Ravok lunged first.
CLAW—
His claws tore across Leonis's chest.
Blood scattered.
Leonis didn't step back.
CRASH—
His leg slammed into Ravok's ribcage.
The impact echoed.
Ravok answered instantly—
CRACK—
A punch smashed into Leonis's jaw.
Leonis snapped his head back—
Then returned the blow.
CRACK—
Fist to face.
Ravok spat blood.
Neither moved.
Neither yielded.
Soren watched the fight.
Then he inhaled slowly.
Lips parting—
"…Sto—"
WHOOSH—
Ash dropped from the sky.
CRASH—
His kick slammed toward Soren.
Soren raised his arm—
BLOCK—
The impact echoed.
Ash smirked.
"…Come on."
"…Let them have their fun."
A pause.
"…How about you fight me instead?"
Soren studied him.
Calm.
Unbothered.
"…That wouldn't be fair for you."
Ash grinned.
Sharp.
"…Let me find out."
On the other side.
Shira lunged.
Fast.
Deadly.
Korin froze—
Then curled inward.
Instantly.
**Iron Shell.**
His body folded into itself.
Armor tightening.
A perfect sphere.
CLANG—
Claws struck his scales.
No damage.
Again—
CLANG—
Still nothing.
Shira hissed.
"…Coward."
A shot echoed.
BOOM—
The projectile tore through the air.
He barely dodged—
Eyes widening.
Nyro stood nearby.
Blowgun raised.
Calm.
Focused.
"…Hey."
A pause.
"…The only ones allowed to call him a coward…"
He tilted his head slightly.
"…are us."
Virella lunged.
Fingers stretching into translucent tendrils.
Deadly.
Silent.
Nyro leaned back—
Barely avoiding the touch.
WHOOSH—
The tendrils passed inches from his face.
He exhaled slowly.
"…You sure are annoying…"
A pause.
"…Jellybitch."
Shira shifted.
Eyes locking onto Nyro.
Preparing to move.
Fast.
Silent.
Ready to strike from behind.
But then—
"…H-Hey!"
He paused.
Slowly turning.
Korin stood nearby—
Still curled slightly.
Still shaking.
But watching him.
"…Y-You're scared of me… aren't you?"
His voice trembled.
But he didn't stop.
"…I knew it…"
A shaky breath.
"…I always knew you were the weakest one in your squad."
Shira's eyes twitched.
Then narrowed.
Anger spreading instantly.
"…What did you say…?"
His muscles tightened.
Speed coiling beneath his body.
Then—
WHOOSH—
He launched straight at Korin.
Meanwhile—
Ash pressed forward.
Strike after strike.
Punch.
Kick.
Wing swipe.
Soren blocked.
Then dodged.
And again.
Silent.
Always silent.
Too silent.
Ash narrowed his eyes.
"…Why aren't you talking…?"
A punch landed—
THUD—
Soren staggered slightly.
Blood slipped from the corner of his mouth.
Ash froze for half a second.
Not confusion—
Recognition.
Another clash.
Another block.
Still silent.
Ash's thoughts sharpened.
*He hasn't used it…*
*Not once…*
*Why not?…*
Ash's eyes widened slightly.
*That means…*
*That ability…*
*Has a cost.*
Soren exhaled slowly.
Eyes narrowing.
Irritated now.
Blood stained his lips.
"…You're…"
"…annoying."
Ash tensed instantly.
Too late.
**Sovereign Voice**
**…Stop.**
Ash's body locked mid-air.
Muscles seized.
Then—
**…Plummet.**
Power vanished.
WHOOSH—
He dropped.
At high speed.
CRASH—
The ground shattered beneath him.
"…Gh—"
Ash groaned.
Pain surged through his body.
Slowly—
He pushed himself up.
Unsteady.
But standing.
Blood dripped from his head.
"…Do it again…"
Soren blinked.
Surprised.
"…Huh?"
Ash wiped blood from his mouth.
Breathing heavily.
"…You can't… right?"
A short pause.
His gray eyes locked onto Soren.
Sharp.
Focused.
"…If you could…"
"…you'd already be doing it."
Silence.
For half a second—
Nothing.
Then—
Soren straightened slowly.
And laughed.
Low.
Amused.
"…Wow."
A grin formed across his face.
"…You're incredible."
He tilted his head slightly.
Studying Ash now.
"…You figured it out fast."
A short pause.
"…You're right."
His voice softened.
Calm.
Controlled.
"…I can't use the same command twice in a row."
Another pause.
"…And depending on the command…"
"…I have to wait a specific amount of time before using it again."
A faint smile formed.
But then—
His eyes sharpened.
Dangerous.
"…But it doesn't matter."
A pause.
"…You're too injured…"
"…You can barely stand."
Ash smirked faintly.
Blood running down his chin.
"…Don't count me out just yet."
Soren watched him carefully.
Unblinking.
**Sovereign Voice.**
**…Repel.**
WHOOM—
Ash's body was launched backward.
Violently.
Uncontrollably.
CRASH—
He slammed through the first tree.
Wood shattered.
CRACK—
His body bounced off jagged rocks.
Pain exploded through his ribs.
Then—
BOOM—
He struck the ground again.
Hard.
Sliding across dirt and stone.
Nearly one hundred meters away.
Silence followed.
Ash lay motionless.
His ribcage fractured.
Left arm twisted—
Broken.
Blood spread across his body.
Breathing shallow.
Vision fading.
Barely conscious.
In the distance—
Soren lowered his hand slowly.
Watching.
Waiting.
"…It's done."
© 2025 Moku. All rights reserved. The Tower of the Animal Kingdom is an original work by Moku. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is prohibited.