Black Fang slid her serpent-patterned blade beneath the axe descending toward Ayame on Narethi's deck.
She gave ground as the weapons met, turning the heavier strike into the deck. Her sword left a shallow cut across the pirate's casting forearm as she passed.
"Don't stop," she muttered to Ayame with a perfectly flat voice.
Narethi recognized the difference at once. Black Fang was watching all four hands, stepping into the spaces between their attacks while Ayame recovered.
The Fomorian dragged his axe free. Blue light coated its edge as he traced a sign with his lower fingers.
"[Aqua Edge]!"
"[Viper's Coil]."
Black Fang drew her fingers along the serpent markings on her arm. A cord of violet venom lashed from them and wound around the axe's haft.
She hooked her fingers toward the deck, tightening the coil to drag his next swing low.
