Chapter 320: Is it The End? (2)

There is fire in his lungs. Scorching flames sizzled within his throat. A glow of something divine and powerful bursts inside him. The heat seemed painful underneath his skin, but he found comfort within them. The pain all over his body numbed. He could care to pay attention to them as his eyes were on his enemy, opponent, and brother. The Dark beast was mocking him through their link, but all he heard was the rapid beat of his heart.

The Orcan Lord glowered with threatening eyes. The lone eyes on his forehead, between the two massive curved horns, widened and glowed red and bloody. A terrifying roar broke through the air, creating waves of intense energy in the air.

'Filthy vermin! I will rid the world of you!'

His clawed paws slammed the earth as he lunged towards the white Lion. Smoke escaped between his razor-sharp teeth, leaving a trail in the air as he rushed. Rage swallowed him, painting his vision red. All he saw was the mangled state of the White Lion, his wings torn apart, limbs shredded as he feasted on his flesh, crushing his bones between his teeth.

His paws pounded the ground causing the earth to tremble beneath him. Right before Accrius, he opened his jaws, and blood-red flames erupted.

Within a split second, golden eyes glowed brightly. And heat rose, dreadful blue flames sprang in the air, colliding with the red fire in swirls. The heat was enough to melt even the hardest ore in the world. The collision of the two powerful flames exploded, throwing off both creatures.

Accrius's claws dug in the earth as he skidded backwards. He then raised his head, mane thickening and restoring. Blue fire sparked between his teeth. The azure flames were reflected within the golden rings of his eyes. Mana chaotically surged within his irises. It seemed as if his body had discovered a new source to draw in power, opening a new door to counterattack.

Caught off guard, the Dark beast withdrew. The temperature brought pain to the vulnerably exposed flesh wound on his face. The dark energy blanketing his whole massive being seemed to shrink back as the blue flames grew nearer. Pain spreads throughout his head. The unhealed wounds on his flesh blackened. Its meat turned leathery and charred as if scorched endlessly by fire. An agonized bellow boiled within his throat, threatening to be released. But he refused to show weakness. How in the world was this worm capable of spitting fire?

Accrius huffed, steam escaped from his nose, and tongues of flames danced around his jaw. His wings were broken, but they were healing slowly. His eyes were clearer, and his goal prominently settled within the center of his thoughts, This was his chance.

He lunged towards his enemy as fire accumulated within his throat. He could feel the wild burning sensation inside his chest as if he was the one being burned. His paws pounded the ground, and he ducked to dodge the spiky end of the Dark Lion's tail that came to whip him. Accrius used his head to slam against his opponent's body, pushing all of his weight with the attack.

The Dark Beast bellowed as he was thrown back. Bones creaked and cracked from the impact. In addition to his misfortune, the bare side of his face accidentally landed on a small portion of earthen spikes. They pierced through his vulnerable flesh like thick needles. The pain spiked through his head, and he was unable to bear it. The Orcan Lord shook with rage. Fury roared through his mind.

He instantly rose from the ground and turned to face Accrius with a ferocious roar. His eyes looked as if he would eat his sibling raw, bones and all. Small pieces of rocks and dust clung to the moistened gaps of the charred flesh on his face gruesomely.

Accrius didn't waste any time. When the Dark Beast rapidly advanced towards him, pounding the ground as he moved, Accrius headed towards him as well. There was a faint presence of calm in his eyes. He drew his head back, felt the heat in his lungs, and released. A massive burst of azure flames devoured the air, coiled like a pillar charging towards the Orcan Beast.

The Beast's movements abruptly screeched to a stop. The pain from the blue flames seemed to embed itself into his soul. Hesitance flashed in his eyes, and he struggled to release his own fire against the blue flames. However, he felt his power seem to diminish as it collided with Accrius's fire. Furthermore, with the presence of his unwillingness, the force of his fire gradually faded until he was overpowered. The beast roared in pain as the azure fire engulfed his front. The scent of burning fur permeated the air.

The massive creature tried to shake off the flames out of desperation. However, no matter what method he used, the fire clung to him, devouring his flesh.

Accrius didn't cease his flames. With his new ability, he kept attacking endlessly. There was almost a crazed desire in his heart to end the match instantly. The cruel flames poured unto the Orcan Beast like endless rain. He was burning him alive.

At the far side of the fight, Moulin raised his arms to cover his face. The heat was extraordinary. He could even feel the chaotic and ruthless mana as if it was advertising itself. The murderous intent made the hair rise on his skin. Like a newly birthed mana, the user's control on it was weak and unstable. If Accrius kept using it, perhaps, the power would overwhelm him, turning him into a more dangerous existence than his older brother.

Golden eyes burned ruthlessly as he eyed the Orc, he had once called his brother, suffering under the onslaught of flames. Inwardly, his chest ached. Pure and innocent memories flashed within his mind. The past when they were nothing but young cubs who wanted nothing more than to explore the world and protect their tribe replayed in his heart.

They had sworn to protect each other from harm. Never to betray the other. Seeing how they were now, their past selves would berate them if they witnessed this.

