The chamber seemed to darken as Garon's transformation continued, his body pulsing with raw, dark energy. The once confident swordsman now appeared monstrous, his muscles swollen and veins pulsing with a dark aura. His eyes glowed with an eerie, unnatural light, and Kevin could feel the oppressive force radiating from him. It was as if the air itself had grown heavier, making it harder to breathe, harder to move.
Kevin tightened his grip on his twin swords, his eyes never leaving Garon. The enemy before him was no longer just a skilled swordsman—he was something else entirely, something twisted and far more dangerous. Garon had used the power gained from countless sacrifices, a dark ritual meant to enhance his strength. Although he hadn't reached the Qi Cultivation realm, he had become more powerful than any normal 10th-stage Muscle Forging expert. Garon's crazed smile widened as he flexed his hands, the energy coursing through him causing the ground beneath to crack. His aura was overwhelming, and Kevin knew he was facing a battle that would test his limits.
"Do you see now, boy?" Garon's voice echoed through the chamber, deeper, almost inhuman. "This is the power I've gained, the strength that goes beyond the limits of ordinary men. You cannot hope to defeat me now."
Kevin's heart raced, but he refused to let fear cloud his mind. He could feel the weight of his father's legacy on his shoulders, the memories of the injustice that had led him here. This was his fight, and he wasn't about to back down. With a deep breath, he steadied his stance, his senses heightened, focused on every movement Garon made. Kevin knew that even the slightest mistake could be his undoing.
Garon lunged forward, his speed far greater than before. The ground cracked beneath his feet as he propelled himself at Kevin, his sword swinging with a force that promised to crush anything in its path. Kevin barely had time to react, his instincts taking over as he sidestepped, feeling the rush of wind as Garon's blade sliced through the air where he'd been standing just a moment before. The shockwave from the missed strike sent a gust that almost knocked Kevin off balance.
Kevin retaliated with a quick dual slash aimed at Garon's side, but Garon moved with unnatural agility, his body twisting to avoid both strikes. He countered with a backhanded swing, and Kevin raised his swords just in time to block the blow. The impact reverberated through his entire body, the force vibrating through his inner organs causing internal damage. Kevin could feel the shockwave of pain radiate inside him, but he gritted his teeth and held his ground, refusing to let go. Garon's strength had increased tenfold, and Kevin could feel it with every clash. Each blow felt like it would shatter his bones, but Kevin knew he couldn't relent.
"You're struggling, boy!" Garon roared, his voice filled with a mixture of rage and twisted joy. He swung again, the blade coming down in a vicious arc. Kevin ducked, rolling to the side to avoid the attack, his mind racing. He couldn't meet Garon's strength head-on—not like this. He needed to find another way. The pain from the internal injuries burned with every movement, but Kevin forced himself to stay focused. He had faced challenges before, but this one required more than brute force—it required strategy.
Kevin's senses sharpened as he watched Garon, looking for any sign of weakness. The transformation had made Garon incredibly powerful, but it also made him reckless. His movements, though fast, were less controlled, and Kevin could see that the dark energy was taking a toll on Garon's body. His muscles twitched unnaturally, and his breathing was labored, even amidst his manic aggression. Kevin noticed the subtle instability in Garon's stance—his power came at a price.
Kevin darted in, both blades aimed at Garon's legs. If he could hinder Garon's movement, even slightly, it would give him the edge he needed. The tip of Kevin's sword slashed across Garon's thigh, drawing a dark, almost black blood. Garon let out a roar of pain, his glowing eyes narrowing as he swung his sword downwards, but Kevin was already moving, his body a blur as he evaded the attack. The dark blood spilled onto the ground, and for a moment, Kevin felt a glimmer of hope.
"You think a little scratch will stop me?" Garon bellowed, his voice echoing off the stone walls. He swung wildly, his attacks becoming more frenzied as he tried to land a hit on Kevin. The chamber seemed to shake with each of Garon's strikes, the force of his blows cracking the stone beneath them. Dust and debris fell from the ceiling, and the entire space felt like it could collapse under the strain of their battle.
