After listening to his older brother's words, Kael laughed to himself, but his expression remained as indifferent as ever.
He gripped the long sword in his hand and assumed a relaxed stance full of openings.
"Begin!" announced the referee.
Kael disappeared instantly.
A single sharp sound rang out. When Jasper reacted, he was already flying through the air, his body twisted by a brutal kick that sent him several meters away.
He rolled across the platform like an empty sack until he came to rest on his side, panting. His face showed a mixture of shock and confusion. He hadn't seen anything. Not a movement. Not an intention.
The first blow wasn't even with a sword. It was a simple kick.
Rage clouded his vision. This was supposed to be his moment of triumph, his rebirth... and instead, he had been swept away like an insect.
He tried to get up, but noticed a shadow covering him. When he looked up, Kael was already there, standing in front of him, as if he had never moved.
