Chapter 10: Clash of Souls
The air was thick with tension as Joshua stepped into the shattered hall, his eyes locking onto Voth's dark silhouette. The faint hum of raw Soul Energy radiated from both fighters, a subtle but deadly vibration that made the hairs on Karen's arms stand on end.
Voth's cloak fluttered in an invisible wind, his stance casual yet lethal. "So, the Master Soulborne arrives. I was beginning to wonder if you'd even bother."
Joshua's jaw clenched. "You're pushing them too hard. This isn't a game."
Voth smirked. "Everything is a game. The question is who controls the board."
Before Joshua could answer, Voth surged forward, a sudden blur of shadow and bone-chilling cold. His fist struck with the force of a hammer, aiming for Joshua's side. Joshua barely twisted in time, blocking with an arm coated in shimmering soul constructs.
Crack. The collision sent shockwaves through the room, rattling dust and splintering wood.
Joshua countered with a sweeping palm infused with his own soul energy, but Voth was already shifting, his form dissolving into shadows before rematerializing behind Joshua. A swift kick caught Joshua off-guard, sending him sprawling into a pillar.
Karen and the others watched, breaths held tight. This was no ordinary battle. This was a duel of raw soul power—Master against High, each blow echoing the vast gulf between their ranks.
Joshua rose, expression grim, and extended his hand. Blue soul energy spiraled, forming a blade that hummed with fierce light. "I won't let you hurt them."
Voth's eyes glinted. "Then fight."
They collided again, their soul energies clashing like thunder against lightning. Joshua's strikes were precise and controlled, his aura steady despite the pressure. But Voth's attacks came with the weight of years spent in darkness—relentless, brutal, and unyielding.
At one point, Joshua faltered, staggering beneath a devastating blow that cracked the stone beneath his feet. For a heartbeat, doubt flickered in his eyes. Could he really best a High Soulborne? Especially one like Voth, who hadn't even unleashed his domain?
Yet, the thought of Karen and the others—fragile, inexperienced—ignited a fierce determination inside him. He pushed back, soul energy flaring in a brilliant surge.
Voth's smirk faded slightly. "Impressive. But this is far from over."
Karen's heart pounded. Watching her instructor struggle, seeing the depths of power they faced, she understood the road ahead would be treacherous—and her own growth was just beginning.
....