I leaned against the workbench, my arm aching despite the healing bracer. The shop was a mess—tools and papers scattered everywhere. I'd fought hard, but it wasn't enough. The artifact and blueprints were gone, and frustration gnawed at me. The weight of failure hung heavy in the air.

The door swung open with a force that made me flinch, and Hugh rushed in, his eyes wide with concern. He scanned the room quickly before locking onto me.

"Leon! What happened? Are you okay?" His voice was sharp, urgent, more intense than I was used to hearing from him.

I gritted my teeth, trying to keep my frustration in check. "Someone broke in," I replied, my voice betraying the anger bubbling just below the surface. "Used reinforcement magic. He was too fast. Too strong. Took the blueprints and the artifact."

Hugh's expression darkened as he processed my words. His eyes flicked around the shop, taking in the disarray before settling back on me. "How bad is your arm?" he asked, his tone softer now, more focused.

I flexed my fingers, feeling the warmth from the bracer doing its job. "The bracer's helping. I'll be fine." I hesitated before adding, "But Tobias has everything."

Hugh's jaw tightened, a flash of anger crossing his face. "We can't let him keep it. We need to move fast. Tobias won't wait to use what he's stolen."

The urgency in his voice mirrored my own thoughts, but before I could respond, the door creaked open again. My body tensed instinctively, ready for another confrontation, but instead, a man I'd never seen before stepped inside.

He moved quietly, with a confidence that immediately put me on edge. His clothes were plain, his face unremarkable, but there was something in his eyes—sharp, calculating. Whoever he was, he wasn't just a random stranger.

Hugh's posture stiffened when he noticed the man, a reaction that only made me more uneasy. "You came through, then," Hugh said, his voice flat, giving nothing away.

The man nodded, barely sparing me a glance before focusing entirely on Hugh. "Got what you asked for. Tobias is holed up in an abandoned estate deep in the woods, far from town. He's keeping a low profile, but he's gathering his forces. If my estimates are right, he plans to use the artifact by the end of the week."

His words sent a chill down my spine. The end of the week? That wasn't much time at all. The pressure to act—to do something—intensified, and I could feel my hands clenching into fists despite the pain in my arm.

Hugh took the crumpled piece of paper the man offered, his eyes scanning the details. His expression grew even more serious, if that was possible. "Thanks," he said, his voice tight. "This helps a lot."

The man gave a curt nod, his gaze briefly flicking over me again. "With this, we're even. You won't see me again." Without waiting for a response, he turned and slipped out of the shop as quietly as he had entered, leaving an uneasy silence in his wake.

I watched him go, a knot of tension coiling tighter in my chest. Whoever he was, he clearly had a history with Hugh—one I wasn't privy to. But there wasn't time to dwell on that now.

"We have a location," Hugh said finally, still staring at the paper in his hand. His voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of something else—something darker. "But we need to be smart about this. Tobias won't be easy to take down, not with the kind of power he's amassed."

I pushed myself off the workbench, ignoring the dull ache in my arm. "Let's make a plan," I said firmly. "We can't afford to hesitate."

Hugh nodded, though there was something in his expression that made me uneasy. His eyes flicked to mine, then away, as if he was holding back. But I didn't press him. Not yet. We had to stay focused.

"We'll need to assess the estate's defenses," Hugh began, shifting into planning mode. "If Tobias is holed up there, he'll have set up barriers and traps. He's not the type to leave things unguarded."

"Agreed," I said, thinking through the possibilities. "We should approach from the north side—denser forest, easier to stay hidden. I can scout ahead and disable any traps."

Hugh nodded thoughtfully. "I'll handle the barriers. But that crown… we need to make sure it can never be used again. I've been thinking—we could create something to destroy it for good. Something that doesn't just disrupt its magic but completely annihilates it."

I looked at him, intrigued. "What are you thinking? Some kind of null magic device?"

"Close," Hugh replied, his expression growing more intense. "I built that crown, and I know how its enchantments work. If we can design a device that targets and destroys enchanted objects, it would strip the crown of its power—permanently. It would essentially unmake the magic woven into it, turning it into just another piece of metal."

