ONLINE: Blades of Eternity-Chapter 292: THE FINAL PHASE

Kelvin's grip tightened around his dark scythe as his vision tunneled toward the First Magi. His knuckles whitened as rage surged through him, his body trembling with barely contained fury. He had waited for this moment for so long, and now, with the battlefield cast in chaos, with flames roaring in the sky and the fissure expanding ever further, the time had finally come. His chance to strike, to fulfill the vow he made to his late sister.

"Hmm?"

The First Magi, as if sensing the murderous intent, slowly turned his head. His dark, ancient eyes met Kelvin's seething glare, and for a moment, the entire world seemed to quiet. Then, a slow, condescending smirk curled onto the First Magi's lips. He was amused.

That expression alone sent Kelvin over the edge.

Meanwhile, in the VIP section, Elena sat motionless, her violet eyes scanning the battlefield with increasing concern. Chaos reigned across the coliseum, with screams of terror filling the air as spectators trampled over one another, desperate to escape the pandemonium. The royal guards had already rushed to her and Lysander's side, urging them to leave at once.

"Your Highness, we must retreat immediately," one of the guards insisted, his voice firm yet urgent. "This battlefield is to chaotic for you to observe!"

But Elena wasn't listening. Her gaze had locked onto Forbes, Kaelen, and Vice Chancellor Reeves. They stood firm in the face of Kael Dragonyx and his right-hand man, bracing themselves for what would undoubtedly be a vicious battle. At the same time, her father, Alen, was locked in an intense staredown with the Kelvin Bowel whom his entire body is radiating pure bloodlust. The sight of it all sent her heart hammering in her chest.

'No…' she couldn't leave. Not now. Not when the fate of everything hung in the balance.

"I'm staying," she said, her voice steady, resolute.

The royal guards balked. "But, Princess—"

"I said I'm staying," she repeated, this time firmer. "I want to see this to the end."

Lysander, who had remained silent, finally exhaled a weary sigh. "Then I'll be leaving," he stated, adjusting his pristine military coat. Unlike Elena, he had no intention of staying in a situation that was spiraling toward outright devastation. "I trust you'll be wise enough to retreat should things take a turn for the worse."

Before he could take another step, however, a slow clap echoed through the air, halting everyone in place.

A figure materialized before them, exuding nothing but smug arrogance. His golden eyes gleamed with amusement, and his lips curled into a knowing grin as he regarded them with utter confidence.

Alden.

"Well, well," he drawled, placing a hand on his hip. "Trying to leave already? Now, that wouldn't be very fun, would it?"

Elena's breath hitched as the air around them suddenly felt heavier, more suffocating. Lysander scowled, his posture shifting into one of instant caution. The royal guards instinctively reached for their weapons, but Alden merely chuckled.

"What do you want, Alden?" Lysander asked with a cautious look on his face.

"No need to be so tense," he mused, taking a casual step forward. "I just figured this would be a wonderful opportunity for a little… conversation." His golden eyes locked onto Elena's, glinting with something unreadable. "After all, wouldn't you like to know how this all ends, Your Highness?"

Lysander narrowed his eyes at Alden, trying to decipher the true meaning behind his words. "What exactly do you mean by that?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

Alden chuckled, folding his arms as he looked at Lysander with an air of amusement. "Oh, come now. You're one of the brightest minds in Aetheris, surely you can piece it together," he said smugly. "Your dear father, King Alexandria, is planning to usher in a new era—one that will redefine the balance of power across all races. And what better way to achieve that than to bring back an Eternal?"

The words hit Lysander and Elena like a thunderclap. Lysander's eyes widened in sheer disbelief, while Elena gasped, clutching the edges of her seat. "You… you can't be serious," Elena stammered. "Bringing back an Eternal? That's madness! You're all supporting this?!"

Alden's smirk deepened as he casually nodded. "Of course. Why wouldn't we? The rewards for assisting in such an endeavor will be beyond imagination. Power, knowledge, dominion—everything one could ever desire."

