Vivi did not retreat.
She simply turned sideways.
The enormous blade passed within inches of her body before she caught its edge with one hand. Essence exploded from her palm, and the weapon shattered as though it had been made from glass. At the same time, the destructive sphere reached her back.
Steve appeared.
His sword flashed through the air, and a dark arc wrapped in black lightning swept across the incoming attack. The sphere split cleanly in two before the remaining energy dispersed harmlessly into the atmosphere.
"Now!" Steve shouted.
North had already disappeared.
