The Executioner bared his teeth. "Fine. Then die as a monster."
He raised his hands. His Law surged, and the chains multiplied, blotting out the stars as they rained down like spears.
Ragnar leapt upward, talons tearing through dozens at once — but for every chain he destroyed, two more struck him. Blood spattered the ground. His body trembled under the weight of steel.
Selene coughed blood again, clutching her chest. She could feel her curse burning inside her, devouring her life. But watching Ragnar fight — half-man, half-nightmare — something in her twisted.
"Damn it all…" she hissed.
Her silver eyes flared. She raised her broken arm. Silver light burst outward, forming spectral chains of her own — glowing, radiant, and utterly alien.
They clashed with the Executioner's iron chains midair, the forest lit by silver and black fire.
The Executioner snarled. "Impossible! That power… it isn't from this realm!"
Ragnar glanced back at her, sweat and blood dripping into his eyes. "Selene… what the hell are you?"
She smirked weakly, her silver light trembling. "I told you. Cursed. Every chain I summon shortens my life. But if I don't, you die."
Ragnar's heart thudded.
Her silver chains wrapped around the Executioner's steel, locking him in place for a single, precious heartbeat.
"Now, Ragnar!" she shouted.
Ragnar roared. His Abyssal Talons burned brighter, the ground itself melting beneath him as he lunged.
The Executioner's eyes widened, too late.
Shhhkkk!
The talons ripped through steel, flesh, and bone alike.
The Executioner's body split, his scream echoing through the forest before silence claimed him.
[ Law Fragment: Steel Chains — Acquired. ]
[ Fusion: Abyssal Talons + Steel = Dreadbind. ]
[ New Skill: Dreadbind — Shadow-chains that devour Laws. ]
The forest fell silent again. Only Ragnar's ragged breathing and Selene's pained gasps remained.
He looked at her — pale, trembling, silver veins burning under her skin.
"You're dying," he said quietly.
Selene laughed weakly, leaning against a tree. "Not today. But one day soon… unless I find what I'm looking for."
Her silver eyes locked on him.
"And maybe, Ragnar, that's you."