They stopped holding back.
Not in power.
In intent.
Vael stepped in first, shoulders square, eyes locked. His hand cut forward, straight for Rhyx's throat.
Rhyx didn't block.
He slipped.
Barely.
The strike brushed past his neck, close enough to feel the force drag at his skin. He answered with a hook to Vael's ribs.
Vael turned with it.
Took the hit on his side instead of his center.
Reduced it.
Then drove his elbow down toward Rhyx's collar.
Rhyx raised his forearm.
The impact slammed through him anyway.
He slid back, boots grinding against nothing, heat flaring off his body in a sudden burst.
He steadied.
Exhaled.
His stance changed again.
Lower.
Tighter.
Vael saw it.
"Better," he said.
Rhyx smirked. "Took you long enough to notice."
They moved again.
This time faster.
No wasted steps.
No wide swings.
Just sharp, direct exchanges.
Vael's fist came in.
Rhyx parried it aside.
Vael's second strike followed instantly.
Rhyx blocked.
Vael shifted angle.
Rhyx stepped out.
Each move had an answer.
Each answer had a counter.
The gap between them closed.
Not in distance.
In skill.
Rhyx ducked under a strike and drove his shoulder into Vael's chest.
Solid.
Vael slid half a step.
Rhyx followed with a rising punch.
Vael caught it.
Their hands locked for a split second.
Rhyx twisted.
Vael matched it.
They broke apart at the same time.
No advantage.
Rhyx wiped sweat and blood from his jaw, golden streaks fading as quickly as they appeared.
His breathing was heavier now.
But steady.
Controlled.
Vael stood straight again, body aligned, calm returning to his posture like it had never left.
Only the crack on his cheek gave anything away.
They stared at each other.
No words this time.
Just understanding.
Rhyx took a slow step forward.
Vael mirrored him.
Their feet set.
Their guards raised.
Same distance.
Same timing.
Same intent.
Rhyx grinned, smaller than before.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "This is it."
Vael's eyes sharpened.
They moved.
At the exact same moment.
Their fists collided in the center.
The impact didn't push either of them back.
It held.
For the first time since the fight began, neither side gave even an inch.
The pressure built between them, tight and heavy, like something waiting to snap.
Below them, far beneath the clouds, the scar across the sky widened just a little more.
And neither god noticed.