Chosen By The Lover's Constellation-Chapter 164: Children of Mana, Part Forty-Seven

Lianna’s mind raced, a whirlwind of thoughts and calculations as she sought a strategy to turn the tide of battle in their favor.

With the revelation of her newfound immunity to Jack’s absorption spell, a glimmer of hope ignited within her, but it was quickly overshadowed by the harrowing sight of her friends locked in combat against the relentless onslaught of their formidable adversary.

Enverna’s valiant offense faltered under the weight of a powerful blow from one of Jack’s Fiendish spells, purple lightning crashing into her form, staggering her against the onslaught.

Lianna’s heart clenched with anguish at the sight of her friend’s struggle, a surge of determination flooding her being.

[I have to do something,] Lianna thought. [This is a big advantage, but how can I use it?]

Lianna’s gaze swept across the battlefield, her mind racing through the possibilities.

She saw how Enverna’s grip on her spear tightened, her teeth gritted, and sweat rolled down the side of her face. The same signs of exertion showed in everyone else. Slowly, everyone was beginning to tire.

They needed a plan. They needed a strategy that would exploit Jack’s newfound vulnerabilities.

But, what?

Lianna’s eyes narrowed as a plan began to form. Pushing on that newfound immunity in her thoughts, she saw an opportunity hidden within this perilous situation.

Enverna’s spear flashed as she dodged another of Jack’s spells, her gaze darting worriedly towards Lianna.

"Fall back, Lianna!" she shouted over the din of battle, her voice tinged with urgency.

[Aw, she’s paying attention to me.]

It was heartwarming, but Lianna couldn’t let her voice distract her.

Dancing on the edge of actual danger, Lianna continued her feigned attacks, keeping Jack’s attention fixated on her as she gradually closed the distance between them.

As she neared Jack, she saw it.

His eyes gleamed with triumph, his lips resisting the urge to curl into a wicked grin.

Lianna knew he was relishing the prospect of finishing her, of absorbing her powers, adding them to his formidable arsenal, and probably just the luxury of being rid of her.

Just a few more steps, she told herself, her muscles tense with anticipation.

A surge of dark energy crackled around Jack as he prepared to unleash another devastating spell.

Enverna and the others fought valiantly, their efforts a mesmerizing dance of skill and determination amidst chaos.

Then, as if the fates aligned, Lianna found herself within arm’s reach of Jack.

Naturally, he stretched his palm out toward her, nearly grasping her by the head.

"NOOO!" Enverna cried out. Lianna saw her run up from the corner of her eye, trying to reach their position.

She’d never wanted Enverna to fail at something more than she did right now.

"Got you," Jack snarled.

Jack’s triumphant expression faltered for just a moment as Lianna allowed herself to be drawn into the swirling vortex of energy.

He was confused, but he kept going.

And, that moment was all she needed.

As the spell reached its peak, ready to siphon her powers, a sudden shockwave rippled through the air.

Jack’s eyes widened in disbelief as the absorption spell rebounded, a chaotic surge of energy spiraling back towards him.

Lianna’s immunity, a revelation concealed until this critical instant, shattered Jack’s expectations.

And, now, Lianna had to take advantage of this.

She raised her bow, aiming an arrow right at Jack’s head.

As Lianna’s arrow sailed through the air, her breath hitched with tension.

The projectile raced towards Jack, whose widened eyes betrayed a mix of shock and disbelief at the sudden turn of events.

Lianna wasn’t particularly strong, or particularly precise. It didn’t matter, though.

The arrow struck, not with the force of a deadly blow but with the intent to stun.

It found its mark, impacting Jack’s forehead with a resounding thud.

For a split second, the world seemed to hold its breath as Jack stumbled backward, his concentration broken by the unexpected assault.

Sensing the opening, Lianna’s voice rang out amidst the chaos, clear and commanding.

"NOW, ATTACK!"

Her call to action ignited a flurry of movement as her comrades sprang into coordinated action.

Enverna surged forward with practiced grace, her spear a lethal extension of her will as she aimed for Jack’s exposed flank.

Desmond darted in with uncanny speed, his daggers a blur of silver in the dim light.

Xi’s hands crackled with lightning as she weaved through the fray, her strikes precise and electrifying.

