The garden's air tensed.
The demonic pressure emanating from Katerina extended in dense waves, dragging leaves, raising dust, making the nearest branches vibrate. The chains sprouting from her arm rose around her, describing slow arcs, as if seeking a target even before receiving an order.
Sköll didn't wait.
Her body leaned forward and disappeared from the spot with a dry impulse. The ground yielded under her foot, leaving a deep mark, and in the next instant she was already on top of Katerina.
Her fist descended.
Solar Qi concentrated in her arm at the moment of impact. Golden light compressed around her knuckles and exploded upon colliding with Katerina's claws, generating a bright spark that illuminated both their faces.
Katerina blocked.
Her claws resisted the blow, but the push forced her to retreat half a step. The solar Qi's heat extended through her arm, burning the surface of skin fused with the dagger.
Sköll didn't stop.
