Chapter 39: Cirth's Hollow Crown
The storm of black flames scorched the battlefield into a smoldering scar of smoke and ash. Every footstep Joshua took left behind blackened sigils that pulsed with faint heat, burning brighter with his rage.
Cirth spun his jagged spear and unleashed a horizontal arc of red soul energy, ripping through the field like a crimson scythe. Joshua ducked, letting the blade glance past him—his coat tore open at the shoulder, but his eyes remained locked forward.
No retreat.
No fear.
Just the fire.
He countered with a soul strike cloaked in Black Flames, smashing it against Cirth's barrier, forcing the High Soulborne backward. The resulting shockwave shattered a line of trees behind them and launched smaller Veil operatives off their feet.
Leslie, Marie, Jim, and Cassandra fought off the remnants of the Veil's elite guard, struggling not to be pulled in by the gravitational war between Joshua and Cirth.
Karen, panting and dirt-streaked, watched as her mentor fought with godlike fury. "That's not just a domain," she whispered. "That's… wrath."
Sia remained nearby, Silver Waves swirling like moonlight around her, slashing down incoming enemies who dared approach. Her gaze, however, stayed fixed on the battle. "Even among the Master Soulbornes… this power is rare."
Cassandra dropped a Veil soldier with a spin kick laced with aura and muttered, "I've never seen Joshua like this."
And then the tide turned—again.
Cirth's spear rang, shifting tones. The air pulsed unnaturally. Black fire coiled around it, then abruptly scattered.
Joshua's strike missed.
His Black Flames rippled—then bent away from Cirth.
The High Soulborne's body exhaled a shadowy mist as his aura condensed tighter, sharper. A crown of crimson thorns shimmered around his head—illusory, regal, and malevolent. The temperature plummeted.
"Oh no," Marie whispered.
"He's activating his True Domain," Sia said tightly.
Cirth the Black King raised his hand and twisted it. The battlefield dimmed. A throne of bone and rusted steel erupted behind him, summoned from the depths of his soul. The trees around them shriveled. The soul pressure in the air crushed down like an invisible hammer.
"Since you've played your card," Cirth said slowly, "I suppose I should return the favor."
Joshua flared his Black Flames again, anchoring himself. "Do it."
Cirth's voice was layered with echoes. "Domain: Hollow Crown."
The field was engulfed in red fog laced with whispers. The ground broke apart, revealing hollowed-out skeletons reaching skyward. The world twisted, becoming his—his realm, his rules.
The Chasm between High and Master Soulborne was laid bare.
Joshua gritted his teeth as the Hollow Crown tried to suppress his flames. Every movement grew heavier. Each breath burned. His Black Flames flickered under the pressure.
Karen clutched her arm. "He's losing ground…"
Joshua knelt, one palm pressed against the ashen earth, soul energy bleeding from his fingers. "Not yet," he whispered.
Not yet.
And then, deep inside the Hollow Crown, his eyes snapped open again.
He stood.
One more step.