Legend of the Divine Archer

But the corruption had taken root too deeply, and Sacha was too far gone.

Yan Jin released another arrow, but this time, it lacked the power of the previous ones. He could feel his strength slipping away, the Heretical God Eye state beginning to flicker, like a candle about to be snuffed out. He gritted his teeth, refusing to let the exhaustion overtake him. He couldn't afford to fail now, not when Scar was counting on him.

The battle raged on, and Yan Jin could feel the toll it was taking on his body. His muscles ached, his breath came in ragged gasps, and his mind was a blur of fatigue and pain. But still, he fought on, drawing on every last reserve of strength he had. He could hear the steady rhythm of Scar's heartbeat, the only constant in the chaos, and he used it as a focal point, guiding his aim, his intent.

Another arrow, and another, each one weaker than the last, but still they flew true. Yan Jin could hear Sacha's roars of frustration, the growing desperation in his voice as he struggled to fend off the combined assault. But even as Sacha weakened, Yan Jin could feel the corruption growing stronger, feeding off the chaos and destruction, twisting Sacha's form into something monstrous.

Scar was struggling now, his movements slower, more labored. Yan Jin could hear the strain in his wings, the rasp of his breath, the faltering beat of his heart. Scar was giving everything he had, but it wasn't enough. Yan Jin knew that without a decisive blow, Sacha would overwhelm them both.

He reached deep within himself, searching for the last remnants of his strength. The Heretical God Eye state was flickering, on the verge of collapse, but Yan Jin refused to let it go. He couldn't afford to. He nocked one final arrow, feeling the weight of it, the tension in the string as he pulled it back. This was it—his last shot, his last chance.

He focused on the sound of Sacha's breathing, the erratic, desperate rhythm that betrayed his pain and exhaustion. He could hear the corruption pulsing through Sacha's veins, a dark, twisted energy that threatened to consume everything in its path. Yan Jin aimed for the heart of that darkness, the source of the corruption that had taken his friend.

He released the arrow, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. The sound of the arrow slicing through the air was sharp and clear, cutting through the chaos like a knife. Yan Jin held his breath, his entire being focused on that single, final shot.

The arrow struck, and for a moment, there was silence. The world seemed to hold its breath, waiting, watching. Then, a deafening roar shattered the silence, a cry of pain and rage that echoed across the battlefield. Sacha's form twisted and writhed, the corruption tearing at him, trying to hold on even as it was being torn apart.

Yan Jin could feel the darkness receding, the corruption unraveling as the arrow's power took hold. But it wasn't enough. Sacha was too far gone, the corruption too deeply rooted. Yan Jin could hear the final, desperate beats of Sacha's heart, the last gasps of a creature consumed by darkness.

Scar lunged forward, talons outstretched, and with a final, powerful strike, he ended it. The sound of Sacha's death was a low, mournful cry, a sound that resonated deep within Yan Jin's soul. The corruption dissipated, leaving nothing but silence in its wake.

Yan Jin hovered above the battlefield, his body trembling with exhaustion. The Heretical God Eye state finally flickered out, leaving him drained, his energy spent. He could feel the weight of the battle pressing down on him, the toll it had taken on his body and soul. But he couldn't rest yet. There was still one more battle to fight.

He turned his attention to the horizon, where the Bloodwitch was still out there, somewhere, gathering her strength. But for now, there was only silence. The battle was over, and Yan Jin had won, but the cost had been high.

Yan Jin could hear Scar's labored breathing, the heavy beat of wings struggling to stay aloft. The sounds of exhaustion and the weight of loss hung in the air, palpable even without sight. His heart ached for the loss they had just endured, the comrade who had fallen to the darkness. Yet, there was no time for mourning. The battle might have ended, but the war was far from over.

He turned his head toward Scar, sensing the Garuda's fatigue. Although neither of them spoke, the implication was clear: they were both too drained to face the Bloodwitch head-on. They needed to weaken her, just as they had planned.

"It was a good ride," Scar said, his voice heavy with both weariness and pride. "I got to see the sky, and I fought with dignity. I made my ancestors proud. I represented the Garuda the best I could."

"It was an honor to fight alongside you," Yan Jin replied, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.

"It was good to fight alongside you too," Scar echoed. "Goodbye, my friend."

Yan Jin gathered the last remnants of his energy and nocked an arrow, pulling back the bowstring with deliberate care. He released it, sending the arrow soaring into the sky like a tolling bell. Then, he rushed to Scar, embracing him tightly. "It's okay. I've got you."

As the Bloodwitch, consumed by her own madness, dove toward Yan Jin, powered by the last remnants of corrupted energy, he could sense the darkness looming closer. But in his weakened state, there was little he could do but hope that the fire he had lit earlier was enough to burn away the encroaching darkness.

The arrow Yan Jin had shot earlier reached its apex in the sky before descending like a hawk, straight into the hollow core cave. It detonated upon contact, destroying the corrupted core that had protected Pine City for centuries. The explosion sent shockwaves through the city, causing veins and plasma cells—corrupted or not—to shrivel and vanish into bubbles of energy.

Scar, still held in Yan Jin's arms, began to dissipate as well, turning into bubbles of light that floated away, leaving only memories behind.

The Bloodwitch, feeling her power dissipate with the destruction of the core, hurled a vicious palm strike at Yan Jin. Weakened as he was, he couldn't dodge in time and was thrown aside by the force of the blow. As the charm of the witch waned, her form withered into that of a feeble old woman. She barely had time to react when a spear pierced her from behind.

It was Wei Xi.