The battle raged on, the grand hall trembling with every clash of steel and explosion of mana. Ernando, his dark armor cracked but his fury undimmed, fixed his burning eyes on Sein.
"You... will pay for that." His voice was low, dangerous, and dark energy swirled around his blade.
He lunged.
Sein raised her gauntlets, ready to meet him but Andrey was faster. He slid between them, katana flashing as he brought the blade up in a desperate two-handed block. Ernando's sword slammed against the katana, and Andrey's Damage Absorb flared bright red, drinking the force of the strike.
But the impact was overwhelming. Andrey's feet skidded back across the marble, cracks spiderwebbing beneath his boots. His arms screamed, and blood trickled from his lip.
"Sein! hold your position!" Andrey gasped, his body trembling.
A blur of white. Simmon Flanks appeared beside Ernando, his twin swords blazing with dark energy. "Shadow Cross!"
