The armored beast approached, its steps sending tremors through the ground, and every pulse from it felt like it pounded against Sohan's own heart. The three eyes on its forehead didn't blink—as if they were watching his soul, not his body.
Telma, one of the prisoners, screamed and ran toward the beast with her trembling sword, yelling as if trying to silence the fear inside her... but she didn't get far. In a flash, the beast extended its bone-covered arm, grabbed her by the neck, and lifted her as if she weighed nothing.
Another prisoner shouted, "Noooo!" and leapt toward the beast, but a single swipe from its other arm sent him flying into the wall.
Sohan was watching, his heart aching, his eyes burning—but he didn't move… until Telma's body hit the ground, motionless.
At that moment… something strange happened.
Silence.
As if time had stopped.
Sohan's eyes widened, like a fire ignited behind them.
He remembered the strange man's words once more:
"When you see death and do not run… when you're afraid, but fight despite the fear… that is the moment of the Core."
Suddenly… something inside him cracked.
It wasn't an explosion, but a whisper… a voice inside him saying: "Fight…"
He gripped his sword again—his hands no longer trembling. His steps were slow… but steady.
The beast noticed him now… and let go of the body, turning toward him.
A deep roar erupted from the beast's core, like the bellow of a creature from another realm.
Sohan didn't back down.
He ran.
The air around him grew heavier, but he tore through the darkness.
He leapt.
And struck toward the beast's head.
The bony armor blocked the blow… but the spark happened.
A small red spark.
As if it echoed something deep within him.
The beast felt pain. For the first time.
It stepped back.
And Sohan stood—his eyes burning, his breath quickening, and his sword letting off a faint hum.
There was something new in his gaze.
Something that hadn't been there before.
Will.