Lightning cracked across the shattered ground as the knight attacked.
His blade cut through the air like a thunderbolt, divine energy trailing behind it as it aimed for Apophis's neck.
She did not move at first.
Then she tilted her head with slow, casual ease.
SWOOSH.
The blade missed by a breath.
Apophis flicked her hand outward.
BOOM.
Black liquid surged up from the cracks in the ground.
It slammed into the knight like a wave.
He raised his sword just in time.
Lightning exploded in a dome around him as divine power and abyssal magic clashed.
The pressure screeched, and the stone beneath them cracked.
Ben stumbled back from the shockwave.
His eyes were wide.
The air itself seemed to tremble from the collision.
The knight roared. "I will not let you corrupt him!"
Holy fire burned around his feet as he kicked off the ground again.
Lightning spiraled down his blade.
He rushed in from above like a falling star.
Apophis raised one hand.
The sky dimmed.
CLANG.
