"But I, Black Fang, Disgrace to my Ancestors, thank you for your words."
The confusion hit Chizuru harder than any blow she'd taken on this field.
She had hurled every ugly word she possessed at the woman and the answer was gratitude.
The blade ignited in a blaze so dense the air around it went dark, and the Venomborne Terror closed the remaining distance.
"I'll put you out of your misery, child!" Chizuru attacked first because standing still was worse.
Her sword came in an arc and Black Fang parried with one hand, the impact singing up Chizuru's arms hard enough to rattle her teeth, and the woman in front of her hadn't shifted her weight.
Tomoe hit from the right a heartbeat later and the two elders fell into the synchronized rhythm, attacks alternating in patterns designed to leave no window for recovery.