I mulled over his idea, feeling a sense of purpose building. "So, it would be a device that dismantles the enchantments themselves? That could work, but we'd need to make sure it's powerful enough to handle something as complex as the crown."

"Exactly," Hugh said, determination sparking in his eyes. "I've got the original notes from when I built the crown. We'll need to construct a device that targets the enchantments at their core—something that disrupts the magical threads holding them together. We can use runes to amplify the effect, focusing the device's energy on unraveling the magic completely."

I nodded, picturing the design in my mind. "We'll need a lacrima to act as the core. It's the best conduit for ethernano, and it can absorb and redirect the magic as it's disrupted. But we'll have to attune it specifically to the crown's enchantments."

Hugh's eyes lit up at the mention of the lacrima. "That's perfect. We'll use the lacrima to contain the crown's magic as it's being dismantled, preventing any residual effects from escaping. The runes will guide the energy, focusing it on breaking down the enchantments."

"We'll need to gather the materials tonight," Hugh said, his focus on the sketch. "The lacrima has to be pure, and the runes have to be precise. There's no room for error."

I hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of the decision I was about to make. Hugh had always been the one guiding me, but now… now it was time to show him what I could really do.

"Hugh," I said, my voice steady. "I think I can help with that."

He looked up, a questioning expression on his face. "What do you mean?"

I took a deep breath and focused on the image in my mind—the perfect lacrima, pure and flawless, the exact dimensions we needed. The air in front of me began to glow a pale blue light as I tapped into my magic.

A moment later, the lacrima appeared in my hand, shimmering with a bright light. It was exactly as I had envisioned thankfully its simple form and size not taking much out of me, and I held it out to Hugh, watching his eyes widen in surprise.

"You… you can create things like that?" Hugh asked, clearly impressed. "How did you—"

"It's my magic," I explained. "The lost magic: Arc of Embodiment. I can create anything I imagine, as long as I understand the whole of what I'm creating, say for anything mechanical I require a lot of precision but magical things usually have a weak version of the effect I want to imbue them with if I don't know the processes going into enchanting them normally, then they receive the full power of what I'm trying to create. I've been keeping it under wraps, but… I think it's time you knew."

Hugh took the lacrima from me, turning it over in his hands, inspecting it closely. "This is… incredible. You've just solved our biggest problem." He looked up at me, his expression a mixture of awe and determination. "We can really make this work now, Leon. With your magic, we don't need to worry about sourcing materials—we can focus on perfecting the design and then have you poof it into existence."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief and purpose. "Exactly. Let's prototype the blueprints, and I'll create whatever we need. Then you can fine-tune everything to make sure it's ready for the real thing."

Hugh didn't waste any time. We spread out the sketches, and he quickly drew up the blueprint for the device. His hands moved swiftly, adding layers of detail to ensure everything was aligned perfectly. As he worked, I focused on the components we would need, imagining each one with precision.

Once Hugh had finalized the blueprint, I used my magic to bring the prototype components into existence. One by one, the parts appeared—lacrima crystals, enchanted metal frames, rune-inscribed conduits. It was a delicate balance, but with Hugh's guidance, we created each piece perfectly.

"This… this is impressive work, Leon," Hugh said, examining one of the components. "You've got real talent. Now, let's see if we can get this to working standards."

We spent the next few hours assembling the prototype, testing the connections, and adjusting the runes. Hugh's expertise was invaluable. The final product was a sleek, powerful device that looked similar to a grenade that pulsed with magic power, kind of like a magical EMP…

"The Magic Effect Disruptor… or, the M.E.D." naming it as I rolled it around my hand.

As we finished, I took a moment to copy the blueprint for myself. There was no telling what might happen in the days ahead, and I wanted to be prepared. Having the blueprint meant I could recreate the device if necessary.

"All set," Hugh said, stepping back to admire the finished device. "This should do the trick. We'll test it in the morning, and if all goes well, we'll move out."

"Right," I agreed, though a part of me still felt that lingering unease. But with the device complete and the plan in motion, all we could do now was prepare for what lay ahead.

