Nathaniel quickly masked his emotions. He stepped forward with a warm smile, keeping his posture low in deference.
“Mr. Rhys, you’re truly a divine being. Not only can you subdue the demon, but you can also refine an elixir of immortality. Honestly, my brothers and I have been sick with worry over our father’s health. We would give anything to take on his suffering.
“Could you prepare another batch and craft a few immortal essence tablets for us as well? Name your price and whatever medicinal ingredients you require. We will do everything in our power to provide for them.”
Tristan and Matthias caught on immediately, echoing Nathaniel’s words with equal earnestness. Their gazes locked on Dustin, full of hope.
Whether for the monumental merit of presenting the cure or the promise of ten extra years of life, the reward was enough to make any of them desperate. But Dustin slowly shook his head, his tone carrying a finality that brooked no argument.
He explained, “This tablet was crafted by chance. It drew the last remnants of essence and purified energy in this place, making it one of a kind.
“The method of refinement is not using ordinary alchemy either. It requires a specific immortal essence as a catalyst to harmonize the energy and purify malevolent energy.
“Now that the spiritual energy of this place has been depleted and the malevolent energy has dissipated, it is no longer possible to refine another. This tablet could only be crafted under these exact circumstances and cannot be deliberately recreated.”
His words doused the spark of hope the three brothers had just managed to kindle. Hearing that Dustin couldn’t make another one, that this wasn’t something anyone could force, hit them harder than they expected.
The eager smiles froze on all three faces. Disappointment flickered through their eyes, followed by frustration and bitterness they couldn’t quite cover up.
Tristan, Matthias, and Nathaniel couldn’t help stealing another glance at the immortal essence tablet in Grace’s hands.
Their looks were a complex mix of envy, jealousy, and a flicker of something darker they themselves might not have recognized. After all, the merit that could have granted their father ten more years of life had gone to their sister instead.
Tristan’s mind raced as he tried to figure out how to report this to Valon and maybe take some credit for himself.
Matthias considered what he would do if the tablet fell into his hands. Should he give it to Valon to cement his position as heir, or keep it for himself as backup? Nathaniel weighed other ways to get it from Grace or to find another opportunity.
The atmosphere grew tense and awkward. Though desire burned brightly in their hearts, none dared show the slightest hint of it in front of the unfathomable and powerful Dustin.
Nathaniel let out a dry laugh, breaking the silence first.
11 “I see… We were far too presumptuous,” he said. “Since the elixir of immortality is so rare, Grace is blessed to receive it. Being able to heal Father is a cause for great celebration.”
Tristan and Matthias forced strained smiles and murmured their agreement, though the smile didn’t reach their eyes.
Dustin noticed every flicker of expression but didn’t call them out. The intricate webs of mortal ambition and political gain meant nothing to him now. He glanced at the sky and sensed the flow of energy through the land beneath his feet.
“Our business here is done. Elysium Isle isn’t a place to linger. Though the seal is temporarily stable, its foundation has been damaged, and unforeseen events may occur. Everyone, prepare to leave the island,” he said calmly.
His words sent a chill through the group. If Dustin himself sensed danger lurking, then there was no mistaking that this place was still far from safe.
But just as Dustin was about to use his abilities to lead everyone away from Elysium Isle’s core region, something unexpected happened. It wasn’t coming from the subdued Malthor nor from the sealed rift.
Beneath the central spring of the immortal palace, where the seven-colored fountain once bubbled, the ground had collapsed into a bottomless void. Without warning, a black vortex began to spin within it.
It started no bigger than a millstone, but it spun at terrifying speed and expanded rapidly before their eyes. There was no spiritual energy, no malevolent energy. It was just an icy, empty nothingness that seemed to swallow every trace of light and heat.
Even more disturbing were countless chaotic, twisted roars and whispers, saturated with violence and hunger, emerging from deep within that expanding darkness. It was as if the vortex was connected to some prison of despair, packed with nightmare creatures.
A dark presence seeped from the vortex, far older, deeper, and more despairing than even the dragon blood malevolent energy. It spread as a primordial beast roused from a timeless slumber, filling the air with an ancient, oppressive evil.
“What… What is that?” Matthias cried, his voice shrill with terror as he pointed at the emerging black vortex.
Tristan and Nathaniel turned deathly white and instinctively stepped back. The energy wave emanating from it sent chills down their spines.
Even Dustin tightened his brow, his expression turning grave. He could clearly sense that the black vortex wasn’t Malthor’s power or the Void-Tyrant Dragon’s, but something else. It could be a scar in the world’s barriers, or a seal connecting to some unknown forbidden zone or prison.
But now, this seal had been weakened by successive cataclysms and energy shocks to the island’s core, and was showing signs of failing.
The roars pouring from the vortex, saturated with infinite malice, warned that whatever was sealed beyond it was no benevolent force. The threat level might far exceed the Void-Tyrant Dragon itself.
“Move! Now!” Dustin shouted. He swept his sleeve, and a wave of an immense yet gentle stream of immortal essence enveloped everyone. In a flash of radiance, their figures blurred and streaked into light as they surged toward the outer edges of Elysium Isle.
Within moments, the enormous black vortex had stretched wide enough to engulf the entire ruined palace. Its depths throbbed with a dark, devouring hunger, as if ready to consume everything.
At the heart of the vortex, twisted, inhuman shapes battered against an invisible wall. Their screams cut through the air, growing sharper and closer with every passing second.
