Across the field stood Vhorrak — a twin-bladed Ant Ascendant with an unnatural stance. His arms flowed like silk, but his presence was jagged. He didn't hold his swords — they hovered around him, orbiting his form like moons bent by gravity.
Roselia's voice echoed from the scrying glyph. "Careful — that one's movements exist in overlapping frames. He attacks between moments. You'll need more than instinct to follow."
Leon exhaled slowly, blood still crusted at his side. "Then good thing I've got more than instinct."
The gong sounded.
Vhorrak disappeared.
The sand where he stood exploded outward. Leon's vision blurred—
CLANG!
One blade hit from the left, the other from behind — but Leon moved. Shell Reverb triggered instantly. His body predicted the moment from faint kinetic traces in the air. He twisted, elbow snapping upward, catching the second blade mid-spin.
[Shell Reverb: Reflection Echo — Executed.]
A short shockwave burst.