After the device was finished, Hugh and I began cleaning up the workshop, the silence between us growing heavier with each passing moment. I noticed Hugh moving toward a less-traveled part of the shop, his movements deliberate, almost too focused. Curiosity tugged at me, and I subtly watched as he crouched down and started scratching something into the wall.

My curiosity got the better of me. "Hugh? What are you doing over there?"

He paused for a moment, his hand still resting on the wall. When he turned to face me, his expression was calm, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—something that didn't quite match his usual demeanor.

"Just a safety precaution for the shop," he said casually, but the words felt rehearsed, like he'd been waiting for me to ask.

I nodded, pretending to accept his explanation. "Right. Makes sense."

But as we finished tidying up and headed to our respective sleeping areas, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The rune Hugh had scratched into the wall didn't look like a simple precaution. I'd seen enough runes in my time to recognize the difference between protective magic and something more… complex.

Lying on the cot, I stared at the ceiling, my mind racing. What was Hugh really planning? He'd been acting strange ever since we'd started discussing the plan to take down Tobias. I couldn't ignore the sinking feeling in my gut. Was he trying to protect me? Or was there something more to his actions?

Eventually, exhaustion won out, and I drifted into a restless sleep, my thoughts still churning.

I woke suddenly to the sound of movement downstairs. My heart pounded in my chest as I quickly sat up, straining to listen. It was faint, but unmistakable—the sound of someone moving through the shop.

Without thinking, I jumped to my feet and hurried down the stairs, my mind racing. When I reached the bottom, I froze. Hugh was standing near the door, a small pack slung over his shoulder. He turned at the sound of my footsteps, his expression calm, but his eyes held a weight I hadn't seen before.

"Hugh… what are you doing?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, fear and confusion twisting in my chest.

He sighed deeply, setting the pack down for a moment. The weariness in his posture was evident. "Leon, this fight—it's mine, not yours. You're a good kid, and you've got your whole life ahead of you. You shouldn't have to fight battles that belong to your elders."

"That's not true!" I protested, stepping closer, desperation creeping into my voice. "We're in this together, Hugh. You don't have to do this alone! We've planned everything—we can face Tobias together!"

Hugh shook his head slowly, his gaze steady but filled with a sadness that made my heart ache. "I've made up my mind, Leon. This… this is something I have to do. Alone."

My mind reeled. This couldn't be happening. "Hugh, please," I begged, my voice cracking. "You don't have to prove anything! We've come this far together, don't throw it all away by going off on your own!"

Before I could argue further, he turned and placed his hand on the wall, right where he'd scratched the rune earlier. The lines glowed faintly, and I felt a sudden shift in the air. A barrier of light surrounded me, trapping me in place.

"Hugh! What are you doing?" I shouted, panic rising in my chest as I slammed my hands against the barrier. It held firm, an unyielding wall between us.

Hugh's expression softened, and he stepped closer to me, his hand resting on the barrier as if he wished he could reach through it. "I'm sorry, Leon. The runes… they'll keep you here until I return. Or… if I don't make it back." His voice faltered for a moment, the weight of his words sinking in. He steadied himself before continuing, "If I fall, the wards will collapse, and you'll be free."

My heart raced as I realized what he was saying. "No… you can't do this! We need to face Tobias together. You won't make it back alive if you go alone!"

Hugh gave me a sad smile, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I'm an old man, Leon. These bones have seen better days, but they've also seen worse. Once upon a time, people called me the Crimson Forgemaster. I've fought battles that would make most men run, and I've survived. But this… this is my final stand."

Tears blurred my vision as I slammed my hands against the barrier again, frustration and fear bubbling over. "Hugh, please! Don't go alone! We can do this together. I need you… you're like a father to me."

The words spilled out before I could stop them, raw and unfiltered. Hugh's eyes softened even more, and he took a deep breath, his voice thick with emotion as he spoke. "Leon… I've always wanted a kid who shared my passion for enchanting, someone I could pass my knowledge on to. My son, Ethan, he's a good man, but he was never interested in magic the way I am. But you… you've given me that, Leon. You've given me the chance to share what I love with someone who truly understands."

