SHADOW DANCE

Skybound Odyssey – Chapter 9: Shadow Dance

Ryo stood at the center of the deck, surrounded by five identical copies of Kane Blackthorn. Each one moved in perfect sync, their daggers gleaming under the sun.

Lyra gritted her teeth. "Ryo! Be careful! Kane's a master of Shadow Mirage Techniques—his clones are almost as fast as he is!"

Ryo rolled his shoulders. "Almost?" He grinned. "Then this'll be easy."

Without warning, all five Kanes attacked at once.

Ryo ducked under the first strike, twisted around the second, and blocked a third with his forearm. Sparks erupted from his skin as his body pulsed with energy.

But the fourth and fifth daggers found their mark.

A sharp pain tore through Ryo's side as cold steel cut deep.

He staggered back, blood trickling from the wounds.

The Kanes smirked. "You're fast, Stormheart. But not fast enough."

Ryo clenched his fists. "Yeah?" His golden eyes flared. "Let's fix that."

A boom of energy erupted from his body. Lightning danced around his limbs, and suddenly—

He disappeared.

Kane's smirk vanished. "What—"

CRACK!

A fist slammed into his ribs, sending him flying across the deck. The clones flickered and vanished.

Ryo reappeared where Kane had stood, grinning. "Not bad, bounty hunter. But I'm just getting started."

Kane coughed, wiping blood from his mouth. Then he laughed.

"I like you, Stormheart. But don't think you've won yet."

He snapped his fingers.

A shadow loomed over the Stormchaser.

Lyra's eyes widened. "Oh, come on."

Another ship had appeared above them—larger, sleeker, with dark sails billowing in the wind. More bounty hunters lined the railing, weapons drawn.

A figure stepped forward—a woman with silver hair and piercing blue eyes, dressed in a long black coat. Her voice was calm, but it carried the weight of authority.

"Enough games, Kane." She gazed down at Ryo. "Stormheart is mine."

Kane sighed, rubbing his ribs. "Of course you'd show up, Selena."

Lyra turned pale. "That's Selena Nightshade. A Skyborn Elite bounty hunter."

Ryo raised an eyebrow. "Elite, huh?" He smirked. "Guess that means I'm important."

Selena unsheathed a rapier, its blade humming with energy. "Not for long."

The fight wasn't over. It was just getting started.