Her worst fears materialized before her eyes as she watched him slip out of her grasp.

"Lord Teth! Please take me with you! Don't leave" Princess Ballesha's plea was cut short by an unseen force that struck her, hurling her backwards.

She crashed into the unforgiving steel walls of her room, a mixture of anger and despair twisting her features before she crumpled to the ground.

Lord Teth's transformation was striking. Gone was the robe, replaced by a jet-black suit of armour with hints of dark violet and silver. His eyes were deep and piercing with a faint violet glow, betraying no emotion as he spoke. "I'll be leaving. As for your illness, I've temporarily suppressed it. You have two years of respite before it relapses. Enjoy your time," he said calmly, wiping blood from his lips before turning away.

As the resounding announcement echoed in the sky, Lord Teth realized that the Vylkr spawnsor whatever entity had delivered the messageknew his location but chose not to engage. They offered him a chance to flee, a subtle invitation to escape confrontation.

Despite his injuries, Lord Teth weighed the odds and realized the opponents were too formidable. Witnessing the unknown divine artefact effortlessly tear through his barrier, he had no choice but to flee despite the shame it brought as a demigod.

Summoning one of his shadowsa three-meter-winged beasthe imbued it with a rune for increased speed and disintegrated the barrier. The creature shot forward as Lord Teth escaped the Wanderlust Traveling Tortoise Runaway City.

Princess Ballesha, still reeling from the shock, tried to call out to him, but she could only watch in horror as Lord Teth disappeared, leaving her alone again.

Overwhelmed by turbulent emotions and the searing pain coursing through her, she coughed up blood and collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness.

..........

Below,

As their mysterious assailant vanished into the distance, Queen Eleanora and the other Wanderlust Traveling Tortoise Runaway City leaders noticed an unknown silhouette of a winged beast flying out of the city.

Queen Eleanora turned her gaze toward the direction it flew from, her eyes widening in shock as she saw her sister's open window. The expressions of the remaining leaders mirrored her own surprise and concern.

Without hesitation, Queen Eleanora leapt into the sky, leaving a dent in the metal floor where she had stood, and swiftly arrived at the open window. There, she beheld her sister's unconscious form lying in a small pool of blood.

Examining her sister closely, Queen Eleanora's expression shifted from fear and concern to anger.

..........

Outside of the Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise Runaway City,

Orion arrived at the ground with a crackling sound of lightning trailing behind him, landing on top of the warrior's shapeshifting beasts.

"What happened? Are you okay?" Fifi asked, approaching to inspect Orion for any signs of injury.

"Don't worry, I'm fine," Orion reassured, calming Fifi's concern. He then proceeded to narrate everything that had transpired.

Listening intently to Orion's account, Stronghold Leader Seth's and Fifi's expressions shifted to one of surprise.

Seig and the others, who had heard Orion's words clearly from the other side, couldn't help but be dumbfounded. They had informed Orion and the Key leaders that the Runaways weren't protected by a god or any divine being, so their hearts skipped a beat upon hearing that Orion had almost confronted one.

Won't they take it that they have been deceived by them?

"Chief, we weren't lying about the information we provided. I don't know how a grade-one runaway City like the Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise suddenly gained the protection of a god. Still, I assure you such a situation is rarely heard of and almost impossible!" Seig stated, his voice echoing as he bowed towards Orion and the others.

Rarely heard of and almost impossible, my ass! The only time they've ever witnessed the grandeur of a god was right here in this territory. It used to be just a story of myths and legends to them.

The mere thought of Orion unleashing the full force of their warriors against the Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise and the Sleeping Fox Runaway City was enough to make him sweat in the cold, windy breeze.

Evadne, Lief, Leona, and the others followed suit, bowing down and nodding in agreement with Seig's words. They knew they had to unite and work together to avoid the dire consequences that might befall them if Orion chose to punish them.

Orion waved his hand at them, signalling them to raise their heads. "You can relax. Before the barrier was conjured, I had already verified your words with the commander of the gods' chosens and Chief of Security of the Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise Runaway City. There's no need for you to be anxious," he assured them. He didn't bother explaining his encounter with her further as it held no significance.

Seig and the others sighed in relief, though their bodies tensed momentarily upon hearing that Orion had met with the commander of the gods' chosens of the Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise Runaway City after their brief confrontation.

As for the details, they didn't dare ask, already predicting the results within themselves.

Seig, Evadne, Leif, and the others offered a silent prayer to the afterlife for her.

"How about the other Runaway City? Since we've already confronted the Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise Runaway City, it would be strange to leave the Sleeping Fox Runaway City without any confrontation, especially since they are also trespassing," Fifi said, her voice serious.

Hearing Fifi's words, Seig and Evadne both felt their hearts leap in their chests. They attempted to speak but quickly closed their lips, understanding it wasn't their place to offer suggestions.

Stronghold Leader Seth nodded in agreement, "Since you've confronted the Wanderlust Travelling Tortoise Runaway City, I'll confront the Sleeping Fox Runaway City and deliver the same threat to them," he responded, his gaze fixed on Orion.

At this moment, Seig could no longer keep his mouth shut and decided to speak up, "Stronghold Lead" he began, but he was swiftly interrupted.