Ren's eyes locked on the beast's knee, where steel plates met flesh. The armor gapped there with each stride.
He moved before he thought. Shadows licked at his feet, driving him forward. The veterans' shields opened just enough for him to slide through.
The claw swept down. He ducked low, pivoting. His blade thrust deep into the gap at the joint, abyssal mana flooding into the wound.
The creature convulsed, light flaring, but Ren twisted, dragging shadows like hooks inside the breach. Flesh tore. Steel cracked.
With a thunderous crash, the beast dropped to one knee.
"Now!" Halvern roared.
The veterans struck its helm, mid-rankers driving their blades into its back. The squad swarmed, hammering it down until the blue light sputtered, then went out.
The vault fell silent again. Only the sound of ragged breathing remained.
