Belle's instincts screamed, she spun just in time to deflect the thrown knife behind her. The blade ricocheted off her pistol, falling harmlessly to the floor.
"I knew that was a feint," she muttered under her breath, already charging forward.
She scooped up the fallen knife mid-sprint, flipping it in her hand before slashing toward Nia in a seamless motion. Metal clashed—clink!—as Nia blocked with her own blade, sparks scattering between them.
Nia's lips curled into a smirk. "Not bad… you're finally fighting like you mean it."
Without missing a beat, Nia conjured another knife in her left hand and lunged. Her movements blurred—two flashing arcs slicing through the air. Belle ducked, twisting aside, her hair brushing the edge of Nia's strike. She countered immediately, driving forward with a powerful thrust.
But Nia parried again, before Belle drew her pistol with her free hand and fired point-blank.
Bang!
