🔥 Chapter 14 — Breaking Defenses
The southern forest echoed with the clash of fire and green energy. Kael's Ember coiled violently around his arms, forming whips, shields, and blades that moved as extensions of his will. Every strike and parry forced the King's general onto the defensive, his emerald aura flickering with strain.
Rhyne called out, dodging a whip that snapped inches from his head. "Kael! He's faltering! Push him! Don't let him recover!"
Kael narrowed his eyes, feeling the Ember's pulse guide his movements. "I can sense his rhythm… his patterns are breaking. One mistake, and we can exploit it."
The general lunged, whips cracking like thunder, attempting to overwhelm Kael with sheer speed. But Kael didn't just react—he flowed with the Ember, anticipating the attacks, redirecting energy, and striking precisely at the gaps in the aura. Sparks erupted as green energy collided with spiraling fire, carving trenches in the forest floor.
Rhyne pressed forward, landing precise strikes against residual green whips, keeping the general off balance. "Every strike counts! Keep him from recovering his defenses!"
Kael's flames spiraled faster, forming concentrated arcs and spears. He noticed a subtle tremor in the general's stance—a crack in the previously flawless defense. "There!" Kael shouted, hurling a spiraling spear of Emberfire directly at the gap. The general barely managed to raise a barrier, but the Ember twisted and extended, piercing through, striking true.
The general stumbled backward, green flames flickering uncontrollably. His controlled demeanor faltered for the first time. "Impossible…" he muttered, staggering to regain balance.
Kael's eyes blazed. "It's not impossible. It's strategy—and the Ember."
Rhyne landed beside him, breathing heavily but alert. "You've broken his defenses. Now we can dictate the fight completely."
Kael's Ember pulsed in response, flames coiling and spiraling like a living storm. "Good. This is just the beginning. Every strike from here on will force him further—and we'll see what other secrets he's hiding."
The forest trembled as fire and green energy clashed once more. Kael had forced the general onto the defensive, proving that strategy, skill, and the Ember's growing power could overcome even the King's new threats.