The air was thick with tension, the crackle of Kael's aura mixing with the low growls of the final beast.
He was exhausted—no, beyond exhausted. His body ached in ways he didn't think possible. Two days in the portal, facing a non-stop barrage of powerful beasts, had drained him physically and mentally. He had fought, won, and fallen, only to rise again.
But now, standing before the final challenge, Kael wasn't sure how much longer he could hold on.
The beast before him was colossal, easily the size of a house, with armored plates covering its body like a living fortress. Its eyes glowed a deep, unnerving red, its massive claws tearing into the ground as it advanced. The creature's growls echoed like thunder, a low, menacing sound that vibrated the earth beneath Kael's feet.
"You're the last one," Kael muttered to himself, his voice rough, barely more than a whisper. "Then I can get back…"
His hands shook as he gripped his sword tightly, but there was no hesitation in his movements. This was it—the moment where he would either fall or finally finish what he had started.
The creature lunged forward with a roar that split the air, its claws swiping down with deadly speed. Kael didn't hesitate—he vanished in a blur, his Voidstep technique allowing him to dodge the strike with an ease that would have been impossible before his recent training.
But the beast wasn't done yet.
It spun in mid-air, its tail whipping toward him with a shocking amount of speed. Kael barely had time to react, raising his arm to block, but the impact sent him crashing to the ground, pain shooting up his arm.
His body felt like it was on fire from the sheer force of the blow, but Kael pushed through it. He couldn't stop now. Not when he was so close.
The beast charged again, this time aiming for Kael's chest with its massive claws extended.
"Not this time," Kael gritted through his teeth.
Kael focused, drawing every ounce of energy left in him. His aura flared, becoming more concentrated and intense as he tapped into his Overdrive Mode. His vision sharpened, and his senses heightened. He could see the beast's movements like slow motion.
In a flash, Kael was on his feet, his sword raised high. As the beast's claws came down, he slashed with a speed that seemed impossible, the edge of his blade cutting through the beast's thick armor.
The beast roared, a sound filled with rage and pain, but Kael didn't stop. He leapt forward, his sword carving through its hide as he moved faster than the creature could react. The battle seemed to slow, the rhythm of his strikes syncing perfectly with the monster's roars.
And then, in one final, decisive blow, Kael drove his sword deep into the beast's heart. The creature let out a final screech, thrashing as its massive body fell to the ground, dead.
Kael stood over it, panting heavily. His body trembled, his mind swimming in exhaustion, but he had done it. He had taken down the last of the beasts.
For a long moment, all was still. Kael stared at the corpse of the fallen monster, trying to catch his breath and steady his racing heart. The silence was almost deafening.
He had done it.
The portal to the final boss awaited him. He had completed the first half of the task. Now came the final test. Kael glanced at the glowing doorway, the faint pulse of energy beckoning him forward.
With no more hesitation, Kael walked toward the portal.
His fight wasn't over yet. Not by a long shot.