Another arrow flew from Yan Jin's bow, guided by the sound of Sacha's heavy breathing, the slight falter in his wingbeats. It struck true, and Sacha's roar of pain was a satisfying confirmation. But the satisfaction was short-lived as Yan Jin felt a sharp pang of exhaustion, his energy reserves dangerously low. He knew he couldn't keep this up for much longer.
Scar was giving everything he had, his attacks growing more frenzied as he tried to break through Sacha's defenses. Yan Jin could hear the desperation in Scar's voice, the raw emotion that drove him forward. Scar was fighting not just for himself, but for the memory of the bond they once shared, for the hope that Sacha could still be saved.
But the corruption had taken root too deeply, and Sacha was too far gone.
Yan Jin released another arrow, but this time, it lacked the power of the previous ones. He could feel his strength slipping away, the Heretical God Eye state beginning to flicker, like a candle about to be snuffed out. He gritted his teeth, refusing to let the exhaustion overtake him. He couldn't afford to fail now, not when Scar was counting on him.
The battle raged on, and Yan Jin could feel the toll it was taking on his body. His muscles ached, his breath came in ragged gasps, and his mind was a blur of fatigue and pain. But still, he fought on, drawing on every last reserve of strength he had. He could hear the steady rhythm of Scar's heartbeat, the only constant in the chaos, and he used it as a focal point, guiding his aim, his intent.
Another arrow, and another, each one weaker than the last, but still they flew true. Yan Jin could hear Sacha's roars of frustration, the growing desperation in his voice as he struggled to fend off the combined assault. But even as Sacha weakened, Yan Jin could feel the corruption growing stronger, feeding off the chaos and destruction, twisting Sacha's form into something monstrous.
Scar was struggling now, his movements slower, more labored. Yan Jin could hear the strain in his wings, the rasp of his breath, the faltering beat of his heart. Scar was giving everything he had, but it wasn't enough. Yan Jin knew that without a decisive blow, Sacha would overwhelm them both.
He reached deep within himself, searching for the last remnants of his strength. The Heretical God Eye state was flickering, on the verge of collapse, but Yan Jin refused to let it go. He couldn't afford to. He nocked one final arrow, feeling the weight of it, the tension in the string as he pulled it back. This was it—his last shot, his last chance.
"It was a good ride," Scar said, his voice heavy with both weariness and pride. "I got to see the sky, and I fought with dignity. I made my ancestors proud. I represented the Garuda the best I could."
"It was an honor to fight alongside you," Yan Jin replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.
"It was good to fight alongside you too," Scar echoed. "Goodbye, my friend."
Yan Jin gathered the last remnants of his energy and nocked an arrow, pulling back the bowstring with deliberate care. He released it, sending the arrow soaring into the sky like a tolling bell. Then, he rushed to Scar, embracing him tightly. "It's okay. I've got you."
As the Bloodwitch, consumed by her own madness, dove toward Yan Jin, powered by the last remnants of corrupted energy, he could sense the darkness looming closer. But in his weakened state, there was little he could do but hope that the fire he had lit earlier was enough to burn away the encroaching darkness.
The arrow Yan Jin had shot earlier reached its apex in the sky before descending like a hawk, straight into the hollow core cave. It detonated upon contact, destroying the corrupted core that had protected Pine City for centuries. The explosion sent shockwaves through the city, causing veins and plasma cells—corrupted or not—to shrivel and vanish into bubbles of energy.
Scar, still held in Yan Jin's arms, began to dissipate as well, turning into bubbles of light that floated away, leaving only memories behind.
The Bloodwitch, feeling her power dissipate with the destruction of the core, hurled a vicious palm strike at Yan Jin. Weakened as he was, he couldn't dodge in time and was thrown aside by the force of the blow. As the charm of the witch waned, her form withered into that of a feeble old woman. She barely had time to react when a spear pierced her from behind.
It was Wei Xi.