The Flame of Virtue

Akanni stood motionless, his breath heavy like a wild beast on the verge of collapse. He could feel it—his Primal Mode was nearing its limit

The burning energy that coursed through his body, the unnatural power that made him unstoppable, would soon flicker out

He had twenty minutes left, and every second that passed was a countdown to vulnerability

Yet, even with his heightened instincts and immense strength, something inside him warned him of the danger ahead

The woman before him was unlike anyone he had ever faced

Her presence was overwhelming, suffocating. The power radiating from her sent an eerie chill through his veins, despite the raging heat of his body. She was bad news. Stronger than him. And he knew it

"You've killed all of my men. Impressive," Isdeath said, her voice smooth yet dripping with amusement. She walked forward with a lazy confidence, the smirk on her lips never fading

"They were nothing but pawns anyway. I could always ask the Chancellor to send me more men… or even get some from this mine." Her piercing gaze locked onto him, studying him as if he were prey. "I could use a strong beast like yourself—one that could wipe out armies on his own."

Akanni didn't hesitate.

His body moved on instinct, his fist rocketing forward with the force of ten sledgehammers, aiming to crush her where she stood

WHOOSH!

She was gone.

Before he could react, CRACKLE!—a bolt of lightning struck his ribs.

BOOM!

The world blurred as his body flew backward, smashing into the stone wall with a deafening impact.

Debris crumbled around him, but Akanni didn't stay down. He pushed himself up, shaking off the sharp pain that rattled his body.

He growled, his elongated claws extending as he launched forward again, his speed unmatched.

"GRRAHHHH!"

His beastly roar shook the cavern as he swiped at her with lethal precision. Each slash carried the force to tear through steel, but every strike hit nothing but air.

Isdeath was too fast.

She weaved through his attacks with terrifying ease, her body moving like lightning itself.

"I've fought stronger than you, fool," she sneered.

Then she jumped.

CRACKLE! CRACKLE!

A rain of lightning bolts crashed down toward him.

Akanni barely managed to dodge as the ground behind him erupted into explosions, sending shards of rock flying through the air. He sprinted forward, his instincts screaming at him to attack before she could unleash another barrage.

Akanni can't waste time—he has to take her down before his Primal Mode runs out

But just as he closed the distance—

ZRRRRT!

Lightning surged around her rapier as she reappeared in front of him in a blink.

"Too slow."

Before he could react, her blade stabbed into his shoulder.

UGHH!

A searing pain erupted through his body as electricity violently surged through his nerves, forcing his muscles into violent spasms.

His vision blurred, dark spots dancing across his eyes as raw agony tore through him.

He roared in pain, his Primal Mode trying to resist the damage, but Isdeath twisted the blade.

Another wave of electricity ripped through his body.

Akanni felt his legs weaken for the first time.

Akanni couldn't think in this state, but his instincts were running wild, his instincts were telling him to keep fighting

He swung his claws at her, but she yanked her rapier free and slammed her boot into his chest.

BOOM!

Akanni skidded across the battlefield, carving deep trenches into the ground as he barely managed to stay upright. His breathing was ragged, his muscles screaming in pain.

Isdeath twirled her rapier, completely unharmed.

"You disappoint me. I thought beasts were supposed to be resilient," she taunted. "Maybe I overestimated you."

Akanni clenched his fists. His vision swam, but he refused to back down.

He had one last move.

His crimson eyes flickered with renewed intensity.

Then he vanished.

Isdeath's smirk finally faltered.

BOOM!

A devastating uppercut slammed into her gut.

Her body was sent flying backward, crashing into the ground.

She rolled, flipping back onto her feet, a trickle of blood now staining the corner of her lips.

She touched her stomach and frowned, she felt every last of that attack

"…Impressive." She says still touching her wound

"Maybe I spoke too soon of you being weak," She says as she eyes the beast in front of her

Akanni exhaled sharply. He was running on fumes now. His Primal Mode flickered, warning him that time was almost up.

But he had no choice.

This was his last chance.

Isdeath's smirk slowly returned. She wiped the blood from her lip, a glint of amusement returning to her eyes.

"You actually hit me," she mused. "Not bad. But you should've used that moment to run."

CRACKLE!

"Now Show me, show me that hidden power of yours Beast!!" She says with a devilish smirk

Lightning erupted around her like a storm, coiling around her rapier, the air around them thick with energy.

Akanni let out one last roar, pushing his body beyond its limits. His vision blurred from exhaustion, but he forced himself forward.

This was it.

A final clash.

Both of them rushed forward, their weapons poised for the decisive strike.

But just as their attacks were about to collide

CLANG!!!

A flaming sword crashed down between them.

A shockwave exploded from the impact, sending both Akanni and Isdeath staggering backward.

The sheer heat radiating from the blade was suffocating. The air around it distorted, rippling like a mirage.

Akanni's crimson eyes widened in confusion but then smirked, Isdeath's confident smirk disappeared.

The tide of the battle had been changed

But not by either of them.

After the flames clear the figure is revealed

The Figure was Rah who had a serious expression on his face

Rah looked at Akanni whose form began to change back to normal as his wounds stood out

Akanni peacefully passed out as Rah managed to catch him

"Whoa you're heavy Akanni," Rah says as he lays him on the ground softly

"Well rest easy, I'll handle it from here," He says as he gets and clutches his sword

"You're that Solnarian those bozos were telling me about, I've had my fun here," She says with a cold glare

"Well that's good, everyone deserves to have fun at the end of their lives," Rah says watching Isdeath closely

Isdeath scoffed at that "Bold words for someone weaker than that beast over there"

"Maybe…Maybe not"

Isdeath didn't feel like talkin anymore as lightning surged around her

Crackle Crackle

Fwooshhh