The pace increased instantly.
No buildup. No warning.
Voss moved faster than before, Obsidian Fang striking with sharper intent.
The field expanded and contracted unpredictably, forcing constant movement.
Jovian kept up.
Barely.
Vital Mirage blocked one strike, redirected another, then countered immediately after.
But the rhythm was breaking again.
Lucien slipped once.
Not badly—but enough.
A line cut across his path, forcing Midnight Sontana to pull back abruptly.
"…Damn," he muttered.
That small disruption spread quickly.
Alaric had to compensate.
Iggy moved too early.
The formation cracked.
And Voss exploited it instantly.
A precise strike pushed Jovian back.
Not far.
But enough to break the center.
The pressure surged.
Harder than before.
"Reset!" Alaric called.
They pulled back just enough to regroup.
Breathing heavier now.
Not exhausted—
But feeling it.
Jovian wiped a thin line of blood from his cheek.
"…He's raising it," he said.
Lucien nodded. "Yeah. And we're barely holding."
Voss stood still again.
Watching.
Measuring.
"…You're close," he said.
Jovian frowned slightly.
"Close to what?"
Voss didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"Understanding the gap."
That wasn't reassuring.
Not even a little.