The narrow alley seemed to breathe along with them. The city's silence felt lifeless, broken only by the crackle of golden runes burning across Anna Valmere's gauntlets and the rough panting of Kai.
The full moon peered between the rooftops, spilling a cold glow across the damp walls stained with rust.
Kai was drenched in sweat, the dagger tight in his hand, his chest rising and falling far too quickly. Every muscle screamed. Anna, meanwhile, appeared calm—her posture straight, her gaze predatory.
"I've seen beggars in the streets with more creativity," she said, stepping forward. "If this is the extent of your talent, you won't last even a prayer."
Kai spat blood onto the ground and lifted his eyes.
"Maybe… but at least I don't live like a trained dog."
Her smile widened, icy.
"Bold words for someone who can't even control his own breathing."
The runes on her gauntlets flared brighter.
"Blessing of Consecrated Strength."
She lunged.
Her fist passed inches from Kai's face, smashing part of the wall behind him as if it were paper. Dust rained from the cracked bricks. Kai countered with a quick slash of his dagger, aiming for the side of her arm, but Anna moved effortlessly, the blade scraping across her gauntlet and scattering sparks.
Kai retreated, gasping. He tried to create distance, searching for openings.
He remembered nights running through alleys just like this one—times when he survived by dirty tricks to escape guards or thieves. A loose stone, a false step, a kick of sand to blind someone…
That was how he stayed alive.
He kicked the ground, throwing dust toward her eyes.
Anna only laughed, clenching her fists.
"Smart. Too bad it won't work."
The next punch grazed his ribs, but it was enough to drive the air from his lungs as if his insides had been ripped out. He staggered, nearly collapsing.
"That's enough playing around." Anna rolled her shoulders, preparing for the final strike. "I'll show you the difference between us."
Kai raised the dagger again, though his hands trembled.
"You might knock me down… but you won't make me give up."
Anna let out a low, macabre laugh.
"I love when they say that. It always comes right before they break."
Then she dove toward him, her fists moving like thunder.
Kai defended himself as best he could: using the dagger to block, his arm to absorb impacts, even trying to grab her wrist to redirect the force. But every strike felt like being hit by a hammer blessed by the light itself.
Then the decisive blow came.
Anna's fist struck him square in the stomach.
The air burst from his lungs in a dry groan. Kai was thrown backward and collapsed to his knees, his vision blurring, his mouth filling with blood.
The bag on his shoulder tore from the impact, and something slid across the ground, rolling to a stop between them.
The runic stone.
Its gray glow contrasted sharply with the golden light radiating from Anna's gauntlets.
Kai tried to stand, but his hands trembled violently. His dagger had fallen several meters away, out of reach.
Anna approached slowly, her face lit by moonlight.
"See? Everyone falls sooner or later." She raised her fist once more, the runes pulsing. "And you are no exception."
At that moment, a voice echoed.
It did not come from her.It did not come from the street.
It resonated inside Kai's mind—steady, deep, familiar.
"Pick up the stone, Kai."
He gasped, eyes widening.
"Eldric…?"
"Pick up the stone… and I will be able to help you."
Anna clenched her fists, ready to crush him.
The full moon poured its light directly into the alley, as if watching the final moment unfold. Kai's heart pounded wildly, sweat mixing with blood.
Slowly, with a trembling hand—
he reached toward the stone.