CHAPTER 22 — The Storm of the Unbound
The explosion from the fused crown had barely settled when the entire Heart Spire began to tremble. Cracks shot across the obsidian floor, ripping through the shadows like lightning.
Kai kept his arms around Lyra as dust swirled around them. She was glowing faintly—silver and shadow woven together in a delicate balance.
"Kai…" she whispered, voice trembling. "My mother… she's still here."
He held her tighter. "Then we finish this. Together."
Lyra rested her forehead against his for a heartbeat, breathing him in, grounding herself in his warmth. "Thank you. For not letting me break."
He brushed his thumb across her cheek, smiling softly. "I'll never let you fall."
Their moment shattered when Cipher stumbled into the chamber.
"Uh—guys? We've got a massive problem."
Sky Tether landed behind him, feathers ruffled. "Something is climbing the Spire."
Kai's grip tightened around Lyra's waist. "Something?"
Cipher pointed toward the shattered wall.
A thunderous roar echoed through the sky.
And then—a massive shape rose over the tower's edge.
THE UNBOUND COLOSSUS
It stood twenty feet tall, formed from the combined shards of the Shattered Realms—crystal, stone, onyx, and jagged hollow magic. Its eyes burned with red fire.
Lyra gasped. "That's an Unbound Colossus. A creature created by pure chaotic magic."
Sky Tether's wings flared in alarm. "It must have awakened when the crown fused."
Kai stepped in front of Lyra instinctively. "Then we destroy it."
The Colossus roared again—so loud the entire tower shook.
It swung a massive crystallized arm toward them.
Kai pushed Lyra aside and blocked the strike with a surge of blue resonance. The impact sent him flying backward, slamming into the far wall.
"KAI!" Lyra screamed.
He coughed painfully but forced himself back up, eyes blazing. "I'm okay!"
The Colossus charged, each step shattering the floor.
Cipher and Sky Tether leapt into the air, attacking from both sides—
Cipher launching fox-fire blasts, Sky Tether slicing with razor-edged wings.
But the Colossus swatted them aside like insects.
Lyra's heart pounded. She summoned her Hollow-light—
But her power surged violently, slipping out of control. Silver turned too bright. Shadow too dark.
Kai immediately rushed to her, grabbing her hands.
"Lyra—focus! Control it!"
"I—I can't—!" Her voice shook, fear glowing in her eyes. "It's too much!"
Kai pulled her into his arms, wrapping her in his warmth, anchoring her with his heartbeat. He pressed his forehead to hers.
"You can do this," he whispered soothingly. "Look at me. Just at me."
Lyra's breaths steadied…
Her hands stopped trembling…
Her power reorganized instead of exploding.
"Good," Kai whispered. "Stay with me."
Her lips brushed lightly against his as she breathed, "Always."
Kai turned back to the giant. "Let's take this thing down."
THE BATTLE FOR BALANCE
Kai and Lyra sprinted forward—side by side, powers flaring in unison.
Kai's resonance created barriers and shockwaves.
Lyra's Hollow-light carved through the Colossus's armor.
Cipher timed his jumps with their attacks, fox-fire blooming in bursts.
Sky Tether provided aerial strikes, distracting the Colossus with swift dives.
The Colossus roared and released a shockwave—
It threw everyone apart.
Kai crashed against a pillar. Lyra hit the ground hard, breath knocked out of her.
"Kai—!" she tried to stand but her power flickered again.
The Colossus raised its colossal arm, aiming directly at her.
Kai saw it.
His heart stopped.
"NO!"
He sprinted—faster than he ever had—blue light trailing behind him.
He reached Lyra just as the massive fist fell.
He wrapped his arms around her and slammed a resonance shield down.
The impact was catastrophic.
The shockwave sent cracks spiderwebbing across the chamber, dust exploding into the air.
Kai gritted his teeth in pain but held firm, body curled protectively over Lyra.
She stared at him, wide-eyed. "Kai… you could have died."
He met her gaze, gently cupping her face with a trembling hand. "I'd do it again."
She pulled him into a desperate hug, burying her face in his shoulder. "Please don't scare me like that."
He held her close, breathing her in. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."
But the Colossus wasn't done.
It roared again, preparing another blow.
Lyra pulled back, determination burning in her eyes. "We end this now."
Kai nodded. "Together."
FINAL STRIKE
Kai grabbed Lyra's hand. Their powers merged—blue swirling with silver and shadow, forming a massive sphere of balanced energy.
Lyra whispered, "Kai… this feels different."
He squeezed her hand gently. "Because it's us."
They leapt into the air.
The Colossus swung—
But Kai and Lyra twisted around it, powered by their combined magic, like two shooting stars.
They plunged their fused energy straight into the Colossus's chest.
A blinding explosion erupted.
The giant roared one last time—
Cracked—
Split into a thousand glittering shards—
And collapsed into dust.
Silence followed.
Kai and Lyra floated down, still holding onto each other. Lyra's head rested on his shoulder, his arms around her waist.
Cipher let out a long exhale. "Okay… that was insane."
Sky Tether nodded. "You two are becoming unstoppable."
Kai smiled down at Lyra. "How do you feel?"
She leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. "Balanced. Because of you."
He kissed her again—longer this time, gentle but full of emotion. Her arms circled his neck. His hands settled on her waist. The world around them faded.
For a moment… there was no storm.
No danger.
Just the two of them.
The Crown of Two rulers.
United by power.
Strength.
And love.