The moment Kael lunged, I knew this wasn't a battle I could afford to lose. His glowing staff arced down like a falling meteor, its impact thunderous as I barely raised my dual blades in time. The collision sent a shockwave rippling through my arms, my boots carving deep grooves into the dirt as I struggled to remain upright.
"Not bad," Kael remarked, spinning his staff with infuriating ease. His golden eyes gleamed with amusement, the smirk on his face igniting a fire in my chest. "But you'll need to do better than that."
Every swing of his staff was a tempest, each strike carrying a weight that could shatter stone. I dodged and deflected, each movement precise yet desperate, but it quickly became apparent—Kael wasn't just attacking. He was dissecting me, observing my every move with an unnerving calm, as though testing the limits of my ability.
"Be careful!" Aria's voice broke through the chaos, trembling with fear.
I risked a glance in her direction. She stood at a distance, her pale hands gripping her cloak as if it were the only thing keeping her upright.
"I've got this!" I shouted back, but even I could hear the strain in my voice.
Kael chuckled, low and mocking. "You're far from fine," he said, planting his staff into the ground. The glowing runes along its length flared to life, their pulsing energy sending ripples through the air. "Still, I admire your resolve. Show me what you're really made of, human."
And then he moved.
A blur of gold streaked toward me, his staff carving deadly arcs through the air as he unleashed a relentless barrage. I ducked under one strike, the force of the wind alone grazing my cheek like a blade. His next attack came low, a sweep designed to knock me off my feet. I leapt over it, twisting mid-air to block a follow-up aimed at my ribs. The impact jolted me, sending me sprawling back, but I forced myself upright.
Kael's strikes were unrelenting, his movements precise, almost predatory. Each blow sent shockwaves rippling through the ground, the sheer power of his attacks carving craters into the earth. My muscles screamed in protest, my bones rattling with every clash, but I refused to falter.
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"Too slow," Kael taunted, his voice sharp and cold. "You disappoint me."
The sting of his words bit deep, but retreating wasn't an option. Not now. Not ever.
Kael pressed his advantage, each swing of his staff faster and stronger than the last. I deflected as best I could, but the weight of his attacks drove me back step by step. A searing pain exploded across my shoulder as his staff grazed me, the glowing runes burning through my jacket like molten iron.
I staggered, my breath coming in ragged gasps, but I refused to fall.
Why am I only dodging? What's holding me back? If I don't fight now, I'll never move forward. I want to see how strong i will grow i need to go all out.
The thought ignited something deep within me, a spark that flared into a roaring flame. Gritting my teeth, I tightened my grip on my blades and surged forward, the fire in my chest burning away my hesitation.
Kael's eyes widened slightly as I met his onslaught head-on. My dual blades moved in synchronized arcs, faster and sharper with each swing. The techniques of Kirito's dual-blade style flowed through me like second nature, each strike precise, each movement instinctive. Sparks flew as steel met enchanted wood, the air crackling with energy.
"Ah," Kael muttered, his smirk fading ever so slightly. "Now this is going to be fun."
He spun his staff, the glowing runes forming shimmering shields to deflect my blows. But for the first time, I saw it—openings in his defense. Subtle, fleeting gaps that hadn't been there before.
Kael's movements shifted, his stance adjusting. His confidence hadn't faltered entirely, but there was something new in his gaze—an acknowledgment of the challenge I presented.
"Fascinating," Kael said, his tone losing its mockery. "You're adapting. Evolving. But it won't be enough."
He wasn't wrong. As much as I had pushed back, I could feel the gap between us. His attacks still carried the weight of a storm, each swing threatening to overwhelm me entirely.
With a sudden burst of speed, Kael forced me back, his strikes growing faster, heavier. The ground beneath us splintered with every impact, cracks spreading like veins through the earth. I dodged and countered, my blades a blur, but his power was relentless.
And then, for the first time, I forced him to retreat.
Kael slid back, his boots carving shallow furrows into the dirt. I steadied myself, breathing hard, my blades still at the ready.
He laughed—a low, rumbling sound that sent chills down my spine. "Impressive," he admitted, his voice calm yet dangerous. "But let's raise the stakes."
With a deliberate motion, he tossed his staff aside. The weapon embedded itself in the ground, the runes dimming as it stood forgotten. Without it, Kael's aura intensified, golden energy radiating off him in waves. The oppressive weight of his power hung in the air, suffocating.
"Secret Art: Unleash Potential."
Before I could react, Kael blurred into motion. His entire body glowed with raw energy, and in an instant, he was upon me. His fist, cloaked in golden light, crashed against my crossed blades with the force of a tidal wave.
The impact was cataclysmic. A deafening boom split the air as I was launched backward, my body a ragdoll against the overwhelming force. The ground rushed up to meet me, each tumble sending fresh jolts of pain through me.
When I finally stopped, I lay gasping, my chest heaving as I fought to breathe. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest, and even the weight of my blades felt insurmountable.
Kael stood at the center of the battlefield, his golden aura blazing like a sun. His expression was calm, his golden eyes fixed on me with an unsettling mix of amusement and scrutiny.
"Is that all?" he asked, his voice steady, unyielding.
I forced myself to sit up, my blades trembling in my hands. My body was battered, my energy nearly spent. But even as my vision blurred, I refused to give up.
Not yet.
End of Chapter.