Kael's voice came, muffled beneath the mask.
"No… it amplifies me."
The slime burst.
Chains shattered.
Tendrils exploded outward, two of them grabbing Eiden mid-swing.
Kael activated Mana Shield again as he surged forward—face bloodied, tendrils burning.
He didn't swing like a swordsman—he swung like a butcher.
His katana crashed against Eiden's shoulder.
Bone cracked. Eiden screamed, glyphs flickering.
Kael didn't relent.
Tendrils pinned Eiden's legs.
He plunged his blade forward—but Eiden twisted just enough to avoid a killing blow.
The noble's bloodline flared again, body glowing gold, and he released a shockwave spell, blasting Kael off him.
Both men staggered back, panting, bloodied.
Eiden wiped blood from his eye, snarling.
Kael stood with his chest heaving, katana coated in black and red.
The clearing looked like hell—craters, blood, pulsing slime trails. The trees were broken silhouettes against a night sky smeared with smoke.
They weren't done yet.
