The tension in the underground corridor thickened until it felt almost tangible.

Two Supreme Warriors stood face to face with armies on each side. Their weapons were drawn and magic coiled as they all waited.

And yet, neither side moved.

Not immediately.

Carter Thown’s gaze drifted across the formation of Magik Realm’s warriors, lingering for a fraction longer on the High Lord, before finally settling on Rune.

There was recognition there... and something else that seemed like interest.

"Well," Carter said lightly, breaking the silence. "This is more than I expected."

His voice echoed faintly through the corridor, carrying an unsettling calm. "To think you would come personally," he added, looking back at the High Lord. "I should feel honored."

"You should feel cornered," the High Lord replied coldly but Carter just chuckled.

"Cornered?" he repeated. "You walked into my domain. Tell me... who is truly cornered here?"

The moment hung, and then shattered as the High Lord commanded, "Attack."

The clash resumed with explosive force. Magic erupted. Weapons collided. Energy waves tore through the confined space, forcing both sides to constantly shift, adapt, and reposition.

But something had changed.

Subtly, carefully, the Magik Realm’s warriors were holding back. It wasn’t enough to be obvious, not enough to raise suspicion, but enough to carry out the plan.

Blows that could have been lethal were redirected. Strikes were slowed just enough to be deflected. Defensive formations appeared a fraction later than they should have.

To an untrained eye, it looked like pressure. While to Carter’s forces, it looked like advantage.

And they took it.

"They are faltering!" one of the masked warriors shouted. "Push forward!"

The enemy surged and their attacks grew more aggressive, more confident. They pressed harder, faster, aiming to overwhelm.

And the Magik Realm’s warriors gave ground step by step. They kept their moves controlled, measured, and intentional.

At the center of it all, the High Lord was engaged in a duel with Carter Thown. Their clash was on a completely different level as power collided with power. Their each strike distorted the space around them while each movement carried enough force to shatter the structures of the base itself.

But even here, the High Lord adjusted.

He allowed slight openings, letting Carter’s attacks push him back just enough. He wasn’t losing, but also not dominating their duel either.

And it didn’t take long for Carter to notice. But instead of suspicion, a slow smile formed on his lips.

"So this is what it has come to," Carter said, his voice low as their powers clashed again. "The great High Lord... is actually struggling."

The High Lord didn’t respond. He simply met the attack head-on... then gave way, sliding back a step.

Just enough for Carter’s smile to deepen.

Across the battlefield, Rune moved like a shadow. His movements were precise, controlled, deadly, and yet... restrained.

His team and other warriors mirrored him perfectly.

They fought with skill, with coordination, but also left just enough gaps to make it seem like they were being overwhelmed.

One of his teammates took a hit, nothing serious buy still visible. While another staggered back under pressure.

The formation shifted, loosened, and then broke slightly, resulting in Carter’s forces to push harder.

"Don’t let them regroup!" one of the masked leaders barked. "They are breaking!"

Rune’s eyes flickered as the High Lord’s voice spread across his entire force.

"Maintain pressure. Do not overextend. And keep injuries minimal."

The response came instantly.

They acknowledged the command, understood their task, and executed it with precision.

Even the newer warriors followed flawlessly, guided by instinct and the subtle cues of their seniors.

They fought like they were losing, but without actually losing.

- - -

Outside the base, Grace watched everything unfold through the projection. Her expression remained calm, but her eyes were sharp, focused, and calculating every movement.

"They are doing well," Kian murmured.

Davian nodded slightly as he added, "Too well."

Because even he could see it now - the illusion, the controlled retreat, and the carefully crafted vulnerability.

"They have taken the bait," Grace said quietly as her gaze lingered on Carter - on the way he moved and the way his confidence was growing with each passing moment.

"He believes he’s winning."

And that... was exactly what they needed.

- - -

Inside the base, the pressure escalated.

Carter stepped forward, his power surging outward as he drove the High Lord back another step.

"Is this truly all?" he asked, his tone almost disappointed. "After all these years, I expected more."

The High Lord’s expression didn’t change, but his movements slowed... just slightly. But enough for Carter to notice it and he pushed harder.

Behind him, his forces advanced further, tightening the noose.

The Magik Realm’s warriors were forced into a more confined formation. They were retreating, compressing, and losing ground.

Or so it seemed.

Rune exhaled slowly and his gaze flickered briefly toward the High Lord, and knew it was the time.

"Since none of you can fight anymore, let me finish this."

They all watched as Carter summoned his power, ready to unsheath his strongest move. But before he could... Rune stepped forward, drawing immediate attention.

Both sides paused and Carter’s gaze snapped to him.

"Rune Elisar," he said softly. "The one who escaped."

Rune didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he lowered his weapon. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The motion sent a ripple through both sides.

"What are you doing?" one of his teammates muttered under his breath.

But Rune didn’t stop. He stepped further forward into open space between both forces.

Every eye was on him now, even the High Lord’s and Carter’s.

Rune reached for his hand, and slowly... deliberately... he removed the jade ring.

The faint green glow shimmered in the dim light as a pulse of power radiated from it. It was subtle but undeniable, and Carter’s eyes locked onto it instantly.

Gone was the amusement or casual interest. And what replaced it was hunger.

Rune held the ring up slightly. Not offering it yet, but enough for it to be seen. "I know what you want," he said, keeping his voice was steady and clear.

Carter tilted his head slightly. And though he said nothing, his gaze never left the ring.

Rune took another step forward. He was unarmed, exposed, and seemingly out of options.

Behind him, the Magik Realm’s forces looked strained, pressured, and on the edge.

It was the perfect image of defeat.

"The situation is clear," Rune continued. "We are outnumbered. Surrounded." He glanced briefly around, then back at Carter. "No matter how this continues... there will be losses on both sides."

Rune lifted the ring slightly higher before adding, "So let’s end this here."

Silence took over the place.

"I’ll give you what you want," Rune said. "And in exchange, you let all of us leave unharmed. And there will be no pursuit or retaliation."