Atticus's Odyssey: Reincarnated Into A Playground novel Chapter 1036

Lumindra was silent again.

"I don’t want to keep feeling useless," Zoey said quietly. "I don’t want to keep watching others fight for what I care about while I stand back doing nothing."

She breathed in deeply.

"It’s my life, Lumi. Not yours. You don’t have the right to make that decision for me, no matter how much you love me. Please… help me."

For a long moment, there was only silence in her mind.

If Lumindra was in her physical form, her face would’ve been twisted in frustration. Because Zoey was right. Completely, painfully right.

She had given Zoey speech after speech about change. About realness. About embracing herself, no matter the consequence. But now, when it truly mattered, she had recoiled in fear of losing her.

But could she truly force Zoey away from this situation now? Even if it killed Zoey, was it truly her decision to make?

Lumindra let out a heavy sigh, mind shimmering with conflicted thoughts.

Then… her voice returned, calmer, but resolute.

"…Alright, Zoey."

Zoey’s heart pounded.

"There’s every likelihood that you’ll end up dead. But I won’t stop you anymore. So listen carefully."

Zoey’s breath stopped, and she nodded instinctively.

…

The forest had become a charred wasteland.

Ash danced in the sky like cursed snow. Blackened soil cracked beneath scorched winds. The flames of hell and dragonfire intertwined, reducing the world around them to ruin.

And in the center of it all…

Viktor was bleeding.

Draktharion’s claw had just torn through his chest, a savage arc that sprayed searing blood across the air, painting the ground crimson.

Before the pain could register, a savage blow followed, his fist colliding with Viktor’s ribs and sending him crashing like a meteor through the blackened terrain.

BOOM!

The earth exploded on impact, a crater left in his wake. Viktor groaned as he pushed himself back to his feet, his body trembling, muscles torn and shredded, skin flaking from burns and blood pooling beneath him.

And still… he stood.

He dragged his arm across his mouth, wiping the blood off.

But then, his eyes narrowed sharply.

’It’s not healing…’

The realization sent a chill through his bones.

A wound like that, normally, it would’ve healed before he even hit the ground. But now… the wound remained. Raw and burning.

’My body is reaching its limits.’

His expression hardened.

The battle was nearing its end. He could feel the thread of his strength leaving by the second.

And then, Draktharion approached.

Each step was heavy. Dominant. Cold smoke curling from his nostrils, wings flickering with sparks of fire.

He looked like a beast born from ancient nightmares, draconic scales covering his massive body, horns pulsing with inner heat, his molten eyes calm and cruel.

"You should stop," Draktharion said quietly. "Your body is at its limit. I don’t want to kill more innocents."

Viktor’s eyes narrowed. Then he clenched his fists, and the air around him combusted.

"You trapped our only hope in there… and you want me to give up?"

His voice was low, filled with nothing but fire and rage.

"Don’t act like some fucking saint. You knew what you were doing. You made your choice. You’re a traitor… and you deserve nothing less than a brutal death."

BOOM!

A wave of hellfire erupted from Viktor’s body, but this time… it was different.

Even Draktharion’s eyes widened.

That fire… it was hotter. Sharper. He could feel it licking at his own scales.

But then, his eyes flicked sideways, narrowing.

’He’s burning himself too…’