Luke's figure, formed from the Glory of pure will, stood resolutely like a beacon that would never be extinguished in a storm, enduring the surging black tide Darth Vader had unleashed, a tide containing the power of the abyss.
Vader's attacks remained incomparably violent. Every slash of his crimson blade carried a shriek that tore reality apart, and every blast of the Dark Side of the Force was like an overturning sea of stars!
Luke's domain of luminous will was compressed and warped. Every block from his lightsaber, where emerald and white radiance intertwined, came with violent tremors, as though it could be crushed at any moment by that pure will to destroy.
Yet the electronic compound eyes beneath Vader's crimson lenses caught a change that startled him.
The suppression remained. His advantage remained... but maintaining that suppression was becoming increasingly "strenuous"!
Luke's power had not noticeably increased. The total amount of Glory born of his will might even have been less than before it was stolen.
But his performance in battle was completely different!
His responses became more composed, and the timing of his counterattacks more devious and lethal. That lightsaber infused with the Glory of will always seized the imperceptible openings when Vader shifted his power or transitioned between moves, striking back with sharp thrusts!
Luke... was "growing" at an astonishing pace!
Like steel tempered in a raging storm, under the frenzied hammering of Vader's peerless dark techniques and destructive power, Luke's use of his own strength, understanding of the Force, and grasp of battle rhythm were transforming and ascending at an unprecedented speed!
The "seed" of will that had broken through the soil of despair was wildly drawing nourishment from combat experience and insight beneath the extreme pressure at the edge of life and death, stubbornly taking