The battlefield was no longer recognizable as land.
What had once been a vast stone valley had been reduced to fractured earth, floating debris, and rivers of molten rock cutting through frozen scars. The sky above trembled, clouds spiraling unnaturally as if reality itself was being pulled toward a single point of destruction.
At the far edge of the battlefield, Shadow struggled to stand, his body supported by Willson and Vista. Cris knelt nearby, bloodied but conscious, while Glenda clutched her staff tightly, eyes wide with disbelief.
They had been seconds from death.
Until Bolan and Gel arrived.
Two figures descended from the distorted sky—one wrapped in swirling void-black energy that bent space around him, the other glowing with crackling plasma light that hissed and roared like a living storm.
The King Rank Beast roared in response.
Its massive body towered above the battlefield, obsidian scales layered with glowing crimson veins. Its presence alone crushed the air, forcing even experienced warriors to their knees. The creature's eyes burned with intelligence—not rage, but confidence.
It had just evolved.
Stability Stage.
Shadow clenched his teeth."…That thing… it's different now."
Bolan stepped forward, his boots grinding against shattered stone. The void around him deepened, swallowing light itself.
"Get them out of the combat zone," he said calmly, though the pressure of the beast weighed heavily even on him.
Gel cracked his neck, plasma sparks dancing along his arms."Tch. Stability Stage already? Damn thing doesn't waste time."
The Beast laughed.
A deep, echoing sound that shook the ground.
"HAHAHAHA!""So these are the ones who dared interrupt my evolution?"
Its voice was monstrous, yet disturbingly articulate.
Bolan's eyes narrowed.
"Gel," he said quietly."This won't be easy."
Gel grinned, though sweat traced down his temple."Since when has it ever been?"
Ascension Activated
The air exploded.
Bolan raised one hand, void energy surging violently outward.
"VoidShade Ascension — Mid Stage."
Darkness erupted around him, not shadow—but absence, as if the world had been carved away. Gravity twisted, space warped, and fragments of terrain were pulled toward him before being crushed into nothingness.
Simultaneously, Gel slammed his foot into the ground.
"Plasma Ascension — Mid Stage!"
Lightning screamed through the battlefield. Plasma coils wrapped around his arms, his veins glowing electric blue as energy output skyrocketed. The air burned, ionized instantly, making every breath painful.
The Beast's grin widened.
"Oh? Two Ascended beings? How delightful."
It took a single step forward—and the ground collapsed beneath it.
The pressure alone sent shockwaves rippling outward.
Gel's eyes sharpened.
"Bolan," he said, voice steady but urgent."I'll charge a Plasma Canon. I'll need time."
Bolan nodded instantly.
"I'll hold it."
Gel inhaled deeply.
"One shot. Full power."
Holding the Impossible
Bolan spread both arms wide.
The void behind him condensed, forming a massive black sphere—a miniature gravitational singularity.
"Blackhole Compression Field."
Space screamed.
The King Rank Beast suddenly felt its movement slow, its massive body dragged backward by invisible force. The ground beneath it caved in, stone pulled upward instead of down.
The Beast snarled.
"What is this…?!"
Bolan's teeth clenched as veins of dark energy spread across his skin.
"Gel," he shouted, strain evident now."Make it fast. I can't hold this thing for long!"
Gel was already moving.
Plasma gathered at his palms, forming a growing sphere of condensed energy. The air around him vibrated violently, arcs of lightning snapping outward, scorching the ground.
The sphere grew larger.
Denser.
More unstable.
His arms trembled.
"Just… a few more seconds…"
The Beast roared, forcing its way forward inch by inch.
"You think THIS can restrain me?!"
Its muscles bulged, scales cracking as raw power erupted outward. The blackhole field distorted wildly, threatening collapse.
Bolan growled.
"Damn it…!"
Gel's eyes burned with determination.
"This is it."
He pulled his hands apart, shaping the plasma sphere into a focused barrel of pure energy.
"HAAAAARGHHH!!!"
"PLASMAAA CANOOOON!!"
The beam erupted.
A pillar of blinding blue-white plasma tore through the battlefield, vaporizing everything in its path. Mountains in the distance were erased instantly, reduced to glowing ash.
The beam struck the Beast head-on.
The explosion was catastrophic.
Light engulfed the world.
Sound vanished.