He paused, his hand pressing gently against the barrier as if trying to reach out to me. "You've made me proud, Leon. And that's why I need to do this—for both of us. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you. This is my burden to bear."

I shook my head, my voice trembling. "But I don't want you to bear it alone. We're stronger together. Please, Hugh… don't do this."

Hugh's eyes filled with a deep sorrow, and for a moment, I thought he might change his mind. But then he straightened, his resolve hardening. "You're a good man, Leon. But this is where our paths have to part, at least for now."

I watched helplessly as Hugh picked up his pack and turned toward the door. My chest tightened, a mix of desperation and helplessness clawing at me. "Hugh, don't go!" I begged, my voice cracking. "You won't survive this! You don't have to do this alone!"

But Hugh didn't stop. As he opened the door, he glanced back at me one last time, his expression filled with a bittersweet smile. "Goodbye, Leon. Stay safe. And remember… you've got a future ahead of you. Don't waste it."

And with that, he stepped outside, the door closing behind him with a heavy finality that echoed through the shop like a death knell. I collapsed against the barrier, tears streaming down my face, my heart pounding in my chest, knowing that the next time I saw Hugh, it might be too late.

The shop was eerily quiet, the silence pressing in on me from all sides. I sat slumped in a chair by the workbench, my eyes unfocused as I stared at the now-empty spot where the M.E.D had been. Hugh had taken it with him thankfully.

That device was a lifeline, the one thing that could tip the scales in our favor. And now it was gone, along with Hugh. The shop felt emptier than ever, a hollow space echoing with the memories of what we had built together.

I clenched my fists, the familiar ache in my arm returning, though it was nothing compared to the ache in my chest. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Hugh's face—the determination, the sadness, the finality. It haunted me, replaying over and over like a broken record.

The shop had become a cage. Not just because of the runic barrier that still held me, but because of the weight of my own thoughts, trapping me in a spiral of despair. I wanted to move, to do something—anything—but I felt paralyzed, unable to shake the feeling that I'd let Hugh down. That I'd failed him by not being strong enough to help.

The hours dragged by, each one heavier than the last. The sun had begun to rise, casting long shadows across the shop floor, but I hardly noticed. Time had lost its meaning, swallowed up by the gnawing uncertainty of what lay ahead. I kept glancing at the door, half-expecting Hugh to walk back through it, to tell me that everything was fine, that he'd changed his mind.

But the door remained closed. And with each passing moment, the hope that he'd return faded further and further away.

Finally, I let out a shaky breath, running a hand through my disheveled hair. "I can't just sit here," I muttered to myself, the sound of my own voice jarring in the quiet. "I need to… I need to do something."

But what? The wards Hugh had set up held firm, and I knew that breaking them wouldn't be easy—if it was even possible. And yet, the thought of sitting here, waiting for something to happen, made my skin crawl.

As I paced the shop, frustration gnawing at me, my mind drifted to memories I'd long tried to bury—memories of my past life. The faces of those I'd worked with, the people who had always doubted me, surfaced in my thoughts. They'd called me a dreamer, someone who thought too big for his own good. Unrealistic, they'd said. A man with ideas too far-fetched to ever come to fruition.

I could still hear their voices, laced with skepticism and condescension. They hadn't believed in me, in my ability to push the boundaries of what was possible. My ideas were dismissed as fanciful at best, dangerous at worst. But I knew—deep down, I knew that what I'd envisioned could work. It just needed the right circumstances, the right application.

My thoughts drifted to the project that had consumed me in those final months—my idea for a portal system. A way to bend space, to create a gateway between two points, bypassing the limitations of distance and time. It had been ambitious, yes, but it wasn't impossible. Not in theory. I had the blueprints, the calculations… all of it had been there, ready to be tested. But I never got the chance.

Until now.

A spark of determination flared within me as the pieces began to click into place. The portal system… it wasn't perfect, not by a long shot. But it didn't have to be perfect. Not right now. I didn't need flawless teleportation; I just needed to get out of here. If I could get close enough to Hugh, I could help him. I could make a difference.

I would help him.

