Anatoly was grinding his teeth.

  Damn. Damn.

  He didn’t want to admit it… but he was paying the price for his own arrogance.

  That bastard was stronger than he looked.

  The reports said he was no longer at his peak.

  A lie.

  He was only past his physical prime.

  His power… was even more monstrous.

  — How… — Anatoly spat blood. — How does an old man maintain this level of power… and that appearance?

  Damn it.

  Where did I go wrong?

  His eyes narrowed.

  But there was still that.

  The last resort.

  The Colossus Prison.

  The memory came like a shadow.

  A cloaked figure. Only a hand appearing before him.

  — Anatoly… — the voice was far too calm. — The warning was given. I know you will act irresponsibly.

  Something was placed in his hand.

  — This is called the Colossus Prison.

  — A… sphere? — Anatoly frowned.

  — If you run into that human… and end up in trouble, use it. But make sure to trap him.

  The voice hardened.

  — You won’t get another chance. If he realizes it, he will never be captured again.

  There are people who want to settle old scores with him.

  At best… he will die in the prison.

  — Don’t be careless, Anatoly.

  The memory shattered.

  Kyros advanced, the Thunder Sword still vibrating.

  — Still relying on tricks, original one? — his voice was cold. — If I’m not mistaken, you were supposed to be dead by now.

  Kyros narrowed his eyes.

  — I don’t feel the pulse of your hearts. That means I destroyed them all… except the main one.

  He tilted his head.

  — Your true heart isn’t there, in the center of your chest.

  Silence.

  — If I cut your origin… I’ll reach your true core.

  Anatoly smiled. A crooked smile. Dangerous.

  — You think too highly of yourself, human vermin.

  He slammed his palm into the ground.

  Crimson explosion.

  Kyros’s vision was swallowed by smoke.

  — Hahaha… — Anatoly’s voice echoed. — No matter how fast you are, Thunder Phantom.

  His presence split.

  — You can’t be in two places at the same time.

  His tone turned cruel.

  — Who will you save… father?

  Kyros felt it. Something was wrong.

  Anatoly’s presence… was no longer concentrated.

  — A clone…? — he muttered.

  But no.

  It was worse.

  The Vision of the Eternal Eclipse activated by instinct.

  The world slowed down.

  And Kyros saw it.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  One Anatoly appeared behind Ravia, carrying Valquíria unconscious.

  Another… stood before the Copas, with Luiz within reach.

  Two points.

  Two children.

  — Damn… — Kyros’s heart pounded.

  He tried to move.

  He couldn’t.

  His foot was trapped.

  A chain of blood wrapped around his leg like a living beast, anchored to the ground.

  — Hahahaha… — Anatoly laughed openly, victorious. — Bingo, Thunder Phantom.

  Kyros forced his aura.

  The chain creaked… but did not break.

  — What’s wrong? — Anatoly tilted his head. — Not so fast now?

  His voice dropped low.

  Sadistic.

  — They say a father would give his life for a child.

  He spread his arms.

  — But can a father choose which one to sacrifice?

  Kyros felt the weight of the world.

  — Make your choice.

  The presence behind Ravia moved closer.

  — Kill me… — Anatoly smiled. — And your daughter dies.

  The other presence took a step toward Luiz.

  — Kill my clone… — the smile widened. — And your son dies.

  Silence.

  — Which one will you sacrifice, Phantom?

  Kyros’s teeth ground together.

  — Hey… Rá.

  — Yes, my lord.

  — Vision of the Eternal Eclipse. Maximum.

  The eyes of the armor shone.

  At the center… an absolute eclipse.

  Kyros took a deep breath.

  He raised the Thunder Sword like a spear.

  He saw everything.

  The false weight.

  The slightest distortion in mana flow.

  — Found you… original one.

  The sword was thrown.

  Black Thunder Spear.

  It crossed the western wing like a living lightning bolt, tearing through the air, and pierced the clone that stood behind Ravia and Valquíria.

  The body disintegrated into crimson ashes.

  A Gath shouted:

  — What was that, a lightning strike?

  What… a sword just flew past… insane.

  At the same instant—

  Kyros was already behind the real Anatoly.

  Fists clenched.

  Aura and mana condensed.

  ONE PUNCH.

  TWO.

  The impact shook the ground.

  — Hahaha! — Anatoly laughed even as he was thrown forward. — I hit your weak point, Phantom!

  Kyros frowned.

  — What…?

  Anatoly turned his head, blood running down his face, but his smile remained.

  — You reacted like a father. And that was your mistake, Phantom.

  The sphere in his hand glowed.

  — Roar… Colossus Prison. And bind my enemies.

  The air split.

  Space twisted.

