The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

On the sixth night, as darkness enveloped the land and the forest fell silent, only Alavin's heavy footsteps moved forward. The Restoration Mantra continuously operated, repairing his injuries and renewing his energy.

The eighteen statues remained silent and still, illuminated only by a thousand rays of radiant light.

Crack!

Alavin's stepping foot shattered the stones before him, half his leg sunk into the ground, and his leg muscles and sinews were taut like iron rods. His blood was golden, such that after six days, his eyes, skin, and more all took on a pale golden hue.

For six days and nights, he endured a grueling ordeal, pushing his limits to madness. Though he trembled with excruciating pain, his blood felt as if it were ablaze. Unbeknownst to him, the Golden Heart had already merged flawlessly with his mortal flesh.

As he stamped upon the earth, as his bones were once again torn asunder by chains, a great tumult arose from his spine. With a thunderous crash, twin golden wings burst forth from his back, flecked with droplets of blood, and unfurled with majestic strength. These wings, resplendent as if forged from the purest gold, radiated both beauty and an unyielding authority.

"Are these... the Wings of Eternity?"

Alavin, in awe, gazed skyward as the Golden Heart throbbed powerfully, its pulse echoing in his ears like the tolling of a distant bell.

Flesh, sinew, and veins swiftly enveloped the bony appendages, growing before his eyes and sprouting magnificent feathers adorned in splendor. Soon, the golden wings flapped with great force, scattering a shower of golden radiance across the heavens, breathtaking and grand in their expanse. Had any onlooker been present, they would have been utterly astounded by the sight of those resplendent golden wings, coveting the splendor they bestowed.

Alavin felt as though he had been reborn. All weariness and pain swiftly faded, replaced by a fiery surge of strength that filled his entire being. His eyes turned a complete golden hue, sparkling with the light of truth. Moreover, the perfect union of the Golden Heart and his blood had utterly transformed him, forcing a breakthrough in a critical moment from Stage II to Stage III.

The unique properties of his golden blood, combined with Alavin's six days of relentless determination, also caused the Vigor within him to soar exponentially, shattering the Shell and advancing into Armor! A series of breakthroughs triggered a complete metamorphosis!

Alavin felt his strength double, his might nearing that of twenty thousand pounds. His numbed nerves slowly revived, and the hollow in his eyes regained their luster.

With a powerful flap of his golden wings, Alavin marched on. The pain was still piercing, the agony of his bones tearing remained, but the growth in his strength allowed him to move faster and with greater resolve.

Yet at that moment, Godfred, having shattered a great mountain, saw his five Beast Spirits dissipate-his limit was reached! He knelt amidst the ruins, bloodied and trembling uncontrollably, his consciousness fading. He forced himself to stand, but his body refused to obey. His mouth seemed agape, but he could not even muster a sound.

"Godfred, you must rest now. I will go on alone. I can do this," Alavin declared, his voice hoarse and low as he dragged eighteen statues toward the wreckage. His entire form was shrouded in a golden aura and enveloped by lightning, his pace quickening.

"I can do this! I must do this!" Clinging to his last ounce of strength, Godfred staggered to his feet, only to collapse the next second. Tears welled up in his bloodshot eyes as he watched Alavin approach, saw the heaviness of his steps, and murmured with quivering lips. "Lord Alavin... I'm sorry..."

High-pitched cries echoed from the skies as four fierce raptors broke through the dense clouds, circling in the night.

Astride each raptor, figures peered down at the forest below, their eyes tracing the straight, shocking gouge that cut through the woodland depths and stretched to the horizon. "There! Descend!" A sharp command was given, and three raptors swooped down into the forest with a gust of wind.

"Hurry, hurry!" Eyla, accompanied by three Elders, rushed to the scene, staring in amazement at the astonishing sight before them. The dazzling orb of light was like a midday sun nestled within the forest, its brilliance bathing the mountains and the ancient trees in layers of radiance. The "sun" pulsed with formidable energy, repelling the Magi-Monsters and predatory birds within a ten-mile radius. Eighteen thick chains stretched from within, anchoring into a smaller "storm cluster" half a mile away.

"Miss, this is... this is..." The three Elders were truly stunned. They had lived for eighty years and seen much of the world but never such a spectacle.

"The Royal Statues!" Eyla gasped, incredulous. Were these the reinforcements Alavin spoke of? Had he dragged eighteen royal statues from the Royal Mausoleum? Was he taking them to the Stormcast?! "Eyla! Clear the way!" Alavin quickened his stride, the thudding of his steps doubling in speed as he surged forward.