Scene: Sea Level — Just Outside the Ship | The Duel Begins]
The waves churned around them, but Solis and Ryven stood untouched — a stillness surrounding them.
Solis moved. A flash. A streak of steel. He lunged low, arcing his blade upward with terrifying speed.
Ryven didn't flinch. He pivoted. One smooth step. A swing —
CLANG—!
Blades collided. Sparks flew. Solis winced. The impact vibrated up his arm like he'd struck solid mountain. Not metal. Not flesh. Something older. He gritted his teeth, trying not to show the sting.
> "That sword… what the hell is that?"
Ryven didn't answer. His eyes remained still — almost bored. He stepped forward. Another swing.
SHHHHHRRRACK—!
Solis ducked beneath it, barely missing the slice, and countered with a slash of his own — horizontal and sharp.
But Ryven's sword intercepted. Effortlessly.
Solis felt it again. Like trying to cleave through a mountain. His wrist throbbed. His blade bounced back.
Ryven (flatly):
> "Try harder."
Solis's eyes narrowed. He dashed to the side, disappeared— then reappeared behind Ryven, spinning into a thrust.
CLANG!
Blocked.
Again, the same pain. Again, no give.
> (Solis, internal) "What is this blade…?"
The sword Ryven wielded pulsed with something ancient. Something strong. It didn't just repel hits — it absorbed them. Deadened them. As if the laws of motion didn't apply around it.
Ryven swung upward — Solis flipped back just in time.
Another miss. But just barely.
Below them, the sea rippled from the shock.
---
[Scene: Ryven's Ship | Deck — Within the Nullwake Field]
Kael ducked under a strike. Rolled. Came up swinging.
Rhask covered him. His broadsword met a dagger mid-flight — knocking it away with a grunt.
One of the masked assassins pressed in. Fast. Too fast.
Kael took a cut to the shoulder — shallow, but it stung. The field was draining his mana, dulling his reflexes.
> "Dammit...." Kael muttered, eyes darting.
Rhask swung again — forcing back two of the masked attackers. He was breathing harder now. Slower. But he still stood.
Silver-Hair just smiled. Arms crossed. Not lifting a finger.
Silver-Hair:
> "You're impressive. Most collapse within seconds. But still — how long can you last?"
Kael grit his teeth and lunged again — just to prove him wrong. He landed a hit. A clean one — right across a masked assassin's thigh.
But the assassin didn't flinch. Didn't even grunt.
Kael (startled):
> "These aren't people…"
Rhask (gruff):
> "They're being moved. Like dolls."
One of the masked assassins reached Rhask's shoulder — knife slashing down. Kael kicked it mid-air, knocking the figure aside — barely.
---
[Scene: Crow's Nest | Arjun's POV]
Arjun had one arrow nocked. Crimson mana laced along the shaft. But he couldn't fire.
> "The barrier's still up..."
He watched Kael and Rhask fight, sweat pouring, blades flashing — and still he couldn't help.
Then his eyes darted toward the sea.
Ryven and Solis. A battle of monsters. Steel and sky. Light and gravity.
Every clash sent shockwaves. Every dodge carved up the sea.
> (Arjun, internal) "If I interfere… if I try... I break the balance."
His hands shook. His fingers tightened on the bowstring.
He bit his lower lip. Hard. Until blood pricked.
He could do nothing. And it burned.
[Scene: Sea Level — Ryven vs Solis Continues]
Solis roared. This time he charged, full strength.
Blade flashing with raw mana, he slashed down hard.
CLANG—!!
His whole body jerked back. Pain exploded up his elbow.
Still, he followed through. Another strike. Another block.
He flipped, slashed, spun — using every move in his arsenal.
Ryven parried. Parried. Parried. Without breaking rhythm. Without moving more than a step at a time.
Then — He countered.
Solis gasped — barely blocking the incoming vertical slice. The pressure from it alone sent him skidding back across the water like a stone.
He barely found his footing. His legs trembled. His wrist screamed.
Ryven walked toward him — slow, certain.
Ryven:
> "You came to test me, didn't you?"
"Consider this your answer."
Solis exhaled. Calmed his breath. Then smirked.
> "Good. You're stronger than I hoped."