The warehouse was a battlefield of shadows and crimson ribbons. Every thread of light flickered against wet concrete, reflecting the chaos inside Lucian's mind.
Lucian's golden eyes burned with determination, but Kane's dominance surged violently, forcing him back against the walls of consciousness.
I can't… not now… I have to fight… Lucian thought, fists clenching.
Kane's voice echoed, sharp and merciless:
"You are weak. You cannot resist me. Justice will be served my way!"
The ribbons snapped outward with terrifying speed, cutting across the floor and walls, a lethal storm of judgment. Objects shattered, metal bent, and the echoes of chaos filled the warehouse.
Lucian flinched, struggling to steer his body, to inject even a fraction of control.
Focus… just a little… just enough…
From the shadows, Arata moved cautiously, studying every flicker of golden eyes, every hesitation in Kane's strikes. He realized:
The human inside is pushing back. He's not fully in control, but he's fighting.
Arata spoke softly, steady:
"Lucian… I know you're in there. Just hold on… you're stronger than this darkness."
The words seemed to pierce the storm of Kane's dominance. For a brief second, the ribbons froze mid-air, as if acknowledging the pause.
Sera crouched atop a catwalk, trembling as she witnessed the violent struggle.
This is more than I imagined… if Kane wins, everything is lost. But if Lucian holds… maybe… maybe there's hope.
Her eyes locked on the golden flash in Lucian's gaze, the only sign that he was still fighting for control.
Lucian managed to twist his body mid-storm, redirecting one of the crimson ribbons to crash into a stack of crates instead of striking a bystander. It was a small victory, but it proved something important:
He could fight back.
Kane roared internally, furious and disoriented. Lucian's golden presence flared stronger than ever for a heartbeat, a warning that the balance was shifting.
The storm of ribbons hung suspended, tension thick in the warehouse.
Lucian has regained partial control, but Kane is still dominant.
Arata knows he is close to uncovering the human side of the Ribbon Reaper.
Sera watches, understanding that one wrong move could end in catastrophe.
The next moment could tip the balance—either freeing Lucian or allowing Kane to strike with lethal precision.