The risk was high—I knew that. But what was the alternative? Sitting here, trapped by these wards, while Hugh faced Tobias alone? No. I couldn't let that happen. I wouldn't let that happen.

I quickly began sketching out the design in my mind, recalling every detail I could from my old blueprints. It wouldn't be perfect, but as long as it got me out of here in one piece, it would be good enough. I'd worry about perfecting the system later—right now, all that mattered was getting to Hugh.

I moved with a newfound urgency, focusing on the image in my mind. The components I needed, the runes that would stabilize the magic—it all came together in my thoughts, a blueprint of what I needed to create. My hands glowed faintly as I tapped into my Arc of Embodiment, summoning the materials and pieces into existence.

The components appeared on the workbench, one by one. Runes inscribing themselves onto the metal frames as I willed them into being, each piece falling into place. It was a fusion of my past knowledge and the magic I'd learned in this world—a hybrid creation that was both familiar and foreign.

As I worked, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction. This was my chance to prove them all wrong—the people who had doubted me, the ones who had dismissed my ideas. They weren't here to see it, of course, but that didn't matter. What mattered was that I believed in myself. I believed in what I could do.

And I believed that I could save Hugh.

With the final touches in place, I stepped back and surveyed my work. The device was crude, hastily assembled from my magic, but it pulsed with a faint magical energy—a promise of what it could accomplish. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what came next. There was no turning back now.

I activated the portal system, the air around me shimmering as the magic took hold. My heart raced, the uncertainty of what would happen next gnawing at me, but I pushed the fear aside. I had to trust in my knowledge, in my abilities. This had to work.

The portal began to form, a swirling vortex of purple and green lights and energy. It wasn't perfect—there were distortions along the edges, a reminder that this was still an untested creation. But it was stable enough. Stable enough to at least get me to the other side of this ward.

I took one last glance around the shop, the place that had become home to me. And then, without another moment's hesitation, I stepped into the portal, hoping that when I emerged on the other side, I'd still be whole—and ready to fight alongside Hugh.

The portal enveloped me in its swirling energy, and for a brief moment, everything was disorienting—colors blurring, space folding in on itself. Then, just as quickly as it had begun, the world snapped back into focus.

I stumbled out of the portal, gasping as I found solid ground beneath my feet. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of the forest nearby. I blinked, taking in my surroundings, and realized with a jolt of frustration that I was just outside the shop. The portal had worked—but only barely. It had only taken me a few dozen meters away from where I started.

"Not exactly what I had in mind," I muttered, glancing back at the shop. The portal had fizzled out behind me, leaving no trace of its existence.

But there was no time to dwell on it. Hugh was still out there, and I had to reach him. The distance might not have been much, but every second counted. I could still make it in time—I had to.

I took off at a sprint, my heart pounding in my chest. The forest loomed ahead, dark and foreboding, but I didn't hesitate. I followed the trail of destruction, broken branches, and scorched earth that marked the path Hugh had taken. The further I went, the more the devastation intensified. Hugh had put up one hell of a fight, but it was clear he'd been up against overwhelming odds.

My legs burned as I pushed myself harder, faster, fear gnawing at the edges of my resolve. I couldn't be too late. I refused to let that happen.

As I neared the edge of the forest, the sounds of battle reached my ears—clashing metal, bursts of magic, and the unmistakable shouts of combat. My pulse quickened, and I burst through the tree line, skidding to a stop as the scene unfolded before me.

The battleground was a nightmare. The once-quiet estate was now a war zone, with debris scattered everywhere and scorch marks marring the ground. Hugh stood in the center of it all, fighting off wave after wave of Tobias's mind-controlled goons. His movements were slower than usual, his energy flagging, but he fought with a determination that took my breath away.

And there, standing on a small rise above the chaos, was Tobias. The crown sat upon his head, pulsing with a dark, malevolent energy. His eyes were cold as he watched the battle unfold, a cruel smile playing on his lips. He was enjoying this—watching his puppets fight while he remained untouched.

My blood boiled. I had to stop this. I had to help Hugh.

