Chapter 42: The Return of the Lord of the World

The air was tense, silence weighing heavily on the two teams. Kael's grip on his sword remained tight as he and Rhylen stared at each other, the unspoken words of their shared pain filling the void. But then, a voice—deep, resonant, and filled with malice—echoed through the clearing.

"Rhylen… you traitorous wretch. Did you think I wouldn't notice?"

Everyone froze, their blood running cold as the voice reverberated across the forest. It was as if the very air had turned to poison, pressing against their chests with suffocating weight.

Rhylen's face went pale. "No… it can't be. He's not supposed to—"

"I should have killed you when you dared question me in my chamber, Rhylen," the voice continued, venom dripping from every word. "But I thought you might still serve a purpose. Clearly, I was mistaken."

From the darkness, a black energy began to swirl, forming into a massive, ominous vortex. The ground trembled as the energy condensed, and with a deafening roar, a blast of destructive power surged forward, aimed directly at the group.

Kael acted instantly, raising his sword and channeling all his strength into a barrier of energy. The others scrambled to defend themselves, Seris casting protective wards while Arden and Joran braced for impact. Rhylen stepped beside Kael, his red eye glowing fiercely as he summoned his own power to reinforce the barrier.

The blast struck like a tidal wave, a force so immense that it cracked the ground beneath them and split the trees in its path. Kael and Rhylen gritted their teeth, pouring everything they had into holding the attack back, but the sheer power of it was overwhelming.

"This… this is too strong!" Kael shouted, his arms shaking under the strain.

"We have to hold!" Rhylen growled, sweat pouring down his face. "We can't let it—"

But the barrier began to splinter, cracks forming as the energy pushed closer and closer.

Lyra screamed, her voice cutting through the chaos. "We're going to die!"

Just as the barrier shattered, and the devastating energy surged toward them, a blinding flash of golden light erupted in the clearing. The attack was stopped mid-air, dispersing into harmless particles as a powerful force countered it.

Standing in the center of the light was a man, his figure tall and imposing. His presence alone radiated an aura of authority and power that dwarfed everything around him. He wore a regal black-and-gold cloak, and his eyes burned with a fierce, otherworldly light.

The master's voice, now laced with fear and rage, hissed through the air. "You… impossible!"

The man's gaze swept across the clearing before fixing on the void where the master's energy had been. He raised his hand, and with a simple gesture, the dark energy dissolved entirely.

"Leave," the man commanded, his voice calm yet commanding. "This isn't your time."

The shadows retreated, and the master's presence vanished as quickly as it had arrived. The clearing was still, save for the heavy breathing of Kael and his companions.

Kael, his heart pounding, stared at the man who had saved them. His mind raced, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Finally, he stepped forward, his voice trembling.

"Who… who are you?"

The man turned to Kael, his piercing gaze softening ever so slightly. "You've grown strong, my son."

Kael froze, his sword slipping from his grasp. "What… what did you say?"

The man stepped closer, the faintest hint of a smile on his lips. "I am your father, Kael. The Lord of the World."

The weight of his words crashed down on Kael like a tidal wave. His breath hitched, his mind reeling. He took a step back, shaking his head. "No… this can't be…"

Rhylen, who had been silent up until now, fell to one knee, his head bowed. "Father…" he murmured, his voice filled with both reverence and guilt.

The rest of Kael's team stood in stunned silence, their eyes wide as they processed what they had just witnessed.

Arden finally broke the silence. "You're… Kael's father? The Lord of the World? The man who vanished years ago?"

The man nodded. "Indeed. I have watched from afar, waiting for the right moment to return. And now, with the master making his move, I could wait no longer."

Kael clenched his fists, his emotions a storm of anger, confusion, and pain. "If you're really my father… why did you leave? Why weren't you there when we needed you?"

The Lord of the World's expression darkened, a shadow of regret crossing his face. "There is much to explain, Kael. But not here. The master will strike again, and we must prepare."

He extended his hand toward Kael. "Come with me, my son. I will tell you everything."

Kael hesitated, his heart torn. This was the man he had longed to meet, yet also the man he had resented for so many years. Finally, he looked at Rhylen, whose expression was unreadable, and then back at his father.

"I'll come," Kael said, his voice steady. "But you owe me answers. All of them."

The Lord of the World nodded. "And you shall have them."

As the group began to move, the clearing fell silent once more, the weight of what had just occurred sinking in. For Kael, this was only the beginning of a new chapter—a chapter that would force him to confront not only the master but also the truth of his own bloodline.