Chapter 33: Xavier’s wit

From the moment the fight began, Voss's overwhelming strength became evident. As a 5th-ranked Earth Warrior, his spiritual energy seemed to engulf the entire field, creating an oppressive aura that made the air feel like molten lead. He struck first, his spear glowing with a dark crimson hue, a symbol of his allegiance to the Crimson Shadow cult. Each swing sent shockwaves rippling across the battlefield, carving deep furrows into the earth and forcing Xavier to dodge with every ounce of his agility.

Xavier, wielding his Infernal Soul Blade, activated its first form, igniting the weapon with infernal flames. His speed, enhanced by his Soul Dash, allowed him to narrowly evade the deadly strikes, but even with his dragon-enhanced reflexes, Voss's attacks were relentless.

"Is this all the so-called dragon-blooded warrior has to offer?" Voss sneered, his strikes coming faster. "You're not even worth the effort."

Xavier gritted his teeth, summoning a burst of flames from the Infernal Blade of Enlightenment and hurling them toward Voss. The flames roared to life, a ferocious wave of destruction, but Voss countered with a wall of crimson energy, extinguishing the attack effortlessly.

Realizing he couldn't overpower Voss directly, Xavier switched tactics. He began to focus on precision strikes, using his speed and agility to maneuver around the towering warrior. Each blow was aimed at weak points—joints, tendons, anything to slow Voss down—but Voss's mastery of combat made even that strategy difficult.

As the battle dragged on, Xavier sustained several deep cuts. Blood dripped from his arms and legs, and his breathing grew ragged. Voss, however, remained unyielding, though his taunts grew more frustrated.

"Why won't you just fall?" Voss roared, his spear crackling with crimson energy as he unleashed a devastating attack. The spear's tip tore through the ground, sending massive chunks of earth flying toward Xavier.

Xavier dodged to the side, narrowly escaping the blast, but the sheer force sent him sprawling. He struggled to his feet, clutching his side where a fresh wound had opened.

It was then that his dragon eye activated, glowing faintly as if urging him forward. He remembered Elior's advice—"Your greatest weapon isn't strength; it's adaptability." Summoning every ounce of his will, Xavier began channeling his Infernal Flames into precise bursts, combining them with his speed-enhanced strikes.

The turning point came when Xavier noticed Voss's reliance on his storage ring for spiritual boosts. Xavier feigned a retreat, luring Voss into a reckless charge. As Voss lunged, Xavier sidestepped at the last moment, using Soul Dash to appear behind him. With a roar, Xavier unleashed a devastating slash with his Infernal Blade, severing Voss's hand—the one bearing the storage ring.

Voss stumbled back, clutching his bleeding wrist, his face contorted in agony. "You…!" he snarled, his voice trembling with fury and disbelief.

Xavier leveled his blade at him, flames licking at its edge. "Leave now, or die here," he said coldly.

Voss glared at him, his rage barely contained. "You'll regret this. All of the Crimson Shadow will hunt you down. You're the key to Derrick Fang's return, and we will stop at nothing to claim you."

With that, Voss unleashed a burst of spiritual energy, propelling himself into the sky and disappearing into the night.

As the adrenaline faded, Xavier collapsed to one knee, his body trembling from exhaustion. His dragon eye dimmed, and he glanced at the severed hand lying on the ground. Carefully, he retrieved the storage ring, its crimson glow pulsing faintly.

Liana emerged from her hiding spot, rushing to his side. "Xavier, are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.

"I'll live," he muttered, slipping the ring onto his finger. "But I need to know what's in here."

Activating the ring's contents, Xavier was greeted with a flood of items, their nature both shocking and revealing:

1. Crimson Shadow Emblems - Dark insignias of the cult, radiating faint spiritual energy.

2. A Map - Marked with locations of what appeared to be hidden cult bases and strongholds.

3. A Blood-Drenched Tome - Its pages filled with ancient rituals and mentions of Derrick Fang.

4. Rare Resources - Dozens of high-grade spiritual herbs and materials, including earth-grade pills and crystals.

5. Dark Armor - A suit of crimson-hued armor imbued with sinister energy, clearly designed for a cult warrior.

6. Notes and Correspondence - Letters detailing plans to target specific individuals, including Xavier and his friends.

Xavier's eyes narrowed as he examined the items. "This confirms it," he said grimly. "The Crimson Shadow is more organized than I thought… and they're planning something big."

Liana placed a hand on his shoulder. "What do we do now?"

Xavier clenched his fists, determination burning in his dragon eye. "We get stronger. And we make sure they never succeed."

Together, they began their journey back to the academy, the weight of their discovery hanging heavily over them.

Xavier carefully studied the map in Voss's storage ring, committing the locations and markings to memory, noting the hidden cult strongholds. Once satisfied, he returned it to the storage ring. He glanced at Liana, who was walking beside him, still shaken but visibly relieved to be free of the horrors she had endured. Together, they traveled back to the academy under the veil of night, their journey uneventful but filled with an unspoken tension about the implications of the Crimson Shadow Cult's plans.

As they approached the academy gates, Liana hesitated. "I'm not a part of this place," she murmured. "What if they turn me away?"

Xavier turned to her with a reassuring smile. "Stick with me. You're under my protection now. No one will turn you away."

They entered the academy, drawing curious glances from students and staff alike. Liana clung to Xavier's arm, her unease clear, but his confident stride gave her some comfort.

Xavier led Liana straight to Lord Cedric's chambers. The elder, always perceptive, was already waiting for them, his gaze sharp as Xavier entered the room. "You've returned," Cedric said, his tone a mix of relief and intrigue. "And I see you've brought a guest."

"This is Liana," Xavier introduced. "I found her imprisoned in a hidden chamber within a mountain. She's a third-rank Earth warrior and has endured much at the hands of the Crimson Shadow Cult."

Cedric's expression darkened at the mention of the cult. "The Crimson Shadow Cult again," he muttered. "Their reach is becoming more troubling by the day."

Xavier wasted no time recounting his encounter with Lord Voss, his near-death battle, and the critical information he had gathered. He handed over Voss's storage ring but carefully withheld the spiritual herbs and Earth-rank pills for himself.

"The ring contains several items that will be of interest to the academy," Xavier explained. "It includes a map of cult bases, a blood-drenched tome of rituals, and correspondence detailing their plans."

Cedric took the ring, his expression unreadable. "You've done well, Xavier. This information could save countless lives."

Cedric turned to Liana. "You're welcome to stay at the academy. Anyone who has suffered at the hands of the Crimson Shadow Cult has a place here. With your strength, you could become an invaluable ally in the battles ahead."

Liana hesitated, then nodded. "Thank you, Lord Cedric. I'll do my best to contribute."

Xavier placed a hand on her shoulder. "You'll be safe here, Liana. And you're not alone anymore."

Cedric addressed Xavier once more. "This encounter has accelerated our plans. The cult's intentions are becoming clearer, and your role in stopping them is undeniable. Rest and prepare. The coming days will test your limits."

Xavier nodded, already feeling the weight of what lay ahead. As he and Liana left Cedric's chambers, he couldn't shake the ominous words Voss had uttered: "All of the Crimson Shadow will stop at nothing for your head."

With the spiritual herbs and Earth-rank pills he had taken, Xavier resolved to strengthen himself further. He would need every advantage to face the challenges to come. For now, though, he had gained an unexpected ally in Liana and the beginnings of a plan to counter the Crimson Shadow Cult.