Arkan lifted his sword slowly.
This time, the air around him changed.
It grew colder.
Heavier.
Sharper.
Lira grabbed Kael's arm.
"Kael… he wasn't fighting seriously before…"
Kael nodded, eyes fixed on Arkan.
"I know."
The Seer took a step back.
His voice was low and tense.
"Be careful. Arkan's true strength is not speed… it's precision."
Lira whispered,
"What does that mean?"
The Seer replied:
"He never swings twice.
One strike is all he needs."
Lira's heart dropped.
Kael raised his sword in front of her.
"Stay behind me."
Arkan stood perfectly still.
He didn't attack.
Didn't even blink.
Then
CRACK.
A small sound echoed under his foot.
Kael's eyes widened.
"Lira… stay close."
Arkan spoke softly:
"You two work well together. But…"
He lifted his sword slightly.
"Let's see how strong your unity really is."
He vanished.
Kael spun around, shadows flaring
Too late.
Arkan appeared behind Lira again.
Kael's heart stopped.
"LIRA!"
But Lira reacted faster this time.
A burst of silver light shot from her hand, forming a quick shield.
Arkan's blade hit it
CLANG!
cracking the shield but not breaking it.
He stepped back calmly.
"Good. You learned from last time."
Kael rushed forward, slashing with full force.
Arkan blocked him with one hand.
"You're predictable."
Kael gritted his teeth.
"Not anymore!"
He pushed harder
Lira added her light
and Arkan's feet slid back slightly.
Just a little.
But enough to show they were improving.
Arkan's eyes narrowed in interest.
"You're adapting quickly…"
Suddenly, he raised two fingers.
Kael felt danger instantly.
"Lira down!"
They ducked.
SWOOSH!
A cutting wind attack sliced through the air above them, carving a line in the stone wall.
Lira stared in shock.
"He didn't even swing his sword…"
The Seer yelled:
"He can cut the air itself! Move!"
Arkan flicked his wrist.
Another invisible slash shot toward them.
Kael grabbed Lira and rolled aside.
The stone floor exploded behind them.
Lira gasped, terrified.
"He could've killed us"
Kael held her close.
"He doesn't miss. We have to keep moving."
Arkan walked toward them slowly.
"You two are surviving longer than expected.
But this ends now."
He raised his sword again.
Kael helped Lira stand.
"We're not backing down."
Their bond pulsed.
Silver and black light mixed around their bodies.
Arkan paused.
Then lowered his sword a little.
"…Interesting."
Kael tightened his grip on Lira's hand.
"Let's finish this."
Arkan's aura sharpened again.
He lowered into a stance
final and deadly.
The Seer shouted:
"Kael! Lira! He's using his killing form!"
Kael stepped in front of Lira.
Lira held onto his back, light ready.
Arkan whispered:
"Now… show me your limit."
He dashed forward
Faster than ever before.
Too fast.
In less than a heartbeat
He was right in front of Kael.
Lira screamed:
"KAEL!!"
Kael raised his sword
Arkan's blade came down
And the bond exploded between Kael and Lira in a bright flash of silver and black.