Raven's expression shifted in an instant—from mocking to pure shock. Her eyes widened, as if she couldn't believe I was just like her, planning to attack after the battle ended, and that we'd both struck at the same moment.
But I was faster. Only a fraction of a second, but it was enough.
Before her axe swing could touch my neck, my [Mindrender] had already shot from high to low. I didn't try to block—I immediately counterattacked, taking the risk that her axe would hit.
The two weapons crossed the narrow space between us.
Swish-thud!
The sound of air from the axe that almost landed, then the sound of parting flesh.
My saber slashed diagonally from Raven's left shoulder down to her right hip. Not overly deep, but enough for the simulator system to deem it a serious injury.
Raven's body stiffened. The shocked expression on her face turned to... astonishment, then anger, and finally... acknowledgment. She looked at her wound, which was beginning to glow, then stared at me.
