Arielle drew her own blade in one smooth motion. The familiar weight of the hilt steadied her.

They circled.

Leo struck first— a testing, controlled horizontal slash. Arielle blocked instinctively, the impact reverberating up her arms and rattling her teeth.

"What do you mean you know everything?" Arielle hissed. Her lips barely moving, her blade catching Leo’s in a cross-parry again.

As they moved, Leo spoke quietly, timed between the rhythm of their blows.

"I was on my way here,” he ...