The chamber trembled violently.
The shadow looming behind Thantos slowly faded into the darkness, but its chilling voice continued to echo through the collapsing labyrinth.
"You have disappointed me..."
Silence.
Thantos lowered his head.
"...Forgive me... Master."
The presence disappeared.
Only the Devourer remained.
Its crimson eyes slowly rose toward Ivandoe.
"I underestimated you..."
Dark energy erupted from every crack in its body.
The armor covering its chest shattered as darkness poured from within like an endless abyss.
"But I..."
"...will not fall alone!"
A deafening roar shook the labyrinth.
The entire chamber began collapsing.
Massive pillars crashed to the ground as the Keystone of Light flickered uncontrollably.
Ivandoe tightened his grip around both swords.
"The darkness is consuming him..."
Aria's eyes widened.
"He's forcing all of his remaining mana into one attack!"
Jax gritted his teeth.
"If that explodes..."
"...none of us survive."
Narissa stepped beside Ivandoe.
Her emerald eyes never left Thantos.
"Then we finish this."
Ivandoe smiled.
"Together."
She returned the smile.
"Together."
Their Hyperbooks suddenly responded.
Purple and blue light burst from the Paradox Hyperbook.
Emerald energy erupted from Pandora.
The two auras spiraled around one another instead of colliding.
The chamber froze.
HYPER SYSTEM
Dual Hyper Synchronization Detected
Paradox Hyperbook
Pandora Hyperbook
Compatibility: 100%
Ancient Resonance Confirmed
Jax stared in disbelief.
"...I've never seen two Hyperbooks resonate like that."
Even Aria stopped playing.
"They're synchronizing..."
The Keystone pulsed brilliantly.
As if recognizing the connection.
Thantos growled.
"So..."
"...the legends were true."
Narissa slowly raised her Hyperbook.
Emerald runes surrounded her body.
Golden symbols began appearing within the green light, revolving like ancient constellations.
Her voice echoed through the chamber.
"Pandora's Gate."
A colossal emerald portal unfolded behind Thantos.
Golden glyphs rotated around its edges as streams of green energy wrapped around the Devourer's body.
The darkness surrounding Thantos was pulled toward the portal.
"No!"
Thantos struggled violently.
The chains of emerald light tightened.
Jax slammed both hands together.
"Gravity Compression!"
The battlefield distorted.
An overwhelming force pinned Thantos in place.
Cracks spread beneath its feet.
It could no longer move.
Aria smiled.
"My turn."
She closed her eyes.
A beautiful melody filled the collapsing chamber.
Unlike before...
It wasn't meant to attack.
It was meant to purify.
Golden-white soundwaves spread across the battlefield.
Every note weakened the darkness surrounding Thantos.
Its armor began crumbling.
The Devourer roared in agony.
Ivandoe slowly stepped forward.
Blue temporal currents wrapped around the Sword of the Paradox.
The Paradox Requiem answered.
Ancient violet runes ignited along its blade.
Reality itself began fracturing.
Time slowed.
The chamber fell silent.
Thantos looked directly at him.
"So..."
"...this is the Paradox."
Ivandoe raised both swords.
"This..."
"...ends now."
The Hyperbook spoke.
ULTIMATE TECHNIQUE AVAILABLE
PARADOX REQUIEM: FURY
Blue lightning exploded around Ivandoe.
Purple temporal fractures shattered the air beneath his feet.
He vanished.
No one—
Not even Thantos—
Saw him move.
A single streak of blue and violet crossed the battlefield.
Silence.
Everything stopped.
Then—
A brilliant emerald beam erupted from Pandora's Gate.
It collided with the blue-violet slash.
The two powers merged into one overwhelming torrent of energy.
The chamber shook violently.
Light consumed darkness.
For several seconds...
Nothing could be seen.
Then—
The light disappeared.
Thantos stood motionless.
A glowing line slowly appeared across its body.
Its crimson eyes softened.
"...Beautiful..."
A faint smile crossed its face.
"I understand now..."
"...Master never sent me here..."
"...to win."
Its body slowly began breaking apart into thousands of black fragments.
"The Paradox..."
"...had to awaken."
Ivandoe's eyes widened.
"What do you mean?"
Thantos chuckled weakly.
"You..."
"...will learn soon enough."
The last fragment drifted into the air.
"And when that day comes..."
"...pray..."
"...that Lyra..."
"...shows you mercy."
The Devourer of Light dissolved completely.
Silence.
The crushing darkness vanished.
Sunlight poured through the shattered ceiling.
For the first time since entering the labyrinth...
The chamber felt peaceful.
The Keystone floated gently toward Ivandoe.
It circled him once.
Then disappeared into the Paradox Hyperbook.
PARADOX SYSTEM
Quest Complete
The Devourer of Light Defeated
Rewards Received:
• Keystone of Light Acquired
• Synchronization Increased
• Hyper Level: 11
• Hyperbook Level: 9.5
• New Main Quest Unlocked
Seek the Throne of the Paradox
Ivandoe stared silently at the final message.
"...The Throne of the Paradox..."
Narissa walked beside him.
"So..."
"What now?"
Ivandoe looked toward the distant horizon beyond the ruined labyrinth.
His grip tightened around the Paradox Requiem.
He smiled.
"We find the answers."
Far away...
Hidden within endless darkness...
A woman slowly opened her eyes.
A faint smile appeared across her face.
"...So..."
"...you've finally awakened, Ivandoe Horntail."
Behind her...
Thousands of ancient Hyperbooks floated in silence.
"Welcome..."
"...to the beginning."