It all happened in a breath.
Crimson mist rolled violently around Gabriel's body, tearing at the street, clawing up anything in its path. The ground beneath his boots cracked as the pressure settled.
His stance adjusted.
Both blades steadied in his hands, their edges wrapped in a thin sheath of red, With embers flickering across them.
His breathing slowed, each breath dragged in through clenched teeth and forced immediately back out.
The shaking stopped, but the fear was still there.
It was pushed down deep, rage took its place.
Gabriel's eyes burned solid red now, the glow steady as he fixed on Lucius.
The fog responded, tightening further, compressing until the air around him vibrated with the contained force.
All of the pressure condensed in his arms.
This strike was meant to destroy.
For a heartbeat, the world froze
Even the battle beyond the gate seemed to fall away, the sound thinning to a murmur.
