Nyxa answered without looking away. "It already finished changing."
The creature suddenly moved.
Not fast. Precise.
It swatted a shield aside with frightening ease. The impact knocked the warrior off balance but didn't break formation. Two Ventaran fighters responded instantly, forcing it back with compressed air strikes.
"Ren," Ervin said, calm but firm. "Test it. Not deep."
Ren stepped forward.
No flashy move. No rush.
He sent his shadow forward in a narrow line, aiming low. The shadow didn't wrap or grab. It cut across the creature's ankle like pressure made solid. The joint buckled.
The creature reacted immediately, twisting, countering with its good arm.
Ren was already moving back.
"Again," Ervin said. "But change angle."
Ren adjusted. This time the shadow split—one feint high, one real strike behind the knee. The creature staggered.
"Good," someone muttered behind him.
But Ren felt something strange.
