Chapter 21

A fist slammed into Zane's stomach. Hard.

Zane gritted his teeth as pain exploded through his core, his feet skidding back against the polished floor. But before he could fully recover, Alaric was already pressing forward, his speed was ridiculous, way too fast for Zane to counter properly.

Not to talk of his precision, his strength too.

That was Alaric.

Zane barely ducked under a devastating right hook before twisting his body, retaliating with a sharp knee to the ribs.

Alaric twisted at the last second, the attack barely grazing his side before he lashed out with a sharp kick to Zane's leg.

Zane staggered slightly.

Alaric did not let up.

He stepped in, closing the distance completely before driving his elbow toward Zane's jaw.

Zane felt the wind shift.

He threw up his arms just in time, absorbing the blow, but the sheer force behind it rattled his bones.

Fuck. What was up with that strength!.

It was like he was facing the wrath demon in human form!

Zane pushed back, swinging his own fist in a brutal right hook, but Alaric caught his wrist mid-swing and used the momentum to twist Zane's entire body off balance.

Zane gritted his teeth, shifting his weight. He let himself fall—just enough to get under Alaric's guard—then slammed his forearm against the older hunter's ribs.

A solid hit.

Alaric actually stumbled slightly, but it wasn't much.

He recovered too fast, eyes glinting with something almost like approval.

Then he attacked again.

Shadow.

Zane's shadow automatically formed a long spear, it seemed his shadow was learning his preference

The moment Alaric lunged forward, Zane thrust the weapon forward, aiming for his chest.

A normal opponent would have been impaled, Zane's movement held no noticeable errors, and he was fast enough for the human eye to barely see his blur.

But you see Alaric was the leader of the L.A base for a reason.

At the last second, he twisted his body unnaturally, narrowly avoiding the strike before catching the shaft of the spear with one hand.

The hell?!

Zane immediately tried to yank it back, but Alaric's grip was like iron.

Zane barely had time to think before Alaric yanked him forward instead.

A split second.

Alaric's knee slammed into his ribs.

Pain exploded in Zane's torso.

Fuck.

He rolled with the impact, twisting his body to lessen the damage before planting his feet firmly on the ground.

His grip tightened on his spear, and without hesitating, he used his momentum to swing the weapon horizontally at Alaric's ribs.

This time it hit.

Not full force, but enough to make Alaric take a step back.

Zane inhaled sharply.

He was keeping up.

Even if just barely.

Alaric grinned. "Not bad."

Then he vanished again.

Zane's instincts screamed.

He spun, spear raised just in time to intercept the black dagger aiming for his side. The two weapons clashed, sparks flying as the force of the impact shook his arms.

He had no time to breathe before Alaric's other fist came swinging toward his face.

Zane ducked.

This fight was brutal.

Alaric wasn't holding back. Not even a little.

Zane had fought vampires. A powerful Wrath Demon. Even Mia.

But this?

This was like fighting a storm.

Zane's mind raced. He couldn't outmatch Alaric in speed. Couldn't overpower him in raw strength.

But he wasn't out of options.

He shifted his shadow spear mid-swing, shortening it instantly, throwing off Alaric's expected timing.

A feint.

Alaric hesitated for half a second, but that was all Zane needed.

He moved in, slamming his elbow against Alaric's ribs, then spun and drove his knee into his stomach.

Alaric grunted, stepping back.

Zane pressed forward, his spear extending back to full length as he swung at his opponent's side.

But Alaric, crafty bastard that he was, let the attack get close before abruptly dissolving into his own shadow.

Zane's eyes widened.

Shit.

A second later, something slammed into the back of his legs, sweeping them completely out from under him.

Before he could even register the fall, a knee pressed against his chest, pinning him down.

Alaric grinned above him, blade aimed at his throat.

"Good Job with that last attack." His voice was amused. "but don't get cocky just because you land a hit."

Zane groaned. "Fucking hell."

Alaric chuckled and stood, offering him a hand.

Zane took it, rubbing the back of his neck as he got up. His whole body ached, but he was still standing.

And he'd held his own.....barely.

Okay he had barely scratched the man

Mia finally pushed off the wall, walking over with a smirk. "That was entertaining."

Zane shot her a look. "Glad you had fun."

Alaric crossed his arms, studying him for a moment. "You're good," he admitted. "Still rough around the edges, but real fighting experience is the only thing that can solve that."

Zane rolled his shoulders. "Good enough for the invasion?"

Alaric's smirk faded slightly. "I'd say so."

Zane nodded. Good.

He needed to be ready for what came next.

Alaric gave him one last nod before turning and leaving the training hall.

Zane exhaled deeply, finally letting his body relax.

Mia stepped closer, her expression softer now.

He glanced at her. "Something on your mind?"

She tilted her head slightly before reaching down and taking his hand.

"Come on," she said quietly. "You need rest."

Zane squeezed her fingers lightly before letting her lead him out.

The invasion was coming.

And soon, he'd be stepping into the demonic realm