Chapter 2444: Believe

Published Mar 11, 2026, 03:33 PM

Homebase Outpost The fortress teemed with life as over 500,000 civilians scrambled for safety within its towering walls. Thousands more poured in by the minute, their numbers swelling into an endless, chaotic tide. The refugee crowds stretched for miles—nearly 100 of them—forming sprawling encampments outside the outpost despite the worsening weather. Gale-force winds carried biting grains of sand, making survival in the open an ever-growing challenge. Among the chaos, a sand boat sliced through the desert storm, its sleek hull gliding over shifting dunes with remarkable speed. As it approached the outpost gates, the boat’s occupants—acolytes clad in light but durable robes—leapt down with practiced efficiency. Their determined expressions betrayed a singular purpose as they moved into the fortress, scanning the bustling crowd for someone specific. Klea hovered above the scene, her flowing robes rippling in the wind as she surveyed the chaotic landscape. Her mission was twofold: deliver a situation report on the last batch of refugees to the commanding officers and, more importantly, find out if Emery had made it through the portal. Her search was met with crushing disappointment. Not only had no one seen Emery, but she also learned of an attack on the outpost that had occurred barely an hour ago. The news sent a chill down her spine. The exodus mission—their lifeline for moving people off this doomed world—had been thrown into disarray. The teleportation gate, their most critical asset, was now unusable. Overhead, a massive elven warship prowled the skies, its menacing presence halting all operations. Klea’s anxiety deepened as she listened to the harried explanations of the officers. The grand magus in charge of the outpost had been gravely injured in the attack, and the identity of their assailants remained shrouded in mystery. Her mind churned with concern for Emery, knowing he was out there facing enemies connected to the same shadowy force behind this chaos. The outpost was a mess. Refugees were panicked, tensions were high, and unrest was spreading like wildfire through the crowded corridors. People shouted, pushed, and jostled for answers and assurances that no one seemed able to provide. Klea clenched her fists, frustration bubbling beneath her composed exterior. She couldn’t focus on these civilians—her thoughts were consumed by the gnawing fear for Emery’s safety. She knew how dangerous his mission was, especially against someone linked to the mysterious Khaos entity. Despite the turmoil unfolding around her, Klea could think of nothing else but finding him, ensuring his safety, and offering whatever help she could. But as her thoughts raced, Magus Surri’s presence suddenly reminded her of her duty. The acolytes were needed. The people in the outpost were on the verge of panic, and Klea’s duty to them had not yet ended. She closed her eyes, taking a deep, steadying breath, and a sigh escaped her lips as she resolved to trust in Emery’s strength, as she always had. The acolytes, spurred by her commanding presence, quickly moved to their tasks. Some helped organize the growing influx of refugees, while others assisted in patching up the injured or distributing meager supplies. Klea watched them for a moment, her expression unreadable, before turning her gaze to the horizon. He’ll make it back, she thought, clinging to a thread of hope. He always does. #### Citadel City "Found you!" Talaro’s grim expression softened into a sinister smile, his voice cutting through the din of the city like a blade. Emery felt the weight of Talaro’s gaze pierce through him, and there was no time for hesitation. In an instant, he shed his disguise, his body surging with power as he bolted. His figure blurred into motion, a streak of desperation weaving through the chaos around him. But before he could even take his second stride, the air around him warped unnaturally. Reality bent and twisted, collapsing inward like an invisible cage tightening around him. A crushing force seized Emery, locking him in place. The suffocating aura was both familiar and dreadful—it was Talaro’s spatial prison, the very spell that had annihilated his clones with merciless precision. Caught in its grip, Emery’s body froze, but his mind did not falter. He immediately channeled his energy, resisting the overwhelming confinement. Strain etched across his face as he struggled to break free. Watching from above, Talaro chuckled darkly. "Haha! No matter how gifted you are, you’re still just a magus..." His amusement was palpable as he observed Emery’s apparent futility. Talaro approached Emery with an air of absolute confidence, his steps unhurried and deliberate. The captured elves were released, their bindings dissipating as they scattered, instinctively creating a clear path for their captor. Talaro’s gaze locked onto Emery, stopping just a few paces away; his smirk faltered. There was something off. Emery wasn’t struggling with brute force against the spatial prison. Instead, his hands moved with deliberate precision, weaving a counter-spell. The intricate energy mirrored the very essence of the trap itself, unraveling it from within. The air around Emery began to shimmer, vibrating with tension before an audible crack rang out. The spatial construct splintered like fragile glass, shards of energy scattering in all directions. Explore more at empire Talaro’s confidence evaporated, replaced by wide-eyed disbelief. "HOW?!" A sly grin played on Emery’s lips. "Let’s just say I’ve had some experience with this." This wasn’t a fluke. It wasn’t just the clones’ destruction that had taught Emery about Talaro’s spatial magic. Within his domain prison, he had another spatial expert—Rhyze, the Void Warden—who had mastered a similar art of confinement: the maze-like Eternal Prison spell. Emery had envisioned this scenario during his desperate flight, refining his countermeasure with every step. And now, against all odds, his gamble had paid off. The shattered remnants of Talaro’s prison drifted away, fading into nothingness. Emery didn’t pause to revel in his triumph. He struck with lightning speed, his Void Blade shimmering with destructive energy as it materialized around his claws. Talaro barely had time to react. Emery’s strike tore through his defenses, the blade sinking deep into his unprepared figure. SPLAATTT!

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