Kaiser’s Perspective:


    The first ice spear shot past my ear, so close I felt the chill of its frozen air. I ducked and dodged, avoiding the next ones as they came at me. They smashed into the ground behind me, freezing the dirt and leaving jagged shards of ice scattered everywhere. My instincts guided me through the attack, and for a moment, I thought I’d outmaneuvered him.


    But then I paused, my breath steadying as I reached up and unfastened my coat. I let it fall open just slightly, revealing the layer of armor hidden beneath. The material glinted faintly under the dim light, its icy-blue surface jagged and textured like frost crawling over glass. It was more than just protection—it was designed to withstand even the harshest ice attacks, something I’d prepared for moments like this. I caught his surprised expression as the faint shimmer of magic radiated from the armor, and I couldn’t help but smirk.


    Then I realized the truth.


    The air turned cold, colder than it should have been. My eyes darted to Celia, and my chest tensed.


    The spears weren’t meant for me. They were heading straight for her.


    “Celia!” I screamed, my voice raw as I sprinted toward her. My boots pounded the frost-covered earth, the ground cracking under my desperate speed. She froze for a moment, her wide, terrified eyes meeting mine before she turned and ran.


    But Kiel’s magic wasn’t just a simple attack. The ice spears twisted in midair, curving and changing direction to chase after her as if they had minds of their own, relentlessly locking onto her every move.


    He planned this. He knew I was faster, so he turned her into the target. If I dodge, she dies. If I defend her, I lose any chance to counter him. He’s forcing me to fight on his terms.


    She stumbled, nearly tripping on the uneven, frozen ground. “Kaiser!” she shouted, her voice trembling.


    “I’m here!” I called back, closing the distance. My sword was already in motion, slicing through the air as I intercepted the first wave of spears. Shards of ice exploded on impact, a freezing mist clouding my vision.


    More spears came. Too many. They pierced through my guard, stabbing into my arms and shoulders. I gritted my teeth as the cold burned into my skin, but I didn’t stop. My blood splattered the ground, steaming in the cold air. Celia was still running, but her steps were slowing, her fear dragging her down.


    The freezing magic from the spears seeped into me, making my body sluggish and stiff. My sword felt like it would freeze solid in my grip, the frost creeping along the blade as if trying to consume it.


    "Keep moving!" I yelled, my voice sharp, trying to snap her out of her panic.


    She was further away now, putting some distance between herself and Kiel. For a moment, I thought to myself that she might finally be out of danger.


    Then I heard it.


    Whoosh.


    The sound of fire roared, alive and relentless, filling the air with its deafening fury. Ronan hovered above Celia; his silhouette framed by the searing light of his magic. His outstretched hand glowed ominously, the spell forming at his fingertips like a pulse of raw, fiery energy.


    I could feel the heat even from a distance, oppressive and suffocating, as if it was trying to steal the breath from my lungs. The air around him shimmered, distorted by the sheer intensity of the flames.


    With a cold, determined gaze, Ronan began to chant, his voice echoing with power. The words were sharp, commanding, and the sky above seemed to darken in response. Then, with a deliberate flick of his hand, he unleashed it—a massive ring of fire, blazing and furious, descending like a serpent striking its prey.


    The flames slammed into the ground around Celia, erupting into a towering inferno that encased her in an unyielding prison of fire. The wall was impossibly tall, its edges licking at the sky, its heat warping the space around it.


    From where I stood, all I could see was her silhouette inside the inferno, kneeling amidst the relentless blaze. The sight of her trapped there, the flames consuming everything around her, sent a sharp pang through my chest.


    “Ronan!” I shouted, my voice drowned by the roaring flames. His gaze flicked down to me for only a moment, a smirk curling on his lips before he turned his focus back to Celia, as if daring me to intervene.


    The fire trapped her in a circle, the flames climbing higher and higher. They weren’t just containing her; they were closing in, inching closer with each passing second, sealing her fate. She dropped to the ground, pressing herself against the dirt with her hands over her head, but there was nowhere to go.


