Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1609 1609: One Chance

Adam had anticipated the challenges within the inner realm. He understood it served as both the core of his strength and a chance to surpass the upcoming obstacle.

He'd accomplished this feat repeatedly in the past and felt prepared to tackle it once more.

Ultimately, forming the Second Grand Star required confronting the Silver Weaver, a battle that ranked among his toughest ordeals.

Yet... No prior experience could have braced him for the sight that greeted him.

Rather than a fearsome beast from the First Star or a grueling test, Silvana herself stood amid the infinite emptiness, ready to face him.

'No, this doesn't feel right.'

Shaking his head, Adam examined Silvana more intently.

This wasn't the genuine Silvana. Rather, it was an obsidian glass figure resembling her perfectly, every feature captured flawlessly.

"Hey, can you talk?"

Silence met his words.

Dark Silvana gazed toward the black flame yet refrained from making contact.

In her right hand, a lengthy weapon materialized, one that Adam identified at once.

This wasn't the scissor blade akin to the one he wielded in their newly acquired joint technique. Without that strength, Adam likely couldn't have overcome Vaarh. On that occasion, numerous spectral blades dealt severe injuries to the arrogant dragon.

Dark Silvana traced the flat edge of her blade with her fingers before directing its tip straight at Adam.

No guidelines existed, and no hints were provided. All Adam grasped was the necessity to overcome Dark Silvana.

'Fine, the First Star chooses to turn my key companion against me? Fine. She's not the true Silvana, merely a shadowy duplicate! I need to vanquish her and address this black flame!'

Though Adam often charged ahead impulsively, the warnings from Zargos and the Evolution Tree lingered in his mind.

Both placed their faith in him, yet they never concealed the true peril involved, even if Zargos maintained a brighter outlook.

Step.

Dark Silvana advanced with deliberate slowness.

The conditions and risks remained straightforward, for the moment at least.

At once, Adam extended his arm to call forth his needle—his primary armament—but... an issue arose.

"Agh?" With eyes widened in shock, Adam looked aside.

For an unexplained cause, summoning his needle proved impossible. His power failed to activate.

'Does this stem from the Silver Weaver's missing left arm, or is some other factor at play?'

Whooooosh.

Leaping backward, Adam widened the gap while assuming a defensive posture, intent on invoking his Nexus.

However, the Staff of Defeat, much like his silver needle, hesitated to manifest in his hold.

Next, Adam attempted his remaining powers, but none heeded his summons.

None of his abilities functioned, and Dark Silvana loomed near, dominating his position.

"W-What…?"

In Adam's gaze, the shadowy blade sliced the emptiness and descended upon him fiercely.

Guided by pure reflex, Adam evaded the strike just in time.

Whoooooosh!

A fierce gust from a single swing by Dark Silvana propelled onward.

Simultaneously awed and bewildered, Adam took note.

This solitary strike sufficed to confirm that Dark Silvana was far from a typical foe.

"Agh... Agh... Agh..." Heavy breaths escaped Adam.

Fear gripped him due to the uncertainty of injury from Dark Silvana.

What fate awaited if Adam fell? Another attempt perhaps? Or merely depletion of his vitality, leaving him drained?

Or... Might a far graver consequence unfold?

Defeat and frailty found no quarter in the First Star, a trait embodied by Dark Silvana.

'Okay, she's swift and powerful, yet I match her. Though my powers are sealed, how fares my energy?'

The instant this idea struck him, pristine energy enveloped his palms. No force could strip away his energy. Such a loss would require the total annihilation of the Evolution Tree, which hadn't occurred.

"Come on, attack!"

Dark Silvana wasted little time, charging ahead with her prior blinding velocity.

Slash. Slash. Slash.

Blow after blow, Dark Silvana sought to cleave Adam, who narrowly avoided each.

'Damn! The actual Silvana could never move at that pace! What force manipulates her?'

A pair of rapid strikes carved a profound X across Adam's features. Crimson flowed freely, yet terror alone shone in his stare, no agony.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

Dark Silvana lifted her free hand, where a massive white tower coalesced from countless ivory strands.

Since Dark Silvana wielded their initial combined skill, mastering the subsequent one posed no challenge.

Channeling his full energy into his legs, Adam vaulted aside abruptly, evading the quivering spearhead narrowly.

Within the gloom, a plume of pale mist ascended, concealing Adam's form.

Dark Silvana pivoted, searching for Adam's location, but her senses failed to pinpoint him.

Abruptly, from the vaporous shroud, Adam's arm thrust out, bearing five minuscule energy spheres on his digits and a sizable one in his grasp. He condensed his energy to its utmost.

Tap.

Glancing downward, Dark Silvana found Adam's palm firmly against her torso.

"You might possess strength and velocity, mirroring me, so... You lack any defense!"

BLAST!

An explosive surge of radiant energy hurled Dark Silvana away.

Fissures spiderwebbed across her crystalline frame, her right limb disintegrating into fragments from elbow to tip.

Unhesitatingly, Adam surged toward the black flame, eager to grasp the First Star's intent that had lingered here awaiting him.

'Now! I'll seize it!'

Toward the black flame, Adam stretched his fingers.

Sparks of electricity crackled through the void, flinging Adam rearward by an unseen force.

"What the—!"

The sound of approaching steps halted him—resolute and weighty, unlike Dark Silvana's.

Adam's eyes constricted in disbelief.

There loomed the Silver Weaver, the authentic entity, no imitation.

"Yo!"