The Ninth Shadow moved first.
There was no warning at all. One moment it stood motionless with its sword lowered at its side, and the next its figure blurred.
Clang!
Dragonheart met the black sword less than a meter from Max's chest, and the impact rang out across the silent battlefield.
Neither of them gave ground.
Their swords parted for only an instant before colliding again.
Clang!
Then again.
Clang!
Within a few breaths, the battlefield was filled with continuous flashes of sword light.
The Ninth Shadow attacked from one angle after another. A thrust came toward Max's throat, and Max turned Dragonheart to redirect it. The black sword immediately changed course and swept toward his waist, so Max lowered his blade and the two weapons collided.
Using that recoil, the Ninth Shadow rotated its wrist and launched another thrust, but Max shifted half a step to let the tip pass beside him before countering with a slash of his own.
