The Trinity Vessel floated above the broken camp, its eyes glowing with three colors at once. Purple for Nyxar, misty gray for Veyra, and starry black for Zorath. It looked down at Lira and Mira with a cold smile that belonged to three gods sharing one body. The boy is gone. Only we remain. The Trinity Vessel is complete.
Lira's legs trembled, but she stood tall. Her silver threads glowed around her hands as she said Kai is still in there. I can feel his thread. It is faint, but it is not gone. Mira wiped her tears and held up her last few cards. She said You are not Kai. You are just wearing his face. Give him back! The Vessel laughed with three voices at once.
The boy fought bravely, but three gods were too much. His will is buried deep. Soon it will disappear completely. Elder Voss stepped forward, staff raised. He said You will not destroy this camp. We have protected people from gods for generations. The Vessel raised one hand. A wave of mixed purple, gray, and starry energy shot toward the elder.
Lira quickly sent her silver threads to block it. The threads held for a moment, but the power was too strong. Lira was pushed back hard. Mira threw her remaining cards. Fire Burst Card! Shadow Chain Card! Will Card! The cards exploded around the Vessel, but they barely scratched its armor.
The Vessel looked at them with amusement. Such loyalty. It is almost touching. When we fully control this body, we may let you serve us. Or we may erase you. The choice will be ours. Kai's real voice suddenly broke through for a few seconds. He said Lira. Mira. Run. They are too strong. I cannot hold them.
The Vessel's body jerked violently. The three colors in its eyes flashed rapidly as the gods fought to suppress Kai's will. The Vessel growled with three voices, Quiet, boy. Your time is over. Lira shouted, Kai! Fight them! Remember the morgue! Remember the first Echo when you sounded like a rich snob! Remember us laughing together! Mira threw her final card, the one she had saved.
It was the Kai's Real Smile Card. The card exploded with a warm, genuine smile and the sound of Kai's normal laugh. The Vessel froze. For nearly ten seconds, Kai's real voice came through clearly. He said Thank you both of you. I am still fighting but they are winning. If I disappear live well.
Then the three gods pushed him down again. The Vessel straightened and said That was irritating. The boy is stubborn, but he is fading. The ground shook violently. The final crack in the sky opened completely. Massive purple black light poured down like a river.
The Vessel raised both hands and absorbed the light. Its power surged. The armor on its body became stronger. The crown of shadows above its head grew larger with three different glowing points. It looked at Lira and Mira and said The final wave is here. With three gods in one body, we will reshape this world. You can join us or be erased.
Lira stepped forward, tears in her eyes but fire in her voice. She said We will not join you. We will bring Kai back. No matter how long it takes or how much it costs. Mira stood beside her, cards ready even though she had almost none left. She said Kai is our friend. We are not leaving him with you. The Vessel smiled with three mouths at once. Then watch as we begin.
It raised one hand toward the biggest fissure in the ground. Hundreds of new Quake spawns rose at once. The Vessel said With this body, we will harvest every new awakening. We will become unstoppable. Kai's real voice broke through one last time, very weak. Lira. Mira. I am sorry. I tried.
Then it was gone again. The Vessel turned to the two girls and said Now the real game begins. The final wave was at its peak. The Trinity Vessel was fully awake. And the world was about to change forever.