Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1623 1623: Failed Escape (Part 2)

Morok was fully aware that, should the situation deteriorate to its worst, he would activate the artifact to preserve his own life. This served as his final contingency measure.

Certainly, Morok desired to accomplish his objective. Successfully eliminating Adam Vinter for good would greatly enhance his standing and professional trajectory. Yet, the reality unfolded as far more intricate than either he or his leaders had ever foreseen.

The circumstances had escalated to such a dire point that Morok could only rely on escaping the Primal Lands with his life intact.

Not even Keranda could halt him. Her artifact failed utterly against him, but… Zargos harbored alternative intentions.

Whoooooooosh.

With astonishing velocity, amid a burst of fire, Zargos materialized in front of Morok. His eyes bulged in shock. He couldn't fathom why Zargos would take this action, as it seemed like a suicide mission to him.

Once the rift sealed shut, it would spell doom for Zargos. He would end up at the Befallen Crown right beside Morok. At most, he'd face captivity and torment, but far more probable was an immediate execution.

"Doesn't he realize this?" Morok pondered, eyeing Zargos's smug grin. "No… He's scheming something!"

As odd as it sounded, after Morok triggered the seal, he was forced to bide his time until the rift fully shut.

This provided ample opportunity for Zargos to formulate and execute his scheme.

"Huh, this artifact truly is a fearsome tool, no doubt about it." Zargos laughed, sensing the intense pressure weighing on him. "My flames stand no chance against this shadowy force."

A spark ignited in his gaze.

"Fortunately, prior to battling you fools, I gathered sufficient strength for this very moment!"

The red flames encircling Zargos had nearly extinguished. Beneath the artifact's enveloping shadows, they were devouring at a staggering pace, yet… shortly after, dark specks emerged within his blaze.

The entirety of the flames, the massive expanse Zargos commanded, transformed into a handful of ebony torrents that cleared his path ahead.

Nevertheless, it sufficed to etch raw terror across Morok's features.

"That's right, you scum!" Zargos shouted while seizing Morok by the shoulder.

To rip apart the rift, to shatter the obscurity confronting him, he required no radiant glow or searing blaze.

What he truly needed was a mightier, primordial obscurity. The Dark Energy excelled at this above all else.

"NOOOOO!!!" Morok bellowed, comprehending his impending fate.

He conjured his own shadows, but compared to Zargos's obsidian fire, they amounted to naught. His darkness failed to even graze Zargos, existing on entirely disparate planes.

CLASP!

The rift sealed just before Keranda's watchful gaze.

"Zargos!"

Yet, scarcely a second elapsed before the fabric of space rent asunder on the opposite side, expelling Zargos who clutched Morok by the neck.

BAM!

Zargos hurled Morok to the earth with every ounce of his power.

"GHA!"

A torrent of blood erupted from Morok's lips as his vision swam into haze.

In a frantic bid to evade demise, Morok resolved to persist in combat. He hauled himself upright, gaze lifting.

Two figures loomed above him, and the more horrifying one wasn't Zargos, but his elder sibling.

"Seems your artifact didn't prove as effective as you'd believed, huh?"

She balled her fist, causing space to quiver, distorting around her knuckles amid violet ripples.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

In rhythmic waves, the quakes propagated across the jungle, instilling dread deep into Morok's soul. He grasped that defeat was his. Retreat was impossible now.

"Wait!" Morok pleaded. "We can still negotiate this! Damn it! Keranda! I was merely obeying commands!"

Yet, no trace of mercy flickered in her expression.

"Hmm? And how does that alter anything? Had you possessed greater might, you wouldn't have merely seized Adam Vinter—you'd have slain my brother and his attendant! We both recognize that's the truth!"

Seeing that Keranda remained unyielding in her resolve, Morok pivoted to Zargos, desperate for some bargain with him at least.

"You! You've bested me! You ought to determine my fate!"

Curiously, Zargos inclined his head in agreement.

"Yep, you're correct."

A faint grin tugged at Morok's lips.

Tap.

Zargos rested his hand upon Keranda's shoulder.

"But, I always choose to defer weighty and tough choices to my big sister. She's unmatched in handling them."

He flashed a toothy smile.

"So, Keranda, how shall we deal with this wretch?"

Keranda huffed.

"Argh? Isn't it plain as day?"

She lifted her fist, shielding her sight from the sunlight.

"Only one conclusion exists—death."

With no delay, Keranda drove her fist toward Morok, who made no effort to shield himself. Centuries of his existence concluded in that instant. He sensed this certainty as profoundly as he knew resistance was futile.

BLAST!

A concussive surge ravaged the jungle, kicking up a veil of debris and hurling stones every which way.

The ruinous gravity explosion reduced the spot to a profound depression and a smear of gore where Morok once was.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Crimson droplets trickled from Keranda's fist. She had dispatched multiple Lords this day, and she'd repeat the act without qualms if it safeguarded her little brother.

Zargos eyed the tattered remnants of black fabric, the sole survivor of Morok's garb, then pivoted toward a lofty tree.

He gestured with a triumphant smirk.

Rustle. Rustle. Rustle.

Within a minute, Adam and Merra stepped forth from the foliage.

"Sir, are you okay?" Merra inquired, worry etching her voice.

Zargos nodded, extending his arms broadly.

"Of course. I assured you I'd triumph. Those foes outmatched what Goen faced in strength, but I'm formidable myself! Hah!"

Merra placed her hand over her heart.

"That's reassuring. I'm relieved you prevailed."

Keranda flicked her hand; blood pattered to the soil as she faced Adam, fixing him with her piercing amber stare.

"The Dark Energy—my brother borrowed your strength, didn't he?"

Adam rubbed the nape of his neck.

"If I've got it right, then yes."

Abruptly, Keranda inclined in a profound bow.

"Thank you. Protecting my brother means everything to me."

Adam gave a casual shrug.

"No issue. I get it; I've got a little sister of my own, after all."