    “KAISER! IT HURTS!” she screamed, her voice raw and frantic, filled with agony as the unbearable heat threatened to scorch her alive.


    “No! Celia!” I screamed, surging forward, my heart pounding with fear. My legs moved on their own, but the unbearable heat forced me to stop, the wall of flames too intense to get through.


    “Damn it!” I screamed, clenching my fists. “Ronan, stop this! She’s just a girl!” My voice cracked with desperation, but he didn’t even glance my way, his smirk only widening as he watched the fire consume the space around her.


    “She doesn’t deserve this!” I shouted again, my voice raw. “If you’re angry, then fight me! Don’t take it out on her! This is between us, Ronan!”


    The fire’s roar swallowed my words, but I didn’t stop. My gaze darted toward Celia, her small figure barely visible through the blazing wall. “Celia! Hang on! I’ll get you out of there!”


    I tore off my coat, heat-resistant or not, and wrapped it around my arm in a desperate attempt to shield myself from the flames. “You hear me, Ronan? You call yourself strong, but all I see is a coward hiding behind his magic! Fight me if you dare!”


    The words were laced with anger, but inside, my chest tightened with panic. Celia didn’t move. She was still kneeling, the fire reflecting in her wide, terrified eyes.


    “Celia!” I called out again, my voice shaking. “You’re stronger than this! Don’t let him win! You hear me? You’re not alone!”


    I took a hesitant step closer, the heat burning against my skin despite the coat. My teeth clenched, but I forced myself to keep going. “Ronan!” I shouted one last time, desperation cutting through my voice. “If you don’t stop, I swear, I’ll make you pay for this!”


    My mind raced, panic gripping me as I saw her trapped within the rising inferno. I knew what rings of fire like that could do—how they could reach temperatures that could burn the bones itself. Even without the flames touching her, the heat alone would slowly scorch her skin, eating away at her bit by bit.


    I clenched my teeth, every nerve in my body screaming to move faster. “I’m coming!” I yelled, desperate to reach her before it was too late.


    I tried to break through the flames, but before I could, Kiel was on me. His sword clashed against mine, the impact sending vibrations down my arms. His strength was overwhelming, each swing forcing me to take a step back.


    “Having fun yet?” He sneered, his voice cold and mocking. His movements were smooth, almost lazy, like he was playing with me.


    I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. My eyes kept flicking to the fire, to Celia’s trembling form as the flames inched closer. I could feel the heat crawling up my spine, suffocating.


    Suddenly, her scream shattered the air, raw and desperate. “AAAAAA!” she cried out, her voice trembling with fear as the fire closed in, the pain unbearable as the heat pressed against her fragile skin.


    I ducked under Kiel’s next strike and swept my sword low, pulling his balance forward. With the opening, I brought my elbow up hard, slamming it into his face. The force of the blow pushed him back, his head snapping to the side, and blood dripped from his nose.


    He staggered a few steps, but to my frustration, his smirk didn’t falter. He wiped the blood from his lip, still looking at me like I was nothing more than a challenge to be entertained.


    “Predictable,” he muttered.


    The ground beneath me shifted, and before I could even react, thick roots of hardened earth shot up, wrapping around my legs and locking me in place with a crushing force.


    My breath caught in my throat as panic surged through me. I looked up, and the sight made my heart stop—ice spears hovered above me, their tips gleaming coldly like deadly stars in the night sky. I hadn’t seen it coming. The trap was set, and I was caught, with no way to escape.


    “Damn it!” I screamed, my fists slamming into the ground in frustration, the shockwave of my anger sending cracks through the earth. The roots held me tight, a mocking reminder of how easily I’d been caught off guard. I could feel my blood boiling as I looked up at the ice spears, their deadly points glinting like they were laughing at me.


    Then I heard it again—Celia’s scream, sharp and filled with terror. The ring of fire was closing in, inching closer to her, the heat unbearable.


    Shit, shit, shit, I thought, my heart pounding in my chest. I have to save her.


    Without thinking, I grabbed the dagger on my belt and threw it at Ronan. The blade flew straight at him, cutting through the air. He was mid-chant, his hands glowing with fiery runes as he held the wall of flames. The dagger hit its mark, forcing him to dodge just enough that the flames flickered for a moment. That was all I needed.


