Rift's smirk flickered for a brief moment before his expression turned serious. The air between him and Ace crackled with tension, the shadows around him twisting wildly as if sensing the shift in power.
Ace rolled his shoulders, still adjusting to the unfamiliar surge of energy coursing through him. His limbs no longer felt sluggish, and the fatigue that had been dragging him down moments ago was completely gone. Whatever Rift had tried to drain from him—Ace had somehow managed to take itback and now, it was his turn.
Without warning, Ace vanished from where he stood.
Rift barely had time to react before a fist slammed into his stomach, sending him staggering backward. Ace didn't let him stand up, he followed up with a sharp knee to the ribs, then a spinning kick that crashed against Rift's side, launching him across the room.
The villain gritted his teeth, rolling to his feet, but Ace was already closing in.
