The Hunters surged forward as one.
Their synchronized footsteps shook the chamber, silver spears blazing with crimson energy. They moved with terrifying precision, like a single mind controlling dozens of bodies.
"Protect Ethan!" the old Keeper shouted.
The Keepers immediately formed a circle around him. Silver light flowed from their hands, weaving together into a shimmering barrier just as the first Hunter struck.
Boom!
The impact sent shockwaves across the chamber, but the barrier held.
For now.
Kairo didn't wait for a second attack.
He dashed forward, his blade cutting through the air with blinding speed. The nearest Hunter raised its spear to block, but Kairo twisted at the last instant, striking the warrior's side instead.
The black armor cracked.
The Hunter staggered back.
"They're not invincible!" Selene shouted.
She launched herself into the battle, disarming another Hunter before driving a kick into its chest. The warrior crashed into two others, breaking their formation for the first time.
Adrian remained near the Keepers, studying the battlefield.
"They're adapting," he warned. "Don't repeat the same attacks."
As if proving his point, the Hunters shifted formation instantly.
Their ranks split apart, surrounding the chamber from every direction.
"They're trying to isolate Ethan," Lucien said.
The Enforcer stepped forward.
Its silver eyes flared brilliantly.
DEFENSIVE PROTOCOL ENGAGED.
Without warning, it vanished.
A sonic boom echoed through the chamber as it reappeared in the middle of the Hunter formation.
One strike.
Two.
Five.
Ten.
Hunters were thrown through the air before they even realized it had moved.
Even Kairo paused for a heartbeat.
"So that's its real speed..."
The commander watched without emotion.
"Target priority unchanged."
He pointed his spear toward Ethan.
"Advance."
The Hunters ignored everyone else.
They pushed past Kairo, endured Selene's attacks, and even sacrificed their own ranks if it brought them closer to Ethan.
"They don't care about winning," Adrian realized.
"They only care about capturing him."
The old Keeper nodded grimly.
"That is how the Tribunal fights."
Another Hunter pierced the silver barrier.
A crack spread across its surface.
Then another.
The barrier was failing.
"Ethan!" Lucien shouted. "You have to leave the center!"
"I don't even know where to go!"
"The control core!"
Ethan looked toward the shattered pillar.
It was glowing again.
Not silver.
Gold.
The same golden light that shone from Lucien's eyes.
Almost as if it were calling him.
Another explosion shook the chamber.
Three Hunters broke through the barrier at once.
Before they could reach Ethan, Kairo appeared between them.
His blade flashed.
One Hunter fell.
Then another.
The third caught his arm with a spear.
Blood splashed across the stone floor.
"Kairo!" Selene cried.
He ignored the wound.
With a fierce roar, he drove the Hunter backward before ripping the spear from his own arm and throwing it across the chamber.
The weapon pierced another Hunter's armor.
Kairo's breathing grew heavy, but his eyes never left Ethan.
"Go!"
Ethan hesitated.
"I'm not leaving you!"
"You are if you want this world to survive!"
The words struck him harder than any weapon.
Lucien suddenly raised both hands.
Golden symbols spread across the ceiling.
"The chamber won't hold much longer!"
The floor cracked again.
This time, enormous pillars burst from beneath the stone, separating the battlefield into sections.
Hunters and Keepers were scattered.
Smoke filled the air.
When it cleared, Ethan found himself alone on the opposite side of the chamber.
Between him and the others stood the Hunter commander.
The crimson-eyed warrior slowly removed his helmet.
Beneath it was the face of a young man.
Calm.
Expressionless.
His eyes glowed like burning rubies.
"So," the commander said quietly.
"At last."
Ethan stepped back.
"Who are you?"
The young man smiled faintly.
"My name has been forgotten."
"But once..."
He lowered his spear.
"I was the first Observer."
The world seemed to stop.
Behind Ethan, Lucien's eyes widened in horror.
"No..."
The commander's smile deepened.
"You remember me."
The First Witness whispered a name that echoed through the silent chamber.
"...Aiden."
The commander's crimson eyes settled on Ethan.
"I failed to save my world."
A long silence followed.
"But perhaps..."
He lifted his spear once more.
"...you'll succeed where I couldn't."
Then, with impossible speed, he lunged toward Ethan.