Dracirr's claws sank deep into Jack's abdomen, a sharp, wet sound echoing through the throne hall. Jack gasped, blood bubbling in his mouth as his knees buckled beneath him. Time seemed to slow. The world went mute for a breath, save for the horrific rasp of flesh tearing.
"Jack!" Athena and Beatrice screamed in unison.
In a blur of motion, Athena lunged forward, her glaive spinning with blinding speed. She struck Dracirr across the shoulder, forcing him to recoil with a snarl. Beatrice followed a heartbeat later, the rapier Jack once lent her gleaming in the torchlight as she stabbed low toward Dracirr's side, forcing the demon noble to leap back, momentarily releasing Jack.
Jack fell to the marble floor, crimson pooling beneath him.
Gasps filled the chamber. The audience—royalty, nobles, guards, and heroes—watched, paralyzed.
"The last hero of Eldoria..." someone whispered. "He's... bleeding out."
The atmosphere shifted. Magic flared. Blades hummed in their sheaths. The five legendary heroes—Natalya, Sophia, Enrico, Austin, and Andre—stood. Their hands gripped hilts, staves, and gauntlets, rage blooming across their expressions.
Even the aging generals, who had once fought in wars long passed, stepped forward. A dangerous tension filled the air, as if the whole hall might explode in a riot of vengeance.
But Athena, battling furiously with Dracirr, shouted over her shoulder, "No one move! Protect the king and evacuate! I repeat, all knights—form a perimeter around His Majesty and the royal family!"
Dracirr laughed, voice like a broken bell. "So this is your kingdom's pride? Blood and trembling fists? Pathetic."
Athena met his gaze coldly. "You'll regret ever setting foot in this hall."
She struck again, her glaive carving arcs of light through the air. Dracirr dodged, claws slashing. Beatrice was on his flank, her movements quick and unrelenting despite still adjusting to the rapier. Sparks flew as their blades clashed, and the marble floor cracked beneath their feet from the sheer force of their skirmish.
Meanwhile, palace guards began escorting nobles out of the hall. Shields raised, mages casting protection wards, and clerics rushed to Jack's side—desperately trying to stop the bleeding.
Beatrice shouted, breath ragged, "Athena! We can't keep this up forever!"
"Just hold until we can move Jack!" Athena snarled, parrying a claw aimed for her throat.
Dracirr hissed, now visibly frustrated. A slash from Athena opened a gash across his cheek, and Beatrice jabbed forward, nicking his ribs.
Behind them, Andre growled. "We're just supposed to stand here and watch this?!"
Natalya, fists clenched, replied, "We can't intervene. Athena's right. If we swarm now, civilians will die. We move when the king is secure."
Back on the battlefield, Dracirr extended his wings and unleashed a shockwave of dark mana, sending Athena and Beatrice skidding back. Dust filled the hall. Pillars cracked. The ceiling trembled.
And Jack—bleeding, but conscious—gritted his teeth, forcing himself to move.
"Not yet... I'm not done..." he muttered, voice trembling.
Dracirr stepped toward him. "Still alive? You're more trouble than you're worth."
But before he could strike again, Athena reappeared in front of Jack, glaive up. "You'll have to kill me first."
The hall was chaos. Firelight reflected off broken marble. Blood painted the floor. And through it all, Jack's vision blurred—yet his mind burned.
Jack slowly stood up, struggling to keep his balance. Behind him, Athena was kneeling, badly hurt. Blood stained her armor, and her breathing was shaky. She had taken hits for him—again.
He gently placed his hand on her shoulder. His bloody palm left a print on her back, a quiet thank you.
Then Jack walked past her, stepping in front of her.
The room froze.
Everyone stared.
He was pale, barely standing, his shirt soaked in blood, but his eyes—his eyes were serious.
"No more," Jack said, his voice shaky. "I won't let anyone else die in front of me."
Athena's eyes widened. "Jack, stop! You can't even move properly. You'll die!"
But Jack didn't listen. He stood like a broken shield between her and Dracirr. One hand held his stomach, blood still dripping. The other hand pointed at Dracirr.
From across the throne room, Beatrice shouted, "Jack! What are you doing?! Don't tell me… you're trying that thing again—like what you did at the camp?!"
Jack looked over his shoulder. "Yeah… I'll try."
"Jack, no!" Beatrice cried. "You're barely conscious! You'll die if you force it!"
Jack took a deep breath.
"If someone has to die here… it should be me," he said quietly. "I brought this demon here. I'm the reason Elara is gone."
That's when Dracirr laughed—cold, loud, confident.
"So you finally admit it," the demon said, stepping closer. "Then die with that guilt."
Dracirr didn't even raise his guard. He thought Jack was helpless.
But Jack didn't back down.
He just prayed silently.
"I know I have this huge mana, and I don't know how to control it. But please… just this once… let me protect them. If any god can hear me, help me… please."
Jack's legs wobbled.
His eyes started to close.
He was about to collapse.
But—
BOOM.
A massive blast of light exploded from Jack's hand.
It was like a cannon of pure magic. The energy beam shot out with a roar, hitting Dracirr before he could react. The demon didn't even get to scream—he was gone in an instant, wiped out like dust.
The blast kept going.
It destroyed part of the castle wall behind Dracirr.
It tore through the floor, then blasted straight outside, leaving a massive hole through the forest. Trees disappeared. The sky flickered.
Everyone in the throne room just stood there.
Speechless.
Stunned.
Jack stood for one more second… then finally collapsed.