The Kijin moved again.
Nathan barely saw it.
The creature's massive body vanished from the ruined hillside, crossing the distance between them in a single violent burst. Its clawed hand came down from above, carrying enough force to split the earth.
Nathan jumped aside.
The ground exploded.
BADOOOOOOM!
A crater opened where he had stood only a moment earlier. Stone, dirt, and shattered roots were thrown high into the air. The shockwave tore through the nearest trees, snapping trunks and sending branches flying across the hillside.
Nathan landed on a slanted piece of broken rock.
He did not stop.
Dark magic burst beneath his feet, pushing him sideways as the Kijin's second arm swept across the hill. The claws tore through the space Nathan had just left, cutting apart a massive boulder as though it were made of clay.
The broken stone crashed down the slope.
Nathan raised Kyomei.
Black faces from Pandora's curse moved around the blade, their empty eyes fixed on the Kijin.
