The air was thin at this altitude — not because of height, but because of what they'd done to it.
Khione hovered, ice wings stretched wide, steam curling from her shoulders where Elreth's heat had nearly broken through her defenses. Her grip on the wand was steady, but her knuckles were pale from the pressure.
Across the shimmering divide of clashing elements, Elreth floated with wings of fire burning so bright the light etched her silhouette into the air. Her spear's shaft glowed faintly from channeling too much prana in too little time.
They stared at each other.
No words.
Only the rhythm of their breathing.
'Her defense is perfect if I come head-on… I'll need misdirection.'
'She's adapting to my bursts — but her recovery after countering is just long enough.'
They moved.
Elreth launched first — wings snapping open with such force the air behind her combusted. She spun mid-flight, spear tracing a burning arc that left afterimages, then feinted left before diving right.
