The chamber shifted again, the platforms crashing together like tectonic plates. From the shadows above, a new monster descended—a hulking beast with six limbs, its body made of jagged obsidian and burning veins of molten light. Its roar shook the entire cavern, spraying sparks of fire across the platforms.
Sezzle's breath hitched. "Nope. NOPE. We are not fighting that—"
The creature lunged before she could finish, slamming its claws into the ground where they had just been standing. Janae shoved Sezzle aside, flipping into a handstand kick that cracked against the beast's jaw. Energy surged from her strike, sending a shockwave through the floor.
But the monster barely flinched. It swiped again, faster than before. Janae blocked, her aura flaring golden, but the force launched her back several feet.
Sezzle screamed, stumbling toward the edge. The monster's eyes locked onto her, glowing like twin furnaces.
"Sezzle—MOVE!" Janae shouted.
But Sezzle froze. The beast lunged, its claws arcing down—
CRACK!
A violent burst of violet lightning erupted from Sezzle's chest, blasting outward in every direction. The monster shrieked, stumbling back as purple sparks crawled across its body, leaving deep scorch marks in its obsidian shell.
Sezzle's hands trembled as arcs of energy danced between her fingertips. "W-what the hell—did I just do that!?"
Janae grinned, her eyes blazing. "Yes, you did. Don't fight it, Sezzle. Let it out!"
The monster roared again, furious, charging at Sezzle. She threw her arms up instinctively—BOOM! A pulse of violet force exploded outward, sending the beast skidding across the chamber, chunks of molten rock flying off its body.
Sezzle's chest rose and fell rapidly, her eyes wide as more sparks flickered around her. "I don't even—Janae, I don't know what I'm doing!"
"Then stop thinking!" Janae leapt forward, golden energy blazing around her fists. "Feel it, the way I did. Let the power guide you."
The monster struck again, its claws hammering down. Janae caught one strike, blocking with her aura, while Sezzle, almost without realizing, thrust her palm forward. A concentrated bolt of violet lightning shot out, slamming into the beast's shoulder and blasting one of its arms clean off.
The cavern shook with the monster's scream.
Sezzle staggered back, staring at her smoking hand. "Holy—did I just—"
Janae smirked. "Oh yeah. You're a fighter now."
The creature, weakened but still furious, reared back for one final strike. Janae glanced at Sezzle, her eyes glowing brighter. "Together?"
Sezzle swallowed hard, then nodded. "Together."
Janae charged from the front, her aura blazing golden. Sezzle thrust from the side, her violet lightning building to a violent crescendo. Their powers collided midair, slamming into the monster with a deafening boom.
The creature's body shattered into fragments of obsidian and light, dissolving into smoke that curled back into the walls of the realm.
Silence followed, broken only by the sound of Sezzle's ragged breathing. She looked at her glowing hands, still trembling with energy.
"Girl…" she whispered. "I think I just leveled up."
Janae laughed, pulling her into a tight hug. "Welcome to the club."
But as the smoke cleared, the walls of the chamber rippled with shifting light—reacting not just to Janae anymore, but to Sezzle as well. The realm had recognized her.
And deep in the shadows, something older, stronger, and infinitely more dangerous stirred… now aware that two warriors had awakened.