The sky above the Shadowlands border grew darker.
Not because of night.
But because something was blocking the light itself.
The thin mist that had only swirled earlier was now thickening.
Moving slowly.
As if alive.
And in the middle of it.
Three figures stood.
The same red creature as before was at the front.
Its body was tall, red cracks across its skin glowing like flowing lava.
It was not alone.
Two other figures stood behind it.
Slimmer.
Calmer.
But their auras… were no less deadly.
Aurelia stepped forward.
Golden light blazed in her eyes.
The Blood Pact bond within her pulsed.
But this time.
It was not a warning.
But a state of readiness.
"You learn quickly…"
The red creature repeated its words, its voice deep and echoing.
"Interesting."
Ragnar immediately took a step forward.
His grin was wide.
"Too much talking."
He clenched his fist.
"Let's see how strong you really are."
Kael let out a slow breath.
"Always straight to the point."
Orion did not move.
His eyes studied the three figures.
"They're different."
He said softly.
"Not just in strength."
Aurelia nodded.
"They're connected."
The red creature smiled.
"Correct."
It lifted its hand slightly.
The two figures behind it stepped forward in unison.
"We no longer fight alone."
Aurelia narrowed her eyes.
"Like us."
The creature laughed softly.
"Yes…"
It stared more deeply at Aurelia.
"…and that makes this game more fair."
Ragnar laughed loudly.
"Fair?"
He shot forward without warning.
BOOOOM.
The ground cracked as he struck the red creature.
But this time.
The creature did not stand its ground.
It dodged.
Fast.
Too fast.
Ragnar struck empty earth.
"Hmm."
Kael moved instantly.
Vanishing from sight.
Appearing behind one of the slim figures.
His attack was quick.
Precise.
But.
The figure turned just in time.
Catching Kael's strike with one hand.
A clash of energy erupted.
CRASH.
Kael stepped back one pace.
A smile appeared on his face.
"Interesting."
Orion was already moving on the other side.
Facing the second figure.
His attack targeted vital points immediately.
But his opponent dodged with fluid movements.
As if reading every one of his moves.
Aurelia remained in the center.
Observing.
Feeling.
They were not just strong.
They were… synchronized.
Like a single system.
The red creature stood before her again.
"Aren't you joining in?"
Aurelia slowly raised her hand.
Golden light began to gather.
"I'm not in a hurry."
The creature smiled.
"Wise."
It stepped forward.
"But our time is limited."
BOOOOM.
It attacked first.
A wave of red energy struck straight toward Aurelia.
Aurelia did not retreat.
She raised her hand.
Golden light burst forth.
A collision occurred.
A massive explosion shook the surrounding area.
The ground cracked.
Wind swirled wildly.
Aurelia was pushed back slightly.
But remained standing.
Her eyes blazed brighter.
"Stronger…"
she murmured.
The creature laughed softly.
"And this is not even all of it."
On the other side.
Ragnar was starting to struggle.
The slim figure he faced was not as strong as the red creature.
But.
Faster.
Smoother.
Almost every one of Ragnar's punches missed.
And every counterattack.
Was always on target.
Ragnar took a hit.
His body shifted back.
He grinned.
"Good."
Kael faced an equally dangerous opponent.
But he was more flexible.
His attacks were not direct.
More about reading.
More about waiting.
But his opponent.
Gave no openings.
Orion.
Was still holding his ground.
But even he was starting to be pressed.
"This isn't balanced…"
he said softly.
Aurelia heard him.
And she understood.
This was not a one-on-one battle.
This.
Was system against system.
She closed her eyes for a moment.
The Blood Pact bond trembled.
She felt them.
Ragnar.
Kael.
Orion.
Their positions.
Their movements.
Even.
The pressure they were facing.
Aurelia opened her eyes.
The golden light within them changed.
Deeper.
More connected.
"We change formation."
Her voice rang clear in their minds.
Ragnar laughed immediately.
"That's what I've been waiting for!"
Kael smiled faintly.
"Finally."
Orion nodded.
"Proceed."
Aurelia stepped forward.
"Ragnar, draw one toward me."
"Kael, distract the others."
"Orion, hold the remaining one."
Without hesitation.
They moved.
Ragnar struck the ground.
Creating a massive shockwave.
Forcing his opponent to retreat.
Toward Aurelia.
Kael vanished.
Distracting the other two figures.
Making them unable to focus.
Orion stood as the anchor.
Maintaining balance.
Aurelia raised her hand.
Lunar energy gathered.
But this time
More focused.
Denser.
The figure approaching her attacked immediately.
But
Aurelia was ready.
"Now."
BOOOOM.
A burst of golden light struck true.
The figure was thrown back.
Cracks appeared across its body.
They were wounded.
The red creature stopped.
Its eyes narrowed.
"Interesting…"
It stared at Aurelia.
"You learn fast."
Ragnar laughed loudly.
"No, we adapt!"
Kael appeared beside Aurelia.
"And we're not done yet."
Orion stood on the other side.
"Now… we push forward."
Aurelia nodded.
"All together."
The Blood Pact bond pulsed powerfully.
Full synchronization.
They moved.
As one.
Attack after attack struck home.
No gaps.
No pauses.
The red creature was finally forced back.
The other two figures began to lose their rhythm.
The balance shifted.
But.
Suddenly.
The red creature laughed.
Louder than before.
"Enough."
It raised its hand.
Red energy exploded.
But this time.
Not to attack.
But to.
Connect.
BOOOOM.
The red light merged with the other two figures.
Their bodies trembled.
Their auras surged dramatically.
Aurelia realized it immediately.
"They're merging…"
Orion said quickly,
"Not physically…"
"…but in energy," Kael continued.
Ragnar grinned.
"Good. So we've got a bigger foe."
But Aurelia shook her head.
"No."
Her eyes narrowed.
"This is a trap."
The red creature grinned widely.
"Too late."
Red energy spread out.
Pressing down.
Stronger than before.
The ground cracked deeper.
The air grew heavy.
Aurelia felt her body being held back.
The Blood Pact bond pulsed erratically.
"They… strengthen each other…"
Orion said softly.
"Like us… but older."
Kael sighed.
"And more dangerous."
Ragnar clenched his fist.
"Then we just smash them apart!"
But even he.
Was starting to struggle to move.
Aurelia took a deep breath.
Focus.
This was not about strength.
It was about.
Balance.
She closed her eyes.
She did not just use the Blood Pact.
She touched something deeper.
Older.
More… pure.
The golden light across her body changed.
Growing brighter.
Wider.
More… dominant.
The red creature realized it immediately.
Its eyes widened slightly.
"What is that…"
Aurelia opened her eyes.
The light in her eyes was not just gold.
But… mixed with something whiter.
Brighter.
More… sacred.
The bond between the four of them stabilized again.
Even.
Stronger.
Ragnar laughed.
"Now that's what I'm talking about!"
Kael grinned widely.
"A new level?"
Orion stared at Aurelia.
With something deeper than before in his gaze.
"This…"
he whispered.
"…is her true power."
Aurelia stepped forward.
The pressure around them began to crack.
The red energy started to waver.
The red creature smiled.
But this time.
With excitement.
"Yes…"
It said softly.
"Now we truly begin."
And beneath the trembling sky.
Two ancient forces finally clashed in full.
No longer just a battle.
But.
The beginning of something that would decide everything.