Frederick was the first to move. His boots struck the arena floor with a crack of energy, mana flaring around him like golden fire.
His partner followed close behind, both charging with speed.
"Let's see what you've got," Frederick called, his lips curling into a confident grin.
With a sweep of his hand, the air shimmered before him, forming a translucent echo, a duplicate of himself, made of pure light.
The echo flickered once, then split apart, its shape distorting and twisting until it was no longer human.
Its limbs stretched unnaturally, fingers curving into claws. In seconds, the figure had transformed into a hulking creature with a long, barbed tail dripping venom.
The monster let out a shrill roar and lunged towards Arlo.
Arlo didn't flinch. His body shifted just enough that the stinger passed by his shoulder, but it was close enough that he could feel the wind from it.
