His left hand shot forward without warning, moving in a sharp, direct line toward Vera's neck.
Vera stepped lightly to the side.
Not a hurried movement.
Just one small shift of her foot, her body turning slightly as his hand passed through the space where she had been standing a moment ago.
The air displaced softly.
Nothing else.
"You're slippery," he said, tightening his grip on the handle of his kusarigama.
The chain hanging from it rattled faintly as he lifted it, Cognis beginning to flow through his body into his weapon.
"I'm not going to waste time cutting you apart. Haha… haha…"
His laughter returned, loud and rough, echoing across the platform as he swung the weapon.
The curved blade moved in an arc, then shifted direction mid-air as the chain followed, curling like a snake as it shot toward Vera.
She didn't move.
She just stood where she was.
The cold air brushed past her face as she let out a small sigh, the faint mist from her breath visible in the chill.
