Back in the heart of the inferno, Annette and Shade continued their deadly dance.
Shade was bleeding from a dozen small burns, his clothes singed and smoking.
But he refused to back down, his attacks growing more desperate with each passing moment.
Annette, for her part, seemed to grow stronger as the battle raged on.
The flames responded to her will, forming shields to block Shade's strikes and lashing out with deadly precision.
"Is this all you've got?" she taunted, her voice carrying over the roar of the fire. "I expected more from Afkon's personal guard."
"Shut up! I am not even strong enough to guard Afkon!"
Shade snarled in response, launching himself at her with reckless abandon.
His fist shot out towards Annette's face. For a moment, it seemed like the blow would connect.
But at the last second, Annette's hand came up, catching Shade's fist in a grip of iron.
