Jace's sword wavered. His entire body trembled under the weight of the gods' control.
Eren saw his chance.
He surged forward, grabbing Jace's wrist before the blade could fall. "Jace! You have to fight them!"
A snarl tore from Jace's throat. The blue glow in his eyes flickered wildly, his breath ragged and uneven. The gods were trying to drag him back under.
A deep, guttural voice echoed from within him. "This vessel is not yours to reclaim."
The air trembled. Jace's armor cracked, glowing veins spreading across his body like molten chains. His back arched, an inhuman cry ripping from his lips.
Eren held firm. "You're stronger than this! You're stronger than them!"
Jace's grip faltered—but then his body convulsed violently. The ground beneath them shattered as a wave of divine force erupted outward, sending Eren sprawling.
Jace let out a choked gasp, his entire form splitting.
Something else was coming through.