The Templar was still for a moment.
Then he charged.
The distance between them vanished in an instant. The Templar moved with speed that shouldn't have been possible for someone in full plate armor, closing the gap before Nero could even process what was happening.
But Nero charged too, driven by rage and desperation and the refusal to die on his knees.
Gungnir came up, the spear's point aimed at the gap between helmet and chest plate. Nero's mind raced, analyzing the Templar's stance, looking for an opening, any weakness he could exploit—
And found nothing.
The Templar had simply raised his sword into a guard position.
But in that stance, Nero saw perfection. Every angle covered. Every approach blocked. The blade positioned exactly where it needed to be to intercept any attack.
There were no openings.
None whatsoever.
The realization hit Nero so hard, he staggered. His forward momentum faltered, his attack hesitating for just a fraction of a second.
