The standoff continued for several long moments, with Xùyán pinned by the dark spear while Grim struggled against the corruption's growing influence.
The enlarged fox paced impatiently, its predatory instincts demanding immediate action.
"You can't fight what you are forever," Xùyán said through gritted teeth, the draining spear making speech difficult. "The dark mana doesn't just give power. It reveals the truth about a person. And the truth is that you're a killer, just like me."
"I'm nothing like you," Grim replied, though his voice lacked conviction.
"Aren't you?" Xùyán pressed, sensing weakness in his opponent's resolve. "How many have you killed to reach this point? How many obstacles have you removed without a second thought?"
The words hit home, bringing memories back of killing people in the arena, slaughtering elves, and even framing a family for treason.
The dark mana fed on these memories, using them to erode his resistance.
