My…

POV: Rudeus

We clashed swords over and over, my grip tightening on the hilt as I searched for an opening. His strikes were relentless, but I refused to back down. With a quick motion, I shot a pillar of earth at his feet, hoping to trip him.

He leaped over it with ease, grinning.

"I can't go easy on him," I muttered under my breath, my heart pounding. "I have to go for the kill."

"Hah! As if you could kill me, you freak!" he roared, charging at me like a beast.

As his sword arced toward me, I planted a quagmire beneath his foot, forcing him to stumble. Without hesitation, I hurled my sword at him and immediately fired a fully powered Stone Cannon right behind it.

"YOU POWERFUL BRAT—DAMN IT!" he bellowed, panic flashing in his eyes. He let the sword cut his arm off as he sensed how powerful the stone cannon was. His arm was cut off as he staggered back.

This fight was going better than I expected. Keeping my distance was my best move. I couldn't match him in swordsmanship, but he couldn't win unless he pressed me. The longer I kept space between us, the more likely he was to die.

He knows that too, I thought, watching him carefully. He's going to rush me again. I need to be ready for anything.

I glanced at Sylphie in the distance, my chest tightening. She had thrown up that fog earlier, a clever move, but I hadn't seen much from her since. She'll find a way to win, I reassured myself. I believe in her.

But something felt off.

He launched at me again, his movements erratic but dangerous. My instincts screamed, and a chill ran down my spine. Every hair on my body stood on end.

I tore my gaze away from him and looked toward Sylphie.

My heart stopped.

The advanced Sword God user had his blade pressed against her neck. His expression was cold, his intent clear. He was going to kill her.

No.

No.

My mind went blank. Time seemed to freeze. All I could see was her terrified face, the sword poised to sever her head.

"My… My… My… SYLPHIE!"

Before I could even think, I extended both my arms, summoning an overwhelming amount of mana. With gravity magic, I unleashed a crushing field that flattened everything in its range. The ground cracked and groaned under the pressure. Everyone caught within it friend and foe was pinned down, struggling to even breathe.

"300 pounds… No, more." I poured my fury into it, the weight bearing down like an unstoppable force. The advanced Sword God user dropped his weapon, unable to move.

But it wasn't enough. He was going to kill her. He was going to kill her!

I increased the weight. My hands shook as I pressed harder. The world around me blurred, my thoughts a chaotic storm.

"Rudeus! Stop! Release the weight!"

The voice cut through the haze. Ghislaine. I looked up, her figure sharp and commanding even in the chaos.

Reluctantly, I released the magic, the weight lifting from the field. Ghislaine didn't hesitate. In a flash, she leaped forward, her speed so fast my eyes couldn't track her.

SHING!

With one clean motion, she used the Long Sword of Light to decapitate both men. Their bodies crumpled, lifeless.

I didn't care. My legs moved on their own as I ran toward Sylphie and Eris. Both had collapsed, unconscious, their small bodies crumpled like broken dolls.

My breath hitched. Their backs were caved in, their bones shattered under the weight of my magic.

"This is all my fault," I whispered, falling to my knees. Tears blurred my vision, spilling down my cheeks silently. No sound escaped me I couldn't even bring myself to cry aloud. I just knelt there, staring at the damage I had caused.

I'm the only one who could have done this.

"I'm… a monster."

"Rudeus… Rudeus! RUDEUS!" Ghislaine's voice pierced through the fog. Her hand came down on my back, the firm touch snapping me out of my spiral.

I looked at her, my face drenched in tears.

"It's not your fault," she said firmly, her voice carrying a gentleness. "You went a little crazy, sure. But everyone does, Rudeus. Even me. When you see someone you care about about to die, something snaps. It's instinct."

Her words were cool, grounding.

"You saved Sylphie. I wouldn't have made it in time. If you hadn't used that gravity magic of yours, she'd be dead right now."

Her words sank in, but the guilt still gnawed at me. I could have crushed her. I almost did.

"Look, Rudeus, I won't stop you from blaming yourself. But heal them. Talk to them. If they forgive you, promise me you'll forgive yourself too." She held out her hand, waiting.

I hesitated, staring at it. There were no tricks or hidden motives. Just a promise.

"I… I promise."

I gathered what strength I had left and healed them. Slowly, their broken backs straightened, their breathing steadied, and their injuries faded.

Sylphie awakened first.

"Rudy!" she cried, throwing her arms around my neck. Her embrace was tight, as if letting go would mean losing me forever.

"Promise me you'll never die!" Her voice cracked, tears streaming down her face.

I blinked, stunned. Wasn't she the one who almost died?

"I promise," I whispered.

She buried her face in my chest, sobbing like a child. I wrapped my arms around her, cradling her trembling form.

"It's okay, Sylphie. I'm here. I won't leave you. I'll always be with you."

"Let's make a promise, then," she said, her voice muffled.

"I—"

Before I could finish, her lips pressed against mine. I froze, the warmth of the kiss washing over me. Slowly, I leaned into it, letting the moment melt into me. It was soft, tender something divine.

But then I caught sight of Eris, awake and glaring at me with a mix of fury and… a blush?

Oh no.

I pulled away, flustered. Sylphie collapsed onto the ground, dazed and mumbling to herself.

"She's in a whole different world," Ghislaine said with a chuckle.

I turned to Eris, forcing a smile. "So… Eris?"

She huffed, flicking my hand off her shoulder. "I don't want to talk to you right now."

I let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Fair enough. My bad."

Turning back to Ghislaine, I said, "Can you call a carriage? I don't think I can walk much longer… and Sylphie definitely can't."

"It's already on its way," she said with a nod.

A/N: the next two chapters for the 30 power stones are being made should be in like an hour or two