Zami ascended the stairs, his breath steady yet tinged with the weight of his injuries. The aftermath of *Blood Cell Explosion* and the relentless output of *Night Sun* coursed through his body, leaving him stumbling slightly as his legs threatened to falter. But his resolve was ironclad—there was no room for weakness in the Withering Spire.
The platform at the summit of the staircase glimmered faintly, lit by the now-familiar white flames. Zami stepped forward, each step echoing in the hollow silence. As he reached the center, a cold gust swept past, extinguishing the flames. In the enveloping darkness, the silence stretched unnaturally, pressing against him.
Then, the light returned, focused and piercing, revealing a towering figure before him—Shattered Dominion. Its glowing white eyes bore into him, its floating crown of pure light radiating an otherworldly intensity. The creature stood as still as a statue, its arms concealed within its intricately patterned robe.
Zami gripped his katana tightly, the hilt warm from the residue of his own blood. He wasn't surprised to see the vessel again, but the sight stirred unease in him.
"You persist," Shattered Dominion said, its voice resonant and heavy, carrying the weight of judgment. "And yet, you are broken."
Zami didn't answer immediately, his silver eyes narrowing as he studied the figure. Finally, he spoke, his voice steady but cold. "If I'm broken, it's because I've survived things no one else could."
The vessel raised a hand, its movements deliberate. "Then let us see if you are worthy of enduring the truth."
Before Zami could respond, the platform beneath him shifted, the ground splitting apart. White flames surged, encircling him in a blazing inferno. Shattered Dominion's form began to blur, and the space around them twisted unnaturally.
"Prepare yourself, Zami Agatoru," it said, its voice echoing as the world turned. "This is not a test of strength. This is a test of resolve."
Zami steadied himself as the light from the flames grew blinding, preparing for whatever nightmare awaited him next.