Maki adjusted her grip on her spear as she studied the newcomer, Archer. He stood relaxed, but his crimson eyes flicked between her and Scathach, sharp and calculating. The burning remains of Fuyuki glowed in the background, casting eerie shadows over the three figures.
"What's the deal, Archer?" Maki asked, keeping her voice steady. "You just happen to stroll into a corrupted battlefield?"
Archer smirked. "You could say I'm drawn to trouble. And this singularity reeks of it."
Scathach stepped forward, her crimson spear resting against her shoulder. "If you know the nature of this distortion, share it. Now."
Archer shrugged. "Fine. This singularity isn't just a random distortion. Someone—or something—is using this timeline as an anchor. They're drawing power here to destabilize everything connected to it."
"Everything?" Maki echoed. "You're saying Orario's at risk?"
Archer nodded. "And not just Orario. This singularity could ripple across dimensions. If we don't sever it at its source, your world and mine are just the beginning."
Maki's jaw clenched. She was used to fighting curses, but this was bigger. She glanced at Scathach, who met her gaze with calm determination.
"What's our next move?" Maki asked.
Archer led them deeper into Fuyuki, where the air grew heavier with magical energy. The streets were littered with scorched remains, and the faint cries of spirits echoed through the smoke. The closer they got to the source of the corruption, the more oppressive the atmosphere became.
Maki felt it before she saw it—a pulse of raw, chaotic energy. The ruins of a temple loomed ahead, its steps cracked and blackened. At its center, a dark vortex swirled, crackling with malevolent power.
"There," Archer said, pointing to the vortex. "That's the anchor. Destroy it, and we sever this singularity's connection."
Maki stepped forward, her spear humming with energy. "What's the catch?"
Archer smirked. "You're sharp. The anchor won't go quietly. Expect a fight."
Scathach surveyed the area, her expression unreadable. "Maki, stay close. The corruption will target your soul if you stray too far."
"Got it," Maki replied, bracing herself as they approached the vortex.
As they neared the swirling energy, the ground trembled. A massive figure emerged from the shadows, its body composed of blackened armor and flickering flames. The guardian's eyes burned with crimson light as it raised a colossal sword.
"Of course there's a boss fight," Maki muttered, readying her spear.
The guardian charged, its movements surprisingly swift for its size. Maki darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the blade's arc. Scathach struck first, her spear glowing with runic power as she aimed for the creature's core. The blow connected, but the guardian barely flinched.
"It's resistant," Scathach called out. "We need to weaken it before we can destroy it."
Archer unleashed a flurry of arrows, each one glowing with radiant energy. They struck the guardian's joints, forcing it to slow. "Keep it distracted. I'll analyse its weak point."
"Distract, huh?" Maki grinned, rushing in to meet the guardian head-on. Her spear clashed with its blade, the force of the impact sending shockwaves through the air. She dodged and countered, her movements precise but relentless.
Scathach flanked the creature, her strikes targeting its legs to unbalance it. The guardian roared, swinging its sword in a wide arc. Maki ducked, rolling to avoid the attack, and thrust her spear into its side. The creature stumbled but didn't fall.
"Now would be a great time for that analysis!" Maki shouted.
Archer's eyes glowed as he scanned the guardian. "There! The core of its power is tied directly to the vortex. If we destroy the vortex, the guardian will collapse."
Scathach nodded. "Understood. Maki, cover me."
Maki leapt back, positioning herself between Scathach and the guardian. "Go! I'll hold this thing off."
Scathach didn't hesitate, sprinting toward the vortex. The guardian roared and lunged after her, but Maki intercepted its attack, her spear deflecting its blade. "Hey, ugly! Your fight's with me."
The guardian turned its full attention to Maki, its attacks growing more frantic. She parried and dodged, each movement calculated to buy Scathach time.
Scathach reached the vortex, her spear glowing with violet light. She chanted under her breath, the runes on her weapon flaring as she drove it into the heart of the distortion. The vortex shrieked, its energy twisting and writhing as it began to collapse.
The guardian faltered, its body cracking as the vortex's power waned. Archer fired a final arrow, piercing the creature's chest. With a deafening roar, the guardian shattered, its fragments dissolving into ash.
The vortex imploded, leaving only silence in its wake.
Maki leaned on her spear, catching her breath. "Well, that was fun."
Scathach approached, her expression calm but her eyes wary. "The anchor is destroyed, but the singularity isn't gone. This was only a fragment of the distortion."
Archer crossed his arms. "She's right. The true source of this singularity is still out there. We've just severed one of its connections."
Maki frowned. "So what now?"
Archer's smirk returned, but it lacked humour. "Now we follow the trail. And hope we're not too late."
Before anyone could respond, a new figure stepped out of the shadows. They wore a long cloak, their face obscured by a hood. Their voice was cold and sharp.
"You're meddling in forces beyond your understanding. Turn back, or be consumed."
Maki stepped forward, her spear ready. "Not a chance. Who are you?"
The figure chuckled, the sound echoing unnaturally. "A harbinger of what's to come. If you survive the trials ahead, we may meet again."
Without another word, the figure vanished, leaving the three adventurers alone in the ruins of Fuyuki.