Chapter 203: The Game Reaches Its End

Eldrid's form began to wither and blacken, the life force draining from its twisted branches. In its final moments, the tree's voice was a whisper. "I... I was only trying to survive..."

"Survival at the cost of trust and loyalty is no survival at all," Alex said, his voice unwavering.

As the last of Eldrid's life force faded, the forest was reduced to smoldering ashes. Alex and the Shadow Dragon hovered above the devastation, the dark flames reflecting in Alex's eyes. He wasn't a hero who would spare his enemies, especially not those who had betrayed him. Life was about survival and victory, and Alex had chosen his path.

With the traitors defeated and the relics secured, Alex felt a sense of grim satisfaction. He had come this far, and nothing would stand in his way now. He turned the Shadow Dragon towards the horizon, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in the final moments of the game.