The massive impact from Leon's final hammer blow shook The Exiled's entire frame. It was sent hurtling through the air for several meters before crashing to the ground with devastating force. Stone fragments and dust clouds billowed up, obscuring everything from view.
Both Leon and The Exiled were stunned by the destructive power that had just been unleashed.
"What the hell... what kind of insane power was that?!" The Exiled coughed up chunks of thick black blood. Its condition had deteriorated to the extreme—body trembling, those crimson eyes starting to lose focus. It gasped heavily, the energy that had been surging through it moments before now visibly fading.
Leon dropped to his knees, completely drained. Sweat poured down his face as he struggled to breathe. The arm that seemed to have once been gone shook uncontrollably. The massive hammer shrank back to its normal size as the grotesque, flesh-colored energy faded, leaving only cold iron beside him.
Cyrus, Raven, and Barton, who had just regained their senses, stood gaping at what they'd witnessed in complete disbelief.
"Was that... Vine-born power?!" Cyrus was the first to speak, his eyes wide as he looked between Leon and The Exiled in confusion.
"What... what the fuck was that thing?!" Barton muttered, his voice thick with shock and wariness. He'd never seen energy like that in his entire life.
"Heh... haha..." The Exiled tried to laugh, but it came out as blood-choked coughs. "In the end... you're no different from me after all... you little shit..." it called out weakly.
Leon raised his head to look at the creature, his vision swimming. "No different... is that right..." he mumbled to himself before his consciousness finally gave out. His body crumpled to the ground, aware of nothing more.
Suddenly, laughter that sounded relaxed yet tinged with some kind of power echoed from somewhere in the area, followed by soft clapping.
"Ha ha ha... well now, nothing but interesting developments today, eh?"
Barton, Cyrus, and Raven all whipped around toward the source of the voice with shock and wariness. Who the hell had the nerve to act so casual in the middle of this disaster?
"That voice..." Cyrus frowned, trying to place it.
Raven's eyes widened slightly. "Could it be... the Chief?"
Before anyone could say more, The Exiled, struggling to lift its battered body up, roared out with rage once again! It wasn't giving up yet!
But then... its roar cut off abruptly!
A shadow shot through the dust cloud at superhuman speed! Silver light flashed!
Schink!
A strange-looking spear that gleamed with cold light pierced straight through The Exiled's chest, right through its heart with surgical precision! Dark black blood splattered everywhere!
"Quit your fucking around... you worthless piece of shit." A deep, powerful voice cut through the air like a blade.
When the dust settled, it revealed the figure of the newcomer. He stood straddling The Exiled's now-motionless form. His long jet-black hair was tied neatly behind his head, sharp indigo eyes looking down at the dead Vine-born with cold, emotionless detachment. The spear in his hand was still embedded in its heart.
"Who... who are you..." The Exiled managed to gasp out its final words, breath failing, the red light in its eyes slowly fading... before it died at last.
"Chief! Master Xiao Yan!" Cyrus and Raven exclaimed in unison, their voices mixing surprise with relief.
The man called Xiao Yan slowly withdrew his spear from the Vine-born's corpse. The dark blood clinging to the spear tip dissolved away in an instant. The Exiled's body began to decay, turning to black dust that scattered into the air, leaving no trace behind.
"Ah... sorry I'm a bit late to the party." Xiao Yan spoke in a level tone, though tinged with slight weariness. He flicked his spear lightly and it miraculously shortened into a metal rod that fit perfectly in his hand. He slung it casually at his side.
His sharp eyes swept around the area, quickly assessing the situation. He saw Genus's motionless form lying on the ground... Leon's unconscious body with the massive iron hammer beside him... and the wreckage from the fierce battle.
Shit... who would've thought The Exiled could get this powerful? Even Genus couldn't take it down... And that kid too... what the hell was that power?
"Cyrus... can you still stand? Raven too." Xiao Yan asked his team members.
"Yes sir!" Both Cyrus and Raven slowly struggled to their feet, answering in unison. Though they still looked battered, their eyes regained some spark at seeing their leader.
Cyrus hung his head slightly, his voice thick with sorrow. "Genus..." He turned away, unable to look at his fallen comrade's body.
Xiao Yan walked closer to Genus's form. He gazed at her pale face, which still held a faint smile, his expression visibly softening. "Yeah... nothing left to say." His voice was quiet. "Let's take care of her and the others who gave their lives today."
Xiao Yan knelt beside Genus's body. He placed his hand gently on her forehead, closed his eyes for a moment, then spoke with a voice full of respect.
"In the name of the Witherborn survivors... we send your soul... Genus... to peace... rest well, comrade... your heroism will be remembered forever."
When he finished, he bowed slightly—a simple gesture, but one filled with deep meaning and emotion.
Cyrus and Raven exchanged glances before walking over to bow to Genus's body as well. The atmosphere was heavy with silence and grief.
Time slowly passed—about an hour. They worked together to collect the bodies of the townspeople and patrol members who had died, giving them the simplest burial they could manage while praying for all their souls to find peace.
Leon and Barton, along with the other survivors, received basic first aid from the remaining Witherborn members and were taken to safer places to rest.
The chaos and loss of this day had carved deep wounds into the hearts of every River Bend resident who had lived through it... especially for Barton and Leon... And perhaps, for this rapidly changing world... it might only be the beginning of an even greater epic of struggle yet to come...