Blood and Sorcery: forbidden lineage

Chapter 14 – The Price of Power

The battlefield was a storm of chaos. The Abyssal Tyrant stood as an overwhelming force, its nightmarish form moving with impossible agility for something so large. Every swing of its massive claws carved through the earth, sending shockwaves that cracked the very ground.

Seraphina's ice magic was fast—her blades of frost cut through the air, and jagged spears erupted from the ground to pierce the beast. But it was learning. Adapting. Every movement of hers was countered with terrifying precision.

Elyreina joined the fray, her blade flashing in the dim light, striking with expert precision. She and Seraphina moved in sync, their attacks covering each other's weaknesses, but even that wasn't enough.

The Abyssal Tyrant toyed with them.

A swipe of its tail sent Elyreina crashing into the ground, coughing up blood. Seraphina skidded backward, struggling to keep her stance as the beast charged her. She barely dodged, rolling to the side, her breath ragged.

From the edge of his blurred vision, Lyrian saw everything.

His body felt numb, his limbs leaden. His mana had long since been drained, his mind screaming for rest, yet he forced himself to stay conscious.

Reynard was barely moving, slumped against the roots of a shattered tree, his breaths shallow.

Seraphina was panting heavily, her movements slowing. Her once-flawless form was battered, cuts and bruises forming across her pale skin.

Elyreina pushed herself up, her body swaying. Blood dripped from her temple, her arms trembling. Yet, she still raised her sword.

The beast roared, its crimson eyes locking onto Lyrian.

A heavy, sinking feeling spread through his chest.

It was coming for him.

He tried to stand—tried to move—but his body wouldn't obey.

The beast lunged—

No!

Elyreina was there, her sword flashing, intercepting the strike. She twisted mid-air, slashing at the creature's face. The Abyssal Tyrant recoiled but responded instantly, its tail whipping toward her before she could react.

Lyrian's stomach dropped.

The impact sent Elyreina flying, her body smashing into the side of a jagged rock. A choked gasp escaped her lips as she hit the ground, motionless.

Something inside Lyrian broke.

A deep, primal rage flared to life, cutting through the exhaustion like a wildfire devouring dry wood. His breath hitched, his pulse pounded in his ears, and suddenly—

Mana surged.

Bright blue flames erupted from his body, crackling with an unnatural intensity. The air warped, heat distorting the very space around him.

The observers watching from their chamber gasped.

"What… what is this?"

"That boy—he shouldn't have any mana left!" After that explosion he caused ?

The Grandmaster narrowed his eyes, his fingers curling into a fist. "This isn't normal."

Lyrian moved.

His body was on fire, every step sending white-hot pain through his nerves, but he didn't care. His flames roared, blinding, engulfing the battlefield in a wave of blue.

The Abyssal Tyrant recoiled, shrieking in genuine pain for the first time. Its dark hide cracked, the cursed flames licking across its form, searing its unnatural flesh.

Seraphina's breath caught in her throat. "What… the hell?"

The beast thrashed, its tail slamming into the ground in desperation—

Then it saw him.

Lyrian was still standing.

Barely. His body was failing—his vision blurring—but he glared at the creature, his entire form flickering with power he shouldn't have had.

The Abyssal Tyrant roared, lunging in a frenzy—

It swung a massive claw straight for him.

Too fast to dodge.

Too fast to react.

A sharp, burning pain ripped through his chest.

Blood sprayed into the air.

The flames died instantly as Lyrian's body was sent flying, hitting the ground with a sickening thud.

Silence.

Elyreina's eyes snapped open, her breath caught in her throat.

Seraphina's expression twisted in horror.

Reynard, despite his wounds, dragged himself forward. "Lyrian! Get up!"

The chamber of observers froze.

The Grandmaster's fist tightened. "End the simulation."

The beast, still smoldering from the blue flames, turned its head—

And in that moment of distraction—

Seraphina moved.

Her ice-cold blade pierced the Abyssal Tyrant's throat.

Elyreina struck at the same time, driving her weapon deep into its skull.

The creature convulsed, a horrid screech echoing through the battlefield—before it finally collapsed.

It was over.

But no one felt victorious.

Seraphina, trembling, slumped to the ground, her stunning silver hair stained with blood and dirt.

Elyreina ignored her own wounds, rushing toward Lyrian. Her hands shook as she lifted his head, his blood staining her fingers.

"Lyrian…?" Her voice cracked.

No response.

His chest rose and fell weakly, his breathing shallow, his once-vivid eyes dull.

Reynard crawled over, gripping Lyrian's arm. "Oi. Don't you die on me." His voice wavered.

Seraphina sat frozen, staring at Lyrian's unconscious form.

For the first time, the cold, unshakable girl looked… lost.

The simulation flickered.

Then—

Darkness.