Elyndra did not rush.
She froze space itself, slowing Kaito's movements.
His shadow stiffened, losing flexibility.
Silver Eyes shouted from afar, but her voice barely carried through the storm.
Elyndra approached him calmly.
"You evolve too quickly. That destabilizes destiny."
Kaito struggled, ice creeping over his arms.
"What is destiny?"
"The awakening beyond the eclipse."
She touched his chest.
"And you are the final catalyst."
Ice pierced his shoulder.
Pain surged—
But so did resolve.
He forced heat from shadow energy outward.
The ice cracked.
And shattered.