Finally, the fire faded. Black smoke rose from the scorched flesh. It looked as if it was boiled to the highest degree until it withered out. Large patches of burnt flesh marred the body of the larger beast. Blood oozed from the wounds that were spared from being burnt to the crust. The red liquid streamed out from the pores, drenching the shortened fur of the beast's mane. The Orcan Lord released a whimpering groan. It felt as if he was surrounded by endless pain, and death awaited him in the next minute.

The faint sound of sizzling flesh entered Accrius's ears. Slowly, he raised his head, looking down on the fallen beast. The Dark Lion's two eyes were shut tight. In the middle of the enormous creature's furred forehead, a single eye was wide and open. The blood-red pupil within was quivering as if in a panicked state. It was as if it had a mind of its own. The pupil darted from side to side as if looking for a way to escape the terrifying gaze of the divine beast's eyes.

Accrius felt rage in his chest. The golden irises within his eyes deepened, and a deep intimidating growl sounded from his throat. His sharp claws extended. His forelimbs rose in the air.

With a horrendous roar, the white beast's claws fell. Blood splattered on the ravaged earth, and an eyeball landed with a splat. It rolled towards Accrius's paws before it stopped. The gruesome split in the middle of the eyeball gaped under Accrius's gaze. And gradually, the bloodcurdling red glow within the iris faded.

It was now a lifeless thing.

At the same time, the air seemed to light, and the heaviness within one's heart lifted. Moulin heaved a sigh as he felt the lightness in the air. Accrius has done it. It has ended.

Black and white smoke suddenly filled the air. For some reason, it could not combine and remain separate. They swirled around each other until they faded in the air.

...

Within the blighted area, the smoke revealed two figures. One with wounds and bruises littering all over his body underneath torn clothes stood still. His green eyes are lowered, staring intensely at the person sprawled on the cracked earth before his feet. Wisps of blue flames surrounded Accrius's body.

Red dripped on the ground, creating splatters of dots. Blood had streamed from the Orcan Lord's eyes. He was on all fours. His head was bent, and his eyes found his burnt and bloodied hands pressed against sharp rocks. Branches of black veins bulged underneath the skin of his hands. The Kron burrowed deep inside his flesh and corrupted his soul.

Accrius paused. His eyes strained on the black veins on the man's body, from the soles of his feet to his calves, his thighs up to arms and neck. The Orcan Lord hadn't possessed the signs of the Kron before his transformation. This man was already infected. He is now a harmful existence to the rest of the pride. Soon,

"A-Accrius..." A hoarse voice spoke.

Accrius faltered. The Orcan Lord turned his head, and half knelt. His fingers were, quivering. "Kill me."

Accrius's heart pounded. Accrius felt as he had returned to the past before they arrived in Gaclan for shelter. This soft, comforting voice entered his ears, and he could not bear the ache in his heart. Accrius looked at his brother's figure. Long ago, his brother was in a similar position. However, before, he had spread his arms with a smile as Accrius ran to his embrace.

"Kill me..."

This time his voice was pleading.

Accrius neared him with slow steps. The flames around him vanished in a blink of an eye. His hand reached out, and he spoke with a calm voice despite the tremble in his heart.

"Brother, it doesn't have to end this way..."

The man with mane-like hair clenched his fists. His nails pierced his palms, and he looked up at Accrius as blood spilled from his eyes. Black lines were accumulating in the whites of his eyes. "Finish me!"

"Brother..." Accrius drew his brows together. His hand stopped mid-air as an agonized expression filled his face. His hands were still claws.

Watching the scene, Moulin took a few steps forwards. Witnessing the scene, he could not help but look in pity. If he were in Accrius's shoes, even he would hesitate. He could never do it.

"Brother," Accrius whispered. In his mind, he was reminded of the horrible deeds his brother had made and how the city yearned for his death. If he wouldn't do this, then...

Out of the blue, Moulin's silver eyes abruptly widened. The distinct shift in the air alarmed him. Hadrian, who was by his side, also reacted. Moulin's eyes sharply eyed the ice coffin where Quade was held. His heart pounded, and he turned to Accrius and his brother.

"Accrius! Get out of there!"

The moment Accrius heard the warning, the ground beneath his feet shook! In the next second, the ground began to sink!

Accrius didn't think twice as he hurriedly reached for his brother. The ground beneath them had broken, and a giant hole welcomed them. Suddenly, Accrius felt a hand grab his wrist, and the sound of something cutting flesh entered his ears.

Blood splattered on his face. His claws have sunk into something warm and moist. In the next second, his mind cleared.

He saw his brother's calm face a few inches before him. Accrius's claws sank deep into where his heart was.

They were falling.

'Little brother...'

Accrius was in a daze as the whisper entered his ears. The man in front of him showed a faint smile. The darkness in his eyes had cleared.

"Ah-" A strangled noise escaped Accrius's mouth.

Suddenly, he felt something grab his shoulder, and he was pulled upwards. The warmth around his claws disappeared.

The next thing he saw was his brother's body falling into the depths of the chasm.