Ayla and the silver-haired woman became a blur of motion, obsidian dagger flashing with violet light against the woman's slender sword. Sparks flew across the hallway. With every strike, the air trembled under the weight of their exchange. Ayla's footwork was sharp and measured, while her opponent's style was colder and more surgical. Each movement was designed to kill in an instant.
The clash continued evenly, neither gaining ground. Ayla slashed low, but the woman stepped back and countered with a thrust aimed for her throat. Ayla twisted sideways, letting the blade pass inches from her skin before retaliating with a spinning backhand slash. The woman blocked it with ease and countered within the same motion, forcing Ayla back.
Meanwhile, Vale, Dain, and Klein fought off the last of the vines. Dain smashed one vine into the wall with his gauntlet, shattering it into splinters. Klein, now moving freely thanks to Vale, used his sword to damage the vine along its edge.
