The sky above boiled with storm clouds and moonlight.
The ground beneath… torn beyond recognition. Ice spires jutted like the fangs of giants. Trees were leveled. Beastly spectators, trembling in awe, circled wide, keeping distance from the maelstrom of gods.
Both combatants showed signs of fatigue, their breaths heavy, wounds evident. Yet, neither yielded.
Jayden's breath came ragged now, mist pouring from his lips like steam from a furnace. One eye half-shut from bruising. Arms scratched and bleeding. Beast aura flickering—thinner than before, less like a raging fire and more like burning embers.
The Winter Wolf was no better.
One leg stiff from an earlier blow. Her chest rose and fell in slow, icy rhythms. Blue blood crystallized along her side where Jayden had landed that uppercut.
And yet—her steps remained precise. Her gaze? Calm. Cold. Eternal.
This was no ordinary beast.
This was a being born from elemental dominion, who had fought gods under ancient moons.
