The moment Lena's power surged, the air between her and Kian crackled like a storm ready to break.
She didn't hesitate.
She launched herself forward, her movements faster than before, her instincts sharper. It wasn't just raw strength—it was control.
And Kian knew it.
His smirk wavered, a flicker of something dark flashing in his gaze. "Interesting."
He moved to counter, but this time, Lena was already there—reading his movements, matching his speed.
She struck.
Kian blocked, but the force of her attack sent him skidding backward. He steadied himself, but his expression had changed.
For the first time, he wasn't toying with her.
For the first time, he wasn't in control.
Lena could feel it—the shift in the air, the unraveling of whatever hold he had over this place.
"You're breaking the rules," Kian murmured, his voice softer, dangerous.
Lena exhaled, steadying herself. "Your rules don't apply to me."
A pulse of energy rippled from her body, breaking through the unseen chains that had bound her mind for so long.
And suddenly—everything cracked.
---
The Illusion Breaks
The walls of the room rippled, distorting like a reflection on water.
Lena saw it—the flickering remnants of Kian's illusions. Shadows of the past tried to pull her in, flashes of pain and suffering, but she didn't let them.
She wasn't that girl anymore.
She wasn't going to break.
With a final push of energy, she shattered the illusion completely.
The room reformed.
Riven was there—chained, weak, his breath ragged. But as the illusion faded, the bindings around him weakened.
Kian exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Well. This is unexpected."
Lena didn't respond.
She moved—fast.
She reached Riven's side, her power flaring again. The chains trembled, cracks forming along their surface.
Kian clicked his tongue. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."
Lena ignored him.
She focused.
And then—
The chains shattered.
---
The Explosion of Power
A wave of energy burst from Riven's body the moment he was freed.
It wasn't just power—it was something more, something ancient.
Lena barely had time to react before the world around them exploded.
The walls trembled. The ground cracked. The space they were in shifted.
Kian took a step back, his expression unreadable. "Ah."
Lena steadied herself, her body thrumming with adrenaline. She turned to Riven—
And froze.
His eyes were different.
Something had changed.
Something dangerous.
And for the first time since this fight began—
Lena felt afraid.
---