Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1689 1689: We must run! (Part 1)

The Dark Knight hadn't unleashed his complete strength yet, yet Vyora's Hollow Mark compelled him to reveal a key trump card.

That cloak proved far deadlier than either his blade or the shadows he wielded, and now one of his three crimson eyes had shut. No one knew when the Dark Knight's third eye might reopen, but his foes refused to grant him even a moment's respite.

Tap.

Vyora shifted away. Her strike had drained her immensely. Normally, unleashing that fiery beam would conclude the battle, leaving her foe with deadly injuries.

She had no cause for concern, though, since Sarka stood poised to step in.

Adam held back from leaping into the fray. He aimed to observe Sarka's Hollow Mark first before deciding his move.

"Just knowing our full capabilities will reveal the road to triumph," he mused, eyes fixed on the Dark Knight. "That monster. He's slowly wearing down, yet why does victory feel no nearer? Worse, he's the sole one bearing real damage, and even so… zilch."

STEP!

Sarka advanced boldly, heeding Loargh's call.

She flicked her hand and shed her robe, exposing a sleek black garb that scarcely concealed her chest and hips.

Her Hollow Mark sat at the base of her spine, pulsing with azure glow, itching for combat like its mistress.

Adam memorized its form.

'Huh, claws and fire? Straightforward, yet among possibilities, it makes perfect sense.'

Moments later, Sarka prepared for war. Her locks shimmered with radiance, energy blades formed along her arms, and ebony claws extended from her fingers, soon wreathed in sapphire fire.

Though distinct, her shift mirrored the phases of Larth, Loargh, and Vyora.

For Adam, however, this detail mattered greatly as he eyed her talons.

"Hollow Mark weapons can take any form? Be it spear, combat boots, mage staff, or claws. Interesting, the Lords' Arcs were always arms, nothing more."

Among all Adam had witnessed, the Hollow Mark struck him as the mightiest shift.

No Phantom's Resonance or Hybrid's Solar Form matched its adaptability.

'Such might... It hands them the full package instantly. Arcs outstrip Hollow Mark arms in raw power, but perhaps it's level-dependent?'

Next, Adam pondered Kaerno's potential. Even sans Hollow Mark, this Finger ranked high among True Lords in strength.

'Agh.' He cleared his mind. 'No. Focus on the now.'

'Hey, got ideas?'

Atop the Evolution Tree, the Silver Weaver sluggishly lifted his lids.

'What? Need hand-holding for every move? What's your ask?'

Adam scowled.

'Spill it, you've noticed something. How to crush that fiend? What's his secret?'

The Silver Weaver's gaze sharpened, face clouding over.

'I'm stumped, Adam. One certainty: since combat began, victory's eluded you. Plus… Beware his blade. As a weapon kin, I detect the true peril lies there, not that odd cloak.'

Adam dipped his head, observing still. His moment hadn't arrived.

As wings beat, Loargh surged ahead.

"I'll strike first, opening your attack window. We must compel his last two eyes' use. Victory nears then."

"Ha!" Sarka scoffed assuredly. "We'll smash him here, now!"

Loargh offered no retort.

His lips curled in a grin as his form blurred.

Instantly, he loomed before the Dark Knight.

"Grha…?" The Dark Knight growled.

Whoooooooooosh!

Wind howled forth mere instants post-Loargh's charge. His velocity now outpaced gales, an impossible summit even for the Dark Knight.

"Your prior catch shamed and enraged me. But…" Loargh peered down. "Not this time."

SLASH!

Dark Knight lunged, sword arcing. Shadowy edge slashed ahead, rending ground.

Swift enough for a grievous chest wound on Loargh.

Or so the Dark Knight hoped.

BAM!

Loargh's punch crashed into Dark Knight's flank, shuddering his plate.

"Get away from me!"

Sharply, the Dark Knight whirled around.

His dark sword appeared to slice straight through Loargh, the blade plunging into his body. Yet rather than blood flowing and pain twisting Loargh's features, the knight witnessed Loargh's figure dissolve like an illusion.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

Relentlessly, Loargh assaulted the Dark Knight from every direction, blow after blow, shattering segments of the Dark Knight's armor.

Loargh blurred from the flank at such incredible speed that his body was almost unseen. His motions became a torrent of white streaks and lines, hammering the Dark Knight repeatedly from all angles.

Splash! Splash! Splash!

Quickly, chunks of armor clattered to the earth, and Loargh's strikes now drew sprays of blood, scarlet droplets splattering across the field to stain the withered grass red.

Yet Adam's eyes remained locked on someone else.

Sarka hunkered low like a hunter eyeing its quarry, claws raking the dirt while her stare bored into the Dark Knight.

"NOW!" Sarka screamed silently as yet another armor plate tumbled down.

With an explosive surge of power, she exploded from her position, her aura shaping into a savage beast eager to shred the haughty knight apart.