But before I could move, Hugh turned slightly, his gaze catching mine. The momentary distraction was all it took. A blast of dark magic surged toward him, and I watched in horror as it struck Hugh square in the chest. He crumpled to the ground with a pained gasp, his pack spilling open beside him.

The M.E.D tumbled out, crashing across the dirt before coming to a stop. For a brief moment, it flickered with energy, sparking wildly. But then, with a final, weak pulse, the device shattered, fragments of metal and crystal scattering across the ground. We didn't have the time to account for its durability…

"No!" The word tore from my throat as I ran toward Hugh, my heart lurching with fear. The goons moved to surround him, their eyes glazed over with the effects of the crown's control.

In that moment, everything slowed down. Hugh was hurt, the EMP device was destroyed, and Tobias loomed above us, his control over the battlefield absolute. Desperation clawed at me, but it was quickly replaced by a cold, steely resolve. I couldn't afford to panic. I couldn't let this be the end.

With fierce determination, I tapped into my magic. The Arc of Embodiment surged through me, and in an instant, I began crafting. My mind raced, summoning the image of the M.E.D. and refining it, improving upon its design. The ground around me shimmered as half a dozen new devices formed at my feet—small, sleek, and ready for action.

I didn't hesitate. Grabbing the newly created M.E.D.s, I hurled them toward Tobias and his controlled goons. Each device erupted in a burst of energy as it hit the ground, sending out a wave of disruption that crackled through the air. The magical tendrils binding the goons to Tobias's will snapped, and they collapsed to the ground, unconscious from the sudden release.

Tobias staggered, his control faltering, but the crown still pulsed with dark energy. He roared in fury, his eyes locking onto me with murderous intent. The crown, though weakened, still held some of its power, and he wasn't going to let go of it easily.

"You think you can stop me?" Tobias snarled, his voice dripping with venom. "The crown's power is beyond anything you can comprehend!"

Before I could respond, the crown pulsed again, and a wave of dark energy surged toward me. I braced myself, but the force of it was overwhelming. Shadows clawed at the edges of my vision, and suddenly, I was no longer on the battlefield.

I was back in my past life, surrounded by the cold, sterile walls of the office that had once felt like a prison. The hum of fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a harsh glow on the familiar faces that now twisted with disdain and contempt. They stood in a circle around me, their expressions filled with skepticism and judgment.

"You're a fool," one of them sneered, his voice dripping with condescension. "All these ridiculous ideas… You'll never amount to anything."

Another voice joined in, sharper, crueler. "Dreamer. Always with your head in the clouds. You think you're special, but you're just a failure waiting to happen."

The words echoed in my ears, growing louder and louder, until they were all I could hear. Faces I had once known—colleagues, mentors, people I had respected—now leered at me, their eyes cold and unfeeling. The walls of the office began to close in, suffocating, as their taunts grew sharper, more vicious.

"Unworthy… Pathetic… You'll never succeed."

The accusations cut through me like knives, each word a reminder of the doubts and insecurities I had carried for so long. The nightmares I had tried so hard to bury clawed their way to the surface, threatening to pull me under. It was as if every failure, every misstep, every moment of doubt had come to life, surrounding me, suffocating me.

I could feel myself faltering, the weight of their words pressing down on me, making it harder and harder to breathe. My knees buckled, and I collapsed to the cold, unforgiving floor, the world around me spinning with the force of their disdain.

"You were never good enough," one voice whispered, venomous and cruel. "And you never will be."

Tears pricked at my eyes as I curled in on myself, the darkness closing in. How many times had I heard these words? How many times had I let them define me, let them shape my fears and doubts? How many times had I believed them?

But then, amidst the darkness, a flicker of light pierced through—the memory of Hugh. I remembered the pride in his eyes, the way he had believed in me when no one else did. He had seen something in me that I had struggled to see in myself. He had trusted me, guided me, and made me realize that I wasn't defined by the failures of my past.

This wasn't real. This was Tobias's magic, feeding on my insecurities, trying to break me. But I wasn't the person I used to be. I wasn't the man who cowered in the face of doubt and ridicule. I had grown, learned, fought, and survived. I had people who believed in me—people who mattered.

