The first shot struck the auction platform.
The prism containing the Heart of Seraphis flickered violently as energy rounds slammed against its shield.
Screams erupted across the hall.
Crime lords dove for cover.
Tables overturned.
But Kael Dravien did not move away.
He stood.
Slowly.
A low metallic hum filled the air as his weapon unfolded into existence.
A black mechanized sword—its edge glowing with compressed resonance energy.
Across the hall, the cloaked figure moved as well.
Elaris burned away the illusion covering her form.
Light exploded outward.
Metallic wings unfolded behind her—sleek feathers of silver alloy igniting with neon-blue energy.
Gasps rippled through the room.
Half fairy.
Half machine.
A living weapon.
For one breathless moment—
Kael and Elaris faced each other across the chaos.
Enemies.
Rivals.
Destined to collide.
Then the attackers charged.
The first wave surged toward the stage with storm rifles blazing.
And without a word—
Kael moved.
At the exact same moment—
Elaris did too.
Steel met fire.
Kael's blade cut through the first rifle in a shower of sparks. His strike continued fluidly into the attacker behind it.
Elaris launched forward in a spiral of glowing wings.
Her feathers detached mid-flight—transforming into razor-edged projectiles that sliced through armored enemies.
The battlefield became motion.
Precision.
Balance.
When Kael struck high—
Elaris spun low.
When Elaris ducked beneath incoming fire—
Kael's blade carved through the threat above her.
Every movement aligned perfectly.
Not planned.
Not spoken.
But instinctive.
Fate itself seemed to guide the rhythm of their combat.
Tables shattered.
Glass exploded.
Enemies collapsed across the marble floor.
The crowd could only watch in stunned silence.
Because this wasn't just a fight.
It was choreography.
A lethal, breathtaking dance of blades.
At the center platform, the Heart of Seraphis pulsed brighter.
Once.
Twice.
Then again.
Its glow synchronized with Elaris's heartbeat.
Kael noticed.
The artifact wasn't reacting randomly.
It was choosing.
Choosing her.
And if the Heart of Seraphis had truly awakened—
Then this battle was only the beginning.
Because whatever destiny the crystal carried…
It had just bound itself to both of them.