Chapter 32: A Cult Leader

As Xavier exited the hidden chamber with Liana leaning heavily on his shoulder, he heard the unmistakable sound of boots crunching against the forest floor. The faint echoes of voices soon followed, growing louder with every second. His dragon eye flickered to life instinctively, and he caught sight of a group of warriors moving toward their location, their auras radiating power. At the forefront was a man with an imposing build and a commanding presence, his spiritual energy surging—an unmistakable Level 5 Earth Rank warrior.

"Lord Voss," Liana muttered under her breath, recognizing the infamous enforcer rumored to work for rogue factions and cults alike. His reputation was one of ruthlessness and efficiency, never letting a target escape.

Xavier knew there was no time for hesitation. Without a word, he scooped Liana into his arms and activated Soul Dash, his speed-enhancing ability. The world around him blurred as he bolted through the forest, weaving between trees with precise movements.

"After him!" Voss barked, his voice booming through the forest. "Don't let them escape!"

The group gave chase, their own speed bolstered by spiritual techniques. Xavier could feel the weight of Liana in his arms slowing him slightly, but he gritted his teeth and pushed himself harder.

Every so often, he glanced over his shoulder. The dragon eye allowed him to track their movements even without looking directly, and he could see Voss closing the distance with alarming speed, his subordinates fanning out to try and corner him.

"Too fast for his rank…" Voss growled, eyes narrowing as he watched Xavier dart ahead. "He's hiding something. I want him alive!"

Xavier's mind raced as he scanned the terrain. The forest was dense, but he knew that eventually, the open plains would give his pursuers an advantage. He needed to outmaneuver them, and quickly.

"Hold on," he muttered to Liana, who nodded weakly in understanding.

Spotting a narrow ravine up ahead, Xavier made a sharp turn, leaping over jagged rocks and plunging into the depths. He used his Infernal Flames Control briefly to sear away overhanging vines that might slow him down, creating a clear path.

"Don't lose him!" Voss bellowed, leaping down after him with his group in tow.

Xavier's speed carried him far, but his stamina was being pushed to its limits. His body still hadn't fully recovered from the dungeon trials, and he felt the fiery strain of his bloodline flickering dangerously close to activating again.

Just as Voss's group seemed to be closing in, Xavier reached an outcropping of rocks hidden by the natural curves of the ravine. He stopped briefly to place Liana behind the largest boulder he could find, whispering, "Stay hidden and don't move. I'll draw them away."

Liana grabbed his arm, fear in her eyes. "You can't face them alone!"

Xavier gave her a faint smile. "I've faced worse."

Before she could argue further, Xavier leapt back into the open, deliberately allowing Voss to catch sight of him. The group leader's eyes flared with satisfaction.

"There you are!" Voss roared, charging forward.

Xavier didn't wait for him to close the distance. Activating Soul Dash again, he zigzagged through the ravine, using his superior speed to bait the group away from Liana's hiding spot. His plan was simple: exhaust their pursuit until they made a mistake.

But Voss was no ordinary opponent. With a burst of spiritual energy, he launched himself forward, closing the gap between them in seconds. "You think you can outrun me, boy?"

Xavier gritted his teeth, summoning his Infernal Soul Blade in one hand. The blade ignited with dark flames, its heat searing the air around it. "No, but I can sure make you regret chasing me."

The confrontation was inevitable. As Voss's group surrounded him, Xavier stood firm, his weapon blazing as he prepared for the fight of his life.

Xavier stood in the center of the open field, his body tense as six spiritual fighters surrounded him. The grass swayed lightly in the breeze, contrasting sharply with the suffocating aura of his opponents. Lord Voss, the Level 5 Earth Rank warrior, stepped forward, his piercing gaze locked on Xavier.

"You're a bold one," Voss said, his voice low and menacing. "Walking into a place you shouldn't even know exists. Tell me, boy—who are you, and why are you snooping where you don't belong?"

Xavier's dragon eye flickered as he carefully slipped the protective ring from his storage ring onto his finger. The faint hum of its defensive properties resonated through his body, offering a small layer of comfort in the face of overwhelming odds. He exhaled, steadying his nerves, before meeting Voss's gaze with unwavering determination.

"I could ask you the same," Xavier replied, his voice calm but laced with an edge. "Are you part of the cult? Who do you serve? And while we're at it, what is the name of this ancient cult you're so desperately protecting?"

The question hung in the air, and for a brief moment, the field was eerily silent. Voss's subordinates exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. Then, Voss chuckled darkly, shaking his head.

"So, you do know something," he said, his tone dripping with mockery. "But it doesn't matter. You won't live long enough to use that knowledge."

Xavier's grip tightened on his Infernal Soul Blade, its flames licking the air around him. "You didn't answer my questions," he pressed, his voice firmer this time.

Voss sneered, his spiritual energy surging and causing the air around him to ripple. "You're not in a position to demand answers, dragon-blooded warrior. But if it'll soothe your curiosity before you die… We are The Crimson Shadow. We serve the one true power destined to reclaim this world from its weak and pathetic guardians. That talisman you carry is proof you've stumbled into something far beyond your comprehension. Hand it over now, and I might let you die painlessly."

Xavier's heart pounded as the name of the cult echoed in his mind. The Crimson Shadow. The words carried a heavy weight, laden with dark history and ominous intent. But there was no time to dwell on it now.

He raised his blade, the flames growing brighter as he infused it with his spiritual energy. "If you think I'll hand over anything to the likes of you, you're sorely mistaken."

Voss's grin widened, his subordinates drawing their weapons in response. "Then so be it," he said, his voice filled with anticipation. "Kill him. Slowly."

The six warriors charged simultaneously, their movements synchronized and deadly. Xavier felt the weight of the battle press down on him, but he refused to falter.

Using Soul Dash, he narrowly avoided the first strike, countering with a precise slash of his Infernal Soul Blade, its flames searing through the air and forcing one of the warriors to retreat. Another opponent attacked from behind, but Xavier's dragon eye caught the movement, allowing him to parry just in time.

The battle was chaotic, each exchange pushing Xavier closer to his limits. He relied on his speed and instincts, dodging and countering with ferocity. But the numbers were against him, and even with his enhanced abilities, he struggled to keep up with the relentless assault.

"You're impressive," Voss said, watching from the sidelines. "But talent means nothing without power. And you're running out of both."

Xavier gritted his teeth, blood dripping from a cut on his cheek. He could feel his bloodline flickering within him, the dragon's energy threatening to surge uncontrollably. He steadied himself, refusing to rely on its raw power just yet.

As the fight raged on, Xavier's mind raced. He needed a strategy—a way to turn the tide in his favor. Then he remembered the protective ring on his finger, its defensive abilities still untapped.

With a deep breath, Xavier activated the ring's power. A shimmering barrier enveloped him, momentarily pushing his attackers back and giving him the chance to regroup.

"Let's see how you handle this," Xavier muttered, raising his blade high. Channeling his remaining spiritual energy, he unleashed a devastating arc of infernal flames, the heat scorching the ground and forcing his opponents to scatter.

The battlefield erupted in chaos as Xavier pressed the advantage, his blade moving with newfound precision and power. One by one, his opponents fell, leaving only Voss standing.

The group leader smirked, his spiritual energy surging even higher. "Not bad, boy. But let's see how you fare against me."

Xavier steadied himself, his dragon eye glowing brighter. The real fight was just beginning.

The battle between Xavier and Lord Voss was nothing short of grueling, a clash of sheer will and raw power that tested Xavier to his very limits.