Dan barely had time to react as Alexander's blade shot toward him like a streak of black lightning.
He twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the strike, but the air around the blade crackled with dark energy, leaving a scorched mark across his armor.
Alexander's corrupted power was unlike anything Dan had ever encountered, volatile, unnatural, and deeply twisted.
Alexander moved with terrifying speed, his sword lashing out again. Dan parried, the force of the blow nearly driving him to his knees.
Sparks erupted as their blades clashed, Xevenruz humming with power in Dan's grip. Blood from his earlier cut still coated the blade, giving it a faint crimson glow.
The spirits circling them stirred restlessly, their ghostly whispers growing louder.
Dexivdwyne flanked Alexander from behind, his sword slashing toward his corrupted cousin's exposed side.
But Alexander twisted unnaturally, his body jerking at an odd angle as if guided by invisible strings.
