The Return of Corey

Among the thoughts of whether to kill or not to kill, a whirlwind of insecurity and overprotection began to form in Grey's heart, like an overflowing river seeking direction. Camellya's face seemed to be a beacon, a light anchoring him to the humanity he still struggled to maintain. Now aware of the dangers of the path ahead, fear invaded him like a deep echo resonating in the caverns of his being. Calm yet increasingly restless, he wondered if he should allow Camellya to continue by his side on that uncertain road. 

He looked at her with doubt, as if searching in her gaze for the answer he could not find within himself. But when their eyes met, she smiled—a faint yet meaningful smile, as if to say that no matter how dark the path, it was inconsequential as long as they were together. Grey's heart raced, and a procession of the worst imaginable scenarios paraded through his mind like shadows in a storm. "What is this distrust I feel?" he thought as he closed his eyelids, letting melancholy and fear settle like a heavy veil.

After a few moments of silent running, they both emerged from the forest, where the foul air seemed to cling to their lungs. As they crossed the boundary where the trees yielded to open ground, an unexpected freshness enveloped them, as if they had emerged from an oppressive dream. They both sighed in unison, a palpable relief that turned into a groan of satisfaction as they breathed in the pure air that seemed to revitalize them.

"I suppose we should head north now," Grey said, his gaze fixed on Camellya as if seeking her confirmation.

"That seems right," she replied, and in a simple yet confident gesture, took Grey's hand. However, their progress was abruptly halted. From within the forest, a figure emerged from the shadows, stalking like a predator finding its prey. Small in stature but imposing in presence, it carried an enormous axe on its back. Grey recognized him instantly.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it, Corey?" the newcomer's deep voice resonated, accompanied by an arrogant smile as he stroked his thick beard. "I didn't expect to see you out of that cave. I thought the magical circles sealing you would last at least another thousand years. It seems I was mistaken."

"You've been following us, haven't you?" Grey retorted, disregarding Robert's mocking tone as he cautiously raised his sword, aiming at his enemy's neck. Every fiber of his being had already analyzed the stranger's movements, detailing in an instant the immense power that still resided within him. Grey knew the truth: he could not win, not even with all his power unleashed as Ryujin.

"It seems you've noticed. Despite those centuries of confinement where your body and abilities should have withered away, you remain a formidable warrior. But I warn you: that won't help you now!" Robert lunged with a roar, drawing his axe from his back with a speed and force that seemed impossible for his size. The blade sought Grey's abdomen, but in a fleeting instinct, he managed to block the blow with his sword, deflecting it just enough to protect Camellya, who had stepped back in terror.

"She has nothing to do with this. Leave her out of it," Grey said, his voice a crucible of determination and plea. Robert snorted, directing his gaze towards the young woman. His expression oscillated between disdain and curiosity.

"Did you forget? Very well then. This will be just between you and me." But Grey felt a pressure in his chest—a burden not solely stemming from battle fatigue. There were questions burning in his mind like glowing embers: Why did they betray me? Why was I imprisoned? Questions that were no longer rare to cross his mind.

The blows resonated like thunder as Robert continued his assault. Grey blocked each movement, but the pressure mounted with every impact. Camellya, seeing the danger, tried to intervene by launching a cut towards Robert. However, the dwarf easily stopped her, throwing her against a tree with a harsh gesture.

Grey seized a moment of distraction to use his whip sword, wrapping it around Robert's axe and wrenching it from his hands. But with a speed that defied all logic, the dwarf conjured a new weapon: a spear. He threw it forcefully; however, Grey used wind magic to divert its trajectory. Yet Robert closed the distance in an instant, striking Grey in the stomach and forcing him to spit blood.

Camellya, recovering herself, used earth magic to summon stone spikes that flew towards Robert. Seeing his opportunity, Grey ensnared Robert's leg with his whip sword, causing him to fall. But just as the spikes were about to impact, an invisible barrier deflected them away. Robert now floated in mid-air, looking down at Grey with disdain from above.

Darkness fell like a cloak over the area. An oppressive presence filled the space—only Robert remained; his eyes glimmering and the growing power accumulating in the sky above him. Grey struggled to move but found himself held by an invisible force. Camellya stood completely paralyzed, watching in terror as mana-laden clouds condensed above them resembling eyes watching from the depths of the cosmos.

