Chapter 29
Without warning, Cru blinked and then opened his eyes, and instantly a fierce wind shot from his direction toward Theo.
The wind formed a spinning spiral, its pressure continuously rising, as if compressing every inch of space around Theo, momentarily freezing him in place.
In his subconscious, the word DEATH repeated itself, piercing Theo's awareness, accompanied by the image of a glowing pink arrow enveloped in light, electricity, water, and earth, rushing through the spiral of wind straight toward his heart.
Theo's body tensed.
Consciousness collided with choking pain, while nearly all options for defense had been exhausted.
His half-kneeling body struggled to rise, legs trembling violently on the ground, his left arm numb and nearly immobile.
With a last effort, he transferred the sword from his left hand to his right, held his breath for a moment, and positioned the sharp blade directly under the trajectory of the arrow.
The stance was neither an attack nor a special technique, merely a simple fortification blocking the arrow's path to his heart.
'No matter what, I will not yield, unwilling to utter the word surrender just because this body is broken!
Do you hear me, Cru?
Even if you—Administrator, ruler of systems, devourer of worlds—destroy my reality, reduce Flo Viva Mythology to dust, I remain Theo Vkytor!
My name will not be erased.
My work will not vanish.
"Last Prayer" is not just a novel, it is a final prayer that even death cannot silence!'
Huuuuuh!
'The world may swallow me, algorithms may erase my traces from every server, but remember clearly, I write so that this presence is eternal.
I write so that even you are bound within my story!
I do not need an audience.
I do not need recognition.
I only need one thing—the voice that no one can stop!'
Huuuuff!
'As long as there is ink flowing in my veins, as long as breath can still be arranged into words, I will keep writing, keep shouting, keep being Theo Vkytor—the mad writer from a world refusing to perish!
Forever! The world may swallow me, but I will swallow it back with my own story!'
Amid the pressing spiral wind and the pink arrow hurtling toward his heart, Theo swallowed the burning pain that seared every muscle and nerve, then exhaled deeply, gathering every ounce of courage he had left.
In his mind, encouraging words lined up, echoes from his life experiences and his abilities as a horror writer who had conquered hundreds of pages of dark stories.
Each word ignited a spark of determination, forming an invisible inner shield, uniting his wit, instincts, and survival sense into a single knot not easily unraveled by external pressure.
He recalled his horror work, Last Prayer, which had made his name widely known, and the shadow of that success gave him extra drive to stay upright, even as his body was nearly paralyzed by injury and fatigue.
The sword in his hand felt like an extension of his will, each grip and position channeling the energy of resolve that refused to submit to the looming danger.
Theo's eyes studied Cru, evaluating every movement, calculating probabilities, and preparing for each step that might save him from death.
Amid the chaos, the spiral wind continued pressing on him, the pink arrow tore through the turbulent air, yet Theo did not let fear take hold.
His body shook, but his determination blazed, and as if the world around him vanished, leaving only himself, the sword, and the feeling that he must persist, that he must remain Theo Vkytor, the writer whose works are eternal even as the world of Flo Viva Mythology tried to swallow his reality.
Forever!!
'I will not close my eyes… not for a trivial attack like this.'
Tiiiing!
'The chime is so beautiful. Like a bell marking a new chapter in a story that should have already ended.'
Fuuuuuh!
"Finally, the promised hero arrives, after all conflicts are over and the dust of battle has long settled.
Ilux Rediona."
'Finally, you have come.
Blocking Cru's attack with both your arms, now no longer mere flesh and bone—but shields that withstand gravity, capable of holding the routine rotation of millions of galaxies, even pausing the universe's spin to the infinite.'
The clang of metal broke the silence, and Theo maintained his focus.
His eyes neither widened nor narrowed, even as his body endured pain from previous impacts.
Each second seemed to slow, each movement of air around him became clearer, as if the world paused to watch what would happen next.
He closed his eyes briefly, drew a deep breath, and chuckled softly, a thin smile signaling both satisfaction and readiness for the new phase.
All injuries and aches in his body became the backdrop, while his mind focused on a single point.
'A chance to survive and challenge what seemed impossible.'
When he opened his eyes again, Theo's gaze met the figure newly appearing in the arena, radiating an aura of strength without uttering a word.
Ilux Rediona, the hero arriving late, stepped forward with confidence that was both calming and electrifying.
His body emanated Core energy enough to rival the catastrophe that had just struck Theo.
With swift and precise movements, Ilux dispersed the arrows launched by Cru with his arms transformed into shields, a display of power that not only saved Theo but affirmed that the hero's presence would alter the course of the battle.
Theo observed every motion of Ilux, and relief slowly crept into him.
His previously trembling body now steadied slightly, and the injuries that once limited his movements no longer fully dominated his fighting will.
His eyes gleamed with renewed sharpness.
Not just because of the safety Ilux provided, but also from his own determination to remain on the field and prove his capacity.
Ilux's presence was not merely a savior, but a reminder that within chaos and danger, there is space for hope, room for strategy, and human brilliance.
The hero had arrived.
"The sexual criminal who could not even defend his own shoulders or private area.
Truly a rare specimen, Theo Vkytor.
Morally, physically, and existentially unfortunate."
"Huuuuh."
Fuuuuuuss!
"I do not want to hear such insults from a sexual criminal who has recklessly touched a woman's intimate areas and body."
'Because in the end, we have no difference.
Isn't that right, Ilux bastard?'
Theo shifted his sword back in front using his right hand.
His body still endured pain from previous impacts, while his eyes fixed on Ilux, who remained facing forward.
Ilux only glanced to the left briefly, casting a partial look at Theo without fully turning away from the battle, and the mockery that escaped sounded like a cold wind slapping the face.
The nickname Ilux gave regarding Theo's fate and the sexual criminal was painful but not surprising, as Theo was accustomed to insults, mockery, and misfortune clinging to every step.
With a single shake of his head, Theo marked his rejection of the taunt, showing that in their world, there was no difference between one sexual criminal and another.
All were equal in misfortune.
The previously chaotic battle now seemed almost uncontrollable without Ilux's intervention.
Cru still prepared threatening attacks, swirling winds, and spiritual arrows danced in the air as if waiting for the next victim.
Theo held his breath, aware that each second determined whether he could endure or be swept aside, and the pain in his injured left arm further limited his movements.
To be continued…