For several seconds, nothing existed but brilliance.
When the light finally faded, the battlefield was silent.
Bolan released the blackhole field, dropping to one knee, breathing heavily.
Gel staggered backward, smoke rising from his arms.
"…Did we get it?"
Dust settled slowly.
The King Rank Beast stood.
Its laughter echoed once more.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Shock froze everyone in place.
The Beast lowered its arm.
A burn mark scarred its scales—but it was shallow.
Minor.
Gel's eyes widened in disbelief.
"No… that's impossible."
His voice shook.
"I used 70% of my total output…!"
The Beast flexed its fingers.
"Pathetic."
Bolan forced himself to stand.
"…Stability Stage," he muttered grimly."This thing's power exceeds Tier 3 Ascension — even Late Stage."
He looked at Gel.
"In a one-on-one, even an Ascension Late Stage user would die."
Gel clenched his fists.
"Then we don't have time."
His gaze hardened.
"If this thing evolves again…"
"…Even the Clan Ancestors wouldn't stand a chance," Bolan finished.
The Beast tilted its head.
"Oh? Planning something desperate?"
Bolan exhaled slowly.
Then smiled.
"Yes."
Lava erupted beneath Bolan's feet.
At the same time, freezing mist engulfed his body.
Two opposing forces.
Lava and Ice.
"Elemental Tier 2 Cycle Ascension — Dual Alignment."
The ground cracked violently as molten rock surged upward, instantly flash-frozen into jagged crystalline structures.
Gel's eyes widened.
"You're really doing it…?"
Bolan nodded.
"Lava and Ice Fusion."
The air howled as conflicting energies collided, forming a terrifying equilibrium.
"I'll unleash a large-scale attack," Bolan said."You lock it down."
Gel grinned fiercely.
"Roger that."
Gel raised both hands.
Plasma exploded outward, forming a massive spherical prison around the Beast.
"Thunder Barrier — Absolute Lock!"
Lightning slammed into the Beast from all directions, paralyzing its movements. The creature roared in fury, muscles spasming under the relentless electrical assault.
"You insects…!"
Bolan raised his arms.
The fused elements spiraled violently above him.
Lava burned white-hot.
Ice glowed azure blue.
The energy compressed until reality itself began to fracture.
"Gel," Bolan said quietly."Now."
Gel braced himself.
"Finish it."
Bolan's voice thundered across the battlefield.
"VOLCANIC FROST BURST!!"
The explosion was apocalyptic.
A massive wave of fused fire and ice detonated outward, engulfing the Thunder Barrier entirely. Lava and absolute zero collided, creating a reaction that shattered space itself.
Light brighter than the sun flooded the battlefield.
The shockwave tore through the land, flattening everything for miles.
Shadow shielded his eyes.
"…This power…"
When the explosion finally subsided, the battlefield was gone.
In its place—
A massive crater.
At its center, the King Rank Beast lay motionless, its body encased in shattered crystal and solidified magma.
Silence.
Bolan collapsed to one knee.
Gel dropped beside him, breathing hard.
"…Did… we do it?"
The Beast twitched.
Once.
Then—stillness.
Bolan exhaled slowly.
"…We stopped it."
For now.
The land trembled softly beneath their feet.
At the far horizon, distorted light flared and faded intermittently—violent pulses of power echoing through the fabric of the world itself. Even from this distance, the aura of battle sent chills through the air, pressing against the souls of those who sensed it.
Elder Suyun stood at the forefront, his white robes fluttering despite the absence of wind. Beside him were Floryn, Mervis, and Mey, each wearing expressions of deep concern as several figures emerged from the broken terrain ahead.
"They're there," Mey said softly.
Without hesitation, they moved.
The moment they reached the survivors, Floryn froze.
Her breath caught.
Her heart shattered.
"Shadow…"
Her son lay on the fractured ground, blood staining his clothes, his breathing shallow and uneven. His once steady aura flickered weakly, like a dying flame.
Floryn dropped to her knees.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"My son…" her voice trembled."What… what happened to you?"
She reached out, trembling fingers hovering over his chest, feeling the instability within his elemental core.
Without delay, Floryn released her full power.
"Elemental Restoration — Ascension Cycle."
