The strike hit.
The ground exploded. Dust swallowed everything.
Violet lunged forward—
The force slammed into her, throwing her back. She pulled her chains tight, forcing herself to stop.
"Hold your ground!" Marley shouted.
No time.
The massive arm rose again.
Zack was still on his knees.
"We can't—"
Then—
Lightning.
Not a flash.
A single bolt split the sky and crashed straight into the center.
The sound didn't come first—
the light did.
Everything froze for a second.
Then—
Impact.
A shockwave blasted outward, pushing the parasites back. Even the massive arm halted mid-swing.
Through the smoke—
A figure stood.
He had come down with the lightning.
Head lowered. Posture steady. As if the fall meant nothing.
Silence.
Violet locked her eyes on him.
"Who are—"
She stopped.
He lifted his head slightly.
Didn't move.
Just—
Raised his hand.
A small motion.
The crawling parasites… stopped.
Not dead.
Frozen.
As if something gripped them from within.
The massive arm tried to move—
It pulled back.
Zack slowly stood, stunned.
"The signal… it's gone."
Marley narrowed her eyes.
"That's no coincidence."
The figure turned his head toward them.
His voice was calm—clear:
"It's over."
No one understood.
A second later—
All the parasites collapsed at once, like their thread had been cut.
The arm broke apart, fell, and dissolved into black residue.
The fight ended.
Just like that.
Violet stepped forward.
"You did this?"
No answer.
He lowered his hand.
Turned halfway, as if already leaving.
Then said:
"It's not my role to end it."
A pause.
"But don't die before they arrive."
Zack frowned.
"Who arrives?"
A step forward—
Faint lightning flickered around him.
"Armies."
Marley spoke quickly:
"From where?"
A brief pause.
"You'll know… if you survive."
Violet stepped forward.
"Wait—"
Gone.
A flicker of lightning—
And he disappeared.
Nothing left.
Silence returned.
Zack spoke quietly:
"They're still there… just farther."
Marley looked at the ground.
"They pulled back."
Violet didn't move.
Still staring.
"No…"
She said softly.
"They're preparing."
She looked up.
Thunder returned.
Not once—