Leo struck again—this time with rhythm.
Not raw speed.
Not brute force.
A cadence… like his body finally understood how to move between moments.
Shadow's smile faded.
"…Did you improve again?" the being asked, voice low.
"In your dreams," Leo spat, blood still warm in his mouth.
Shadow chuckled—but there was no amusement left in it. "You are still far too young."
The air warped.
Shadow moved.
Faster.
More erratic.
Like space itself bent around him.
Leo activated Single Step.
One action.
One step.
Always a fraction of a beat ahead.
A strike skimmed past his ribs.
A palm shattered the ground where he had stood.
Leo ducked—low punch—high kick—sweep—sidestep—punch.
For the first time…
Shadow was pressed.
Not injured.
Not threatened.
But forced to respond.
"…Interesting," Shadow muttered. "I am stronger than you by an immeasurable margin. And yet—"
Leo's mind raced. I can hit him. I don't know why—but I can.
Shadow's patience snapped.
"Enough."
Darkness poured out of him.
Not energy—
Not smoke—
But a mass that ate light, corroding stone, air screaming as it decayed.
Leo's instincts screamed.
If that touches me—I'm dead.
He turned and ran.
Single Step. Single Step. Single Step.
Trees blurred.
Ground folded beneath his feet.
Rocks became footholds instead of obstacles.
Shadow pursued, voice echoing through the jungle.
"You cannot run forever."
Leo burst out of the treeline—
—and stopped at a cliff.
A bottomless abyss. Wind howled upward like a beast's breath.
Shadow floated behind him, dark mass writhing.
"Nowhere left," Shadow said coldly. "Come quietly."
Leo wiped blood from his lips… and smiled.
"Maybe," he said softly.
Shadow frowned. "What?"
Leo took one step closer to the edge.
"But remember this—"
"As long as I don't die…"
He leaned back, wind tearing at his clothes.
"You don't win."
Leo jumped.
"No—!" Shadow roared, lunging forward as Leo's body vanished into the abyss.
The jungle swallowed the sound.
Silence.
Shadow hovered at the cliff's edge, fists clenched.
"…Interesting," he murmured at last.
Far below, unseen—
Leo fell.
And laughed.
As long as I live… I grow.