---
A shallow stab along Kai's right bicep that numbed his fingers for a heartbeat. A grazing cut across his jaw that drew a thin, hot line of blood. A glancing blow to his side that set his ribs blazing again.
[Ding! System notification-
HP: 3280 → 3040 → 2790.
Aura: 5020 → 4580.
Apex Plus aura drain: ongoing. Estimated safe duration at current output: 00:11:30.]
Eleven minutes.
Plenty of time to die.
Not unlimited time to win.
Vorak shifted again.
He stepped back, just outside Kai's optimal range, spear grounded lightly, point angled toward the sand.
For a moment, Kai thought he was taking a breath.
Then the air changed.
It thickened, just slightly, like the space inside the circle had been pulled tighter. The hair along Kai's arms prickled.
The system chimed.
[System Alert: battlefield field skill activation detected.
Designation (approximate): Formation Echo.
