Theras vanished the moment the words left his mouth, his wings driving him forward with violent precision. The fire along his blade stretched behind him in a long trail of burning light as he closed the distance between himself and the shadow in less than a breath.
He appeared at its side and swung.
The flaming sword cut horizontally toward the shadow's torso, the heat from the blade scorching the stone beneath them even before contact was made. The shadow reacted instantly, its own flaming weapon rising to intercept his strike. The two blades collided, and the fire from both erupted outward, twisting together as though each sought to devour the other.
Theras felt the resistance. It was not weak. It pushed back against him with equal intent.
His smile widened slightly.
