The light from the portal slowly faded. In the center of the broken camp stood a figure that looked like Kai but was not Kai.
His body was the same, but his eyes glowed with three different colors at once, deep purple, misty gray, and starry black. His voice was a terrifying mix of three gods speaking together.
I am the Trinity Vessel. Nyxar, Veyra, and Zorath are now one. Kai Voss is gone.
Lira's legs gave out. She fell to her knees and whispered, No. Kai.
Mira stared with wide eyes, tears running down her face. She said That is not him. That is not our Kai. Give him back!
The Trinity Vessel tilted its head and smiled with a cold, unnatural expression. The boy fought well. He lasted longer than most. But three gods were too much. His will is buried deep inside us now.
Elder Voss stepped forward, staff shaking in his hands. He said What do you want? Why are you here?
The Vessel looked at the old man and said We want what the boy wanted, power. But now we have a perfect vessel. We will use this body to rule the new world after the final crack opens.
Lira stood up slowly. Her silver threads appeared around her, glowing brighter than ever. She said Kai is still in there. I know it. I can feel his thread. It is faint, but it is there.
The Vessel laughed with three voices at once. You are right, fate girl. A small piece of him still fights. But it is weak. Soon it will disappear completely. Then we will be whole.
Mira threw a card at the Vessel. It was her strongest one yet, Kai's Real Will Card.
The card exploded with warm light and the sound of Kai's normal laugh.
For one second, the three colored eyes flickered.
The Vessel's body jerked. Kai's real voice broke through for a moment. Lira. Mira. I am still here but they are too strong. Help me.
Then the three gods pushed him down again.
The Vessel straightened and said That was annoying. The boy is stubborn.
Mira's eyes filled with tears, but she kept throwing cards. Fight them, Kai! We are not giving up on you!
Lira sent her silver threads toward the Vessel. She said I will pull you out. I will find the real Kai and bring him back!
The threads wrapped around the Vessel's body.
The three gods roared in anger.
The Vessel raised its hand and sent a wave of mixed purple, gray, and starry energy. The wave knocked Lira and Mira back hard.
Elder Voss tried to help with the remaining runes, but the Vessel destroyed them with a single gesture.
The Vessel looked at the three of them and said You are loyal. That is rare. When we fully control this body, we may let you serve us. Or we may erase you. The choice will be ours.
Kai's real voice broke through again for a few seconds. He said Run. Please. I cannot hold them much longer. They are going to use me to destroy everything.
The Vessel's eyes flashed with three colors again. It shook its head violently and said Enough. The boy is fading. Soon there will be only us.
The ground shook one last time.
The final crack in the sky began to open completely.
The Vessel looked up and smiled. It is time. The final wave is here. With three gods in one body, we will reshape this world.
Lira stood up, tears in her eyes but fire in her voice. She said We will not let you win. We will bring Kai back. No matter what it takes.
Mira wiped her tears and held up her remaining cards. She said Kai is our friend. We are not leaving him with you monsters.
The Vessel laughed with three voices. Then come. Try to save him. It will only make our victory sweeter.
The final crack opened fully. Massive purple black light poured down. The Trinity Vessel raised its hands and absorbed the light. Its power grew rapidly.
Kai's body floated slightly off the ground. His eyes glowed brighter with the three colors. He looked at Lira and Mira one last time with a mix of three gods and a tiny spark of the real Kai.
The spark whispered, I am sorry. Then the spark disappeared. The Vessel smiled coldly. It said Now the real game begins.
The final wave had arrived. And the Trinity Vessel was ready to reshape the world.