The creature that emerged from the portal was not just large.
It was wrong.
Its wings looked torn between dimensions. Its body seemed made of shadow and bone. Its
eyes glowed like dying stars. Every breath it took made reality flicker around it.
Even the Guild leader stepped back.
"I did not summon that."
Lyra felt it immediately.
This thing wasn't here for power.
It was here to consume it.
The creature spoke without moving its mouth.
"Power calls to power."
Its gaze fixed on Lyra.
"You shine the brightest."
Lyra forced herself not to step back.
"I'm not your prey."
It moved instantly.
Faster than anything before.
The stranger pushed her aside just in time.
The creature's claws tore through where she had been standing.
Kael attacked its flank.
His blade shattered.
Rylan struck with lightning.
The creature absorbed it.
Lyra understood instantly.
"It's like me… it absorbs energy."
The stranger nodded.
"But without limits."
The creature attacked again.
This time Lyra absorbed part of its attack mid-strike.
Pain exploded inside her.
Too much.
Too ancient.
She screamed but forced herself to stay conscious.
"I can weaken it," she gasped.
"But not alone."
Kael stood again despite his injury.
"You were never alone."
Rylan stood beside him.
"Yeah… we're kind of permanent now."
The stranger moved to her other side.
"We end this together."
For the first time, Lyra truly understood something:
Her power wasn't just hers.
It was built from connection.
Trust.
Love.
She nodded.
"Then let's do this."
The creature smiled.
It had been waiting for exactly that.