One hand comes out of his pocket. I think he still needs a lesson before he takes the other out.
I glance at Rose, nod, and acknowledge her as she pivots behind him, readying a shot with her bow.
I give him my full attention. I settle into a stance of my own making—raw, unrefined—and this time I keep my eyes open.
I strike first. He doesn't move at all. I drive the blow toward his head, twist it, and slam him down into the ground.
Loki shows no reaction except anger. I close my eyes and immediately create distance as he rises.
"Weak!" he says. SLASH—his leg whips toward my chest. I stop it, bracing against the fast, powerful strike.
From chest to head—my sight still can't find an opening, so I can only defend. I block the strike to my head, barely keeping up with his speed, again.
I try another small trick.
"Crazy fighter," I say. "I think you're the one who truly deserves that title."
"Noisy."!" I twist away—heart-line, CLASH—and slip past it.
"There!" There it is. The opening finally shows itself.
His attacking leg, the gap in his body. I drop into his stance—the stance he's about to take. He freezes.
Ribs first—SWASH—I kick hard, but I'm a fraction too slow.
"Bastard." Loki blocks it. "You turn my technique into an insult."
Lok mirrors the technique I just used. He's coming for my ribs.
Fury to revulsion in a second breath,
SWASH—a heavy, lightning-fast kick. I catch it, but it still rattles through my guard.
Defense after defense. Strike only when there's a gap. I step back a few paces and set my own stance again.
Rose moves to the rear. The moment he's distracted, she'll loose an arrow—and in that same breath, I'll take him down.
Rose appears behind him, drawing an arrow. I rush in. But—
SPLASH—the arrow streaks toward the back of his head. Does he not notice, or does he?
I launch myself at him, my focus locked on his form. Just before the arrow reaches his skull, he moves—
My vision, his speed. I can't avoid it. If only I could push my sight farther—
He dodges, then kicks Rose's bow out of its path and straight at me. My focus snaps from him to Rose.
"ROSE! RUN!" I shout.
The bow slams into my gut. He sprints for Rose. She freezes.
He leaps in front of her. Rose draws another arrow—there isn't enough time. His foot crashes into her, and she drops instantly.
"HIRO!" Her voice rings out as she falls.
Loki turns back to me. I walk toward him, snapping the bow in my hands. It takes more strength than I want to spend—strength I should be saving for the end.
"Oh, I thought we were done. That technique again?" he says.
I use it again. It isn't my choice—my sight leads me.
"Didn't I tell you?" He charges. I stay still. He leaps. "That your technique—" He sets his stance in the air, the same one he used to strike Rose.
His foot is a breath from my face.
"Crude and—"