Chapter 277 Journey to the Mirror Garden: The Battle Within
Without warning, the solid ice beneath Rio's body gave way, transforming into a molten, fiery pool of magma. The intense heat lapped hungrily at his already battered and bruised body, scorching his skin and threatening to consume him whole.
As the scorching heat enveloped him, Rio's face contorted with unimaginable pain. He felt like his very bones were melting, and the agony was unbearable. His body convulsed with every wave of torment, and he could feel his mind slipping, unable to endure the unrelenting cycle of suffering.
The pain was so intense that he felt as though he was on the brink of madness, on the edge of losing his sanity to the merciless inferno.
Rio struggled to take in a deep breath, his chest heaving with effort as he fought to keep himself conscious. The excruciating pain had wracked his body to its very limits, leaving him feeling drained and exhausted.
Just when he thought things couldn't possibly get worse, Rio saw Lia and Layla locked in a vicious battle. Their swords danced in a deadly ballet, clashing and sparking with every blow. It quickly became apparent that Layla was overpowering Lia with her superior strength, and the white-haired beauty was on the verge of defeat.
Lia's face contorted with agony, her eyes welling with tears as they met Rio's one last time, pleading for help he could not provide.
In that final, heart-wrenching moment, Rio could feel Lia's silent plea for help, her eyes locked onto his, filled with pain and fear.
But before he could even process the situation, Layla's blade sliced through the air with ruthless precision, brutally beheading Lia as her lifeless body crumpled to the ground and her severed head rolled away.
The sight of Lia's demise at the hands of someone he loved deeply tore at Rio's very soul, causing an indescribable agony to surge through him. It was a pain more excruciating than he could have ever imagined, far surpassing the torment of the millions of future visions he had experienced where Lia had met her end.
Layla's rampage continued as she turned her attention to Nyla and Helia, mercilessly slaying them one by one with a cold, emotionless expression.
Rio's heart ached with helplessness as he watched the carnage unfold, bound by unyielding ropes that rendered him powerless to intervene.
The sight of his loved ones being mercilessly slaughtered by the person he cherished most was unbearable, causing Rio's heart to shatter into a million pieces.
The agony of witnessing their lifeless bodies and severed heads strewn across the ground intensified his anguish, adding to the already overwhelming torment he was enduring.
The overwhelming pain, both physical and emotional, threatened to consume him entirely, leaving him feeling utterly devastated and helpless in the face of such a cruel sight.
As Layla closed in on him, her bloodstained sword raised to deliver the final, fatal blow, Rio's thoughts raced. With each step Layla took towards him, he repeated to himself, "This can't be Layla. She would never do this."
Just as the sword was mere inches from his neck, a figure suddenly appeared between them.
It was Eve, her vibrant orange-red hair a striking contrast against the chaos around her, standing resolute and defiant in the face of the impending attack.
With just one finger, she halted both Layla and her sword, freezing them in place. Her icy gaze fixed on Layla, Eve's unwavering presence conveyed an unyielding resolve, refusing to allow any further harm to come to Rio.
However, a cold smile played on Layla's lips, as if she was mocking Eve's efforts.
In an instant, the scene before them shifted dramatically.
They found themselves standing in a dense, enchanting forest, with majestic trees towering above them and intricately designed treehouses nestled among the branches, resembling an ethereal elf city.
The beauty of the forest, however, was marred by the raging inferno that consumed it. The crackling flames roared, hungrily devouring everything in their path, casting a sinister orange glow over the once-idyllic landscape. The acrid scent of scorched flesh filled the air, accompanied by the oppressive heat that threatened to suffocate them.
As Rio's gaze fell upon Eve, he saw the horror etched across her face, her eyes wide and brimming with terror.
This was a sight he had never witnessed before – Eve, who always seemed so composed, cheerful, and sometimes emotional, now appeared vulnerable and shaken.
As Rio's mind raced, desperately trying to make sense of the situation, the reason for Eve's anguish soon became painfully clear.
The burning forest and the sinister scene unfolding before them were not just mere illusions, but rather a cruel manifestation of her deepest fears and most haunting memories.
Rio strained his eyes, following Eve's gaze to a harrowing sight. Amidst the carnage and flames, a small elf girl with vibrant orange-red hair, who appeared to be around 8 or 9 years old, wept inconsolably.
She was kneeling before two lifeless bodies, their clothing indicating they were of royal lineage. The regal garments were adorned with intricate embroidery and shimmering jewels, the rich fabrics dyed in vibrant hues that were now marred by the soot and ash from the surrounding destruction.
As Rio's eyes scanned the forest floor, he noticed countless other bodies strewn about, each one a victim of the merciless inferno. Among the devastation, only the young elf girl remained alive, her heartrending sobs echoing through the burning forest.
Behind the girl, a mysterious woman stood protectively, her presence both reassuring and enigmatic.
Although Rio could not clearly see her face, he instinctively knew that she harbored no ill intentions enigmatic.
Although Rio could not clearly see her face, he instinctively knew that she harbored no ill intentions toward the young elf. It was evident that this woman was the one who had saved the child from the same fate that had befallen the others, offering her a glimmer of hope amidst the tragedy.
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