The Prophetess of Ash hovered above the chamber, her crimson robes fluttering like living flame, her gaze fixed solely on the orb in Kai's hand.
"You don't even know what you've created," she hissed. "That seed—my vision was meant to awaken it in me."
Her voice cracked the stone underfoot.
Kai stepped forward, his aura calm but unyielding. "You want to control balance? You don't deserve to touch it."
She raised a hand. Black fire spiraled into a spear. "Then burn for your arrogance."
She hurled it.
Kai braced—until Ayaka dashed in front of him, ice spiraling around her body like a divine armor. The spear hit her shield, exploding in a thunderclap of fire and frost.
Ayaka staggered, smoke rising from her arms. "You're not taking this from us."
Ren leapt into the fray, wind blades roaring toward the Prophetess. She danced through them like ash in a storm, unfazed, laughing.
"You think your little unity makes you strong?" she mocked. "I've seen thousands like you. Balance is a myth."
"No," Kai said, his eyes flaring. "Balance is choice. And we choose to fight together."
The orb in his hand pulsed, sensing his resolve.
And in response—it bloomed.
Roots of light and shadow extended from it, weaving around Kai's body like armor. The ancient seed wasn't just power. It was awakening.
Ayaka's ice surged brighter. Ren's winds sharpened. The bond between them reignited, elevating them beyond their former limits.
Together, they launched forward.
The cavern became a battleground of elemental fury—frost, wind, fire, and light clashing in a rhythm older than language.
And for the first time…
The Prophetess of Ash screamed—not in rage, but in fear.