Hey readers this chap I rewritten and updated
The spires trembled as the blood golem rose from the abyss — a towering mass of liquid crimson crystal, all jagged limbs and a faceless head. The air itself vibrated with a low hum — not sound, but the pulse of the Crimson Core beating inside Alex's chest.
Lyra yanked him behind a shattered pillar just as a claw the size of a wagon wheel slammed down, turning stone to dust. Frost-glowing arrows zipped from her bow, bursting against the golem's armor — dazzling but useless.
> "It's adapting," she hissed. "Arrows aren't enough."
Above, Aurora conjured a radiant phoenix that dove at the creature's head, molten feathers burning through its crystal shell. Peter's shadows rose around its legs like chains, binding it.
"Alex!" Peter shouted. "Whatever you're doing — finish it!"
Alex pressed his palms to the cold stone. Crimson threads licked outward from his fingertips, pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat. His vision blurred. He wasn't just seeing the golem — he was the golem. Every pulse of its molten veins throbbed through his body.
> "Take it," the whisper coiled like smoke. "It's yours. Bend it. Rule it."
"I—" His voice cracked.
Lyra grabbed his shoulders, forcing his gaze to hers. "Alex. Stay with me."
Her touch grounded him, but the Core surged again. Crimson tendrils lashed from his chest, spiraling toward the golem's heart. The monster roared — clawing at itself, mirroring his movements like a puppet on invisible strings.
Alex's eyes burned red. Veins of light spread across his arms as he poured everything into the connection. For one terrifying heartbeat, there was no line between them. He could feel its hunger. Its rage. Its need.
> "Yes," the whisper purred. "Now command."
With a shout, Alex flung his arms outward. The golem mirrored him, slamming both fists into the platform before sinking to one knee — a titan bowing before its master. Its eyes, if they could be called that, glowed the same blood-crimson as his.
Aurora's phoenix flared above, flames swirling in victory before landing on the creature's shoulder. "Well," she said, blinking. "That's new."
Lyra kept her hands on Alex, feeling the tremors under his skin. "Alex. Are you in control?"
He blinked, sweat dripping down his face. The golem stirred — slower this time, like a beast awaiting command.
"Yeah," he rasped. "I… I think so."
Peter lowered his shadows but didn't dismiss them. "Then make it fight for us before it fights you."
Alex exhaled, crimson threads tightening around his fingers like reins. The golem straightened, releasing a roar that echoed through the spires. But this time, the sound wasn't wild — it was a challenge. It stood between them and the abyss, claws raised against the Architect's oncoming swarm.
Lyra squeezed his arm once. "You did it," she whispered. "You're still Alex."
He managed a weak smile despite the glow in his eyes. "Thanks. For keeping me anchored."
Aurora, perched dramatically on her phoenix's wing, swept into a theatrical bow.
"Ladies and gentlemen," she declared, "behold — the Blood Knight of the Shattered Realm."
Peter crossed his arms, his shadow-wings flickering once. "Show-off."
For the first time, Alex felt the Core's whisper retreat — not gone, but waiting.
He had bent its power without losing himself.
At least, this time.