Shadow Reaper moved faster than any of the attackers expected.
The first elf, mid-lunge, jerked violently as the Reaper's short blade carved through his chest, the blade sinking deep before the body even hit the ground. A strangled gasp escaped the elf's throat, crimson spilling across the ground.
The others froze for a single moment, stunned at how quickly one of their own had fallen.
Then the battle erupted.
Flames roared to life around another attacker's arms, swirling into a molten sphere. He hurled the fireball toward Edward, but two Shadow Knights were already upon him.
He managed to dodge one of the strikes, avoiding the attack just in time.
But the second strike came too fast. His fire lashed out in panic, bursting across the Knight's armour—only to fizzle uselessly against the black, shadowy steel.
The dark longsword drove through his chest, lifting him off the ground before his lifeless body crashed to the dirt with a dull thud.
