Arthur's living shadow peeled away from his body, dropping silently into the water below. The sentient darkness moved with purpose, spreading beneath the flamingo's position like a pool of liquid night.
The creature didn't notice—couldn't notice—as many attacks consumed its awareness completely.
Whoosh!
Arthur teleported them to ground level, landing on the ice the Winter Beast had formed. He dismounted Aetherion smoothly, katana already drawn and gleaming with deadly promise.
"Final phase. Aether, use Dimensional Slash when I give the signal. Winter Beast, prepare ice spears—target the legs. Bloom, Cackle Queen, maintain mental pressure."
"Roger that, Master!" Aether's enthusiasm remained undiminished despite the blood-soaked battlefield.
The Winter Beast's silence carried absolute readiness, ice crystallizing around its form in preparation.
