The fused knight moved.
Wind shrieked as it tore across the field—no time to think. Kaius barely reacted, a blast of air erupting at his feet as he launched himself backward.
But Hunter was slower.
A blade swept through him in a blur. His body split clean down the middle.
The knight stopped.
Blood dripped from one of its swords, tapping the dirt with slow, steady beats. Its hollow helm turned toward Kaius next.
Ash froze. His breath caught.
Too fast. That thing wasn't like this before.
The knight took a step.
"[Skill: Phantom's Stride]"
Ash vanished.
In the next blink, Kaius stood far from where he'd been, wind swirling around his legs, chest heaving from the sudden shift. He blinked again, trying to understand.
Ash stood in front of him.
"You've got two choices."
His was voice cold.
"Leave like your short friend… or stay and die like the rest."
Kaius stared at the knight.
At the bodies.
At the blood.
His fists clenched.
"They were my team. I owe them that much."
