Kai's meteor-iron wrench slammed head-on into the shadow guard's dagger with a deafening crash. The shrill clash of metal sent tremors through the stone fissure, shaking loose cascades of volcanic ash. The dagger's blade, coated in lethal poison, scraped across the etched patterns of the wrench. Sparks flew, one landing on the back of Kai's hand and blistering his skin. Gritting his teeth, Kai refused to retreat, pouring every last trace of Starcore energy into the wrench. Blue light flared violently, and a powerful shockwave blasted outward, forcing the shadow guard back three steps.
"Courting death!" the shadow guard snarled. His body dissolved into a wisp of black smoke, flickering erratically across the platform. The dagger's cold gleam lashed out like ghostly tendrils, stabbing again and again toward Kai's vital points. Shrouded by smoke, Kai could barely see—he relied solely on the resonance of the Starcore fragments to sense the attacks. The wrench traced an unbroken arc of silver light, barely fending off the onslaught. Still, the guard was too fast. A blade sliced across Kai's shoulder, tearing flesh. Dark green poison seeped instantly into his skin, and a numbing paralysis spread along his veins.
"Kai!"
Linor's eyes burned red with panic. She struggled desperately, the metal chains biting deep into her wrists until blood welled up—but she could not break free.
On the other side of the platform, Ironhammer's massive smithing hammer collided with Victor's energy shield in a thunderous boom. Victor hovered above the rock, the fiery red fragment in his hand blazing ever brighter. He sneered as currents crackled across the shield, crawling toward Ironhammer's arms. The dwarf's limbs were already scorched black by electricity, yet he clung to his hammer with grim resolve, every swing fueled by sheer, life-or-death ferocity.
"Old fool, your endurance exceeds my expectations," Victor said impatiently. His fingers twitched, and the crimson fragment flared blindingly bright. "But this little game ends now."
A pillar of red light erupted from the fragment and shot straight at Ironhammer. He had no time to dodge. The beam struck his chest head-on. He grunted, blood spraying from his mouth as his body was hurled backward like a broken kite. He slammed into the rock wall, and the hammer clattered uselessly to the ground.
"Ironhammer!"
Kai's eyes split wide in fury. He spun around—just in time to meet the shadow guard's lunging blade.
At that critical instant, the Starcore fragments within Kai resonated violently. The pocket watch blazed with blue light, echoing the positioning crystal at his neck. A surge of warmth flooded his body, driving out the creeping paralysis in an instant.
Kai reversed his grip and smashed the wrench into the guard's wrist. The shadow guard screamed as the dagger flew from his hand, tumbling into the churning magma below. Kai pressed the advantage, the wrench glowing bright blue as it slammed into the guard's chest. The shadow guard collapsed limply to the ground, utterly drained, never to rise again.
With the threat neutralized, Kai sprinted to Ironhammer's side. The old dwarf's breathing was faint and ragged. With great effort, he lifted a hand and pointed toward Victor, his voice barely a whisper.
"Fragments… resonance…"
Kai understood immediately. He looked up at Victor, who was advancing toward Linor step by step, the fiery fragment in his grasp radiating lethal light. Kai's gaze dropped to the pocket watch at his chest. Three Starcore fragments—if he could make them resonate together, they could unleash a power capable of turning the tide.
Taking a deep breath, Kai clenched the pocket watch in his palm and slowly rose to his feet. Starcore energy surged wildly through his body. The two fragments within the watch answered the call of the crimson fragment in Victor's hand. Three lights—blue and red—intertwined in the superheated air like coiling dragons of flame.
"Victor," Kai said hoarsely, his eyes blazing blue, "do you really think you've won? The power of the Starcore fragments is something you will never control."
Victor froze. The fragment in his hand began to tremble violently, an irresistible pull dragging it toward Kai. His face twisted in shock as he clenched it desperately.
"No—this is impossible!"
At that moment, the magma beneath the platform surged violently. A deafening roar thundered from the depths of the volcano, and the entire mountain shook. Chunks of rock tore free from the walls and plunged into the lava with hissing explosions.
Linor's eyes lit up. She stared toward the heart of the magma, her voice trembling with excitement.
"It's the altar—the Starcore altar is appearing!"
Kai looked up. Rising from the molten sea was the luminous phantom of an altar, formed entirely of light. Seven grooves upon its surface glowed expectantly, as if calling out for the fragments.
Victor's eyes burned with madness and greed. He no longer paid Kai any heed, turning instead and charging toward the altar.
But Kai would never allow it.
Gripping the meteor-iron wrench, Starcore energy raging at its peak, Kai hurled himself toward Victor's back.
The volcano roared. Starcore light illuminated the sky.
The ultimate confrontation—one that would decide the fate of two worlds—had finally begun.