Vael didn't hesitate.The moment the Echo Colossus roared, he rushed in.
His blade scraped across its leg, sparks and shadow bursting out.The creature swung its arm down like a falling boulder.Vael rolled under it, dirt spraying behind him.He slashed upward, carving a dark line across its side.The Colossus staggered, but only for a moment.
Its hollow eyes fixed on him.It raised both arms.
Vael braced—Before the world flashed silver.
Lira's arrow streaked past him and slammed into the Colossus's shoulder, staggering it.
Farther back, Lira exhaled shakily and drew another arrow.Her hands trembled from pushing her magic too far, but she ignored the burn.
"He can't keep tanking that thing alone," she muttered.
Mira stood beside her, staff glowing faint blue.Runes swirled under her feet, frost spreading outward.
"I'm trying to keep the field stable," Mira said."But its mana is everywhere—if it keeps charging like that, the whole Shroud will break open."
Talon cracked his knuckles."Then we break it first."
He sprinted toward the Colossus, slamming both fists into the earth.A shockwave blasted across the field, forcing the giant to shift its footing.Cracks spidered under its feet.
Lira inhaled and fired again—another silver flash.Mira steadied the frost lines, her breath quickening.Talon charged through the debris, ready to hit the creature head-on.
They all moved, breathless, synced without speaking.
But it still wasn't enough.
The Colossus straightened.Light pulsed inside the cracks of its armor, growing brighter and brighter.
Mira's eyes widened."It's gathering everything. This is… bad."
Vael climbed the Colossus's arm, fingers digging into its rune-etched stone.
The creature shook violently, trying to throw him off.He held on, shadows swirling around his legs like anchors.
He reached its shoulder.Its mask-like face turned toward him.
Vael didn't wait.
He drove his sword into its head.Dark fire burst out, cutting through the glowing runes.The giant screamed—its voice splitting the fog.
Vael tore the blade free and jumped off, landing hard, breath punching out of his lungs.
Talon rushed to his side."You alive?"
"Close enough," Vael muttered.
The Colossus staggered backward.Light spiked from its cracks.The ground trembled beneath them.
Then—A tear ripped open behind the Colossus, a spiraling wound of shadow and blinding white.
Lira's voice trembled."That's not the Colossus… something else is coming through."
Mira stepped back, staff shaking."The Shroud is breaking."
Wind roared.The tear widened.
Vael stepped forward, shadows rising behind him like wings.Artemis's voice echoed faintly:
Prepare yourself. This is only the beginning.
Vael tightened his grip on his sword.
"Good," he whispered."Then let it come."