The black veins across its golden frame glowed brighter. Its right arm unfolded, reshaping itself into a massive blade longer than Valeria's entire body, while its left arm formed a heavy shield covered in layered formations.
The pressure it released was far beyond the smaller guardians, and even the floating bubbles above trembled slightly in response.
Valeria looked up at it. For the first time, she shifted her sword into both hands.
Crimson mana erupted. It did not flare wildly like an uncontrolled explosion. It rose from her body in a dense, terrifying wave, thick as blood mist and heavy enough to press the surrounding air downward.
The broken fragments around her feet trembled before being pushed away, sliding across the marble floor as if bowing to the pressure. Her crimson hair lifted around her face, and her eyes glowed with a colder, sharper light.
