The Harbinger's roar echoed across the First World.
It was no longer the sound of a machine.
It was the cry of a soul refusing to remain imprisoned.
Cracks spread across the crimson chains inside the black crystal chamber.
White light from Kael's Last Core intertwined with Arion's fading blue energy.
The prison trembled.
"We're close!" Kael shouted.
Arion gritted his teeth.
"The chains are fighting back!"
Suddenly, the crimson chains came alive.
They twisted like serpents, lashing toward Kael.
Aetherion reacted instantly.
"Behind you!"
Kael raised his hand, summoning a shield of white starlight.
The chains struck it with incredible force.
The impact threw him across the chamber.
He crashed into one of the crystal pillars.
Blood ran down the side of his face.
"Kael!" Arion cried.
"I'm fine," Kael replied, forcing himself back to his feet.
The chains tightened around Arion again.
Each pulse stole more of his blue light.
"If this continues..." Aetherion whispered, "...his soul will disappear."
Outside, the battle had reached its breaking point.
The Harbinger stood frozen, its body shaking violently.
Half of its armor glowed crimson.
The other half shone brilliant blue.
Crystal dragons circled overhead, keeping the Devourers away.
The Guardians realized something.
They weren't fighting the Harbinger anymore.
They were protecting it.
Veyrath watched from the Void Citadel.
His crimson eyes narrowed.
"So the Heir has chosen to save him."
He slowly raised his hand.
"If I cannot control the Harbinger..."
"...then no one will."
A massive crimson sigil appeared beneath the giant machine.
Inside the prison, Aetherion's voice thundered.
"Kael!"
"He's trying to destroy the Harbinger!"
The chamber shook violently.
Huge cracks spread across the floor.
Pieces of the ceiling collapsed.
Arion looked at Kael with desperate eyes.
"Listen carefully."
"There isn't enough time."
He took a shaky breath.
"The chains have one weakness."
Kael stepped closer.
"What is it?"
"They feed on fear."
The words hung in the air.
"They've trapped me for thousands of years because I believed I was alone."
Arion smiled faintly.
"But I'm not alone anymore."
Kael smiled back.
"No."
"You never were."
He reached out his hand once more.
"So let's end this."
Arion grabbed it.
The moment their hands touched—
The Last Core erupted with blinding white light.
Blue energy exploded from Arion's body.
The crimson chains screamed.
One shattered.
Then another.
Then dozens more.
Outside, every Guardian looked to the sky.
The Harbinger raised both arms and let out a roar that shook the stars.
Its crimson armor began to crack.
Brilliant blue light burst from within.
Far away, Veyrath's expression changed.
For the first time in ten thousand years...
The Devourer King looked afraid.
"The prison..."
"...is breaking."