The moment their eyes met again, the air between them turned heavy. There was no need for words. Both moved at the same time.
The cloaked man stepped forward, his blade once again engulfed in thick, writhing darkness. It coiled around the sword like a living serpent, dense and suffocating, distorting the air around it. At the same time, Azael pushed forward as well, his body screaming in protest, his muscles torn, his blood still dripping onto the broken street, but his will refused to break.
Their weapons met again.
CLANG!!!
The impact exploded outward like thunder, sending a visible shockwave through the air. Dust lifted from the ground. Loose stones cracked. The nearby flames flickered violently from the force.
This time, Azael did not hold back.
He attacked fiercely.