A radiant green-gold light enveloped Shadow and Cris, weaving through flesh, bone, and shattered meridians. The air warmed instantly, filled with life essence so dense it caused even nearby plants to sprout.
"Hold on," Floryn whispered desperately."You both must endure."
She glanced briefly at Willson.
"Willson, wait for a moment—"
Willson immediately shook his head.
"It's alright, Lady Floryn," he said firmly despite his injuries."I can endure this much. Please… focus on Young Master first."
His gaze never left Shadow.
"His condition is far worse."
Floryn clenched her teeth and nodded.
The healing light intensified.
Shadow stirred.
Though unconscious, his lips moved faintly.
"…I must…""…become stronger…"
The words were barely audible.
Yet they pierced Floryn's heart like blades.
She closed her eyes, tears falling silently.
As the healing continued, Vista stepped forward, bowing respectfully.
"Elder Suyun," she said, voice steady despite exhaustion."I will report everything that happened."
Suyun nodded slowly.
"Speak."
Vista inhaled deeply.
"When we arrived, Cris had already activated Elemental Fusion Vessel. The Beast evolved rapidly—far faster than expected. Its aura rose violently."
She clenched her fists.
"Glenda and Willson arrived to restrain it, buying time. Then… Lord Gel and Lord Bolan descended."
Her voice carried a mix of awe and fear.
"The battle escalated beyond anything we've witnessed."
Suyun's eyes darkened.
"So it truly evolved…"
He sighed.
"The evolution speed of that King Rank Beast…" Suyun said slowly."…is terrifying."
His voice hardened.
"This cannot be allowed to continue."
Everyone turned to him.
"The strength of a King Rank Beast at Stability Stage," he continued,"…is only slightly below an Elemental Tier 3 Half-Step Transcendent — Early Stage cultivator."
The words struck like thunder.
"To be precise," Suyun said calmly,"Only someone who has remained in the Half-Step Transcendent Early Stage for several years can defeat such a beast with ease."
Silence fell.
"If I were to face it alone," Suyun added quietly,"I could destroy it… but I would suffer extremely fatal injuries."
Shock rippled through the group.
Even Glenda widened her eyes.
"Even you… Elder?"
She stepped forward.
"Then… even if Willson and I use Elemental Fusion Vessel together—"
Suyun cut her off.
"No."
His tone was firm.
"That Beast is far beyond your reach."
He turned to Glenda and Willson.
"You both possess only one elemental at Tier 3."
His gaze sharpened.
"Do you truly believe you could defeat such a creature with a Tier 2 Elemental Fusion Vessel?"
His eyes flicked toward Cris.
"Look at your companion. He exhausted everything he had—yet the Beast still lived."
"And not only that," Suyun continued,"…it evolved further."
His voice echoed heavily.
"Only Elemental Fusion Vessel Tier 3, below the realm of Half-Step Transcendent, can defeat such a Beast with ease."
He paused.
"You all know this, don't you?"
Glenda swallowed.
"The strength gap between Ascension Cycle Late Stage and Half-Step Transcendent Early Stage…"
"…is only one step," Suyun finished.
"But that single step…"
"…is a chasm."
Glenda hesitated, then spoke.
"I understand that, Elder Suyun," she said respectfully."But… if someone is only one step away…"
Her eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"…could they defeat a Half-Step Transcendent Early Stage opponent if they possessed a powerful artifact?"
Suyun burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha!"
His voice echoed loudly.
"No," he said, shaking his head."Even with that single step, the gap remains enormous."
He looked toward the distant battlefield.
"Half-Step Transcendent is not a realm you reach through hard work and resources alone."
His expression grew solemn.
"It requires precision. Tempered will. Vast experience."
"…and countless battles between life and death."
"Only then," he said softly,"can one take that step."
Willson clenched his fists.
"Elder," he asked carefully,"if Half-Step Transcendent is already so difficult…"
"…then what about Transcendent itself?"
Suyun fell silent.
For a moment, even the distant explosions seemed to quiet.
"The Transcendent Realm…" Suyun finally said.
His eyes reflected ancient memories.
"…possesses the power to destroy half of Planet Zerath."
Everyone inhaled sharply.
"I do not know much," he admitted."That power last appeared thousands of years ago."
He looked skyward.
"When Clan Verdic still had its ancestor…"
"…Verdic."
"During his era," Suyun said quietly,"Zerath was at peace."
