Chapter 56 (Part 09)
The chamber lay in ruin. Shattered glyphs glimmered faintly, molten and violet energy swirling like smoke around the Devourer. Extera's wings extended fully, each feather etched with Wordsal runes, burning with quiet, terrifying resonance. The air felt heavy, as if the very laws of reality bent to his presence.
The allies pinned to the ground whimpered, too frightened to move, their eyes wide with horror. Only Alok and Rihan remained standing, hearts racing, chains of gold vibrating softly around Alok's arms, coiling like living fire.
Extera's eyes glimmered with a dark amusement, twin stars of cruelty. "So… it is only the two of you. How… persistent."
Alok stepped forward, his voice low but unwavering. "You've taken everything, Extera. Every friend, every hope… every command you thought you controlled. And yet, here I stand. Because chains may bind the body, but not the will."
Extera laughed softly, wings stirring the smoky air. "Ah… the human who thinks courage alone can rival divinity. Do you even understand what it means to hold true power?"
"I understand more than you think," Alok replied. His chains shimmered, golden energy intertwining with faint violet traces, resonating against Extera's aura. "Power is meaningless without purpose. And purpose… is not yours to dictate."
Extera's grin widened, but a flicker of something curious passed across his eyes. "Purpose? Hah… perhaps. Yet even purpose is… fragile. Easily broken. Like the hearts of those who serve you. Tell me, Wordbearer… why do you fight? For justice? For your friends? Or… for something… greater that you cannot even name?"
Alok's gaze narrowed, unflinching. "I fight because chaos must be guided, and freedom must have meaning. I fight because the Word is not a tool for domination. And I fight because… I cannot stand by while monsters masquerade as gods."
Extera's wings rustled, runes glowing brighter. "Monsters… or pioneers? Tell me, little human, when you look at this world, do you see only suffering? Or do you dream of ruling it? Of shaping it beyond the fragile whims of fate?"
Alok's chains flared, coiling like molten serpents. "A ruler without balance is a tyrant. You may have power, Extera but you lack understanding. You seek more than the Word allows. And that… will be your undoing."
For a moment, the Devourer paused, and the chamber seemed to still. Even the pinned allies dared not breathe.
Extera's eyes glinted with a dangerous curiosity, as though Alok had struck something buried deep within him.
"Interesting," he murmured. "You speak as if you see the threads behind the veil… yet you know nothing of the forces that guide me. Perhaps one day… you will understand. Or perish trying."
Rihan's voice broke the tension, sharp and urgent. "Alok! Don't let him play with your mind! This is what he wants to see you hesitate!"
Alok's chains tightened, a golden halo of Wordsal energy shimmering around him. "I know. And I will not falter. Your Wordsal commands, your illusions, your devoured allies… they mean nothing. Today, Extera, the Word itself bears witness to your arrogance."
Extera's grin returned, wider, darker, almost reverent. "Very well… Wordbearer. Then show me. Show me why mortals dare to defy the Devourer."
The air rippled, violet flames and golden light dancing like living serpents. Gravity twisted around the chamber, stones levitated and shattered, and the walls echoed with the chorus of the Wordsal magic thrumming in Extera's wings.
Alok and Rihan tightened their stances. Every heartbeat synchronized with the pulse of the labyrinth.
Every breath tasted of fire and destiny.
This was no longer a fight for survival.
It was a test of purpose.
And the Devourer… had finally found a challenger who would meet him eye to eye.