The air shifted.
Vyn froze mid-step.
A ripple cracked across the sky—silent at first, then sharp, like glass breaking against steel. She turned just as something blurred through the smoke, too fast for the eye, a streak of black and white cutting straight at her.
Impact.
The ground cratered beneath her boots as the force slammed into her chest. Her body flew back, ten full steps grinding into shattered stone before she dug in, silver chains lashing instinctively around her to anchor her. Dust rose in a storm.
Her balance returned. Barely.
Eron's hoarse laugh cut through the haze. He was still broken on the ground, blood dripping from his mouth, but his voice carried. "Perfect! Beautiful! You think you won, girl? Look at him. My greatest creation."
