Rune didn’t hesitate. He clenched his fingers tighter around the jade ring and his power surged instantly.

It wasn’t just a flicker, or just a threat, but a full, controlled flare of energy that wrapped around his hand like a living storm. The faint green glow of the ring turned unstable, pulsing erratically under the pressure.

Across from him, Carter’s expression sharpened instantly.

"Enough," Carter said, his voice carrying a warning edge. "I already told you-I no longer have the book."

Rune didn’t respond. Didn’t even acknowledge him. His gaze remained locked on Carter, unblinking, unwavering.

And then, he pushed more power into the ring.

The air cracked and a sharp ripple spread outward as the energy intensified. To everyone watching, it looked exactly like what Rune had threatened... destruction.

The ring trembled faintly under the strain.

"Rune-" one of the Magik warriors muttered under his breath.

Even the High Lord’s eyes narrowed slightly. But Rune didn’t stop, because in his mind there was another voice speaking.

[Increase output.]

It was calm, precise, and unshaken compared to his outer surrounding. It actually grounded him in a way he didn’t even realize he needed in that moment.

His jaw tightened slightly at the new command. Because he knew this might actually damage the ring.

The pressure building within the jade was no longer theoretical. He could feel the fine cracks threatening to form along its structure.

Still, he obeyed.

More power surged into the ring. Its glow intensified, turning sharper, brighter... unstable.

Carter’s stance shifted, subtly but unmistakably. And he called out loudly, "Elisar, stop!"

Rune ignored him.

[Stabilize flow. Maintain escalation.]

2025’s voice continued.

Rune adjusted instinctively, channeling his energy more precisely - less chaotic, more focused. The strain didn’t lessen, but it became controlled, directed, purposeful.

Then-

[Lock acquired.]

A faint pulse rippled through the ring, and Rune immediately sensed another presence inside the jade - 2025.

[Integration sequence initiated.]

There was a pause for barely a second or two before the countdown began.

[5...]

Rune’s grip tightened further, and across from him, Carter’s composure cracked slightly.

"Stop!" he barked, stepping forward now, his voice carrying real urgency. "You’ll destroy it!"

[4...]

Rune said nothing. On the other hand, the energy around his hand grew sharper, more volatile.

[3...]

The warriors behind him tensed. Some instinctively braced themselves while others stared, caught between disbelief and anticipation.

[2...]

Carter’s eyes flashed as he snapped, "Are you insane?! Let’s talk." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

[1...]

[Integration in progress.]

The shift was immediate and subtle, but unmistakable.

[Reduce output. Maintain steady flow.]

Rune exhaled slowly before carefully he pulled his power back. The violent surge receded, and got replaced by a controlled, steady stream that continued to seep into the jade ring.

The ring’s glow stabilized and the tremble ceased.

Carter let out a quiet breath of relief. But his expression darkened immediately afterward. "You have got nerve," he said coldly.

But beneath the irritation, the greed remained burning and unchanged.

Rune didn’t reply. He simply watched and waited. Because now, they had him right where they wanted.

Carter exhaled once, regaining his composure. "Fine," he said at last. "You want the book?" A faint, mocking smile returned to his lips. "I can give it to you."

His gaze sharpened slightly as he added, "Though I doubt you’ll ever be able to use it."

His hand lifted and he spread his palm out. Power gathered and a ripple of energy formed above his hand, coalescing into shape and solidifying u til finally a book appeared.

It was old, thick, and clearly ancient. And while its cover had worn out, it was still unmistakable.

Across the battlefield, every eye locked onto it.

Rune’s grip tightened slightly. While inside his mind-

[Integration progress: 65%.]

They needed more time.

Carter tilted his head slightly. "There it is," he said. "The answer you are so desperate for."

Rune didn’t move, didn’t reach, didn’t react. And that made Carter’s eyes narrow again.

"Well?" he prompted. "Or are you going to keep playing games?"

Rune finally spoke, "Send it to me first."

The words landed flat, and instantly, tension spiked again.

Carter’s expression darkened. "You are pushing your luck," he said.

Rune’s gaze didn’t waver as he replied calmly, "So are you."

There was a pause and then Carter let out a quiet breath through his nose. "Fine," he said. "We do this together." His tone sharpened. "I send the book. You send the ring. No tricks."

Inside Rune’s mind-

[78%...]

They were getting closer, but they still needed a few more minutes.

Rune didn’t argue, but he also didn’t agree immediately. He just simply stood there calculating.

Carter’s patience thinned further. "Now," he said. It was a warning, and not a request.

[85%...]

Rune exhaled slowly and spoke at last, "Alright." But even then, he didn’t move.

Carter’s eyes flashed with irritation. "What now?"

Rune’s gaze flicked briefly to the warriors surrounding them before returning to Carter. "Pull your men back," he said. "Move them to your side. All of them."

Carter’s jaw tightened. "You think I’m a fool?"

"I think I don’t trust you," Rune replied calmly.

A tense pause followed, but then Carter let out a sharp breath. "...Fine."

He gestured slightly and his forces responded instantly, pulling back, regrouping behind him.

In response, the Magik Realm’s warriors shifted as well - falling back and gathering behind the High Lord and Rune.

[93%...]

Almost there.

Rune spoke again. "There’s one last thing."

That did it. Carter’s patience snapped. "Enough!" he barked. "You are testing limits you don’t understand."

Rune didn’t react and simply said, "I want a clear path out." His tone remained calm, unyielding. "Open every gate. Remove every trap between here and the exit."

Carter stared at him for a long, hard minute before he asked slowly, "And why would I do that?"

"Because I don’t trust you," Rune replied simply. "I don’t want to take any chances with my people’s safe exit from here."

[95%...]

"You really don’t know when to stop," Carter muttered, and then he lifted his hand. His power instantly surged outward, and for a split second, every Magik warrior tensed. They got ready to defend, to counter... but the attack never came.

Instead, the energy swept past them, through the corridors, through the base, and everywhere it touched... traps vanished, doors disintegrated, and barriers collapsed.

The entire path behind them got cleared completely.

Carter lowered his hand, and then looked back at Rune. "It’s done," he said. His voice carried a final edge now. He had no more patience, no more tolerance.

"Now," he continued, "we finish this." His gaze sharpened as he added, "If you spoke any nonsense again-"

The book hovering above his palm pulsed faintly as power gathering around it.

"-I will destroy this right here."

His eyes flicked past Rune - to the warriors behind him. "And then, I will destroy every single one of you."