The dust settled, but the tension in the air only grew thicker. Kael stood in the center of the arena, his chest rising and falling with every breath, the dark Hakana swirling around him like a phantom cloak. His eyes were still void, soulless, as if some ancient force had completely taken over.
"Four against one," he said, his voice deeper—layered. "Then let the balance be evened."
Rand wiped the blood off his mouth and looked sideways at his three friends—Jarvis, Azeal, and Denis. The fear in their eyes didn’t match the bravado in their stance.
"Together!" Rand shouted, and the four launched forward in sync, blades raised, energy swirling.
Kael moved.
It wasn’t just speed—it was something beyond human, even beyond gifted. He disappeared in a blur, and before any of them could land a
