The Forsaken Flame erupted from Azrael's body like a supernova contained within mortal flesh. Silver-black fire streamed in torrents that defied every law of physics, reaching toward the fractured sky where the Goddess's projection blazed with divine radiance. Where the two powers met, reality screamed and bent, creating pockets of warped space-time that made the air itself weep.

But this wasn't the chaotic destruction from earlier battles. The fire was controlled now, focused by the ...