The chamber had not fully calmed.
Even after the guardians were destroyed, something remained—
A presence.
Heavy.
Watching.
Elian felt it immediately.
Not through the wind.
Not through sound.
But instinct.
"…they're here," he said quietly.
Kael didn't look surprised.
"…of course they are."
Lyra glanced around, tense.
"…I don't see anything."
"That's the problem," Kael replied.
Silence.
Then—
A sound.
Soft.
Like fabric brushing against air.
Elian's eyes snapped toward the entrance.
There—
Three figures stood.
They hadn't entered.
They hadn't made a sound.
They were just…
There.
Lyra stepped back slightly.
"…those aren't the same as before."
She was right.
These weren't like the hunters from the sky.
These were human.
Completely.
No distortion.
No shifting forms.
But their presence—
Was heavier.
Much heavier.
One of them stepped forward.
"You've grown faster than expected."
His voice was calm.
Cold.
Elian narrowed his eyes.
"…who are you?"
The man didn't answer directly.
Instead—
"We are the ones who answer the sky."
A chill ran down Elian's spine.
Kael finally spoke.
"…so they sent Executors."
Lyra frowned.
"…Executors?"
The second figure stepped forward—a woman this time, her gaze locked onto Elian.
"…we clean what the sky cannot tolerate."
Elian clenched his fists.
"…and I'm what? A mistake?"
The first man tilted his head slightly.
"…no."
A pause.
"…you are a risk."
Silence.
The air grew heavier.
The third figure, who hadn't spoken yet, slowly raised his hand.
The moment he did—
The entire chamber trembled.
CRACK.
Even this place—
Was being affected.
Lyra's eyes widened.
"…they're breaking the rules of this place too?!"
Kael's expression darkened.
"…they don't follow rules."
The first man looked at Elian again.
"…you've learned a name."
Elian's heart skipped.
"…how do you know that?"
A faint smile.
"…because we've seen others fail."
The woman stepped forward.
"…you won't be any different."
Elian took a step forward.
"…you're welcome to try."
The wind stirred slightly.
"…Elian… be careful…"
Kael didn't move.
But his voice was calm.
"…this isn't like before."
Elian nodded.
"…I know."
The third figure lowered his hand—
And the attack came.
Instant.
Invisible.
But overwhelming.
Elian reacted—
"Aeris!"
The air surged.
He raised his hand—
But—
CRACK.
The force broke through.
His body was thrown backward violently, slamming into one of the pillars.
"ELIAN!" Lyra shouted.
Dust filled the air.
Elian coughed, forcing himself up.
"…that was way stronger…"
The man stepped forward calmly.
"…you rely too much on raw output."
Elian's eyes sharpened.
"…and you talk too much."
He moved.
Faster than before.
The air pushed him forward—
He appeared in front of the attacker—
And struck.
But—
The man didn't move.
The attack stopped.
Completely.
Like it had hit nothing.
Elian's eyes widened.
"…what—?"
"…inefficient," the man said.
Then—
He moved.
Faster than Elian could react.
BOOM.
Elian was sent flying again.
This time—
Harder.
Stronger.
Lyra stepped in.
"HEY!"
She slammed her hand to the ground—
The earth rose violently, launching toward the enemy—
But the woman lifted her hand—
And stopped it.
Mid-air.
Without effort.
"…too slow," she said.
Kael finally moved.
Just one step.
The air froze.
Everything stopped.
For a brief moment—
Even the Executors paused.
"…that's enough," Kael said quietly.
All three turned toward him.
For the first time—
They looked serious.
"…so you're still alive," the first man said.
Kael's gaze was cold.
"…unfortunately for you."
Silence.
The pressure in the room spiked.
Elian forced himself up again.
"…I'm not done."
The wind stirred.
"…Elian…"
He wiped the blood from his lip.
"…I just need to do it right."
His eyes focused.
Not on strength.
Not on force.
But on understanding.
"Aeris…" he whispered.
This time—
The wind didn't explode.
It sharpened.
Condensed.
Controlled.
The air around him became thin—
Precise.
Deadly.
Kael glanced at him slightly.
"…good."
Elian stepped forward again.
Not rushing.
Not reckless.
This time—
He was ready.
The real fight—
Had just begun.