Ashes Of The Throne | Part I

Chapter 128 | What You're Asking Of Me

What Eko understood above anyone else as she took after Matthew, was that there was suffering and there was defeat. There were all inevitable parts of life. No one can avoid them. Not even a warrior with all their powers.

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Matthew sprinted through the relentless rain, his breath visible in the cold night air. His ripped collared shirt clung to his body, and his bare feet splashed through puddles as he followed the trail of Isis and Cid's powers. Fury coursed through him, fueled by the betrayal that now burned in his mind. He skidded to a halt just outside the large barrier that connected them to the eastern border. The barrier's shimmering surface pulsed with a life of its own, reflecting the stormy skies above.

Without a moment's hesitation, Matthew pressed his palm against the barrier, his powers surging into it in a desperate attempt to break it down. The energy crackled and sparked, illuminating his furious expression, every muscle in his body taut with rage and determination.

Moments later, the rest of the group landed beside him, their own powers flaring as they took in the sight of Matthew's struggle. Eko, drenched from the rain, reached out but stopped short, his powers whipping around them with a wild intensity she had never seen before.

"Matthew, stop! It's not going to come down!" Eko shouted, her voice barely audible over the roar of the storm. Her heart ached seeing him like this, consumed by a fury that seemed to mirror the tempest raging around them. "It's never come down before! We're not strong enough!"

She could see the desperation in his eyes, the way his body trembled with the force of his efforts, but the barrier remained unyielding. The storm lashed at them, as if mocking their attempts, and the reality of their limitations pressed down on her like a weight she could hardly bear.

But Matthew didn't stop. His eyes were fixed on the barrier, his jaw set with manic determination. He could feel the resistance, the pushback from the powerful enchantment, but he refused to back down. The barrier shimmered and pulsed under his touch, struggling against the intrusion of his power.

The warriors stood by, watching as his pent-up fury was unleashed, his powers surging again in a desperate push against the barrier. The shimmering surface began to ripple, showing signs of strain, but it held firm. The relentless rain poured down around them, the storm mirroring the tumultuous emotions of the group.

"Matthew!" Eko's voice cracked as she approached him, her hands gripping his arm that was pressed against the barrier. "Stop!"

When he wouldn't listen, she slipped under his outstretched arms, positioning herself between him and the barrier. She pressed her palms against his chest, forcing him to meet her gaze. "Breathe," she urged, her eyes locking onto his with fierce intensity, the thunder cracking and roaring in fury around them.

Matthew's eyes were wild with frustration and fury, the storm outside mirroring the tempest within him. He could feel the barrier resisting, mocking his efforts, and his powers roared with desperation. But Eko's presence, her voice, cut through the haze of his rage, anchoring him.

Finally, with a guttural roar of frustration, Matthew yanked his hand back, and the barrier's surface immediately stilled. His chest heaved with heavy breaths, his eyes reflecting a tumultuous mix of anger and desperation, the weight of their situation pressing heavily upon him.

The group stood in tense silence, the storm continuing to rage around them. They watched as the dome splintered and shook with the aftereffects of Matthew's onslaught, the lingering energy crackling in the air. Yet, despite his efforts, the barrier remained unbroken, its defiance a cruel reminder of their current powerlessness.