The moment I lunged, he was already gone. A blur of silver and crackling blue. Then, CRACK!

  A fist slammed into my ribs, the force ripping the air from my lungs. Before I could even process what was happening, I was flying sideways, skidding across the shattered stone like I was a pebble on water. The force of the hit rattled through my body, pain bursting through my bones like wildfire.

  I groaned, pushing myself up on shaking arms. The second I lifted my head, CRACK!

  Another hit straight to my dome. My head snapped downward, vision flashing white as an iron-like taste flooded my mouth. Then something heavy landed on my back, forcing me down onto the ground.

  “You’re slow,” the knight said, his voice irritatingly calm. “You’ve definitely got power, but, you lack control. No real fight in you.”

  I snarled, twisting and struggling under his foot as I swiped up, fast and brutal—Nothing.

  A streak of lightning flicked through the dust cloud as he reappeared a few feet away, standing at ease with his sword resting against his shoulder. Like this was some kind of dumb game.

  I gritted my teeth, growling as my claws dug into the shattered stone beneath me. My whole body was shifting now, more scales spreading across my arms, a tail erupting from my lower spine, my wings twitching. “You talk like you’re winning this,” I spat, saliva running down my chin. “But all I see is a dumb old man who won’t fight me head on!”

  The knight arched a brow. “Fight you head on?” He shook his head, sighing. “Boy, you don’t even know how to fight. You think strength is everything. That’s why you lost as soon as I arrived.”

  I cried out and launched myself, fire propelling me forward. Lightning flashed before the flat of his sword smacked against my gut. I was airborne before I even comprehended the pain.

  A heartbeat later, I crashed through a building, stone and wood splintering around me. I hit the ground with a thud, debris raining down, dust choking the air. I coughed. My ears rang, my ribs cried out in pain, but I was already healing. I always healed. That wasn't the problem.

  The problem was I couldn’t touch this fossil.

  I went to move, but a boot stopped me—Slamming into my side, sending me rolling across the square.

  “You react too much,” he called, voice still calm. “You don’t think. You’re letting your instincts do all the work, even though that won’t save you.”

  I dug my claws into the stone, grinding to a stop. I could feel my blood boiling, my heartbeat pounding in my ears. “You talk too much,” I snarled.

  “And you don’t listen.”

  My wings snapped open. The stone cracked beneath me as I launched forward, faster this time. My claws curved to tear flesh from his body.

  Another hit, an elbow to the ribs, right in that same spot as before. I forced myself to ignore the pain, but a fist slammed into my back. The impact sent me hurtling downward.

  “You’re getting angrier,” his voice rang out from above me. “That’s good. But anger isn’t enough. You don’t know how to use it properly.”

  “Shut. Up.” I hissed, my voice laced with venom.

  “You’re making me repeat myself.” He stepped closer, boots crunching against the broken stone. “You’re not listening to what I’m telling you.”

  “Shut up!” I lunged—My wings snapped forward, I was on him in an instant, claws aiming for his throat.

  I barely saw his knee coming before it drove into my stomach.

  The air left my lungs in a violent wheeze. I doubled over, gasping, but his hand was already gripping one of my horns. He pulled my head up, forcing me to meet his gaze.

  “You’ve lost. End this tantrum.” He commanded.

  I roared in his face, flames erupting from my mouth.

  He twisted his head out of the way before yanking me forward straight into his kneecap. Pain exploded through my skull. I stumbled back, the world spinning around me.

  “This is just sad,” he continued, circling around me now. “An old man in his fifties giving a beatdown to such a young pup.”

  Something inside me gave way. I threw myself toward him. He dodged, but I was already moving after him. My tail lashed out and he barely ducked in time. A flap of my wings sent a shockwave through the square, forcing him back. He steadied himself, raising his sword.

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  My first crashed into his side.

  For the first time, he grunted in pain, boots dragging against the cracked ground.

  I exhaled hard, a slight giggle escaping my lips.

  Finally. I finally hit him.

  He straightened, giving his side a tender rub. “Very good.”

  I bared my teeth, the claws of my feet digging into the ground. “I’m just warming up.”

  A smirk flicked across his face. Lightning crashed again, streaking across the battlefield. He reappeared behind me, sword flashing—

  I spun just in time, raising my arm. Metal met scale in a burst of sparks, and I grimaced as I slid back from the force of his blow.

  “You’re learning!”

  I swiped at him. He ducked, moving with that same effortless speed, dodging every strike like he had no issues whatsoever.

  I hated it.

  I hated him.

