"Begin!"
Garrett exploded forward.
Body enhancement turned his first step into a crater, propelling him across the distance in a blur of blue-coated muscle and raw momentum.
His fist came in like a battering ram aimed at Caleb's head.
Fire erupted from Caleb's feet like a detonation. And.
He wasn't there anymore.
Garrett's fist hit empty air so hard the displaced wind cracked like thunder. He pivoted immediately, essence-enhanced reflexes tracking movement.
Caleb had appeared ten feet away, fire still dissipating from his exit point. His expression remained unchanged. Lazy eyes. Relaxed posture.
But he wasn't standing still. He was already moving.
He launched three flame arrows mid-motion. At different angles, cutting off Garrett's approach vectors.
Garrett charged straight through. His essence coating flared, absorbing the fire. Smoke rose from his arms but he didn't slow.
Caleb vanished in flame again.
Garrett skidded to a stop, scanning.
Above.
