Chapter 25: The Final Dawn

The collapse of Arcanum City echoed like a deafening roar, as if the entire world was trembling violently. The sky was torn into countless rifts, with deep darkness and flickering blue light intertwining into massive beams of energy, resembling the descent of an apocalypse.

Hand in hand, Qin Yao and Lin Yao ran desperately toward the edge of the city. Every step was fraught with difficulty; the angry roars of the beasts resounded around them, and the massive energy waves nearly knocked them off their feet. But they did not stop—for they knew that only by persevering to the end could they find the dawn.

"Yao Yao, don't let go of my hand!" Qin Yao gasped for breath, his voice tinged with urgency.

Though weak, Lin Yao clutched Qin Yao's hand tightly. She turned her head to look at him, her eyes resolute. "We'll make it out alive, Qin Yao. Together, all the way to the end."

As they neared the exit, a sudden surge of powerful energy came from behind, as if to devour the entire city. They turned to see the light at the center of the altar growing unbearably bright. The massive crystal was violently detonating, like a collapsing star. Black energy radiated outward from the explosion's core, and all the beasts madly surged toward that power, as if making a final desperate gamble.

"Run!" The voice of the mysterious man came from afar. His figure gradually disappeared into the darkness, finally dissolving into the explosion's light.

Qin Yao and Lin Yao didn't pause—they knew the mysterious man had sacrificed himself to give them this final chance.

At last, they burst out of the city's edge, arriving at an open field. In the distance, the sky still burned, and the ruins of Arcanum faded slowly into the background. Before them, however, lay a gradually returning peace, a faint trace of life after the apocalypse.

Lin Yao stopped, taking a deep breath, her eyes glistening with tears. "Did we… really succeed?"

Qin Yao looked down at her, gently brushing her cheek with his hand. "We did, Yao Yao. It's all over now."

He pulled her forward. Though utterly exhausted, his heart was at peace. The city, once shrouded in darkness and fear, had been saved by their efforts. And now, they could finally embrace their future.

Suddenly, Lin Yao halted, her gaze complicated as she stared ahead. "You… what do we do now?"

Qin Yao smiled faintly, turning to face her. His eyes were filled with deep affection. "From now on, we'll walk this road together and face whatever challenges lie ahead. No matter what comes, I'll always stay by your side."

Lin Yao's eyes softened, and she nodded. "Me too."

In that moment, all the pain, sacrifices, and struggles no longer mattered. They had found each other and the dawn that was truly their own.