The wind screamed as she lunged—fast, vicious, sharper than ever.
This time, she wasn't testing the waters. She was aiming to end it.
Her blade came in low, curving upward toward my ribs. A deceptive angle—one that promised a feint but carried deadly intent.
I shifted my stance, sliding to the side just enough to redirect the slash along my shoulder rather than my core. The steel grazed my jacket, slicing cloth, not skin.
I felt the burn.
I ignored it.
Clang!
Our weapons clashed again. My arm shook from the impact—Alice had doubled her grip strength, compensating for her numbed limbs with raw willpower.
She wasn't holding back anymore.
Good.
I didn't want her to.
I ducked under her next swing, pivoted on my heel, and struck at her flank. She twisted mid-motion, taking the hit on her gauntlet—but it still staggered her.
Her footing cracked.
Her breath came faster.
