Devil Gambit

Dirga floated inside the translucent stasis bubble, body locked, breath frozen like he’d been submerged under ice.

Sasa poked the sphere with one finger. Pop.

Dirga inhaled like a man dragged up from deep water, gasping, eyes wide.

"Where is he?!" Dirga spun left, right, his body still trembling from the battle.

"Eidomos?" Sasa raised an eyebrow, still in his relaxed, human form. "The round’s over. I told you to survive, not to try and kill a primordial devil."

Dirga rubbed the bruises along his ribs, exhaling through clenched teeth. "Best defense is a good offense. Either he died or I did."

Sasa gave a slow grin. "That mindset? You’ll need it. Things only get bloodier from here."

Dirga sat up straighter. "So... what’s next?"

"You get three days off. Eat. Sleep. Heal. Because after that, we begin your final lesson before the tournament." Sasa grinned wider, almost gleeful now.

"...Fine."

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