Seraph's strategy changed.
Instead of overwhelming force.
Precision separation.
Portals opened.
Kael was pulled into one.
Rylan into another.
The stranger into a third.
Lyra screamed:
"No!"
Seraph looked calm.
"You are strongest together."
"So I remove the variable."
Lyra attacked him blindly.
Rage driven.
He blocked easily.
"Now we see who you are… without them."
For the first time since meeting them…
Lyra was alone.
Her breathing became uneven.
Fear returned.
But then something new happened.
Instead of breaking.
Her power stabilized.
Because she realized something:
They weren't her strength.
They were her reason.
And reasons cannot be taken.
Lyra stood alone against Seraph.
And did not run.
Kael found himself inside a combat dimension.
Endless enemies.
No exit.
A voice said:
"Prove you are worthy to stand beside her."
Kael laughed.
"I don't need your approval."
He fought for hours.
Bleeding.
Exhausted.
Still standing.
His final answer:
"I stand beside her because I choose to."
The dimension broke.
He passed.
But badly injured.
Kael collapsed… bleeding internally.