Ironhall Core
The air inside the Ironhall Core was thick with heat, dust, and shaking metal. Cracks ran along the stone floor, glowing from the faint fire pulsing through the old iron veins beneath. In the middle of it all stood Thirak, the golem, heavy arms raised, ready to crush.
But this time… he wasn't moving.
Ruvan stood just a few feet away, breathing hard. Blood ran down his arm, but his fists were clenched and glowing with energy.
Zerik stood to the side, juggling two sharp discs of light in his fingers, his usual grin replaced with tight focus. "Sera," he called, "now!"
Sera stepped forward. Her hands shook slightly, but her feet moved with purpose. The spell she had been preparing was finally ready.
Earlier, they had done what no one thought was possible. With a mix of Sera's slowing magic and Zerik's distraction tools, they had brought Thirak to a halt. His legs were frozen, his arms wrapped in vines and sealed chains made of Sera's magic. Ruvan had landed a heavy punch to Thirak's chest, the same spot he had been hitting all along.
Now, Thirak stood still, a soft crack running across his chestplate. A weak red light flickered through it.
Ruvan stepped back and looked at Sera. "It's time."
Sera took a deep breath. She reached out with her hand and gently touched the side of Thirak's large metal arm. The cold surface hummed. She could feel the energy under it. She began the sealing spell.
Zerik placed a hand on her shoulder, letting his magic flow into hers.
Ruvan did the same, placing a heavy hand on her back, pouring in every bit of strength he had left.
The magic circle under her feet began to glow. Sera closed her eyes. And then… something unexpected happened. Images rushed into her mind, fast, broken, and full of emotion.
She saw a young blacksmith, smiling as he crafted weapons. He was proud, strong, and full of dreams. She saw him offer himself, becoming the guardian of the forge. She saw years pass, the blacksmith forgotten, turned into a golem, a tool. Then abandoned. Hunted. Alone.
Tears welled in Sera's eyes. "You… didn't want this."
Thirak's red eyes flickered faintly. The glow faded.
"Thank you…" a deep voice echoed gently in her mind, "…for freeing me."
The sealing spell finished, and with a bright light, Thirak's giant body froze completely. The red light in his chest faded. Then, the giant golem slowly knelt… and went still.
Sera took a step back. Her legs shook, and she dropped to her knees. Ruvan helped her up, a faint smile on his face. "Well done." Zerik gave her a nod. "You're no longer the scared girl standing behind us."
Sera wiped her eyes. She didn't say anything , but inside, something had changed.
---
The Thundergate
Thunder roared once more as Borrum slammed his hammer into the ground, trying to break the ground beneath Lila's feet. But she leapt aside, fire trailing behind her blade.
Cyrus stood a few feet away, calmly raising both hands. Fire circled his right hand, water spun around his left. Earth lifted beneath his feet, and wind wrapped around his arms. His eyes were calm. Focused.
Sylra stayed in the back, throwing small energy bursts to protect them, her magic forming barriers to deflect debris and pressure.
Borrum growled. "You're annoying," he said, and then — with no warning — rushed toward Sylra.
His hammer charged with electricity.
Sylra's eyes widened. "He's coming!"
Lila turned quickly. "No, you don't!"
She threw a wave of flame at Borrum's path, slowing him slightly.
Cyrus moved between Sylra and Borrum, both hands pressing forward. The elements around him exploded in a burst of pressure. A wall of swirling water and fire rose in front of them.
Borrum smashed into it, and stumbled.
Sylra took the moment to back away further, catching her breath.
Cyrus exhaled deeply. "We've got him. Stay sharp."
Lila stepped beside him, her blade burning bright. "Let's end this together."
---
The Echoing Hollow
Wind howled as Ristella floated mid-air, her long sleeves moving like wings. She sent a sharp gust toward Doran, who blocked it with his hammer, digging his heels into the ground.
Nira zipped around the edge, vines coiling around her arms as she tried to trap Ristella from behind. But the wind priestess kept disappearing into spirals of air, reappearing again above them.
Junith struck with her spear from below, guiding her moves with care and timing. Her sharp strikes kept Ristella from staying still.
They weren't winning yet, but it wasn't one-sided anymore. The three were starting to understand the rhythm of the wind ,and of Ristella.
---
The Nullmirror Vault
The dark chamber of the Nullmirror Vault shimmered strangely, the shadowglass walls flickering as if alive. Reflections no longer hid the enemy. Velthra, once cloaked in invisibility and ambushes, now stood in full view.
She was no longer just a shadow.
Her form was sharp, clear , a figure wrapped in dark, flowing fabric that moved like smoke. Her eyes glowed faintly violet, and the corrupted aura around her shimmered like waves of heat. Twin daggers floated behind her, spinning slowly, waiting to strike.
Adrian narrowed his eyes, his focus intense. "She's out," he muttered. "Be ready."
Vaela lifted her frostwood longbow, Winter's Grief, and aimed carefully. "Finally," she said under her breath.
Darek stepped forward, placing himself between Velthra and the others. His sword hummed with natural energy, and roots began to snake along the cracked stone beneath his boots.
Velthra tilted her head, almost amused. "So you forced me to show myself. Not bad… but now you'll regret it."
She moved. Fast. Blades whipped through the air, forcing Darek to block quickly. His sword met her daggers with a loud clang, sparks flying. Her strength was sharp, controlled — she didn't need to overpower, just to outmaneuver.
Adrian called out sharply, "Left... Darek, now!"
Darek shifted just in time to catch her second dagger with the flat of his blade.
Vaela let loose a frost arrow, it streaked past Velthra's shoulder, grazing her again.
Velthra hissed, her gaze shifting to the archer. "You're improving."
She raised her hand and flicked it. A blast of dark energy shot toward Vaela, but Darek summoned a wall of stone and blocked it before it could hit.
"Thanks," Vaela said quickly.
Adrian kept reading ahead, not every move, but enough to keep them standing.
Velthra dashed forward again, now slashing in a wide arc meant to hit both Darek and Adrian. Darek blocked low, Adrian ducked high, rolling aside.
"Her pattern's changing," Adrian said through gritted teeth. "She's adapting too."
"But so are we," Vaela replied.
She loosed another arrow. This time, it struck Velthra's arm. Ice spread briefly across her sleeve before breaking away , but the shot was solid. Velthra stepped back, spinning her daggers and watching them carefully. Her smile was gone now. She was taking them seriously.
"You three… You're not bad."
They didn't answer. They just stood ready, weapons drawn.
For the first time since entering the Vault, it was a real battle, not a one-sided hunt.
Face-to-face, blade-to-blade, they were holding their own.
---
The Skyvault Sanctum
The wind above the clouds never stopped. The light danced through the floating temple. And in the middle stood Kalix, his robe fluttering, a soft hum in his throat.
Kael came in fast with his katana, a trail of blackfire behind him.
Kalix stepped aside with a spin. "Ah… so close."
Drakar, still burning in his Overheat Form, dropped from above with an axe swing so strong it split the stone floor.
Kalix rolled out of the way, landing on one hand and flipping up again. "You missed again."
Orin charged with his spear, enhanced with glowing marks. His footwork sharp, his timing perfect.
Kalix ducked, then leaned back. "Almost had me there, old man."
Nymera clenched her fists. "He's mocking us."
Kael didn't say anything. He just came in again.
And again.
And again.
Kalix dodged, parried without attacking once . but what will he do next is unpredictable.
---
The battles across the dungeon grew louder, harsher, but the tide was slowly shifting.
The fighters weren't just reacting anymore.
They were learning, adapting.
For the first time, they were one step ahead.