Kevin remained calm, his mind focused, his breathing controlled. He could feel the exhaustion creeping in, but he pushed it aside. He couldn't afford to falter now. He moved with precision, dodging Garon's attacks, each step calculated. He watched as Garon's anger grew, his strikes becoming more desperate, more uncoordinated. The transformation had given Garon power, but it was also consuming him, pushing him towards the edge. Kevin needed to outlast him, to wait for the right moment.
Kevin saw his chance. As Garon raised his sword for another powerful swing, Kevin darted forward, his blade aimed at Garon's exposed side. The strike was precise, his sword piercing through Garon's armor and sinking deep into his flesh. Garon let out a howl of pain, his body convulsing as the dark energy around him flickered, weakening. Kevin could feel the shift in the atmosphere, the oppressive weight lifting slightly as Garon's power began to wane.
Garon stumbled, his eyes wide with rage and disbelief. He swung his fist at Kevin, but his movements were sluggish, the strength draining from him. Kevin ducked under the swing, pulling his sword free and delivering a swift, upward dual slash across Garon's chest. The force of the strike sent Garon reeling backwards, his body crashing against the stone wall. The impact left a deep indentation, and Garon's body seemed to sag, his energy fading.
Breathing heavily, Kevin stood his ground, his swords held at the ready. Garon struggled to his feet, his body trembling, the dark aura around him flickering like a dying flame. He looked at Kevin, his eyes filled with hatred. "This... can't be..." he gasped, his voice barely a whisper.
Kevin stepped forward, his gaze steady. "This ends now, Garon," he said, his voice calm but filled with determination. He raised his sword, ready to deliver the final blow. Kevin's body screamed in protest, his muscles aching, but he knew this was his moment.
But before he could strike, Garon let out a final, desperate roar, his body surging with one last burst of dark energy. The chamber shook, the air crackling with power as Garon's form began to swell, his muscles bulging grotesquely again. Kevin's eyes widened, realizing that Garon was trying to unleash everything he had left in a last-ditch effort to take Kevin down with him. The ground beneath them began to crack, and Kevin could feel the intense pressure building.
Kevin took a step back, his mind racing. He had to end this, and quickly. He focused, his senses attuned to the dark energy swirling around Garon. He could see the instability, the way the energy was tearing Garon apart from the inside. Garon's body was failing, the power too much for him to control. With a determined breath, Kevin lunged forward, his twin swords aimed straight for Garon's heart.
The blade pierced through, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Garon's eyes widened, the dark energy around him dissipating in an instant. He let out a final gasp, his body going limp as Kevin pulled his sword free. Garon collapsed to the ground, the glow fading from his eyes as the chamber fell silent. The oppressive darkness that had filled the room seemed to vanish, leaving only the stillness of the aftermath.
Kevin stood over Garon's fallen form, his breathing ragged. The fight was over. He had done it. The weight of the battle and his father's legacy pressed down on him, but there was also a sense of relief. He had faced his father's enemy and emerged victorious. The memories of his father flashed in his mind, and Kevin felt a surge of emotion—both sorrow and fulfillment.
But Kevin knew this wasn't the end. He tried to move towards the direction where Roy was fighting, but his body gave up. The exhaustion from the battle, along with the internal injuries he had sustained from the fight with Garon, welled up, forcing him to drop to one knee. His breathing was labored, and he knew he needed a moment to recover before he could continue. He wanted to help Roy, but deep down, he knew that Roy would win. He had absolute confidence in his friend, knowing that Roy's strength would see him through.
Kevin clenched his teeth, trying to force himself to rise, but the pain was too much. His vision blurred slightly as the exhaustion threatened to overtake him. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He couldn't afford to pass out now. He had to stay alert, had to be ready for whatever came next. His hands tightened around the hilts of his swords, and he focused on calming his breathing.
"Roy... you can do this," Kevin whispered to himself, his voice barely audible in the quiet chamber.