Xavier rolled his shoulders, the faint blue sheen of mana coiling around his arms. Despite his calm expression, his eyes gleamed faintly—sharp, predatory.
He crouched slightly, dagger poised in reverse grip, his reflection flickering on the molten glow of the nearest golem's chest.
"They resist blunt force," he murmured. "But they shatter under precision."
The nearest golem let out a grinding roar, its arm smashing down like a meteor. The impact exploded the ground, dust erupting into a cloud that obscured everything in an instant.
When it cleared, Xavier was already gone from sight—only a faint trail of disturbed dust marking his movement. In the next instant, he appeared on the creature's shoulder, dagger flashing once in a crescent arc. Sparks flew as the blade bit into a seam between the basalt plates, drawing a faint, glowing crack. The golem staggered, turning sluggishly to swing again, but Xavier had already leapt off, landing smoothly with his cloak swirling behind him.
