Oren stumbled back half a step as his sword was forced wide.
Gabriel followed.
The former Paladin moved into the space he had created. His eyes burned brighter as he closed, the red deepening until a thin fog began to bleed from his skin.
It drifted outward without force.
Oren saw it.
His attention caught on the fog for a fraction too long, his stance tightening as his focus shifted.
That was enough.
Gabriel drove the point forward. The blade slipped through Oren's armour and punched into his stomach. The impact folded him, breath tearing out as his posture broke.
Gabriel pulled the blade free and struck again immediately. The second thrust came higher, tighter. It found the seam beneath the breastplate and drove straight through.
The Paladin stiffened
Gabriel stepped back as Oren collapsed, armour striking the ground with a thud.
The tunnel fell quiet.
Gabriel did not look at Oren again.
Behind him, something rattled wetly.
He turned.
