A split-second opening appeared, and Liam moved before he could think. He swung forward with a punch, but Victor sidestepped, grabbing his wrist in a swift counter.
"Got you."
Victor teased.
That single mont of imbalance sent a jolt of frustration through Liam’s body. His magic reacted before he could stop it.
A sudden surge of energy crackled through the air.
Asger’s voice rang in his ears.
"Liam! Control yourself—"
Too late.
A powerful spell erupted from Liam’s palm—a roaring surge of energy barreling straight toward Victor.
Victor’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, but his reaction was imdiate. With a flick of his wrist, he conjured a barrier just in ti.
The force of Liam’s attack slamd into it, shaking the very walls of the dungeon.
For a mont, everything was still.
Then—
Crack.
The barrier shattered. The remaining force of Liam’s attack sent Victor skidding backward, his boots digging into the ground as he barely managed to hold his footing.
A heavy silence fell over them.
Liam’s breath ca in sharp pants, his heart hamring in his chest. He hadn’t ant to do that. He never lost control like that.
Victor, after regaining his footing, glanced down at the faint scorch marks on his sleeve where the energy had barely grazed him. Then, to Liam’s horror, he started laughing.
"Now that—"
Victor dusted off his coat, eyes gleaming with sothing close to exhilaration.
"—was impressive."
Liam clenched his fists.
"I didn’t an to—"
Victor raised a hand to stop him.
"Relax. I knew you had that in you. I was just waiting for you to show it."
Liam gritted his teeth. He didn’t like how pleased Victor looked.
Victor rolled his shoulders.
"You’re full of surprises, aren’t you, Liam?"
Liam didn’t respond. His fingers twitched at his sides, and he forced himself to take a deep breath. He would not lose control again.
Victor took a step forward, his gaze sharp.
"Tell —how long have you been suppressing your real power?"
Liam’s eyes darted to the side, refusing to et Victor’s gaze.
"I don’t know what you’re talking about."
Victor sighed in mock disappointnt.
"You’re a terrible liar, you know that?"
Liam tensed.
Victor gave him one last, knowing smirk before turning away.
"That’s enough training for today."
Just like that, the tension in the room eased.
But Liam didn’t feel relieved.
Asger slithered up his arm, coiling around his shoulders. His reptilian eyes narrowed at Victor.
"I don’t trust him."
Liam exhaled slowly.
"Neither do I."
______
Liam stepped out of the dungeon, inhaling the crisp, fresh air as though he had been drowning and only now breached the surface. The weight that had settled in his chest inside the dungeon still lingered, but at least the stifling atmosphere was gone.
Victor, as usual, looked completely at ease. His hands were in his coat pockets, his posture relaxed, and a smirk played on his lips. He turned to Liam, eyes glinting with amusent.
"Alright, since you were such a good sport back there, I’ll reward you with so information. Sothing shocking."
Liam arched a brow, unimpressed.
"I doubt anything you say will shock ."
Victor chuckled.
"Oh? We’ll see about that."
Liam sighed, already preparing himself for another one of Victor’s mind gas.
But what Victor said next sent a jolt through his entire body.
"We’re from the sa place, Liam."
Liam froze. His breath hitched slightly, but he forced his expression to remain neutral.
"What?"
Victor’s smirk widened.
"You heard . Our origins—our roots—co from the sa place. A place lost to most, forgotten by ti itself."
Liam’s mind raced, but he kept his face impassive.
"You’re lying."
Victor tsked.
"You wish I was lying, don’t you? It would be easier that way. But no—I don’t lie about these things."
Liam clenched his fists, trying to steady himself. He had spent years trying to uncover the mysteries surrounding his existence, but no one had ever given him anything.
Not even a clue. And now, Victor—of all people—was standing here, casually dropping this on him.
But before he could demand answers, Victor continued.
"Of course, the difference between you and is that I don’t have its magic. Just a little knowledge. And that knowledge alone has allowed to wield so amazing power."
Victor said, tapping his temple with a finger.
Liam stared at him, still processing.
That place—the one Victor claid they both ca from—was the source of Victor’s strength? Not through blood or heritage, but knowledge?
"So what? You’re telling this because you want to dig into it?"
Liam asked, his voice sharp.
Victor grinned.
"I don’t need to tell you to do that. You will—sooner or later. Your power is too great to stay buried forever."
Liam tensed at those words.
"Your power is too great to stay buried forever."
It wasn’t the first ti soone had hinted at sothing sleeping inside him, waiting to awaken. But the way Victor said it—as if he knew sothing Liam didn’t—made his stomach churn.
"You’re special, Liam. You have an incredible power sleeping inside you, waiting to be explored. You just don’t understand it yet."
Liam exhaled slowly.
He hated this.
He hated not knowing.
But more than anything, he hated how much Victor’s words got under his skin.
Liam forced himself to stay calm, even though his mind was spinning. He didn’t want to give Victor the satisfaction of seeing him rattled.
"You talk as if you know what’s inside . But do you?"
Liam said, crossing his arms.
Victor chuckled, his golden eyes gleaming with sothing unreadable.
"I know enough. And soon, you will too."
Liam narrowed his eyes.
"If you know so much, why not just tell ?"
Victor shrugged.
"Because that will just weaken you. You have to earn that knowledge. Power like yours isn’t sothing that can just be handed over—it has to be awakened."
Liam scoffed.
"So, what? You expect to go on so soul-searching journey?"
Victor laughed.
"No. I expect you to keep surviving. And if you do, the truth will find you."
Liam felt frustration building inside him, but he held it back.
Victor turned on his heel, already walking away.
"Think about it, Liam. The answers are closer than you think."
Liam watched him disappear, fists clenched.
Asger, perched on his shoulder, let out a low whistle.
"Well, that was ominous."
Liam exhaled sharply.
Yeah. It was.
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