Karl's claws burned hotter with every strike. His flames no longer just trailed behind him — they clung to him, wrapped around his arms and chest like armor of molten metal. The stone at his feet cracked under the weight of his aura, heat spilling across the quarter like a living tide.
Kael's golden light was still there, steady, but it flickered now. His fists glowed, his movements sharp, yet slower than before. Each block left him skidding further back. Each counter seemed to drain him more than it should have.
Karl noticed. He always noticed.
"Not so calm now, brother," he snarled, lunging. His claws slashed across Kael's chest again, tearing through the light. Blood sprayed, sizzling in the heat.
Kael staggered, caught himself, swung back with a hard right. Karl took the blow on his shoulder, grunted, then laughed through the pain. "That all you've got?"
