Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1618 1618: Protection at Any Cost

Step.

The burly warrior advanced, his upper body shielded by a white breastplate fashioned from jagged iron fragments. This piece served no defensive role; instead, it embodied the strange Arc that bestowed upon him absolute command of his golden blaze, potent enough to challenge Zargos in his present state.

Morok stood as the lone figure who hadn't invoked his Arc yet, though he had no intention of holding back. Zargos had already proven that delaying against him would prove expensive in mere moments.

"So you're boasting about your flames, huh?" Morok let out a laugh. "Fine, then it's up to me to demonstrate that even the most radiant glow crumbles before true shadow!"

A ripple warped the space as an amulet materialized in Morok's hand, depicting a beast's head that blended dragon and lion features, captured mid-ferocious bellow with exposed teeth and a snapped horn.

Clutch.

Morok gripped the amulet firmly before it settled around his neck, hanging securely.

Instantly, a flood of shadow erupted, blanketing the earth nearby. This shadow, behaving like animated substance, crept over his form, quivering beneath his aura's pressure.

The distant woman swallowed hard.

'Damn, is it that bad? The boss seldom activates his Arc. Normally, us four suffice. Damn Zargos and his entire family! They're just endless headaches!'

Zargos let out a low hum.

"Hmph, perfect. Then I'll incinerate you right alongside your shadows."

Morok, now shrouded in darkness with just his vivid green eyes piercing through, shot him a fierce stare.

"I wouldn't have it any other way, fool."

...

Tremble! Tremble! Tremble!

Merely moments after Adam and Merra descended into the cellar, blasts and clash noises echoed from upstairs. The quakes reached even this depth, vibrating through the solid stone.

"These beasts are the ones Zargos rescued me from, correct?" Adam inquired.

Merra gave a nod, edging nearer to the entrance. She realized their foes would soon pinpoint their location.

"Simply remain at my back. Victory isn't our aim; we need only stall for time."

"Got it. Still, I have to say, I'm growing weary of my helplessness in fights. It's getting under my skin."

Adam shook his head. This marked his third visit to the Primal Lands, and fourth in total.

Crash!

A deafening impact resounded from the barrier as Merra assumed her combat pose.

Pair of daggers featuring sleek, triangular edges materialized in her grip, crafted like crimson crystal that matched her powers.

'They're approaching. Two Lords from the Sword Squad. I must manage this; I'll gain us some moments!'

BAM!

The following blow demolished the barrier amid fierce wind bursts, hurling rock shards at Merra.

She held her position, an unseen crimson shield around her halting each fragment.

Whooooosh!

Instantly, a figure burst from the dust haze. Merra's gaze caught the extended katana edge slicing toward her.

'I need to evade!'

She leaped away just as lethal water droplets, sharp as bullets, hurtled her way.

Tap!

Merra intersected her daggers ahead, forming a crystalline shield.

The liquid projectiles smashed against it, fracturing the red material, yet she endured the initial assault.

This sparked a grin on her lips. Confidence in her skills now surged within her.

Step. Step. Step.

Gradually, the youth and maiden, floating mere inches off the floor, stepped inside. Her pale spheres had regenerated, primed for another onslaught.

"A servant?" The youth arched a brow. "That's hardly what I anticipated."

"She's less crucial than him!" The maiden shouted, gesturing at Adam afar. "See! That's him! Adam Vinter!"

Adam detected their presences, yet oddly, dread didn't grip him.

He grinned and indicated the youth's missing right limb.

"What befell your arm, eh? Did somebody chomp it away?"

The youth scowled.

"Inquire with Ramilo about that. Though you'll never get the opportunity. We're seizing you immediately!"

'I get it. Zargos spoke true, then. They really confronted Ramilo?' Adam pondered, eyeing the maiden. 'She's unscathed, so no major clash occurred. Alexia remains safe, but... where do I fit in?'

Whooooosh!

Without pause, the youth and maiden lunged at Merra from opposite flanks. Adam yearned to assist, but he couldn't; their power gap was immense.

Each katana flourish forced Merra to evade the wind blasts and keen edge, while the droplets veered toward her.

"You should've fled, lackey!" The youth declared, materializing in front of Merra.

Her vision filled with numerous slashes as she summoned a shield, but delay proved fatal.

Crimson sprayed from the wounds on her shoulder, and Merra attempted to retreat.

"No! Too soon! I need to persist more!"

"You're not escaping!" the youthful maiden bellowed as the pale orbs morphed into a lash, ensnaring Merra's feet.

BAM!

The maiden yanked the cord, crashing Merra's spine against the floor.

"Gha!"

She wheezed from agony as the youth loomed above, clasping his katana with a firm two-handed hold.

"It's over. Worth the effort?"

Slice!

Abruptly, the ghostly edge stabbed into the youth's shoulder, followed by one from the opposite angle. Surprise more than hurt showed on his features as he turned to Adam.

"You..."

Merra's fingers spasmed as she surged up, driving her daggers deep into the youth's throat.

Blood poured from his lips as he gazed at her in shock.

"Grh...!"

The maiden's expression twisted with fury.

"You're finished now!" She bellowed as every liquid stream surged at Merra. She remained immobile.

Adam, gripping the ethereal blades, recoiled.

'Crap! Silvana! We must halt her!'

In an instant, a pale lance formed in his palm, brimming with might, but the maiden moved swifter. Within a blink, the pale torrents would shred Merra apart.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

Simultaneously, a rumble and sharp snap boomed from overhead as an object smashed onto the maiden, shattering the stone slabs effortlessly.

All Adam glimpsed was a fist slamming the maiden down with overwhelming might.