Kayle leveled his blade.
"If that's the case, then I won't back down."
The sound of his sword leaving its sheath was sharp. He surged, unlike Kael's chaotic dark energy.
His mana flowed so smoothly that it seemed like his very body was the embodiment of discipline.
Kael gritted his teeth, gripping his shadowed tungsten sword with trembling hands.
The red glow in his eyes flickered as he rushed forward. With a roar, he swung the heavy blade, sending out another wave of shadow.
Kayle barely moved. He stepped forward with perfect precision.
The single strike of his polished blade sliced cleanly through Kael's attack, dispersing the dark energy like mist against the morning sun.
"What…?!" Kael's eyes widened.
Kayle was already upon him. With one clean motion, his blade struck Kael's side. Blood splattered as Kael was thrown back, his body tumbling across the ground.
"Too slow," Kayle said, his voice calm.
"Raw power without discipline is nothing."
