Shadows of Ascension

78. The darkness within

The enemy’s breath comes in ragged gasps as he stumbles back, gripping his ribs where Aiden’s last blow landed. Blood drips from his mouth. 

"What the hell is up with this guy…?" he thinks, barely dodging another strike. "He’s keeping up with me easily now. No—he’s way stronger than before!" 

Riona stares at Luca, still processing his words. "What do you mean that’s not Aiden? Who else could it be?" 

Luca clenches his fists, eyes locked on their rampaging friend. "Don’t you see? His power has skyrocketed. His entire fighting style has changed. He’s not fighting with a strategy—there’s no technique, no logic. He’s completely lost himself. He’s battling purely on instinct." 

"How is that even possible…?" Riona murmurs. 

"My best guess?" Luca’s voice is tense. "He surrendered himself—gave in to his hidden shadow powers." 

Meanwhile, Aiden continues his relentless assault. Every strike sends shockwaves through the air, his aura growing darker and more intense with every second. 

"Could he have… surpassed Shadowbane?" Riona whispers, feeling the sheer force of Aiden’s presence. 

"I don’t know." Luca shakes his head. "What I do know is that this guy was a fully-fledged B-rank hunter—someone leagues ahead of us. Before, we were the ones in danger." 

He pauses, watching as the enemy stumbles, his once-flawless invisibility flickering—then vanishing entirely. 

"But now?" Riona asks, eyes wide. 

"Now, he’s the one in danger." Luca’s voice is firm. 

Their opponent crashes onto his back, gasping for breath. His invisibility is gone—Aiden has completely drained him of his energy. 

"Luca, look!" Riona points at the fallen hunter. "His invisibility is deactivated! Does that mean he’s out of power? Did Aiden win?" 

"Oh, it’s not over yet." Luca’s expression hardens. "Come on—we need to stop Aiden." 

"Wait! Stop him from what?!" Riona calls after him as he sprints toward the fight. 

Before they can reach him, Aiden lunges onto the downed enemy, straddling him and raining punches onto his face with brutal force. 

Flesh smashes against flesh. Blood splatters onto the sand. 

The enemy barely has the strength to raise his arms in defense. "P-please… s-stop…" he gasps, barely able to breathe. 

Luca and Riona grab Aiden by the shoulders, trying to pull him off—but he shoves them away with unnatural strength. 

"Aiden, stop!" Riona screams. 

Aiden doesn’t hear her. He doesn’t hear anything. He keeps punching, again and again, his knuckles bruised and covered in blood. 

"P-please…" the enemy chokes. "K-kill me… at least… I’m in p-pain…" 

But Aiden doesn’t stop. His fists keep slamming down. And for the first time, Riona and Luca realize— 

Aiden isn’t fighting anymore. 

He’s destroying.