Chapter 3: A Glimpse of Power

Kaiser's body convulsed as dark tendrils wrapped around him, sinking into his skin.

The bruises and cuts from the beating? They vanished.

His wounds sealed shut unnaturally, his breathing steadied, and when he opened his eyes—they briefly flashed an eerie, pale white.

He gasped as his senses expanded. He could see the world differently now, every flickering shadow, every breath of movement.

It was overwhelming.

It was power.

But he wasn't in control. Not yet.

Gregory steadied himself, rolling his shoulders.

He had seen something like this before.

This was the second stage of a Quas-blooded awakening—the Take Over.

But Kaiser had no experience. He couldn't wield this power properly.

Gregory's eyes narrowed. "You're unstable. You don't even know how to use it yet."

Kaiser lurched forward, his body moving before his mind could process it.

He felt weightless, faster, stronger—but his body wasn't entirely his.

He swung at Gregory—a wild, erratic attack fueled by raw instinct.

Gregory sidestepped effortlessly.

With practiced ease, he brought the handle of his mace up, slamming it into Kaiser's ribs.

The impact sent Kaiser stumbling back, his body skidding across the dirt.

"You are not ready… but I will guide you."

Kaiser's head snapped up, his breath heavy.

This wasn't over.

He gritted his teeth, digging his heels into the dirt.

A surge of power coursed through his veins, ghostly mist twisting around his arms. His body felt lighter than ever before, and for the first time—he welcomed it.

Kaiser dashed forward.

A blur of shadow and motion, heading straight for Gregory.

As the vessel speaks the name of the entity for the first time, something beyond human understanding occurs—the Contracting.

This agreement does not take place in the physical world. Instead, it happens within the vessel's mind, a moment stretched into eternity, where the entity and the vessel reach an unspoken understanding.

The agreement is simple—power in exchange for a bond.

Some entities demand sacrifices, others require loyalty or submission, and a few simply wish to exist through their host. The exact details differ, but the result is always the same:

Once the agreement is made, the entity materializes in the real world.

The process is instant, yet within the mind of the vessel, it feels like a long, twisted negotiation.

And in that fleeting moment, Kaiser Reiss made his agreement with Alzalel.

The clash begins. Kaiser surged forward, his movements far beyond human limits.

The air around him rippled, his body moving in a blur as he closed the distance between him and Gregory Malter.

But speed alone wasn't enough.

Gregory shifted his stance at the last moment, sidestepping with ease. Kaiser's dagger barely missed his ribs.

The bounty hunter's experience showed immediately. While Kaiser's attacks were fast, they were wild, unrefined—driven by raw instinct rather than skill.

Gregory responded with brutal efficiency.

A mace strike to the ribs sent Kaiser staggering, but before he could recover—a follow-up blow came crashing toward his skull.

Kaiser barely twisted out of the way. The force of the swing shattered the crates behind him, sending splinters flying.

Gregory narrowed his eyes. Sloppy… but healing too fast. I need to end this now.

Kevin lay on the ground, clutching his ribs, watching the battle unfold.

His brother was different.

The way Kaiser moved—the way his body reacted before his mind could think—wasn't normal.

The more Kaiser fought, the more his strikes became sharper, more calculated.

And the worst part?

Kevin could see his brother wasn't entirely in control.

"Kaiser, stop!" he shouted. "You don't know what you're doing!"

But Kaiser wasn't listening.

"Let me guide you."

Kaiser felt Alzalel's voice crawling into his mind, slipping between his thoughts like a shadow.

"Do not swing wildly—predict. Control. Adjust."

His hands twitched. His grip on the dagger tightened.

Suddenly, Kaiser's movements shifted.

His attacks, once erratic, became deliberate.

He feinted left, then struck low, forcing Gregory to move his footing.

Then—a precise stab toward his exposed ribs.

Gregory barely dodged, his eyes narrowing. The kid was learning mid-fight.

Gregory exhaled, adjusting his grip on the mace.

Kaiser was adapting too fast.

If this continued, the fight would no longer be in his favor.

Gregory made his decision.

Slamming his mace into the ground, he created a shockwave, forcing Kaiser to back away. Dust and debris kicked up, momentarily blinding the alley.

Gregory charged forward, swinging his mace in a controlled arc.

Kaiser barely dodged.

Then—he disappeared.

Kaiser hadn't meant to do it.

His body just… reacted.

One moment, he was in front of Gregory—the next, he was behind him.

He didn't jump. He didn't run. He just… vanished and reappeared.

Gregory's eyes widened. Phantom Step…?!

Kaiser himself froze in shock. What just happened?

Alzalel's voice whispered again.

"You are finally beginning to grasp it."

Gregory clenched his jaw. He couldn't let this fight drag on.

Kaiser was evolving too quickly.

If he didn't end this now, it would become a fight he couldn't win.

Gregory adjusted his stance, bracing himself for the final exchange.

Kaiser, now more in sync with Alzalel, felt the surge of power.

The dagger in his hand glowed faintly with spectral mist, vibrating as if alive.

His breathing steadied. His mind was clearer.

He didn't hesitate.

He dashed forward.

A blur of shadow and motion, heading straight for Gregory.

Kaiser lunged forward, his spectral dagger aimed directly at Gregory's chest. His movements were sharper, faster, more precise—far beyond anything he had ever done before.

Gregory, however, was no ordinary opponent.

With practiced ease, he raised his mace just in time, the dagger's edge scraping against the reinforced handle.

The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the alley, dust and debris kicking up from the sheer force. Both fighters were thrown back, their feet dragging against the dirt.

Kaiser, fueled by Alzalel's influence, felt no exhaustion. But Gregory? He was beginning to notice the strain.

Kevin, still on the ground, forced himself up. His ribs ached, his limbs weak, but his eyes never left his brother.

Kaiser was changing.

His movements, his stance—it wasn't him anymore.

Kevin's stomach twisted in unease. "Kaiser, stop! This isn't you!"

But Kaiser wasn't listening.

Gregory's eyes narrowed. I need to stop this now.

He suddenly changed tactics, shifting his weight before sweeping Kaiser's legs with a low kick.

Kaiser stumbled. That was all Gregory needed.

With ruthless efficiency, Gregory swung his mace down, aiming to knock Kaiser unconscious before the entity could fully consume him.

But just as the mace was about to connect, Kaiser vanished.

Gregory's attack hit nothing but air.

A cold sensation crawled up his spine—Kaiser had reappeared behind him.

Gregory barely had time to react as Kaiser's dagger flashed toward his throat.

But Gregory wasn't just a brute.

Predicting the move, he twisted at the last second, driving his elbow into Kaiser's ribs.

The force of the strike sent Kaiser crashing against a stone wall.

Kaiser barely felt the pain. His body healed too fast, the injuries fading before they could settle.

But something was wrong.

His fingers tingled with unnatural cold. His vision blurred, his heartbeat slowing.

Then he felt it—a pull.

Something was dragging him deeper into the abyss.