Chapter 11 – Crushed Dreams

Kaiser’s Perspective:

I will never forgive Kiel for hurting Celia. She trusted him—she thought of him as a friend. She opened herself up to him, and what did he do? He treated her like a monster. He tortured her. And worse—he planned to kill her.

Celia was harmless. She couldn’t protect herself—they knew that. And yet, they tortured her. Tortured her, like she was nothing more than a thing to be broken. And that is something I can never, never let go.

Kiel will regret every single moment of it. Every damn second. He will beg for mercy, but I won’t show him an ounce. Not a single bit. I will make him feel every shred of pain, every ounce of suffering he put her through.

I will make him scream. I will make him beg. And when he does, I’ll watch him burn under the weight of what he’s done. He won’t escape it—not even in death. He will drown in it. Every wrong he’s done will be felt, over and over, until he begs for his end.

This isn’t just anger. This is a promise.

The rage burned through me. Hotter than any flame. Darker than any curse. It twisted my thoughts and dragged me deeper into it with every passing second. I couldn’t stop it. I wouldn’t stop it. Not when it came to her. Not when I could still feel the ghost of her pain.

I will break him. I will make Kiel’s existence so painful, so unbearable, that he will wish he had never been born. Every breath he takes will remind him of the suffering he’s caused.

The rage was overwhelming. The pressure built with each step. I clenched my fist so hard that my nails dug into my palm. My teeth ground together, and I bit my lip until I tasted blood. But I didn’t care. I couldn’t care.

I needed to distance myself from her. I couldn’t let my emotions cloud this. I couldn’t let my fury be her undoing. Slowly, I took a step back, keeping my eyes on Kiel and Ronan. Each footstep a deliberate separation from Celia, maintaining the space. This fight was mine, and I wasn’t about to let anything distract me from making him pay.

Kiel and Ronan separated, running in opposite directions around me. They’re splitting up… again?

I tracked their movements, eyes shifting between them. The rhythm of their steps was frantic, a sign of their desperation.

I knew what they were doing. Like before, they were trying to use Celia as a shield—again. A hostage to trap me. They thought it would work, just like last time.

I couldn’t help it. As they made their move, I let out a laugh—cold, sharp, and filled with a twisted understanding. It sliced through the tension, sending a shiver down their spines, and for a brief moment, I saw the stunned look in their eyes.

“You think you can escape me?” I taunted, my voice low and full of malice. “Think again.”

They didn’t stop, though. Even with my laughter ringing in their ears, they kept running, determination written across their faces. But I could see it—the fear in their eyes, the uncertainty that lingered just beneath their resolve. They knew they couldn’t outrun me forever.

Without hesitation, I bolted toward Ronan, my feet barely touching the ground. I was running as fast as the wind.

Kiel’s attack on Celia no longer mattered. She would be fine. She would be safe. And Kiel? He would never lay another hand on her—not as long as I was still standing. I would make sure of it, personally.

In the blink of an eye, I was on Ronan. My speed was unmatched—he couldn’t even track my movement. His eyes barely registered my approach before I closed the distance between us. His disbelief was clear, but it was too late. My sword flashed through the air like lightning, and I forced him into a defensive stance. His hands trembled as he struggled to raise his weapon to block.

Just as my blade was about to make contact, the ground beneath us shuddered violently, and a crack split the earth. A surge of heat exploded from the fissures, sending waves of scorching air over me. Ronan’s voice cracked through the chaos, his desperation evident as he began chanting.

“Flare of the heavens, descend and annihilate! Leave nothing but embers—Solar Cataclysm!”

In an instant, the ground ignited. A massive phoenix erupted from the flames, its wings unfurling with a deafening roar. The beast was enormous, its form a wall of blazing fire, scorching everything in its path as it rose into the sky, roaring in fury.

I had no time to dodge. My sword clashed against the phoenix’s fiery barrier with a violent clang, the impact forcing me back, a shockwave rattling my body. The heat seared through my clothes, biting into my skin, and I could feel my flesh burning beneath the flames. But I wasn’t done yet. Not yet.

The phoenix roared, a deafening screech that vibrated through the air like a living weapon. Its molten eyes locked onto me with an intensity that could burn through stone. It was no mere creature—it was a force of nature, a raging inferno that had been summoned with the sole purpose of ending me. Its wings flapped, sending blasts of scorching wind and heat, and the ground trembled under its power.

Ronan’s expression was pure pride, his chest swelling as the phoenix charged, its fiery form an impenetrable wall of death between us. He thought nothing could outspeed it. He thought his victory was inevitable.

I couldn’t let him think that.

In the blink of an eye, the phoenix launched a flurry of attacks, each one coming at me like an unstoppable wave of destruction. Fireballs rained down, molten feathers shot like projectiles, and blasts of heat erupted from the ground itself. I dodged and weaved, my body a blur as I narrowly avoided each deadly strike.

