Lucien moved first.Not because he was faster, but because he had already decided.The Ravencore descended in a clean, decisive arc, its dark edge cutting through space without hesitation. There was no probing or testing. Every strike carried killing intent from the moment it began.Ronan raised the Golden Blade to meet it.The clash rang out sharply as force compressed between them before bursting outward. This time Ronan held his ground more firmly, but only for a moment.Lucien was already moving again.He didn't wait for the impact to settle. The moment their blades met, he shifted his angle and redirected the force instead of contesting it directly. Ravencore slid along the Golden Blade before cutting inward toward Ronan's exposed side.Ronan barely got his blade in the way. The opening for a counterattack was already gone, and all he could do was stop the strike from landing cleanly.Even then, the pressure drove through him and forced him half a step backward.Lucien continued h

Lucien moved to end it.There was no transition and no buildup.Ravencore descended in a single, absolute line, every fragment of Lucien’s power compressed into one strike. The space around the blade bent inward as though the attack carried its own gravity, dragging everything toward its path.The attack contained no variation, no feint, and no hidden layer waiting beneath the surface. It carried only certainty.Ronan saw it and immediately understood that he could not stop it the same way as before.The thread pulsed violently. Its rhythm was broken and uneven, yet the force pouring through it was overwhelming.Instead of retreating, Ronan stepped directly into the attack.The Golden Blade rose, not to block, but to intercept the line before it could fully complete. The clash came early, striking at the precise moment before Lucien’s attack stabilized.The collision exploded outward.This time, the force refused to hold its shape.Energy tore through the fractured battlefield in a vio

Selene appeared beside Ronan almost immediately.Her gaze swept across him, taking in the unstable rhythm of his movements, the fractures in his timing, and the way the thread continued pulling against his control.“You’re losing yourself.”Ronan didn’t argue. There was nothing to deny.Every pulse of the thread dragged him in a different direction. One moment it pushed his timing forward, the next it pulled him back. The power was growing stronger, but his ability to control it was fading just as quickly. It no longer felt like a tool in his hands. Instead, it felt like something alive, something that was gradually turning him into its vessel.Lucien watched the exchange in silence. He understood exactly what was happening, which was why he showed no concern. As far as he was concerned, the thread’s instability would eventually finish the fight for him.Selene kept her eyes fixed on Lucien and the dark blade resting in his hand.“Then stop fighting it.”Ronan glanced at her.“What?”“

The transition back into Arken space was anything but smooth.One moment they stood on the verge of being trapped inside collapsing territory. The next, the battlefield vanished, replaced by the cold silence of familiar space.The Arken fleet stabilized quickly. Formations tightened, defensive systems activated, and waves of energy scans swept across the surrounding void in search of any sign of pursuit.“Velmora barrier fully sealed.”“No immediate breach detected.”“Maintain alert.”Despite the reports, no one relaxed. Escaping the battlefield did not mean the danger had ended.At the center of the formation, Ronan suddenly collapsed.There had been no warning. No stumble, no visible exhaustion. His body simply gave out.Selene caught him before he hit the floor. The instant she touched him, she felt something deeply wrong beneath the surface.“Ronan.”Tristan moved to her side, concern immediately crossing his face.“He burned himself out?”Selene shook her head.“No.”Whatever was

Silence lingered over the fleet, heavy with the feeling that something remained unresolved.The Arken fleet continued moving in tight formation. Every ship maintained defensive alignment, and no one believed Velmora had truly retreated.At the center of it all, Ronan lay motionless while Selene remained beside him, her hand resting on his shoulder. Tristan stood nearby, unable to hide his concern.“He’s taking too long,” Tristan muttered.Lucas stayed silent, watching Ronan without looking away.A moment later, Ronan finally took a deeper breath. Selene noticed immediately.“There.”His fingers twitched before his eyes slowly opened. The world returned to focus little by little, and the first thing he saw was Selene.“Ronan.”Relief slipped into her voice despite her attempt to remain calm.“I’m fine,” Ronan replied.His voice was rough and weak, making Tristan snort.“You don’t look fine.”Ronan didn't argue. He felt exhausted down to his core, as if even staying awake required effort