    I swung my blade down, chopping at the thick, burning roots that kept me trapped. Before I could finish the cut, Kiel’s grip locked around my wrist, stopping me cold.


    “You think you can cut your way out?” he sneered, leaning in close, his voice sharp and mocking.


    But he didn’t see my free hand coming. My fist slammed into his jaw, knocking him back, just enough for me to break free. The roots snapped under my blade, and I pushed forward, the ground cracking as I sprinted toward Celia.


    The air thick with the acrid scent of burning wood and molten heat. My heart hammered in my chest, but I didn’t stop. I didn’t think. I just sprinted toward Celia, my legs moving faster than my thoughts, the sound of my pounding footsteps drowned out by the crackling flames around me.


    The fire wall vanished, but Celia was still on the ground, her body trembling as she looked up, her face pale with fear. Her clothes were torn in places, and the exposed skin on her arms and legs was tinted black from the burns, the wounds still smoldering with the remnants of heat.


    She was struggling to move, her hands shaking as she reached out, but the ice spears were already falling, a deadly rain of frost descending toward her. In a desperate attempt to protect herself, she brought her hands up above her face, trying to shield herself from the sharp, incoming blades. Her trembling arms barely gave her any protection as the cold air whipped around her, the danger closing in.


    She closed her eyes, her breath shallow and quick.


    Then, she screamed, a raw, desperate cry as the ice spears shattered in midair. The sound of breaking ice rang through the air, followed by the sharper fragments raining down toward her, their cold edges threatening to tear through her. The broken pieces sliced through the air, the fear of what would come next rising by the second.


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    When she opened them, I was standing over her. The spears slammed into me, each one a jagged knife carving into my body. One massive ice spear pierced directly through my side, the cold searing through my flesh as it erupted from my back, locking me in place. Blood soaked through my clothes, pooling at my feet. My vision blurred, but I stayed standing, my arms raised to shield her.


    My left hand was completely frozen, the frost creeping up my arm as if the very touch of the spear had turned my veins to ice. Despite the armor designed to resist such attacks, the freezing cold seeped deep into my bones, a biting chill that I couldn’t shake. My body trembled, the icy grip of the spear and the frigid air around me overpowering even the warmth of my blood.


    “Kaiser!” she cried, her voice shaking with fear as she crawled toward me. Her hands were burned, the skin raw and cracked, but she didn’t hesitate to touch my shoulder. I saw the pain in her face as her fingers brushed against my skin, but she pushed it aside, her worry for me far stronger than the sting. “Are you okay? Please, just—just stay awake!”


    I coughed, blood dripping from my lips, staining the dirt beneath me. “I’m fine, don''t worry.”


    I lied, my voice weak. The words felt empty, like I was pretending to be something I wasn’t. The truth was too hard to admit—too painful. I couldn’t protect her. I couldn’t save her.


    I failed her again. The thought hit me like a punch in the gut. Her burnt hands, trembling from both the pain and the worry, rested on my shoulder, and it tore me apart to know I couldn’t ease her fear. She was in so much pain, and all I could do was lie to her.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    The thought echoed in my head, louder than the pain. I was supposed to protect her. That was my promise. But here I was, barely holding on, bleeding out.


    Kiel’s laughter sliced through my shame, bitter and mocking, and it made my blood boil.


    “Pathetic,” he sneered, his voice thick with disgust. He took slow, deliberate steps toward me, his boots crunching over the frost and shattered ice. The sound was like a warning. “You’re not even worth the effort. I should’ve known better than to expect anything more from a weakling like you.”


    Ronan stepped up beside him, his silence speaking volumes, the smugness in his eyes more than enough to show how much he relished our suffering.


    He looked down at Celia from a distance, a cold laugh escaping his lips. “You really thought you could rely on him, didn’t you?” he taunted, his voice ice-cold. “Your hope... it’s already lost. You’re nothing but a fool for believing in someone like him.” He paused, letting the words sink in before a low chuckle escaped him. “I bet you’re regretting that now.”


