Breaking the Chains

Liam's pulse thundered in his ears. His ink barrier pulsed, its translucent surface shimmering with raw energy. Cain's floating greatsword hovered just outside it, still pressing against the unseen force holding it at bay.

The Executioner stood frozen in ink-woven chains.

But Cain's smile hadn't faded.

"He's planning something."

Liam's grip tightened around his brush. His mana reserves were dangerously low, and he could feel the strain of maintaining his constructs. The moment he faltered, Cain would strike.

The red-eyed warrior tested his bonds, rolling his shoulders against the tightening ink. A low chuckle escaped his lips. "You're full of surprises."

Liam didn't respond. Words wouldn't win this fight.

Cain suddenly exhaled—a slow, deliberate breath. The atmosphere shifted.

Liam's instincts screamed.

Move!

He dashed to the side just as Cain's entire body flexed. A pulse of force erupted outward, sending cracks rippling through the ink chains.

Liam whipped his brush forward.

"Reinforce: Ink Bind!"

The chains tightened.

Cain let out a low grunt as the bindings constricted. But then, his smile widened.

"Too late."

A flicker of crimson energy ignited around him.

CRACK!

The chains shattered.

Liam's heart lurched. He broke free?!

Cain didn't hesitate.

His floating greatsword shot forward, spinning like a drill.

Liam threw himself backward, but exhaustion slowed him down.

The sword sliced across his shoulder.

-80 HP

Pain burned through him. He hit the ground hard, his vision blurring for a second.

Cain walked forward, rolling his neck as if shaking off stiffness. "That was impressive." His voice was almost amused.

Liam pushed himself up, blood dripping down his arm. His barrier was flickering. The ink around him pulsed erratically—unstable.

"Damn it. I can't hold this much longer."

Cain stopped a few feet away. His sword floated beside him, still humming with power. "You've lasted longer than I expected," he mused. "Most would've fallen by now."

He tilted his head slightly.

"But you're not 'most,' are you?"

Liam exhaled sharply. He was running out of options, but giving up wasn't one of them.

Cain suddenly vanished.

Liam's breath caught—too fast!

Then—a whisper of steel at his back.

DANGER.

Liam whirled around, brush slashing through the air.

"Ink Wall—!"

Too slow.

Cain's knee drove into his gut.

-100 HP

Liam gagged, staggering backwards as the force lifted him off the ground. His ink barrier shattered completely.

He crashed onto the cold stone dock, coughing blood.

"Move, damn it!"

But his limbs felt heavy. His mana was drained. His body screamed in protest.

Cain loomed over him.

The floating greatsword descended, its tip resting just above Liam's throat.

Checkmate.

Cain's crimson eyes studied him in silence. Then—a slow smirk.

"You're not weak," he said finally. "But you're still not strong enough."

His fingers twitched—

The greatsword thrust downward.

Liam moved on instinct.

His brush flashed.

A new **sigil formed beneath him—**one he hadn't drawn.

🔹 [Hidden Skill Unlocked: Ink Mirage] 🔹

The world blurred.

Liam's body split into afterimages—ink-clones shimmering like distorted reflections on water.

Cain's sword plunged through empty space.

His eyes flickered with surprise.

Liam reappeared behind him.

And this time—he attacked.

"Ink Blade: Rend!"

His brush slashed downward. A streak of black energy tore through the air—

Straight for Cain's back.

Cain's eyes widened.

For the first time—he was the one on the defensive.

To be continued…