The floor was a mosaic of blood and shattered stone. Lukas’s breath came heavy, every muscle begging to stop. Ahead, Maugrim the Voracious still smiled, his golden fangs gleaming under the tower’s sickly purple light.

  High above the hall, leaning on the edge of a broken balcony, Morgana watched. Her hands trembled so much she could barely hold the black scythe. Her violet eyes overflowed with tears.

  — Get out of there… please…

  The voice of the King of Disasters cut into her mind like a blade:

  — Do not interfere. If you touch the battle, I will kill him myself.

  Morgana shut her eyes, the scream burning in her chest.

  Down below, Valquíria stood again. Hair matted with blood, face stained with dust, the hammer resting on her shoulder as if it weighed a ton.

  — I won’t… fall before you. — She spat blood onto the ground.

  Luiz spun his spear, crimson aura bursting like liquid fire. Lukas felt César and Morgana together — an impossible union. The right side of his body shone with pure gold, radiant and firm — César. The left side drowned in violet shadows, pulsing like a living heart — Morgana.

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  Maugrim stepped back half a pace, his eyes gleaming with twisted delight.

  — Then… this is it.

  — This is it. — Lukas answered, the floor cracking beneath his feet.

  They charged. Valquíria to the left, Luiz to the right, Lukas in the center. The werewolf roared, the Eternal Hunger Claws blazing with black energy.

  The first clash was like thunder. Lukas’s right gladius tore open Maugrim’s flank, and the left pierced his abdomen. Luiz swept past, his spear ripping through the beast’s spine. Valquíria came from above, her hammer smashing down on the monster’s shoulder.

  But Maugrim was a legendary hunter — he spun, ripping a chunk of armor from Luiz and carving a deep wound across Valquíria’s shoulder. Lukas locked blades against the claws, his arms burning under the crushing weight.

  Above, Morgana pressed her fist against her chest.

  — I’ve called you an idiot, stubborn, a skinny fool… but… please, don’t die here…

  Lukas felt the final surge.

  — NOW! — he roared.

  He twisted his blades and forced space open. With his free hand, he conjured the Spear of Justice from César. Without hesitation, he hurled it at the Seal of World Union at the top of the chamber.

  The spear flew like lightning. The impact was so violent the seal exploded into fragments, and a shockwave tore apart the Tower’s link with the outer world.

  — What have you done?! — Maugrim roared.

  Lukas grinned wide.

  — Cut off your ride back home, puppy.

  Maugrim stared at him, his eyes blazing with rage and contempt.

  End of chapter 23