Ultima's Bite!

Jax's grin was gone.

His heart pounded. His instincts screamed.

April wasn't just fighting him anymore.

She was hunting him.

Every attack, every counter—it was like she was reading his soul. 

The sheer precision of her movements left no room for error. Every time he tried to gain distance, she was already there.

Too fast.

Too sharp.

Jax's breath came out ragged as he dodged, barely avoiding a palm strike that would have crushed his ribs.

His body moved on reflex, but his mind…

His mind flashed back.

He remembered the last time he had felt this kind of pressure.

That suffocating feeling.

That raw instinctual fear.

It was the same sensation he felt when he first fought him

…Ragnarök's leader.

Jax's pupils contracted.

She's forcing me into a corner.

April struck again—

Jax barely managed to twist, his back slamming against the training room wall. His fingers twitched—

His body wanted to shift.

TakeOver was clawing at him, urging him to transform.

To survive.

A low growl built in his throat.

Kai's eyes widened. "Jax—"

Jax exhaled sharply, his body tensing.

No.

Not here.

Not against her.

April's silver eyes pierced into him. She moved—

But before she could land another strike—

"Enough!"

Kai, Dante, and Saya stepped in.

Kai grabbed April's wrist. Dante placed a hand on Jax's shoulder. Saya positioned herself between them.

The room crackled with leftover tension.

April's body was still in U.i Mode, her hair glowing, her silver eyes sharp.

Jax's hands clenched into fists. His TakeOver form had been seconds from activating.

He let out a slow breath.

Dante smirked. "Damn, Jax. You actually looked scared for a second."

Jax didn't respond. He looked at April.

She stood frozen, her body still ready to fight.

Then—

Her glowing eyes flickered.

Her hair shortened, returning to its normal state.

U.i Mode had run out.

April staggered, sweat dripping from her forehead.

Kai kept his grip on her wrist, steadying her. "Hey, you good?"

April took a deep breath, then nodded. 

"…Yeah."

Jax finally relaxed, rolling his shoulders. He let out a short laugh.

"Alright. I get it now."

April looked at him. "Get what?"

Jax smirked. "You? You're terrifying."

April blinked.

Then, slowly, a small grin tugged at her lips.

"Good."