The lion-beast roared again, its massive paws gouging trenches into the stone floor as it reared back. Golden veins under its hide flared brighter, the heat radiating from its mane like a furnace.
Kael's dagger pulsed in his hand, shadow fire dripping from the blade like molten glass. He steadied his breathing, Nathan's voice echoing inside him.
[Do not fear its fire. Answer it with your own.]
The beast inhaled—its chest expanding, ribs straining—and then it exhaled with a roar, hurling a ball of molten fire straight at Kael. The blast tore through the cavern air, heat washing Kael's face before it even reached him.
Instinct took over.
Kael's mark burned alive across his arm, shadows spilling down into his dagger until the blade was shrouded in writhing purple fire. He stepped forward and slashed.
The impact thundered like two storms colliding. The fireball split in half, one blazing piece smashing into the cavern wall and the other scattering across the floor in a wave of embers. Smoke hissed, stone cracked. Kael stood in the center, dagger smoking, the cut clean through.
For a moment—just a heartbeat of silence—Jorin froze. Lightning crawled across his arm, but he didn't throw it. He just stared. That wasn't a student's move…
The beast snarled, furious. It lunged again, its bulk smashing through falling dust, and its paw came down like a boulder.
Kael rolled aside, shadows trailing behind him. He slashed upward, leaving a streak of purple fire across the beast's flank. This time the dagger bit deeper, cutting past the hardened hide. The smell of scorched flesh filled the cavern as the beast staggered sideways, bellowing in rage.
[Better,] Nathan said, his tone sharp. [You're starting to feel it. But do not waste movement. Strike with purpose.]
Kael tightened his grip. His arms shook from the impact, his chest still burning from where the paw had nearly crushed him. He darted back into range, slashing again and again—testing, learning, moving faster than he ever had before.
But the lion-beast wasn't done.
It spun suddenly, its tail whipping with the force of a tree trunk. Kael tried to step back but was too slow. The tail smashed into his ribs and flung him across the cavern. He hit the ground hard, tumbling until he slid to a stop near Jorin's feet.
Pain screamed through his body. His HUD flashed violently:
[Health: 57%]
[Matter Reserves: 52%]
Red warnings blinked. Kael coughed, clutching his side, tasting iron in his mouth.
The beast stomped forward, its molten mane blazing brighter, hot winds swirling through the cavern. Every step echoed like a drumbeat of death.
Jorin crackled with lightning again, his instincts screaming to intervene. But he held. He watched. His eyes flicked to Kael's mark, glowing violently beneath torn fabric, then back to the boy's shadow-wreathed blade. What are you really?
Kael forced himself onto his knees, every muscle screaming. The shadow fire flickered around his dagger, threatening to gutter out with each labored breath.
[Get up,] Nathan's voice cut like steel. [If you stay down, you die. If you fight, you learn.]
The beast lowered itself, golden eyes locking onto Kael. Its chest glowed—preparing another fireball.
Kael staggered up, swaying, his HUD flickering warnings across his vision. He raised his dagger again, letting the shadows pour down his arm and into the blade. This time the fire didn't just coat it—it wrapped around him, a second skin of dark flame.
The cavern trembled with the lion-beast's roar.
And Kael roared back.