Chapter Eighteen: "Duel in the Abyss"
The world around them blurred as Raizel clashed with Shade.
Unlike any opponent before, Shade fought without aura — yet matched every strike, every surge, with unnatural precision. His blade was black as void, absorbing aura instead of resisting it.
Raizel's violet aura tried to bend Shade's speed — but it failed.
His orange flame tried to burn through — it fizzled.
Only his silver precision held the line.
They battled across the shattered pass, blades ringing like thunderclaps.
"Why do you serve the Crimson Fang?" Raizel gasped between blows.
Shade grinned, eyes glowing dimly. "Because he freed me… from weakness."
With a sudden move, Shade feinted, then slashed across Raizel's shoulder — blood sprayed.
But Raizel's eyes blazed. He stepped back, exhaled deeply…
Then unleashed all three auras at once.
The valley lit up like a starburst.
His blade cleaved the air — and Shade's sword cracked.