Thr Final Phase

Chapter 34 — The Final Phase

The earth continued to split beneath the Bloodline Shrine.

Crimson light poured through the cracks, illuminating the entire forest.

Aether stood at the center of the disturbance, the Unknown Origin Blade held loosely at his side.

The weapon vibrated.

Not from fear.

Recognition.

[Unknown Origin response detected.]

[Source approaching from beneath the shrine.]

[Threat level: Unmeasurable.]

Aether's gaze remained fixed on the opening.

“Everyone, stay alert.”

Lyra stepped beside him, lightning gathering around her fingers.

Nyx crouched low, golden eyes fixed on the darkness below.

The Crimson Fang Wolf stood farther away with her pups behind her.

She wasn't waiting for Aether to protect them.

She was preparing to protect them herself.

The ancient wolf watched the shrine without moving.

Then it spoke.

“The final phase has begun.”

Aether glanced at it.

“What happens during the final phase?”

“The shrine chooses what it will awaken.”

“And if it chooses the wrong thing?”

The ancient wolf's expression became grim.

“Then this entire region will become a graveyard.”

The ground suddenly erupted.

A massive crimson claw emerged.

It struck the edge of the shrine.

BOOM!

The ancient stone structure cracked.

Aether immediately moved.

His blade swept across the incoming claw.

A silver arc collided with it.

The impact forced the claw back beneath the earth.

[Origin Conduction activated.]

[Unknown energy detected.]

[Adaptive Resonance attempting analysis.]

[Compatibility: 7%.]

Aether frowned.

“That's low.”

The ground shook again.

This time, something spoke from below.

“Origin…”

The voice was deep enough to make the trees tremble.

“Return…”

Lyra's expression tightened.

“That doesn't sound friendly.”

“It isn't.”

Aether's sword began glowing.

The ancient wolf suddenly looked toward Nyx.

“Move the beast away.”

Aether immediately understood.

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Nyx's incomplete Origin Mark was reacting to whatever was below.

“Nyx, come here.”

Nyx moved toward him.

The moment she approached, the silver mark on her forehead illuminated.

The ground answered.

CRACK!

A thin silver line spread beneath Aether's feet.

The shrine's crimson light suddenly turned silver.

The ancient wolf's eyes widened.

“The two Origins are resonating.”

Aether looked at Nyx.

“What does that mean?”

“It means whatever is below has recognized both of you.”

Aether raised his sword.

“Then we'll deal with it.”

The ground exploded.

A gigantic creature rose from beneath the shrine.

Its body was covered in black armor-like scales.

Crimson energy flowed between the plates.

Six massive horns curved backward from its skull.

Its four arms each carried a different weapon: a spear, a curved blade, a hammer, and a broken chain.

Its body was so enormous that its shoulders rose above the ancient shrine.

[Analysis failed.]

[Target exceeds current system authority.]

[Origin classification: Unknown.]

[Potential: Unknown.]

[Threat: Unknown.]

The creature slowly looked around.

Then its gaze stopped on Aether.

“You…”

Aether didn't answer.

The creature's eyes moved to Nyx.

“Two fragments.”

Nyx growled.

The creature then looked at the Unknown Origin Blade.

Its expression changed.

“Impossible.”

Aether raised an eyebrow.

“You know it?”

“That weapon was destroyed.”

Aether glanced at the blade.

“It seems someone forgot to finish the job.”

The creature stared at him.

Then it laughed.

The sound shook the shrine.

“You carry the weapon of the Executioner.”

Aether's expression remained calm.

“And?”

“You should have died before reaching it.”

“Didn't.”

The creature's smile disappeared.

“You are carrying something even more dangerous.”

Aether's eyes narrowed.

“What?”

“Yourself.”

The creature raised one hand.

Crimson energy gathered around its palm.

The ancient wolf suddenly moved.

“Do not fight it here!”

Aether looked toward him.

“Why?”

“Because the shrine is still unstable.”

“If I don't fight it, what happens?”

“It will reach the surface.”

The creature released its energy.

Aether immediately understood.

There was no safe option.

He stepped forward.

“Then I'll keep it away from the shrine.”