Mel’s magic surged forth in waves of arcane power, weaving intricate patterns that wove around their adversary’s defenses.

Athene’s greatsword swung in sweeping arcs, each strike aimed to force Jack into a defensive posture.

Her movements were fluid yet decisive, a testament to her years of training and discipline.

Zura bounced around the field from one ally to another, her shield a bulwark against Jack’s retaliatory strikes, providing crucial cover for them to press their advantage.

Jack, despite his considerable abilities, found himself increasingly on the defensive.

The combined assault of Lianna’s team pushed him to his limits, each strike whittling away at his defenses.

Dodging one attack left him vulnerable to another, a relentless onslaught that tested even his formidable skills.

As the battle raged around them, one person was sensing an opportunity.

That person had her weapon aimed forward, murderous intent clear to see in her eyes. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Lianna sought to help her, then, using {Lover’s Intuition}.

"Go for it," Lianna instructed quietly.

According to the ability, that was all Enverna needed to hear.

With a primal cry that echoed across the battlefield, Enverna surged forward, her movements a blur of calculated precision and unrelenting determination.

Lianna herself could feel it.

The weight of every battle they’d fought, every moment they’d spent together, having led up to this.

Time seemed to slow as Storm’s tip shimmered in the sunlight, tracing a deadly arc toward Jack’s heart.

Each heartbeat thundered in Lianna’s ears. The same could probably be said for both Jack and Enverna as well.

And then, with a thud and sickening slip, it happened.

Enverna’s spear pierced through Jack’s chest.

Everyone stopped.

A stunned silence followed as the battlefield seemed to hold its breath, the clash of arms momentarily suspended in disbelief.

Enverna’s gaze remained locked on Jack, her chest heaving with exertion, yet her arms stood firm.

Jack’s eyes widened in disbelief as he staggered back, his lips parting in a silent gasp as crimson blossomed across his simple, ragged attire.

He coughed twice. Blood came out both times.

Then, he fell back, his body hitting the ground with a soft thud.

Lianna paused. Everyone did. It almost felt like even the Fiends still around them were wondering what was going on.

Jack did not get up again.

[... It’s over?] Lianna risked asking internally, not wanting to jinx anything.

But, nothing happened for a while.

It seemed like he was, in fact, actually dead.

And then, he exploded.

"AGH!"

A burst of Fiendish mana sent Lianna back.

Enverna caught her.

Lianna’s vision swam for a moment, the deafening roar of the explosion ringing in her ears.

Enverna’s strong arms steadied her, and Lianna blinked rapidly, trying to clear her head.

"Are you alright?" Enverna asked softly.

"I think so," Lianna nodded. "Uh, Jack, is he...?"

The acrid scent of burnt magic and sulfur filled the air as she took stock of her surroundings.

Jack was nowhere to be seen.

The mana lingering where he’d been, however, painted an ominous picture. It swirled and eddied like a dark storm, tendrils of corrupted power snaking across the once serene landscape.

[So... Is he dead, or...?]

Before she had any chance to contemplate the answer to that question, amidst the lingering echoes of battle, a familiar voice whispered in her mind, resonating with an otherworldly presence that sent shivers down her spine.

It was the same voice she’d spoken to before.

"Well done, well done!" That deep tone echoed within her thoughts.

"Enverna, are you hearing this?"

"Huh? No, I-I can’t hear anything," Enverna replied.

[Telepathy.]

"You have done well to best Jack," the voice echoed within her thoughts, its tone dripping with a mixture of admiration and veiled threats. "But, know this. Your victory here changes nothing in the grand scheme of things. This world will be reborn. That much is inevitable."

Lianna’s jaw clenched.

She refused to cower before this unseen adversary. She’d come too far to back away.

"Even if that’s true, I’ll fight you to my last breath," she responded in her thoughts. "If Jack, and all those Fiends, are indicative of the world you want to make then that’s just not a world I want to be a part of."

A cold laughter echoed in response, a sound devoid of mirth or humanity.

"Stubborn as ever, little one. But remember, the stage is set, and the pieces are in motion. This game is far from over."

Just like that, the voice faded from her mind.

That last statement lingered.

[He’s right. This isn’t over. Even if Jack’s actually dead, we still have all the Fiends to deal with.]