The volcano's convulsions were so violent they seemed ready to tear the entire platform apart. Cracks spread rapidly across the rock walls, and searing magma seeped out along the fissures, hissing as it scorched the ground. Kai helped Linor to her feet. The two stood back to back, weapons gleaming coldly in their hands, eyes locked on Victor as he advanced step by step.
Ironhammer lay slumped against a nearby rock, his breath as faint as a wisp of smoke. Watching Kai and Linor's backs, a trace of relief flickered through his clouded eyes. Summoning the last of his strength, he shouted hoarsely, "Kai… activate the resonance of the three fragments… the power of the Starcore… is meant to protect…"
Before the words had fully faded, Ironhammer's head slumped to one side, his life slipping away.
"Ironhammer!"
Kai's eyes burned red, a suppressed roar tearing from his throat. Staring at the old dwarf's motionless body, an indescribable surge of rage and grief flooded his chest. The Starcore energy within him spiraled out of control. Inside the pocket watch, the two fragments flared brightly, answering the distant crimson fragment on the altar.
Victor let out a cold laugh, his steps growing ever steadier.
"Is the death of an old dwarf really worth this much sorrow? When you're all dead, I'll let his bones melt into this volcano."
Linor trembled—not with fear, but with fury. She tightened her grip on her sword, icy blue eyes blazing.
"Victor, you butcher. The sins your ancestors committed a century ago—today, we settle them all."
"Settle them?"
Victor burst into mocking laughter and thrust an arm toward the altar.
"With you? Look at that altar! It's summoning every Starcore fragment! Before long, I'll gather all seven, shatter the barrier between worlds, and let the glory of steam technology shine over the entire Aurora Continent!"
Kai took a deep breath, forcing the grief in his heart back under control. He looked down at the pocket watch in his hand, then at the crimson fragment on the altar. Ironhammer's final words echoed in his mind—activate the resonance of the three fragments.
Slowly, Kai raised the pocket watch and poured his Starcore energy into it without restraint. The two fragments within bloomed with dazzling blue light, like twin stars radiating gentle yet overwhelming power. Responding to their call, the crimson fragment on the altar blazed fiercely. Three streams of light reached toward one another, weaving together in the scorching air to form a magnificent bridge of radiance.
"What is this…?"
Victor's expression finally changed. He could feel it—the resonance between the three fragments was far stronger than he had ever imagined, even beginning to suppress the altar's pull.
"The power of the Starcore was never meant for destruction," Kai said calmly, his voice carrying undeniable authority.
"Its purpose is to protect the peace between the two worlds."
As the words fell, Kai flung the pocket watch into the air. It traced a graceful arc as the two fragments burst free, joining the crimson fragment from the altar. When the three collided, a light erupted so brilliant it illuminated the entire volcanic interior.
Within that radiance, Kai seemed to witness the birth of the Starcore—the ages when the two worlds coexisted in harmony, the devastation of the Starfall catastrophe, and the countless beings who longed for peace.
The light was overwhelming. Victor shielded his eyes, terror twisting his features.
"No! Impossible! How can the power of the Starcore fragments become like this?!"
Amid the brilliance, the three fragments slowly settled into the altar's grooves. Of the seven slots, three now shone brightly. The remaining four began to warm as well, responding faintly to a distant summons.
Tears welled in Linor's eyes as she watched.
"It's real… the resonance of the three fragments has awakened the altar's guardian power!"
A smile curved Kai's lips. They had succeeded. Though not all the fragments were gathered, they had discovered the true way to wield the Starcore's power.
At that moment, the magma below stilled, and the volcano's roar gradually faded. A soft green light blossomed from the altar's center and flowed along the bridge of light, enveloping Kai and Linor.
Within the green glow, warmth flooded Kai's body. His wounds healed at a visible pace. Linor stared in astonishment at her own arms—the injuries had vanished, leaving only faint scars behind.
Victor watched in bitter jealousy and rage. With a furious shout, he charged toward the altar, trying to seize the three fragments.
"Don't even think about it!"
Kai and Linor shouted in unison as they lunged forward together.
Kai's meteor-iron wrench blazed blue, Linor's longsword flashed silver. The two lights intertwined and crashed down on Victor with crushing force.
Caught off guard, Victor screamed as he was blasted backward, slamming into the rock wall and coughing up a mouthful of blood. He struggled to rise, only to find his body bound fast by the green light, unable to move at all.
Kai and Linor walked slowly toward him, killing intent cold in their eyes.
"Victor," Kai said evenly, his voice edged with frost,
"your ambition ends here."
Victor stared at them in despair. He knew then—he had lost, utterly and completely.
Just then, the altar's glow intensified once more. In the remaining four grooves, faint lights flickered on simultaneously.
Kai and Linor exchanged a glance, joy shining in their eyes.
The remaining four Starcore fragments were on their way.
Bathed in green radiance, Kai seemed to glimpse a future where the two worlds lived in peace. He knew the battle was not yet over—but they had taken the most crucial step.
The light rising from the heart of the volcano illuminated the sky, and with it, the hope of two worlds.