Pshh!
There was no earth-shattering explosion, only a dull, heart-stopping sound of flesh tearing.
The fluorescent green beam pierced the Fire-stealer's throat as precisely and completely as a red-hot iron plunging into snow!
Time seemed to freeze.
The Fire-stealer's struggles stopped abruptly.
A ragged, wheezing sound escaped his throat.
Thick blood that shimmered like shards of eerie Memoria gushed from the two ghastly wounds at the front and back of his neck.
It was not the blood of a human or a Chrysos Heir. It looked more like corrupted energy made tangible.
"Urgh... cough..."
The dark glow on the twisted greatsword and crescent dagger in his hands flickered like candles in the wind.
The terrifying force pinning down Phainon and Mydei vanished in an instant.
"Now! Crush him!"
Mydei roared. Crimson blood energy erupted from him once more, and the Spear of Heavenly Punishment blazed brighter than ever as he drove it down.
Phainon understood at once. His golden-flamed greatsword followed, carrying the unwavering resolve of dawn breaking!
BOOM!
With his strength gone and a grievous wound in his throat, the Fire-stealer could no longer withstand their combined, mountain-crushing force.
His crossed arms were blasted apart. The twisted greatsword flew from his grip, spun through the air, and buried itself in the distant ruins.
The crescent dagger slipped from his limp hand and stuck in the cracked ground with a faint hum.
His hulking body toppled backward like a felled tree and slammed against the edge of the deep trench he had carved, sending dust billowing into the air.
He lay there, convulsing violently, glittering fragments still pouring from the wound in his throat.
His black-flame eyes stared at the gray sky. Their light faded rapidly, filled with disbelief, anger, and a trace of... indescribable confusion.
He tried to raise