Ulric Ardyn appeared directly in front of Kael in an instant, his movements nearly impossible to track with ordinary eyes. Kael barely had enough time to raise his sword before a powerful palm strike, glowing faintly with a sinister black Essence, slammed into his chest. The impact sent him flying backwards, crashing through a wooden fence and skidding violently across the hard stone pavement.
Kael struggled to catch his breath, coughing violently as pain erupted through his ribs. His vision blurred momentarily, the ringing in his ears drowning out the noise of battle around him. He forced himself to his feet, teeth clenched tightly as he steadied his stance, facing the man who had betrayed his family.
"Impressive," Ulric remarked casually, stepping calmly toward Kael. His hands rested behind his back, his eyes cold and calculating. "You've grown stronger, nephew. Stronger than anyone suspected."
"Why?" Kael spat, gripping his sword tightly, Essence swirling angrily around its blade. "Why betray your own blood?"
Ulric's lips curled into a cruel smile, devoid of warmth. "Blood means nothing, Kael. Only power matters. Your father was too soft—too weak to grasp the truth. I merely chose the winning side."
Ulric raised one hand lazily, black Essence flickering around his fingers. Without warning, the air around him began to twist and distort. The dark energy formed into a dense ball, crackling menacingly.
Kael's eyes narrowed sharply. He had no time to waste. Summoning his own Essence, he executed Void Step, vanishing from Ulric's sight. In an instant, Kael reappeared behind his uncle, blade slashing toward his back with lethal intent.
Ulric didn't even turn around. His body shimmered, Essence condensing into a shadowy shield around him. Kael's sword struck the barrier, sparks exploding violently as metal scraped against dense, black energy. Kael stumbled backward, his arms numb from the recoil.
Ulric turned slowly, amused. "A good trick. But you're still far too weak to threaten me."
Anger surged through Kael, fueling his Essence. He drew deeply upon his core, Essence roaring through his meridians as he prepared Essence Split Form. Two phantom images emerged, each indistinguishable from the real Kael. They lunged forward simultaneously, striking from both sides.
Ulric remained calm, his eyes closed in concentration. He thrust his palm forward, releasing a dark shockwave that shattered the phantom images instantly. Kael staggered as the force struck him, pain shooting through his limbs. Ulric was simply too powerful.
Lena appeared suddenly beside Kael, fear and determination mixing in her eyes. "We fight him together," she said quietly, her voice steady despite the chaos around them.
Kael nodded grimly. "Be careful."
Together, they attacked. Lena's movements were swift, her small dagger darting like a serpent's tongue, aiming precisely at Ulric's joints and weak points. Kael used her distractions, launching swift, decisive strikes aimed at Ulric's throat and heart.
Yet, Ulric moved effortlessly, his figure a blur as he deflected every strike. He seemed to be toying with them, enjoying the hopelessness of their struggle. Kael felt rage burning within him. His uncle was mocking their pain, their struggle, their deaths.
Lena lunged again, blade flashing. Ulric caught her wrist easily, twisting it sharply. Lena cried out in pain, dropping her dagger. Ulric raised his palm, Essence swirling darkly as he prepared to deliver a fatal strike.
"No!" Kael roared. Without thinking, he surged forward, pouring Essence into his legs, moving faster than he ever had before. His sword flashed brilliantly, aiming directly at Ulric's wrist.
Caught slightly off guard by Kael's desperation, Ulric released Lena and stepped backward, eyes narrowing. Lena fell back, clutching her injured wrist, breathing heavily.
Kael stood protectively in front of her, his breathing ragged. His muscles burned, his Essence flow strained to the limits, yet his determination remained unbroken. He couldn't let Lena die again—not this time, not in front of him.
Ulric chuckled softly, his voice dripping contempt. "Your defiance is admirable, Kael, but futile. Today, the Ardyn clan dies, and you with it."
