Ethan tightened his grip on his sword hilt, holding back raw frustration. The Emperor's intervention hadn't been a simple request for order; the subtle pressure the sovereign radiated across the chamber seemed to favor the old protector, suppressing the fluidity of Ethan's mana to hand Garth an artificial advantage.
Garth, seeing the spectral tide vanish and sensing the room's weight cornering his opponent, let out a grotesque, blood-stained laugh.
"Hahaha! Now let's see where you'll hide, you miserable rat!" the elder boasted, lunging forward with a contorted face.
Ethan began dodging through pure instinct, igniting his Dao Heart's perception to read the enemy's energy flow. The storm of thrusts and punches wrapped in dark golden fire showed no signs of stopping; the old man was a furious tide of heavy, relentless strikes.
"Crul, analyze him," Ethan commanded within his mind to his spirit ring's consciousness.
