Chapter 35: The Battle of Endurance
The battlefield had become a storm of chaos. Shadows writhed like serpents, monsters lunged from every corner, and Kael's relentless fury cut through the night like a raging fire.
Le Wai's blade moved in a blur, deflecting Kael's savage strikes while slicing down any beast foolish enough to draw near. Sweat dripped down his brow, his breathing sharp but steady.
Kael snarled, his black fire clashing violently against Le Wai's steel. "Why do you still resist?! Every strike you block, every beast you cut down—it only delays the inevitable!"
Le Wai's voice was calm, but firm. "If I can stand, then I will fight. No matter how many shadows you throw at me."
The ground shook as a massive beast slammed its claws down. Le Wai twisted, forcing Kael back with a quick parry, then spun and struck the beast's leg. It howled, collapsing into smoke before it could crush him.
Mei Lin fought nearby, her blade flashing as she carved a path through the lesser creatures. Her voice rang out, laced with urgency. "Le Wai, you can't keep this up forever! They're endless!"
But Le Wai didn't falter. His stance was unyielding, even as Kael pressed forward again.
The mastermind chuckled from the shadows, his tone like poison in the air. "Magnificent. A warrior drowning in hopelessness, yet still clawing toward the light. How long before you break, child of the past?"
Kael's eyes burned with obsession. "He'll break now!" He unleashed a furious barrage, black flames sparking with every swing.
Le Wai blocked, step by step retreating, the pressure immense. His arms trembled, his chest burned, but his eyes—his eyes never wavered.
Every shadow beast, every strike from Kael, every mocking word from the mastermind only sharpened his resolve.
Finally, with a surge of strength, Le Wai deflected Kael's blade just enough to breathe. His voice cut through the roar of battle:
"I won't fall. Not to you, Kael. Not to him. Not to the shadows!"
The monsters howled, the fire raged, and the duel pressed on. Le Wai stood in the eye of the storm—wounded, weary, but unbroken.
For now, it was not about victory.
It was about survival.
And survival was something Le Wai had mastered long ago.