Kael steadied himself, gripping his sword with both hands. His heart thundered in his chest, the rhythm matching the pulsing Essence within him. "I'll kill you first."
Ulric tilted his head slightly, amused. "Then come. Show me your resolve."
Kael lunged, using Void Step again, flickering unpredictably. His movements became fluid, ghostly, barely visible. Ulric's brows furrowed slightly, suddenly unsure of Kael's true position.
Kael reappeared to Ulric's left, blade slicing upward with precise timing. Ulric raised an arm, Essence flaring as he blocked, but Kael's blade still managed to leave a thin, shallow cut across his uncle's cheek.
Blood trickled slowly down Ulric's pale skin.
Surprise flickered briefly in Ulric's eyes before they darkened with fury. "You actually managed to wound me," he said quietly, voice cold and dangerous. "Impressive. But you've only sealed your fate."
Dark Essence erupted from Ulric's body, forming dense clouds of oppressive power. The pressure pushed against Kael, nearly driving him to his knees. He fought to remain standing, but his limbs trembled violently under the overwhelming force.
Ulric stepped forward slowly, his presence looming like an executioner's blade. "You're not yet strong enough to challenge me, Kael. Perhaps in another lifetime."
Kael clenched his teeth, his heart pounding painfully. He knew he had reached his limit, but surrender wasn't an option. Gathering every ounce of remaining Essence, he launched himself forward again, his blade surging with desperate energy.
Ulric easily sidestepped the strike, his palm thrusting out with terrifying speed, slamming into Kael's chest. Black Essence surged violently into Kael, scorching his meridians and overwhelming his core. Kael cried out in agony as pain consumed him, his vision darkening rapidly.
He fell heavily to the ground, coughing violently, blood staining his lips. Lena rushed toward him, her eyes wide with panic, but Ulric blocked her path effortlessly.
"Kael!" Lena screamed, desperation in her voice.
Kael struggled weakly, reaching toward her with a trembling hand. His vision blurred, the pain unbearable. But beyond the pain, a single thought burned in his mind: He couldn't let this be the end.
Ulric stared down at him coldly, raising his hand for the final blow. "This time, you won't return."
Kael closed his eyes, Essence spinning wildly in his core, fighting against Ulric's invasive power. His heartbeat slowed, his mind drifting closer to the edge of darkness. Yet, in that final, desperate moment, he felt a sudden surge of clarity—a realization he had never experienced before.
His Essence pulsed sharply, the core within his chest spinning with renewed intensity. For an instant, it felt like he was on the verge of understanding something profound—an insight at the brink of death.
Then, without warning, a massive explosion erupted behind Ulric, shaking the entire battlefield. A wave of fiery Essence crashed through the area, knocking Ulric off balance and forcing him back.
Kael's eyes snapped open, clarity returning. He saw a figure striding through the smoke—a tall man in armor emblazoned with the Ardyn clan crest, his aura powerful and commanding.
His father—Galen Ardyn—stood before them, spear glowing brilliantly with condensed lightning Essence, eyes burning fiercely with anger and determination.
"Brother," Galen's voice thundered, fury evident in every word. "You will pay for your betrayal."
Kael's heart swelled painfully. He had never expected this—his father intervening directly, changing the flow of the battle. Hope surged through him, despite his injuries.
Ulric steadied himself, eyes narrowed with contempt. "You're too late, Galen."
Galen raised his spear, lightning crackling around it. "We'll see about that."
Their figures blurred as they charged toward each other, Essence roaring violently, shaking the very earth beneath them.
Kael struggled to sit up, his vision swimming. He had to help his father—this fight was critical, and he couldn't simply watch from the sidelines.
But before he could stand, a shadow fell over him. Kael's breath caught sharply. Turning slowly, he saw Tarnis standing silently nearby, crimson armor glowing ominously in the fading daylight.
"You're stronger than anticipated," Tarnis whispered coldly. "But strength alone won't save you now."
Kael's eyes widened, realizing his greatest challenge was only just beginning.