Chapter 224: Plans, Power, And The Price of Survival

Kane’s hands dropped from Cyrus’s hair.

"You spent weeks hiding from this." His voice came out flat. "Brought me to this island to keep me safe. Now you want to do exactly what Elias planned?"

"The circumstances changed—"

"Because I’m dying?" Kane pushed back, putting space between them on the cool tile. "So your solution is to hand Elias everything he wants on a silver platter?"

Cyrus remained kneeling, shoulders rigid.

"The Crystal’s power could stabilize your core. Purge the synthetic compound before it destroys you from within."

"Or it could consume us both." Kane’s nine tails lashed against the floor. "You said yourself the ritual requires dragon blood, all five shards, and a vessel. Last time anyone tried this, the Spirit Realm collapsed."

"I’m aware."

"Then why—" Kane’s breath caught as understanding slammed into him.

"Because I couldn’t think of anything else."

Cyrus’s voice came out raw, stripped of every carefully constructed defense.

"I’ve spent decades analyzing variables, calculating outcomes, and maintaining control." His hands curled into fists against his thighs.

"But this? There’s no strategy. No clever solution hiding in ancient texts."

Crimson energy sparked uselessly around his fingers.

"I’ll tear realms apart if it saves you." The words emerged flat, absolute. "Burn everything to ash if that’s what survival requires."

Kane’s breath caught.

"It’s the only thing I have control over," Cyrus continued, meeting Kane’s stunned gaze.

"I can give Elias the Roaring Shard. Let him think he’s won. We forge the Eternal God Crystal together—but on our terms, not his."

His jaw was set with terrible determination.

"We use its power to purge the synthetic compound destroying your core. Stabilize your spirit energy permanently." Crimson eyes burned brighter.

"Maybe even channel enough divine essence to hatch the egg safely."

Kane opened his mouth and closed it.

Cyrus leaned forward, one hand catching Kane’s jaw.

"Tell me you have a better plan."

The challenge hung between them—desperate, furious, unwavering.

Kane’s mind raced through the implications.

Desperate. Reckless. Exactly what Elias would predict.

"He wanted this." Kane’s voice came out hollow. "That’s why he let us walk out of the facility."

Cyrus’s grip on Kane’s jaw tightened fractionally.

"Explain."

"Think about it." Kane pulled back enough to meet crimson eyes directly. "Elias had us. Complete control. Enhanced wolves, containment fields, synthetic compounds pumping through my veins."

His nine tails curled tight against his sides.

"But he didn’t kill me. Didn’t destroy the egg. He just... let us leave."

The pieces clicked with horrible clarity.

"He knew the compound would degrade. Knew I’d get sick." Kane’s laugh came out bitter. "Knew you’d do anything to save me."

Cyrus’s expression remained carved from stone, but something flickered behind the crimson.

"So he’s counting on me bringing him the Roaring Shard." The dragon’s voice dropped to something dangerous. "Expecting me to crawl back, desperate and willing to cooperate."

"Yeah." Kane swallowed hard. "Which means whatever you’re planning, he’s already three steps ahead."

Cyrus’s lips curved into something too sharp to be called a smile.

"We let him forge it first. Play along with his resurrection protocol." His thumb traced Kane’s jawline with deliberate calm. "Then we take the Crystal before he can use it."

Kane stared.

"That simple?"

"Yes."

"You’re insane." Kane pulled back, amber eyes wide. "How are you even planning to pull that off? Elias isn’t going to just hand over god-level power after assembling it."

Crimson energy flickered around Cyrus’s fingers.

"I’ll find a way."

"Right. Sure." Kane’s tails lashed against the tile. "And how exactly are we supposed to find him in the first place? The BSA’s been hunting Elias for weeks with zero results. He’s off-grid, completely untraceable."

Cyrus stood in one fluid motion, offering Kane his hand.

"He’ll come to us."

Kane took the offered hand automatically, letting Cyrus pull him up.

"What makes you so confident?"

"Because Elias wants me to bring him the Roaring Shard." Cyrus’s grip tightened. "Which means he’ll surface the moment he senses I’m ready to cooperate."

Kane’s stomach dropped.

"You’re going to use yourself as bait."

Cyrus didn’t deny it.

Kane studied the dragon’s expression—that familiar, infuriating mask of calm determination.

"You’re seriously going to dangle yourself in front of a psychotic wolf spirit who’s already kidnapped me once." Kane’s voice came out flat, resigned.

"It’s the most efficient approach."

"I hate that I understand your logic." Kane stretched, rolling tension from his shoulders as nine silver tails swished behind him. "I’m worried, but... I trust you."

The admission settled between them, heavier than any spell.

Cyrus’s expression softened fractionally.

Kane sighed, glancing toward the balcony where bioluminescent waves still glowed in the distance.

"Shame our vacation’s getting cut short." His amber eyes tracked back to Cyrus. "Guess we’re flying back to Feilun tonight?"

"Not necessarily."

Kane’s ears perked.

Cyrus moved to the obsidian egg case, fingers trailing across its surface.

"We can lure Elias here. To the island."

"Here?" Kane’s tails stilled. "Why would he—"

"This island sits on an ancient nexus point." Cyrus’s voice took on that lecturing tone Kane had learned to recognize.

"The volcanic chamber beneath us channels primordial energy directly from the realm boundaries. Exactly the kind of power source needed to forge the Eternal God Crystal."

Kane’s breath caught.

"You’re saying this is the perfect ritual site."

"More than perfect." Crimson eyes met amber. "I’ll let Elias come to me. Let him believe he’s discovered my secret location through his own intelligence network."

Cyrus’s lips curved into something predatory.

"I’ll even let him take the Roaring Shard himself. Make him feel like he’s winning."

Kane stared at the dragon standing before him—calculating, dangerous, and absolutely terrifying when properly motivated.

"You’ve already thought this through, haven’t you?"

"Every detail."

Kane hated how easily he believed him. How much he wanted to. Kane’s nine tails swished as he stepped closer.

"What can I do?"

Cyrus’s crimson gaze swept over him—assessing, calculating.

"Rest. Conserve your energy." His hand came up to cup Kane’s cheek. "The compound is already destabilizing your core. Pushing yourself will only accelerate the degradation."

"That’s it?" Kane’s ears flattened. "Just sit around while you orchestrate everything?"

"Yes."

"Absolutely not." Kane caught Cyrus’s wrist. "If we’re doing this together, I’m helping. Tell me what you need."

Cyrus’s expression shifted—something fond breaking through the strategic mask.

"Think of fun things to do on the island." Cyrus’s thumb traced Kane’s cheekbone. "Ones that don’t involve kayaking or exploring volcano caves."

Kane’s ears twitched.

"You’re benching me with resort activities?"

"I’m asking you to stay alive." Cyrus leaned closer.