Zed rushed forward, his sword aimed straight at Floris. The blade cut through the air with a sharp sound as he swung it toward her.
Floris lifted her arm. A black shield formed instantly, blocking the attack with a loud clang.
Before she could move again, Zed was gone.
Her eyes widened. She looked around quickly.
Then she felt it.
He was behind her.
Zed appeared silently at her back, sword raised high and ready. Without a word, he brought the blade down fast.
Floris quickly reacted. The ground beneath her feet turned completely black. It twisted upward, forming a thick wall behind her just in time to stop the blow. The dark block shook from the force but didn't break.
She jumped back, landing a short distance away. Her eyes met Zed's.
"You're stronger than the others," she said with a grin. "Good."
She raised her hand and broke the dark block into dozens of sharp pieces. With a simple wave, she sent the pieces flying at Zed like deadly bullets.
Zed stayed calm. His sword moved in smooth, fast motions. Each piece was deflected or sliced in half, falling harmlessly to the ground.
Then he charged again.
While running, his weapon started to change. The long blade shrank and shifted into large knuckle dusters that covered his fists.
"Brace yourself!" Zed yelled.
Floris narrowed her eyes. She had been right his weapon could change forms.
Without wasting time, she covered her hands in swirling black energy. The darkness shaped into armored gloves around her fists. She pushed off the ground and dashed forward to meet him.
Their fists collided with a heavy impact.
The sound echoed like an explosion. A burst of wind and dust spread out around them. Stones and debris flew in every direction. Both of them jumped back at the same time, landing safely and staring at each other.
Zed didn't stop moving. He began circling her, fast, his feet barely touching the ground. His eyes studied her body, waiting for the smallest opening.
He changed his weapon again. The knuckles turned back into a sword.
Floris responded. The dark energy on her arms extended, turning into long, sharp whips. They moved like snakes, flicking and twisting in the air.
Zed and Floris charged at the same time.
Zed swung his sword. Floris sent her whips flying at him. The two clashed again and again. Every swing was blocked. Every attack was answered. Their fight looked more like a storm than a battle, full of movement and force.
Not far away, Kochi watched with wide eyes. Her head turned left and right, trying to follow their speed, but it was too much.
She could barely see what was happening.
"Just how strong are they?" she thought to herself, feeling her heart beating.