The Swordless Duel

Kael watches Prince advance with a mixture of amusement and condescension. He remains seated on the stone throne, his dark, predatory eyes locked onto Prince's every move. There's a mocking smile on his lips, as if he's savoring the opportunity to play with his prey. Despite the power radiating from Prince's ice-infused attacks, Kael doesn't draw his sword. Instead, he leans back casually, as if the confrontation holds no real threat to him.

Prince charges forward, his icy energy crackling with intent. He swings his arm, a wave of freezing wind cutting through the air towards Kael. But before the attack can connect, Kael moves—fluid and effortless, like a shadow slipping through the cracks of reality. He glides to the side, avoiding the strike with a smirk on his lips.

Prince's eyes flash with determination. He throws another blast of ice, this time aiming for Kael's head. But Kael ducks beneath the attack, moving with a grace that suggests he's not just playing—he's taunting Prince. "Is this all you've got?" Kael taunts, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I expected more from someone who thinks they can take me down."

Kael's words seem to stoke Prince's frustration. He gathers his strength and hurls another icy projectile, a barrage of freezing shards aimed at Kael's midsection. But Kael doesn't even flinch. He steps back, his dark eyes gleaming with a twisted kind of delight as he watches the ice melt away harmlessly at his feet. "Impressive, but predictable," Kael remarks, his tone laced with disdain.

Prince's attacks are relentless, but Kael is always one step ahead. He moves with unnatural speed, dodging each blow with ease. His dark energy crackles around him, reacting to the icy forces with a sizzling intensity that sends shivers down Prince's spine. It's as if Kael isn't even trying—every motion seems like an effortless counter, a demonstration of his superiority.

The temple shakes with the force of their battle, the clash of dark and ice energy creating a thunderous symphony of power. Prince swings again, a powerful arc of ice cutting through the air, but Kael sidesteps with a lazy grace, flicking his wrist to send a dark tendril of energy that wraps around Prince's arm, immobilizing him momentarily.

Prince grunts in frustration, yanking his arm free, but Kael's mocking grin only widens. "You're predictable, just like all the others," Kael taunts. "You think you're strong, but you haven't even begun to understand true power."

Prince grits his teeth, his eyes narrowing as he assesses his next move. He's not backing down—not now, not ever. With a growl, he lunges forward again, summoning his icy power into a condensed blast aimed directly at Kael's chest. But Kael simply lifts a hand, catching the ice in mid-air with a flick of his wrist. The ice dissipates, leaving no trace of impact. Kael's laughter echoes through the temple, a dark and mocking sound that seems to mock Prince's every effort.

"Enough," Kael growls, his patience clearly wearing thin. "You're just a child playing at war. You'll never be a true threat to me."

Prince's frustration boils over. With a final, desperate roar, he summons the full extent of his icy power, channeling it into one final, explosive attack. The temple shudders as the ice energy flares brightly, casting an eerie blue light across the ancient stones. But Kael remains unmoved. He stands there, waiting, watching, as if he's already decided the outcome of the fight.

As the blast closes in on him, Kael's dark energy pulsates with a cold, malevolent power. With a casual flick of his wrist, he dispels the icy assault with ease. Prince's eyes widen in shock—Kael didn't even take out his sword. He's been toying with Prince all along, a predator savoring the thrill of the hunt.

Kael rises from his throne, the dark energy around him swirling and crackling with renewed intensity. "You're strong, Prince," Kael admits, his voice laced with a hint of respect, "but you're not strong enough." He takes a step towards Prince, every movement exuding a quiet, menacing confidence.

Prince doesn't back down. He's outmatched, outmaneuvered, but there's a fire in his eyes—a flicker of defiance that refuses to be extinguished. "I'll show you," he snaps, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and determination.

Kael chuckles, a dark and sinister sound that fills the temple. "Show me?" he mocks. "You couldn't even touch me. I've faced stronger opponents than you in this game. You're just another blip on the radar, nothing more."

With a sudden burst of speed, Kael closes the distance between them, his dark energy crackling around him. He lunges forward, not with his sword but with his bare hands, closing the gap in an instant. Prince tries to dodge, but Kael is too fast. The dark energy wraps around Prince's limbs, pinning him in place as Kael towers over him.

"Face it," Kael hisses in Prince's ear, his voice low and menacing. "You're not ready for what's coming. This isn't a game anymore. This is survival."

The chapter ends with a sense of foreboding as Prince struggles against the dark tendrils, his fate hanging in the balance. The tension is palpable, the promise of a dangerous, deadly confrontation looming on the horizon.