Aris didn't hesitate.
She tapped her baton, shifted it into harmonic pulse mode, and called out, "Kael! Suppress its copy-sync!"
Kael launched a pulse disruptor—tuned off-beat. It hit the Hollow's back, breaking its rhythm cycle for one moment.
That was all Aris needed.
She struck true—right into the swirling chest where its heart should be.
A crack formed.
The Hollow Refrain reeled, its tempo faltering.
For the first time—it screamed.
Not a sound.
A burst of silence.
A concussive silence that exploded outward, flattening the entire avenue and slamming Aris, Leon, Kael, and Roselia into the ground.
They groaned, struggling to rise.
The Hollow stood tall again—chest glowing brighter now.
Kael whispered, "It learned from that. It's evolving mid-battle."
Roselia growled, "Then we have to end this now—before it becomes impossible."
Aris stood, blood on her lip, eyes burning.
"Leon," she said. "We're combining."
Leon blinked. "The Twin Pulse?"
