The moment the students burst out of the collapsing pyramid. The world outside greeted them with a strange, uneasy silence. But despite the calm, the air crackled with intensity. A pulsing, radiant heat blanketed the atmosphere. A heat that didn't burn but commanded reverence. They all instinctively looked back.

Chancellor Seraphina Veal's domain still floated above the ruins of the pyramid like a second sun. Blinding brilliance surged with every flicker of her power. Each wave of her mana illuminated the sky like a dawn refusing to die. Her domain wasn't simply active, it was alive, breathing with unrestrained fury and absolute majesty.

Even from this distance, the students could feel it. The light. The heat. The pressure. It made their legs tremble and their hearts race. It was inspiring, terrifying and divine.

*******

Arthur managed to a halt in the open field just outside the ruins. Ryker was limp in his arms, his body was broken but his expression strangely peaceful, as if smiling through the edge of death.

"Is there any Sanctorum here?" Arthur yelled, the desperation cracking his voice. "He needs healing!! Now…."

Three students in black stitched robes sprinted over. "We are Sanctorum," one of them shouted. "Lay him down"

Arthur gently set Ryker onto the ground. The Sanctorums immediately began weaving their magic. Their faces twisted in concentration as light poured from their hands.

"His body's a mess," one of them muttered. "Torn ligaments, ruptured organs, internal bleeding…"

"His mana circuits are fried," another one added, her brow drenched with sweat. "I can't stabilize his mana. He pushed himself far beyond natural limits."

"We will do what we can, but… he is swinging between life and death. This isn't just physical damage anymore. Something deeper has been affected"

Arthur took a step back, his fists trembling. He looked at Ryker's bruised face, the dried blood under his eyes and nose. Then he looked up toward the blazing domain in the sky.

"Why…?" he muttered under his breath. "Why go so far? Why nearly die for people you barely even know?"

His mind twisted with thoughts. Was it altruism? A sense of duty? No. It wasn't that simple. It couldn't be.

'Is this… some kind of hypocrisy?' he thought bitterly. 'Saving everyone while destroying yourself? What kind of logic is that?'

******

Ryker drifted in a place devoid of any form. There was no light here, no darkness either. It just existed. He felt weightless, suspended in something vast and unknowable. And then… he heard it.

A voice. Soft, sweet and calm. Feminine. Motherly. It wrapped around him like a blanket on a cold night.

"You are reckless."

He didn't recognize it. But something about it made him feel vulnerable. Exposed.

"You say to yourself, you are manipulating fate. That you are carving your own path. But tell me, do you really understand the price of your games?"

Ryker couldn't speak. He tried but his voice didn't exist here. Only his consciousness floated… listening.

"You want to save them all. But why?"

"You lie to them… but justify it by telling yourself it is for the greater good."

"Is that compassion or cowardice?"

The voice paused for a moment.

"You wrestle with your identity. It's like Light and Darkness. Selflessness and ambition. Healer and manipulator. Savior and liar."

The words struck him like knives. Each syllable carved a truth deeper than pain.

"You think sacrifice is noble. But sacrifice without understanding… is meaningless."

As the voice continued anger started flared within him.

"You speak of control, Ryker. But what about destiny? What happens when your plans fail? When the people you tried to manipulate make their own choices different from what you expect?"

His rage swelled. He wanted to scream. But he couldn't.

"Is this really your path? Or are you just afraid of being powerless?"

The voice paused again. This time, it was quieter.

"…Looks like our time is up."

*******

Ryker's eyes snapped open. He gasped as though he had just clawed his way out of drowning water. His body trembled,

"Wha…?"

"Hey! He is awake.." one of the Sanctorum students exclaimed.

"Easy now…" another Sanctorum said, as he gently pressed a hand on his shoulder. "You were in critical condition. We have stabilized your injuries as best we could but you need real medical care."

Ryker looked around. He was lying among a group of battered students under a makeshift canopy. Some were bandaged. Some still groaned. But all of them were alive.

And they were looking at him.

Not with fear. Not with pity.

But with awe. Gratitude. Respect.

He slowly sat up, ignoring the protests from his body. His head throbbed. He noticed Lucas sitting a short distance away, legs crossed in a deep thought.

Ryker forced himself to his feet and approached.

Lucas noticed the movement and looked up, startled. His expression softened into something unsure… almost reverent.

"You okay?" Ryker asked,

Lucas nodded. "Yeah… I mean physically. I guess. Mentally, I am not so sure."

Ryker glanced around. "Where are the others?"

"Arthur and Lia went to help with evacuation. Dean's… somewhere. Probably chasing survivors or making sure there aren't any cultists left."

"Got it."

There was a pause. Lucas fidgeted. Then he opened his mouth, then closed it.

Ryker turned to leave.

"Ryker," Lucas called him,

Ryker stopped.

"…Thank you," Lucas said. It was Quiet and Honest. "I mean it."

Ryker turned slightly and gave a small nod. "Don't mention it."

One of the Sanctorum healers rushed up behind him. "You can't just walk around

You are not fully healed. You need rest."

"I am not going far," Ryker said with a tired smile. "Just… need air. I need to clear my head."

*****

In An Unknown Cave

"WHY!!!!"

The cult leader, Kael Throne screamed as the remnants of Seraphina Veal's attack continued to eat away at his body. His left arm was gone. Half his face melted beyond recognition. He lay in the shadows of a cave deep in the underworld, blood soaking into the floor.

He slammed a burnt fist into the wall.

"Damn you! DAMN YOU, SERAPHINA!!!"

He howled curses, every word filled with rage and agony. He cursed her name. Her legacy. Her power.

"She was supposed to be in the western front today. Why was she even there? She should have just died with the rest of them eight years ago"

He laughed, it was unhinged. "I will make you pay. I will make every last one of you pay for this…"

Then, he froze. A sound echoed from the cave entrance.

A childlike tune. Soft. Haunting.

"London Bridge is falling down,

Falling down, falling down…"

Kael's blood ran cold.

"No…" he whispered, his eyes widening. "No… it can't be…"

The melody grew louder.

He struggled to sit up. "Who's there? Show yourself!!!"

The figure walked slowly, deliberately. The song never stopped.

"London Bridge is falling down,

My fair lady…"

Kael tried to crawl, tried to attack the intruder but his body refused. His injuries were too severe. His eyes darted wildly.

And then… the figure stepped into the light.

Kael's lips trembled.

"It's… you…!!!"

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