Chapter 25: Trial by Flame
They fell through a vortex of obsidian shards and cascading runes, the shattered floor of the Conclave opening into a void that howled like a dying god.
Valerian twisted mid-air, summoning Umbra back to his side with a sharp mental pulse. Lira flared her aura to slow her descent, her body glowing faintly as she landed in a crouch on a fractured platform of black steel.
Valerian landed with a roll, immediately drawing his blade. Umbra emerged beside him, blades in both hands, eyes narrowed at the flickering light around them.
The chamber they had fallen into was impossibly vast—no walls, no ceiling, only floating segments of stone and metal hovering in an endless void. Above, the broken mask of the Seventh Councilor loomed, his body now wreathed in a spiral of corrupted flame and dark lightning.
> [Field Boss: First Ascendant of the Deep Court – "The Broken Mask"]
HP: 100%
Phase One Initiated.
With a gesture, he hurled a spear of red-black flame toward them.
"Scatter!" Valerian roared.
The lance struck the platform, erupting into a miniature supernova. Lira was thrown backward. Valerian's left arm was scorched, his system flaring alerts.
> [Warning: Armor Integrity Dropping. Left Gauntlet at 47%.]