The King's roar shook the chamber as its earth shield instantly densified, crystallizing into thicker, more resilient armor.
But it wasn't this transformation that made everyone's hearts skip a beat.
It was the jump.
The monstrous creature catapulted itself toward Zara with a speed it hadn't shown throughout the battle. Her last attack had marked her as a target, and now that mass of muscle and crystallized earth was hurtling toward her like a meteor.
"ZARA!" Lila's scream tore through the air.
But Zara was already moving.
Time seemed to slow as she channeled her power, combining neon, wind, and helium into a devastating triple impulse. The force catapulted her backward, creating a shockwave that struck the King's chest with pinpoint accuracy.
The impact was brutal, stopping the behemoth mid-leap despite its enormous size.
The reinforced barrier crackled.
Splintered.
Shattered.