I clenched my fists, digging my nails into my palms, using the pain to ground myself. I wasn't going to let Tobias control me like this. I wasn't going to let him twist my mind and drag me back to that dark place. Not now. Not ever.

Slowly, I pushed myself up from the floor, the taunts, and jeers of the figures around me fading into the background. The walls of the office began to crumble, the fluorescent lights flickering and dying out. The faces of my tormentors warped, distorting into something less human, less real.

"I am not a failure," I whispered, the words growing stronger as I said them. "I am not unworthy."

The darkness recoiled as I stood tall, my eyes blazing with newfound determination. The illusions Tobias had crafted in my mind began to shatter, fragments of my past life falling away like broken glass.

"I am stronger than you think," I declared, my voice ringing out with conviction. "And I will not be controlled."

The last remnants of the nightmare dissolved into nothingness, and I found myself back on the battlefield, the sounds of the real world rushing back in. Tobias's shocked expression greeted me, his control over me shattered.

"I don't need to comprehend it to destroy it!" I shouted, my voice filled with a renewed resolve.

Tobias's face twisted in rage, dark magic swirling around him like a storm. His eyes burned with a malevolent light as he charged at me, his movements fueled by a desperation that made him even more dangerous. The ground beneath him cracked and splintered as the dark energy radiated from him, sending shockwaves through the battlefield.

I tightened my grip on the VersaTool, feeling the familiar weight of the weapon as it shifted fluidly between its forms—axe, sword, hammer. Each transformation was a testament to everything I had learned, every battle I had fought, every lesson Hugh had taught me. This wasn't just a fight for survival; it was a culmination of everything I had become.

Tobias's first strike was brutal, a wave of dark energy that threatened to overwhelm me. I barely had time to raise the VersaTool in its sword form, the blade absorbing the impact with a resounding clash that echoed through the air. My arms shook from the force of the blow, but I held firm, gritting my teeth as I pushed back against the darkness.

He snarled, his next attack coming in a blur of motion. Dark tendrils shot out from his hands, wrapping around my legs, trying to pull me down. I slashed at them with the axe form of the VersaTool, cutting through the tendrils with swift, precise strikes. Each time I severed one, another took its place, but I kept fighting, refusing to let him drag me under.

"You're nothing!" Tobias hissed, his voice dripping with venom. "You think you can stand against me? I will crush you!"

I dodged to the side as a bolt of dark energy shot past me, the ground where I'd been standing exploding into shards of stone. The heat of the blast seared my skin, but I didn't let it slow me down. I retaliated with a powerful swing of the hammer, aiming for his midsection. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, and I felt the satisfying crunch of metal against bone as the blow connected.

Tobias staggered, a gasp of pain escaping him, but he didn't fall. Instead, he roared in fury, his eyes glowing with an even darker light. The crown pulsed on his head, feeding him more power, and I could see the toll it was taking on him. His movements were becoming more erratic, his attacks wild and uncontrolled. The cracks were forming, the signs of his impending defeat becoming clearer with every passing second.

But he wasn't done yet.

With a guttural cry, Tobias unleashed a torrent of dark magic, the energy coalescing into a massive wave that surged toward me like a tidal wave. I had no choice but to brace myself, crossing the VersaTool in front of me as the wave crashed into me with the force of a hurricane. The impact sent me skidding backward, my feet digging into the earth as I struggled to stay upright.

For a moment, I was submerged in darkness, the weight of the magic pressing down on me, threatening to crush me. But I fought back, the Arc of Embodiment surging within me, fueling my strength. With a shout, I pushed against the darkness, shattering the wave with a burst of raw power.

Tobias's eyes widened in shock as the remnants of his attack dissipated into the air. He was breathing heavily now, his chest heaving with exertion, but the malevolent fire in his eyes hadn't dimmed. He lunged at me again, his fists crackling with dark energy, but I was ready for him.

I shifted the VersaTool into its sword form, parrying his strikes with swift, precise movements. Each clash of our weapons sent sparks flying, the sound of metal against metal ringing out through the battlefield. Tobias was relentless, but I could see the desperation in his attacks—the way his movements were becoming more erratic, more reckless.

