The throne room became a blur of motion and violence.
Julian and Darwin collided like two storms meeting over an ocean. Neither gave ground. Neither blinked.
Darwin came first, his crimson liquid already streaming from his palms, coalescing into a blade that hummed with killing intent. He swung for Julian's throat. Julian ducked, the blade passing so close it severed a few strands of his black hair. He countered with his own sword, black steel wrapped in shadow, aiming for Darwin's ribs.
Darwin's body dissolved.
The blade passed through crimson liquid that splashed and reformed an instant later, Darwin's smiling face emerging from the red haze.
"Too slow," Darwin said.
He kicked Julian in the chest.
Julian flew backward, crashed into a marble pillar, and was on his feet before the dust settled. His dark blue eyes were calm, calculating. He touched his chest cracked ribs, maybe. [Regeneration] would handle it, but not instantly.
[Lightning].
