Vlad gripped the sword with both hands and drew it back over his shoulder, the hilt settling beside his ear.
In a sudden jolt, he rushed at Victor. When the distance between them was less than two feet, he slammed his front foot down and swung the sword from his shoulder in a straight diagonal slash. The blade cut through the air at an incredible speed, leaving a faint silver trail in its wake.
Victor swung his own sword in a mirror move from below. The two blades crashed with a loud bam, the impact erupting sparkles from the contact as Vlad's blade cut through the wooden scabbard and struck Victor's naked sword underneath. Splinters of wood flew in all directions.
Victor's strength proved superior. Vlad's sword was pushed back. He could feel the shock rippling through his hands towards his forearms, a tingling numbness spreading up to his elbows.
