"…Spatial displacement," she said to herself. "No… severance."
Kael lifted his blade, pointing it directly at her.
"I am your opponent," he said.
Behind him, Yumi gasped weakly, her beast form shrinking slightly as she stared at his back.
"…Kael," she whispered. "Why—"
"Stay back," he said without turning. "You've done enough."
The Saber slowly lowered her sword, crimson eyes glowing brighter as she studied him fully as a warrior.
"That technique," she said quietly, "was not human."
Kael didn't answer.
Mana continued to surge around him, unstable and violent, dark essence and astral force grinding together inside his body like colliding stars.
The Saber took a step forward.
"So be it," she said. "If you wish to stand where she stood—"
Her sword lifted once more.
"—then you will fall in her place."
Kael tightened his grip, feet bracing against the cracked stone floor.
His heart thundered.
His body screamed.
But his gaze never wavered.