The first wave of fire exploded just inches from my shoulder, the heat licking at my skin, but I was already in motion, rolling to the side, avoiding the second blast by mere inches. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and burning flesh as the third and fourth attacks came—raging streams of flame that I dodged by twisting through the air, my feet barely touching the ground as I used every ounce of agility I had to stay alive.

I could feel the pressure mounting—each moment that passed made it harder to avoid the phoenix’s strikes. The fire was faster now, sharper. The air around me crackled with the intensity of its fury. It was relentless.

Five. Six. Seven attacks in just a matter of seconds, each one more deadly than the last. I was running out of space, out of time. My heart pounded in my chest, my movements faster, more desperate. But I wouldn’t stop.

With one final, powerful push, I forced myself forward. The phoenix dove in, its wings spreading in an explosion of flame, but I was already moving—dashing straight at Ronan with everything I had. I was gambling it all on my speed, my reflexes, my will to survive.

Ronan’s eyes widened in shock as I closed the distance, but the fire wasn’t done yet. The phoenix unleashed one final surge of flame, a last-ditch attempt to stop me, but I was faster. I slid beneath it, my body barely grazing the searing heat as I rushed toward Ronan.

Fear replaced his pride in an instant. His face twisted in shock and disbelief as he realized I wasn’t finished. That’s when I knew—he was too slow, and his precious phoenix would be too late.

I leaned in, my sword hovering above his head, the tip of it brushing against his skin. His breath caught in his throat, panic flooding his eyes.

“That’s right, Ronan,” I whispered, my voice as cold as the blade in my hand. “I win.”

And with that, I was going to end it.

But then, I felt it. A shift in the air—something cold, something darker. A presence I hadn’t anticipated. It slithered into my senses, a whisper in the wind, a dark murmur that crawled up my spine like ice.

“From the pit of torment, tear them asunder—Vengeful Grasp!”

The words hit me like a bolt of lightning, tearing through the air with a force that sent a chill down my bones. I barely had time to react before the cursed vines erupted from the earth beneath me, their jagged thorns tearing through the ground with unnatural force.

The earth trembled as the curse spread, and I saw the vines surge toward me, faster than anything natural could move. They didn’t just lash out—they hunted, like they were tracking my every move, anticipating my next step.

Instinctively, I raised my arm to shield myself, but it was too late. The vines struck with ruthless precision. The thorns dug deep into my flesh, their jagged edges cutting through my body and skin with terrifying ease. The pain exploded through my body, sharp and relentless—a curse that burned like fire and froze me to the bone all at once.

I was flung back, my body crashing into the trunk of a nearby tree. The bark splintered under the impact, and I felt the sting of every inch of it as I crumpled against it. A wheeze escaped my chest, but there was no time to breathe. The vines weren’t done.

They twisted around me, coiling tighter with every movement I made. Each time I struggled, each time I tried to break free, they tightened their grip—squeezing the life out of me. The curse seeped into my veins, cold and suffocating, draining me, stealing my strength.

My sword—my only defense—slipped from my hand, falling uselessly to the ground. Panic surged through me, but I fought it down. I couldn’t let them win. Not like this.

The weight of the curse pressed down on me, its pull growing stronger. I could feel my body growing weaker, my vision starting to blur, the pain settling into something more distant, more… final.

No. I wouldn’t let it end like this. Not today.

I could feel the vines tightening around me, their cursed thorns digging into my flesh, their grip pulling me deeper into the earth. The pain shot through me in waves, unbearable, but I wasn’t going to give in. Not like this. Not when I had a promise to keep.

The memory of Celia’s words burned in my mind, fueling my fury. She stood tall when they tried to break her, protecting me when I couldn’t even protect myself. She had believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself.

“I will fight by his side. He didn’t need to risk his life for me, but I will.”

Her words echoed through me, strengthening the resolve that was quickly growing in my chest. She would never give up on me. And I’d be damned if I gave up now.

I roared, slamming my fists into the cursed vines, each blow driving through them with all the fury I could summon. The pain flared with every strike, but I wouldn’t stop. My hands bled, my body screamed, but I was relentless. These vines—these cursed things—had no idea who they were dealing with.

They responded with more violence, lashing out and slamming me back to the ground. The shock of the impact rattled through my bones, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. Not now.

I pushed myself up, my feet slipping in the mud as the vines latched onto my legs, dragging me back down. Again and again, they slammed me to the ground, their grip stronger each time, but I fought.

“Not today,” I snarled through gritted teeth, digging my fingers into the earth.

My vision blurred with pain, but I couldn’t afford to fall. I wouldn’t. I pulled against the vines, my muscles burning with every inch of progress. My strength was slipping, but I could still feel Celia’s resolve, her belief in me.

