The scream of the Colossus faded into a low, grinding moan as its body collapsed.But the tear behind it only grew louder.
Wind spiraled toward the rift, pulling dust, leaves, and broken stone into its churning light.The whole forest shook as if something enormous pressed from the other side.
Vael stepped forward, eyes fixed on the widening tear.His heartbeat stayed steady—too steady.The crown's influence curled through his veins, sharpening everything into cold focus.
Lira jogged to his side, panting."What is that? Another Echo?"
"No," Mira said. She held her staff with both hands, knuckles white."That… that's a boundary fracture. Something powerful forced its way through."
Talon scoffed."Great. As if the big guy wasn't enough."
The tear pulsed violently.A crack like thunder echoed across the clearing.
A massive hand—black and skeletal, wrapped in flickering runes—forced itself through the rift.
Lira's breath hitched."You've got to be kidding me."
The hand gripped the edges of the tear and pulled.The world groaned in protest as the fracture expanded.
A torso followed.Twisted. Armor fused with bone.A horned mask.A corrupted knight-shaped thing, taller than the Colossus but far more controlled.Its presence pressed down like a storm.
Mira whispered, "An Apex Echo…"
Vael didn't move.He stared up at it, the crown humming with anticipation.
The creature's mask turned toward them.It didn't roar.It simply looked.
And the air warped.
Lira stumbled as gravity seemed to tilt for a heartbeat.Mira's runes fractured.Talon dropped to a knee, teeth grinding.
Vael's shadow surged, shielding him from the brunt of the pressure.
The Apex Echo raised its blade—a colossal sword made of fractured Obsidiansteel, humming with resonance.
Talon forced himself to his feet with a snarl."Round two then. Fine."
"No."Vael's voice was calm, too calm.
He took a step forward.
Lira grabbed his arm."Vael—don't rush it. This thing isn't like the others."
He didn't look at her."It's not rushing."
The Apex Echo's mask flared with a pale glow.The fracture behind it pulsed again.
Artemis's voice whispered in his mind:
This foe is beyond the Colossus. If you lose restraint now, you may not return.
Vael tightened his grip on his sword.
"I wasn't planning to hold back."
The Apex moved first.
It swung its massive blade downward, splitting the air.Vael dashed forward, shadows bursting behind him.The ground exploded where the blade struck.
Lira loosed an arrow, its glow streaking across the battlefield.Talon followed, sprinting to flank the giant, fists coated in thick earth.Mira spread her hands, forcing the unstable frost glyphs to stabilize.
They all moved—but Vael reached the Apex Echo first.
He leapt, meeting the giant's blade mid-swing.His sword clashed against it with a deafening crack, shadows flaring outward.
The impact shuddered up his arms.
The Apex leaned in, strength overwhelming.
For a moment, Vael's knees buckled.
Then the crown pulsed.Shadows surged like a tide.His eyes burned faint violet.
He pushed back, forcing the blade upward.
The Apex staggered half a step.
Lira gasped."He matched it…?"
But Vael didn't hear her.He only saw the creature.This monster.This obstacle.
This test.
He struck again—a slash of pure shadow-fire carving across the Apex's chest.The giant reeled, runes shattering in its armor.
The tear behind it rippled violently.
Mira's eyes widened."The fracture—it's reacting to the fight! If this continues, the rift might fully open!"
Talon cursed."So what, we stop fighting and let it walk around freely? No chance."
Vael didn't slow.He tore forward, blade raised.
The Apex met him again.Their clash rippled across the clearing.
Artemis's voice trembled in his mind:
Vael… something else is trying to come through that tear. If it opens fully… you won't be facing just one.
Vael didn't blink."Then we end this fast."
He swung with everything he had—and the battlefield burst into shadow.
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