Before the silence could settle completely, a pulse of dark energy rippled through the battlefield.
Aiden's eyes narrowed.
Despite Ivan's complete obliteration, something still lingered.
A remnant? A failsafe?
The golden flames surrounding his body flared back to life as he turned toward the source.
A few meters away, where Ivan had perished, a dark vortex began to form. It was small at first, barely the size of a coin. But in seconds, it expanded violently, twisting the air around it like a miniature black hole.
Nexus cursed. "He's still not done?"
Myne's expression darkened. "No... This feels different."
Aiden didn't hesitate. He raised his blade, golden runes forming once more. If Ivan was trying something, he'd crush it before it could manifest.
But before he could strike—
"Ah... ha... ha... HAHAHA!"
A deep, ragged laughter erupted from within the vortex.