Chapter Eighty-Three: Arrow of Holy Light

In the sky, four figures battled fiercely amidst the black clouds.

Two crescent blades clashed violently, sword energy slicing through the dark mass. Suddenly, a burst of silver magical light erupted in all directions. One figure, flickering ceaselessly, was struck and plummeted downward.

“Brother!” Linley appeared beneath the falling figure, reaching out to catch Linwen.

“Are you alright?”

He deftly pulled an uncharged arrow from Linwen’s quiver.

Linwen coughed up blood, casting a resentful glance at Linley. How could he have the nerve to ask? He’d been evenly matched with the doppelganger, when Linley suddenly brought back the main body of the Twin Moon Wheel. Now, with both the doppelganger and the original attacking together, their coordination far surpassed his.

“We’d best move the battle below,” Linwen glanced at the Night Elf capital beneath them. The sky offered no terrain advantage, and the expenditure of power was too great for him to make use of his speed.

“That won’t do. There are too many Night Elves on the ground,” Linley darted through the clouds, locating the male elf hidden within them. “This mage doppelganger is too troublesome. Let’s work together and take him out first!”

With the main body nearby to replenish and protect, the male elf’s spells were unending, causing them no end of trouble.

“Chain Fireballs!”

Spotting the trio, the male elf brandished his staff. Spheres of flame formed a dense barrage, blocking their path, while Bard swooped back to his side.

“This time we can’t get through,” the Twin Moon Wheel sensed the enormous energy within the fireballs. “Linley, they might explode in a chain reaction. Get out of here!”

“No!” Linley didn’t slow his charge. “Brother, here’s your arrow back!”

He handed Linwen an arrow. Linwen took it, stunned, not knowing when Linley had taken it. Yet, the moment he grasped it, a shock ran through his heart.

“This arrow…” He looked up at Linley, only to see Linley suddenly extend his hand. “Remember to coordinate with me, brother.”

“Boundless Sea!!”

A fierce whirlwind swept toward the chain fireballs, blowing them aside.

“Damn!” Bard’s face changed. Suddenly, a thunderous explosion erupted. Blinding red light seared his eyes, and both sight and hearing deserted him—“Twin Moon Wheel!”

“I’m here!”

The Twin Moon Wheel shielded Bard and the male elf, but the instant blast wave still sent them flying.

“Master, recover quickly!”

With a shudder, the Twin Moon Wheel poured its power into Bard. Bard’s vision cleared at once.

Bard looked at the scene before him, a chill running through his heart. Within a kilometer, the sky was stained red, the dark clouds obliterated as if vaporized by the blast.

As the gale faded, Linley and his companions watched Bard from a distance. The murderous intent in their eyes struck fear into him, but more terrifying was the red-and-white mist drifting around him.

“Twin Moon Wheel, where is your doppelganger?” Bard’s voice trembled at the nauseating aura of the mist.

“…Dead,” answered the Twin Moon Wheel after a pause. “I suffered a massive, unknown shock just now. That crown prince seized the opportunity to shoot an arrow. I barely managed to protect you.”

Bard moved away from the bloody mist, the stench revolting—remnants of the elf pulverized in the blast.

“How could this happen!” Bard saw the radiant longbow in Linwen’s hand. “Is it because of that weapon? What is it?”

“The Star-Chasing Bow,” replied the Twin Moon Wheel.

In the distance, Linwen’s longbow laughed boisterously, “Just arrived and already I’ve killed—what a thrill! But master, don’t think you can satisfy me with just this little excitement!”

Linley fixed his gaze on the bow. With its shining golden frame, it looked more like a Sun-Chasing Bow than a Star-Chasing one. Gems were studded along its length, and the string gleamed silver, nearly invisible in the sunlight. The whole bow exuded elegance and nobility—a veritable treasure.

He couldn’t help but reach out, fingering the gems in the bow.

“Hey, you brat! Who are you? Why are you touching me?” the Star-Chasing Bow fumed. “I’ll kill you!”

“Linley, don’t touch it,” Linwen brushed his hand away. Linley noticed a cold, murderous glint in his brother’s eyes.

“Do you have any more arrows like that one?” Linwen asked in a low voice. “They’re very effective against the Twin Moon Wheel.”

The Star-Chasing Bow’s gems glimmered. “So that arrow was made by this kid? It carried the power of Holy Light—excellent, powerful! The thrill of firing it was unmatched. Kid, give me a few more!”

“No wonder—you put Holy Light on the arrow,” the Queen marveled. “Outstanding effect.”

Holy Light was the nemesis of evil beings. The Twin Moon Wheel, having devoured countless souls, was certainly among them.

“Make more Holy Light arrows,” the Queen instructed Linley. “Let him fight.”

Linley was somewhat displeased, but he complied. Perhaps this truly was the best way. The Twin Moon Wheel’s attack was overwhelming, the Queen couldn’t defend against it, and Linley could only fight hand-to-hand. Holy Light would be wasted in his grasp—better to let Linwen fire from afar.

“These arrows drain my vital energy. Use them sparingly,” Linley admonished as he worked, pained by the loss of his strength.

“Hurry,” Linwen urged, watching the distant Twin Moon Wheel. They remained motionless, plotting something. “The Star-Chasing Bow’s arrows never stop unless they hit. They won’t waste your arrows.”

The Star-Chasing Bow laughed, “Kid, I never miss. Not a single arrow wasted.”

“Arrows fired from the Star-Chasing Bow never fail to hit their mark.”

On the other side, the Twin Moon Wheel was discussing the problem with Bard. “We have nothing in the sky to obstruct it. We’ll need some targets.”

“What kind of targets?”

“Night Elves,” answered the Twin Moon Wheel. Unlike itself, which was a dabbler, the Star-Chasing Bow was born for killing. Every arrow it fired would not stop until it was stained with blood.

Bard frowned. “Can’t we block its arrows?”

“We can,” the Twin Moon Wheel watched the Star-Chasing Bow intently, “but unless we provide fresh blood, the only way to stop the arrow is to dissipate its energy—that’s Holy Light, which counters me completely. Unpredictable things can happen.”

Recalling the elf who’d been blasted to powder, Bard shuddered. Holy Light’s effect on the Twin Moon Wheel was devastating. If it broke through their defenses, he might die without even knowing how.

“What kind of monster is that kid?”

His gaze settled on Linley. Now he understood: every unforeseen twist had originated from Linley. The Night Elf resistance, the vital energy, the Azure Dragon, the Holy Light—all devised by this young forest prince. His power was nothing before the Twin Moon Wheel, yet he’d become Bard’s greatest threat. Bard couldn’t guess what the prince might conjure up next.

“Master, use the runes,” the Twin Moon Wheel reminded Bard again. “I’ll need greater power. We can’t let them take any more risks with you.”

“I understand.” Bard’s eyes narrowed as two runes appeared on the back of his hand.

“These wretches dare resist me? I’ll give them all to you.”

One rune dissolved into dust.

The Twin Moon Wheel shuddered with joy as red triangular rings floated from its body, descending endlessly toward the ground.

“What is this?” A young Night Elf girl reached out to catch a ring. It vanished the instant it touched her hand.

Her eyes began to burn with white flames.