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Chapter 25 - chapter 25: The Fall Beyond the Border

At the edge of a steep cliff, hidden by layers of fog and pine trees, Jack, Necros, and Ryū carried the unconscious bodies of Leo and Ardy, their footsteps quiet, their expressions grim.

They had crossed miles since the last battle—wind stinging, blood drying, breath short.

Suddenly, both Leo and Ardy stirred.

Their eyes opened at the exact same time.

Leo groaned, forcing himself upright. Ardy blinked and—pretended he was still unconscious.

Jack raised a brow. "He's awake. I can see his muscles flexing."

Leo stood, rubbing his face. "So… what's next?"

Jack glanced forward. "We have the map. We have all the stones."

Necros added, "Only thing left is to recover. Then we break the seal... and free our lord Erabus."

Jack turned to Leo. "By the way, where's the stone? You had it, right?"

Leo reached into his pocket. "Yeah, it's right h—wait. What?!"

He froze. His hand trembled.

"It's not here… It's not with me—"

Jack narrowed his eyes. "Did you lose it?"

Leo stammered, "I… I'm going to find it. I'll retrace everything."

Jack placed a firm hand on Leo's shoulder.

"Not now. First, we all recover. You're bleeding everywhere."

Leo looked down. Cuts lined his arms, his ribs ached. He nodded reluctantly.

"Don't worry, Leo," Jack said. "Everything will be fine."

Leo's gaze shifted to Ardy. "Why is he here?"

Jack replied, "We found him next to you. Didn't want to leave him behind."

But before anyone could speak further—Ardy suddenly flipped up and kicked Necros in the face, sending him sliding down the gravel.

Jack stepped back. "You stole the stone from Leo?"

Ardy smirked. "So you figured it out. Yeah. That was me."

Leo's fists clenched. "Give it back."

Ardy pulled out the stone and tossed it toward Leo. "Here. Take it."

Everyone stared, stunned.

Ardy stood tall, breathing steadily.

"I want in."

Jack raised an eyebrow. "In?"

"I want to join you. Not because I agree. But because I… I also want to save someone. I want her back."

Jack stared at him, then shrugged. "Fine. Welcome to the team."

He stepped toward Ardy to take the stone—but Ardy spun, kicked Jack in the chest and shouted, "Go to hell!"

Then—he jumped off the mountain cliff.

Leo screamed, lunging after him—but Jack grabbed his wrist, stopping him mid-leap.

"NO!"

Leo flailed, eyes wide, heart pounding.

"He'll die!"

"No," Jack said, panting. "This is the border. The divide between Humans and Elves."

Leo froze.

Jack continued, "If he crossed over, he's now in the Kingdom of Elves. And I believe those Elves will either kill him, eat him, or sell him as a slave."

Leo's jaw clenched. "Then let's go after him."

"We can't. If we follow… we won't survive."

Leo collapsed to his knees, eyes hollow.

They turned away from the cliff—toward the dawn. The mountain wind whispered as the team disappeared into the haze.

---

Somewhere Behind…

Ruka, sprinting through forest paths, was tracking footprints and fragmented branches. She had left the capital behind, refusing recovery—choosing instead to chase the only one she refused to lose.

Her father, Lord Raizan Akagiri, and his butler followed behind silently, guarding her as she led through the shadows.

"Ruka," Raizan said quietly, "you could have stayed."

"I can't," she replied. "Ardy's out there. I won't let him be taken."

Branches snapped underfoot. Her speed increased.

The wind carried the whisper of his name.

---

Ardy's Landing

Far below the cliffs, Ardy slammed into the forest floor.

His shoulder shattered. Ribs cracked. His breath hitched.

"Ugh…"

He tried to rise—his arms buckled.

Then—an arrow zipped past his head, grazing his ear.

He rolled desperately behind a tree.

Voices followed.

"DON'T MOVE!"

Three male Elf soldiers surrounded him, bows drawn.

Their eyes were sharp, their armor glimmering with silver leaves.

One shouted, "Captain! We've found someone!"

Footsteps echoed.

From behind a thick vine wall, their captain emerged—tall, poised, and cloaked in ornate armor.

She removed her helmet.

Long emerald hair flowed freely. Her face glowed with moonlight.

And then—her nose started to bleed.

"Why is this boy so hottttttttttt?!"

Her soldiers blinked. "Captain?!"

She wiped her nose and gave a… smile. A creepy one.

"I'm fine. Perfectly fine…"

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