They circled each other, each waiting for the other to make the first move. The alpha feinted to the left, then darted to the right, its claws aiming for her throat. Arpious anticipated the move, bringing her scythe up in a sweeping arc that caught the alpha across the chest. The creature howled in pain, but it wasn't finished yet.
It lunged again, this time with even greater ferocity. Arpious met the attack head-on, her scythe flashing in the dim light. The two clashed in a flurry of movement, claws and blade meeting in a deadly dance. She deflected a blow aimed at her head, countering with a powerful strike that cut deep into the alpha's side.
The alpha staggered, blood oozing from its wounds, but it refused to go down. It lunged one final time, putting all its strength into the attack. Arpious met it with fierce determination, her scythe slicing through the air in a final, decisive blow. The blade cut through the alpha's neck, severing its head from its body.
