From his throne, Zenless stood.
His golden robes fluttered despite the absence of wind. His fan was closed in his hand. His smile — for the first time — was gone.
"You... have been quite entertaining."
He stepped down. One step. Two steps.
Leon tensed.
---
Zenless gave no warning.
He shot forward — faster than they expected. In his hand, golden light began to gather — not fire, not ice, but pure energy gleaming like molten gold.
Nix managed to raise his hand. "Pyre—"
Too late. The golden light shot forth — not a projectile, but like a whip striking Nix's arm.
Nix growled. His hand felt hot — not burned, but like being stabbed by thousands of tiny needles.
"Golden magic..." Nix whispered.
Zenless smiled. "You recognize it?"
"A rare and nearly extinct power of the Mammon nobles." Nix blocked the next attack with his wounded hand. "I haven't seen it in a long time."
---
Leon moved to Nix's side. Kazan on the other side.
"You're not alone," Leon said.
Zenless chuckled softly. Golden light gathered at his fingertips.
"Three against one? That seems unfair to me."
Leon slashed with Lokantaka — Zenless dodged. Not with physical movement. His body was illuminated by golden light — he glided sideways, as if pushed by an invisible force.
"Golden Step."
Kazan attacked from the side — Zenless parried with his fan, but this time the fan also glowed golden, deflecting each of Kazan's slashes without sound.
Nix launched a Solar Lance — Zenless raised his left hand. Golden light formed a thin wall before him. The fire spear struck the wall — and vanished. Didn't explode. Didn't deflect. Vanished.
"Reflector," said Zenless.
They focused. Too focused.
No one saw Mira.
---
In the midst of the battle, Zenless whispered — not to Leon, not to Nix, not to Kazan.
"Heal him, Mira."
Mira jolted. "But—"
"I won't repeat my order."
Mira couldn't refuse. She walked — slowly, trembling — past Leon, past Nix, past Kazan. They were too busy fighting Zenless to stop her.
Mira knelt beside Marcus.
---
Mira placed her hand on Marcus's chest. Green light enveloped Marcus's body.
"Forgive me," she whispered.
Marcus didn't answer.
His wounds began to close. His sliced neck — mending back together. His blood-soaked chest — drying.
"Mira..."
"I'm just following orders."
Marcus stood. His body was still covered in bloodstains, but he didn't stagger.
---
Marcus looked at Mira.
Mira looked back — not afraid, not angry. Just... resigned.
"Thank you," Marcus said.
Mira smiled faintly. "You're welcome."
Suddenly, Marcus's fist struck Mira's chest, piercing through and exiting the other side of her body. No sound. No scream.
Mira fell. Unmoving.
"Two," Marcus whispered.
He knelt beside Mira's corpse. His hand touched Mira's chest. From Mira's body, green light transferred to Marcus's body. His wounds — those not yet healed — began closing rapidly. His chest, his arms, his neck.
"Healing light," Marcus whispered. "Now mine."
---
Marcus stood. Walked — not staggering, not faltering — toward Zenless.
"I'm ready," he said.
Zenless smiled. "Good."
Marcus stood beside Zenless. Two lines — two threats. One with blue fire and physical strength, one with golden magic.
Leon, Nix, Kazan stepped back. They were exhausted. Wounded. Unprepared.
"We... can't..." Nix whispered.
Leon gripped Lokantaka.
"We have no choice."
---
Kazan looked at Nix. "Do we still have the Phoenix blood?"
Nix nodded. "Still."
"Enough to open Xuánhú's seals?"
"Enough."
Leon took a breath and threw the Phoenix blood bottle to Nix. "Then you go."
Nix blinked. "What?"
"Leon and I will hold them," said Kazan. His sword was already drawn. "You open Xuánhú's seals."
"Are you insane?" Nix almost shouted. "Two against two? You're exhausted—"
"We know," Leon cut in. "But there's no other choice."
He looked at Zenless and Marcus.
"We can't win. But we can hold them."
---
Nix bit his lip. He didn't like this plan. But there was no time to argue.
"Don't die," he said.
"You first," Leon replied.
Nix turned. Ran toward the door to Xuánhú's chamber.
Zenless saw. Golden light gathered at his fingertips — a small gleaming spear.
"You won't—"
Leon intercepted. Lokantaka raised.
"I'm your opponent."
The golden spear shot forth — but Leon cut it in mid-air with Dark Edge. Dark and golden energy collided, creating strange sparks.
Zenless raised an eyebrow. "Interesting."
Marcus stepped forward — but Kazan was already before him.
"I'm your opponent."
Marcus growled. "You, in that condition?"
Kazan didn't answer. His sword was already drawn with a dense white aura.
Zenless smiled. "Foolish bravery."
Golden light began to glow around him — not just in his hands, but throughout his entire body. His golden robes fluttered more fiercely. The air around him vibrated.
Leon didn't answer.
Behind them, the door to Xuánhú's chamber opened. Nix entered. The door closed.
Now only Leon and Kazan remained — against Zenless and Marcus.
"Hold the line," Leon whispered.
Kazan didn't answer. His sword was already raised.
=== CHAPTER 36 END ===