Chapter 415
With a low growl, he began his own transformation. His tawny mane expanded, flowing like golden fire as his body grew in size and mass. His muscles rippled with supernatural strength, and his claws extended, each one glinting like polished steel. A golden aura enveloped him, shimmering like sunlight breaking through a storm. His roar shook the arena, a sound that resonated deep within the bones of all who heard it.
He moved first, his speed now even greater, a streak of light barreling toward Yuki. But this time, she was ready. With a powerful flap of her wings, she propelled herself backward, avoiding his strike by inches. The force of his claws hitting the ground sent a shockwave rippling through the arena.
Yuki retaliated immediately, swooping in low and unleashing a barrage of dark energy blasts from her claws. The lion-Björn weaved through them with uncanny agility, his golden aura deflecting the few that came too close. He closed the distance between them in an instant, swinging a massive, clawed fist toward her.
She caught his strike, their claws locking in a clash of raw power. The impact sent a shockwave through the arena, and the crowd roared with renewed fervor. For a moment, they were locked in a stalemate, their auras clashing like opposing storms.
But the lion-Björn was stronger. He forced her back, his claws raking across her chest. Yuki hissed in pain but used the momentum to spin, her wings whipping around like scythes. The edges of her wings, now razor-sharp, sliced across his arm, drawing blood.
The lion-Björn staggered slightly, his golden eyes flaring with both pain and admiration. "Impressive," he said, his voice a growl. "But you’ll need more than that."
With a roar, he summoned pillars of golden light that erupted from the ground, each one homing in on Yuki’s position. She dodged and weaved, her wings propelling her with blinding speed. But the lion-Björn anticipated her movements, appearing in her path and slamming his fist into her midsection. The force sent her crashing into the arena wall, the impact shaking the entire colosseum.
Yuki groaned, the dark whisper in her mind now a deafening roar. Her vision blurred, but she refused to falter. She rose slowly, her wings folding behind her as the molten cracks on her body began to glow brighter. The air around her shimmered with intense heat, and the ground beneath her feet began to melt.
"You’re not the only one who can bend the arena to your will," she snarled.