The moment their blades clashed, the ruin itself trembled.
CLANG!
Black steel against crimson-forged rune-metal, the sound was like thunder tearing through the night. Sparks burst between them, scattering across the moss-coated stone like dying stars.
Noah skidded back several meters, boots carving trenches in the dirt. His arms tingled from the force, the sheer weight of the knight's first strike.
"…Strong." His lips twisted into a grin. "Good."
The knight's hollow helm turned slightly, its crimson eyes narrowing like a predator locking onto prey. Then it moved again—faster than something clad in such heavy armor should be able to.
BOOM!
Its greatsword carved through the air with terrifying speed. Noah twisted aside, the blade missing his shoulder by an inch and slamming into the ground. The earth erupted in a shockwave, debris exploding outward.
Before Noah could counter, the knight's gauntleted fist shot forward like a piston.
BAM!
