Orion paced across his family estate, his mind clouded with questions.
The battle with the shadowy creature had left more than just bruises—it had left doubts. Someone was orchestrating these attacks, probing his limits, watching his every move.
But who? And why now? Kael approached him, his expression grim. "You can't keep ignoring what's happening. Someone is testing you, Orion." "I know," Orion admitted. "But I don't know who—or what—they are." Before Kael could respond, a distant scream tore through the night. Orion's body moved before his mind could catch up.
He sprinted toward the sound, his senses tuned to the smallest shifts in the environment. As he turned a corner, he saw it—a dark figure standing over a helpless civilian, a blade of pure black energy in its hand. The air around it crackled with malevolence.
Orion didn't hesitate. He launched himself forward, energy flaring from his palms as he aimed a precise blast at the figure. The energy struck true, sending the attacker skidding backward. The creature rose, unbothered. "You're getting stronger," it hissed. "But strength alone won't save you."
Orion clenched his fists. "Then let's test that theory." The battle erupted in a blur of movement. Orion dodged a swipe of the energy blade, countering with a surge of celestial power. T
he force slammed into the attacker, sending shockwaves through the street, shattering glass and flipping cars. But the figure barely flinched.
The Stalker lunged again, its strikes faster this time. Orion barely managed to block, feeling the raw power behind each attack. He realized this wasn't just another shadowy minion—this creature was designed to kill him. Kael arrived just in time to see the shadowy enemy raise its blade again. "Orion, fall back!" he shouted. But Orion wasn't listening.
He lunged, fists crackling with golden energy. His punch connected—this time, the enemy staggered. The air hummed with power as Orion pressed his advantage, delivering a series of devastating strikes that lit up the night sky. The Stalker howled, its body flickering in and out of reality.
For the first time, Orion saw a moment of hesitation in its glowing red eyes. "Not possible…" the creature rasped. "You weren't supposed to—" Orion didn't let it finish. With a roar, he unleashed a final, concentrated blast of celestial energy. T
he golden light engulfed the creature, its screech echoing through the empty streets. The force of the attack created a crater in the pavement, dust and debris filling the air. The Stalker struggled, its form distorting violently as if it were being pulled apart from the inside.
It let out one final, guttural snarl before imploding in a burst of shadow and crackling blue lightning. The energy backlash sent Orion flying backward, skidding across the rubble-strewn ground. He groaned as he sat up, chest heaving.
His limbs ached, his knuckles were bloodied, and yet—he had won. Kael rushed to his side. "Orion, you okay?" Orion forced himself to stand. "I'm fine." He turned his gaze to the smoldering ruins where the creature had been. "But this isn't over." A low rumble echoed through the city.
The shadows along the walls shifted unnaturally, retreating as if something—or someone—had recalled them. Kael followed his gaze. "They're watching. The one behind this… they know you're ready." Orion's jaw clenched. "Then let them come." The night was silent once more, but the battle had only just begun.