"Tch!"
Rey activated two more Artifacts—a spatial distortion device that should have allowed him to phase between locations, and a temporal acceleration ring that would let him move faster than Thane could perceive.
Both Artifacts functioned... for approximately three seconds.
Then Thane activated his trump card.
Null Art, Nullification Technique, Sequence #4: Multi-Art Denial, shutting down multiple categories of mystical manipulation simultaneously.
Rey's spatial distortion failed mid-activation, leaving him half-phased and vulnerable. His temporal acceleration flickered and died, returning him to normal time perception. Even his defensive barriers began showing cracks as the fundamental Arts powering them faced suppression.
"You're resourceful," Thane acknowledged, his tone almost respectful. "But you're fighting with tools while I'm operating with fundamental mastery. Every Scroll has limitations, every Artifact can be countered if you understand its principles."