Then, with a sudden burst of speed, Tobias feinted to the left, then struck from the right, his fist aimed directly at my head. I barely had time to react, twisting my body to avoid the blow, but the force of it grazed my shoulder, sending a jolt of pain through me. I stumbled, but quickly regained my footing, narrowing my focus on him.

"You're done, Tobias!" I shouted, charging forward with renewed vigor.

With a fluid motion, I shifted the VersaTool into its hammer form, swinging it down in a powerful arc. Tobias raised his arms to block, but the impact was too much. The hammer slammed into him with a bone-crushing force, driving him to his knees. He grunted in pain, the crown on his head flickering as his grip on the dark magic wavered.

But even now, he refused to give up. His eyes blazed with hatred as he summoned every last ounce of power he had left, dark tendrils snaking out from the ground, wrapping around my legs and arms, trying to hold me in place.

"You… will… fall!" Tobias growled, his voice barely a whisper.

I struggled against the tendrils, but they tightened their grip, squeezing the life out of me. The pressure was immense, and for a moment, I feared I wouldn't be able to break free. But then I remembered what I had in my inventory, the first working magic Item I created and the first one Hugh helped me perfect.

With a swift motion, I pulled out my magic lamp, it glowed with a familiar, comforting light, and I activated it with as much magic as possible just as Tobias lunged at me with a deadly strike.

The lamp's light flared, blinding Tobias, and causing him to stumble. The moment of disorientation was all I needed. In that instant, everything clicked into place. I shifted the VersaTool into its hammer form and swung with all my might, the weight of my determination behind the blow.

The hammer connected with Tobias's temple in a brutal, decisive strike. His body crumpled to the ground unconscious, the crown shattering into pieces as it hit the dirt, its malevolent energy dissipating into the air like smoke.

For a moment, I just stood there, panting, staring down at the defeated figure of Tobias. Relief washed over me, but it was quickly overshadowed by a crushing sense of dread. I turned and ran to Hugh's side, my heart pounding with fear.

He was still alive, but barely. Blood seeped from the wound in his chest, and his breathing was shallow. I knelt beside him, my hands trembling as I tried to think of what to do, how to help him.

"Hugh… please, hold on," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I'm here. I stopped him. It's over."

Hugh's eyes fluttered open, and he gave me a weak smile. "Good… job, kid," he rasped, his voice barely more than a whisper. "Knew… you could… do it."

I choked back a sob, clutching his hand as tightly as I could. "Just hang on, okay? I'll get help. You're going to be fine."

But deep down, I knew the truth. And so did Hugh.

"Leon… listen," he murmured, his voice fading. "You're… ready… to carry on… without me. I'm… proud of you…"

I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. "Don't say that, Hugh. You're going to be fine. We'll get through this together."

Hugh's eyes softened, and with a trembling hand, he reached for something by his side—a staff, worn and weathered but pulsing with a faint magical glow. He pressed it into my hands, his grip weak but steady.

"This… this was one of my greatest creations," he whispered. "It holds… so much of my knowledge… but it'll take time… to decipher. Study it, Leon. Learn its secrets… and use it well…"

I clutched the staff to my chest, tears blurring my vision. "I will, Hugh. I promise."

Hugh's eyes drifted shut, his grip on my hand loosening. "Take care… of yourself… Leon…"

And then he was gone.

I sat there in stunned silence, holding his lifeless hand, the weight of the battle, the loss, and the responsibility crashing down on me all at once. Hugh had believed in me, even when I doubted myself. And now, I had to honor that belief. I had to carry on.

But for now, all I could do was mourn.

Mourn the loss of my teacher, and mourn the loss of the one man I had started to see as my father.

Boom! Emotional ending to the chapter! And I'll just let yall know right now, I was tempted to cut the story on a cliffhanger right as he stepped through the portal, but the word count was a little low so I figured this way would be a better cut to ending the first Arc of this story. The prologue is done. (I don't know if prologue is the right word here)

Now, chapter question time! While I haven't had the time to watch any episodes of the 100-year quest yet as I'm rewatching it from the start rn, how are you all liking it?