Chapter 77

Chapter 77
His blood instantly restored my strength.
Just like every time his lips met mine, it left me yearning for more.
If only we had more time.
If only.

“Stand beside Erikson. Leave the rest to me,” Brix whispered, his voice unsteady. The fury in his eyes mirrored the tremble in his voice. He tried to help me up, but I resisted and stayed down on the ground.

Not because I was enjoying the rain pouring onto my face or the mud that oddly felt like a soft bed—but because Brix was shirtless, soaking wet, and staring down at me.
The universe was staring down at me.
My universe.

“Cover them up!” came Prince Nigel Hezuera’s command. Everyone surrounded us like we were a treasure they had to protect.
“Don’t worry. You can rest—just a few minutes. We got you.”

I cupped Brix’s face.
I saw his wounds slowly healing, felt his energy returning.
He looked alive again.

“A-Albina is gone…” I muttered.

“This is war, Astra,” he reminded me, as if I had forgotten.

“I-I want to end it now…” My voice was barely a whisper, swept away by the rain. “Enough. I don’t want to lose anyone else. I’m scared…”

He just stared at me.

A tear slid down my cheek.
“The longer this war drags on… the more we lose, the more meaningless our fight begins to feel.”

I couldn’t bear to lose another soul.

He stood and reached a hand out to me.

Brixton Wenz Cardinal smiled.

“Then let’s end it…”

Smiling through my tears, I reached for his hand. He gently helped me stand. The soldiers surrounding us slowly parted to make way.

My eyes locked onto Lady Majika, the leader of the witches.
The rage in her eyes hadn’t faded—not even after Brix shattered their barrier. She knew they were outmatched now.
It was over.
They’d have to surrender to save themselves.
But I knew they wouldn’t.

“Time’s up…” Brix stepped forward.
“I gave you a chance earlier, but your interference has gone too far.”

“You’re really intimidating, Brixton,” Lady Majika said, amusement lacing her voice. “But… we have nothing left to lose. You took everything from us!”

“Well, I still have mine,” Brix replied with a shrug.

In a blink, Brix was already in front of them. The healers quickly conjured a shield, but with just one punch, he shattered it.
The force flung the witches back, though they quickly recovered.

“Holy shit,” Nigel cursed.

Nathalia chuckled. “He could’ve broken the shield anytime. I just don’t get why he dragged it out and let his shirt get destroyed.”

“No. He didn’t want to hurt them,” Erikson said. “He was holding back. But they crossed the line.”

“We’ll make sure to get our revenge…” Lady Majika vowed. “Even if it means losing everything. I don’t care anymore. As the leader of the witches, I swear I’ll make it happen.”

I knew they wouldn’t surrender.

The healers joined hands, and a blinding light began to form above them—growing larger and brighter.

“Everyone fall back!”
Finally, Lord Oscar appeared, out of breath.

I grabbed Celeste, who hadn’t moved. She was likely caught in a daze by Oscar’s sudden appearance. She gave me a sheepish smile, as if embarrassed she’d spaced out.

I smiled back.
I knew the feeling.

My gaze sharpened.
Brix was walking forward—fists clenched—toward the danger, toward the growing energy sphere the witches were forming.

“He’s going to be devoured by the fire!” Celeste cried out.

“My idol’s so cool!” Nigel giggled.

“They’re pouring everything into that light,” Nathalia observed. “It’s risky for both sides.”

“Look at Brix,” Erikson chuckled. “Does he even care?”

“We’ll never forgive you, Brixton Wenz Cardinal,” Lady Majika said, tears streaming from her eyes, failure etched on her face.
“You destroyed our peaceful world. Because of you, we’re always living in fear that it could happen again.”

The energy sphere spun like a storm, expanding wildly.
So bright, it hurt to look at.
The rain and wind suddenly stopped—as if nature itself was being sucked into it.

“This is bad,” Erikson whispered.

“That ball of light could burn everything in its path,” Randolf added.
“What is he doing? He should stop it now!”

“Don’t let that energy ball touch the ground, Brixton!” Nathalia shouted in panic.

But how?
How could he stop it?
The only option I saw was to detonate it in the air—before it made contact.
That would still cause damage, but nowhere near the destruction it would unleash if it hit the earth.

“Do you want me to confess?” Brix asked calmly.

“You did it, didn’t you?” Lady Majika’s voice was faint, weak.
They had poured all their power into that orb of energy.
“You never answered us. We want to hear it now!”

“Brix! That energy could kill them too!”
I screamed with everything I had, praying he could hear me.
“Please, do something!”

“What? They deserve it!” Randolf snapped.

“So does Brixton,” Erikson laughed darkly.