Lyra moved beside him.

“I'll help.”

Aether looked at her.

“Stay within range. Don't overextend.”

Lyra smiled faintly.

“I'm not planning to.”

Lightning exploded around her body.

Thunderheart Physique activated.

[Thunderheart Physique resonance detected.]

[Lightning Manipulation efficiency increased.]

Lyra disappeared.

BOOM!

Her lightning struck the creature's shoulder.

The creature barely moved.

But Aether was already there.

His sword slashed across its chest.

CLANG!

The blade struck its scales and produced a shower of sparks.

Aether immediately felt the difference.

His attack had connected.

But the creature's defense was absurd.

[Adaptive Resonance.]

[Unknown defensive principle detected.]

[Understanding: 2%.]

Aether stepped back.

The creature swung its hammer.

He dodged.

BOOM!

The hammer smashed the ground.

A crater formed.

Aether used the crater's edge as a foothold and launched himself upward.

The Origin Blade flashed.

This time, the weapon cut deeper.

A thin line appeared across the creature's armor.

The creature looked down.

“You can hurt me.”

Aether landed.

“Apparently.”

The creature's four arms moved simultaneously.

The spear came first.

Aether blocked.

The curved blade followed.

He twisted aside.

The hammer came from above.

He jumped backward.

Then the broken chain shot toward him.

Aether's eyes sharpened.

The chain wasn't aimed at his body.

It was aimed at the sword.

He immediately understood.

The creature wanted the weapon.

Aether's blade vibrated.

[Hostile weapon interference detected.]

[Adaptive Resonance increasing.]

[Synchronization: 3% → 4%.]

The chain wrapped around the blade.

The creature pulled.

Aether refused to let go.

For a moment, neither moved.

Then Aether released the sword.

The creature's four eyes widened.

The blade remained suspended in the air.

Aether's Origin Energy surged.

“Come back.”

The sword flew into his hand.

[Origin Conduction.]

[Adaptive Resonance.]

[Origin Weapon response confirmed.]

Aether swung.

The blade released a silver wave.

The creature raised its arms.

BOOM!

The wave pushed it several meters backward.

Lyra immediately attacked.

“Thunderfall!”

A column of lightning descended from the sky.

The creature roared as electricity spread across its body.

Aether charged through the lightning.

His sword struck the same damaged section.

CRACK!

The armor broke.

Aether's blade pierced through.

The creature staggered.

But instead of falling—

it smiled.

“Good.”

Aether pulled his sword free.

The creature's wound began closing.

“Very good.”

Its crimson energy intensified.

The ancient wolf's voice echoed across the battlefield.

“Aether!”

Aether looked toward him.

“The shrine!”

Aether turned.

The Bloodline Shrine had reached a terrifying level of activity.

[Bloodline Shrine Awakening: 72% → 81%.]

The three bloodline symbols above the Crimson Fang Wolf were changing.

The first symbol burned crimson.

The second became dark red.

The third—

remained silver.

[Bloodline Evolution Trial.]

[Phase Two: Protection.]

[Progress: 27% → 46%.]

[Unknown Path Compatibility: 39% → 58%.]

The Crimson Fang Wolf stared at the third symbol.

Her body trembled.

Not from fear.

From resonance.

The pups behind her began glowing faintly.

Aether noticed immediately.

“The pups are part of the resonance.”

The ancient wolf nodded.

“They are connected to her bloodline.”

The massive creature beneath the shrine suddenly looked toward them.

Its expression became hungry.

Aether's grip tightened.

The creature started moving toward the wolves.

Aether stepped directly into its path.

“You're not going there.”

The creature stopped.

“You protect them?”

Aether shook his head.

“No.”

He raised his sword.

“I protect what matters to me.”

The creature stared at him.

Aether's gaze became cold.

“And right now, you're standing between me and the answers I'm looking for.”

The Origin Blade began glowing brighter.

[Origin Weapon Synchronization: 4% → 5%.]

[New weapon function detected.]

[Origin Severance: 4% → 7%.]

Aether smiled.

“That's enough.”

The creature's crimson aura erupted.

The final battle beneath the Bloodline Shrine had begun.