Edrin stared at the line across the armored figure's chest.
It wasn't large.
It wasn't deep.
But it was there.
"…We did that," he said.
"Yes," Lyra replied.
Edrin nodded slowly.
"…I like visible progress."
Ronan grinned. "Then let's make more."
The figure didn't wait.
Didn't hesitate.
It charged again—
Faster.
More aggressive.
As if the crack itself had triggered something.
"…It's angry," Edrin said.
"Good," Ronan replied.
"That means it's making mistakes."
"I like mistakes!" Edrin said.
The figure swung—
Wide—
Heavy—
Ronan didn't block.
Didn't clash.
He stepped aside—
Letting the blade slam into the ground.
The impact shattered the surface again—
Cracks spreading outward.
Kael moved—
Precise—
Striking the same spot on the chest—
The blade hit—
This time—
A sharper sound.
The crack deepened.
The figure reacted instantly—
Turning—
Striking—
Kael withdrew just in time.
Edrin's eyes widened.
"…That worked again."
"Yes," Lyra said.
"Focus the damage."
Edrin nodded.
"…We don't need to break everything."
"A single weakness is enough," Kael added.
The figure lunged again—
Targeting Edrin—
Of course.
"…Still me!" he shouted.
"You're doing great!" Ronan called.
"I don't want to be doing great!"
Edrin moved—
A stumble—
A twist—
A barely controlled fall—
The blade passed over him—
Too close—
Far too close.
"…Okay, still terrifying!" he gasped.
But he didn't run.
He circled.
Moved.
Kept it turning.
Kept it adjusting.
Lyra struck again—
Magic flaring—
Not damaging—
But shifting its balance—
Just enough.
The figure staggered slightly.
Ronan charged—
A heavy strike—
Driving into the cracked area—
The armor groaned.
Actually groaned.
Edrin blinked.
"…That's new!"
"Yes," Lyra said. "It's weakening."
The figure roared again—
A deep metallic sound—
And swung wildly—
Less controlled—
More force.
Edrin saw it.
"…It's overcommitting."
"Yes," Kael said.
"Then we push that."
The figure raised its blade—
Higher—
Slower—
Putting everything into the strike.
Edrin's stomach dropped.
"…I don't like that."
"Move," Kael said.
"I was already planning that!"
The blade came down—
A massive strike—
Edrin ran—
Not away—
To the side—
The blade hit—
The ground shattered—
A deep fissure split the plain—
And the figure—
For just a moment—
Lost its footing.
Ronan didn't hesitate.
He charged—
Full force—
Slamming into the armored figure—
Driving it off balance—
Kael followed—
A precise strike to the cracked chest—
Lyra unleashed everything—
Magic crashing into the same point—
The crack spread.
Wider.
Deeper.
Across the armor.
Edrin stood there—
Breathing hard—
Watching.
"…It's breaking," he said.
"Yes," Lyra replied.
Edrin nodded.
"…Then we don't stop."
The figure steadied itself—
Barely—
Its movements now less precise—
More force than control.
It charged again—
Desperate—
Trying to end it quickly.
Edrin stepped forward.
"…New rule."
Ronan laughed. "Another one?"
Edrin nodded.
"…We don't let it recover."
The figure swung—
Fast—
Edrin moved—
Barely—
Then stepped back in—
Not giving it space—
Not giving it time.
Ronan followed—
Strike—
Kael—
Strike—
Lyra—
Magic—
Again.
And again.
The pressure didn't stop.
The figure couldn't reset.
Couldn't regain control.
The crack spread further—
Now reaching across its torso—
The glow beneath the armor flickering.
Edrin's eyes widened.
"…There's something inside."
"Yes," Lyra said.
"The core."
Edrin swallowed.
"…We break that, we win."
"Yes."
The figure roared—
Louder—
More unstable—
Its attacks now wild—
Uncontrolled—
Dangerous.
Edrin stepped in—
Closer than before—
"…Okay."
A breath.
"…This is a terrible idea."
Ronan grinned. "Those are your best ones."
Edrin nodded nervously.
"…I know."
The figure raised its blade—
One final massive strike—
Everything it had—
Edrin saw it.
Felt it.
Didn't think.
He ran forward.
Straight toward it.
"…This is a mistake!" he shouted.
The blade came down—
Too fast—
Too strong—
Edrin moved—
At the last second—
A stumble—
A fall—
A twist—
The blade missed him—
Barely—
And slammed into the ground—
Driving deep—
Stuck—
Just for a moment.
That was enough.
Edrin looked up—
Right at the crack—
Right at the core beneath—
And raised his sword.
"…Now!" he shouted.
Ronan charged.
Lyra unleashed everything.
Kael struck with perfect precision.
And Edrin—
Despite shaking hands—
Despite fear—
Despite everything—
Drove his blade forward.
Straight into the opening.