The giant form collapsed completely.
The werewolf slammed into the ground, its body shrinking back to its normal size. Bones cracked as the size bloodline failed. Its limbs twisted at wrong angles, and its breathing turned rough and uneven.
It tried to stand.
It failed.
Its body shook as different bloodlines activated and shut down at random. Steel wouldn't form. Speed flickered and vanished. Strength surged, then disappeared.
Asher walked toward it slowly.
"You feel it now," he said. "They're tearing you apart from the inside."
The werewolf coughed, blood spilling from its mouth. "I… can still fight."
It tried to activate another bloodline.
Nothing happened.
Asher stopped a few steps away, sword held steady.
"You devoured bloodlines," he said. "But you never mastered any of them. You just stacked power and hoped it wouldn't collapse."
The werewolf laughed weakly. "You think… you're better?"
Asher nodded once. "Yes."
He raised his sword.
