This time it didn't melt.
It surged with demonic energy and wrapped around his wrist, yanking him off his feet. The chimera swung him like a weapon and smashed him into the floor. Stone cracked. Dust exploded everywhere.
Asher pushed himself up, rubbing his neck.
"…Ow. Okay. That one hurt."
The creature didn't let up. It blinked behind him, but Asher predicted it this time. He spun and drove a blood-powered kick into the chimera's leg. The metal cracked—only for the void energy to seal the damage instantly.
It attacked faster.
Asher attacked harder.
Their fight turned into a storm: punches, kicks, claws, blades, void bursts, blood waves. Every second was a near kill-shot. The creature's learning speed was breaking past natural limits. It improved mid-strike, mid-dodge, mid-block.
Asher felt the pressure building in his arms and legs. Every block sent tremors through his bones. Every clash forced him to use more of his blood power.
