Ascension of the Mortal God

Chapter 10: Power Beyond Limits

Kael braced himself as Selene Voidclaw's aura surged, the silver energy surrounding her now crackling with raw, unrestrained power. The very air felt heavier, thick with an unseen force that pressed down on him.

Her silver eyes gleamed with a cold intensity as she raised a single hand. The ground beneath her feet cracked and crumbled as if the earth itself recoiled from her presence.

This is bad.

Kael's instincts screamed at him to move, to run. But he couldn't—not yet. He needed to find a way to counter her power.

Selene extended her fingers, and the silver energy coalesced into a jagged spear of pure energy. Without hesitation, she launched it toward Kael.

Reacting on pure instinct, Kael dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the projectile as it smashed into the ground behind him. A deafening explosion erupted, sending shards of rock flying in all directions.

She's not just fast. She's not just strong. She's wielding something beyond human limits.

Kael barely had time to recover before Selene was upon him again. She moved like a phantom, her strikes swift and relentless. Every clash of their blades sent shockwaves through his arms.

His body was already reaching its limits. His muscles screamed in protest, his breathing came in ragged gasps. But Selene… she showed no signs of slowing down.

Kael grit his teeth. I have to do something. I can't just keep dodging forever.

Summoning every ounce of strength left in his body, he changed his approach. Instead of trying to evade her attacks, he met them head-on. His blade clashed against hers with renewed force, sparks flying as steel met steel.

Selene's eyes narrowed. "You're persistent," she murmured. "But it won't be enough."

Kael smirked, despite the pain coursing through his body. "Then I'll just have to prove you wrong."

With that, he surged forward, pouring everything into one final strike. Their blades collided, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze.

Then—

A sudden burst of energy erupted from the impact, sending both fighters skidding backward.

Kael barely managed to stay on his feet, his grip on his sword tightening.

Selene, however, stood as if completely unaffected. She tilted her head slightly, then sighed.

"I see," she muttered, more to herself than to Kael. "You're stronger than I anticipated. But…"

She raised her hand, and the silver energy around her intensified. The ground trembled beneath them.

"…you're still not strong enough."

Kael's breath hitched as he felt the weight of her power bearing down on him.

He had given everything he had.

And yet—

Selene Voidclaw wasn't even close to her full strength.

(To be continued in Chapter 11: Wrath Unleashed!)