The battlefield dissolved into mist, and before them, a grand gate of silver and starlight swung open.
Jin and Velka stood side by side, walking forward into a breathtaking expanse — the Treasury Room.
It was a sea of wonders.
Endless lanterns floated in the air, each cradling a blue flame that shimmered like captive stars. The ceiling above them twisted with auroras, and the floor below reflected the cosmos itself. Everything glowed softly — timeless, untouched by sorrow.
Then, a voice — old as the first dawn — spoke:
"Champions who conquered the hundred trials.
You may now speak your desires.
One wish each."
Jin glanced at Velka, a small, encouraging smile on his face.
"You first," he said softly.
Velka hesitated, biting her lip. She clutched her hands tightly to her chest and, with a trembling heart, spoke:
"I... I wish for a life where I am never abandoned again."
Her voice cracked slightly — and though she said it carefully, it carried a deeper, unspoken truth:
I want to stay by Jin's side forever.
The blue lanterns flickered slightly, as if hesitating.
The voice responded, almost sorrowfully:
"Velka... I am sorry.
I cannot grant this wish."
A silence heavier than steel fell upon the room.
Velka's golden eyes widened. She opened her mouth — but no words came out. She forced a small smile, hiding the ache deep inside her.
"Then..." she whispered, blinking back the sting of tears, "I want... Jin to succeed in his journey."
The Treasury Room pulsed warmly. The lanterns flared brighter, and the voice spoke with kindness:
"This wish... can be granted."
Velka felt the weight on her heart lift slightly, replaced with a fragile but genuine happiness.
Jin smiled at her — proud, grateful.
Then, a swirling portal of azure and gold opened nearby. The voice echoed:
"Your wish is fulfilled.
You cannot remain here.
You must either depart... or continue the next mission beyond."
Jin turned to Velka, his voice firm yet gentle.
"You should go," he said. "I will come back soon."
With a sweep of his hand, Jin summoned Eres, Nyxses from his shadow
Jin knelt before Velka, gently setting Eres into her lap.
"Nyxses," he commanded, "take Velka safely to the Lunar World. Protect her at any cost."
Nyxses bowed low, his scales gleaming.
Velka clutched Eres tightly, her heart torn.
She looked at Jin one last time — memorizing every detail of him — before stepping into the portal.
In a flash of light, she was gone.
The Treasury Room grew silent once more.
Jin turned back toward the ancient voice, his eyes burning with purpose.
"Now," he said, voice cutting through the silence, "tell me — how do I defeat Zhel-Vorah?"
The voice laughed — a sound like ancient bells tolling over forgotten ruins.
"Before you ask how," it whispered, "you must know what you are facing."
Jin narrowed his eyes.
"Then tell me everything."
The lanterns dimmed, and a heavy darkness weighed upon the room.
The voice began to speak — slow, dreadful, each word chiseling itself into Jin's soul:
Zhel-Vorah's Powers
1. The Requiem: Kravlir – Echo of the Tyrant of Change
With every death he faces, he carves new laws into reality itself.
He evolves beyond limits, growing ever stronger with each death he faces.
2. True Dragon Powers:
A. Birth of Destruction
Burns not just matter — but the very "story" of existence.
B. Dragon Glass
Freezes time, space, and even concepts — trapping anything in perfect stillness.
C. Dragon Transformation
Unleashes his full potential without limits.
D. Dragon Ragnar Blade
Erases beings not only from existence — but from all records, all stories, across any cosmology.
E. Dragon Authority
Commands legions of ancient dragon soldiers under his rule.
3. Authority over the Abyss:
True Abyss
The Abyss itself bows to him; he is its creator.
A. Mindlock
Halts higher cognition — freezing thoughts, memories, instincts, and reactions.
B. Silence Beyond End
Devours and nullifies every form of energy — divine, magical, narrative, conceptual, or metaphysical.
It also annihilates illusions, mental projections, and even layered realities.
C. Power Transfer
Can bestow any form of Abyssal power upon others.
4. Monarch Powers:
Omnikinesis
The ultimate telekinesis. He can manipulate reality, causality, destiny, concepts, possibilities, time, and existence — as if they were mere objects in his grasp.
Jin's fists trembled.
He could hardly believe what he was hearing.
"So..." he muttered, "those are his powers..."
"...but I still don't have my answer."
He stared into the swirling lights.
"How do I kill something like that?"
The voice grew cold.
"Zhel-Vorah... has no weaknesses."
Jin's heart lurched violently in his chest.
"No... weaknesses?" he whispered.
Hopelessness tried to claw its way into his soul — but Jin crushed it underfoot.
"Then... is there truly no way?"
The voice smiled — or seemed to.
"There is a way."
In an instant, a flood of knowledge slammed into Jin's mind — a whispered secret, too great for words.
He staggered slightly, eyes widening in shock.
He understood now.
He gasped for breath, his soul trembling.
"You mean... I..." Jin whispered.
The voice spoke one final time:
"In order to achieve it — you must grow stronger.
Stronger than Zhel-vorah."
The Treasury faded into mist.
And Jin was left standing alone —
facing the impossible future.
But he smiled, ever defiant.
The real battle had only just begun.