The ancient doors groaned as the earth continued to tremble beneath Frank's feet.
"You should have stayed in Aurenfall."
Caelum's voice echoed through the ruins like thunder.
Frank stepped forward instinctively, blade raised. "Show yourself!"
For a moment, only silence answered him.
Then shadows gathered near the towering stone gate, twisting into the form of a tall figure cloaked in black armor. His silver eyes glowed beneath the hood, cold and unreadable.
Caelum smiled faintly.
"You've progressed faster than expected," he said. "The artifact has chosen well."
Elara's magic sparked around her hands. "Chosen? After everything you've done?"
Caelum ignored her, his gaze fixed entirely on Frank.
"You still don't understand what you carry."
Frank tightened his grip on the artifact. "Then explain it."
For the first time, Caelum's expression darkened.
"That artifact is not a weapon," he said quietly. "It is a key."
The runes on the stone doors suddenly flared bright blue.
Rhea stepped back in horror. "No… he can't mean—"
"The Vault of Origins," Caelum interrupted. "Buried long before kingdoms existed. A place where power was sealed away because humanity proved too weak to wield it."
The air grew heavier with every word.
Elara looked between them nervously. "And you want to open it."
"I need to open it," Caelum replied. "The world you know is already collapsing. Kingdoms rot from within. War spreads endlessly. Fear rules everything." His eyes sharpened. "The power inside that vault can reshape the world itself."
Frank shook his head. "Power like that destroys people."
"Only the weak."
Without warning, Caelum raised his hand.
Dark energy exploded outward.
Frank barely reacted in time, throwing himself in front of Elara as the blast shattered the ground beside them. Trees splintered instantly.
"Frank!" Elara cried.
But Frank was already moving.
The artifact surged with light as he charged forward, faster than ever before. Their blades collided with a deafening shockwave that sent dust spiraling across the ruins.
Caelum's strength was overwhelming.
Every strike felt deliberate. Controlled.
Like he was testing him.
"You've improved," Caelum admitted as their weapons locked together. "But synchronization alone will not save you."
Frank pushed back hard. "We'll see about that."
Behind him, Elara began channeling energy into the artifact remotely, their connection igniting once more. Golden light wrapped around Frank's arms, enhancing his speed and strength.
He struck again.
And this time, Caelum slid backward.
A flicker of surprise crossed the villain's face.
Rhea stared in disbelief. "They're evolving the bond mid-combat…"
Frank pressed the advantage relentlessly, each movement flowing perfectly with Elara's magic. The artifact responded to their unity, glowing brighter with every coordinated attack.
For the first time—
Caelum was forced onto the defensive.
Then suddenly, he smiled.
"That's it," he murmured. "Show me its true potential."
The shadows around him erupted violently.
Massive chains of dark energy burst from the ground, wrapping around the ruins and sealing the exits.
The temperature dropped instantly.
Elara's eyes widened. "Frank… something's wrong."
The artifact began pulsing uncontrollably.
Visions flooded Frank's mind again—
Ancient cities falling.
Unknown warriors wielding artifacts like his.
And deep beneath the ruins…
Something enormous opening its eyes.
Frank staggered.
Caelum lowered his hand slowly.
"You feel it now, don't you?" he said softly. "The thing sleeping beneath this world."
The ground cracked open behind the ancient gate.
A blinding light burst from within the ruins.
And a roar unlike anything they had ever heard shook the mountains.