The rift in the sky pulsed like a gaping wound, swirling with dark energy as shadows slithered through its cracks. The air felt heavy, charged with an unnatural force. Nate clenched his fists, his body still radiating with the aftershock of his last battle. He could barely stand, yet he knew—this fight was far from over.
Henry's panicked voice crackled in his ear. "Nate, you need to get out of there! If that portal stays open, it won't just be one or two jinns coming through—it'll be an invasion!"
Nate wiped the sweat from his brow, eyes locked on The Harbinger, who stood unfazed beneath the rift.
Antrasite's voice echoed in Nate's mind. "He is not the enemy. He is merely the key. The true war is yet to begin."
"Great, just what I needed," Nate muttered under his breath.
The Harbinger turned to him, his masked face unreadable. "You were never meant to stand in our way, Vessel. Yet, you continue to resist."
Nate scoffed, rolling his shoulders despite the pain. "Yeah, well… resisting is kinda my thing."
Without another word, The Harbinger lifted his staff once more. This time, instead of an attack, he drove it into the ground. The earth trembled violently, and from the rift, monstrous shapes began to descend.
The First of the Forsaken
A deafening roar filled the night as a massive figure emerged. Towering at nearly fifteen feet, its body was wreathed in black fire, its molten eyes burning with unholy fury. Its claws dripped with energy so dense that the pavement sizzled beneath it.
Nate took an involuntary step back. "Okay… that's new."
Henry's voice came back through the communicator. "Nate, that's not just any jinn… that's a Forsaken One! They were the warlords of Catraz before they were imprisoned. If even one of them escapes—"
"I get it, Henry!" Nate snapped, cracking his knuckles. "Don't let it escape."
The Forsaken roared again, then charged.
Nate barely had time to brace before the beast slammed into him, sending him flying across the street. He crashed through a lamppost, the impact knocking the wind out of him.
Pain shot through his ribs, but he forced himself up. His vision blurred slightly. Damn it. He was still too weak from the last fight.
Antrasite's voice rumbled in his head. "You hesitate, and you will die."
Nate exhaled sharply, then let go. He allowed the jinn's power to surge through him, his body once again glowing with raw energy.
"Alright," he muttered, eyes flashing blue. "Round two."
He launched himself at the beast.
A Battle of Titans
The clash shook the city. Every punch sent shockwaves through the streets. Every strike from the Forsaken left scars in the earth. Nate fought harder than he ever had before, dodging, countering, striking with everything he had.
But the Forsaken was relentless. Stronger. Faster. Smarter.
Nate knew he couldn't keep this up forever.
And then, just as the creature swung its molten claws for a final blow—
A blast of energy struck it from the side.
The Forsaken staggered, roaring in pain.
Nate turned in surprise.
Henry stood a few rooftops away, holding a massive energy cannon. Smoke rose from its barrel. "Yeah, yeah," he muttered. "I figured it was about time I got involved."
Nate grinned. "Took you long enough."
But before they could celebrate, The Harbinger raised his staff once more. The rift crackled, and even more shadows began to emerge.
Henry cursed. "Nate, we can't hold them off forever!"
Nate wiped the blood from his lip, his glowing eyes narrowing.
"Then we close that damn portal."
And with that, he charged straight toward The Harbinger.