The ground beneath Predator's feet cracks slightly.
KRAK.
He holds his ground.
His knees dip by a fraction.
The great blade presses down from above, broad, brutal, leaving no room.
Predator grits his teeth.
His breath catches for a second.
He does not oppose that force directly.
His wrist turns slightly.
The angle of his blade changes.
SKRRK—
The pressure is redirected to the side.
His body moves with it.
A small step.
Half a turn.
The weight slips away from his center line.
SWOOSH—
The great sword falls to the ground and strikes the grass.
DUFF!
Earth is thrown upward.
Predator is already moving.
One step inward.
His sword shoots straight toward the chest.
SPLASH!
Metal collides.
Olivia pulls her great blade back swiftly and blocks.
Sparks flare.
Predator does not stop.
CLANG!
The second strike comes from the side.
Predator cuts across its path.
Yet the pressure still remains.
Each clash makes his arm tremble.
He does not retreat.
He shifts.
He avoids the line of force rather than receiving it head-on.
SWASH!
The great sword swings horizontally.
Its reach is wide.
It forces Predator back by half a step.
The hem of his robe is swept by the wind from the swing.
He moves in again before the swing can return.
SKLAH!
A quick slash strikes the side of Olivia's armor.
Not deep.
But enough.
Olivia twists her body.
The great sword rises again.
From below.
It cuts through the air.
SWAAASH!
Predator has already moved first.
He steps inside, cutting the distance.
CLANG!
The clash comes too close for a full swing.
He forces the space to narrow.
SPLASH!
A short strike, fast, precise.
It lands on the same point.
A small crack begins to form.
CRK—
Olivia pushes forward.
This time with full force.
BAAM!
Predator is driven back one step.
The grass tears beneath his shoes.
The great sword comes down again.
Vertical.
Brutal.
SWAAASH—
Predator angles his body.
Barely.
The edge of the blade passes by his shoulder.
He turns.
Moves in from the blind side.
SKLAH!
The slash strikes the chest.
The crack widens.
CRACK—
For the first time, Olivia draws back.
One step.
Predator gives her no room.
He goes in again.
Closer.
Forcing the great sword to lose its momentum.
CLANG!
A rapid clash.
Short.
With no room for a full swing.
SPARK!
Sparks flare again.
Predator shifts his footing.
The angle changes.
His sword comes down from above.
SPLASH!
The strike lands directly upon the crack.
CRAAACK—
The armor breaks more deeply.
Olivia steps back once more.
Predator draws a breath.
Still steady.
His eyes never leave her.
Yet his advance does not stop.
He draws his sword back behind his body.
His stance changes.
Low.
An unusual angle.
He keeps the pressure unbroken.
Olivia raises her great sword again—
But she is too late to read that angle.
DUK—
Predator bursts forward.
Fast.
Straight into the dead zone of the great sword's reach.
He is already inside.
Too close for a full swing.
His sword swings.
SPLAAASH!
Straight toward the opening that has already been created.
There is no room for a perfect defense.
The distance is perfect.
The angle is perfect.
If that slash lands—
the great sword will not move in time.
And that attack—
will end her life.
Predator smiles faintly.