Chapter 53: On Planet Nexisn

Ava stood in a sea of red. Her simple jacket and pants made her look even more enchanting against the crimson backdrop. The trees, sky, and grass all wore deep shades of night.

From above, figures descended one by one. First, there were a few, then hundreds, then thousands, filling the sky. Ava gazed up with an indifferent expression, joined by Amy at her side. "Did you get here without any trouble?" Ava asked, sensing the power from above.

"Yes, but I'm surprised you arrived so quickly," Amy chuckled, looking at the sky. "Why are those little bloodsuckers gathering?"

"Maybe it's a welcoming party. Let's reciprocate and end this," Ava suggested, starting to float.

"Wait, Miss. You just want to check on Elijah to make sure he's okay," Amy interrupted. Ava pouted, slightly annoyed.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she replied defensively.

"If you shield him from facing his challenges, he won't grow. Let's avoid destroying this planet. The elders wouldn't approve, and it would undermine our purpose here," Amy reasoned, her gaze intense.

"Amy, I wasn't going to destroy the entire planet, just a little bit," Ava admitted quietly. "But you're right..."

"As long as there's no one stronger than a D+ rank on that planet, Elijah will be fine. Let's have faith in him and not wipe out everyone here. It would weaken us if war breaks out," Amy advised, looking conflicted. "But it's difficult."

"I know, right?" Ava agreed, looking at the beings above. "Let's just eliminate half of them. That should be enough, right?"

"Yeah, I think so," the two women agreed as they floated away.

On Planet Nexisn

Two young men dashed through a dense forest, the trees towering above like ancient guardians. Shafts of golden sunlight pierced through the canopy, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor.

The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth, reminding them of the wilderness around them. The ground was soft and springy beneath their feet as they fled.

But they weren't alone. Behind them, a figure cloaked in lightning chased them, the energy crackling and lighting up the forest in brief flashes.

Despite the danger, the two young men kept running, their hearts pounding. With every step, they pushed themselves harder, driven by the instinct to survive.

As they disappeared into the depths of the forest, the crackling of lightning and the rustling of leaves were the only sounds that remained.

Kai and Elijah were fleeing from a terrifying entity. "Kai, run!"

"What do you think I'm doing?" Kai panicked.

"She's right behind you," Elijah warned. Kai turned to see Julia, cloaked in lightning, speeding toward them.

"Damn!" Dark samurai armor enveloped Kai as he surged forward, leaving Elijah behind. "Sorry, Elijah, she's all yours."

"That's not fair... Come back, you coward!" Elijah shouted, dodging a lightning strike from Julia. Her killing intent intensified as clouds formed in the sky.

"Damn this overpowering technique," Elijah thought. With immense power gathering above him, he struggled to outrun the storm within and without.

Dread seeped through Elijah's veins as he grappled with the overwhelming might of the technique bearing down on him. The sheer power coalesced above, an ominous cloud mirroring his own velocity.

With every passing moment, evasion became impossible, the encroaching tempest relentless.

'Awaken,'

Shriiiiikkkk

BOOOOOMMM

A lotus appeared behind Elijah, glowing brilliantly with silver as scales appeared on his neck. His eyes changed, becoming dark as the abyss with a silver light at the center.

His muscles tensed, betraying the surge of power coursing through his veins, as he emanated a palpable aura of terror.

This was the enhanced Lotus technique, sparing his body from harm and improving upon its predecessor. Now the technique didn't just focus on his element and chi but his bloodline as well.

The greater the number of leaves on the lotus, the more his bloodline would show. "You were really trying to kill me," he remarked calmly.

"Luckily, you dodged," she replied, feeling a twinge of fear.

His transformation faded, and Elijah realized something profound. "I would have attacked her if I hadn't restrained myself. Emotions can be potent, in that form but I need to control them," he reflected, smiling.

"I'm sorry for intruding suddenly."

"Then take me back!" Julia demanded, still angry.

"But if you hadn't rejected my offer, I wouldn't have done it. So, some of it is your fault," Elijah added, provoking her.

"You son of a—" Before Julia could finish, Kai interjected.

"What Elijah means is, it would be dull without you," Kai explained, trying to defuse the tension.

"True, think of the adventures we could have," Elijah added, eyes sparkling with excitement.

Julia sighed inwardly. "Regardless, my presence wouldn't have changed anything. Worrying won't alter the outcome, and this idiot won't let me go," she lamented. "Fine, but next time, ask me first. I had things to do."

"Yeah, like sleeping in your room while the sun was out," Kai teased.

"Still counts as something. Anyway, where are we?" Julia asked, eager to change the subject.

"We're on Planet Nexisn," Elijah replied, chuckling.

"Wait, isn't that where that dark elf is hiding?" Julia wondered aloud.

"Don't know, so what?" Elijah asked.

"Nothing," Julia replied dismissively.

"Okay, then. We've attracted too many powerful monsters, so let's start running," Elijah suggested, already in motion. Kai and Julia followed, cursing Elijah for not warning them sooner.

"You should've told us earlier, you idiot," Kai scolded.

"I should've just left you behind," Julia muttered, frustrated. As they fled, a colossal beast pursued them, the beginning of another harrowing adventure