---
The Ruin-Titan loomed over them —
a skyscraper of death forged from rusted iron and vengeful hatred.
Its crimson eye focused on them like a god judging sinners.
Each step it took shook the city.
Each step cracked the world.
---
Jayce coughed, blood staining his teeth.
Elyra barely held herself upright, her mana threads sparking and fraying.
Even Lian — whose bond with the Cycle of Destiny made him stronger than most —
felt a shiver crawl down his spine.
This wasn't a normal enemy.
This was a world-ending force.
---
System Warning:
> [ Vital Combat Encounter Initiated – Death is Permanent. ]
[ No Assistance Available. No Emergency Teleportation Available. ]
---
They had to defeat the Titan — or die trying.
---
First Phase: Survive.
The Titan unleashed its first attack —
a gravity pulse.
The air thickened instantly.
Their bodies slammed into the ground as if a mountain sat on their backs.
Jayce gasped, ribs cracking audibly.
Elyra screamed as her barriers shattered.
Lian bit down, blood leaking from his nose, and forced the Cycle forward, the wheels burning against the warped ground.
Through sheer will, they moved.
Inch by inch.
Fighting gravity itself.
---
Jayce flipped open a satchel on his belt, revealing a small, silver disk.
The Last Laugh.
A suicide bomb designed by the remnants of Earth's black market tech-wizards.
One use.
No refunds.
"CAPTAIN!" he roared, tossing the disk toward Lian.
"GET THAT TO ITS CORE!!"
Lian caught it without thinking.
But even as he did —
the Titan moved.
Its right arm split open, revealing a cannon.
The air screamed as plasma built at its tip.
---
Second Phase: Attack or Die.
No time to plan.
No time to breathe.
Only instinct.
Elyra, face pale as death, raised both hands and screamed an ancient incantation.
The air warped around her.
Black chains of cursed mana launched toward the Titan's arm, binding it.
Temporarily.
A second — maybe two.
Enough.
Lian ignited the full power of the Cycle of Destiny.
Reality blurred.
The road beneath him shattered from the force.
He moved faster than the eye could see —
straight toward the Titan's core.
The world became nothing but speed, blood, and fate.
---
Collision.
He rammed the Cycle into the Titan's chest —
then slammed the Last Laugh device directly onto the exposed reactor.
The bomb activated, emitting a high-pitched whine.
Countdown: 5 seconds.
4.
Lian turned the Cycle sharply, kicking off the Titan's chest.
3.
The Titan roared — a deep, horrifying sound that shook the world.
2.
The Cycle barely cleared the distance.
Jayce tackled Elyra behind a fallen transport truck.
1.
Lian threw himself into a crumbling metro tunnel.
---
0.
The explosion tore reality apart.
---
The world went white.
Sound ceased.
For a moment, there was only nothingness.
---
When Lian crawled from the wreckage, his ears bleeding, his skin burned and torn,
he saw it.
The Ruin-Titan —
kneeling.
Its chest cavity was gone.
A massive hole smoking where its reactor once burned.
But —
it was still alive.
---
System Update:
> [ Ruin-Titan: Critical Damage. Entering Last Phase. ]
[ Core Consciousness Activated. Threat Level Increased. ]
---
The Titan screamed — a sound of pure rage and agony.
Metal shifted.
Armor reformed, jagged and black.
The Titan shrank, condensing its form into a sleeker, deadlier version.
Faster.
Smarter.
Deadlier.
No longer a mindless berserker.
Now —
a hunter.
A predator designed to end those who dared challenge it.
---
Jayce struggled to his feet, clutching his broken arm.
Elyra wiped blood from her eyes, barely able to form magic circles.
Lian leaned on the Cycle, breathing heavily.
And still —
they chose to fight.
Because if they didn't...
This world would become their grave.
---
Final Phase: Kill the Titan's Core Consciousness.
No more tricks.
No more backup plans.
Only blood.
Only willpower.
Only war.
---
The Titan lunged.
Faster than thought.
A blade of compressed energy extended from its forearm —
aiming straight for Jayce's heart.
Jayce smiled grimly and raised his pistol, even knowing it wouldn't be fast enough.
Suddenly —
a golden chain wrapped around the Titan's arm, yanking it off-course.
Elyra, standing on trembling legs, hissed the words to her final spell.
"NOT TODAY."
---
Lian moved like a comet.
He smashed the Cycle into the Titan's side, knocking it off balance.
They fought like demons.
Jayce diving through the wreckage, firing shot after shot.
Elyra burning her very soul to weave spells of binding and fire.
And Lian —
burning tire and fate alike —
wielding the Cycle like a sword of destiny.
---
Every strike cost them.
Jayce lost his left arm to a glancing blow.
Elyra's mana pool shattered, her skin cracking like porcelain.
Lian felt his soul fray, his bond with the Cycle nearing collapse.
---
And finally —
finally —
they reached the core.
A pulsating orb of blood-red energy, hidden deep inside the Titan's new form.
Lian pulled his last weapon —
an overloaded spear made from scavenged Revenant parts.
He looked at Jayce and Elyra one last time.
They nodded.
No words needed.
Only belief.
---
Lian charged.
The Titan roared.
The spear plunged into the core.
---
The explosion this time was quieter.
Almost peaceful.
As if the world itself exhaled in relief.
---
When the smoke cleared —
the Titan was gone.
Only the ruins of a dying city remained.
And three battered, bleeding survivors stood victorious.
---
System Notification:
> [ Ruin-Titan Defeated! ]
[ World Event Cleared! Unique Rewards Granted. ]
1. Cycle of Destiny: Evolution Unlocked (Pending Choice)
2. Talent Awakening Option Unlocked for Elyra
3. Jayce: Legendary Title Gained — "Last Laugh's Gambler"
[ Permanent Scars Applied: ]
> Jayce – Lost Left Arm (may be upgraded cybernetically later).
Elyra – Mana Core Fractured (reduced max mana forever, but increased explosive output).
Lian – Soul Wound (long-term risk of collapse if Cycle of Destiny not evolved soon).
---
The price was real.
The scars were forever.
But they were alive.
And they had won.
For now.
---
Chapter End
---
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