The wasteland trembled the moment the Eclipse spread its arms.
Nanites poured outward like a living tide, crawling across the ground, forming spikes, tendrils, half-finished limbs. The air thickened as if the world itself was bracing.
Last time, this presence had overwhelmed them.
This time—
Seenu smiled.
"Alright," he said, gripping his katana. "No tricks. No mercy."
Kunal rolled his neck once, daggers spinning into his palms. "And no getting separated."
Aamir stood between them, Ashblade resting loosely in his hand. He didn't rush forward. Didn't flare power.
He simply watched.
The Eclipse tilted its eyeless face.
"…Your formation is different," it said. "Calculated. Cooperative."
Aamir answered calmly.
"We learned."
The Eclipse's body shifted.
Cannons formed along its arms.
Dozens.
They charged instantly.
"Move," Aamir said.
Seenu vanished first.
Not forward—up.
