[SNIPPET] - Chapter 25: Koa

UNTITLED - Kuxtal Academy #2

Koa’s theme song this chapter: Now Let Them Tremble x All That Remains

Wren’s eyes glowed with that nightfire shimmer, golden and furious. The brutality of my hits weakened his initial resolve. I felt the heat before I saw the flame. He ducked low, swept my leg, then surged forward with a burst of speed that had the crowd roaring.

I struck back with venom. Not literal—not yet—but in precision. My fangs lowered, the sour taste of poison begging me to latch on. A hook aimed at his jaw, followed by a body shot designed to crack bones. His ribs, his sternum, who gave a shit? Not me. My Chikchan instincts itched beneath the surface. It wanted freedom, was desperate to unleash.

So I let go.

For the briefest second, I dropped him into a vision. The ring dissolved for him alone, replaced with ash, ruin, his family's bodies motionless at his feet. His breath hitched—hesitated—just enough.

I used it to my advantage. His pain fueled me.

Driving him to the mat with a shoulder, I locked him there, teeth gritted. His fire flickered out for a heartbeat, replaced by guttural rage.

It pushed him to retaliate full force. Nightfire sparked again, a sudden burst of heat beneath my ribs as he twisted free. He didn’t hold back any longer, his nails shifted to claws, raking across and shredding my shirtless body.

I tasted blood. My own.

Good. Fucking good. I needed to feel something right now and he was only feeding into it.

We kept going. Faster. Sweat pooled on the floor kicked up underfoot, heat clashing with the pulse of venom threading through my strikes. His hand caught my neck and I slammed my forehead into his nose.

He staggered back. I followed, caught his shoulder, spun him—until he struck again, this time aiming a low, brutal shot to my kidney.

It dropped me to a knee.

I heard Nova shout something—maybe my name. It did nothing to lift my gaze. The roar in my ear drowned her out. If I didn’t have the gift of healing, I’d be pissing blood for a week.

Wren grabbed me by the arm, chest heaving. “Stay down,” he said, voice raw.

I refused. Then lunged.

He met me in the middle, no hesitation or words. This wasn’t about winning. Not anymore. He wouldn’t kill me, not if he still wanted Mira in his life, but it was clear, he would no longer be treating this as a friendly fight. Not after that vision.

Three more moves and I ended up flat on my back, blood in my mouth, head pounding. I’d gotten one good bite in, my venom swelling the skin on his wrist, but in the end, he emerged victorious. My vision blurred around the edges. Wren stood over me, bruised, bloodied, and limping, but standing.

He didn’t gloat. Didn’t smirk—simply offered me his hand.

“I had more to lose,” he muttered.

He didn’t have to explain. I already knew.

He meant me—whatever idea of friendship, solidarity, brotherhood—we’d come to understand.