Hollow Crown: The Book of Envy

The air tensed. The creature loomed over them, its jagged armor glinting under the moonlight. It was massive—easily eight feet tall—with a blade as wide as a man's torso clutched in its clawed hands.

Its burning eyes flickered between Lucian and Kael. Then it moved.

The ground shook as it lunged forward, its greatsword carving a deadly arc through the air.

Kael was already moving.

A flicker of silver—his katana whipped upward, deflecting the beast's strike with impossible precision. The impact sent a shockwave through the ruins, stone cracking beneath their feet.

But Kael wasn't done.

He spun, his blade flowing like water, slipping between the monster's defenses. A clean strike—a perfect cut aimed at its exposed side.

CLANG!

The katana met steel. The creature had twisted just in time, its armor absorbing the blow.

Kael clicked his tongue. "Tch. Tough bastard."

The beast retaliated.

It moved fast—too fast for its size. A heavy swipe toward Kael's ribs—deadly, precise.

Lucian's eyes barely followed the motion.

But Kael?

He wasn't there anymore.

A blur of motion—Kael had already sidestepped, twisting midair, his blade flashing in retaliation.

Lucian felt his stomach twist.

That level of control… it wasn't normal.

---

Lucian moved in.

He darted to the creature's blind spot, the Book of Envy pulsing against his chest. He extended his hand, reaching for its power—

And then Kael was already there.

A step ahead.

Lucian froze, watching as Kael drove his katana straight into the beast's exposed joint. A crack in the armor. A clean strike. A perfect execution.

The creature roared, staggering from the blow.

Lucian gritted his teeth.

"I should have seen that first."

"I should have landed that strike."

The envy burned deeper.

---

The creature retaliated—its greatsword coming down like an executioner's blade.

Lucian barely managed to twist away, the air splitting from the force of the swing.

Kael, still calm, exhaled softly.

"Lucian. Watch closely."

Lucian turned just in time to see him shift his stance.

Feet planted. Grip steady.

And then—

Kael vanished.

A single step—so fast it barely registered.

Then he was at the creature's side, his katana already mid-swing. A perfect arc—controlled, lethal.

The blade sank into the creature's neck.

The beast staggered. Blood dripped onto the cracked stone.

Lucian stared.

He wasn't even thinking.

Kael had already ended the fight before Lucian could act.

The monster fell to its knees, a final breath leaving its ruined throat.

Kael flicked the blood off his blade, sheathing it in one smooth motion.

Lucian's fists clenched.

The fight was over.

And he had contributed nothing.