Lysander, however, wasn't swayed by Alden's words. His thoughts raced, his mind reeling from the implications. If what Alden was saying was true, then this was no mere power struggle. This was something far more dangerous. "You fool," he muttered under his breath, his expression darkening. "You have no idea what you're tampering with. The Celestials will never allow this. If an Eternal returns, their wrath will be swift, and Aetheris will suffer."

Alden waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, come now, Lysander. Always the scholar, always thinking about the past. But what if the Celestials no longer have the authority they once did? What if the true order of Aetheris was never meant to be in their hands?" He took a step closer, lowering his voice. "The magic of Pandora, along with certain... irreplaceable elements, will ensure our success. There's no turning back now."

Elena's heart pounded in her chest. "What irreplaceable elements?" she demanded. "What else is King Alexandria using to accomplish this insanity?"

Alden merely chuckled again, his expression unreadable. "Now, now, Elena. Some secrets are best left undisclosed—for now."

Lysander clenched his fists. He could see the conviction in Alden's eyes, the unwavering belief in their actions. He wasn't just a pawn in his father's plans—he was a willing participant. "You've all gone mad," Lysander finally said. "If this continues, you won't be ushering in a new era. You'll be bringing back the dark ages."

Alden simply smiled. "That depends on your perspective. Now, are you going to stand in our way, or are you going to witness history unfold?"

Lysander's jaw tightened as he faced Alden, his mind racing. He chose his words carefully, his voice steady despite the unease creeping up his spine. "I have no business in whatever suicidal plans my father is concocting. If he wishes to doom himself, let him do so alone."

Alden's smug smile only widened. "Oh, but you do, dear prince. You're not just a part of this—you're essential."

Lysander frowned. "What?"

Before he could process Alden's words further, a sharp gust of wind sliced through the air. Blood splattered across the floor as the five elite guards surrounding Lysander and Elena collapsed, lifeless, their bodies hitting the ground with sickening thuds. The scent of iron filled the air.

Elena let out a choked gasp, stepping back instinctively as her hands trembled. "No... no, no, no!" she stammered, her voice breaking.

Lysander's breath caught in his throat. His father's knights—warriors who had sworn their lives to protect him—had just been slaughtered like insects. His legs weakened, and he took an involuntary step back. His fingers clenched into fists. "What... what are you doing, Alden?!"

Alden advanced with slow, deliberate steps, his expression serene as if he had just performed a mundane task. "For this grand plan to succeed, we require three types of blood. One who is one with darkness, one who wields all elements, and one with the light. You, dear prince, are the last piece of the puzzle."

Lysander felt his blood run cold. The words slammed into him with the force of a tidal wave, his heart hammering wildly in his chest. His father... his own father was behind this? "That... that's insane. Surely, he wouldn't..."

Alden chuckled, the sound drenched in mockery. "Ah, poor Lysander. You still believe he cares for you? The only reason you were even given the title of Crown Prince was because our dear king wanted you to live your short, pitiful life however you pleased... before he took it back."

Lysander's vision blurred as the reality settled in like a thousand knives stabbing into his chest. His father had been preparing him not for rule, but for slaughter. He was nothing more than a pawn—a sacrifice for a ritual far beyond his comprehension.

His breath hitched as Alden lunged forward, his blade a blur. Lysander barely had time to react. He reached for his weapon, but it was too late. A flash of pain erupted in his abdomen. His body froze.

Warm blood trickled down his robes. He staggered, his fingers weakly grasping at Alden's arm. His knees buckled, and he collapsed, his body wracked with agony. He tried to speak, but only a gurgle of blood escaped his lips.

Alden leaned in, whispering in his ear. "Sleep, prince. You were never meant to see the future."

With a final, cruel twist of his blade, Alden ripped the last remnants of life from Lysander's body, letting him slump onto the cold marble floor. The once-proud prince—now nothing more than a lifeless husk.

Elena's scream echoed through the coliseum, a sound of pure anguish that resonated into the chaos around them. But Alden merely stood over the body, watching the blood pool beneath it with a satisfied smirk.

"And now..." he muttered, eyes gleaming with dark amusement. "The final phase begins."