The Frostfang Wolf King snarled, its yellow eyes gleaming with fury as it lunged toward Singh. Its speed was blinding, and its claws—sharp as daggers—ripped through the air, aiming for his midsection.
Singh reacted instantly, his heart pounding in his chest as he teleported just inches away from the wolf's deadly strike. The wolf's claws sliced through the air where he had been, and Singh could feel the sudden drop in temperature as the beast's icy aura engulfed him.
The Eternal Sun Lotus in his palm flared, sending a burst of golden heat in a wide arc, forcing the beast to retreat for a moment. The creature recoiled from the flames, its fur singed, but only slightly.
Singh's pulse quickened as he landed, his eyes darting to Kael, who was standing at the edge of the battle with an unreadable expression. He didn't have time to worry about the man's thoughts. The wolf was far more immediate.
It wasn't just a beast—it was a Spirit Beast. Its power radiated in waves, an invisible force pressing against Singh's chest. He could feel the pressure in his bones, the way his muscles were begging him to slow down.
But he couldn't afford to slow down.
Survive until sundown.
That was the deal.
The Frostfang Wolf King gave a chilling howl, the sound of its cry echoing across the river, reverberating through the air. Singh felt a shiver run through him—not from the cold, but from the raw primal power that emanated from the creature.
Kael's voice echoed, distant but clear. "You'll have to do more than dodge, boy. This isn't about surviving. It's about proving you have what it takes to fight."
---
The Hunt Intensifies
Singh wasn't sure if the wolf could hear Kael's taunts, but it certainly responded. The Frostfang Wolf King's eyes locked onto him, its muscles rippling beneath its thick fur as it sprang forward, jaws wide and claws extended.
Singh's body was already in motion. He dodged again, using the Teleport Step, but this time, the wolf anticipated his movement. Its eyes narrowed, and a howl rang through the air—an ear-piercing sound that was amplified by its spiritual energy.
A gust of cold wind whipped through the clearing as Singh appeared just behind the wolf. He slashed with the Silent Kunai, the blade cutting through the air, but the wolf's fur was as tough as steel. His strike only left a shallow cut across the beast's flank.
The wolf turned on a dime, its head snapping back to face him in an instant. It lunged, aiming to tear into him with its teeth.
Singh's mind raced. He had to think faster, be smarter. He couldn't keep relying on his teleportation and dodging alone. The wolf's speed was far beyond what he had expected, and it could anticipate his movements.
With a quick glance, Singh spotted the riverbank behind the wolf—where the red rocks jutted out, creating a natural trap. If he could lure the beast into that position, he might have a chance to corner it.
"Not bad, boy," Kael called from the sidelines, his arms crossed. "But you'll need more than tricks to take down a beast like that."
Singh gritted his teeth. Kael wasn't wrong. He needed to use everything he had—every ounce of his power. He couldn't afford to hesitate any longer.
---
The Awakening
A surge of determination coursed through Singh as he felt his Spirit Rings pulse, one after another. He knew the moment had come. He could no longer rely on his Kunai alone, or just the heat from the Eternal Sun Lotus.
He focused, feeling the energy from both martial souls collide within him. The Silent Kunai, his first martial soul, was pure speed, stealth, and precision. His Eternal Sun Lotus, his second soul, was warmth, light, and raw power. But when fused, they could create something more.
The time to experiment was over.
Singh let the two energies swirl within him. His body became a conduit—energy flowing from one soul to the other, melding their qualities into something entirely new. Heat and shadows fused, forming an aura around Singh—like a shadowed flame.
The Frostfang Wolf King leaped toward him again, its claws aimed directly at his chest. But this time, Singh didn't dodge.
He stepped forward.
The heat from the Eternal Sun Lotus blazed around him, enveloping his body in a cocoon of golden fire. But instead of using it just for defense, he directed it outward, mixing in the shadows from his Silent Kunai, creating a blazing shadow flare. The burst of energy shot forward, a fiery wave that lashed out like a whip.
The wolf's eyes widened in shock, but it was too late. The blast struck its chest with the force of a thunderclap, knocking it backward and sending it tumbling across the rocky terrain.
Singh didn't stop. He charged forward, his feet light but determined. The wolf was momentarily dazed, but it was already getting back up, its fur singed but still shimmering with power.
---
The Final Push
Singh moved without thinking. He teleported to the wolf's side and, with a swift movement, slashed downward with the Silent Kunai. The blade cut deep into the creature's side this time, leaving a long gash that sprayed blood into the air. The beast howled in pain, staggering backward.
But the wolf wasn't done.
It charged again, faster than before, its claws striking with deadly accuracy. Singh didn't have time to fully react—he teleported, but the wolf's claws grazed his side, tearing through his leather armor and leaving a shallow but painful wound.
Singh gritted his teeth. The pain only fueled him more. He couldn't afford to falter now.
With a roar, he summoned every last bit of his power—both martial souls awakening fully in him. He teleported again, but this time, he appeared directly above the wolf.
As he fell, his Kunai became a blur of motion, slashing downward with the full might of both souls fused together. His strike landed with a powerful crack, embedding deep into the wolf's skull.
The Frostfang Wolf King let out one final, deafening howl, but it was cut short as its body crumpled to the ground. The beast lay motionless, its once glowing eyes now dim, its aura extinguished.
Singh stood over it, chest heaving, sweat dripping down his face. The battle had been grueling, but he had done it. He had survived.
---
The Aftermath
For a long moment, there was nothing but silence. Singh's heart pounded in his ears as he caught his breath, the golden aura of his Eternal Sun Lotus flickering faintly.
Then, Kael's voice rang out, sharp and approving.
"Well, well… I didn't think you had it in you."
Singh turned toward him, his expression unreadable.
Kael stepped forward, clapping once. "Congratulations, boy. You've passed the trial."
Singh nodded slowly, but he didn't lower his guard. The fight was over, but Kael's presence still lingered—there was something about the man that made him uneasy. Something far more dangerous than just his combat prowess.
Kael eyed the fallen wolf, then turned his gaze back to Singh. "You're stronger than I thought. I've seen many survive these trials, but you're different."
Singh said nothing, still trying to catch his breath.
"Come on, then," Kael continued, grinning. "Lady Selene will be waiting."