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"The pitcher of ice water smashed into Mara before she could even raise her hands. / Chapter 17 / 19

Chapter 18 - The Power Within

BOOM!

A thunderous explosion echoed across the peak as the stone gates of the altar courtyard were blown open!

"GET AWAY FROM MY DAUGHTER!" King Alistair’s voice roared through the storm.

Royal knights poured into the courtyard, engaging the Obsidian mercenaries in a desperate, chaotic battle. Captain Vance leaped over the stone barricade, his longsword cutting a path straight toward the altar!

"Kill them all!" Malakor screamed to his men.

Celeste panicked. Seeing her time slipping away, she swung the dagger down toward Mara’s chest with all her strength!

Mara didn't wait to be saved.

Remembering every trial, every hardship, and the love of the father who had mourned her for seventeen years, Mara tapped into the deep, ancient fire burning within her soul. She stopped fighting the chains—and instead, embraced the golden power of the Phoenix within her blood.

CRACK!

A blinding flash of pure, golden fire erupted from Mara’s chest! The heat was so intense that the iron clamps binding her wrists melted instantly into liquid slag.

The shockwave sent Celeste flying backward, crashing against the stone pillars and dropping the golden dagger.

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Mara stood up from the altar, suspended in the air by a halo of swirling, living golden flames. Her dark hair floated around her, and the phoenix mark on her collarbone burned with the brilliant light of a thousand suns!

The dark alchemists fell to their knees, screaming as the divine fire burned away their dark illusions and magic.

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