The group had barely settled into the open field that Kael had chosen when Rhylen stepped forward, his red eye gleaming with determination. The tension of their last encounter had not yet dissipated, but Rhylen couldn't hold back anymore.
"Father," Rhylen said, his voice steady but filled with fire. "I want to test my strength against you. Let me see how far I've come."
The Lord of the World raised an eyebrow, his calm demeanor unshaken. "Are you certain, Rhylen? This isn't something to take lightly."
"I am," Rhylen replied. "I need to know my limits. And who better to test them than you?"
Kael, standing off to the side with his friends, immediately stepped forward. "Wait, this isn't a good idea. If the two of you fight at full strength, you'll destroy everything around us."
The Lord of the World glanced at Kael, a small smile forming on his lips. "Then I trust you, Kael, to make sure that doesn't happen."
Kael sighed, gripping his sword tightly. With a deep breath, he drove it into the ground and extended his hands. A massive barrier of shimmering energy formed around the field, enclosing Rhylen and their father within.
"This should hold," Kael muttered, though he didn't sound entirely convinced.
Arden leaned on his axe, shaking his head. "This is insane. We're about to see a fight between two monsters."
Seris nodded, her eyes glowing faintly as she reinforced the barrier with a secondary ward. "Let's just hope Kael's shield is enough."
Rhylen unsheathed his sword, its dark blade humming with power. "I'm ready."
The Lord of the World took a step forward, his hands clasped behind his back. "Very well, Rhylen. Show me what you've learned."
Without hesitation, Rhylen charged, his blade cutting through the air like a bolt of lightning. He closed the distance in an instant, aiming a precise strike at his father's chest.
The Lord of the World didn't move. With a casual motion, he raised a single hand and caught the blade mid-swing. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the barrier, shaking the ground beneath their feet.
Rhylen's eyes widened, but he didn't falter. Pulling back, he unleashed a flurry of strikes, his movements a blur as he attacked from every angle. Sparks flew as his blade clashed against the Lord's defenses, but no matter how fast or strong he struck, his father remained unmoved.
"You're holding back," the Lord of the World said calmly, his tone almost bored.
"I'm not!" Rhylen growled, his red eye glowing brighter. With a roar, he unleashed a devastating wave of energy, the crimson aura surging toward his father like a tidal wave.
The Lord of the World extended a hand, and with a simple gesture, the wave dissipated into harmless sparks. "You'll need more than that."
Rhylen gritted his teeth, summoning every ounce of his power. His red eye flared with hypnotic energy, and for a brief moment, the Lord of the World's movements slowed. Rhylen seized the opportunity, driving his sword forward with all his might.
The blade stopped mere inches from his father's chest. The Lord of the World caught it with two fingers, his grip unyielding.
"Impressive," he said, his tone still calm. "But not enough."
Before Rhylen could react, his father released a wave of golden energy that sent him flying across the field. Rhylen crashed into the barrier, groaning as he struggled to his feet.
The fight continued for what felt like an eternity, the field shaking with each exchange of power. Despite his relentless attacks, Rhylen couldn't land a single decisive blow. His father moved with an ease that seemed almost unnatural, countering every move with precision.
Finally, exhausted and breathing heavily, Rhylen fell to one knee. "I… I gave it everything I had," he said, his voice trembling. "I used 100% of my power. How much… how much were you using?"
The Lord of the World stood over him, his expression unreadable. "Twenty-five percent," he said simply.
The clearing fell silent. Rhylen's team and Kael's friends exchanged stunned glances, their minds racing to comprehend the sheer difference in power.
"Twenty-five percent?" Rhylen repeated, his voice barely a whisper. "That's impossible…"
"It's not impossible," the Lord of the World said, offering his hand to help Rhylen up. "You are strong, Rhylen. Stronger than most. But you still have much to learn."
Kael lowered the barrier, his expression troubled. He couldn't help but wonder just how powerful his father truly was—and what that power might mean for their fight against the master.
As Rhylen stood, he looked at his father with a mixture of awe and determination. "Then teach me. Help me become stronger."
The Lord of the World nodded. "In time. For now, rest. We have a long road ahead of us."
As the group regrouped, the weight of what they had witnessed lingered in the air. The battle with the master was approaching, and they would need every ounce of strength they had to face the darkness. But for the first time, Kael felt a spark of hope. With his father by their side, they just might stand a chance.