The chamber fell eerily silent after the collapse of the shadow barrier. Mukul's golden aura glowed steadily, but he sensed the commander's presence—stronger, deeper, more dangerous than ever.
"You think breaking my barrier stops me?" the commander's voice echoed, dark energy rippling like storm clouds. "You've only seen a fragment of my power."
Suddenly, the shadows around the commander convulsed and merged. The dark cloak dissolved into an enormous, shifting form—part human, part draconic, with eyes that glowed like molten gold. Wings of shadow unfurled, casting the chamber into a chaotic twilight.
Meera's eyes widened. "That… that's not human!"
Kavya twirled her dagger, smirking. "Perfect. I've always wanted a real fight."
Anaya's voice was tense but precise. "This is the commander's ultimate form. Strategy and precision are critical—recklessness will get us killed."
Saira's calm tone reminded them, "Observe the patterns, anticipate the attacks, and act together. Unity will be our shield."
Liyana leaned back slightly, spinning her lockpick with a grin. "And style… always style, even in the face of a shadow dragon."
Mukul stepped forward, aura flaring, and took a deep breath. "Everyone, stay connected. Focus on synchronisation and trust. This isn't just about power—it's about harmony, strategy, and coordination."
The commander roared, and shadow flames surged, lashing through the chamber. Mukul and the women moved instinctively—Meera deflected the first surge with precision strikes, Anaya dismantled energy stabilisers feeding the shadow form, Kavya's agile movements distracted and misdirected the commander, Saira redirected destructive pulses away from the team, and Liyana neutralised traps before they could trigger.
Mukul's mind raced. He realised raw attacks would fail—this was about breaking the commander's control over their own form. Golden threads of energy connected the team, amplifying every strike, block, and redirection.
"Now," Mukul whispered, focusing all his aura into a unified strike. "One flow, one strike, one outcome. Together."
The women followed in perfect unison. Meera's energy pierced weak points, Anaya dismantled stabilisers, Kavya's unpredictable strikes disoriented the commander, Saira's redirections protected the group, and Liyana's precise neutralisations cleared the path.
Golden energy surged as their coordinated attack hit the commander's chest. Shadow flames flared and sputtered, wings convulsed, and the draconic form staggered.
The commander's voice wavered, a mix of rage and surprise. "Impossible… how… can unity… be so strong?"
Mukul stepped forward, aura blazing. "Strength isn't just about power. It's courage, trust, and standing together. That is what you underestimated."
The commander staggered, energy faltering, but wings still flared, and eyes glowed with burning intensity. Mukul knew this was only the first phase—yet breaking the shadow dragon's control had shifted the battle in their favour.
Meera exhaled sharply. "We did it… at least for now."
Kavya grinned. "The bigger they are, the more fun it is to fight them."
Anaya nodded, focused. "We've gained the upper hand, but vigilance is key. They can strike back at any moment."
Saira's calm presence steadied them. "Observe, adapt, and remain united. That is our strength."
Liyana twirled her dagger with a flourish. "And style… always optional, but never a bad idea."
Mukul looked around at the women—battle-worn but unbroken. Together, they had faced the commander's ultimate form and survived. The shadows still threatened, but golden threads of unity and trust bound them stronger than ever.
The chamber pulsed with energy, the shadow dragon's roar echoing faintly.