The troll's earlier flurry, while still heavy, had started to lose its edge, the rhythm no longer as tight and the follow-through just a fraction slower than before—subtle, but in a fight like this, that kind of change was all it took. It was enough for Dribb to notice, and more importantly, enough for him to act.
The troll swung again, wide this time, its body dipping lower with the motion and exposing a gap that hadn't been there before, and Dribb moved instantly, stepping in without hesitation, committing fully to what looked like an opening—but it wasn't one.
It was a setup.
The moment he entered range, the troll's other arm came around with sudden speed, far too quick for its size, and the strike connected cleanly with Dribb's side, the impact landing solid and heavy, sending him tumbling across the ground before he could recover.
"Oh…" I let out, watching it unfold. "That must hurt."
But for Dribb, that wasn't entirely a bad thing.