    Kiel’s grin twisted into something darker, filled with utter contempt. “Look at you,” he sneered, eyes narrowing as he looked down at me. “Pathetic. On your knees, broken, helpless. I actually thought you’d be worth something. Thought you might give me a good fight, but instead, you’re just a weakling who couldn’t even protect the one person you were supposed to.” His voice dripped with disappointment, each word cutting deeper than the last.


    He raised a hand, and a fireball slowly began to form at his fingertips, crackling with dangerous energy. The air around it shimmered with heat as he channeled his magic, the fire swirling violently, growing larger and hotter with every second. He pointed it directly at me, his gaze cold, almost pitying. “Know your place,” he said, his voice low and final. “This ends now.”


    I raised my head, my breath ragged. His words stung because they were true. I wasn’t strong. Not like them. I couldn’t protect her. I couldn’t protect anyone. What kind of a man am I, if I can’t even do that?


    I placed my hand over my face, desperate to hide the tears that threatened to fall, to cover the despair I couldn’t shake. The weight of failure crushed me, and in that moment, I was ready to give up. The anger, the guilt, the helplessness—everything swirled together inside me, and all I could feel was how small and pathetic I truly was. The sting of his words hit harder than any blow. I was a failure.


    The guilt crushed me, eating away at the small amount of resolve I had left. My mind screamed at me...


    How could I be so weak? How could I let her get hurt after all the shit I talked about being strong? I had failed her. The bitter weight of it crushed me, and I could only ask myself over and over, Why was I even trying?


    She must be disappointed in me. She must hate me now. After all the times I told her I could protect her, that I’d be strong for her... Now I’ve failed. She should just leave me behind. Run away. Get away from someone like me. It would be better for her. She doesn’t deserve this. She shouldn’t have to die for me.


    Maybe she’s already thinking it... Maybe she’s already lost faith in me. Maybe she’ll just leave me here to die.


    I’m the weak one. I’m the one who deserves to die.


    And then, something unexpected happened.


    Celia, despite everything, despite the burns on her skin and the shaking of her hands, moved in front of me. She stretched her burnt hands toward Kiel, her hands spread wide, her chest rising and falling with each ragged breath. She was trying to protect me.


    “Kaiser is not weak!” she screamed, her voice raw with defiance. “You’re the coward, hiding behind your magic. You’re nothing but a loser for ganging up on him. I’ll protect him, no matter what!”


    Kiel’s smirk twisted into a cruel sneer as he regarded Celia, his fireball flickering ominously in his hand. He wasn’t about to release it just yet, but the pressure of its heat was undeniable.


    “You really think you can protect him?” Kiel laughed, his voice dripping with contempt. “You don’t even have the power to protect yourself. What makes you think you can protect anyone else? You’re nothing but a little girl playing at being a hero.”


    Ronan, standing just behind Kiel, joined in with his mocking chuckle. “Yeah, just face it. You’re as weak as he is. You’ve got nothing.”


    Celia’s voice trembled, but her words were firm as she faced them, her fists clenched. “No. Even if I don’t have the power to win… I won’t fall to my knees. I’ll fight for Kaiser. I will always do, I’ll fight for him until the very last moment of my life.”


    Ronan laughed cruelly. "You? Fight?" he mocked. "You''re just a joke. You can''t even protect yourself, let alone him." He chuckled again, shaking his head. "How pathetic. You''re weaker than him, and that''s saying a lot."


    Celia stood tall, her arms trembling as they clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms. Her voice quivered but held firm, her eyes burning with an intensity that defied her pain. “Kaiser believed in me... like no one ever did. He looked at me—someone who couldn’t even believe in herself—and told me I was stronger than I thought I was. For the first time... I felt like I wasn’t worthless.” Her fists tightened further, tears glistening but refusing to fall. “I won’t let that go. I won’t let him go.”


    "I hated myself before… wanted to die... but after meeting him, seeing how he cared for me... I won’t give up on him.”


