The forest trembled again.
Not from an explosion this time
but from the tension pressing down on the clearing, thick and unspoken.
Three figures stood facing one another.
Siron drove his black blade into the earth.
The ground quivered beneath the impact, and gray energy curled up his arm like slow-moving smoke.
His cloak shifted behind him, responding to the power gathering at his core.
Across from him, Ryan held his sword at the ready.
The violet glow along its edge flickered unevenly, mixing with strands of gray that still clung to his aura.
The Mirror Shift had not settled yet .. its power pulsed unpredictably, as if testing the limits of his body.
Between them stood Sera.
The masked fairy remained beside Eileen, calm and unmoving.
Her wings shimmered faintly, catching the light as her hand hovered just above the red barrier enclosing the injured girl.
She said nothing.
She did nothing.
And yet, the entire battlefield had changed the moment she stepped forward.
A light breeze passed through the trees.
Then Siron spoke.
"So," he said coldly, his voice edged with mockery,
"the fairy decides to interfere."
He lifted his blade slowly.
"Very well. I'll erase all of you at once."
Gray energy surged, spiraling up his arm.
"Arkanis … Vorgath Slash!"
A crescent of destructive power tore through the air, roaring toward them like a storm.
Ryan reacted without hesitation.
"Shift .. Mirror Guard!"
His sword flared to life.
Violet and gray energy burst outward, forming a shimmering shield just as Siron's attack struck.
The collision split the air with a thunderous crack.
Trees shuddered. The ground buckled.
Only then did Sera move.
She raised one hand.
A small red spark appeared in her palm, pulsing like a heartbeat.
"Lythran… Red Veil."
A translucent crimson dome formed around Eileen, sealing her completely within its glow.
Siron's eyes narrowed.
"A fairy using combat magic," he murmured.
"Interesting."
He stepped forward.
Ryan took the opening.
He lunged, swinging his blade upward.
"Arcane Pulse!"
Violet energy tore across the ground, ripping through soil and stone as it rushed toward Siron.
Siron twisted his wrist.
"Break .. Null Field."
His gray aura expanded violently, crushing the incoming attack before it could reach him.
The energy scattered like shattered glass.
Sera moved again.
She stepped forward, placing herself fully between Siron and Eileen.
Her masked face turned toward him.
Her wings spread wider.
Thin red fractures crept across her arms, glowing brighter with every breath.
"You will not touch the girl behind me," she said quietly.
She lifted both palms.
"Crimson Bind."
Red chains erupted from the ground, wrapping tightly around Siron's legs.
For the first time, his expression changed.
"You dare restrain me?" he snarled.
He slammed his blade down.
"Vorgath .. Burst!"
Gray energy detonated beneath him, obliterating the chains.
The shockwave threw Ryan back several steps and sent Sera sliding across the dirt.
Ryan steadied himself, tightening his grip on the sword.
"Fine," he said, his voice low and sharp.
"Then fight us both."
Siron straightened slowly, eyes dark with intent.
"I don't mind," he replied.
"I'll break the Mirror Boy first…"
His gaze shifted to Sera.
"…and crush the masked fairy next."
The red markings along Sera's arms flared dangerously as she lowered into a battle stance.
Ryan raised his blade.
Siron lifted his.
Sera's aura pulsed, steady and unyielding.
The forest held its breath.