Ryo fixed his gaze on Velthar and Zykran, his golden eyes scanning every intent, every tension in their muscles. He didn't move, but every fiber of his body vibrated with contained energy, ready to unleash at the right moment.
> Ryo (thinking): "Very well… let's see how far they can go."
Velthar spat once more, then leapt forward, his speed defying the naked eye. Zykran followed almost instantly, his claws glinting in the light of the lingering flames and ashes.
The ground shook at their approach, and dust rose like a silent storm. Ryo waited, calculating, analyzing. Every attack from the Demon Kings was dodged with millimetric precision, yet he never pushed his limits. He allowed Velthar and Zykran to believe they could surprise him, that they could overpower him.
> Velthar: "You just stand there, motionless… are you that weak?"
Zykran: "Don't hold back, human. Show us the strength you hide!"
Ryo didn't answer. He observed. Every move, every strike, every feint from the Demon Kings was recorded in his mind. Gabriel, faithful to his post, stood ready to act at a single signal if needed.
A flash of light split the air as Velthar aimed a direct blow at Ryo's chest. Ryo moved almost imperceptibly, just enough for the strike to miss. Zykran tried to flank him immediately after, but again, Ryo adjusted his stance with fluid precision.
> Ryo (thinking): "Good… every movement counts. Let's see what techniques they truly possess."
The duel intensified, as Velthar and Zykran began to realize they weren't facing an ordinary opponent. The pure rage of the Demon Kings clashed against the calculated mastery of the King of Ashen — someone who knew when to strike and when to wait.
The flames of the ruins and the swirling ashes created an apocalyptic stage around them. The wind, the cracked earth, and the charred trees all seemed to watch the silent duel, as if the world itself held its breath.
Ryo tightened his grip on the blade, just enough for Velthar to feel the latent threat. Without a word, he let every strike from the Demon Kings graze past him or cut through the air, testing their power, their endurance, and their instincts.
Gabriel, perceptive as always, understood immediately — Ryo wanted to observe and analyze their abilities before unleashing his full might.
> Ryo (thinking, to Gabriel): "Be ready."
Gabriel: "…Understood."
The seconds turned into a ballet of opposing forces, silent but furious. Ryo didn't boast, didn't shout. Every dodge, every adjustment, every step was calculated, preparing the ground for what was to come.
Velthar and Zykran, enraged yet focused, began to strike with greater ferocity, trying to break Ryo's guard. But he remained calm, letting their assaults reveal their true potential. The confrontation, still restrained, was only a prelude to the coming cataclysm.
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