Xavier didn't wait for Shade to explain anything else. He dropped the rifle to the ground and stepped forward, cracking his neck once as the battlefield noise roared around them.
Shade mirrored the gesture, rolling his shoulders like he had been waiting for this the entire event. Their stances shifted at the same time. Just two fighters who knew the next moment would decide everything.
They clashed in the middle of the warzone, surrounded by explosions, gunfire, and a million players fighting across the map. Shade moved first, a clean forward step with a straight punch aimed at Xavier's jaw, but Xavier caught the wrist and redirected it while trying to drive his elbow into Shade's ribs.
Shade twisted free and sent a knee toward Xavier's side, forcing him to block and pivot back before Shade swept his leg. Xavier jumped just enough to avoid it and countered with a low kick meant to break balance.