  And something colossal began to close.

  The sphere expanded and swallowed Kyros.

  Dum. Dum. Dum. Dum.

  The sound of the sphere compressing back into itself.

  — Hahaha, Phantom… — Anatoly laughed. — You made a grave mistake acting like that. The people you love can be a wonderful weakness to exploit.

  — Hahahahaha.

  Anatoly held the sphere in his hands.

  — I hope you enjoy the warm reception prepared for you, Thunder Phantom. Now no one can stop me.

  The greatest obstacle has been removed.

  — Hahahahaha! I win as always, Your Majesty. I win.

  Everyone felt it.

  Kyros’s presence had vanished.

  As if it had never existed.

  ---

  Gath Support Base

  — Impossible… — Helena Summer whispered. — Kyros’s presence disappeared. No… he couldn’t have lost. He was beating that monster down.

  — Impossible for him to lose — Kotan growled. — That aberration used some kind of trick. I felt something like condensed power… the mistake was mine.

  — We have to do something — Aurelius said, clenching his fists. — If Kyros was truly defeated, not only the South, but the entire Empire could be in danger.

  — And we’re at our limit — he continued. — We don’t have a time priest strong enough to get us back into battle quickly. And the western wing is far… and in chaos.

  — I refuse to believe it — Flora said firmly. — Kyros didn’t lose. He’ll return. He is our leader.

  — How is his daughter? — she asked.

  — Out of danger — the priest replied. — But still unconscious. She pushed her body beyond its limits.

  — Tailer is more concerning — he continued. — His body collapsed.

  Rubya growled in frustration.

  — Damn… and we can’t return to the fight like this. Kotan lost an arm, internal organs damaged.

  — I’m going back there.

  — No! — the priestess panicked. — You’d die against a Level S creature!

  — We know — Aurelius answered.

  That was when Ravia entered, holding two flasks of golden liquid mana.

  — Lukas… I’m done. I succeeded.

  — Succeeded at what, girl? — Kotan asked. — What is that?

  — Concentrated magic from Lukas — she replied. — Insane healing power.

  — Then hurry — Aurelius ordered.

  — But there’s—

  — And so what? — Kotan interrupted. — Do it.

  Ravia gathered the severed arm.

  — Yes, sir.

  She poured the flask.

  — Gath Fold. Domain of Anatomy.

  Corallus Imminent.

  Golden cords spread, healing everything.

  It was Caesar’s magic, concentrated as combat support.

  The Patriarchs stood up.

  — Incredible… — Aurelius murmured. — Kyros’s tenth son…

  — Ravia — Helena teased. — You weren’t close to Lukas before, were you?

  — N-not at all! — Ravia blushed. — It was just coincidence!

  — Uh-huh… — Helena smiled.

  Suddenly, an aura shook the capital.

  — It’s not Anatoly… — Flora’s eyes widened. — Nor Kyros.

  — That aura… — Rubya smiled. — No surprise.

  ---

  Western Wing

  Anatoly laughed.

  — Phantom… how foolish. Parents make irrational decisions.

  — Now that you’re trapped, I’ll destroy this entire Empire.

  A dagger passed by him.

  — Ah… you. — he smiled. — I sensed your presence through the mana flow.

  — Sarya, the Autumn Huntress. You’re quite dangerous.

  Sarya fought.

  She wounded Anatoly.

  She nearly took the sphere.

  But she was struck.

  Anatoly held the sphere in front of his right eye, pinched between two fingers.

  — This is what you want, right?

  — Shouldn’t you be with that girl, the youngest one? — he mocked. — I like you. Beautiful. Want to become one of my nightmares?

  — No thanks — Sarya panted. — You’re ugly. I prefer young men. Millennia old? Pass.

  Thumbs down.

  The veins in Anatoly’s neck bulged.

  — Arrogant elf.

  Blood magic.

  CLANG.

  A curved silver shield fell in front of Sarya.

  — Hah… the Moon Shield.

  — Sorry for the delay. You did well holding him, huntress.

  The voice came from a silhouette wrapped in smoke behind her.

  — I’ve finished what I needed to do.

  Sarya blushed slightly.

  — I see… — Anatoly snarled. — So it’s you, little rat. The bastard who’s been ruining everything from the start.

  Lukas emerged from the smoke.

  Left eye glowing purple-black.

  Right eye golden.

  Gladius in hand.

  Segmented armor.

  Improvised Gath trousers, extremely flexible, not tight to the body, granting excellent mobility for his fighting style.

  — And if it is me, what are you going to do, huh?

  — DAMNED PLAGUE.

  — Today I’ll kill you. And take my father out of that sphere.

  End of Chapter 11