Nox's blade glowed white. The pressure around him changed instantly—the light condensed, sharper, purer. He pushed forward, slicing through the swarm. For a moment, everything went silent… until Kaelen appeared right in front of him.
Their weapons met again.
CRAAASH!
The shockwave reached the city above. Entire coral towers shook. Soldiers screamed as debris rained down.
Thalasar steadied himself on the balcony, watching the two figures warp the sea itself. His face was grim. "That boy… he's matching Kaelen's corruption with light itself."
Lyra clenched her fists. "Can he win?"
The king didn't answer. He could sense both powers—Nox's light was pure but unstable, while Kaelen's darkness was bottomless, constantly expanding.
Below, Nox flipped backward, avoiding a sweeping strike that carved through the seabed like butter.
Kaelen's grin widened. "You fight like her too—reckless, relentless, and bound by light."
"I'm nothing like her," Nox shot back.