    Kiel’s laugh turned even colder, his eyes narrowing as he taunted her. “Kaiser? That weakling? He couldn’t even stand up for himself! He’s not worth fighting for!”


    Before he could continue, Celia’s voice cut through the air, sharp and unwavering. “No... He is not weak.” She stepped forward, her voice steady with a burning resolve. “I will fight by his side. He didn’t need to risk his life for me, but I will."


    “I’ll save him,” Celia said, her voice thick with emotion. “I’ll make sure he has a life he never thought he deserved. A life where he can be happy… and safe… without always having to carry the weight of others.”


    Ronan sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. “You really think you can change anything? You’re just another fool.”


    But Celia held her ground, her breath steady now. “I will never run away again,” she said, her voice growing even stronger. “I will never run away again from people like you.”


    There was a long silence. The weight of her words hung in the air, thick and heavy. Then, for a moment, even Kiel and Ronan seemed caught off guard. They stood there, momentarily speechless, before the mocking laughter returned, but it felt hollow now, as if the two of them were less sure of themselves than before.


    The moment was tense, but it was clear that Celia’s words had cut deeper than she realized.


    Without warning, Kiel threw a weaker fireball at her. It collided with her, the flames licking across her skin. Celia cried out in pain, her body trembling, but she didn’t step back, didn’t move away. She stood there, hands outstretched, her eyes fixed on me as if she were willing to take the full brunt of the flames just to protect me.


    Her body wracked with pain, her skin burned, but her gaze never faltered. I could feel the heat of the fire, the agony she was enduring, and it tore through me just as much as it did her.


    Kiel, for the first time, looked shocked, his confidence waning. Ronan''s face mirrored his, both of them at a loss for what was happening. But me? I was the most shocked. My body was frozen, unable to move, my heart pounding in my chest. The sight of her suffering, of her willing sacrifice... I couldn''t breathe, couldn''t think. Yet, despite it all, she remained steadfast. Still protecting me, even as the flames scorched her very being.


    “Why…” he started, his voice low, “why would you fight for someone like him? Someone you barely even know?”


    Celia didn’t hesitate. She clenched her fists tight, her voice steady but full of raw emotion. “Because Kaiser is my friend. I would’ve died in that forest. I should’ve died there, alone. But Kaiser saved me. He wanted to see me smile, to see me happy. He risked everything for me.” Her voice wavered, but she steadied it again.


    “That’s why I will fight for him. I’ll do everything I can.”


    For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Kiel and Ronan stood frozen, completely speechless. The weight of Celia’s words hung in the air, the intensity in her eyes making it impossible for them to mock her anymore.


    Celia’s voice softened, but there was no uncertainty in it. “I know I’m weak. I know I’m hopeless... but I will give it my all. I want to be the friend Kaiser deserves. The person he believed I could be. The person he thought I was. I’m going to save him. This time, I’ll fight alongside him.”


    Her eyes never left them, never wavered. “Because he believes in me... and I will never give up on him.”


    Kiel and Ronan stood there, utterly silent, struck by the force of her words. Then, with a bitter laugh, Kiel broke the silence, his voice mocking, but filled with disbelief. “So, even after being cursed, you still have the same heart as before? Wanting to help others, knowing you can’t do anything for them.”


    He glanced down at Kaiser, who was barely holding on, and then back at Celia. His tone darkened. “He’s lost. Just give up. Let me end this for him. I’ll do my best to release you from your pain. I know you’re disappointed in him.”


    Celia met his eyes without a trace of fear. “Kaiser gave it his all,” she said, her voice unwavering. “He fought for me. He protected me. Even if he loses, I’m proud to call him my friend.”


    A tear slipped down her cheek, but she didn’t notice it, her focus solely on Kiel and Ronan Infront of her.


    Behind her, I didn’t realize that tears had slipped down my face as well, the reality of Celia’s words sinking in, the emotion that had been held back breaking free. I was starting to get some dark memories of my past, I tried to brush them away, but they kept on coming. Memories of my failures to save the one person that loved me.


    I had given up all hope of winning. I was defeated, broken. Yet, there she was, standing firm, fighting for me.


