Samira was the first to reach Strax. Her sword came forward in a diagonal slash, but he raised the gauntlet and took the blow directly in his palm. The force of the impact disappeared into the weapon, and Strax immediately closed his fingers, trying to return the energy before Samira could move away. She noticed the movement and twisted her body, letting his fist pass just a few centimeters from her waist. The black discharge tore through the clearing and struck a rock formation behind her, opening an enormous hole in its surface.
Samira landed beside Strax and tried to strike his leg. He stepped back just far enough to avoid the blade, but she had already changed the strike's trajectory, directing the sword toward his shoulder. Strax intercepted the attack with a chain and tried to grab her arm with his left hand. Samira ducked, slipped beneath his arm, and appeared behind him, delivering a horizontal slash that struck his back before the chains could move.
