Time slowed.

Raven’s world sharpened in an instant. Every detail became crystal clear—the faint creak of the floor beneath the man’s feet, the flicker of fluorescent lights overhead, the rush of wind as the man closed the distance between them.

Move.

Raven twisted to the side just as the man’s fist shot past him, missing by a fraction of an inch. His instincts guided his every movement with perfect precision, as if he had rehearsed this moment a thousand times.

Counter.

Raven’s hand shot forward, palm open, aiming for the man’s chest. He felt the impact—solid and satisfying. The man stumbled back, surprised but not defeated.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“You’re not bad,” Raven said, rolling his shoulders. “But you picked the wrong target.”

The man said nothing. Instead, he straightened and raised his hand, a faint glow emanating from his fingertips. The air around him shimmered, distorting like heat waves.

Power detected.

Raven’s instinct kicked into overdrive. This wasn’t just an ordinary fight. This man had powers—just like him.

But Raven didn’t hesitate. His instinct had never failed him before, and it wouldn’t now.

The man unleashed a burst of energy, crackling through the air toward Raven. But Raven had already moved, weaving through the assault with effortless grace. His instincts carried him through the chaos, guiding him like a second sense.

Then, with perfect timing, Raven closed the distance between them. His fist connected with the man’s jaw, sending him crashing to the floor.

For a moment, silence hung in the air.

The man groaned and struggled to his feet, but Raven was already standing over him, his eyes cold and unwavering. “Who sent you?”

The man’s lips curled into a smirk. “You’ll find out soon enough… Raven Veyrin. This is only the beginning.”

Before Raven could react, the man dissolved into a flicker of light and vanished into thin air.

Raven stood there, his heart steady despite the strangeness of what had just occurred. His instincts whispered again—softly this time, almost reassuring. It’s far from over.

And for the first time in a long while, Raven couldn’t help but feel genuinely curious.

What was waiting for him in the shadows?