SHHHK!
From within the beam of golden energy, a red glow shimmered to life.
And then—
BOOM!
The entire Tremor Cannon split in half, torn apart from the inside as Max walked out, completely untouched, his sword dragging along the ground, carving a thin trail of glowing molten stone.
Lucas took a step back, eyes wide with panic.
"You—What are you!?"
Max didn't answer.
He vanished.
And reappeared in front of Lucas, faster than a thought.
"AHHHHHH!"
Max roared as he swung down with all the weight of his fury, all the force of his months of torment, all the rage of loss.
Lucas raised his arms to defend—
CRACK!!
His bones snapped.
The sword smashed through his defenses and struck his torso with full force, launching him like a meteor. He tore through five walls, then a statue, then skidded across the stone courtyard outside the villa, blood painting a thick trail in his wake.
He lay in a ruined crater, coughing blood, his chest armor shattered, ribs broken, arms trembling.
