Shade struck. His fist, wreathed in crackling purple air, shot out with blinding speed.
Annette barely managed to bring her arms up in a cross-block, the force of the blow sending her skidding backward.
She grinned, a feral thing that spoke of bloodlust barely contained.
"Finally, a real challenge."
Shade straightened and looked at her with a small grin, "The last person that said that couldn't take another."
"Try me!!"
The two warriors clashed in a fury of blows, each impact sending shockwaves through the air.
Shade's soul essence-enhanced strikes met Annette's raw physical might in a deadly dance of destruction.
Meanwhile, Jeci found herself increasingly hard-pressed with a new opponent.
With Shade occupying Annette, the soldiers seemed to have regained some of their courage.
