I had to admit — Jake was not kidding when he said he was faster than me right now.
I was exhausted. Slightly concussed. Mentally fried.
It took effort for me just to stay standing straight, let alone fight.
Then he came swinging.
His dagger blurred through the air in a sideways arc, aimed straight for my ribs.
I twisted my body, just barely managing to dodge — but the blade scraped across my singed uniform and carved a clean line through the fabric.
No blood was drawn yet. But I felt the cold sting of that obsidian edge on my skin.
Unlike how he used to fight before, Jake wasn't going for anything flashy.
He was being swift and precise and lethal.
Another slash came — this one rising from below, angling for my stomach.
I stepped back to avoid the gutting blow.
Then, immediately, I outstretched my hand and called for Aurieth to return to me.
Only a fool engages an armed opponent while unarmed.
But Jake didn't give me the chance to get my sword back and pressed on.
