The Flame Within.

CHAPTER: 83

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LIAM'S POV

"High Mage, he's awake," one of the silver-haired men said, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

But instead of quieting down, the others only grew louder. Their chants quickened, rising in volume and intensity. It was like a storm building around me — a vortex of sound and power. I could feel it draining me, like they were pulling something vital from my core.

My blood. My strength. My power.

I didn't need anyone to explain it to me — I could feel it, raw and undeniable. They were siphoning everything I had, and they were doing it fast. If I didn't stop them, I'd be nothing but a shell.

But before I could even lift a hand, everything stopped.

Silence.

They all dropped to their knees, bowing their heads in eerie unison like puppets on a single string.