Kira caught an impression of scorching gold where its eyes should be. The rest of the face’s details indistinct and hazy. As if her brain refused to focus.
The Osiri's voice was something out of a nightmare. "You will die painfully, screaming for your end."
Kira's ears buzzed from the assault. "Pallas."
He flicked her a glance, a grim understanding there.
Seeing it, Kira reached for her primus. It slammed into her consciousness, flooding her body with power and strength she'd desperately need.
Pallas tossed his sword in the air. Kira grabbed it, stabbing it into the Osiri's center.
The Osiri grabbed its length, using the blade to haul Kira closer as it lowered its face to hers. "You waste your time. I am eternal life. Unending. Undying."
"Haven't you ever wondered why they call me the Phoenix?" Kira snarled.
Flames started to lick along Pallas’s blade. Orange and yellow with hints of blue at their center.
The origin of her namesake channeled down Pallas's sword. It wasn't the best medium, but for her purposes it would do.
Kira shoved her power down its length.
In this place where her natural connection with her soul's breath was severed, it wasn't easy. It took chunks of herself. Bits and pieces, gladly sacrificed.
If this was what it took to destroy this blight, she'd offer it willingly.
The Osiri shrieked, the sound awful and penetrating. Like taking razorblades to her ear.
It wasn’t going to be enough, Kira realized. He was going to win.
Child.
Kira faltered, her consciousness suddenly in the pool below. Eyes flashed in her mind.
If she concentrated, she could make out the dim form of a coiled lu-ong crouched in the depths. Scales missing along its length. Open wounds that bled into the water around it.
Scars covered its snout and face.
Free me, child of a different era, it hissed with a touch of madness and a level of rage that was capable of toppling empires. You will not be able to destroy him by yourself.
"I don't know how."
The blessing does.
Suddenly, she was back in her body. The Osiri before her. Her flames still licking his body. Already weaker.
Off to the side, Raider was helping Elena out of the water. Thea was on the ground, her eyes lifeless. Pallas stood over her, his gaze on Kira and the Osiri.
Finn was fast fading from his wound on her other side.
In all that chaos, Lathan pacing out of the gloom along the edges of the room caught her attention. The only thing she could see in that moment. Lathan stopped on the edge of the walkway. Directly above the pool where the lu-ong was imprisoned. The lenacht was cradled in his arms as his eyes seemed to ask her a question.
"Do it," Kira ordered.
She didn’t know what was going to happen, but she didn’t really care. Nothing could be worse than what would transpire if they didn’t take this chance.
Lathan smiled and opened his arms, letting the lenacht fall. It dove into the water with a splash.
Kira’s ears popped as pure ki swept into the room, the pressure squeezing her body. A torrent of sound followed it. The roar of a beast finally finding its freedom.
