The air crackled as Nkosana, Lira, and Kaede formed a tight circle, their energies intertwining. Matsu's distant chanting echoed through the catacombs, fueling their resolve.
The Veiled King sneered, shadows swirling around him like a living storm. "Foolish mortals, you cling to your fragile bonds. They will shatter."
Nkosana's voice was steady, filled with newfound certainty. "Our strength isn't fragile. It's forged in fire and trust."
With a roar, Nkosana unleashed the power of the Demon Seed, flames erupting in a brilliant cascade of light that pushed the darkness back. Lira's blades sang as they sliced through the shadow creatures, and Kaede's strategic strikes dismantled the Veilborn's formations.
The ground trembled as ancient runes around the altar pulsed with energy, responding to their unity.
Matsu's voice rose in a crescendo, the ritual nearing its climax.
Suddenly, the Veiled King lunged, his form flickering between shadows and smoke.
"Now!" Nkosana shouted.
Together, they struck—flames, steel, and strategy converging in a blinding explosion of light and shadow.
As the smoke cleared, silence settled. The Veiled King's form dissolved, leaving only a faint whisper on the wind.Nkosana's chest heaved, the weight of the Demon Seed lighter but still present.
The curse was broken — but the journey was far from over.
—