Serena landed beside Asher, panting slightly. "Damn. You really sent him flying."
Asher's glowing red eyes stayed locked on the rubble. "He's not dead."
Before Serena could respond, the ruined house exploded outward, and Malakai emerged, his robes in tatters and his body pulsing with dark energy. He staggered for a moment, then wiped the blood from his lips—inky black blood that sizzled as it hit the ground.
Malakai's grin widened, though his eyes held a newfound wariness. "I see… So that's your true power."
Asher cracked his knuckles, unfazed. "That was just a warm-up."
Malakai exhaled, and the corrupted mist around him thickened. The massive abomination behind him let out a guttural roar, its blue veins pulsing violently. Then, with terrifying speed, it lunged.
Serena barely had time to react before the creature's massive arm came crashing down toward them.
Surge Step.
