Chapter 36: The Weight of Power
As Karen's Shadow Bloom blossomed fiercely, two more figures appeared at the edge of the battlefield—Sia, the Master Soulborne secretary with her calm but unyielding presence, and Cassandra, her expression sharp and focused.
Without hesitation, they moved as one, weaving through the battlefield with precise, efficient strikes. Sia's aura shimmered with controlled power, cutting through lesser Veil operatives like a blade through silk. Cassandra's movements were fierce and instinctive, a testament to her Ikemba lineage and years of training.
But even with their combined assault, the disparity between them and Cirth was undeniable.
Cirth stood tall, a towering figure whose every movement carried the weight of an ancient storm. His power radiated like a crushing force, not merely in magnitude but in its refined intensity—the hallmark of a High Soulborne.
Joshua, Karen, Sia, and Cassandra found themselves pushed back, their strikes glanced off Cirth's defenses or absorbed by his soul energy. The Veil operative's aura was like a living fortress, impervious to most assaults.
"It's not about how many, but how much," Joshua gritted through clenched teeth, sweat and fatigue marking his face. "High Soulborne power... it's the quality, the finesse, the control."
Karen's eyes burned with determination as she steadied her stance. She knew they couldn't rely on sheer numbers or brute force. They needed strategy, unity, and to push beyond their limits.
Sia's voice cut through the chaos, calm but commanding, "Focus your energy. Break his concentration. That's the only way to crack the defenses."
Cassandra nodded, repositioning to support Joshua and Karen. "I'll keep the others at bay. We won't let him overwhelm us."
As the battle pressed on, Karen could feel the immense pressure — but also a fierce fire kindling inside her. The true test was only beginning.