The armored behemoth stepped into the arena with a sound like mountains grinding together. Its blackened plates were jagged and uneven, each etched with runes that glowed faintly crimson. The ground trembled under its weight, cracks radiating outward with every step.
Kaelen's chest tightened—not from fear alone, but from the Abyss inside him reacting violently. His pulse hammered in sync with the creature's heavy footfalls, as if their essences recognized each other.
The Veilmaster's voice cut through the tension. "This is no mere shadow, Keeper. This is memory given form—a weapon forged from the death of kings."
The colossus moved with impossible speed, swinging a great blade that carved the air itself. Kaelen leapt aside just in time, but the shockwave still slammed into him, sending him skidding across the arena's black glass.
Pain flared in his shoulder. Too slow…
The Abyss's voice rose inside him, urgent and fierce: You cannot beat it as you are. Let me guide your hand.
Kaelen gritted his teeth, then allowed a fraction more of the darkness through. His vision sharpened, the world slowing to a crawl. His veins pulsed with heat and cold at once, and when he gripped his sword, tendrils of violet flame coiled up the blade, forming jagged patterns like living lightning.
He dashed forward, slipping between the giant's massive strides, striking at the gaps in its armor. Each blow tore away chunks of shadow, revealing molten crimson beneath—but every wound sealed within moments.
The Veilmaster laughed, the sound echoing like iron chains dragged across stone. "Yes! Show me the creature you were meant to be!"
The colossus's blade came down again, shattering part of the arena. Kaelen barely caught the strike on his sword, but the impact drove him to one knee. The Abyss surged fully then, its power flooding his body—his skin darkened, his eyes burned violet, and claw-like patterns formed along his arms.
The behemoth leaned close, molten breath washing over him. Kaelen met its eyeless helm with a snarl.
"If you want me to break," he growled, "you'll have to kill me first."
And then… the arena began to fall apart.
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