The fracture didn't disappear.
That was the difference.
Every other time they had damaged something like this, it either collapsed instantly or reformed like nothing happened. But this—this stayed.
Jovian saw it clearly.
"Focus there," he said.
Vital Mirage didn't hesitate.
The figure reacted immediately, shifting its position to guard the damaged area. That alone confirmed it.
It knew.
Alaric stepped in, Golden Cavalier pressing forward with steady force, keeping the figure locked in place.
Iggy followed with a burst of heat, not aiming to destroy, but to force movement. To create pressure.
Lucien moved through that pressure like it didn't exist, Midnight Sontana striking again—this time not at the fracture, but just beside it.
The figure turned to respond.
That was the opening.
Jovian moved.
Vital Mirage struck directly at the crack.
The impact hit harder than anything before.
The fracture spread.
A sharp, splitting sound cut through the air as part of the figure's form broke apart—not completely, but enough to disrupt its structure.
It staggered back.
For the first time—it lost control.
"Now!" Jovian shouted.
They all moved at once.
Golden Cavalier held it in place. Phantom Ember overwhelmed it with heat. Midnight Sontana struck with precision.
Vital Mirage finished it.
The final blow landed clean.
The figure froze—
Then shattered.
Not slowly. Not partially.
Completely.
The pieces didn't fall. They dissolved, fading into nothing like they had never existed.
Silence followed.
Real silence this time.
Jovian exhaled slowly, lowering his arm.
"…That's one," Iggy said.
Lucien didn't relax. "…Not the last."
Alaric nodded. "If anything, that was just preparation."
Jovian looked down at the ground where it had stood.
"…Yeah," he said quietly.
"He's getting closer."