Chapter 44

The first shot rang out like a thunderclap.

Seraphine’s pistol barked, the silver-tipped bullet slamming through the skull of a Black Fang sentinel. The cultist collapsed without a sound.

“Showtime,” she murmured, holstering her weapon and vaulting down the rocky slope.

Edgar followed, blade flashing in the morning sun.

Magnet Man crashed into the enemy line like a living battering ram, steel claws tearing through black armor, metal threads lashing out to bind and crush. Professor moved in his wake, casting shields of shimmering light, runes crackling from his hands like lightning.

Sebastian stumbled after them, sweat slick on his skin, black veins crawling up his neck.

The stronghold was chaos.

Cultists screamed, summoners raised their arms to the sky, drawing the last threads of power into the ritual circle. The air trembled with a pulse deeper than sound — like a heartbeat from under the earth.