April darted back, narrowly avoiding Vance's lunging fangs.
His massive, cybernetic cobra form loomed over her, his metal scales gleaming under the dim light.
April clenched her fists. "How the hell am I supposed to fight this!?" April yelled out loud in frustration.
Vance lashed out with his tail.
April flipped to the side, but the force of the attack sent her skidding backward.
"Struggling, little wolf?" His voice was deeper now, more distorted. "This is what happens when you rely on instinct alone. You're outmatched."
April grounded her teeth. "I had been winning—that is until he transformed to whatever that thing is?"
Now, every move felt like a desperate attempt to survive.
Suddenly, Jax's voice rang in her earpiece.
"TakeOver… That's what it is."
April dodged another strike. "No kidding!"
"Listen," Jax continued. "TakeOver is when a Gear user fully masters all their abilities. It lets them shift into a form that embodies their animal instincts. Vance has complete control over his Gear now."
April barely avoided another tail slam. "So what? I just die because I haven't 'mastered' mine yet?"
"No, but you need to think differently. You can't overpower him like before—he's too fast, too strong. But you still have something he doesn't."
April ducked under a swipe, her mind racing.
Kai's voice cut in. "Vance relies on instinct in this form. He's moving purely on his Gear's programming. That means he's predictable."
Her breath hitched. Predictable…
Vance lunged, fangs bared.
This time, April didn't dodge—she moved with his attack.
At the last second, she twisted, slicing her claws across his exposed throat.
Vance reeled back, hissing.
Jax's chuckled voice crackled in her earpiece. "Now you're getting it."
April smirked. "Alright, snake. Let's see who's the real predator here!"