The moment arrived without any clear warning.
It wasn't an external signal. There was no pause in the battle. Just the realization that the balance had finally shifted enough.
The pressure still existed, but it no longer dominated the entire field.
His control… was failing.
I blocked another strike, feeling the impact travel through my arm, but this time without being pushed back like before. The weight was still heavy, but not crushing.
Scarlett moved along the flank, maintaining constant pressure. Rai'kanna, farther away, broke another enemy line with brute force. Lyannis kept appearing at critical points, creating openings. Liriel and Elara maintained the field's instability. Vespera coordinated everything with precision.
Working.
Everything working.
But it still wasn't enough.
The general advanced again, trying to regain dominance. His movements were faster, more aggressive, yet… less perfect.
That was it.
The difference.
I dodged a direct strike and counterattacked immediately. My blade passed closer than at any previous moment.
He stepped back.
This time, a full step.
It wasn't big.
But it was real.
Scarlett noticed instantly. "Now."
I nodded.
I took a deep breath.
My body was already at the limit of normal effort. Continuing like that would only prolong the fight… and increase the risk.
This was the point.
I tightened my grip around the sword's hilt.
I felt it.
The response came immediately.
The energy began to manifest from within, like a current that had always been there, but now finally found a free path.
The sound of battle around me faded for a moment.
Not because it stopped.
But because the focus shifted.
"So you're going to use it," the general said, watching.
I didn't answer.
I didn't need to.
The energy rose through my arm, spreading across my body. It wasn't uncontrolled like before. It wasn't something that threatened to break everything.
Now…
It was control.
The light began to emerge.
First faint.
Then stronger.
Golden.
Scarlett stepped back, giving space.
Rai'kanna looked from afar and smiled. "Finally."
Lyannis paused for a second, watching. "Now this is getting interesting."
Liriel kept her focus, but the change was noticeable. Elara immediately adjusted the flow around us. Vespera said nothing, only reorganized the rhythm of the battle to match.
The armor formed.
Piece by piece.
Without explosion.
Without loss of control.
The energy fit into place as if it already knew exactly where it belonged.
Arms.
Chest.
Legs.
Everything covered by that firm, steady golden light.
I took a deep breath.
And for the first time…
The weight disappeared.
Not completely.
But enough to no longer limit me.
I looked at the general.
And he… understood as well.
His posture changed.
More serious.
More focused.
"So this is your true power," he said.
"Part of it," I replied.
And I advanced.
This time…
There was no delay.
The space between us vanished.
The clash came.
But it was different.
My blade met his—and did not give.
The force was balanced.
Truly balanced.
He reacted immediately, trying to change the angle.
I followed.
Without delay.
Without losing rhythm.
Scarlett moved in as well, taking advantage of the opening.
He dodged, but with clear effort.
Rai'kanna advanced from afar, pressuring another point.
Lyannis appeared at the flank.
Liriel and Elara intensified the instability.
Vespera kept everything aligned.
And for the first time…
He was truly being pressured.
His movements were still precise.
But not perfect.
Now there were flaws.
Small ones.
But real.
I attacked again.
Faster.
Stronger.
Cleaner.
He blocked.
But stepped back.
Another step.
Scarlett followed.
Lyannis appeared.
Rai'kanna broke another line.
The field around us was fragmenting more and more.
His aura was still there.
But unstable.
Irregular.
Trying to hold.
But gradually failing.
"This is… different," Scarlett said.
"Yes."
My body responded better.
The reading was clearer.
The pressure no longer interfered like before.
Every movement was more precise.
More direct.
More efficient.
The general advanced with greater force, trying to reverse the flow.
But now…
It was too late.
I blocked.
Dodged.
Counterattacked.
A continuous sequence.
No openings.
No hesitation.
He stepped back again.
And this time…
It was visible.
The balance had shifted.
"So that was it," he said, breathing heavier for the first time.
I didn't answer.
I advanced.
The strike came stronger.
The blade cut through the air with precision.
He tried to block.
He managed.
But not completely.
The impact went through.
A shallow cut.
But real.
The first.
Silence didn't come.
But the feeling…
Did.
Confirmation.
He could be hit.
Scarlett noticed. "You hit him."
"Yes."
Rai'kanna laughed from afar. "Now we're talking!"
Lyannis smiled. "Now it's over."
Liriel kept her focus. "Not yet."
Elara added. "But it's close."
Vespera observed. "You can't make a mistake now."
I wouldn't.
The general adjusted his stance.
More serious.
More focused.
But different.
Now…
He was under pressure too.
I took a deep breath.
The armor's energy flowed steadily.
No loss.
No instability.
Everything aligned.
I looked straight at him.
And advanced again.
Because in that moment…
The fight had turned.
And this time…
There was no more room to retreat.