"You're good, punk. But I'm getting serious now. Prepare to die!"
Midori's voice rang sharp and cold, carrying a slicing edge of confidence that sent a subtle chill across the training dome. Her lips twisted into a smile as she drew a dagger from the sheath at her hip, its curved blade shimmered with an incandescent green light, like dew catching sunrise, only far more dangerous. A faint hum pulsed through the air as elemental energy surged through the weapon, crackling faintly like leaves caught in a quiet storm.
Shua!
Her foot scraped the earth once, and she vanished from view.
Akira's pupils constricted.
In that instant, his muscles tensed, and both heels slammed down against the wooden platform. The floor groaned under the pressure, then cracked as he launched himself backward. His body moved with pure reflex.
Bang!
Midori's dagger slammed into the spot where he had stood a split second before.
