SHADOWS OF THE ABYSS

The dueling arena beneath the Black Citadel was carved from obsidian and shadowstone, its surface an abyssal void that absorbed all light. Here, the royals of the Vade bloodline honed their craft—not as knights, but as assassins of war.

Riven stood at one end, his body loose but coiled with lethal precision. Every fiber of his being screamed for battle.

Zephyr stood opposite, casual, unconcerned. The confidence of an apex predator.

"Come," Zephyr said, voice low but taunting. "Show me what you've learned in my absence."

Riven's crimson-tinted eyes glowed faintly. He vanished.

His movement was soundless—Black Steps executed to perfection. In a blink, he was upon Zephyr, his dagger flashing toward the prince's throat.

A blur—Zephyr moved.

Not dodging. Redirecting.

The dagger's trajectory shifted, forced away by the smallest flick of Zephyr's wrist. Then—a fist crashed into Riven's ribs.

A normal strike? No. The force behind it was monstrous. Riven barely managed to roll with the impact, absorbing most of the blow, but the raw power was undeniable. Zephyr's abyssal mastery was leagues above anyone Riven had faced.

But Riven had never relied on brute strength.

He twisted mid-air, shadows bursting from his feet, reversing gravity for a split second. His body flipped over Zephyr's form—mid-air counterattack!

His blade struck down—only to be met with two fingers.

Zephyr caught the dagger between them, his smirk widening.

"Not bad," he murmured.

Then, without warning—Zephyr's abyssal aura exploded.

Dark tendrils surged forth, faster than thought. Riven barely managed to retreat, his instincts screaming. Zephyr was toying with him.

"Lesson one," Zephyr said, his voice cool. "Speed means nothing if your opponent is faster."

Riven clenched his fists. Then I just have to be faster.

Darkness rippled around him. The Vade bloodline's forbidden technique—Shadow Eclipse—coursed through his veins.

His aura deepened, the arena itself bending under its weight.

Zephyr raised a brow. Then he laughed.

"Now that," he said, his golden eyes flashing, "is interesting."

Riven smirked.

The real fight was just beginning.