  “Drop dead already!” I spat, letting another torrent of fire leave my lips.

  “Old age is not how I plan on going out,” he said simply, sidestepping the flames. Lightning flickered, and I barely caught the blur of movement before pain exploded through my back. I crashed forward, rolling but I forced myself to my feet, chest heaving.

  His sword was everywhere at once, electricity trailing behind each strike. I blocked some, dodged others, but he was relentless. I ducked another strike, twisting on my heel. My tail whipped forward, catching him in the ribs. He staggered. I roared, driving my claws into his side. I felt something wet. Warm. Blood. His blood.

  That slowed him down. His sword trembled ever so slightly in his grasp. I pressed forward with every ability I had in my arsenal, claws swinging, tail whipping at his legs to strike him off balance, wings attempting to wrap around him, bursts of fire. He barely managed to block, his sword scraping against my scales as I drove him Back.

  I only needed to get one more hit on him. I could finish this! I could win!

  Then lightning flashed from across the square. A thunderclap shook the battlefield, and suddenly, something slammed into my side with bone-breaking force. Laughter echoed around me.

  I roared in fury as I was thrown back off my feet, crashing through the remains of a stone archway. My back hit the ground hard, and I barely had time to react before a second strike came. A flash of steel and a jolt of raw electricity.

  I dug my claws into the ground and flipped myself back onto my feet. A smug idiot stood beside the old man, casually rolling his shoulders. His auburn hair was damp with sweat and his smirk was as insufferable as ever.

  “Need help, old man?” Edric asked, eyes never leaving me.

  Alden shot forward, his sword a blur of silver, forcing me on the defensive. Edric was right behind him. A burst of electricity struck my ribs, sending another jolt of pain through my body. My muscles seized for a second, and they took advantage of that.

  The old man went for my neck.

  I barely managed to duck in time, the tip of my left horn being cut off. I retaliated with a blast of fire, but Edric moved behind me in the blink of an eye, attempting to drive his sword into my back.

  A swipe of my tail sent Edric stumbling backward, but they didn’t let up. The two of them moved like twin snakes, striking in perfect coordination. The older man striked, his blade flashing in a deadly arc, forcing me to block with my claws. The second we connected, Edric was already sliding behind me, slashing at my legs.

  I roared and leapt backward, wings flaring as I twisted mid-air, flipping over them both and landing with a crash.

  They were on me like gnats.

  He struck high, Edric aimed low—forcing me to weave between their attacks. My claws scraped against the old man’s armor, leaving deep gouges, but he twisted away before I could deal any real damage.

  Why won’t they just die already?!

  “You’re getting slow, old man!” Edric taunted as he ducked under a tail swipe, his sword cutting into my side.

  He exhaled, adjusting his stance. “And you’re getting too cocky, boy. Keep flapping your gums, and this brat will end you.”

  “Brat?” I snapped, barring my fangs. “I’ll eat your heart, you old sack of—”

  The man lunged without warning, his sword swinging towards my head. I deflected it with a claw, only for Edric to slide underneath me, his electrified blade stabbing at my exposed ribs.

  I cried in agony as lightning surged through me, locking up my muscles for half a second.

  “Still standing?” Edric whistled, twirling his sword in his hand. “I thought that woulda’ clenched it.”

  “I barely felt that,” I lied, grinning through the pain.

  “Oh yeah?” he smirked. “Then why do you look like you’re about to puke?”

  The old man shook his head. “Focus, boy. This isn’t the time to play games.”

  “I dunno, Alden, he’s really fun to joke around with.”

  I charged at the duo, a stream of fire leaving my lips. They moved, but I swung my tail at the old man. He grunted, stumbling back. Edric moved to cover him, thrusting his sword at my chest, but I sidestepped, grabbing onto his wrist and squeezing until I heard bones crack. He cried out, his sword falling from his hands. I tossed him aside like the trash he was.

  Alden’s hands crackled with mana as he raised his hand to the sky, preparing to launch an attack. With a quick flap of my wings, I dove at the man—my teeth sank into the outstretched arm, tearing through flesh and bone.

  He staggered back, clutching the stump where his arm had been. Blood gushed between his fingers. To my disappointment, he didn’t scream. He just stared at me.

  I threw his arm off to the side as I stalked up to him, raising my hand for the final blow.

  Light flooded my vision.

  A golden barrier slammed down between us, stopping my claws mid-swing. The force of the collision sent me skidding backwards.

  The worst devil of them all stood there, his golden eyes blazing with fury.

  Sacer Umbra.