Glenda and the others were transfixed.
"Then…" Glenda asked softly."Does Elder know why such a powerful being… disappeared?"
Suyun shook his head slowly.
"I do not know the full story."
"These are merely whispers passed down by ancient elders after Verdic's era ended."
He narrowed his eyes.
"Some say… Ancestor Verdic was defeated."
"By an Outer Realm Cultivator."
The words felt heavy.
"I do not fully understand what that means," Suyun admitted."But Ancestor Zouyu and Ancestor Kinlin might."
"They originated from the Fifth Ancestor Era and still live today."
"They are now the Ninth Ancestors of their respective clans."
"If anyone knows the truth…"
"…it would be them."
Suddenly—
BOOOOOOM!!
A violent explosion tore through the sky.
The shockwave surged toward them like a tidal wave of destruction.
Suyun reacted instantly.
"Blizzard Barrier!"
A wall of icy wind and condensed frost erupted outward, intercepting the impact. The ground cracked beneath the force, but the barrier held.
Suyun narrowed his eyes.
"This aura…"
His expression turned serious.
"It's Bolan's power."
He exhaled slowly.
"I can feel it. Bolan and Gel are engaged in a fierce battle."
It was then that Willson took a step forward.
His expression was firm, yet his eyes carried deep anxiety.
Without hesitation, he lowered himself to one knee.
"Elder Suyun," Willson said solemnly."May I ask for one request?"
The moment his knee touched the ground, everyone turned toward him in surprise.
Elder Suyun did not look shocked.
Instead, his gaze softened slightly, as if he had already foreseen this moment.
"You wish for me to help your master," Suyun said calmly.
Willson's body stiffened.
His eyes widened.
For a brief moment, it felt as if his very thoughts had been laid bare, read effortlessly by the elder before him.
"…Yes," Willson admitted quietly.
Suyun let out a faint chuckle.
"You need not worry so much."
Then, his expression shifted—solemn, ancient, and heavy with history.
"Tell me," Suyun continued, his voice echoing softly,"have you ever heard of the legend known as the Twin Destroyers?"
At those words—
Everyone fell silent.
Those who were born in the current era felt a strange familiarity stir within their memories.
It was a name they had heard as children.
A name whispered in stories, spoken with awe… and fear.
The Twin Destroyers.
A legendary pair whose combined strength was said to defy all logic.
When they fought together, their power was so overwhelming that even the great clans took notice. In fact, some major clans had issued strict orders to their young geniuses of that era—
If they ever encountered the Twin Destroyers…
They were to retreat immediately.
No battle.
No pride.
No hesitation.
Run.
Elder Suyun's voice broke the silence.
"In their era," he said slowly,"the Twin Destroyers were terrifying beyond reason."
His eyes grew distant, recalling memories long buried.
"So terrifying that countless clans envied the clan that gave birth to such geniuses."
He turned his gaze toward Willson, Vista, and Glenda.
"Do you know who those two were?"
No one answered.
Suyun smiled faintly.
"They were Bolan Verdic…"
"…and Gel Ordix."
Shock rippled through the group.
"Their strength when fighting together," Suyun continued,"was utterly unreasonable for their cultivation level at the time."
He shook his head in disbelief, even now.
"They defeated countless geniuses from major clans—again and again—whenever they fought side by side."
"At that time," Suyun said quietly,"Clan Verdic was believed to be on the verge of rising once more to its former glory."
His gaze sharpened.
"And even now, the great clans continue to watch Clan Verdic closely…"
"…because those two still exist."
He turned fully toward Willson.
"So do not worry," Suyun said with absolute certainty."They will be fine."
"Even a King Rank Beast at Dominant Stage…"
"…could be defeated if they were to unleash their full power."
Willson's clenched fists slowly loosened.
Relief washed over his face.
Suyun then added calmly—
"When they were younger, I once attempted to spar with them."
Everyone's attention snapped back to him.
"I nearly exhausted every technique I had mastered," Suyun said, his tone half-amused, half-serious.
"I had to release my full strength…"
"…just to barely defeat the two of them together."
The group stared at him in disbelief.
Barely.
Against two people who had not even reached their current level at the time.
Vista swallowed hard.
With visible nervousness, she finally spoke.
