Nihlus, The Challenger
For the first time, Aiden felt the pressure.
Nihlus was more than a rival now.
He was matching him.
Step for step.
Strike for strike.
And not just because he was adapting—
But because he was creating.
Aiden barely dodged as Nihlus's sword shifted mid-swing, expanding and fracturing into a thousand voidfire shards that launched in every direction.
Aiden twisted his body, golden energy exploding outward.
"Primal Shift!"
His power compressed and detonated, vaporizing the incoming projectiles—
But Nihlus was already behind him.
"Void Requiem."
A blade of pure severance slashed down.
Aiden had only an instant to react.
He raised his arm, golden energy flaring—
—𝘊𝘙𝘈𝘊𝘒—!
The force sent him crashing into the ground below, carving a massive crater into the land.
For the first time in this battle—
Aiden was the one sent flying.
The Thrill of the Challenge
Aiden lay there for a moment, feeling the impact echo through his body.
And then—
