The dart—a needle of spinning frost crystal wrapped in silver filament—stabbed into the golem's mirrored spine. Frost bloomed instantly, creeping across its torso like winter devouring a pond. The Echo froze mid‑step, half a sneer stuck on its warped mask.
Rodion's HUD super‑imposed a timer: 1.8 s freeze window.
He darted right to set up a follow‑through strike—but the freeze shattered too early. The spine lit inside, veins of ruby glow racing through the mirrored plates. Frost cracked, then flashed to steam. Bits of ice pinged off Rodion's chest like hail‑shot.
Behind his view, Mikhailis's fingers tightened on the sofa arm. "Rodion! This isn't a random monster—this is a version of you that thinks you failed."
