The chamber rippled with overwhelming energy as Kalen faced the old man, his Voidflame roaring to life in his palm. The nexus crystal hummed in his grip, its power flowing through him like a torrent, but even with this newfound strength, the air around the old man was oppressive, ancient, and filled with dread.

The old man’s cold smile remained unchanged as he slowly raised a hand, twisting his fingers through the air. Shadows leaped to life from the stone walls, crawling toward Kalen like serpents, their essence a mixture of darkness and something deeper—something unearthly.

"You’ve been a quick learner, Kalen," the old man said, his voice calm, almost casual. "But you’ve only begun to scratch the surface of what true power is. I’ve seen many like you—defiant, ambitious, willing to bite the hand that feeds them. None of them succeeded."

Kalen’s heart pounded in his chest, but his resolve remained unshaken. "I’ll be the first, then."

Without another word, Kalen launched himself forward, Voidflame surging in his hand. He unleashed a torrent of fire, ice, and abyssal energy in a single stroke, each element perfectly intertwined, a chaotic blend of power aimed directly at the old man’s heart.

But the old man simply flicked his wrist, and the Voidflame was swallowed by the shadows. The darkness twisted and churned, reshaping itself into monstrous forms that lunged at Kalen with claws and fangs made of pure night.

Kalen spun away, summoning a shield of frozen flame to block their attack. The shadow beasts hissed as they collided with the fiery barrier, but their force still sent him skidding back.

"Even your Voidflame can’t burn away my shadows," the old man said, his voice mocking. "Do you see now? You’re still a child in this world."

Kalen gritted his teeth, refusing to be cowed. His mind raced as he dodged another wave of attacks. The shadows were too powerful to destroy head-on, but there had to be a way to break the old man’s control over them.

The nexus crystal pulsed in his hand, its power resonating with his own. An idea sparked in Kalen’s mind—if he couldn’t overpower the shadows, he could outmaneuver them.

As another shadow beast lunged toward him, Kalen activated the nexus crystal. In an instant, the world blurred around him, and he reappeared behind the old man, his hand already raised to strike.

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But the old man was ready.

Without even turning around, the old man extended a hand, and the shadows reacted instantly, forming a shield around him that absorbed Kalen’s attack. The impact sent a shockwave through the chamber, but the old man didn’t flinch.

"You think teleportation will save you?" the old man sneered, finally turning to face Kalen fully. "You’re a talented young man, but you still lack the wisdom that comes with age. Power without control is nothing more than a sword that cuts its wielder."

Kalen’s mind raced, searching for an opening. The old man was toying with him, keeping him at bay with ease. He was far beyond anything Kalen had faced before.

But that didn’t mean he was invincible.

Drawing upon every lesson he had learned, Kalen steadied his breath and let his Voidflame calm. The key wasn’t in overwhelming the old man with brute force, but in finding the flaw in his control—just as he had with the runes.

He had to focus.

The old man’s eyes narrowed, sensing Kalen’s change in demeanor. "Giving up already? How disappointing."

Kalen said nothing, his gaze locked onto the shadows. He watched them carefully, how they responded to the old man’s every movement. They were an extension of his will, but they weren’t perfect. There was a lag, a slight hesitation when the old man shifted his attention. That was the flaw Kalen needed.

The shadows lunged again, and this time, Kalen didn’t retreat. He stood firm, channeling his Voidflame into his body, letting the energy flow through him like a river. When the shadows were only inches away, he moved—faster than before, faster than even the old man had anticipated.

With a flash of the nexus crystal, Kalen teleported not behind the old man, but above him. The shadows hesitated, caught off guard by the sudden shift in position. In that split second, Kalen unleashed a concentrated blast of Voidflame, not at the old man, but at the ground beneath him.

The chamber shook violently as the Voidflame erupted, shattering the stone floor and sending debris flying in all directions. The shadows faltered, and for the first time, the old man’s expression shifted—just slightly—but enough for Kalen to see it.

Surprise.

Kalen pressed the attack, teleporting again and again, striking from every angle, his movements erratic and unpredictable. The old man’s shadows struggled to keep up, and for the first time, Kalen felt the balance of power shift in his favor.

But it wasn’t enough. The old man was still too strong, too experienced. Kalen could see the strain on his face, but the shadows weren’t breaking.

Then, in a flash of insight, Kalen realized the truth. The shadows weren’t just a manifestation of the old man’s power—they were bound to him. If he could sever that connection...

Kalen didn’t hesitate. He teleported once more, this time directly in front of the old man. Before the shadows could react, Kalen drove the nexus crystal into the old man’s chest.

The old man’s eyes widened in shock as the crystal pierced through him, its power severing the bond between him and the shadows in an instant. The shadow beasts dissolved into nothingness, and the oppressive weight in the chamber lifted.

The old man staggered back, clutching his chest, his face contorted in disbelief and rage. "You... you dare..."

Kalen stood tall, his Voidflame flickering around him, now fully in control. "I told you. I’m no one’s puppet."

With a final surge of power, Kalen unleashed a wave of frozen flame, engulfing the old man. The chamber shook as the fire and ice consumed him, his screams echoing through the stone walls.

When the flames finally died down, the old man was gone, nothing but ashes remaining.

Kalen stood there, breathing heavily, the nexus crystal still glowing in his hand. He had won—but at what cost?

Sorin rushed into the chamber, his eyes wide with alarm. "Kalen! What happened?"

Kalen looked down at the ashes, his heart heavy. "We’re free," he said quietly. "But it’s not over. Not yet."

They had escaped the old man’s grasp, but the Higher Realms still held countless dangers—and Kalen knew their journey was far from finished.