The main hall froze in a suffocating silence.
Only the pulse of the dark red runes along the obsidian walls moved, beating slowly like the heart of a titan holding its breath. Riven stood dead center in the room, his short sword gripped tightly in his right hand. Opposite him, Grendel hoisted his colossal axe high, the runes along its blade flaring blindingly bright.
No signals. No battle cries.
Grendel made the first move.
The colossal axe swung horizontally at Riven's head, cleaving the air with a heavy hiss that carried enough force to shatter a normal human's skull in a single strike.
Riven ducked.
The massive blade grazed a hair's breadth above his head, the sheer wind pressure sweeping across his face, carrying the stench of scorching metal. Grendel yanked his weapon back, instantly launching a sweeping strike from the flank, aiming straight for Riven's left ribs this time.
Riven didn't back down.
