Jared looked down at the trembling Kael. Not a flicker of pity touched his eyes. When Kael drugged Lyra, did weigh the notion of mercy? “You have committed too many sins. You cannot live…”
Dragonslayer Sword fell once more, ending Kael in a single, final stroke. With the execution of Lester and his son, the once-glorious Sacred Sword Manor collapsed overnight.
Smoke still curled over the ruined compound of Sword Sect. Shattered pillars and scorched banners lay everywhere, yet through the wreckage surged the fragile exhilaration of people who knew they had survived.
Infinides stepped forward, giving Jared a bottle. “This is the Soul Resurrection Pill from Roaring Storm Church. It will knit the broken meridians inside you.”
Jared accepted the bottle with both hands. He bowed deeply. “Thank you, Mr. Infinides…”
Had Leonidas and Infinides not arrived in time, the consequences would have been unthinkable. Leonidas laughed softly. “Between us, thanks are unnecessary. Yet you have revealed both your Draconian blood and the fire unicorn within you. Peace will not come easily now.”
“I understand…” Jared nodded. He had prepared himself for this long ago.
“The two of us still have pressing matters elsewhere. We bid you farewell for now.”
Before leaving, Infinides glanced at Lyra, a playful glint in his eyes. “Miss Snowdon, Jared is worth your trust. Though I fear you will soon have to share with more than one woman…”
Crimson bloomed across Lyra’s cheeks. She lowered gaze and said nothing. Infinides and Leonidas exchanged a knowing smile, then rose with their disciples in twin streams of golden light that arced into the sky and vanished.
Then Kishor strode over, clapping Jared on the shoulder. “Heal well… If you need anything, you know where to find me.”
With that, led the Whispers Tower members away. Warmth flooded Jared’s chest as watched their silhouettes recede. He then turned to Corin. “Master Morden, please tend their wounds and reinforce the defenses.”
Corin nodded, pride and relief softening the lines around his eyes. Ararat approached, voice low and grave. “Sacred Sword Manor has fallen, but the Celestial Palace and the Malevolent Path Hall will not give up easily. Watch your back.”
“I will…” Jared paused, then added, “Mr. Goizeder, about Swordmaster City…”
“Leave it to me.” A cold glint flashed in Ararat’s eyes. “Qivius and those bastards will be dealt with soon enough.”
With that, turned and left.
***
Over the next several days, many things happened in Swordmaster City. Ararat launched a purge. Qivius and his faction were captured in one fell swoop, while every official who had colluded with Lester was stripped of power.
The upheaval shook the city, yet by week’s end, order returned beneath Ararat‘s steady hand. During that time, Jared remained at Sword Sect, focusing solely on recovery.
The Soul Resurrection Pill lived up to its legend. Torn meridians knitted together before his eyes, and the Power of Dragons and the Power of Three settled into harmonious balance.
Each day, Lyra arrived with fresh tonics. After facing death together, the bond between them grew unmistakably tender. Whenever that intimate night was mentioned, Lyra still flushed scarlet and fell into silence.
At last, Jared could stand. He walked into the courtyard, watched the Sword Sect disciples practicing, and felt resolve flicker in his gaze. The fall of Sacred Sword Manor was only the prologue. Greater storms waited on the horizon.
Celestial Palace, Malevolent Path Hall, and enemies still unseen. He would have to grow stronger, or everyone loved would bleed.
“Jared!” Lyra smiled while holding a bow of tonic. Jared drank the tonic in a gulp. He held Lyra‘s hand and said, “When I‘m fully healed, we’ll go to Darkwind Gorge and wipe out the Malevolent Path Hall branch.”
Lyra nodded and replied, “All right, I’ll follow you.”
“My cultivation still lacks. I need to level up soon… I bring you to Pentacarna Tower. We‘ll have a dual cultivation,” Jared suggested.
He brought Lyra into the Pentacarna Tower. Lyra blushed. She knew would not be leaving the bed for a while.
