Rath charged again.
There was no hesitation this time. No testing of distance or rhythm. The earlier exchanges had already done that. What came now was decisive—direct, committed, and overwhelming. His body leaned forward with intent, and the ground beneath his feet cracked slightly as he pushed off, the force of his movement translating instantly into speed.
Faster than before.
Stronger than before.
Everything about him had sharpened into a single purpose—ending the fight.
Jelo reacted.
His instincts kicked in immediately, honed through every clash leading up to this moment. His body moved before thought could fully form, his senses reaching outward, trying to track the trajectory, trying to read the timing—
But this time—
He was late.
CRASH!
The punch landed clean.
