A wave of Mana pulsed outward from Ayu, raw energy crackling through the air as her Core stirred awake. The ground beneath her feet trembled, and faint arcs of light danced across her skin, brilliant and untamed.
"Shit! She's about to awaken, Mon!" Melisa shouted, urgency sharp in her voice. "Cast a barrier, now! We need to protect her!"
Without hesitation, Moona raised her hands, chanting a quick incantation. A shimmering dome of energy surged into existence around Ayu, shielding her from the chaos erupting around them.
The Enchanted Gun in Melisa's grip thrummed with power, responding to the rising tension. Its runes glowed faintly, sensing danger, ready to fire at the first sign of a threat.
The shadows surrounding them writhed violently, no longer passive. They surged forward like a living tide, their movements twisted and erratic, driven by one intent: to stop Ayu's awakening.
