The Hollow God let out a shriek that shattered tree trunks and drew blood from the ears. The ground cracked under its weightless body. It wasn't matter — it was memory. Pain, bound into shape.
Tianming felt himself slipping. The Heavenbreaker had taken control — his arms moved like extensions of something older. His heart pounded not from fear, but from borrowed wrath.
Mei knelt behind him, forming a seal of binding with blood and breath. "Hurry," she gasped. "I can't hold its mind out much longer!"
The sky turned violet. The world dimmed.
Tianming lunged, sword blazing, and struck the Hollow God's heart — if it had one — where the oldest eye blinked slow and red.
Time stopped.
And then…
Silence.
The creature's form shattered into black dust. Its cry echoed into nothingness. But Tianming didn't fall back victorious.
He collapsed — the blade clattering beside him.
Mei rushed to him. His eyes were half-open, lips barely moving.
"I sealed it," he whispered. "But it took something."
She looked at him — truly looked — and gasped.
His reflection in the broken blade showed no eyes.
"It took your sight…" she whispered.
He smiled faintly. "Then I
'll learn to see differently."