"Then… Elder Suyun," she asked hesitantly,"if Lord Gel and Lord Bolan were to activate Elemental Fusion Vessel…"
"…would they be able to defeat you?"
For a moment, Suyun was silent.
Then he smiled.
"We never reached the point of using Elemental Fusion Vessel in that battle," he replied.
"But if we had…"
He paused, choosing his words carefully.
"It would not be an exaggeration to say…"
"…that I would be the one to lose."
The admission struck like lightning.
"The strength of an Elemental Fusion Vessel," Suyun explained,"depends on how much power the body can endure…"
"…and how long that power can be sustained."
He narrowed his eyes.
"With their level of control…"
"…they could endure it slightly longer than I could."
He exhaled slowly.
"That is precisely why the great clans no longer dare to provoke Clan Verdic so openly."
His gaze turned toward the distant horizon, where faint distortions of power still lingered.
"As long as those two remain…"
"…Clan Verdic is never truly without protection."
Silence followed.
Not the silence of ignorance—
But the silence of understanding.
The revelations spoken by Elder Suyun hung in the air like an invisible weight, pressing down on everyone's chest. No one spoke for a long moment, as if even breathing too loudly would disturb the fragile balance of reality they had just been shown.
Slowly, the healing light around Cris dimmed.
His breathing stabilized.
However, the exhaustion carved deep into his body and soul could not be erased so easily.
Floryn gently withdrew her hands, her expression solemn.
"He is safe," she said softly."But his strength… it cannot return all at once."
She looked at Cris with maternal concern.
"You will need a long period of rest. Your power must be recovered gradually."
Cris exhaled deeply, forcing himself to sit upright despite the lingering pain.
"Thank you… Lady Floryn."
Then his gaze turned toward Elder Suyun.
"Elder," Cris said seriously,"that creature… its power was different."
Everyone turned to him.
"It could absorb mana stones from its own kind," Cris continued."When I fought it, I was close to winning."
His fists clenched.
"But then… two other beasts arrived. High Rank."
His eyes darkened.
"The moment it devoured them and absorbed their mana stones, everything changed."
He swallowed.
"That was how it evolved so quickly."
The air turned cold.
Elder Suyun's pupils shrank.
Cold sweat formed along his brow.
"That…" he whispered."That is a Rare Species."
Everyone froze.
"It was written in the ancient records of Clan Verdic," Suyun continued slowly, his voice heavy."There exist ancient beasts with exceptionally high intelligence."
He raised his head, eyes sharp.
"And their ability to observe battles, adapt, and evolve…"
"…allows them to grow at an absurd speed."
His voice trembled slightly.
"The records also state that some individuals of this species have reached…"
"…Emperor Rank."
The name alone sent chills through the group.
Willson's face paled.
"Emperor Rank…?" he asked, fear evident in his voice."Wasn't that the highest rank ever recorded in history?"
Suyun nodded grimly.
"Yes."
He closed his eyes briefly, as if recalling ancient horrors.
"During the war between the people of Zerath and the Beasts…"
"…the Beasts were led by an Emperor Rank, already at Stability Stage."
He opened his eyes.
"That creature alone was enough to overwhelm cultivators at Elemental Tier 3 Transcendent Early Stage."
The group fell into stunned silence.
"But…" Suyun added slowly,"I once read ancient tablets left behind by old ancestors."
"There are ranks above Emperor."
Everyone stiffened.
"Legendary Rank," he said."And… Mythical Rank."
Willson's throat went dry.
"Then… Elder," he asked carefully,"could someone at Transcendent Peak Stage defeat such beings?"
Suyun hesitated.
"To be honest…No" he said quietly,"But there are records that speak of power above the Transcendent Cycle itself."
He shook his head slightly.
"I cannot confirm whether that information is true."
Then he straightened.
"For now, all of you should return to the palace."
His gaze turned toward the distant battlefield.
"I will go and see whether Bolan and Gel require assistance."
The battlefield was unrecognizable.
What had once been solid land had transformed into a massive basin—like a lake devoured by molten lava, its surface still glowing faintly red.
At its center stood two figures.
Bolan and Gel.
They hovered above the devastation, eyes locked onto the remaining form of the Beast.
The King Rank Beast… was barely recognizable.
Half of its body had been annihilated.
Its regeneration struggled to keep pace, blackened flesh slowly knitting together under immense strain.
