Just as Ethan was racking his brain for a strategy—
Kaelira moved.
She stepped forward, and pink energy burst from her like the sudden bloom of dawn—gentle, but never weak. Bright, but edged like a blade.
Her power collided with the black void energy midair, the clash so violent it shredded the air between them.
Kaelira's eyes were ice. "Gorrath, is it? You're just Vaedoroth's mutt. You don't get to stand in my way. Tell your master to crawl out here himself."
So she knew this creature.
Gorrath froze for half a second—then let out a jagged, grating laugh that sounded like gravel dragged across steel.
Behind him, the darkness swelled and twisted, forming the shape of a massive shadow-beast crouched at his back, claws bared and teeth gleaming.
"Kaelira, you overestimate yourself," Gorrath sneered, voice thick with arrogance. "My master doesn't waste time on insects. To deal with you, I'm more than enough. That shiny new Tier of yours? Just a soap bubble waiting to pop."
