Soon after the Venomspike Crawler emerged, dozens of smaller centipedes—just like the monstrous one—started pouring out of the ground, their numbers rapidly multiplying.
Four assassin's started casted fire magic to keep the centipede coming towards them.
"Oi, Aamon! Evacuate that side of the palace!" Aeon shouted.
Aamon turned sharply, furious. "How dare—" But he stopped himself, realizing the lives of innocents came first.
"Hold it until I return," Aamon ordered and rushed off.
"Like we have any other choice," Aeron muttered grimly.
"We hold it off until everyone gets out," Aeron said to Allesio, eyes fixed on the monstrous creature.
"You four—form a circle around the hole," he barked at the assassins. "Don't let any of those things escape. Push them back in."
The Venomspike Crawler suddenly launched at Aeron and Allesio. Both jumped in opposite directions just in time, as the creature lunged at them. The chain still bound to them snapped taut, yanking the beast mid-motion and slamming Aeron and Allesio into the air. The impact left a deep scratch on its head—but the chain held strong.
"Damn, what the hell is this chain made of?!" Aeron grunted as he was mid, air hanging by the chain.
The beast shook its head violently, tossing them aside like rag dolls. They slammed into a nearby pillar.
"Can you make it charge toward you?" Allesio suggested, panting.
"Heh? Are you serious?" Aeron asked, but deep down, he trusted him.
Aeron picked up a few pebbles and hurled them toward the crawler's eye. The stones hit one of the eye, and with a furious screech, the creature stormed toward him.
Allesio seized the moment. As the crawler passed by, he leapt onto its head, slashing down with all his might—but his blade shattered on its thick shell.
"It's too strong! My sword's won't do any damage" Allesio growled.
Aeron stumbled as he tried to move and fell to the ground. The crawler lunged, jaws wide open—but a sudden shimmering barrier appeared between them. The beast slammed into it, breaking through, but the delay was enough. Aeron rolled out of the way just in time.
Breathing hard, Aeron turned—and saw Advisor Tharok standing nearby.
"You… saved me?" he asked, surprised.
"Don't get the wrong idea," Tharok said flatly. "We're short on hands, and that thing must die."
"Then undo this damn chain! Let us fight freely!"
"That, I can't do," Tharok replied coolly.
"Tsk. Figures." Aeron scowled.
The crawler shrieked and violently shook Allesio off its head. The force of the chain yanked Aeron across the ground again.
"I swear I'm going to rip this chain off with my teeth!" Aeron yelled.
"Do you know any way to stop it?" he asked Tharok desperately.
"No. But if I did, I wouldn't be here watching you flail around."
"I hate you so much," Aeron muttered.
Suddenly Aamon returned. "The palace is evacuated."
"Good. Now evacuate the ballroom and send reinforcements," Aeron ordered quickly.
"You piece of filth. You think you can order me around? Even if you kill that creature, you're still a traitor in our eyes," Aamon hissed.
"I know that," Aeron said, surprisingly with a smile.
He turned to Tharok. "Can you use offensive magic?"
"No. Only defensive and support."
"Support?"
"I can enhance your speed and stamina."
Aeron grinned. "That's exactly what I need."
Tharok placed a hand over their chest, chanting briefly. Aeron and Allesio felt a surge of energy through his limbs.
"Let's go!" Aeron shouted and charged. Grabbing a large rock, he hurled it into the crawler's eye, blinding one side. The creature shrieked and went wild, charging after Aeron.
He and Allesio led the beast through the palace halls. It crashed into pillars and walls, roaring in frustration. The damage piled up until one side of the palace collapsed on top of it.
"Did we get it?" Aeron asked, chest heaving.
"No," Allesio said, eyes narrowing.
The ground trembled again. With an ear-splitting roar, the Venomspike Crawler burst out of the rubble, more furious than ever.
"Damn it!" Aeron hissed.
Suddenly, waves of fireballs slammed into the beast from the side, halting its charge. A dozen clones of Zorayel surrounded it, attacking in perfect synchronization.
Julian appeared, leaping forward, and slashed deep into a crack in the creature's shell with his broken sword. Aamon followed, sprinting across its back, slicing from tail to head with an overheated blade. The shell cracked open slightly, but not enough.
The beast screamed and thrashed, lowering its head.
King Zarkhul struck next, aiming for its skull—but his sword shattered on impact.
Screeching in agony, the crawler lunged at them one final time.
Then—boom.
Its head exploded. The massive creature collapsed, twitching one last time. Slime splattered over everyone.
"…Who killed it?" Zarkhul asked, blinking in disbelief.
"That's the second time today," Julian muttered.
Noticing the distraction, Allesio whispered, "Let's go!" and tried to slip away with Aeron.
But Aamon stepped in front of them. "Where do you think you're going?"
The four assassins vanished into the shadows again.
"That face…" King Zarkhul squinted at Allesio. "Looks familiar…"
Julian, still dazed from the chaos, turned toward Aeron. "Why are they calling you a traitor?"
Aamon approached with his sword drawn. Tension filled. Everyone stood on edge.
Then a voice whispered in Aeron's mind—soft, clear, commanding.
"Close your eyes."
Aeron froze, eyes wide.
"Close your eyes!" he shouted to Allesio. Both obeyed.
Darkness engulfed the entire area. Everyone else was plunged into absolute blackness.
"What's happening?!" Julian asked.
"Light!" Zorayel shouted, casting a spell—but it had no effect. The darkness remained.
Aeron could feel it—that same dark energy from before.
He and Allesio opened their eyes again.
A boy stood before them. Calm. Mysterious. His black hair, and his eyes were still, like a quiet ocean. He wore noble robes—white with gold trim, lined with ancient runes that shimmered faintly, a long flowing coat fluttering slightly as if in an unseen breeze.
He looked about their age.
"Follow me," he said, voice calm but urgent.
That voice—it was the same one that spoke to Aeron.
"Who are you?" Aeron asked.
"We don't have time," the boy replied and turned away.
Without hesitation, Aeron and Allesio followed him into the darkness.
"Stop them!" Aamon screamed.
But the moment they vanished, the darkness dissolved. Light returned.
"…Tsk. They escaped again," Aamon hissed.