EQUINOX || The Catalysts Series, #3

V

There is no warning.

The concept of time and space is forsaken as no law of physics can define how Azalea is greeting Lena one second, and drawing her sword the next.

Lena's eyes widen slowly as she isn't given enough time to react—simply isn't fast enough to react—as Azalea has her sword fully drawn and resting on Lena's shoulder in the blink of an eye. The slightly curved blade's blunt end is facing her exposed neck, directly wedged between the collar of her academy coat and the side of her chin.

Only now does the sheath of Azalea's katana hit the ground—she must have moved so fast. The impact of the empty case thuds to the ground, ringing throughout the empty whitewashed room. There is no other movement than that.

Lena doesn't breathe; Azalea is as still as stone, her smirk from the greeting replaced by her trademark ferocity.

Time seems to stop.

Finally, Azalea declares, "Not a clairvoyant."

Lena gapes at the older girl, left completely stunned and speechless. She realises she's been holding her breath all this while, and only releases her held breath and tension when Azalea takes a step back with her threatening blade. A frown forms across Azalea's forehead as she pulls back and allows her katana to rest over one shoulder casually.

Regaining her composure, Lena swallows on dry throat. "Sorry?"

"Not. A. Clairvoyant." Azalea turns, the tip of the blade over her shoulder now pointing directly at Lena.

Should Lena refuse the truth to Azalea? Whatever the elder girl's deal is, Lena isn't too particularly keen on faking her case—even if it's for her own safety and good—because she doesn't need to be a clairvoyant to know it's going to be a pain in the ass just to deal with Azalea's attitude.

"Well," Azalea says, her back still against Lena, "try dodging this."

She spins, and Lena barely has enough time to register the fact that Azalea's on to her again before the sword is swinging a lethal blow—

Lena removes a dagger from her thigh belt and attempts to block it, but the force of Azalea's attack is so strong it knocks her dagger off her hands without mercy. The two metal clash only for a second before the weaker one clatters to the ground as Lena is flung backward, her grip on her arm slackening. She stumbles and falls to the ground, not bothering to get up as Azalea observes her.

"What are you doing?" Lena asks, exasperated. "Your strength is unrivalled if that's what you're trying to prove—"

Azalea narrows her eyes, scrutinising. She settles for, "Better reflexes from when we both fought during the duel, that's for sure."

Heat rises in Lena's cheeks, and attempts to get up, but Azalea launches herself at Lena once more, her blade coming down. Lena rolls on instinct, just as the sharp katana imbeds itself into the ground where she's just been.

"Dodge this," Azalea commands, and she's already retrieving her sword once more, her agility unrivalled as she swings another attack smoothly without a sound, her arm pivoting without resistance. Each strike, her sword hits true in the training ground or slashes across the concrete as if they were made of sand. "Try to keep up."

Lena attempts to protest, but Azalea keeps going, and she can only take the defensive. It's a wonder Lena managed to block even one attack just before—even if it's just for a mere weak second—because now Azalea attacks without mercy and needless to say without an opening. She's ruthless, not allowing any form of counter attack, or any room for break.

"This is a one-sided fight!" Lena tried to get through as she rolls over, only to miss the blade by an inch and backs away, stumbling. She doesn't even have time to get up before she has to fling herself to the ground. "You know I can't beat you."