The mont Andre crossed to the other side, the world shifted.
They appeared in what seed to be a volcanic region, and the change was so sudden that even soone like Andre paused for a fraction of a second. The air was hotter, the ground beneath their feet was black rock that felt as though it had been baked for centuries, and the sll carried ash and heat in a way that could not be faked with normal magic. In front of them, the land dropped into a wide ravine where a river of lava flowed slowly like thick liquid fire, and the heat rising from it made the air warp visibly. The temperature was extre, causing sweat to form quickly, yet both of them maintained their composure, because their bodies were not fragile and because neither of them would allow discomfort to show weakness.
Andre stepped forward and looked down into the ravine, then turned his head back toward Nox with a frown that bordered on irritation.
"You brought here," he said, and the way he spoke carried a question even though the words did not. This place did not look like a hideout where untrained beast tars would live, nor did it resemble a camp where people could sleep safely.
Nox stood a short distance behind him, hands at his sides, his expression calm as he replied in an even tone.
"This is the outer region," he said. "I never said I hid them in the middle of a town. I said I hid them where only I can lead soone, because if anyone else could find them, they would already be dead."
Andre’s eyes narrowed as he took another step closer to the cliff edge, as if checking for paths, caves, or anything that suggested life. His perception spread outward like a net, scanning the environnt.
Nox could feel it, that pressure searching and testing. Even though nothing was found, the ease with which that awareness expanded reminded him why a direct fight here would still be a bad idea. Strength like that was not sothing solved with bravery. It was sothing solved with planning.
Andre turned slightly, ready to speak again, and at that exact mont a quiet voice rang out behind him, so calm it almost sounded as though it had been spoken directly into his ear.
"Shadow oblivion."
His head snapped around, eyes flashing, but the attack had already landed.
BOOOM!
A dark blast slamd into his back with explosive force. The impact rocked the entire region, ash and broken rock bursting outward as the ground cracked in a wide circle. His body was blown forward and upward, as if struck by a giant unseen hand.
He did not scream, and he did not panic, but the sudden impact disrupted his balance for the first ti in a long while, and that disruption was all Nox needed. His boots scraped against the cliff edge, then the rock beneath him collapsed. For a brief instant, his eyes t Nox’s, raw anger burning within them, because he understood imdiately that this had never been a negotiation. It was a setup.
A heartbeat later, he dropped off the cliff into the ravine, his attire flaring as heat rushed upward. He twisted midair as if to catch himself, but the blast had not been only force. Darkness clung to him for a fraction longer than it should have, and that mont was enough to steal his chance to simply step on air and return.
As he fell, the glow of the lava reflected across his face. There was no fear in his expression, only furious disbelief, because the beast tar he had co to erase had just made him look careless.
Up on the cliff, Nox did not celebrate. He knew Andre was not dead, and that had never been the plan.
The instant Andre disappeared below, Nox’s body blurred and vanished from where he stood, as if he had never been there at all, leaving sothing else behind in his place.
A figure stood there now, one of his pets, staring around in confusion, its eyes moving quickly as it tried to understand why it had suddenly appeared in a place that slled of heat and ash.
Andre’s fall ended with another explosion far below, a heavy impact that sent sparks and molten splashes up the ravine wall. Even from above, it was clear that he had struck sothing rather than falling endlessly.
The figure stiffened, instinctively sensing danger it did not understand, and took a step back. For a brief mont, it felt as though Andre’s aura was pressing against the realm itself from below.
’Where... where am I? How did I get here?’ Hendrix thought.
Back in the real world, Nox appeared near the entrance of the inn, the door behind him still open as the cool night air hit him like ice compared to the volcanic heat.
The mont they saw him, both Jack and Eve rushed forward, their expressions a mix of relief and fear. They had watched the door appear and swallow both n, and they had expected blood to follow, not for Nox to return alone.
The onlookers stumbled backward in shock as well.
"Why is it only him?"
"Where is the lord?"
Murmurs spread outward through the gathered ranks as people spoke in hushed voices.
"What happened?" Jack demanded, his voice tight as his eyes scanned Nox’s body for wounds that were not there, while his mind searched for the presence of Andre that was also missing.
Eve remained silent, but she was no less curious. She understood how Nox’s dinsional key worked. One needed to spend days on the other side before they could exit. That alone raised the question of how he was here, and why Andre was not.
...
Thanks to everyone who supports Supre Beast Tar with your valuable Golden Tickets, Power Stones, comnts, and gifts. I really appreciate it! Another Chapter will be out in the morning stay tuned!
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