The impact didn't last long.
It shattered.
Kael's control broke first.
The stream of fragments collapsed—
Scattering violently in all directions.
The backlash hit him instantly.
"—!"
His body jerked as energy surged out of control again.
Not stable.
Not contained.
The man didn't hesitate.
He moved.
Faster than before.
Kael barely saw it—
Just a blur—
Then—
Impact.
A direct hit to his chest.
The air left his lungs instantly.
His body lifted off the ground—
And slammed into the far wall.
This time—
The wall cracked completely.
Kael dropped to the floor.
Hard.
He didn't get up immediately.
His vision blurred.
His body… wasn't responding right.
"Structural integrity compromised."
The system's voice cut through faintly.
Kael coughed—
Blood hitting the ground.
"…Yeah…"
His voice was barely there.
"I figured…"
Footsteps echoed slowly toward him.
No rush.
No urgency.
That was the worst part.
The man wasn't fighting seriously.
"…This is the difference."
He stopped a few steps away.
Looking down at Kael.
"Power without understanding…"
"…is nothing."
Kael's fingers twitched.
He tried to push himself up—
Failed.
His body trembled violently.
The core in his chest pulsed erratically.
Too much strain.
Too much damage.
"Energy levels are critical."
"The host is nearing collapse."
Kael clenched his teeth.
"…Not… yet…"
The man raised his hand slowly.
Not rushed.
Not emotional.
Just… inevitable.
"I'll take the core now."
The pressure built again.
Heavier than before.
Crushing.
Kael's vision darkened at the edges.
His body wouldn't move.
Not from fear.
From exhaustion.
From damage.
"…Get up…"
His voice was barely a whisper.
Nothing happened.
The man stepped closer.
"You're done."
Something inside Kael snapped.
Not physically.
Deeper than that.
A limit.
A refusal.
"No…"
His fingers dug into the ground.
The core pulsed violently—
Then—
It changed.
The energy inside him surged—
Not chaotic this time.
Focused.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
"Emergency override."
The system's voice shifted—
Deeper.
"Aetherion protocol engaged."
The man paused.
For the first time—
His expression changed.
Slightly.
Kael's body lifted.
Slowly—
Without him moving.
His head lowered.
His breathing… stopped.
Then—
His eyes opened.
Not the same.
Cold.
Ancient.
Not human.
The air shifted violently.
The fragments scattered instantly—
As if something far above them had awakened.
Kael—
Or something wearing his body—
Looked up.
And locked eyes with the man.
Silence fell.
Then—
A single word.
Calm.
Absolute.
"Leave."
The chamber shook.
The man didn't move.
But his eyes narrowed.
"…So it's still alive."