The forest groaned beneath the force of the battle as the clash of light and shadow sent waves of energy rippling through the trees. Lin Xuan gripped his sword tightly, the golden light emanating from it pulsating in rhythm with his heart. Across the battlefield, Harrow's dark tendrils moved like living shadows, striking with unrelenting speed and precision. The assassin's presence alone felt suffocating, as though the darkness he wielded had seeped into the air itself.
Lin Xuan dodged a whip-like strike of dark energy, countering with a horizontal slash that sent a crescent of golden light racing toward Harrow. The assassin sidestepped the attack with inhuman speed, his hooded figure barely a blur as he closed the distance between them. Lin Xuan parried the incoming blow just in time, their weapons clashing in an explosion of sparks.
"You wield the fragment with such recklessness," Harrow said, his voice steady but edged with scorn. "You think its power is your ally, but it will devour you from within. Just as it has consumed countless others before you."
Lin Xuan met Harrow's gaze, his expression resolute. "If that's the price to protect what I care about, then so be it."
With a sudden burst of energy, Lin Xuan pushed Harrow back, his blade glowing brighter as he channeled the fragment's power. The markings on his arm flared to life, their intricate patterns shifting and pulsating with golden light. It wasn't just raw energy—it was alive, as though the fragment itself was responding to his resolve.
Harrow landed a few feet away, his footing steady despite the force of Lin Xuan's attack. The darkness around him coalesced, forming a swirling aura of malevolence. "Such arrogance. You speak of resolve, but you've only begun to scratch the surface of true power. Let me show you what it means to wield the shadows."
The assassin raised his hands, and the darkness around him surged forward like a tidal wave. It was an oppressive force, vast and overwhelming, swallowing the light as it advanced. Lin Xuan didn't hesitate. He brought his sword up, the golden light expanding outward to form a protective barrier. The two forces collided, sending shockwaves through the clearing.
Lin Xuan gritted his teeth as the impact drove him back a step. The pressure was immense, but he refused to falter. He dug his heels into the ground and pushed back, forcing his light to expand further, pushing against the encroaching darkness.
"You fight well," Harrow admitted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "But you're still clinging to the fragment like a lifeline. Without it, you're nothing. Just another insect scurrying through the dirt."
Lin Xuan's eyes flashed with defiance. "Then why don't you try taking it from me?"
Harrow's lips curled into a cold smile beneath his hood. "Gladly."
The assassin surged forward, his speed blinding as he closed the gap between them. Lin Xuan barely had time to react, bringing his sword up to block as Harrow's blade descended in a vicious arc. The impact jarred his arms, but he held firm, twisting his body to deflect the strike and counter with a thrust aimed at Harrow's midsection.
Harrow twisted away, his movements fluid and precise, and retaliated with a series of rapid slashes. Lin Xuan parried each one, his focus unwavering despite the strain. Every exchange sent sparks flying, the golden light of his blade clashing violently with the shadows that enveloped Harrow's weapon.
The battle raged on, neither side giving an inch. Lin Xuan's movements grew sharper, his strikes more deliberate as he adapted to Harrow's fighting style. He began to notice patterns in the assassin's attacks—subtle shifts in his stance, slight hesitations that revealed openings. It was a dangerous game, but Lin Xuan was no stranger to taking risks.
He feinted left, drawing Harrow's blade in that direction, then pivoted sharply and delivered a powerful strike to the right. The blow caught Harrow off guard, grazing his side and tearing through his dark robes. The assassin hissed in pain, retreating a few steps as he clutched his side.
"You're learning," Harrow said, his tone grudgingly impressed. "But you're still out of your depth."
Lin Xuan didn't respond. He pressed forward, his attacks relentless as he sought to capitalize on the opening. Harrow defended with equal ferocity, his dark energy lashing out in counterattacks that kept Lin Xuan on edge. The two warriors moved like shadows and light in a deadly dance, their movements blurring as they pushed their limits.
The ground beneath them began to crack, unable to withstand the force of their clash. Trees splintered and fell as stray attacks carved through the forest, leaving destruction in their wake. Lin Xuan's breathing grew heavier, the strain of wielding the fragment's power beginning to take its toll. But he refused to back down.
"You're persistent, I'll give you that," Harrow said, his voice cold. "But persistence won't save you."
He raised his hand, and the shadows around him condensed into a massive spear of pure darkness. It pulsed with malevolent energy, its presence alone enough to make the air feel heavy. Harrow hurled the spear with all his strength, the projectile hurtling toward Lin Xuan like a comet.
Lin Xuan's grip tightened on his sword. He raised it high, channeling every ounce of energy he had into the blade. The golden light flared, expanding into a radiant shield that met the spear head-on. The collision was cataclysmic, a blinding explosion of light and shadow that shook the forest to its core.
When the dust settled, Lin Xuan stood tall, his sword still glowing faintly. Harrow remained where he was, his expression unreadable. For the first time, doubt flickered in his eyes.
"You're stronger than I anticipated," Harrow admitted, his voice quiet. "But this isn't over. The Council of Shadows doesn't tolerate failure. We'll meet again, Lin Xuan."
With that, the assassin melted into the shadows, his presence vanishing as if he had never been there.
Lin Xuan lowered his sword, his body trembling with exhaustion. The fragment's light dimmed, retreating back into its dormant state. He took a deep breath, steadying himself as he surveyed the destruction around him.