In one last act of willpower, Grey broke free from the invisible chains binding him and ran towards Camellya, wrapping himself around her protectively. The sky erupted into blinding light; darkness vanished in an instant. Everything ended in a flash that erased the world.

From above, Robert watched as Grey and Camellya's bodies were consumed by the explosion—vanishing into nothingness.

"I suppose that's it," he murmured before fading away like an echo into the vastness of night.

---

In the Elven Kingdom, events unfolded according to Eleanor's dark designs. The light filtering through the ancient leaves of the great tree where they gathered barely illuminated the tense faces of those conspiring within.

"Are you saying that bastard escaped from his coffin?" Raynold asked with a mix of annoyance and concern as his eyes were fixed on the teacup he held.

"That's right," Eleanor replied with a voice heavy with sorrow. "I had the chance to finish him off but some kind of magic intervened. He vanished in an instant as if using teleportation similar to Robert's."

Raynold frowned; his anger finally found release in a sharp blow on the table. The cup trembled before falling and spilling its dark contents.

Eleanor remained impassive at his reaction.

"Damn it!" Raynold exclaimed as he stood up abruptly. "Where the hell is Robert?"

"He went after Corey. If he completed his task he should be returning any moment now," Eleanor said calmly while crossing her arms and following Raynold's furious gaze.

Without bothering to pick up the broken cup, Raynold summoned a servant with a dismissive gesture.

"Hey you! Clean this up."

"Yes sir."

The girl ran off to obey while Raynold slightly raised his wolf ears listening for distant bird songs and something else approaching at great speed. Eleanor's green eyes seemed to see beyond what was visible; she fixed her gaze on the horizon where a figure appeared moving with inhuman swiftness.

She sighed as if already knowing what was about to happen...

"By the expression on their face it seems they wrapped everything up," Eleanor said with barely concealed sarcasm.

"I suppose so," Raynold murmured although his tone suggested little conviction.

Robert arrived flying; his silhouette outlined against the forest canopy. He descended gracefully into the hollow trunk where Eleanor and Raynold were located. His sadistic and triumphant expression was enough to announce victory before he even opened his mouth.

"They're dead," he announced as he flopped onto a couch and exhaled with satisfaction.

Eleanor stared at him distrustfully.

"Are you sure? Did you check their bodies were there lifeless?" she asked sternly while crossing her arms.

Raynold remained silent observing horizon intently though his expression indicated he was listening closely to every word.

"Don't worry; I turned their bodies into dust. Most likely even immortality can't save them now."

"Did you use dust for that?" Eleanor insisted; her tone sharper this time.

Silence fell over them; Robert avoided answering but his expression betrayed him. The dust Eleanor referred to was an extremely valuable resource specifically designed to nullify the immortality of Blessed Children—a tool reserved for final confrontations.

"Robert did you use that damned dust?"

"No…"

"Damn it Robert! You know perfectly well that dust was our only guarantee for getting rid of Corey!" Raynold roared turning fully towards Robert; His aura laden with malice and fury made even light within their hollow seem dimmer.

The tension in the room was palpable; Eleanor raised her hand ordering those present who weren't part of their trio to leave silently.

When everyone obeyed leaving only three Blessed Children alone together Eleanor continued firmly:

"At least did you ensure there were no traces left of their mana?"

Robert intimidated stammered: "No…"

Raynold's strike was quick and brutal impacting Robert's face; The dwarf intimidated feeling small before Raynold's wrath offered no resistance.

"Calm down Raynold," Eleanor intervened attempting to maintain control over situation—"We'd better go there; If there are traces of mana we can verify their death for certain."

Raynold adjusted his kingly cloak nodding still furious while Robert head hung low activated teleportation spell making all three disappear from room.

The place they arrived at was an enormous crater still smoldering from heat explosion; The air was filled with oppressive silence only broken by three frustrated sighs.

"There are no traces of mana," Eleanor murmured her voice tinged with disappointment.

Raynold clenched fists frustration evident: "Search every corner of this world! I won't let them get away with this! Even if it means going there!"

"Understood," Robert replied melancholically without looking at Raynold.

"Robert go to human continent and request reinforcements," Eleanor ordered her tone sharp as sword edge—"We can no longer hunt Grey individually; We'll have to unleash war."

Robert nodded heavily carrying weight error on shoulders while Grey and Camellya whose survival was now evident faded like shadows on horizon beyond reach enemies.