serene as if everything was unfolding exactly as he had planned. "goodbye, rey," he said, his voice light, almost casual. "and thank you for playing your part."

"i'll kill you !!!"

rey lunged forward, desperation driving him, but he was too late. adrien turned his back, walking away as the magic flared between them. just before he vanished from view, adrien glanced over his shoulder, his smile razor-sharp.

"it truly didn't have to end this way, rey. i quite liked you."

~vwuuuush!~

"farewell..."