Kyren stood firm, his face unwavering—but inside, his mind was shattered.
His brother, Kylian, had never been the kindest soul, but Kyren never thought he'd stoop to this: taking advantage of the weak, leading a cult, and embracing cruelty for power.
Kylian charged toward him, fists clenched, the weight of betrayal heavy in every step. Kyren's grip faltered on his katana.
Just before the dome cracked, Kyren jumped back.
"Look—I'm sorry. I don't know what happened after I was forced out," Kyren called out, his voice cracking. "But joining them? That's not how we fix this city. That's not how we protect people like us."
"You think I care about this city? About its weaklings?" Kylian snarled. "I didn't join the Church to save anything—I joined to burn it all down. To destroy the image of strength our father built. I want to ruin him… and the son he actually cherishes."
Kylian dashed forward again, fury surging through his steps.
"Why are you trying to kill me?" Kyren asked, retreating quickly, barely keeping the distance.
"I'm not," Kylian said, his voice disturbingly calm. "I'd forgotten you even existed. This won't bring me joy."
"Then why?" Kyren pleaded.
"Because you're no longer my brother. You're the enemy of my Church. And my leader."
Kyren's heart twisted—but his voice didn't shake. "If killing me brings you glory… then I won't hesitate to stop you."
Kylian laughed, sharp and bitter. "You think just because the family weakling got some power, I should be scared?"
He charged again. Kyren didn't move.
This time, he let the King's Barrier close in, locking himself inside. He tightened his grip on the katana, letting mana flow through the blade.
Kylian broke through the dome.
Kyren moved like a blur—slashing, weaving—but Kylian's iron skin shrugged off every blow. He waited for Kyren to get close. Then—
CRACK.
Kylian's massive fist exploded forward, slamming into Kyren's chest and launching him into the air. Kyren hit the ground hard, ribs cracking. Fang of Requiem worked fast, healing him just enough to keep fighting—but not enough to erase the pain.
Kylian didn't let up.
He barreled forward, breaking the dome again just as Kyren rose. Kyren felt something strange pulse inside him as he poured mana into his blade. It felt… right. Like the world had slowed to match him. Like mountains could fall to this next strike.
Kylian charged, again.
This time, Kyren didn't dodge. He stepped in.
The katana slashed down in a clean, perfect arc. Kylian raised his arm, gauntlet gleaming gold—but the blade shattered through it, biting deep into his flesh.
Blood spilled.
Kylian roared and countered with a wild swing. Kyren ducked. More strikes came. Kyren's speed was unmatched within the dome, but he couldn't keep this up. Not forever.
He absorbed the dome's mana—abandoning defense. Time to end this.
Using Soundless Step, Kyren vanished, reappearing with a slash that barely cut. Kylian countered—too slow.
Moonveil Step triggered.
Kyren blinked behind him, sword raised—aimed for Kylian's neck.
But he couldn't do it.
He turned the blade, slamming it into Kylian's injured shoulder instead. Fang of Requiem sank in, breaking skin—and breaking the strange spiral pendant around Kylian's neck.
Kylian staggered.
"You're dead, Kyren! I'll wipe out every Warhammer, then burn this city down!" he howled, lunging forward.
Kyren activated Soundless Step again—only this time, something was different.
There was no sound at all.
Not just his footsteps—no breathing, no heartbeat. No world.
Only silence.
And it didn't scare him. It felt like home.
With the world frozen around him, Kyren moved. Faster than ever. He raised his blade—knowing what he had to do, even if his heart didn't want to.
Just before the final strike, a blinding flash of white light erupted.
Kylian took the chance—slamming his fist into Kyren and sending him flying. The ground cracked beneath him as Kyren landed, wheezing.
Then… the voice came.
"Kylian. Return. Before you die. There will be more time to make warriors… but we cannot lose another StarMaker today."
The light faded. Kylian let out a frustrated roar—but vanished with it.
Kyren staggered to his feet, his chest heaving. Only scraps of the spiral pendant remained, glowing faintly red-hot in the dirt.
He sank beside it, body shaking.
They'd won the battle.
But the war?
The war had just begun.
Kyren was dozing off when the voice of the system jolted him back to consciousness.
Cult Crusher: Complete.
Cult Crusher – Part II: Initiated.
The words echoed through his mind like a strike of thunder. He tried to stand, but his body protested—groggy, heavy with the weight of battle.
"Still breathing?" came Runa's voice, low and steady.
She slipped under his arm, wrapping an arm around his waist to help him up. Together, they limped toward Lydel, who lay sprawled across the ground. His body wasn't bruised or bloodied, but the pale flush of his skin told the story—he was completely drained of mana.
Kyren summoned a potion into his hand and passed it to Runa.
"Pour this in his mouth," he rasped. "He'll be up soon."
Runa nodded and knelt beside Lydel, gently tipping the potion between his lips. As she did, Kyren steadied himself and whispered, "Take me to the edge of the pavilion. I've got one more thing to do."
She helped him forward, step by staggering step. At the edge, Kyren opened the Wayfinder's Realm, and a pulse of light spilled out as the gate widened.
The first to emerge was Veldthar.
The Stormcrest Eland was no longer just a noble beast—he had grown, standing a full foot taller and carrying a bulkier, more powerful frame. Lightning crackled along his antlers, now shaped like branching runes. His hooves left glowing imprints in the ground, and a braided crest of wind-touched fur flowed down his neck like a banner caught in motion.
"What happened to Veldthar?" Runa breathed. "He looks… different."
"He's still just a growing boy," Kyren said, his voice laced with quiet pride. "Same as him."
Arvalen stepped out next.
No longer the playful cub tumbling through Kyren's shadow, the lion spirit now stood nearly shoulder-high to his bonded partner. His limbs were thick with sleek muscle, and his paws dug deep into the earth. His mane had grown wilder, tangled strands of burnished gold streaked with crown-metal, forming a halo in progress. His once-soft fur shimmered—half-radiance, half-stormcloud, alive with something ancient and powerful.
Runa's jaw dropped. "He's huge… I can't believe that's the same lion."
Perched on his back was Liora, clutching his mane. She floated off with a huff, fluttering just above Kyren's head.
"You look awful," she said bluntly. "Want me to fix you up a bit?"
"Only if you promise not to bug me until Lydel's up," Kyren said, smirking faintly.
"Where is he?" she snapped.
Kyren pointed. "Right there. Out of mana, not dead. He'll be fine."
"Good," she muttered. "Then I guess I can heal you."
She touched down on Kyren's forehead, releasing a soft pulse of mana that rushed through his limbs like a second wind.
Lydel stirred with a groan, slowly sitting up.
"You need a heal, Lydel?" Liora cooed sweetly, floating over to perch on his shoulder.
"I'm good, Liora. No injuries, just empty," he muttered, rubbing his head.
But he didn't stay upright for long.
"Arvalen, no—not now," Lydel warned.
The lion spirit ignored him, bounding forward and tackling him in a gleeful leap. Lydel let out a startled yell as they tumbled to the ground, the larger lion licking his face with no restraint.
"Arvalen!" Kyren laughed. "Save the beatdown for when we get home."
He turned to Runa. "Will you come with us? We're not done with the cult."
Runa looked around at the devastation left behind, then met his gaze with a fire in her eyes.
"Of course I will," she said. "I haven't felt this alive in… well, ever."
"Then let's move."
Kyren vaulted onto Veldthar's back, reaching down to help both Runa and Lydel up. With their spirits close, their bond sealed in fire and battle, the group turned their eyes to the horizon.
And just like that, they rode off—back toward the orphanage. Back to the place where everything had started.
And where, soon, it would all begin again.