The light expanded, enveloping both man and beast in a glowing sphere.
They vanished.
CLANG!
The tridents slammed into the golden floor, too late.
Across the chamber—
Alex and Hati reappeared in a distant corner, wrapped in shimmering purple essence.
The statues turned slowly.
This time—
They weren't amused.
Their eyes glowed brighter, menacing now. Cold. Murderous.
Alex gasped, blinking rapidly. "Why… why am I not dead?
Alex stared at Hati, wide-eyed. Purple light swirled around the beast, cracking the very fabric of space. His shimmering fur glowed with power, and a brilliant purple flame danced in his eye.
A smile crept onto Alex's face. "So... you finally awakened your element," he said warmly.
But there was no time to celebrate. Statues with murderous, yellow-glowing eyes approached from every direction, their footsteps rumbling like a death march.
As they drew near—
Flash!
