The heat amplified.
Immediately.
Arkarion didn't charge. He exploded forward, his body trailing flame, fist raised. Leon moved—barely—using Echo Delay to stagger the attack vector and redirect momentum.
The two clashed.
And the ground cracked.
Leon's blade glowed red-hot in seconds. His boots melted on impact with the floor.
Still, he fought back, using Karmic Loop to reflect thermal pressure and reduce internal buildup.
But Arkarion was relentless.
He attacked without pause—no technique, just molten speed and overwhelming heat. The air itself ignited where his fists passed.
Leon coughed—his lips were dry, his armor searing his skin beneath.
Four minutes passed.
Roman's voice came through. "Leon—your core temperature is rising past safety! You have to back out!"
But Leon wasn't listening anymore.
He wasn't just fighting Arkarion.
He was fighting the element itself.
Leon pulled deep from his reserves.
