The night split with the sound of steel against claw.
Lucy's blade slashed in black arcs, each swing faster, heavier, sharper than the last. Karl barely moved in time. His body was broken already, every bone screaming, but still he forced his legs to shift, wings to flare, claws to catch the edge of her sword. Sparks tore the air with every clash.
"Lucy—" he rasped, blood spilling from his mouth as he ducked under another slash. The sword cut clean through a broken tower behind him, stone splitting in half.
She didn't answer. Her eyes were blank, glowing rings locked on him as though nothing else existed.
The markings on her body pulsed harder. Her horn cracked again, spilling black fire that burned through the ground at her feet.
She roared and lunged.
