Rhys's teeth clenched. His vision blurred from the blinding light. His muscles felt like they were tearing apart. The Warden's hammer pressed down, burning like a small sun. The air itself was melting.
His mana started to crack under the pressure—splitting, breaking—until Puddle's voice hit him hard in his mind.
Anchor through me, Master. Don't break. We hold together.
Rhys growled through his teeth. "Then let's end this."
He pushed everything he had left into the Ruinous Darkness Blade. The weapon screamed, its edge twisting with light and shadow. The Heartfire inside him burned hotter, wild and alive.
The Warden faltered for just a second. That was enough.
Rhys roared. "Vertical Slash—Origin Break!"
He twisted his sword, throwing the hammer's power off balance, then swung upward with all his strength. The strike ripped through the Warden's body from waist to crown.
The armor split clean down the middle.