The instant I moved, Khon readied his stance.
Mana reservoir wasn't a problem yet. It had started rising fast since my awakening.
I thought about Ember Step. Decided against it. Not yet.
I rushed him. He backed away.
He sensed danger. He didn't know what. But something in my approach made him wary.
Good.
I kept the pressure on. A thrust forward with my blade. He parried it easily, but didn't stop there. In one fluid motion, he twisted and disarmed me.
My sword spun into the air.
"What now, human?" he asked. Not mocking. Almost… curious.
I feinted a strike with my left hand. He raised the cleaver again and caught it, grazing my knuckles, shallow but sharp.
His free hand moved to shove me back.
I caught it at the elbow and twisted, hooking it with my arm.
Then I jumped over him, flipping my body to land behind. My arm locked around his neck.
I acted like I was going for a choke. Close enough that his cleaver was awkward. Useless.
