Chapter 81

Zevander drives Maevyth and the Letalisz through thorn and flame as spiders close in. He throws up a sable fire boundary while Dravien and Maevyth cut down hybrids; Maevyth’s whip shatters attackers. A massive spider looms, and Kazhimyr attempts the Umbravale but is rejected by the barrier’s pull.

Summoning a Lyverian glyph, Zevander weakens the Umbravale long enough for Dravien to slip through. Drained, he opens it again so Kazhimyr can carry a protesting Maevyth across. Behind them, Ravezio turns the giant spider to stone with his gaze, clearing the field.

Cadavros then steps through the flames in his antlered beast form, seizing Ravezio and bargaining: help burn the Umbravale and Ravezio lives. Zevander senses their old mental tether is severed after Maevyth’s blood. Cadavros reveals he now holds Pestilios and a fragment of Deimos but lacks enough power to destroy the barrier alone.

Black fire collides as Zevander clashes with Cadavros. Ravezio charges, and Cadavros suspends him midair, ripping every scale from his body in a single, excruciating strike. Mortally wounded, Ravezio begs for release. Zevander, shattered, performs a mercy killing, leaving only a bloodstone where his friend lay.

Grief hardening into fury, Zevander pockets the stone and rejects Cadavros’s hollow claim of restraint. Sword and flame ready, he charges the mage, vowing retribution.