Night wind circled slowly through the broken stones. Fine grains of sand still floated in the air from the previous clash. Heavy breaths echoed from three different directions.
Not over.
Not even close.
Kharis stood calmly… too calmly.
Then—
SHHHHKKK!
Another sand shot tore through the air.
"Aurelion!" Iris shouted.
Aurelion moved instantly. He pushed forward while dodging, his steps quick but controlled. Razor sand carved the ground behind him.
He's getting faster… or I'm starting to slow down?
Still—he advanced.
If he could hold him… Iris could recover.
Aurelion slashed toward Kharis—
Passed through.
No resistance. No blood.
The sand body only rippled slightly.
Kharis didn't retreat.
Instead—
A blade of sand formed in his hand.
"Too late," Kharis murmured.
CLANG!
Aurelion blocked.
But the blade… vanished.
"What—"
WHSSHH!
The sand blade reformed mid-air and shot toward him.
He dodged—not fully.
"Ghk—!"
A thin cut opened across his shoulder. Sharp pain spread instantly.
Aurelion stepped back half a pace.
Another hit… but shallow… still manageable.
But Kharis was already moving again.
No pause. No hesitation.
"Aurelion, move!"
Elayne rushed in from the side, striking immediately. Iris followed, her breathing still uneven but steady enough to fight.
This time—they attacked together.
For the first time—
Kharis stopped moving.
Iris raised her hand.
Ice formed. Dense. Sharp.
She threw it.
Kharis didn't even flinch.
"That will not work."
His tone was flat. Certain.
The ice pierced through his sand body.
Just like before.
No effect.
But—
Iris smiled.
"Are you sure?"
Kharis narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Why don't you see for yourself?"
The next second—
The ice inside him froze.
The flowing sand stopped.
For the first time—
His form cracked.
Kharis' eyes widened.
And Aurelion understood instantly.
Now.