Catalina's spear roared toward her like a silver flash.
Luzia reacted instinctively, just as Ramiro had taught her.
Take a breath. Let the mana flow. Don't force it—follow it.
She inhaled sharply, feeling the mana coil in her limbs, sparking like wild lightning through her muscles. Her body tensed, and she moved—darting sideways just as the spear slammed into the ground where she had been standing a moment before, cracking the stone.
Luzia gritted her teeth and counterattacked, her fist flying toward Catalina's side.
Catalina twisted effortlessly, deflecting the blow with her spear shaft and sending another pulse of wind blasting against Luzia's chest. She stumbled, her strength already waning.
Each dodge, each strike, was taking more and more out of her.
Damn it, Luzia thought, breathing hard, I'm too slow.
