Brutality

The Queen's tentacle was a massive, seemingly indestructible force, covered in thick, scale-like armor that glistened with a dark, otherworldly sheen. The texture was unlike any flesh I'd encountered, hardened as though it had been tempered in the fires of some ancient abyss. "It took an entire arsenal of tungsten rods to pierce the First Born's flesh," I said, my gaze fixed on the monstrous appendage. "But this thing… it's far more resilient than any First Born."

Tao Yang stepped forward, unflinching as she drew the scimitar gifted to her by the Blue Sun. The blade was pure Soulsteel, radiant with a subtle glow that seemed to drink in the darkness around it. There was a quiet, deadly resolve in her stance, and though her Qi was almost imperceptible, the power radiating from her was unmistakable.

"Have you recovered your cultivation?" I asked, a hint of surprise in my voice.