Eli's mind was racing.
He sifted through possibilities, strategies, desperate half-formed plans—only to circle back to the same one every time.
It was risky. Reckless. And it would put Caelen in far more danger than he liked.
But they didn't have the luxury of holding back anymore.
Not against this.
The priest was a fortress in itself, its sheer bulk and reach making it untouchable with just swordsmanship. Caelen's physical skill alone wouldn't bring it down.
They needed his ability—at its peak.
Eli exhaled through his nose, eyes still locked on the gargoyles, keeping them frozen. "Can you keep taking hits from the priest?"
Caelen didn't answer right away. His gaze slid back to the looming statue, golden eyes narrowing, jaw flexing. The weight in that silence was almost as heavy as the air in the chamber.
Finally, he spoke. "So… how much pain are we talking about?"
Eli didn't even hesitate. "Enough to trigger your Golden Aurora Drive."
