The smaller creature attacked first.

  Faster than before.

  But this time—

  Kaelion saw it.

  Not perfectly.

  But enough.

  The sword rose.

  The impact echoed across the layer.

  He slid backward.

  But he did not fall.

  The larger creature advanced immediately after.

  A crushing strike.

  Kaelion crossed the blade.

  The collision opened fractures across the dark surface.

  His essence trembled—

  But did not shatter.

  He breathed.

  Something was different.

  The smaller creature appeared again in his blind spot.

  Kaelion turned before the strike landed.

  The blade cut through the void.

  The creature’s arm separated.

  The regeneration began.

  But this time it took longer.

  The creature stepped back slightly.

  The larger one tilted its head.

  Observing.

  Studying.

  Kaelion was not winning.

  But he was no longer being crushed.

  The smaller creature attacked again.

  He followed the movement.

  Block.

  Dodge.

  A shallow cut.

  Regeneration began—

  Slower.

  The larger creature roared.

  The sound made the layer vibrate.

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  It attacked with full force.

  Kaelion was thrown again.

  He rolled across the ground and stood up before the next strike arrived.

  The two monsters stopped side by side.

  The distorted smile vanished.

  Their presence had changed.

  No longer curiosity.

  No longer amusement.

  Now it was calculation.

  The smaller creature began circling him.

  Testing.

  Kaelion followed it.

  Not only with his eyes.

  With something deeper.

  Perception.

  The larger creature spoke for the first time.

  The voice had no sound.

  But it was understood.

  “You are evolving.”

  Kaelion did not answer.

  The smaller creature added:

  “This is not permitted.”

  The layer rippled.

  The two creatures began to align.

  They did not attack immediately.

  But something was being prepared.

  Something more dangerous.

  Kaelion tightened his grip on the sword.

  The second order vibrated within him.

  But it was still not enough.

  The void around him seemed to breathe.

  And for the first time—

  He understood.

  This battle was not only survival.

  It was selection.

  In the Void…

  The prey that evolves…

  Can become the predator.