Raizen twisted aside.
Teeth scraped along the edge of the platform where his shoulder had been. He felt the heat of the breath and the sharp chill of how close it had been.
"Lovely dodge!" Atman called. "Do that again, but with less almost dying."
Raizen gritted his teeth.
"Helpful" he muttered.
He side stepped onto the next platform, feeling the pattern of the area in his mind. Small squares. Drops between them. Roots like half-walls, offering cover but also trip hazards.
The lizard followed without rushing.
It climbed up onto the same platform he had just left, claws curling over the edges, weight bending the wood. It didn't bother to try to jump directly at him across the gap.
It matched his pace instead.
Step. Step. Chest rising, throat glowing. Watching. Testing.
Something felt wrong, Raizen thought.
