The World-Engine's Aftermath
The sky screamed as the World-Engine's beam vaporized the mountainside. Kael and Silas tumbled through shattered trees, heat searing their backs.
"Move!" Silas roared, yanking Kael behind a half-melted boulder as the shockwave obliterated their cover.
The Trio Descends
William, Varric, and Erec landed in a triangle around the crater's edge.
William's eyes burned crimson – hellfire dripping from his knuckles.
Varric's skin crackled with glacial runes – absolute zero radiating from him.
Erec hesitated, sword trembling. "Kael... surrender!"
Silas Unleashed
The Sorcerer stepped forward, mask gone. Mercury eyes glowed.
"Enough."
He raised a hand – Reality Warped:
- William's hellfire curved backward, scorching his own armor.
- Varric's ice shattered mid-air, reflecting his snarling face.
- New Power: Chrono-Slip – Time slowed for the trio, their movements thick as syrup.
Kael's Crucible
Kael lunged at Varric, blue flames roaring.
"GLACIAL OVERLORD!" Varric bellowed. A 50-foot ice golem erupted beneath him, fist slamming Kael into bedrock. CRUNCH! Ribs shattered.
"ANIS!" Kael choked on blood.
[EMERGENCY EVOLUTION: SPATIAL REND]
Kael's remaining hand clawed the air. A black tear ripped open, swallowing the golem's fist. The void spit it back – into William's chest.
Rage Transcended
William screamed, not in pain – in ecstasy. Hellfire turned black. Wings of shadow tore from his back. "DEMONFIRE ASCENSION!"
Varric's eyes frosted over completely. "ETERNAL WINTER!" The ground flash-froze to -273°C – oxygen crystallized. Kael's skin cracked like porcelain.
Near-Death
William blurred – faster than teleportation.
"DIE MONSTER!"
His shadow-claw impaled Kael's stomach, lifting him like a ragdoll. Varric's ice spears aimed for Kael's heart.
Erec cried, "STO—"
Silas's Sacrifice
The Sorcerer intercepted the spears.
"REALITY ANCHOR!"
Silas's body became a living ward:
- Ice spears shattered against his skin.
- William's shadow-claw disintegrated on contact.
But blood burst from Silas's eyes and mouth. Holding absolute power broke his bones.
Retreat
Silas grabbed Kael's shoulder. "MULTI-TELEPORT! NOW!"
Kael's bloody hand glowed. "GET US OUT!"
POOF!
They vanished as William's black fire incinerated where they stood.
The Sewer Sanctuary
They collapsed in putrid water. Kael's legs and arm were gone – severed wounds sizzling with World-Engine residue. Silas coughed up silver blood, ribs visible through torn skin.
Silas: "Your spatial tear... saved us."
Kael: (gasping) "They weren't human..."
Silas: "They sacrificed their humanity for power. Just like your entity." He pointed at Kael's oozing stumps. "We need your arm. If Varric's cryo-stasis preserves its dark energy..."
Above Ground: The Trio's Trophy
William knelt, breathing black smoke. Varric encased Kael's severed arm in unbreakable Oblivion Ice.
Erec: "This is madness! We're becoming him!"
(Chapter 27 Fin)