[A Battle in the Dark]
The cavern shook with the force of battle.
Sparks flew as steel clashed against steel. Shadows twisted and surged, each movement a deadly blur. The Executioners attacked without hesitation, their strikes relentless, brutal.
Andrew barely had time to react before one of them lunged.
A massive, curved blade slashed toward his head.
He ducked—just in time. The weapon sliced the air where his neck had been a second ago.
His heart pounded.
Celia was already engaged in a deadly dance with another Executioner, her twin daggers flashing in the dim light. Kieran weaved between two of them, using his agility to avoid their devastating blows.
And Veyra—
Veyra stood at the center, her silver eyes burning.
With a flick of her wrist, she sent a wave of dark energy surging forward. One of the Executioners was caught in it, their armor cracking under the force.
But they didn't fall.
They only laughed.
Andrew Paul gritted his teeth.
This wasn't just any enemy.
These were Malakar's Executioners.
And they were built for slaughter.
[A Desperate Struggle]
Andrew pivoted as the Executioner came at him again, the force of their attack splitting the stone floor beneath them.
He had to move—now.
Channeling his power, he threw up a barrier, the air around him shimmering with energy. The Executioner's blade met it with a thunderous impact, the sheer force sending Andrew skidding backward.
His arms shook.
The barrier held—but barely.
The Executioner tilted his head. "Not bad," he murmured. "You're finally using it."
Andrew's pulse jumped.
They knew.
They knew about his power.
His mark burned.
The Executioner stepped forward. "You're still holding back," he said, almost casually. "Why?"
Andrew Paul gritted his teeth. "Shut up."
The Executioner smiled. "Afraid of what you might become?"
Andrew Paul lunged.
His fist ignited with energy as he struck forward, aiming straight for the Executioner's chest. But at the last second—
The Executioner vanished.
Andrew's eyes widened.
Too fast.
Before he could react—pain exploded in his side.
The Executioner had reappeared behind him, his fist slamming into Andrew's ribs with bone-breaking force.
Andrew gasped, the air ripped from his lungs as he was sent flying. He crashed into the cavern wall, stone shattering on impact.
Blood filled his mouth.
His entire body screamed in pain.
But the Executioner was already on him again.
No time to recover. No time to breathe.
Andrew forced himself up, just as the blade came down.
[A Sudden Rescue]
Before the strike could land—
A blur of silver intercepted it.
Veyra.
Her hand caught the Executioner's wrist mid-strike.
Andrew's breath hitched.
The air hummed with raw energy.
Veyra's silver eyes burned, and with a single twist, she sent the Executioner flying backward.
He landed on his feet, his boots skidding against the stone.
For the first time—he looked surprised.
Veyra lowered her hand. "You forget yourself," she murmured. "This is my domain."
The Executioner smirked. "Is that so?"
He vanished again.
Andrew barely had time to warn her before the Executioner reappeared behind her.
But Veyra was faster.
She spun, her cloak billowing as she unleashed a wave of pure darkness.
The force slammed into the Executioner, sending him crashing through the stone pillars.
The cavern shuddered.
Dust and debris filled the air.
But Andrew knew—it wasn't over.
Not even close.
[A Dangerous Revelation]
Veyra turned to Andrew. "You can't keep holding back," she said. "If you do, you'll die."
Andrew wiped the blood from his mouth. "And if I don't?"
Veyra's gaze darkened.
"Then you might become something far worse."
His stomach twisted.
The power inside him was growing—unstable, wild. He could feel it thrashing against its limits, demanding to be unleashed.
But he was afraid.
Afraid of losing control.
Afraid of what he might do.
The Executioners were already recovering.
One of them—the largest—let out a low, rumbling chuckle.
"Well, this is fun," he said, cracking his neck. "But I think it's time we end this."
His armor shifted, runes glowing a deep crimson.
Andrew felt the air grow heavier.
Something was coming.
Veyra's voice was sharp. "Andrew. If you don't act now, we won't survive this."
Andrew's fists tightened.
He had to make a choice.
No more hesitation.
No more fear.
It was time.
[The Awakening]
Andrew closed his eyes.
He let go.
Let the power inside him rise.
For the first time—he didn't resist.
The mark on his wrist ignited with light, symbols flaring across his skin.
The cavern trembled.
A pulse of energy exploded outward, sending dust and debris flying. The Executioners took a step back—watching. Waiting.
And then—
Andrew opened his eyes.
And they were glowing.
The power rushed through his veins, burning like wildfire. It was overwhelming—but it was his.
Andrew exhaled.
And when he looked at the Executioners—he didn't feel afraid anymore.
One of them smirked. "There it is," he murmured. "Now show us what you can really do."
Andrew answered.
He moved faster than thought, his body surging forward with raw energy.
The Executioner barely had time to react before Andrew's fist met his chest.
A deafening shockwave erupted from the impact.
The Executioner was sent flying, crashing into the cavern wall with enough force to shatter it.
The others hesitated.
Andrew rolled his shoulders, the power still humming through him.
This was only the beginning.
And for the first time—he was ready.
[The Final Move]
The Executioners regrouped.
Their leader, the one with the greatsword, tilted his head.
"Well," he murmured. "Looks like you might be worth killing after all."
He lifted his blade—
And the cavern shook.
Not from battle.
Not from power.
But from something else.
A distant roar echoed through the tunnels.
Veyra's expression shifted.
Andrew Paul felt it, too.
A presence.
A force so immense that the very air seemed to bend around it.
And then—the ceiling cracked.
Something was coming.
Something worse than Executioners.
And this time—
There was nowhere left to run.