The attack came without ceremony.

  A low growl cut through the quiet as Kaelis stepped into a narrow ravine. The creature emerged fast—muscle, claws, and elemental residue crackling across its hide. It didn’t hesitate. It didn’t posture.

  Kaelis moved on instinct.

  Shadow Step carried him sideways just as the beast struck. Twilight Spark flared, not as raw force but as precision—aimed at joints, not mass. The weapon in his hand stabilized briefly, taking the shape of a short blade.

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  The fight was fast and brutal. Kaelis adapted mid-motion, adjusting angles, conserving energy. When the beast fell, it dissolved into fading particles, leaving behind a faint residue of power.

  Kaelis exhaled slowly.

  This wasn’t like training. Beasts didn’t make mistakes. They punished hesitation. And for the first time, Kaelis felt exhilaration—not from victory, but from clarity.

  He cleaned his weapon and moved on, knowing the world would only grow harsher from here.