Return of Tower's Phantom-Chapter 45 – Blue Flame Waltz

---

Crimson Ballroom – Now Drenched in Ash and Fire

Blue fire surged across the obsidian floor, licking the walls, consuming starlight chandeliers. Guests screamed, vanishing in bursts of static—mere illusions. The only ones left were the chosen few... and the Executioner.

The Blue Executioner stood tall in robes of scorched midnight, his face hidden behind a broken porcelain mask. Chains of blue flame coiled from his wrists, moving like vipers.

> [Rank: Cataclysm-Class Executioner] [Designation: Enforcer of the Ninth Flame] [Objective: Erase Rael from the Timeline]

Rael raised his blade. "Time assassin, huh?"

Selene unsheathed twin sabers. "Guess we're dancing after all."

---

The Dance of Death

> [Skill Activated: Moonblade Dual Flow – Second Form] [Skill Activated: Chrono Sync – Clone Integration Level 37%]

Rael and Selene moved as one, their weapons singing through the smoke.

The Executioner attacked in pulses—flashes of time-reversal and soul-burning flame.

"Don't let him rewind you!" Selene shouted, deflecting a blow that split the floor.

Rael stepped forward, eyes glowing silver. "Then I'll anchor myself."

> [Passive Triggered: Anchor Soul – Lock current timeline for 8 minutes] [Warning: Any death within this period will become absolute]

The air shimmered. The Executioner snarled behind his mask.

Rael smirked. "Now we're on equal footing."

---

Flashback – Clone Vault, 3 Days Ago

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.

Rael stood before a suspended chamber. Inside floated a body identical to his current form—eyes closed, breath frozen.

"Not yet," he had whispered, placing a hand on the glass. "But when the time comes... I'll need you."

> [Third Clone Integration Delay Set: Trigger at 82% synchronization]

---

Present

Selene caught a strike aimed at Rael's back, spinning with grace and rage.

"You still don't trust me to guard your blind spot?"

"I do," Rael said softly, slashing through a chain. "That's why I let you."

The Executioner snarled. "Your bond is weakness."

Selene's eyes narrowed. "No. It's what makes him unstoppable."

Together, they moved again—this time in perfect unity.

> [New Duo Skill Unlocked: Lunar Chain – Blade Link Strike]

---

Final Strike – The Last Waltz

Rael closed his eyes. Memories flooded him.

Lyra's sacrifice.

Selene's rage.

His own guilt.

He opened them—and for a second, the third clone shimmered around him like a ghost.

> [Synchronization Reached: 82%] [Third Clone Temporarily Unsealed – 6 Minutes Remaining]

Blue lightning erupted from Rael's body.

He dashed forward with inhuman speed, chaining together moves that hadn't been seen since his first life.

"Chrono Rend: Spiral Execution."

Selene followed, timing her strike.

"Lunar Fang – Final Cut."

The Executioner screamed as both attacks collided in his chest.

Time cracked.

Reality trembled.

> [Target Erased] [Timeline Preserved]

---

Aftermath

The ballroom returned to silence. The fires died.

Rael collapsed to his knees, breathing hard.

Selene knelt beside him, placing a hand on his cheek. "You burned too much energy."

"...Worth it," he murmured.

Above them, a lone feather drifted down—silver, tinged in flame.

Rael caught it, his expression unreadable.

"She's still buying us time."

---