Qingsai staggered to his feet, eyes narrowing.
The scar on his palm glowed.
> "Let go," the voice of Yulanis whispered in his soul.
"You are flame, and flood. Stone and air. Light and shadow. Let go… and BECOME."
The world slowed.
Meiyan called out his name. Chunsi screamed.
And then—
Qingsai's body lifted inches above the ground.
His eyes flared white, hair rippling upward as if caught in a divine storm. His breath stilled, and the wind around him spun into a cyclone of energy.
The earth cracked beneath him. The Veilborn shrieked.
Six elemental rings pulsed around his form—fire, water, earth, air, light, and shadow—swirling in perfect balance. His soul had unlocked the Aeon State—the instinctual avatar-like trance of a fully Soulkindled being.
He raised his hand.
Flame surged upward, becoming a spear of blue fire.
Air danced around him, shielding him with cyclone blades.
Water formed whips that tangled the creature.
Stone burst from the ground, pinning its limbs.
Light blinded it.
Shadow sank beneath the monster like tendrils, tearing it apart from the inside.
The Veilborn screamed one last time—then shattered into smoke and starlight, vanishing into the Veil.
Qingsai collapsed to his knees, panting.
The light in his eyes faded. The elements fell still.
Meiyan and Chunsi rushed to him, awe and fear in their faces.
"You… you used all six," Meiyan whispered.
"I didn't mean to," he said quietly. "It just… happened."
Chunsi gently took his hand. "You were beautiful," she said shyly. "Terrifying… but beautiful."
Qingsai looked toward the fading horizon.
> "If I can do that… what else am I becoming?"