Rayon stepped back from the thrashing dragon, letting his strings slacken.
"Enough," he said calmly, voice low, confident. "Show me yourself, human."
Golden light flickered across the cave as Nexus's massive body shimmered and contracted. Scales melted like shadows into her skin, claws shrinking, wings folding. In moments, she stood before him—tall, lithe, and impossibly graceful. Her hair fell like black silk over her shoulders, and her golden eyes burned with the same primal fire. Her presence was overwhelming, dangerous, and intoxicating.
Erethon chuckled darkly in Rayon's mind. "Well, well… you've got her right where you want. Careful, boy. She'll test you more than you know."
Rayon smirked. He walked toward her slowly, hands relaxed but ready. Every step radiated confidence. Every glance dared her to strike.
"You're beautiful," he murmured, voice low, teasing. "But don't think that'll save you."
Nexus bristled, golden eyes narrowing. Her lips curled into a sly smile. "Do you always talk this much before a fight?"
"Only when I know I've already won," he said, pressing her back against the cavern wall with ease. The air between them thickened, charged. Erethon purred, amused, but Rayon ignored him.
He leaned close, brushing her ear with his teeth—not a bite meant to harm, just to assert dominance, testing her focus and reaction. Nexus shivered under the pressure, caught off guard, but snarled in defiance.
The fight resumed instantly—this time up close. Hands and strings moved as one, Rayon pressing forward with a lethal mixture of force and precision. Nexus struck back, but every attack was anticipated, every motion countered. The strings wrapped around her limbs and torso, holding her just enough to limit her movement while leaving room for her to struggle, her every breath heavy and sharp.
The cavern echoed with the clash of power, the hum of Hollow Strings, and the sound of struggle. Golden eyes met black as blood and sweat glistened on both of them. Despite her strength, despite her fury, she faltered, breaking under the relentless precision of Rayon's control and the chaotic weight of his presence.
He didn't strike in anger—he fought in confidence, amusement, and domination, showing her just how lethal he had become. Every controlled movement, every calculated restraint, drew her closer to the edge of surrender, leaving her breathless and off-balance.
Finally, she stumbled back, shoulders pressed against stone, chest heaving. For the first time in the encounter, Nexus's golden eyes widened—not with fear, but with realization of just how dangerous—and alluring—Rayon had become.
Rayon's grin never faltered.
"See?" he whispered, voice low, full of confidence. "Even you break."
Erethon laughed softly in his mind. "And now… she finally understands who she's really dealing with."
The cave fell silent, save for the ragged breathing of two predators. One, fully human in form, trembling but defiant. The other, calm, poised, and impossibly confident—the one in complete control.