    Why? Why would she still fight for someone like me?


    I lost. I failed her. I thought she hated me for not being strong enough, for failing to protect her. I thought she would see me fall to my knees, my strength crumbling, and she would walk away, losing faith in me.


    But she didn’t. She stood by my side.


    Why?


    Why does she keep believing in me? Why after everything I’ve failed at, every time I’ve let her down, is she still here?


    Why would she risk herself for someone like me? I couldn’t even protect her, couldn’t even protect myself.


    Why? Why couldn’t I just be strong for once?


    Why am I so weak?


    No.


    I won’t let it end like this. I won’t let her down again.


    I will fight for her now. Just watch me. I’m done letting myself fall.


    Kiel’s cruel grin returned, but now there was an edge of frustration to it. His patience was wearing thin. With a snap of his fingers, the fireball in his palm flared, its heat roaring to life, twisting the air around it as it grew larger and more violent. He aimed at Celia with deadly precision, the flames threatening to scorch everything in their path.


    He released the fireball with one last, cold laugh. “Goodbye, old friend.”


    But Celia didn’t move. She didn’t flinch. She stood tall, her body resolute, even as the fireball surged toward her. It was coming for her, certain and unavoidable.


    Without thinking, I threw myself in front of her, gripping my sword tightly as I braced for impact.


    The explosion hit with a deafening roar, the force of it knocking me off my feet. Smoke and flames billowed around us, obscuring everything in a thick, choking cloud. The air was hot, burning my skin and lungs as I shielded her from the worst of it. My arms burned from the impact, and the searing pain seethed through my body, but I couldn’t move. I had to stay between Celia and the fire. I had to protect her.


    I could hear her gasping, coughing violently as the smoke choked her, and in that moment, I could feel her concern for me, but I couldn’t bring myself to show her. Not now.


    When the smoke cleared, the world came into focus. I stood there, barely able to keep my footing, blood pouring from my face and body. My right eye... I could feel it throbbing, a dull ache that spread through my skull. When I touched my face, I could feel the blood coating my skin, but there was something worse than that.


    I couldn’t see from my right eye anymore. It was completely dark.


    Celia’s voice rang out in panic, her hands reaching for me. “Kaiser! No!”


    She rushed toward me, but I held my hand up weakly, stopping her before she could come closer.


    “Don’t... don’t come any closer," I managed, my voice strained, barely a whisper. "I''m... I''m sorry."


    I could feel the shame eating away at me. I had failed. I had failed her. "I gave up... I was weak... I''m sorry."


    She stopped in her tracks, her eyes wide, filled with sorrow and confusion. She wanted to help, but I could see it—she didn’t know what to say, what to do. She had been fighting for me, and here I was, falling apart.


    Kiel and Ronan stood there, staring in stunned silence. They couldn’t believe what they were seeing. How was I still standing? How was I still alive? Blood poured from my eyes and body, staining the ground beneath me, but I wasn’t dead. Not yet.


    Ronan broke the silence, a grimace twisting his face as he watched me struggle.


    “How the hell is he still alive?”


    Kiel, his expression unreadable, glanced between me and Celia. Then, in a rare moment of quiet, he asked,


    “Why...? Why would you throw yourself in front of her?”


    I could only look at him, my breath ragged, blood dripping from my eyes and staining my face. There was no strength left in me to speak. But I didn’t need to say anything. It was clear.


    Celia finally reached me, kneeling by my side, her trembling hands hovering over me in desperate confusion. I could feel her shaking, but I couldn’t respond. I was drowning in my own weakness, unable to find the strength to even lift my head.


    “I’m sorry, Celia,” I whispered again, my voice barely audible, weak with self-loathing. “I failed you.”


    She shook her head immediately, denying everything I said, her voice tight with emotion.


    “No, Kaiser. Don’t you dare think that. You... you don’t have to protect me anymore. Just run away. Let me die here. I’m the weak one, not you.”


    I managed a weak, forced smile, though it sent pain shooting through my face. My muscles ached from the strain, but I couldn’t let her see that. I placed my other arm around her shoulder, trying to give her some semblance of comfort, even though I was just as broken as she was.


