The ruins trembled with the aftershocks of battle. Dust and broken stone filled the air as Kaelin steadied his stance, his sword locked against Lyrex's dagger. Her grin was unshaken, her crimson eyes gleaming with a wicked amusement. "You're slipping," she whispered. "I can feel it."
Kaelin gritted his teeth and shoved her back, but the moment their blades separated, a sudden presence froze him in place. The temperature dropped. The air grew heavier like something else was here.
A slow, deliberate sound echoed through the ruins. Footsteps. Kaelin's voice was barely a whisper. "No way…"
Emerging from the shadows, Leloid stepped forward, or rather, what was left of him. His once-proud stance was gone, replaced by something unnatural. His movements were stiff, but it was his eyes that struck his old friend, the most—empty, devoid of the fire that had once burned within them.
Kaelin took a step forward, his breath uneven. "Leloid…?".
Watching her opponent crack widened Lyrex's grin the more
"Kill them." she ordered
Leloid moved first. His hand snapped up, and a wave of black fire surged toward them. Kaelin barely had time to react, summoning his Flaming Phoenix to counter the blast. The two flames collided, exploding into a cascade of embers.
"Dammit—he's fast!" Kaelin cursed, dodging as Leloid vanished and reappeared in a flicker of motion, his sword aimed directly at his chest.
Kaelin summoned Gaiadon in an instant. The earth rumbled violently, and from beneath the ruins, a mountainous beast of stone and spikes erupted, shaking the battlefield. Gaiadon slammed its massive limbs down, sending a shockwave that forced Leloid to retreat.
Lyrex chuckled from the sidelines, watching with amusement. "Impressive, but pointless." Leloid was fighting—but there was hesitation in his attacks. He wasn't fully gone.
Kaelin's expression darkened. "Then how do we get him out?"
Lyrex blurred into motion, appearing at Kaelin's side in an instant. He barely managed to parry her strike, but her speed was overwhelming. Her dagger sliced across his arm, a thin line of blood tracing its path.
She leaned in close, her voice a whisper of poison. "You're wasting your time."
Kaelin gritted his teeth. He didn't have time to deal with her—not now. He turned his focus back to Leloid. He needed to break through.
The shard fragment in his pocket pulsed—just like before.
He reached into his pocket, clutching the shard tightly, and let its energy pulse through him. If it was connected to the Architect… then maybe, just maybe, it could disrupt his control over Leloid.
Taking a deep breath, he raised the shard toward Leloid and shouted:
"Leloid! Wake up!"
The air shook.
Although it had no effect on Leloid, Kaelin felt his magic power explode with every pulse from the shard
Lyrex' smirk faltered. "What—?"
Kaelin saw the chance. And he took it.
Kaelin rushed forward, his hands glowing with raw elemental energy. "If you can hear me… then fight back, Leloid!" he said rushing a barrage of flamed punches.
Leloid let out a choked gasp—his body twisting unnaturally. His mind was warring against the control.
For a moment, it looked like he might win.
But then, a dark force surged through him, and his body stiffened once more. Lyrex grinned again
Leloid's lips moved, his voice barely audible.
"Help me."
And then, with a final, unnatural jolt—he charged at Kaelin.