Chapter 36: The Cracks of Exhaustion
The clash of steel echoed endlessly, a rhythm of survival and desperation. Le Wai's blade still shone, but his movements had grown heavier. Every swing carried the weight of countless battles—and every breath came shorter than the last.
Kael saw it. His lips curled into a cruel grin.
"You're slowing down, Le Wai. The mighty warrior… finally breaking."
Le Wai blocked another furious strike, sparks flying as their blades locked. His arms trembled, his knees nearly buckled, but he forced Kael back with sheer will.
"I won't… break," he muttered, though his voice carried the strain of exhaustion.
All around him, the shadow beasts pressed closer. For every one he struck down, two more emerged from the dark fissures that split the earth. Their growls filled the night, gnawing at his fading strength.
Mei Lin's blade slashed beside him, cutting down a lunging beast. She glanced at Le Wai, her eyes wide with worry.
"Le Wai—you can't keep pushing yourself like this!"
But he didn't answer. His focus remained locked on Kael, whose attacks grew fiercer, faster. Each swing of Kael's black flame sword threatened to overwhelm him.
The mastermind's laughter slithered through the chaos.
"Yes… bleed yourself dry, warrior. The more you resist, the sweeter your collapse will be."
Le Wai stumbled, narrowly dodging a strike that split the stone beneath his feet. His chest heaved, vision blurring. Pain lanced through his arms as he struggled to keep his sword raised.
Kael smirked, eyes burning with savage triumph. "This is it. This is the moment you fall!"
With a roar, Kael lunged forward, his blade blazing with shadowfire. Le Wai raised his sword to meet it, but his strength faltered. The impact rattled his bones, sending him crashing to one knee.
The beasts howled, closing in. The mastermind's laughter swelled.
For the first time in the battle, Le Wai's sword wavered.
But even on his knees, drenched in sweat and blood, his eyes refused to yield. His body was breaking—but his will was not.
"I… won't… fall!"
The night shook with his defiance, though his body trembled on the edge of collapse.