Kael wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and tightened his grip around the sword as the beast lowered its body across from him.
Neither moved.
Then the beast rushed forward.
Kael stepped in to meet it, catching the first claw against his sword before twisting the blade and forcing it aside, but the beast immediately followed with its other hand and Kael shifted with Mirage Step, his body slipping past the attack as he appeared beside the beast's flank.
His hand snapped toward the hilt.
Mirage Draw!
SHING!
The beast turned.
CLANG!
Its claw caught the blade.
Kael didn't force the strike.
He abandoned the draw and turned his wrist, bringing the sword back from the opposite direction as the beast twisted away, but Kael followed and their weapons crashed together again.
CLANG!
The beast suddenly drove forward.
Kael stepped back.
A claw swept toward his chest.
He ducked.
Another came immediately.
Kael twisted away and answered with a slash toward the beast's ribs.
The beast blocked.
CLANG!
Kael stepped closer.
Ripple Slash!
The first strike came across.
The beast raised its claw.
CLANG!
Kael immediately brought the second strike from the opposite direction.
The beast crossed its other claw.
CLANG!
The impact forced it backward.
Kael advanced.
The beast stopped retreating.
It stepped inside his reach.
Its fist drove toward Kael's side.
Kael turned his body.
The fist caught him lightly instead of striking cleanly.
The beast's muscles tightened.
"Double Impact."
Kael moved instantly.
Mirage Step.
His body slipped away from the beast's fist.
BOOM!
The second impact exploded into empty air.
Kael appeared at the beast's side.
His sword was already leaving the sheath.
Mirage Draw!
SHING!
The beast twisted away.
Kael's blade followed.
Phantom Edge!
The sword cut across the space where the beast had moved.
The beast dropped low.
The blade passed over its shoulder.
It came back immediately with a claw toward Kael's jaw.
Kael tilted his head.
The claw passed close enough to brush his hair.
Kael stepped inside.
His sword came across.
CLANG!
The beast blocked.
Kael pushed.
The beast pushed back.
Kael suddenly released the pressure and shifted left.
Mirage Step.
The beast followed.
Kael changed direction again.
The beast adjusted.
Kael attacked from the new angle.
The beast raised its claw.
CLANG!
Kael's blade slid against the silver aura.
The beast twisted its wrist.
Crescent Claw.
A silver crescent swept across.
Kael stepped outside its path.
The crescent curved back toward him.
Kael moved forward instead of retreating.
The silver blade passed behind him.
Kael's sword flashed toward the beast's arm.
The beast pulled back.
Kael followed.
Ripple Slash!
The first strike slammed against the beast's claw.
CLANG!
The beast answered with the other claw.
Kael abandoned the second strike and shifted his body.
Mirage Step.
He slipped around the beast.
The beast turned.
Kael's hand was already on the hilt.
Mirage Draw!
SHING!
The beast barely raised its claw.
CLANG!
The blade was stopped.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
He twisted his wrist.
Phantom Edge!
The second motion came immediately.
The beast jerked its head aside.
The blade passed close to its cheek, cutting a few strands of fur.
The beast answered with a sudden punch.
Kael ducked.
The fist passed over his head.
A second claw followed.
Kael blocked.
CLANG!
The moment the claw connected with his blade, the beast's muscles tightened.
"Double Impact."
BOOM!
The second force slammed through the weapon.
Kael's sword was knocked sharply aside.
His footing nearly gave way.
He caught himself before he could fall.
The beast was already attacking again.
"Crescent Claw."
Silver aura swept across its claws.
Kael didn't retreat.
He brought his sword back up.
"Ripple Slash!"
CLANG!
The first strike collided with the crescent.
Kael immediately turned his wrist.
The second strike crashed against the beast's other claw.
CLANG!
The force pushed both of them apart.
Kael landed several steps away.
His breathing was heavier now.
His side burned.
His shoulder throbbed.
He tightened his grip and stepped forward again.
The beast charged.
Kael met it.
Their weapons collided repeatedly as they crossed the clearing, Mirage Step changing Kael's position, Mirage Draw threatening whenever the beast overcommitted, Ripple Slash forcing it to defend from changing angles, Phantom Edge punishing the moments when its guard opened, while Crescent Claw and Double Impact continued making every close exchange dangerous.
Neither could break the other.
Kael's breathing grew heavier.
His injuries were beginning to slow him.
But he kept moving.
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