The chamber warped around them.
Yanis Drae floated just above the floor—her feet never touching the broken steel, her psychic aura humming like a living storm. The six levitating blades at her back moved with surgical grace, reflecting the soft glow of her silvery eyes.
Kael stood at ground level, sweat trailing down his temple, the Ashwake Fang gripped tightly in both hands. Its surface shimmered, shifting between blade and staff like it couldn't decide what form to take.
> [Combat Sync: 78%]
[Corruption: 6.2% – Controlled]
[System Hint: Weapon Form Unstable – Evolving During Combat]
Yanis tilted her head.
> "I taught you to listen before swinging. Now all I see is fire."
> "That's all that's left of me," Kael replied.
"You burned everything else away."
With a flick of her wrist, three psychic blades launched—silent, deadly, precise.
Kael deflected the first, ducked the second—and the third sliced across his shoulder. Blood splattered. The Ashwake Fang ignited, reacting to the wound.
> [Ashwake Passive Triggered: Ember Echo Tier II – Attack Speed Boosted]
He rushed forward, twisting the Fang into its glaive form mid-dash, flame trailing from the edge. He slashed, but Yanis deflected with a mental barrier that bent physics, sending him spinning.
> [HP -14%]
[Status Effect: Disoriented – 2.2 Seconds]
> "Still too reactive," Yanis said. "Still thinking like a survivor."
> "That's what I am."
> "But you're not the only one."
Suddenly, Yanis blinked across the chamber, appearing behind him. The psychic blades came from every angle—an attack meant to end him.
But the Seed pulsed.
> [Ashwake Fang – Form Break Triggered]
[New Configuration Available: Ashwake Seraph – Dual Blades]
[Confirmed: Wielding Form – Phase I Evolution]
The rod split in his hands.
Two mirror-forged blades, flickering with ember-gold energy, extended like fire wings in each hand.
Kael's eyes widened—then narrowed.
He met the strike.
Metal and thought clashed.
Yanis staggered, caught off-guard by the raw speed. Kael danced through her psychic storm, blades flaring with his blood. He spun and struck her shoulder—breaking her concentration. The halo blades flickered.
> "Impossible," she gasped.
> "You taught me to adapt."
---
The ground shattered as Kael leapt forward for the finishing blow—but then, someone else entered the room.
A new figure—cloaked, Gravepath armor, sword drawn. Reinforcements?
No.
His system flared:
> [ID: Rek Thorne – Gravepath Enforcer Unit]
[Hidden Mission: Kill Seedbearer Kael Riven if Corruption > 6%]
[Status: ACTIVE]
Kael saw his HUD flash—and barely blocked the incoming dagger.
> "What the hell—?"
Rek hissed. "Warden's orders. You're too dangerous to live."
Yanis blinked away, watching with narrow eyes.
Kael, caught between his mentor and a supposed ally, raised his twin blades.
> "Then come try."
The Ashwake Seraph burned brighter.
---