The Abyssal creature crawled out of the shadows with a guttural snarl that sent a chill down Star’s spine. Towering and grotesque, it swallowed what little light remained of the fading dusk, turning the clearing into a twisted tableau. Tendrils of darkness coiled around its massive body, and its glowing red eyes fixed on the group with predatory intent.

Star tightened her grip on her sword, the blade faintly glowing with Light. Beside her, Friedrich drew his greatsword, flames rolling along its edge as Incidis answered his call. Klara’s catalyst hummed with charged energy, while Erik and Seth took their positions, weapons ready and crackling with elemental force.

For a moment, the world held its breath.

Then the monster roared.

The sound tore through the air, shaking the ground beneath their feet.

“Stay sharp,” Star called, stepping forward. “It’s not just strong—it’s smart. Don’t give it an opening.”

She moved first, sprinting in as her sword cut through the air toward one of the nearest tendrils. Light flashed as the blade struck, but the creature reacted fast. Its whiplike limbs lashed out in response. Star ducked just in time, though one grazed her shoulder, leaving a sharp sting behind.

“It’s fast,” she muttered, retreating a step.

Friedrich charged next, bringing his greatsword down in a crushing arc. The blade bit into the creature’s hide, sinking deep before the monster twisted violently and tore itself free.

“Skin’s tougher than it looks,” Friedrich growled, resetting his stance.

Klara raised her catalyst, eyes sharp. “Then let’s hit it harder.”

She summoned a roaring cyclone of wind and lightning. The storm tore across the clearing, slamming into the monster in flashes of white and blue that lit up the night. The creature staggered—but instead of retreating, it struck back. Shadows burst from the ground around it, forming twisted, eyeless figures that surged toward the group.

Erik roared and charged straight into them, his blade blazing with Incidis. Each swing was precise and brutal, cutting through the shadows and scattering ash into the air.

“They won’t stop coming!” he barked, tail snapping behind him. “Seth—cover me!”

“Already on it!” Seth replied.

He loosed a rapid volley of arrows, each one wrapped in wind. The shots tore through the advancing shadows with clean precision, dropping them before they could reach Erik.

While the others fought, Klara watched the main creature closely. Every solid hit caused a faint pulse of dark energy near its chest—a rhythmic flicker, barely visible but unmistakable.

“There!” she shouted. “The core—it’s in its chest! That’s our weak point!”

Star’s eyes narrowed. “Then we force it out. Erik, Friedrich—keep its focus. Klara, control the field. Seth, be ready.”

They moved as one.

Friedrich and Erik pressed the monster hard, flame and steel driving it back step by step. Klara scattered the remaining minions with sharp bursts of wind and lightning, clearing space for the others to maneuver.

From a rocky rise nearby, Seth steadied his aim, eyes locked on the monster. Below him, Star darted between snapping tendrils, her sword burning brighter with every strike.

Then Friedrich landed a deep blow to the creature’s side.

The monster reeled back with a furious shriek, its chest exposed.

“Now!” Klara cried.

Star leapt.

Light flared around her blade as she drove it downward. The creature thrashed wildly, tendrils lashing out to knock her aside—but Erik and Friedrich held fast, pinning it in place for the briefest moment.

That was enough.

Star’s sword plunged straight into the dark core.

Time seemed to stop.

Then light exploded outward in a blinding surge. The creature screamed one final time as its form unraveled, collapsing into a shapeless mass of shadow that the wind quickly tore apart.

Silence followed.

Star pulled her blade free, its glow dimming as she turned to the others. “Everyone alright?”

Friedrich nodded, breathing hard. “Still standing.”

“Barely,” Erik muttered, though a faint grin crept onto his face.

Klara leaned on her catalyst, eyes scanning the clearing. “If that was only a guardian…” she said quietly, “then what’s waiting for us inside the tower?”

Seth let out a low whistle, resting his bow on his shoulder. “Guess we’re about to find out.”

Star looked toward the horizon, where Olmec Hill stood in dark silhouette. Exhaustion weighed on her, but her resolve remained steady.

“We camp here,” she said, sheathing her sword. “That fight wasn’t a warm-up. We rest now—tomorrow, we face the tower.”

The others nodded. Erik gestured toward a clearing bordered by sturdy trees. “That spot works. Shelter, and the river’s close.”

The guardian was gone.

But in the distance, the Tower of a Thousand Mirrors shimmered faintly—

as if it had felt the moment its protector fell.