The hall still echoed with the distant sounds of battle as two silhouettes faced each other in the vast stone chamber. The torches fixed to the walls flickered, casting distorted shadows across the cracked columns.
Asher slowly wiped the blood from the corner of his lip, looking almost bored.
"Seriously, Vareck… Are you following me everywhere now?"
Vareck cracked his neck, his eyes glowing with a feral light.
"Still as talkative as ever… You never did know when to shut up."
"That's not true. I stay quiet when my opponents are actually interesting."
A provocative smile curved Asher's lips.
Vareck growled, and the next instant, he leaped.
The impact was brutal.
The ground cracked beneath their feet as their blows collided. Vareck attacked with the savagery of a predator, his claws slicing through the air, while Asher dodged with supernatural agility, countering with precise, lightning-fast strikes.
A kick from Asher sent Vareck skidding several meters across the floor. The werewolf got back up instantly and retaliated, unleashing a wave of magic that shattered a pillar behind his opponent.
Asher charged through the cloud of debris without slowing and struck Vareck square in the chest.
**CRAAASH!**
The werewolf slammed into the wall, stone cracking around him.
For a moment, silence fell.
Vareck slowly lifted his head, wiping the blood trickling down his cheek.
*Still so strong…* he thought. *That's why I've always avoided facing him directly.*
Asher shrugged.
"I'm starting to seriously think you're getting old. You haven't even managed to touch me."
An amused smile spread across Vareck's lips.
"Oh… so that's how it is… you *want* me to touch you?"
He rushed forward.
Asher braced himself, ready for the assault.
But at the last second, Vareck struck the ground.
A massive explosion of dust filled the room.
Asher staggered back, blinded.
"Tch… clever…"
Too late.
A devastating blow struck him in the ribs.
He was hurled to the ground, his head slamming against the stone with a dull thud. His vision blurred, a ringing sound piercing his ears.
Vareck approached slowly, raising his hand.
An ancient incantation slipped from his lips, dark and hissing.
Asher tried to move, but his body refused to obey.
"You see…" Vareck murmured. "Sometimes it's enough to be smarter than strong."
He was about to unleash his final spell when voices rang out in the distance.
"ASHER!"
Vareck's expression hardened.
He gritted his teeth.
"…Bad timing."
Reluctantly, he stepped back.
"We'll settle this another time, Asher."
Then, in a blur, he vanished into the dark corridors.
Silence returned.