The curved blade descended with terrifying force.
The air whistled around it as Zahn threw his weight into the strike, aiming directly at the top of Holden's head.
But Holden had no intention of blocking it.
He had already seen how much force Zahn was putting behind the attack.
Trying to meet that strength head-on would only waste energy.
There was a much easier solution.
He moved.
One short step to the side.
Holden shifted out of the saber's path just as the blade came down.
The steel passed close enough to brush a few strands of his hair before striking the ground.
BOOM!
The impact sent dirt and broken stone scattering across the chamber.
A deep crack spread through the packed floor beneath Zahn's feet.
But the attack had missed.
And because the commander had committed so much strength to the strike, he couldn't immediately pull his weapon back.
His arms were extended.
His weight was forward.
And for a brief moment, his upper body was completely exposed.
