A pulse rang through the sky like a silent chime — not sound, but sensation. The laws that held Mael's body in place uncoiled like threads snapping under strain.
Adam had released him.
And Mael… moved.
The ground beneath him trembled as the air wrapped around his presence. It wasn't divine. It wasn't infernal. It was just absence. Like even the world couldn't decide if he should be there.
He stepped forward once, shoulders still calm, expression unreadable.
"You're either very brave," Mael said, "or very—"
Adam's fist cracked across his jaw.
BOOM!
The hit sounded like the sky had been punched. Mael flew sideways — skimming across the stone like a rock skipping water. Pillars shattered. Walls exploded. Wind bent in reverse. Adam didn't chase.
He waited.
Mael stood. Jaw bleeding. Smiling.
He vanished.
Then—
CRACK!
He reappeared in front of Adam, fist raised. But Adam didn't block.
He leaned forward — forehead to fist.
The punch landed. Adam didn't budge.
