(Planet Juxta, The Sky Above, Charles's POV)
For twenty grueling minutes, Charles held his ground against a probing Raymond, the Demi-God's every strike carrying both weight and calculation as he tested the depth of Charles's true strength.
*CLANG* *CLANG* *PUSH*
Steel rang and sparks scattered as Charles relied on his Intent Mastery to slip his blade into the exact line of each incoming blow, turning aside strikes that could have cleaved mountains in two into successful blocks.
Yet the longer the duel stretched, the more the toll showed.
Every clash carved a fraction deeper into his flesh, each shock reverberating down to the bone, leaving his arms trembling and his shoulders screaming beneath the crushing pressure of Raymond's wrath.
*Drip*
*Drop*
Blood trailed across his tunic in thick crimson lines, dark against the military cameo fabric, soaking into his palms before dripping down his sword.
