The black blade plunged toward Hajin's chest with enough force to split bone, flesh, and the earth beneath him while Maren's descending weight kept Hajin trapped at the bottom of the shattered crater.
His right wrist snapped upward before conscious thought could catch his reflexes as the chain uncoiled from his forearm, crossed the gap, and wrapped around Maren's wrist before the blade could finish its descent.
Its links locked around the corrupted wrist a heartbeat before impact, stopping Maren's jagged blade a few inches above Hajin's heart.
Corrosive mist licked across Hajin's coat and left black scars in the cloth.
"What?" Maren asked, his layered voice cracking with confusion.
"Too slow," Hajin said, tightening his grip around the chain.
He poured mana through the links, braced both feet against the torn ground, then dragged Maren's captured arm sideways.
The pull turned Maren's strength against him.
Maren flew helplessly above the crater.
