The moment the masked figure raised his blade, the chamber erupted with energy. Shadows curled around the edges of the room, and the air thickened with ancient magic.
Kael unsheathed his twin daggers. "Aria, stay behind me!"
But Aria didn't move. Her bracelet and necklace began to glow—a deep, pulsing light that radiated from her chest and wrist. She could feel it: the three souls within her… stirring.
"I don't need protection," she said softly. "Not anymore."
The masked figure lunged. His shadow blade sliced through the air, sending a wave of black energy toward them.
Kael jumped forward, blocking the strike with his enchanted blades—but the force sent him flying back, crashing into the stone wall.
"Kael!" Aria shouted, eyes wide.
The masked figure turned his attention to her. "So this is the girl who carries the souls… you're weaker than I expected."
Aria clenched her fists. "You'll regret saying that."
A low hum echoed in her ears. Then—she felt it. The souls… responding.
Tristan's fire erupted from her palm, surrounding her in glowing flames.
Darius's voice whispered tactics into her mind, sharpening her focus.
Ethan's power surged through her legs—she moved faster than ever before.
In one heartbeat, she dodged the next slash.
In the next, she punched forward—and her flame-wrapped fist collided with the enemy's blade, sending a shockwave across the chamber.
The masked figure stumbled back. "Impossible."
Aria stepped forward, eyes blazing. "You're not the only one who's awakened."
Suddenly, she spun and unleashed a circle of fire around them. The crystals above shattered, filling the chamber with blinding light.
The figure roared in fury and charged again—but this time, Aria was ready.
She caught his blade with her bare hand—glowing red-hot—and twisted. The shadow weapon cracked. A scream escaped behind the mask.
Kael slowly stood, blood on his brow. "That… was incredible."
Aria turned to him. Her breath was heavy, but her stance was firm. "They're helping me now. All three of them."
From within, she felt the warmth of her brothers' spirits—watching, guiding.
But the masked figure, now kneeling, laughed. "You think you've won?"
A crack spread through the chamber floor.
"The seal… has been broken," he whispered.
And the ground beneath Aria's feet collapsed.