The King Of Warriors novel (Jared Chance) novel Chapter 5640

Blood poured from the new wounds, soaking Jared's clothing a deep scarlet.

"Jared!" Sylvia's voice cracked as tears glazed her eyes, yet she locked her arms at her sides and honored his wish to fight alone.

Jared teetered on the cliff edge of exhaustion, but the fire in his spirit only blazed higher.

He pictured Maxwell, remembered that this sacred palace was meant to be his own dominion, and that these two before him were traitors defiling it.

From that vision surged a defiant force that drove back the darkness pressing on his mind.

I will not fall. I will break them.

Eyes shut, he focused and drew a black-ringed storage ring from his finger, producing the Divine Bow.

The moment the bow appeared, Death Gorge shuddered, as though some ancient deity had opened a hidden eye; even the air turned heavy and unwilling to move.

Jaehaerys and Brennan felt that tide of power and their confidence flickered. Color drained from their cheeks.

Jared had emptied every reserve he owned. Sweat and blood mingled on his brow, sword trembling in his grip, but his gaze never faltered while that golden pillar roared closer. If this is the last breath destiny grants me, I will meet it standing.

Just as the radiant column was about to swallow him, Sylvia blurred across the field like moonlight on water. She planted herself before Jared, hands dancing through a flurry of arcane seals. A translucent dome of pure celestial force blossomed around her. "Boom!" The golden pillar slammed into the shield. The impact shook the heavens, sparks of holy and celestial power cascading in blinding sheets. Hairline fractures etched themselves across Sylvia's barrier, each one glowing white-hot, threatening to burst.

"Ms. Vale—" Jared tried, voice ragged, yet the word was a tangle of gratitude and protest he could not untie. She glanced back over her shoulder, smile soft yet unyielding.

"Jared, allow me to end this. I know men cling to pride, but pride is cheap—life is priceless. You don't have to pretend bravery in front of me." Her eyes shone with a fierce tenderness. "Even if you chose to stand aside and let me fight alone, I would still find myself hopelessly drawn to you. For someone at Human Immortal Realm Level Three to have come this far—it is more than enough."

Jared froze for a heartbeat. He had thrown himself into the fight to sharpen his edge, nothing more. Impressing Sylvia, let alone grandstanding in front of her, had never crossed his mind. Still, the assumption stung like an undeserved slap.