The strike never landed.
At the last moment, Mizu's crystal exploded with light. His body convulsed, his eyes snapping open, glowing blue brighter than ever. The flames erupted, swallowing the shadows, burning the chains. The cavern roared as the fire spread like a wave.
The warden screeched, chains melting. The shadow's eyes narrowed. For the first time, it stepped back.
Mizu rose slowly, his body trembling, but his aura towering. Blue fire wrapped him like armor, his hair whipping in the heat. He clenched his fist, his voice a growl.
"You want my flame? Then try to take it."
The cavern cracked, stones splitting as the ground gave way. Beneath them, a stairway revealed itself, glowing faintly with runes.
Honkai's eyes widened. "The fourth key…"
Sayos wiped blood from his mouth, grinning. "About damn time."
But the shadow's eyes flared. **"You will not reach it."**
The cavern collapsed. The group fell, swallowed by light and darkness both. The stairway stretched beneath them, leading deeper into the unknown.