Zaka's laugh rolled through the forest while Sagiri studied the two great cats circling him, each animal waiting for the same impulse before committing its claws.
The Grand Chief no longer attacked to win the duel, since being understood had become more painful than any wound Sagiri could give him, and that changed the value of every movement.
Sagiri lowered Nokai toward the ground, keeping his ribs behind the torn cloth as the Archive crowded his thoughts and offered a faster, bloodier answer.
He kept the power sealed, then watched Zaka mistake restraint for hesitation and lunge through the ash with the left cat advancing beside him.
The second beast curved through the broken trees to close Sagiri's escape path, but its timing depended on Zaka's attention reaching both animals before either one changed direction.
Sagiri stepped toward the attack, turning around Zaka's blade while Nokai brushed the weapon aside and exposed the cat that had been waiting for its command.
