The tide of battle was shifting, but not always for the better.
---
The Thundergate
Cyrus's hands glowed as he controlled all four elements at once. Beside him, Lila moved like a flame, her fire and water blade clashing with the heavy strikes of Borrum's thunder-hammer. Sylra stayed behind, weaving layers of protection and support magic to cover them.
And for a moment, just a moment, it looked like the three of them were turning the fight in their favor.
They had found a rhythm. Cyrus was reading Borrum's moves, pushing him back with bursts of wind and fire. Lila used every small opening to press forward, her sword striking sparks from Borrum's armor. Sylra shot a beam of pure light to knock Borrum off balance.
He staggered. He growled. Then he stopped. His entire body trembled. A strange, heavy silence followed. And then, with a roar that shook the stone pillars, Borrum gave in to the Corrupted Aura.
His eyes glowed red. His muscles swelled with unnatural power. His thunder-hammer cracked with wild, uncontrolled lightning, striking the ground around him without aim.
"Get back!" Sylra yelled, throwing up a shield just in time as Borrum slammed his hammer down.
The explosion tore apart part of the platform, chunks of stone flying. The floating magnet platforms shook violently.
Borrum no longer moved with focus. He moved with rage. He smashed the ground again, sending shockwaves that made even Cyrus stumble. Lila ducked and rolled, trying to find a new angle, but Borrum was too fast now, his movements wild, unpredictable.
He had become a storm.
And they were trapped inside it.
---
The Nullmirror Vault
Velthra had fully revealed herself, and now she wasn't holding back.
She moved with frightening speed, blinking in and out of shadows and appearing where they least expected. Her daggers sliced through the air in wide arcs, and her corrupted aura crackled with raw shadow energy.
Darek stood tall in the front, guarding Adrian and Vaela. His sword was firm in his grip, and his earth magic kept walls rising and shields forming, but Velthra had shifted targets , and now she was striking him directly.
A dagger grazed his side, another cut deep into his arm. He winced, grounding himself with roots that burst from the stone floor. Adrian kept calling out directions, his Future Sight straining to keep up with Velthra's speed.
"She's targeting Darek now," Adrian said sharply, eyes darting side to side. "Vaela, cover him!"
Vaela, still unable to see Velthra clearly every time, fired arrow after arrow based on instinct. One of her frost-tipped shots struck Velthra's shoulder, slowing her, but only for few second.
Darek stumbled as another slash caught his leg. Blood trickled down, but he didn't fall.
"I can take it," he growled.
Adrian's voice was tighter now. "She's not playing anymore."
---
The Echoing Hollow
Wind howled louder now in the Hollow.
Ristella, calm as ever, floated slightly above the ground. Her hair and robes danced with the gusts around her. The three who faced her, Doran, Nira, and Junith, were fighting hard. But Ristella was faster, lighter, and her wind magic never stopped.
Nira stretched her hand forward, sending thick roots crawling across the ground toward Ristella, trying to close the gap. She pushed hard, using all her magic, letting the vines twist and rise like arms.
But before they reached Ristella, a wave of wind cut through them.
Wind Cutters , invisible blades of sharp air , tore through the roots and hit both Nira and Doran.
Doran grunted, raising his hammer, to shield them, but blood still stained his shoulder.
"She's… too fast," Nira said, panting. "I can't even reach her…"
Junith didn't speak. Her spear moved in precise, sharp strikes, but even she hadn't touched Ristella once.
Ristella stayed silent, her eyes half-lidded as if she wasn't even trying yet.
---
The Skyvault Sanctum
Far above the clouds, the battle raged on.
Kael's blackfire katana glowed with intense energy as he slashed, again and again. Nymera followed close behind, trying to read Kalix's movements, looking for anything , any sign of weakness.
Orin and Drakar joined the charge, their attacks more aggressive now. Orin enhanced his body, his spear thrusts stronger than ever. Drakar, his Overheat Form activated, blazed with fire as he flew across the open gaps in the floor, swinging his massive axe with wild fury.
And yet…
Kalix still hadn't struck back.
He dodged everything. He bent, leaned, sidestepped, flipped , each move elegant and calm.
He hummed a low tune as if dancing to his own rhythm.
"So close," Kalix said with a small smile as Kael's blade missed his cheek by inches. "Try again."
He spun and stepped past Nymera, tapping her on the shoulder before vanishing again.
"You're trying harder now," Kalix said. "I like that."
But not a single attack landed.
They were using all they had ,and he still hadn't even begun.
---
The Ironhall Core
The battle here was over.
Ruvan, Zerik, and Sera stood quietly. The air was still, heavy from the fight.
Sera sat down, catching her breath. She still remembered Thirak's final words to her. Her fingers were cold, but her heart… strangely warm.
She had helped. She had done something. And now she would wait.
---
All across the chambers, the battle had grown heavier.
The Corrupted Aura was growing, burning stronger in Borrum, sharper in Velthra, and more chaotic in the air.
The heroes fought harder.
But the darkness was not done yet.