The Deciding Night [Part 6]

Shade struck. His fist, wreathed in crackling purple air, shot out with blinding speed.

Annette barely managed to bring her arms up in a cross-block, the force of the blow sending her skidding backward.

She grinned, a feral thing that spoke of bloodlust barely contained.

"Finally, a real challenge."

Shade straightened and looked at her with a small grin, "The last person that said that couldn't take another."

"Try me!!"

The two warriors clashed in a fury of blows, each impact sending shockwaves through the air.

Shade's soul essence-enhanced strikes met Annette's raw physical might in a deadly dance of destruction.

Meanwhile, Jeci found herself increasingly hard-pressed with a new opponent.

With Shade occupying Annette, the soldiers seemed to have regained some of their courage.