Chapter 25: The Price of One Life

It began with thunder.

But there were no clouds.

No lightning.

No storm.

Just thunder… and the sound of wings.

The divine beasts came at dusk.

Four of them. Massive. Beautiful. Wrong.

Seraphic in shape, each had six wings, golden masks for faces, and halos made of burning scripture. Their bodies pulsed with celestial energy — pure, hungry, ancient.

They didn't speak.

They didn't roar.

They just attacked.

[System Alert: Celestial Executioners Deployed]

Targets: All Members of Kai Veyron's Party

Reason: Harboring an Unbound Catalyst

Trial: Terminal

Objective: Cleanse the Contamination

The forest exploded.

Elira clashed with one, her blade singing through holy flame.

Yulia screamed incantations faster than her mouth could shape them.

Lira fought like a shadow, blinking between strikes.

Akari drew her katana and moved like lightning.

And Kai?