Yet even in such a state, its eyes burned with hatred.
"DAMNED HUMANS!!" the Beast roared."I WILL ERASE YOU BOTH!"
Gel scoffed.
"Heh," he said mockingly."A beast with half its body gone still dares to talk big."
Bolan's expression remained calm—but deadly.
"Gel," he said,"We must finish this now."
Gel's smile faded.
"You mean… that combined power?"
Bolan nodded.
"Yes. I haven't used it in a long time."
He glanced at the crater below.
"And its impact is far smaller than my previous attack."
Gel frowned slightly.
"Then we'll need to lock it down first."
"Exactly," Bolan replied."I'll restrain it with VoidShade."
The Beast's regeneration slowed even further—Bolan's earlier attack had inflicted damage far beyond ordinary healing.
Bolan and Gel floated closer.
Their auras surged.
Fire.
Wind.
Water.
Three elemental currents spiraled together, forming a violent vortex of power.
Then—
Bolan's void energy expanded outward.
"VoidShade — Absolute Lock."
Space warped violently.
The Beast froze in place, its movements completely sealed.
Its eyes widened in panic.
"What—?!"
Gel raised his hands.
"Now."
Together, they released their power.
"Twin Burst Canon."
The attack was compressed, its destructive spread minimized.
A single, devastating beam shot forward.
Straight.
Precise.
Unavoidable.
The Beast let out a final, enraged scream before its body shattered completely—reduced to nothing but scattered fragments of energy.
Its mana stone fell.
Bolan caught it effortlessly.
The battlefield finally fell silent.
Bolan examined the stone.
"If we sell this," he said casually,"It'll cover the cost of constructing defensive barriers."
Gel chuckled tiredly.
"Worth the trouble, then."
At that moment—
"Hahahaha!"
Elder Suyun approached, his presence calm yet imposing.
"I watched your battle," he said warmly."I knew you two would win."
Gel shook his head.
"This King Rank Beast was abnormal."
Suyun nodded.
"Because it was a Rare Species."
He sighed.
"That's why I hurried over. I feared it might evolve again."
Bolan frowned.
"If it had evolved further…"
"…we wouldn't have been able to stop it," Gel finished.
Return to the Palace
They walked toward Ordix Palace, exchanging quiet words along the way.
When they arrived—
They saw Shadow, resting on the bed.
After some time, his eyes slowly opened.
"Shadow," Bolan said gently."Are you alright?"
Shadow nodded weakly.
"I'm fine, Father… just some parts still hurt."
"Rest," Bolan said firmly."We have matters to discuss."
Bolan, Gel, Elder Suyun, Floryn, and Mervis left the room.
Only Mey remained.
She approached the bed hesitantly.
"Shadow… how's your arm?" she asked softly."I'm sorry I couldn't help when you went to hunt that Beast."
Shadow smiled faintly.
"It's fine," he said."It's my fault. I misjudged the Beast's strength."
They spoke quietly.
Then Floryn returned.
"Mey," she said kindly,"You did your best by calling for help."
She turned to Shadow.
"You must thank her. Without Mey, I might have arrived too late."
Shadow looked at Mey seriously.
"Thank you," he said."You saved me."
Mey nodded.
Floryn continued.
"Shadow, your condition is improving."
"But we will return to Clan Verdic."
"There are matters unfolding there."
"You should prepare. We leave in a few hours."
"Yes, Mother," Shadow replied.
As Floryn left—
Mey hesitated.
"You're leaving…" she said softly."Can I help you pack?"
Shadow blinked.
"Of course."
As they packed—
Mey spoke quietly.
"I'll become stronger," she said."So one day… I'll defeat you."
She looked at him seriously.
"So don't get lazy."
Shadow chuckled.
"I won't."
"We'll meet again, right?" Mey asked.
"Yes," Shadow replied."Maybe five years… maybe ten."
"During the selection for the next Clan Leader."
Mey smiled.
"Then promise me," she said."That you'll remember—I'll defeat you someday."
Shadow laughed softly.
"I promise."
Hours later.
They gathered.
Goodbyes were exchanged.
Shadow, Bolan, and Floryn departed toward Clan Verdic.
Far away—
Unseen forces stirred.
And in Clan Verdic…
Something awaited them.
Something that would change everything.