Every cut bled steam.
Every step Ben took pushed Kharvek closer to the edge of the arena.
The crowd was silent now.
Kharvek's chest heaved.
His armor was failing.
Cracks spread down his arms, across his ribs, and through the crest burned into his throat.
Ben circled him slowly and flicked blood off his blades. "This is your best?" he asked, his tone cold. "No other move?"
"You insect," Kharvek growled, stumbling. "I was holding back…"
Ben's gaze narrowed. "Then stop."
Kharvek roared, not with rage but with desperation.
He slammed his fists together.
The Molten Seal on his back erupted and broke apart like shattering chains.
The ground beneath him glowed, then split open.
From the cracks, a glowing liquid heart surged upward.
It pulsed with unnatural heat and molten mana.
Ben's eyes narrowed. "That's…"
"You leave me no choice." Kharvek grinned, blood trickling from his lips.
He reached out and shoved the molten heart into his chest.
The arena exploded in light.