    “Don’t worry anymore, Celia,” I said, my words strained, but still holding on to a semblance of resolve. “Just watch. I’ll win. I’ll make this right.”


    She looked at me, her expression softening, but the doubt in her eyes was clear. She didn’t believe me. I knew that. But I needed her to feel like she didn’t have to carry this burden anymore. I winked at her, the motion stiff, but the effort was there.


    Instead of the worry I expected, her voice rang out with new conviction. “Then show them... show them who the real strongest is.”


    Her words burned into me, and I felt something shift within. This time, when she looked at me, I saw the fire in her eyes. She wasn’t just worried anymore—she was placing all of her trust in me again. That trust was more than just her belief in me. It was her hope, her strength.


    I slowly stood up, the pain in my body unbearable, but I didn’t care. She believed in me again.


    I turned to face Ronan and Kiel, determination flickering behind my eyes. I couldn’t afford to fail her again.


    With each slow step toward them, I felt the weight of her faith pressing down on me, but it didn’t break me. This time, I would show them. I would show them what it meant to truly fight.


    “You’re proud of your strength, aren’t you, Kiel?” My voice was low, steady, but it cut through the air with lethal intent. “The strong always have the advantage. They always pick on the weak, beat them down, and laugh about it. The weak always lose—no matter how kind, forgiving, or determined they are.”


    I tightened my grip on my sword, the steel creaking under the pressure as my knuckles went white. The blood dripping from my wounds only fueled my resolve.


    “I’ve lost everything. Everyone I cared about. Over and over again.” My boots crunched against the frozen ground with every step forward. The blood, the pain—it was nothing. “But not today.”


    Kiel’s smirk faltered, just a fraction of a second, as if he could feel the shift in the air.


    “Today, I’ll kill you.” My voice was ice, each word a promise that cut deeper than any blade. “Just watch me.”


    I dropped my coat, the weight of it no longer needed, as it would only slow me down. My hands, trembling slightly from the pain, reached into one of the pockets of my coat and pulled out the bandages. With practiced precision, I began wrapping them tightly around my hands, the pressure easing the sting in my wounds. I could feel the coldness creeping from my left hand, still frozen from blocking the ice spear earlier, but I ignored it.


    I had no healing magic; my only choice was to use the last potion I had. Flowing through the cut on my chest where the spear had stabbed deep, and with a concentrated effort, I sealed the wound, the pain dulling as the blood flow slowed.


    My inner armor had automatic healing capabilities, though it wasn’t fast enough to fully repair the damage. The rips in the fabric were slowly mending, but it wasn’t enough. I could still feel the sting of my injuries, the reminder of just how close I had come to death.


    Kiel and Ronan stood there, eyes wide with confusion, their attention fixated on my movements. They were too stunned by my actions, my words, to react. The tension in the air was thick, and for a moment, it felt as though time had frozen.


    I let the coat fall to the ground, its fabric fluttering softly in the gust of wind that swept through the debris-filled environment. Rocks and fragments of stone littered the ground, remnants of the explosions that had scarred the landscape. The battlefield was a chaotic mess, the air heavy with smoke and the scent of burnt earth.


    With my sword gripped tightly in my hand, I moved forward. Each step was slow, calculated, despite the agony in my body. The sword felt like an extension of my will, its weight steady in my grip as I pushed through the shattered rocks and debris. My focus was unwavering. The world around me was a blur, the only clarity I had was in my resolve.


    In that instant, Kiel hurled his fireball, the flames roaring like a beast unleashed, the light blinding. But it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered anymore.


    Kiel and Ronan exchanged a quick, panicked glance. They were stunned, struggling to comprehend how I was still standing—how some low-level healing potions and simple bandages had kept me alive. It was supposed to be impossible. I shouldn''t have been able to endure so much. But I was still here. Still fighting.


    Fear crept into their eyes, and for the briefest moment, it looked like they were reconsidering everything. But panic set in quickly. Without another thought, they both attacked at once, not wanting to give me the chance to recover, to rise again.


    This ends here.