The Cartenone Temple pulsed with compressed darkness. Solo Crusher's domain had taken form: jagged, black cubes floated in midair, crushing every step, folding the walls inward, and creating zones where the team's movements felt sluggish and heavy. Shadows stretched unnaturally, wrapping around columns, reaching for anything alive.
Brush D. Rush landed on a fractured platform, fists glowing with Erasure. "This is it. Solo Crusher's domain. Stay sharp — one wrong move, and we're crushed."
Equinox, fully in her horse-girl avatar, leapt onto a floating cube, violet lances spinning. "I'll disrupt the shadows from above. Frostbinder, RobbRox — cover the ground!"
The shadows twisted violently, reacting to their presence. Solo Crusher's voice echoed through the domain, a low, grinding rumble. "Step lightly, Chosen Ones… or become nothing."
Frostbinder sent icy spikes flying, freezing clusters of cubes before they could move. RobbRox rebuilt fractured platforms, giving the team safe footing, while FooTube's viral streams distracted the most aggressive shadows.
Brush clenched his fists. "Erasure — now!" White void flared outward, erasing fragments of the shadows, creating safe zones through the lethal maze.
The shadows shrieked as they recoiled, reforming elsewhere. Solo Crusher's laughter filled the air. "Not enough… you cannot erase all shadows!"
Equinox spun through the air, lances cutting a path through compressed darkness, hooves striking cubes, sending them tumbling. "We adapt. We keep moving. Keep pushing!"
Brush teleported through the labyrinth, striking with Erasure at points where shadows converged, collapsing clusters of cubes into nothingness. Each swing, each pulse, carved new paths, dismantling the domain piece by piece.
The shadows grew desperate, compressing faster, striking unpredictably. But the team moved as one:
Frostbinder's ice blocked the falling cubes.
RobbRox rebuilt crumbling pathways.
FooTube streamed illusions to mislead Solo Crusher's vision.
Melody Guard's harmonies stabilized the chaotic energy of the domain.
Equinox struck from above, slicing, leaping, and piercing.
Finally, Brush's Erasure flared with brilliant intensity, striking the heart of the domain. Shadows screamed as they vanished completely.
Solo Crusher's voice cracked, anger and disbelief intertwined. "Impossible… my domain… undone…"
The jagged cubes dissolved, the floor and walls returning to normal. The team stood together, battered and exhausted, but victorious.
Brush wiped sweat from his brow. "One down. Seven more to go."
Equinox placed a hand on his shoulder, violet glow softening. "We can do this… together."
The Cartenone Temple trembled softly, as if acknowledging the first victory. Ahead, the next domain awaited — Infinity Compactor's infinite loop of blades, ready to test them in new, deadly ways.