Ash simply raised one hand in a lazy wave, his voice calm and unbothered.
"Oh, carry on," he said, as if he had just interrupted a casual conversation. "I haven't let someone power up before. Just make it interesting for my good readers."
With that, he sat down cross-legged in the air a short distance away, resting his chin on his hand as he watched them with genuine curiosity, like a spectator waiting for a show to begin.
The Forbidden Essences felt a wave of even deeper dread wash over them.
His casualness — the complete lack of concern or hostility — only made their situation feel more hopeless.
There was no need for any more words.
They shared one last, weighted glance, their bodies still shaking from the exhaustion of the fight and the suffocating force of his presence.
Deep down, they all understood—there was no way out.
With a quiet, mutual acknowledgment, they gave each other a final nod.
Then, without another word, they moved together again.
HUMMMMM!!!!!
