Seeing an opening, Ray jumped and raised his sword to strike a hulking brute.
But in mid-air, a thick spiked tail swung out from the smoke.
The slam hit his ribs and sent him rolling across the blood-soaked ground.
Ray gasped. His vision blurred for a second but before the monsters could swarm him,Florence closed the distance.
She moved with smooth and deadly grace. She stepped over Ray and pulled her sword back. With one fast lunge, she cut the charging enemy apart. Green blood spilled as the beast fell in two pieces.
Ray pushed himself up, coughing, and wiped dirt and blood from his face.
"Thanks.."
"Hmm!"
They stood back to back.
They covered each other without speaking. When Ray pushed forward, Florence guarded his side. When Florence struck, Ray blocked for her. They fought like two parts of one body.
The air grew thicker with ash and blood mist. It was hard to see more than a few steps away.
