The sun was setting as Kael walked away from the battlefield.
The air was cold, and the smell of blood still lingered behind him.
Each step felt heavier—not from exhaustion, but from the weight of what had just happened.
"I survived…" he whispered.
But deep down, he knew it wasn't just survival anymore.
It was the beginning of something far greater.
As Kael moved through a narrow forest path, he suddenly stopped.
A presence.
Heavy… powerful… dangerous.
"You shouldn't be alive."
A deep voice echoed from the shadows.
Kael's eyes sharpened.
From behind the trees, a tall man stepped forward.
He wore dark armor covered in scars, and a massive sword rested on his shoulder. His presence alone felt overwhelming.
Kael tightened his grip on his sword.
"Who are you?"
The man smirked.
"I am Darius… the Iron General of the Black Fang Kingdom."
Kael's heart skipped a beat.
A general?
That meant…
This man was far stronger than the soldiers he had just defeated.
Darius looked at the battlefield behind Kael and then back at him.
"You killed my men."
His voice was calm—but filled with killing intent.
Kael didn't step back.
"They tried to kill me first."
Darius chuckled.
"Good answer."
Suddenly—
He disappeared.
Kael's eyes widened.
Too fast!
CLANG!
Kael barely raised his sword in time to block the massive strike.
The force pushed him backward, his feet sliding across the ground.
"So you can fight," Darius said, smiling slightly.
Kael activated his War Aura instantly.
The red energy flared around him.
Darius's eyes narrowed.
"Interesting…"
The pressure of the aura spread, but Darius didn't move an inch.
Instead, his smile grew wider.
"It's been a long time since I've seen power like that."
Kael steadied himself.
This was different.
This wasn't a normal fight.
This was a battle against a true warrior.
"Come," Darius said, lifting his sword.
"Show me what you can do."
Kael took a deep breath.
The War God's power surged through him.
Then—
He charged forward.
To be continued…