The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

"Hamund! You've got the nerve to show your face again?!" The Grand Elder, despite grievous wounds, felt a surge of speed under the stimulus of the Kings' Acceptance, managing to block Hamund just as he tried to break free from the ancient city. He could not let the Kings' Acceptance escape, not at any cost! After more than twenty years of waiting, he wouldn't allow anyone to snatch it from his grasp. With a fierce cry, the Grand Elder, wielding a dark iron cudgel, struck at Hamund. Both were badly injured, but who would back down first? "Leave Alavin behind!"

"Alavin isn't even in Stormcast. It's time to end this charade." Hamund, alongside the three maidens, could not confront them head-on and hastily unleashed layers of sword's energy to withstand the Grand Elder's fierce onslaught while making a swift evasion.

Lord Viperbane was poised to strike from the shadows, but upon seeing that Hamund brought only the three maidens without a trace of Alavin, he decisively retreated, returning to his stronghold to loom over the others from the skies. "Where is Alavin? How long does he intend to hide? Does he really want to see the Eight Orders and Five Lords perish here? Sneaky bastard, show yourself!"

"Alavin is not in Stormcast! Lord Viperbane, you've miscalculated." Balder stepped forward, knowing it was time to reveal the truth, if only to buy more time.

"Then you shall all perish." Lord Viperbane, consumed by sudden fury, unleashed a punch toward Balder and the others. If Alavin didn't appear, Lord Viperbane would kill until he did.

"Scatter!" Lucan and the others shouted as they rushed forward, forming a human shield and pushing Balder and Helna out of harm's way.

The mighty punch descended like a ferocious tiger, growing ever larger and stirring a fierce gale, shaking the entire courtyard to its foundations.

"Run! Scatter!" Lucan and the rest formed a human wall, shouting to Helna and the others.

In the nick of time, a shadowy figure suddenly appeared ghostly in mid-air. A pale, slender right hand met the oncoming energy fist. In an instant, a crisp cracking sound echoed, and the figure, as if struck by lightning, was forced back into the crowd, toppling Lucan and the others.

"Eh!" Lord Viperbane was mildly taken aback, his brow furrowing at the sudden appearance of this new figure.

Lucan and the others, scattered by the powerful blast, quickly scrambled to their feet, gazing in shock and confusion at what lay before them.

A gaunt youth lay askew on the ground, his blood stained the earth, but he made no sound, shakily rising to his feet. His right arm was mangled and twisted in an unnatural way, yet miraculously, as he stood, the limb creaked and writhed, bones knitted back together, and flesh mended before their eyes. With a casual flick, his arm was... as good as new.

"Who is he?" Balder gasped, taken aback by the youth's sudden appearance.

"What foul sorcery is this? Die, all of you!" Lord Viperbane had no patience for their antics, swinging his fist for another devastating blow.

Just then, a thunderous dragon's roar shattered the clouds, majestic and piercing, resonating across the battlefield and the wilderness beyond, drowning out the clamor of combat. Countless heads turned skywards as a massive dragon burst through the dense clouds, descending upon the battle. Its colossal wings beat powerfully, whipping up a storm, as it made a beeline for Stormcast.

The dragon's scales were a ghostly white, and its movements was slightly stiff and unnatural, yet emanating a terrifying lethality. Astride its back was a figure as immense as a mountain, exuding divine might and wielding a massive sword. His battle aura skyrocketed into the heavens, fierce as the ocean.

Lord Viperbane's color drained at the sight of the dragon bearing down on him.

With a resounding roar, the dragon took to the skies, its cry shaking the heavens and stirring howling gales. It swooped down on Lord Viperbane, casting a dreadful shadow over the ancient city.

Jolted to his senses, Lord Viperbane hastily retreated, but the dragon was vast and swift. Its claws tore through the air like a small mountain aiming to ensnare him. The titan on its back suddenly leaped, somersaulting through the air. Its hundred-meter-tall figure stirred devastating winds, swinging the massive sword at Lord Viperbane.