The system responded before he did.
Threat Level: Class-B AnomalyFORCE SIGNATURE DETECTED – AGGRESSIVE INTENT CONFIRMED
Combat Branch: UNLOCKED
Primary Skill Unlocked: Stasis Pulse—Effect: Temporarily slows object/person in a 5m radius for 2.8 seconds—Cooldown: 90 sec—Force Cost: Moderate
Toren's breath hitched as the skill bled into his instincts—not a thought, not a motion, but a presence just behind his spine. Like a second heartbeat, coiled and ready.
Val's eyes flicked upward.
"You felt it," she said. "That's rare."
She stepped closer.
Toren shifted his stance—not a combat posture. A brace. He wasn't a fighter. Not yet.
Val ignited a thin-bladed saber with a snap-hiss that barely cut the air. The light was sickly white, like bone left too long in sun.
"I'm not here to kill you," she said. "I'm here to measure you. Same thing."
She lunged.
Toren didn't think—he acted.
His hand snapped up, fingers curled, and the Force poured through him in a ragged surge. The world didn't stop—but it slowed.
Val moved like she was underwater, teeth bared, blade drifting forward in molasses.
Toren sidestepped—barely.
The pulse ended.
Time snapped back.
Val recovered mid-spin, grinning now. "Well," she said, "you've got something."
Toren didn't answer.
He reached for the second pulse—
But Mira's voice cut through the fight, sharp and furious:
"Toren!"
She was on the walkway, eyes wide with disbelief.
And behind her—
Dozens of villagers.
Watching.