CHAPTER 194: Orion and Tobias
The trainees scrambled back, forming a wide circle around the two men. The air seemed to tighten, charged with expectation. Snowflakes drifted lazily between them, the only movement for a heartbeat.
Then Tobias moved first.
The bow came up in one smooth arc, fingers drawing the string back. His eyes narrowed, but he didn't look at Orion—he looked past him, as if aiming at the horizon.
The arrow released with a sound like a breath.
Orion's sword rose before the arrow even reached him, deflecting it with a sharp clang. The motion was effortless. He stepped into the movement, twisting at the hips, and lunged forward.
Tobias sidestepped, light as wind, drawing another arrow mid-step. He didn't even glance at where Orion was moving; he seemed to feel it instead. The next arrow streaked low. Orion pivoted, blade slicing it from the air before it could strike his leg.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
