Jason and Ylva sprinted through the narrow back alleys of Eldrath, the night air thick with dust and the distant roar of panic. They had only managed to escape the castle because of Thalion. The moment the malnourished elf had shattered the enchanted door and unleashed that violent burst of dark magic, the entire upper tower had erupted in chaos. Debris had rained down like meteors, creating a diversion that allowed them to slip out through a side gate while the guards were distracted by the explosion.

The streets were filled right now because of the commotion within the castle. Even though the civilians outside could not see inside the walls, they could hear the violent explosion and feel the shaking of the ground as massive chunks of stone and wood slammed into the courtyard. The impact created a mini shockwave that rattled windows and made the ground tremble beneath everyone’s feet.

Jason glanced back over his shoulder as they ran, breathing hard. "Holy shit... we actually made it out because of him. That crazy elf just bought us our lives."

Ylva kept pace beside him, claws out and ready. "Don’t thank him yet. He’s still back there somewhere. And if he’s as dangerous as he looked, the whole city might burn before sunrise."

They ducked behind a market stall as a group of panicked citizens rushed past, shouting about "an attack on the palace."

Jason slowed for a second, catching his breath.

"Listen... if Thalion managed to survive that, and if I can get him on my side, there’s no way anyone would be able to touch me again. That was the most powerful thing I’ve seen."

Jason was amazed by the development, this was just his second day.

Ylva shot him a sharp look, ears twitching. "You’re already thinking about recruiting him? After he blew up half the tower and nearly killed us in the process?"

Jason nodded, eyes serious. "Yeah. I know it sounds insane, but think about it. I need a team that can actually increase our chances of survival. You’re already one. Thalion would be an excellent addition. He said he would find me, remember? And I believe him."

After all, somehow he had managed to infiltrate his dream and show him that vision. We must be connected in some way, or that would never have been possible.

Ylva slowed to a jog, glancing at him. "You really trust him? After everything we saw in that dungeon? He’s broken, Jason. And dangerous."

"I know," Jason replied, keeping his voice low. "But that’s exactly why I need him. If he can do that much damage while half-dead, imagine what he could do when he’s healed. I just... I can’t shake the feeling that he’s the key to all this."

They turned another corner, putting more distance between themselves and the palace. The streets were growing busier as more people spilled out of their homes to see what was happening.

Ylva suddenly stopped and grabbed his arm, forcing him to face her. "Jason. Look at me. You almost got us killed back there because you wouldn’t leave that elf behind. I get that you have a good heart, but you can’t keep risking everything on strangers. What if he turns on us?"

Jason met her gaze, breathing heavily. "Then I deal with it when it happens. But right now, he’s the strongest ally we could possibly have. And he thinks I’m the one who gave him those visions. That gives me leverage. I can talk to him. I can control this."

Ylva let out a frustrated growl, but her grip on his arm softened. "You’re an idiot. A reckless, soft-hearted idiot. But... fine. If he really does find you, we’ll deal with him together. Just promise me you won’t jump off any more towers without warning me first."

Jason gave her a tired grin. "Deal. No more surprise skydives. But you have to admit — that catch was pretty badass."

Ylva rolled her eyes, though the corner of her mouth twitched. "Just run, you fool. We still need to get as far away from that palace as possible before they reorganize."

They took off again, weaving through the crowded streets. Jason’s mind kept replaying the moment Thalion had shattered the door and the raw power he had felt alongside the dream he had of that entrance.

Then it finally hit him.

That must have been the magic his system had adapted to.

It wasn’t Tauriel. It was Thalion. The system had already started building resistance to whatever violent, high-level magic the elf had used. That was why Jason had been able to weaken the enchanted door in the first place.

This must mean it was adapting to mana itself not specific individuals.

A small, dangerous smile crept onto his face as they ran.

"Ylva," he said between breaths, "I think we might have just gotten our first real advantage in this world."

Ylva didn’t answer, but she kept running beside him, claws ready. For the first time since they had met, Jason felt like the odds might actually be shifting — even if only by a little.

-

Thalion was floating in the air and breathing hard, it was clear the magic was taking its toll but he was fueled by nothing but hatred.

The building collapsed but Tauriel emerged from the rubble without a scratch.

Thalion gritted his teeth, he expected it to do some damage.

"Thalion, you really have done it now," Tauriel muttered under her breath.

Thalion faced his palm towards her and clenched his fist, trying to implode her head.

Tauriel raised a brow before tilting her head to the side.

"Is that it?" Tauriel asked but the sickening smile on her face reminded Thalion of all the times she had abused him.

"You NEVER get to look down on me," Tauriel barked before flicking her wrist down, forcing Thalion to crash into the ground right in front of her.

It was violent and Thalion would have died if he didn’t soften his landing.

But there was an invincible force pushing down on him, like gravity.

"Maybe you aren’t so useless after all," He might not be the mage she sought but he was the closest to what they wanted.

Killing him now, would be a waste and there was something only he could do right now.