The forest trembled as Kairo's Limitless Spears erupted, shards of bone shooting from every part of the terrain in precise, deadly arcs. Monsters fell in waves, the kill count jumping instantly.
Lily, separated from her brother Sukai as he navigated a different path through the forest, suddenly felt the air shift. Sparks of uncontrolled fire flickered around her hands, but her instincts screamed danger from every direction.
Before she could react, the spears pierced the ground and air around her. She froze, unable to dodge, her heart hammering in panic. Then, as if the forest itself had remembered her presence, the spears halted—forming a protective cage rather than striking. They moved in perfect sync with Kairo's will, capturing her without harm.
Riven spotted her from nearby, eyes widening. "Lily!" he shouted, rushing forward, but Kairo's bone constructs held her safely in place.
Kairo's crimson eyes glinted as he released a faint pulse of mana through the spears, stabilizing her and calming her fear. "You're safe. Don't panic," he said, voice low and steady.
Lily's fire flared weakly, then settled as she realized she wasn't being attacked. Her breath came in shaky bursts.
"…You… you saved me?" she whispered.
Riven reached her side, still wide-eyed. "He controlled it… the spears… they didn't touch her."
Kairo knelt slightly, letting the spears dissolve around her. "Focus on survival. That's more important than power right now. Stay close to us."
For the first time, Lily truly understood the depth of Kairo's technique—not just as a weapon, but as a tool that could protect as well as destroy.
Riven shook his head, still processing. "That's insane… every part of the forest… controlled at once."
Kairo's crimson eyes swept the remaining forest. "This is only the beginning. Stay alert."
Lily nodded, a mix of awe and determination on her face. Though separated from Sukai, she was now back with Kairo and Riven—and the Limitless Spears had made it clear: in this forest, survival depended on precision, instinct, and the bond between allies.