The enemy never understood what had happened.

  One moment, he was laughing beneath the storm.

  The next—

  The spear pierced straight through his chest.

  Lightning exploded outward as the body froze mid-step, rain washing the blood from the wound as life vanished instantly. The man collapsed without a sound, eyes wide, empty.

  Samye stepped forward and pulled the spear free.

  Warm blood coated the metal.

  For a brief moment—just a moment—Samye smiled.

  Not in joy.

  In grim confirmation.

  Then he turned and ran.

  The other side of the town was worse.

  Buildings burned. Soldiers fell back. The clash of metal echoed endlessly.

  And then—

  Samye saw him.

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  A towering enemy wielding a giant hammer, each swing crushing ground and bone alike.

  And beneath him—

  Kayal.

  Broken.

  Bleeding.

  Unable to stand.

  The hammer rose.

  Samye didn’t think.

  “Secret Arts — First Form:

  Elemental Boost.”

  Lightning answered again.

  The spear became a streak of thunder as Samye hurled it with everything he had left.

  The hammer wielder was forced to turn, barely deflecting the strike—

  And that instant was enough.

  Samye reached Kayal, lifted him despite the pain screaming through his own body—

  And vanished.

  Not through time.

  Through pure speed and desperation.

  A short distance away, Samye staggered into cover.

  His vision blurred.

  His breath came in broken gasps.

  Every muscle burned. His heartbeat thundered violently in his ears.

  I’m reaching my limit…

  But he didn’t stop.

  Rain poured relentlessly as he ran, Kayal’s weight dragging him closer to collapse. Blood soaked his clothes—some his, most Kayal’s.

  Finally—

  Kayal’s home.

  Samye slammed the door open.

  Kayal’s wife froze.

  Then screamed.

  She rushed forward, tears streaming as Samye gently lowered Kayal onto the floor.

  “What happened?! Who did this?!” she cried.

  Kayal groaned faintly.

  One of his legs was twisted at an unnatural angle—nearly unusable.

  The family moved quickly, tending wounds, binding injuries, doing everything they could.

  Samye stepped back, leaning against the wall, rainwater dripping from his hair and clothes.

  His legs finally gave way.

  He sank to the floor.

  Exhausted.

  Drained.

  But alive.

  He watched Kayal breathe.

  Slow.

  Painful.

  But steady.

  He’ll live, Samye thought firmly.

  His end isn’t here yet.

  Outside, the rain continued to fall.

  And for the first time that night—

  Samye allowed himself to rest.