Aster tried to stand tall, his sword held aloft, though not in any particularly aggressive or defensive stance—just a neutral position, as if gathering his resolve.
"Lorelai..."
His voice was deep, laced with a sense of regret, but he didn't say anything more. He didn't need to. Lorelai, of course, understood exactly what he meant, even without further explanation. Both of them knew—their next exchange would be the last.
She gripped her staff tightly, her face a mask of stoic calm. Yet, for just a brief moment, a flicker of emotion crossed her eyes. Aster couldn't quite place what it was, but it signaled the beginning of their final contest of strength.
Without any hesitation, Aster activated Ground Shrink, disappearing from view in an instant. Lorelai's eyes darted frantically, trying to locate him. A mere second later, she sensed his presence—he was behind her, no, to be more precise, diagonally above her, poised for an attack!
