Marcus immediately deployed shadows, trying to blanket the arena, create zones of darkness where he held advantage, but Damien didn't let him.
Fire essence ignited around his hands, that burned through shadows before they could fully form.
Marcus tried to adapt, using shadows offensively, tendrils whipping forward...
But Damien burned through them systematically.
Each shadow attack met with precise fire that consumed it.
"Interesting tactical counter!" Professor Vash narrated. "Shadow manipulation requires darkness to function! Damien's fire provides constant illumination!"
Marcus was being forced into a bad matchup. His primary strength was being systematically neutralized.
He tried to close distance, use physical combat enhanced with shadow coating.
And Damien was ready.
A fire burst drove Marcus back, then a follow-up combination, flame arrows that Marcus barely deflected.
