The city felt different.
Not peaceful anymore.
Not safe.
Something had changed.
Riven stood in the same field.
But this time—
His expression was different.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Only focus.
"…I won't stay weak."
Godwin stood across from him.
"…Good."
A pause.
"…Because from today…"
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"…I stop holding back."
Silence.
Riven's body tensed.
"…You mean… for real?"
Godwin stepped forward.
"…As real as you can handle."
Before Riven could react—
Godwin moved.
Faster than ever before.
"…!"
Riven's eyes widened—
He barely managed to move—
But it wasn't enough.
Impact.
He was sent flying.
Crashing into the ground.
"…Tch—!"
Pain shot through his body.
He forced himself up.
"…That's way faster…!"
Godwin stood still.
"…And you're still too slow."
Riven clenched his fist.
"…Then I'll get faster."
He charged.
No hesitation.
No fear.
Godwin didn't move.
Until the last moment.
Then—
He disappeared.
"…Where—?!"
Too late.
Another hit.
Riven staggered.
"…I can't even track him…"
Godwin's voice came from behind.
"…Because you're still relying on your senses."
Riven turned—
Too slow again.
Another impact.
"…Tch—!"
He dropped to one knee.
Breathing heavy.
"…Then what am I supposed to rely on…?"
Silence.
Godwin stood in front of him.
"…Intent."
A pause.
"…Feel it before it happens."
Riven froze.
"…Before…?"
"…Yes."
Godwin stepped back.
"…Try again."
Riven stood slowly.
Closed his eyes.
"…Before it happens…"
Silence.
Then—
Godwin moved.
Instant.
But this time—
Riven reacted earlier.
Not after.
Before.
He moved—
Just in time.
Dodged.
"…I felt it…!"
Godwin's eyes sharpened slightly.
"…Good."
Riven attacked immediately.
No delay.
No doubt.
Godwin blocked—
But didn't counter immediately.
"…Better."
The fight continued.
Faster.
More intense.
Riven struggled—
But improved.
Each second.
Each movement.
Closer.
Sharper.
Then—
Godwin increased speed again.
"…!"
Riven almost lost track—
But—
He forced himself.
Focused deeper.
"…Don't fall behind…!"
The world shifted again.
That same state—
Returned.
But stronger.
Clearer.
He saw it—
Not with eyes—
But with instinct.
Paths.
Openings.
Outcomes.
"…There!"
He moved.
Dodged perfectly.
Then—
Countered.
This time—
Faster than before.
Godwin stepped back.
Slightly.
"…You're adapting."
Riven didn't stop.
He pushed forward.
Attack after attack.
Controlled.
Precise.
Godwin blocked—
But didn't overwhelm him immediately.
Because this time—
Riven wasn't the same.
"…I can keep up…!"
For a moment—
The gap shrank.
Not gone.
But smaller.
Much smaller.
Then—
Godwin stopped.
Silence.
The fight ended instantly.
Riven froze.
"…Why did you stop…?"
Godwin looked at him.
Calm.
"…Because you reached your limit."
Riven clenched his fist.
"…No… I can keep going—"
His body trembled.
And suddenly—
Collapsed.
"…!"
He fell to the ground.
Unable to move.
"…I… can't…"
Godwin turned away.
"…That's your limit."
A pause.
"…For now."
Riven lay there.
Breathing heavily.
"…I was… so close…"
Godwin glanced back.
"…And that's why it worked."
Silence.
"…You pushed yourself."
A pause.
"…Now you'll grow."
Riven slowly smiled.
"…Yeah…"
"…I felt it…"
"…Something changed."
Godwin nodded.
"…It did."
A faint energy flickered around Riven.
Not visible—
But real.
Growing.
Evolving.
Godwin looked at him.
"…Your ability…"
"…Is stabilizing."
Riven looked up.
"…So I'm getting stronger?"
Godwin smirked faintly.
"…Slowly."
Riven laughed weakly.
"…I'll take it…"
Silence.
Then—
Godwin's expression changed slightly.
Serious again.
"…But it's still not enough."
Riven's smile faded.
"…For them…?"
Godwin nodded.
"…Not even close."
A pause.
"…So we continue."
Riven closed his eyes.
Exhausted.
But determined.
"…Yeah…"
"…We continue."
Because now
There was no turning back.
Only one path
Forward.
To be continued…