Endless Evolution: Last Star Chapter 1697 1697: Dark Path (Part 1)

Adam now stood alone.

Vyora, Sarka, and Loargh lay defeated. The Dark Knight had spared their lives for the moment, unable to risk absorbing their energy with Adam still posing a danger, though that mercy would end shortly.

Only one victor would emerge on this battlefield—the Dark Knight.

Escape remained impossible for either Adam or the Frenzied Shard. Defeat was unavoidable.

The Frenzied Shard had set this trap for itself. It never imagined its faithful servant would abruptly break their connection.

Yet the Frenzied Shard remained oblivious to the Dark Knight possessing a single Hollow Mark. Concealed deep within the heavy metal coating of the Dark Knight's sword, it stayed undetected even by the Shard.

Step.

Adam retreated a step. In his gaze flickered the blood-red shadows pouring from the Dark Knight's cape, swirling like the blaze of a sinister star.

"Got any more tricks up your sleeve?" the Dark Knight inquired, not truly anticipating a reply.

Adam's face revealed it all—his wings served as his final ace. Crafted solely to overcome the Dark Knight, they might have triumphed had the Dark Knight lacked that hidden edge.

Despair loomed over Adam's mind, yet he swiftly seized back command.

Surrender wasn't an option, not at this juncture.

Whooooooooosh!

Wings unfurled in a blaze of brilliant light, launching him forward with explosive velocity.

Adam adopted Loargh's strategy, orbiting the Dark Knight to conceal his strike point.

The Dark Knight felt no rush. He bided his time for Adam's initial assault.

Both poured vast energy into their supreme techniques, but the Dark Knight knew Adam's reserves would deplete sooner.

Regrettably for Adam, this held true. The Dark Knight preserved his power even now, whereas Adam burned light for sheer acceleration.

"None of that matters!" His glare fixed on the Dark Knight. "If my strike lands, it'll be enough. He holds plenty of energy to continue, but his form bears grievous injuries!"

With a sudden pivot, the streak of light shattered the loop, charging directly at the Dark Knight.

In that fleeting instant of his forward surge, Adam attained a velocity so immense the surrounding world appeared to halt.

Motion slowed everywhere. After all, his swiftness outpaced reaction—even the Dark Knight couldn't respond fast enough, as Adam's needle already aimed for his throat.

Abruptly, Adam's needle halted mid-air.

"Agh?"

Eyes bulging wide, Adam gaped at his quivering needle. Crimson shadows blocked its path, guarding the Dark Knight's neck.

Every ounce of energy, every bit of momentum poured into the blow, proved futile against the Dark Knight's might.

Calmly, the Dark Knight pivoted, glancing back at Adam.

"Not bad. For a split second, you outsped that guy. But even greater quickness wouldn't alter the outcome. It would end identically."

Step.

Advancing, the Dark Knight's shadows shoved the needle away.

"Speed and energy aren't your shortfall now—it's the raw power to pierce my aura."

Shadows cloaked his features, exposing just the spark in his eyes.

"You get it, don't you, Adam? We occupy separate realms now, and no lower entity can topple one superior."

Adam gritted his teeth.

"Shut up!" He sprang aside, readying his follow-up strike. "I've fought through scores of battles! I've toppled endless foes stronger than myself! You won't prove different!"

"No."

The Dark Knight's curt retort stunned Adam.

"I trust your claim, Adam. Facing you once showed me it's no lie. But those foes trailed you by just one step."

Step.

The Dark Knight advanced, gradually unsheathing his sword. Amber hues lingered on the blade, yet crimson shadows dimmed its glow, and it yielded willingly to its master's force.

"I surpass you by two steps, Adam. Clearly, no remaining aces can span the chasm dividing us."

Adam's eyes widened as the Dark Knight slashed.

Slash!

Blood sprayed from Adam's chest, crimson flecks mirroring his shock as they whipped by his vision.

Though agony scorched his frame, Adam ignored it entirely. His thoughts locked onto the Dark Knight's declaration.

Strain as he might, Adam detected no flaw in the Dark Knight's aura. Victory's road eluded him.

"Adam!" Lone Blaze's yell yanked him back to reality.

A brilliant glow exploded from his wings, whisking him clear of the Dark Knight.

"Gha… Gha… Gha…"

Adam panted raggedly, gripping his chest tightly. He struggled to halt his energy's hemorrhage, yet the blood kept gushing forth, soaking the earth below.

In a fleeting moment, the Dark Knight eyed the blood puddle at Adam's feet. A peculiar detail in that blood snagged his notice, though he brushed it aside and pressed onward.

He needed to wrap up what he'd begun.

"First, you will fall, Adam, then all your allies. To be honest with you, you put up a much better fight than I expected. Well, that just shows how little time I have left."

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

Abruptly, dark energy erupted from Adam, eerie and primordial, compelling the Dark Knight to halt.

"Agh… He wields the Dark Energy?" The Dark Knight grinned wryly. "That's interesting, but it won't change anything now."

Adam prepared to call upon his spear. He'd already channeled the Dark Energy into that power when…

'Wait.'

The Silver Weaver's voice halted him.

'Don't use that trash. It's time for the real deal. Don't you think?'

'Agh?'