The blade descended.
Darwin's body dissolved into crimson liquid an instant before Nox's strike could land. The dark matter blade passed through empty red mist, and Darwin reformed three meters away, his empty white eyes blazing with fury.
"Clever," Darwin admitted, touching his throat where the blade had nearly severed it. "But cleverness without power is just theater."
Nox didn't respond. His pale eyes were calm, almost bored. He flickered again—Dark Matter carrying him across the chamber in the span of a heartbeat.
His blade aimed for Darwin's heart.
Darwin's crimson liquid responded instantly, forming a dense shield over his chest. The blade struck, pierced halfway through, then stopped.
"You're strong," Darwin said, his hand closing around Nox's wrist. "But I've faced stronger."
He squeezed.
