'There was an easy, terrible calm about him, the kind that comes from someone who has already accepted the weight of what he is. We couldn't even sense his mana.
Frieren moved first. Her staff rose in a motion, honed by a hatred towards demons; a Zoltraak glyph flared to life at its tip before the air had finished humming.
Engel didn't flinch. His eyes met hers, not with hostility, but with calm inevitability.
"If your intent is to kill me, Frieren..." he said softly, "...make the first spell count. You won't get a second." He let the words hang, and then added, softer but no less firm, "I'd rather not be your enemy today."
"Frieren." I looked over to her, heeding her to stop. Frieren stopped a moment, hesitated, before dispelling the glyph, but keeping her staff up and ready, her body on guard.
"That will suffice" Engel murmured. His eyes finally settled on me, a sad smile falling to his face. "My, it's... good to see you again, old friend. I wish it were better circumstances, though."'
(CAN I SAW HOW FREAKISHLY HARD IT IS TO WRITE A CHAPTER THATS LIKE 90% COMBAT?! IT ZAPS THE FUN OUT OF YOU AND MOTIVATION AND ITS JUST UGHHHHHHHHH.... THE CHAPTER IS COMING, IM BACK TO WRITING MORE, BUT ITS JUST BEEN A PAIN TO WRITE. COMPLEX COMBAT IS DIFFICULT AND IM TRYING TO MAKE IT THE BEST FOR YALL) <3 love you