~Vyrath The chamber did not seal behind me.That was the first inconsistency.Realms that valued balance preferred closure—doors that locked, paths that erased themselves, evidence neatly swallowed once a trial concluded. Yet the circular chamber remained open, its wards dormant, its scars exposed to the air like an unhealed wound.The system had not finished recalculating.I walked.Each step away from the corpse carried less resistance than the last, as though the realm itself were unsure how firmly it was allowed to push back now. The Second Key rested within the book, quiet but alert, its presence layered atop the First like a second heartbeat that refused to sync.Two Keys.One claimed.And yet—The book twitched.Not a page turn. Not a pulse.A hesitation.I stopped.The path ahead bent subtly, stone folding into itself at an angle that disagreed with the direction the book indicated. The symbols along the page shimmered, their lines momentarily doubling before snapping back in

~VyrathThe air changed the moment I stepped forward.Not louder.Not heavier.Sharper.Shadows peeled themselves off the floor and walls, stretching, thickening, answering a command I hadn’t spoken aloud. The chamber dimmed, light folding inward as if it understood it no longer held authority here.Aurelion felt it.I saw it in the way his shoulders tightened.In the way his breath hitched before he forced it steady.“Good,” I said quietly. “Now we’re being honest.”He roared.Fire and lightning detonated together, his body vanishing in a thunderclap. The air shattered where he’d been. Pressure ripped outward.I didn’t chase.I waited.He appeared to my left—too fast for most eyes—fist wrapped in plasma, aimed for my skull.I leaned.The punch missed by a breath.He vanished again.Behind me.Above.Below.He came from every direction, attacks layered and relentless. Fire grazed my shoulder. Lightning scorched the floor where my foot had been a heartbeat earlier. Wind blades screamed

~OmniscientThe castle did not stay silent for long.Ivelle and Denzel moved through the outer corridors at a steady pace, boots striking stone in quiet rhythm. The halls were wide here, ceilings high, pillars carved with old sigils dulled by time. Their footsteps echoed faintly, swallowed quickly by the stone.Too quiet.Denzel slowed first.Ivelle felt it a second later—the shift in air, the subtle pressure that meant they were no longer alone.Three shapes detached themselves from the shadows ahead.Monsters.Tall. Lean. Their bodies were wrapped in dark chitin, eyes glowing a dull crimson. Claws scraped against the floor as they spread out, trying to flank.Ivelle exhaled softly. “Finally. Some action.”“Careful now… they might be more powerful than they look,” Denzel replied. “Alright then. Let’s test that theory,” Ivelle growled.They moved at the same time.Denzel materialized a blade made of fire and surged forward, forcing the centre monster back with sheer momentum. Sparks

~OmniscientKendrix saw her before he realised he was looking for her.Just behind Vyrath’s shoulder—half-shadowed, unsteady.Ciela.The world narrowed.“CIELA!” Kendrix shouted.He didn’t wait for sense. Didn’t wait for strategy.He ran.Vyrath’s smile widened, pleased rather than surprised. “That’s more like it.”Kendrix crossed the distance in a heartbeat, his fist already swinging. Vyrath met him head-on.Their punches collided.The impact cracked the air.Stone beneath their feet shattered outward as force met force. Kendrix pushed through it, teeth clenched, following with a knee, then a second punch—raw strength backed by hard-earned instinct.Vyrath gave ground.Just a step.Enough.Kendrix pressed the advantage, chaining strikes with brutal efficiency. He feinted low, twisted mid-motion, and drove his elbow into Vyrath’s ribs. Another hit followed—then another.Battle wisdom over arrogance.Vyrath laughed softly even as the blows landed.Then he caught Kendrix’s fist.The sud

~OmniscientThe Vyrath clone moved with precision. Every strike, every step, measured and calculated. Its shadowed form flickered in the dim light, sometimes vanishing entirely, only to reappear somewhere else with deadly intent."It's a lot faster now," Kendrix said, blocking two attacks in quick succession."Its boss is here. He probably wants to impress," Denzel leapt back whilst throwing a torrent of wind at the clone, stunning it momentarily.Kendrix met the clone head-on, fists laced with strength and instinct, striking first, fast and relentless. The clone blocked with its forearms, force pushing Kendrix back several steps.Pain blossomed in Kendrix's shoulder but he refused to acknowledge it. "We also have who we want to impress."Denzel moved alongside him, flames dancing around his arms. He struck from angles Kendrix couldn’t cover, fire lancing toward the clone in sweeping arcs.The clone twisted, avoiding most of the flames, but the heat still scorched its form slightly."