Riley's dagger was already in motion. His hand snapped forward with lethal precision, his shadow-coated blade arcing in a swift, ruthless slash aimed straight at the figure's face.
The shadow aura surrounding Riley's body pulsed violently, responding as if it too shared his fury.
It surged along his arm and bled into his weapon, coiling around the dagger until it no longer seemed like steel but a living extension of shadow itself.
In that instant, the aura burst outward.
From the blade erupted a thin crescent of concentrated darkness, a blade of shadow so sharp and refined it screamed as it cut through the air.
Its arc gleamed with unnatural black light, a sickle of condensed killing intent, and it streaked directly toward the figure's face.
The strange figure's instincts roared to life. He threw his hand up reflexively, palm open, as though to block or parry the attack.
Dark energy gathered across his hand in desperate haste, but it was far too late.