“I will fight by his side.”

With a final, desperate heave, I tore through the vines, one by one. The cursed thorns bit into my hands, but I didn’t care. I tore them apart until the grip on me loosened, until the vines lay broken at my feet.

I dropped to my knees, gasping for air, my hands shaking, blood dripping from my palms. The pain was unbearable. But I didn’t care.

I wasn’t going to die here. Not today.

I would make them pay for everything they’d done to her. I would keep my promise. And I would never let her down.

I didn’t realize but blood was dripping down from my eyes. It burned, but I didn’t care. The world around me was a blur, but my focus was sharp, and I could feel the presence of death in my eyes. I locked eyes with Ronan and Kiel, and they stopped dead in their tracks. Their faces twisted in fear.

They can feel it, I thought. The rage. The desire for vengeance.

They both took a step back.

My eyes. I will not lose this fight. I will make them regret ever crossing me.

Celia screamed my name, her voice laced with worry. “Kaiser! Are you okay?”

I forced my lips into a smile, my voice shaky but cold. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about me, Celia.”

Lies. All lies. My bones felt like they were cracking under the pressure. My body was on the verge of collapsing. Every inch of me screamed in agony. But I would not stop. I would not show weakness.

I was the weakest adventurer in the world. I had no magic. No gifts. Nothing. I’m just weak…

But I would still fight. I will fight for her.

Celia’s hands were gentle as she pulled me up, her strength and determination filling the air around us. Ronan and Kiel were talking in the background, too busy discussing their next move to notice Celia’s careful touch.

Ronan’s voice reached my ears, filled with curiosity. “Why didn’t you kill Celia when you had the chance, Kiel?”

Kiel hesitated, his voice faltering. “I… I was about to… But then I saw Kaiser about to kill you. I had to use my cursed magic to save you.”

Ronan’s eyes narrowed, a deep, unsettling silence falling between them. “You had so many chances, Kiel… Why didn’t you do it? Why hesitate?”

His voice was cold, but there was a flicker of something else—something darker—as he stared at Kiel. “You could’ve ended it already.”

Kiel’s jaw clenched, but his voice softened with a rare hint of guilt. “I’m sorry. I… I didn’t want it to be like this.” But that moment passed quickly. His eyes hardened as he straightened up, his arrogance returning with a deadly edge. “I’m done holding back.” His voice dropped to a dangerous growl. “Now, I’ll use my full potential. You think you’ve seen power? You haven’t even begun to understand true destruction.”

Ronan met his gaze, a twisted smile spreading across his face. “You’d better, Kiel. Finish it. For both our sakes.”

Kiel’s eyes burned with fury as he nodded. “No more mercy. I’m done playing nice,” he spat, his words dripping with malice. “Let’s end this, Ronan. And when we’re done, nothing will be left but their ashes.”

They spoke for a few more seconds, but I couldn’t hear them. The words were drowned out by the weight of my thoughts. Kiel… He could use wind, fire, ice, and now cursed magic. He was dangerous. More than dangerous. He was an A-rank adventurer. Far above my level. Far beyond anything I could ever hope to match.

Ronan wasn’t much better. He had mastered higher-level elemental magic—B-ranked spells that could wipe me off the face of the earth in an instant.

I clenched my teeth, biting my lip until it bled again. My hand curled into a fist, nails digging into my palm until it almost hurt more than the pain in my chest.

I can’t do this… I can’t beat them… The thoughts clouded my mind. It’s impossible.

Then, her touch. Celia’s hand wrapped around mine, warm and firm. She looked at me with those eyes—eyes that saw more than just my weakness.

Kaiser, I believe in you.

Her voice was quiet, but I heard it clear as day. “I know you will win.”

She forced a smile. It was weak. I could see it in her eyes. She was trying to hide her fear, trying to cheer me up, to make me believe in myself.

I couldn’t let her down.

I’ve done nothing to stop them. Nothing to save us. Every time, I’ve only lost. And each defeat feels worse than the last. Yet, despite all that, she still believes in me. Instead of turning away, instead of giving up on me like everyone else, she’s here. She’s staying by my side.

How can I let her down now? How can I keep losing, when she’s holding on to me with that fragile hope?

I won’t—

I will win. I will.

I might be the weakest adventurer in the world, but I had one thing they didn’t. I had her.

I squeezed her hand tighter. The fire in my chest ignited, burning away the doubts, burning away the pain.

I’ll win for her.

And if I had to sacrifice everything, then I would. For her. For us.

This isn’t over. Not yet. I will make them pay. And they will regret every moment they spent thinking they could break me.

My vision blurred, my body felt broken—but my resolve burned hotter than it ever had before. I would tear through every wall they put in my path. And when I stand victorious, Kiel and Ronan will be nothing but smoldering ruins, wiped from existence.

I will make them beg for death before it comes.

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