In the corridor, Nicholas and Myrith remained locked in combat, neither gaining decisive advantage. The damaged runic pathway had limited Nicholas's capabilities, while Myrith seemed to be conserving energy for what would come next.
"The Convergence comes regardless of your interference, Chronos-Walker," Myrith stated with absolute conviction. "Icarus returns to cleanse this corrupted world. Whether through this vessel or another, the cycle completes."
Nicholas's crimson blade flared one last time as he made his decision. "Then I'll find him before your ritual succeeds."
He launched himself at Myrith in what appeared to be a frontal assault. She raised her ritual dagger in perfect defensive position—only to strike empty air as Nicholas executed a feint, diving past her toward the corridor where the extraction team had disappeared.
