The cold stone floor beneath his feet.
The flickering torchlight casting long, dancing shadows on the walls.
And Valen's eyes, sharp as blades, watching his every move.
Kael stood surrounded.
Two warriors stood before him—cultivators, seasoned and deadly.
They were faster. Stronger. More experienced.
But Kael didn't need to be stronger.
He just needed to be smarter.
Valen swirled the wine in his goblet, an amused grin tugging at his lips.
"If you survive, maybe I'll let you stay," he said, his voice like the purr of a predator about to strike.
Survival.
That was the challenge.
And Kael had survived worse than this.
The first cultivator unsheathed a curved blade that gleamed in the dim light.
The second cracked his knuckles, sparks of spiritual energy dancing between his fingers.
An agile swordsman and a brutal hand-to-hand fighter.
Kael's instincts sharpened, his mind calculating every angle.
He didn't wait for them to make the first move.
The First Move
Kael attacked first.
There was no hesitation, no warning.
Shadow Steps: Activated.
Kael vanished into the dim light, moving faster than the swordsman could react.
The curved blade sliced through the air where Kael had been a second before, missing entirely.
Too slow. Too predictable.
Kael slid low, sweeping the man's legs out from under him.
The swordsman staggered but didn't fall, his balance quickly shifting.
Before Kael could press the advantage, the fighter charged in.
A fist wreathed in energy shot toward Kael's chest, fast and brutal.
Kael pivoted at the last second, pulling the stumbling swordsman into the path of the punch.
The energy-laden fist collided with the swordsman's side.
CRACK.
The man cried out as he was hurled across the room, slamming into the wall and collapsing in a heap.
Now it was one-on-one.
The Fight Escalates
The fighter turned his full attention to Kael.
He was faster than the swordsman, his attacks like a storm of strikes and bursts of energy.
Every punch sent shockwaves through the air.
Kael knew that if even one of those hits connected, it would end the fight.
But Kael didn't need to block or counter.
He only needed to evade.
Dark Cloak: Activated.
Kael melted into the shadows, his presence vanishing like smoke.
The fighter hesitated, his fists still raised, his head snapping around as he searched for Kael.
Hesitation. That's all Kael needed.
Kael reappeared behind him, his hands glowing with black energy.
Claws of the Abyss: Activated.
He struck.
The claws tore through the fighter's ribs, blood spraying across the floor.
The man stumbled forward, trying to turn, but Kael didn't let him.
He reached around, grabbed the man by the head, and slit his throat with a single, precise motion.
The body hit the ground.
One down.
The Last Opponent
The swordsman had gotten back to his feet, clutching his side, his breathing labored.
Now, though, he was alone.
And he was afraid.
Kael's eyes met his, cold and emotionless.
"Come on," Kael said, his voice calm.
The swordsman gritted his teeth, gripping his blade tightly.
With a roar, he lunged, his blade flashing in the torchlight.
Kael didn't move until the very last second.
Shadow Steps: Activated.
Kael sidestepped the attack and grabbed the swordsman's wrist, twisting it sharply.
CRACK.
The blade fell from the man's hand, and Kael caught it mid-air.
Before the swordsman could even scream, Kael drove the blade into his chest.
The man gasped, blood spilling from his lips.
His eyes widened, then dulled, as Kael pulled the blade free.
Two down. Fight over.
The Predator's Calm
Kael let the body fall and turned to face Valen.
Blood dripped from the blade in his hand, pooling at his feet.
His chest rose and fell with controlled breaths.
He wasn't tired.
He wasn't shaken.
He was… calm.
Valen's expression didn't waver.
But after a moment, he laughed—a deep, rumbling sound that filled the chamber.
"Very impressive," Valen said, setting down his goblet and descending from his platform.
The air grew heavier as he approached.
Kael felt it.
Valen's strength. His presence.
If they fought now, Kael knew he wouldn't stand a chance.
But this wasn't about fighting.
It was about winning.
Valen stopped in front of Kael, crossing his arms.
"Welcome to the Ironbloods, kid."
Kael gave a faint smile.
The infiltration had worked.
Now, the real plan could begin.