Dakin stepped forward.

Then Kael raised his sword.

"Selena. Collect the demon cores."

Selena gasped, clutching her notebook. "What? Now? While that—thing—is here?"

"Yes," Kael said without hesitation, his eyes focused on Dakin. "Every core is located on it’s forehead or at heart just like the beast. Don’t waste time."

Her face went pale. "B-but Kael, what if he—"

"Don’t look at him," Kael cut her off firmly. "Look at the ground. Gather the cores. I’ll handle this."

Selena swallowed hard. "You’re insane... but—" She bit her lip, then whispered, "I’ll trust you."

Dakin tilted his head, amused. "Oh? How touching. You send the little lamb to pick scraps while you bare your fangs. Do you really think you can protect her?"

Kael stepped forward, his grip tightening. "Try me."

The demon laughed, the sound echoing harshly against the cavern walls. "Gladly."

He lunged. Shadows twisted around his arm, and his claw shot forward like lightning.

CLANG!

Kael blocked, sparks flying. The force rattled through his arms. He pushed back, shoving the demon off balance.

Dakin’s grin widened. "Not bad. But let’s see you handle this. Umbra Fang!"

A crescent of pure darkness ripped across the ground.

Kael’s eyes narrowed. He shifted his weight just in time, dodging left. The shadow fang carved deep into the stone floor.

Selena let out a small scream as shards of rock flew toward her. She crouched, shielding the demon cores in her hands.

Kael’s voice cut through the chaos. "Keep going, Selena! Don’t stop!"

She flinched, but nodded quickly. "O-okay!" Her hands moved fast, scooping up each core, even as her heart hammered in her chest.

Kael’s sword flared with pale light. He exhaled sharply. "Astral Severance!"

He swung, releasing a crescent of starlit energy that split the darkness. The wave struck Dakin, tearing through his cloak of shadows.

Dakin staggered, growling. "Starlight... how vile."

Kael pressed forward, striking again and again. His blade left trails of silver in the air, clashing against claws of shadow.

"Umbra Fang!" Dakin roared, launching another slash.

Kael ducked, then rolled aside. Another came—he twisted just in time, the crescent grazing his arm. Blood splattered across the ground.

Selena’s eyes widened, tears forming. "Kael! You’re hurt!"

Kael grit his teeth, forcing a smirk. "It’s nothing."

"You’re bleeding everywhere!" she cried.

"Then I’ll bleed later," he shot back. "Right now—I fight."

He surged forward, his fist glowing. "Astral Punch!"

His knuckles glimmered with starry energy as he struck Dakin square in the chest.

The impact burst with a thunderous crack, shaking the valley.

Dakin roared, black ichor spraying from his mouth as he stumbled.

Selena froze in awe. "...H-he actually hit him..."

Kael staggered, panting, his face streaked with blood. He muttered to himself, "Too much backlash... I can’t use that too often."

Dakin chuckled, even as smoke rose from the wound. "Yes... yes! That strength... it’s exactly what I was hoping for!"

Kael glared. "You’re insane."

"No," Dakin sneered, "I see the truth. You’re one of us. Why waste your power protecting these mortals?" He pointed a claw at Selena. "Especially that one."

Selena gasped, freezing mid-step as she clutched a handful of demon cores. "M-me?"

Kael moved instantly, standing between her and the demon again. "If you touch her, I’ll cut you down."

Dakin’s laughter boomed. "So protective... adorable. But you can’t guard her forever."

He blurred—vanishing.

Selena’s eyes widened. "Kael! He’s—"

"I know!" Kael spun just in time, intercepting a claw strike aimed at her chest. Their weapons clashed, the force kicking up a blast of dust.

Kael grunted as one claw tore across his side, blood spraying.

Selena shrieked, dropping the cores. "Kael!"

He shoved her back with his free hand. "Stay behind me!"

Tears rolled down her cheeks. "Y-you’re out of your mind for saving me like this..."

Kael smirked through the blood. "Didn’t I tell you already? I said I’d protect you. Are you done collecting?"

Dakin clicked his tongue. "Pathetic. But amusing. Fine then—let’s see how long you last."

His claws darkened, the shadows swirling wildly. "Umbra Fang!"

Dozens of shadow crescents erupted in every direction.

Selena screamed, ducking behind a crystal, hugging her knees. "We’re going to die—!"

Kael’s body moved before thought. He dodged left, ducked, rolled, deflected—his movements razor-sharp.

"I know this pattern," he muttered, sweat dripping down his face. "I’ve read it before... every angle, every strike..."

Dakin’s grin widened. "You move as if you’ve already danced this dance. How curious..."

He struck again, claws stopping inches from Kael’s neck. "Tell me, boy..." His voice dropped, sharp and cruel.

"Were you the one who killed our demons last time?"

Selena froze, clutching her mouth. Her eyes darted to Kael.

Kael’s chest heaved. He didn’t speak.

Silence.

Dakin’s grin grew jagged, showing every sharp tooth. "Hah... that silence is answer enough."

Selena whispered desperately, "Kael... say something... please..."

But Kael only raised his sword again, blood dripping down his jaw. His silence was louder than words.

Dakin’s laughter shook the cavern. "Good. Good! That means tonight, one of us will die!"

"Selena, are you done?" Kael shouted, as steel while his sword arm trembled from exhaustion.

"I-I’m almost done! Just a little longer!" Selena’s voice cracked as she clutched two more demon cores in her hands. Her fingers were shaking so badly she almost dropped them.

Kael’s eyes flicked toward her for only a second, but that was all Dakin dashed.

The demon’s form blurred, moving faster than the eye could follow. Shadows surged behind him like a cloak of living smoke.

"Umbra Fang!" he roared.

Dark crescent blades tore through the ground, ripping stone apart as if it were paper.

Dakin’s frenzy left nothing untouched—trees splintered, crystals shattered, the earth itself groaned.

Kael tried to dodge, rolling to the side, but there were too many. His blade met two of the crescents, sparks scattering as he parried, yet the third slammed into his ribs.

CRASH!

His body was hurled against a tree, the impact shattering bark. He coughed violently, blood spilling from his lips and staining the dirt.

"Kael!" Selena screamed, her knees weak. The cores tumbled from her trembling hands, clattering across the ground.

Kael staggered, forcing himself to his feet, clutching his side. His vision blurred, but his eyes stayed locked on Dakin.

"Don’t... stop... Selena. Collect them all."

Selena’s throat tightened. Tears welled, but she nodded faintly. "O-okay..."

Dakin’s grin widened, madness gleaming in his eyes. He advanced, every step cracking the stone beneath his claws.

"Pathetic. Already bleeding, already broken. How long can you last?"

And then—

DONG!

A deep, resonant bell rang from the cliff.

DONG!