Chapter 5638

The Celestial King still stood where he had first appeared, eyes vacant, as though this cataclysm were no more than wind passing through reeds.

Half an hour dragged by. All three combatants bled strength, yet Jared drew fresh reserves, siphoning stray celestial energy from the air to refill his lungs and limbs.

Jaehaerys and Brennan were not so blessed. Their faces had gone ash-pale, their breathing ragged, each heartbeat louder than the last.

Every clash sharpened Jared further. Even pressed by two masters, he still held the line, growing stronger stroke by stroke.

Jaehaerys fought for breath, shoulders lifting like bellows. “Boy, what are you?” The words scraped from his throat, equal parts demand and disbelief.

“Who I am is meaningless. What matters is that tonight you breathe your last,” Jared answered, his voice flat as winter steel.

Footsteps rang across the ruin-littered courtyard, crisp and hurried. Through the drifting dust strode Sylvia, cloak snapping behind her. The instant she took in the scorched flagstones and blood-slick walls, the color drained from her cheeks.