Leo's grin faded, replaced by a calculating glare. His breathing steadied as frost misted from his lips. 'They're moving in sync… annoying.'
He flexed his clawed hand, feeling the pulse of power rush beneath his armored skin. 'If I want to end this quickly, I'll need to tear them apart.'
Julian and Zoe circled him, their movements perfectly timed, Zoe lunging low, Julian darting in from above, their rhythm relentless. Leo blocked Zoe's claws with one arm and caught Julian's blade with the other, the impact sending a ripple of pressure through the air.
Then Leo smirked. "You two make a great pair," he said coldly. "Too bad teamwork won't save you."
He slammed his palm into the ground. A surge of energy erupted outward, a shockwave that distorted gravity itself. The earth split apart, fissures glowing with icy light as tendrils of crystallized energy burst from beneath, forming a spiraling wall between Julian and Zoe.
