Ystris jerked his arm upward before snapping it down at an angle. His movement sent a wave through the whip and guided the three barbed split tips, which turned back into one, toward Makkal.
Makkal had reacted and retreated several steps as soon as he saw Ystris raise his arm, so the whip only cracked against empty air before Ystris tugged on it and coiled it around his feet.
By not splitting it or lengthening the whip, Ystris could conserve his energy. And if Makkal didn't do anything, he could even begin to recover slightly. Makkal knew that, so he had to go forward and attack Ystris if only to tire him out.
However, Ystris' first attack and the energy he spent on it had served its purpose. Makkal was wary of Ystris' whip. He couldn't advance rashly without risking a barbed whip finding its way around his neck and tearing his throat out.
