# Chapter 13: Clash of Predators
The air in the western sector of the ruins was electric with tension. Kael and Dren faced each other, crimson eyes locked, the Codex within Kael thrumming violently. The ground beneath them seemed to pulse, fractured concrete and twisted metal responding to the presence of two predators about to clash. Lyra stayed close, her staff poised, ready to intervene if necessary, though she knew this battle was Kael's domain.
Dren moved first, his body a blur as he lunged with incredible speed. Kael's instincts, sharpened and guided by the Codex, kicked in. He sidestepped with fluid precision, swinging his steel pipe in a calculated arc that would have crushed any normal opponent. Dren twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding the strike, and landed gracefully a few meters away.
"Impressive," Dren said, voice calm, but his eyes betrayed the excitement of a worthy challenge. "But let's see how long you can keep up."
Kael's grin widened, the thrill of combat coursing through him. The Codex pulsed, absorbing every vibration, every ounce of tension, converting it into raw power that surged through his veins. Hunger, anticipation, and adrenaline intertwined, enhancing his reflexes, his strength, his speed.
The clash began in earnest. Dren's strikes were precise and deadly, each movement calculated to test Kael's defenses and exploit weaknesses. Kael countered with his pipe, every swing guided by instinct and Codex-fueled power. Concrete shattered, metal bent, and the echoes of their battle reverberated through the ruins.
Lyra watched from the sidelines, impressed despite herself. She had seen Kael grow stronger with each encounter, but facing a rival like Dren pushed him beyond anything she had witnessed. His movements were almost supernatural, blending raw power with the cunning of a seasoned predator.
Dren pressed the attack, forcing Kael back. The Codex roared within Kael, a living entity demanding dominance, feeding on the conflict, amplifying his abilities. With a sudden surge, Kael broke through Dren's defense, striking with a force that sent him skidding across the cracked asphalt.
The ground erupted beneath Dren as debris collapsed under the impact, and Kael felt the energy from the destruction flow into him. The Codex pulsed violently, integrating the power, sharpening his senses, and enhancing his reflexes.
"You're strong," Dren said, rising with a smirk, wiping a streak of blood from his lip. "But strength alone isn't enough. You'll need skill, strategy… and control."
Kael's eyes glowed brighter, crimson energy radiating from him. "Then teach me," he replied, voice calm but edged with lethal promise. "Or fall like the others."
They clashed again, faster, deadlier, each strike and counterstrike a symphony of destruction. The ruins themselves seemed to tremble under the intensity of their duel. Kael's mastery of the Codex allowed him to anticipate Dren's moves, deflecting attacks and turning the environment into a weapon.
The battle dragged on, neither willing to yield, each feeding the Codex with the raw energy of the fight. Kael's mind was clear, focused, and cold; every strike, every dodge, every ounce of exertion was calculated to grow stronger, to dominate, to rise.
*Skill Progress: Devour Debris — Level 9*
Finally, Kael delivered a strike precise enough to force Dren to retreat, his body sliding across a broken wall. Both breathed heavily, sweat and dust coating them, but the exhilaration of battle radiated from every movement. The Codex hummed with satisfaction, feeding on the culmination of strength, fear, and anticipation.
Dren smirked, brushing off debris. "Not bad, God of Ruin. Not bad at all."
Kael's crimson eyes softened slightly, but only enough to acknowledge respect. "Neither are you. But this isn't over. The ruins still have much to teach, and I intend to claim every lesson."
Lyra stepped forward, her eyes bright with admiration and excitement. "You've grown… and you're not even at your limit yet," she said quietly.
Kael's gaze turned to the horizon, to the endless cityscape that stretched before him. More challenges, more prey, more power awaited. The clash of predators had only begun, and the God of Ruin was rising faster than anyone could anticipate.
The battle with Dren was over—for now—but the war for domi
nance in the ruins was just beginning.