Caelthenas felt the cracks spreading across her abdominal armor, and her breath hitched—sharp, panicked.
"Stop—!"
She staggered back, frantically channeling energy to reinforce the failing section of her core.
But Ethan was too close.
Far too close.
She had no choice but to split her power—half to defend against the relentless barrage of Energy Discs, the other desperately trying to patch the breach in her armor.
And that one exposed spot—
That single, vulnerable point—
Remained wide open.
Ethan's attacks were merciless. Precise. Like a scalpel guided by instinct, or fate itself. Every Disc struck the same place, again and again, with surgical intent.
THUD!
THUD!
THUD!!
The armor finally gave way.
The sound of it shattering rang through the cavern like a scream made of glass.
Caelthenas reeled back, panic overtaking her face. She stumbled, her movements clumsy and desperate—nothing like the ancient, regal terror she'd been moments ago.
