Blood dripped down Amber's arm and leg as she attempted to dodge the increasingly difficult plant monsters. Swords and claws swung at her, forcing her back as she slowly grew closer and closer to James and Luna. The others weren't doing so well either as they all began to group up.

"They aren't affected anymore!" Mender shouted as his Consecration Field stopped burning the monsters.

"Keep holding out!" Amber growled. "We have to keep holding out!"

"We needed Priest and Coral," Zenaria stated. "With them, we could defend easier."

"They were needed for the temple," Amber explained. "Someone had to stay behind."

A spear suddenly thrust forward, punching through Bronson's stomach and lifting him up. Screaming in pain, Boris and Brakin rushed to help, only to be cut down by the plant monsters a second later.

"You bastards!" Linda shouted before firing her rifle over and over, killing every monster near her with exploding bullets. The three brothers disappeared, having returned to the temple.

"Hold the line!" Amber shouted.

"We're losing too much ground!" Zenaria pointed out as she attempted to wrap the entire room in wires. The moment the monsters started, a single hulking brute slashed through her net, cutting it apart and breaking her skill.

Jamie limped back to her brother, her wounds piling up as he did his best to heal everyone. Breathing heavy, Jamie switched to her bow and fired several arrows into her group, igniting everything in flames that ate away at the plant matter.

"I'm out of energy," Jamie panted before sinking to her knees.

Mender's Consecration cut out a moment later, his energy spent. "I'm sorry."

Amber screamed into the air as she watched her two friends get cut down a moment later. Linda roared in defiance as her weapon stopped firing, her energy spent and unable to create more ammo. Charging forward, she swung her rifle like a club, striking the monsters over and over before falling to their blades.

Grace was the only one that wasn't injured as she stepped away from James's side. "My poison won't help," she said softly. "Is this the end?"

"No!" Amber growled. "We've come too far to stop now!" Racing in, she started slashing the creatures as quickly as she could. The black and red monsters collapsed around her. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Grace dancing among the creatures, her sword a blur as she hacked them apart.

Zenaria screamed in pain before she staggered back, her chest ripped open from a blade. Snarling, the woman lashed out with her wires and faster than a blink of an eye, her entire section was decimated. Sinking to her knees, she started crawling back to James.

"I can't last much longer," Grace stated.

Amber glanced at the orb of energy and noticed it was starting to turn translucent as its life waned. A smile crossed her lips before she doubled down on ripping her foes apart. Zenaria was leaning her back against Luna's leg, the blood on her chest flowing freely, her soul growing weaker with each passing second.

Grace was the next to scream, a sword stuck through her gut as she was lifted and hurled back towards James. Left as the only one fighting, Amber put everything she could into her area attacks. With each slash, dozens died and the vines making up the building broke apart to make more monsters.

The creatures advanced on her family, their weapons raised and her heart sank. She wasn't enough to keep everyone safe. Blood seeped from numerous wounds and her energy was draining and slowing her movements. Just as her hope was about to end, a flash of light filled the area. The last of the energy flowed into James and Luna staggered back.

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The Fenrir's eyes took in the last of the monsters and she snarled. Dropping onto all fours, she transformed into her massive Soul Form and slashed her claws through on section, ripping them apart and destroying the vines that made up the wall.

Howling, she knocked all of the monsters back before leaping over James and landing amongst the creatures. The sound of ripping and tearing filled the air as Amber sunk to her knees. A gentle hand touched her a second later, and when she looked up, she found James smiling at her.

***

James pulled Amber to her feet and gently poked her chest, healing all of the damage her body had sustained. He had already done the same for Grace and Zenaria, bringing them back to full strength. Luna was nearly finished destroying the complex. The vines were decaying at an incredible rate and the monsters outside were fleeing. At long last, the rent was destroyed.

"Are the others okay?" Amber asked softly.

"They are fine," James assured her. "They are going to be tired for a few days, but that only gives them the excuse to have me take care of them."

Zenaria walked over, her arms still shaking from working so hard. "I need a bath, my love. Can we get back to the temple today?"

Grace perked up. "Drinks are on me!"

Chuckling, James whistled for Luna. The giant wolf padded over and lowered herself to the ground. Once they all climbed on, she stood and started racing toward the temple. It wouldn't be a long trip and James was more than happy to relax. His body was still processing the energy he had absorbed and he knew it would be a day or two before he was ready to fight again.

***

Veronica looked toward the sky as a pulse of energy washed over the planet. It was nighttime and the burning winds were gone. Completely gone. A storm brewed near the edge of the city, but instead of chaotic lightning and deathly rain, it was comfortable and refreshing. People were out on the streets, celebrating.

"It's returning to normal," Tim stated as he joined her.

"Thanks to James," Vernonica said softly. "He came through for us."

"I sent word to the rest of the sects around the world. They are spreading out, hunting down the facilities and lingering corrupted monsters. The Valiants will be at peace in a few months time."

Smiling, she sat on the ledge of the cliff. "Do you think we'll see him again?"

"Yes. Tian is still in our city and James will come to collect the man's family. I don't know where they'll go from there, but I have a feeling that James will be retiring soon."

"I wonder how the pact will respond once they learn he destroyed the last rent."

Tim sat next to her. "I don't know, but if I was them, I would start praying."

"I would too."

***

Sebastian looked out over the entrance to the rent. The monster numbers were thinning with each passing hour, no longer powered by the rent. His nephew had actually done it. He had destroyed the last rent where the rest of their people's energy resided.

I didn't know such a thing was possible. How strong are you, nephew?

He knew he would likely get an answer before long, but didn't want to focus on it. He had a fight to prepare for and knew his nephew would arrive before long. The final showdown was on the horizons, and nothing could be done to stop it.

Either Sebastian defeated his nephew when he came, or The Pact would fall and the Underworld would be forever changed.

A few more days. A few days until I either see the afterlife, or I kill a god.

***

James hopped off Luna's back as they arrived back at the temple. His family was waiting outside for him, all of them changed into clean clothes alongside Coral and Priest. Mother was regarded him with what he knew was her smile as Everest bounced around the group.

"We did it," he announced. "The world is going to recover. Both worlds."

All of the dragons cheered and so did his family.

Smiling, he walked up to Jamie and hugged her before pulling Mender into the hug. "Thank you both for standing with me through that trial."

Linda smacked his arm. "Don't get sappy on us yet, James. "We have one more battle before we can relax."

Chuckling, he nodded and let his sister and brother go. "You're right. I'm getting ahead of myself."

Grace pulled out three kegs she had been hiding in her ring. "Grab your mugs!"

Jamie bounced over right away. "How drunk can I get you?"

Grace narrowed her eyes. "I'm not sleeping with you, Jamie, no matter how drunk you get me."

"Aww, come one, Grace. I already had Amber and Zenaria. Why can't I have you too?"

Sighing, Grace tapped the first keg. "I'm going to tie you up and leave you outside for the night. Get a drink and go bother Linda."

"Don't you dare!" Linda shouted. "I'm not sleeping with you either!"

Laughing, James pulled out a mug and wandered over to the kegs. Luna met him with a drink of her own. "We did it," she whispered. "The corruption is all but gone. The worlds will heal."

"It's a major victory," he said. "One that the world needed. Now, we just need to handle our personal business."

"In a few days, my love. For now, you have a fluffy tail to clean."

"You're right, Zenaria won't wait much longer," he teased.

Scoffing, Luna rested her hand on his chest. "Let's celebrate, and once everyone is recovered we can return to the Underworld."

"I like the sound of that. One more fight."

"One more."

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