The Nexus Gate went live.
The maelstrom of energies at its core grew, the black and silver powers writhing in torment as the High Architect's runes blazed with an ancillary power. The very Cathedral shook as the power coursing through the ancient structure threatened to break free from human mastery.
Asher stood firm against the raw power of magic that poured from the Gate. His pinched silver eyes were closed as he watched the High Architect, who stood before the central control pillar now, arms spread wide, eyes burning with magical power.
The air heavy with the power of a spell too vast for a human mind to comprehend.
"You're too late, Asher Vaelthorne," the Architect's voice was deep and authoritative, echoing through the room. "The Gate has already started its rise. Soon, the worlds will converge, and you—" a sneer twisted their lips, "will be nothing but dust under the feet of the divine."
Asher dismissed the insult. Words would never get in the way of what was occurring. Only action would.
He glanced over at Ardyn, who was cleaning blood from his sword with an air of nonchalance. "Any bright ideas?"
Ardyn snapped his wrist, a second dagger appearing between his fingers. "Yeah. Kill everyone in this room before that thing burns us to ash."
"Great plan," Asher grumbled.
Then they moved.
Asher charged forward, a torrent of black flame and arcane darkness erupting from his outstretched hand. The first two enforcers braced their shields, but the blow did not stop at impact—it continued through. They were knocked back, crashing into the rough-hewn stone with sufficient force to shatter it.
Ardyn was standing again, blinking amidst the cracks in reality, appearing behind another enforcer. One swift strike. The man crashed to the floor, clutching at his throat as blood fountained everywhere.
But the High Architect was not merely observing.
They lifted a hand, and the whole Cathedral trembled with unadulterated, godly power.
Filaments of unadulterated light burst from the ground, ensnaring Asher's arms, legs, constricting tighter by the second.
"Enough," the Architect commanded. "Kneel."
The holy chains drew Asher down to a knee.
Ardyn hardly had time to react when another chain snapped out, striking for his throat. He turned just in time, severing it with a swift pass of his dagger.
Asher clenched his teeth. The chains seared, burning into his skin as if they renounced his own existence. His magic surged back, shadows writhing against the holy chains, but they would not snap.
"You believe you're powerful," stated the Architect, stepping forward. "You're not a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the will of the divine. This world never belonged to you to control."
Asher jeered in torment.
"Amusing," he growled. "I was going to tell you the same thing."
And then he released it all.
A burst of raw darkness came from his center, breaking chains in a split second. The energy was that immense that it broke Cathedral floor as holy magic was unwound against his might.
The High Architect's eyes popped out, but Asher was already there.
As soon as Asher stepped onto the floor, he came forward. Darkness coiled around his arms to create a blade of void energy as he dived directly at the Architect's neck.
The High Architect moved quickly.
Gold surrounded them, halting the blade inches from their flesh. The air between them crackled with power, the convergence of divine and arcane energy sending tremors through the room.
"You cannot prevail," the Architect snarled. "The Gate has determined its course!"
Asher clenched his teeth as the gold wall pressed against him, yearning to devour his magic. He had mere seconds to react.
So he did something the Architect hadn't anticipated.
He released.
His shadows vanished, and instead of plunging ahead—he retreated.
The abrupt change in momentum took the Architect by surprise—just so.
Ardyn, waiting patiently for the ideal moment to strike, was behind them in a flash.
His dagger sank deep into the Architect's ribcage.
A cry of agony escaped their lips as golden blood fell on the marble floor.
But still, they smiled.
"Fools," they gasped.
Then they broke the seal.
A blinding flash ripped the air.
The Nexus Gate flared wildly, its churning powers spinning uncontrolled. Runes blazed wildly, and the Cathedral shuddered as the foundations gave way.
Ardyn drew his dagger loose, moving back as the Architect dropped to a knee, still grinning through the blood spreading around them.
"You marched right into my trap," they croaked.
Asher's breath caught as he sensed the shift.
The Nexus Gate wasn't just opening.
It was ripping reality in two.
The Architect had pushed it to an overload.
If they didn't act, the crash of worlds would be permanent.
Asher's head spun. The failsafe sigil—it was kept in the center of the Gate.
But the nearer he approached the platform, the more suffocating the energy grew.
It was like he was swimming in a sea of god pressure.
Ardyn massaged his temple, accessing his psychic connection to Seraphine and Revik.
"Asher, what is it?" Seraphine's voice flowed through, laced with worry.
"The Gate is blowing," Asher gritted out. "We need to shut it down immediately."
Revik's voice cut in, sharp and focused. "Give me two minutes. I'll clear the path."
"We don't have two minutes!" Asher snapped.
His gaze flickered to the Architect, who coughed out golden blood but still smiled like they had already won.
They were stalling.
Asher clenched his jaw. No more playing games.
His silver eyes glowed as he gathered his power.
"Ardyn, get clear."
Ardyn hesitated for only a second before vanishing into the shadows.
The Nexus seared with heartbreak pulsation, and Asher pushed forward.
Each of his nerves screamed as he stretched across to the failsafe sigil, forcing his energy into the very heart of the Gate itself.
The energy fought back—it ripped at him, attempting to devour him.
But Asher forced it through.
He would never allow this world to be reborn.
With a final convulsion of energy, he claimed the sigil—
—and the world dissolved into white light.