Just as the lightning lit up the plateau, she twisted her body with impossible grace, leaping into the air. The laser missed her by mere centimeters, the heat close enough to scorch the edges of her armor.
And then she started her counterattack.
While still mid-air, Cleo's six short swords, hovering behind her like loyal wolves, launched forward at high speed. They spun and twisted as they closed the distance, aimed straight for the old governor like bolts of light.
But the old warrior was no amateur. With a growl and a slam of his boots into the ground, he activated his secondary defense. A wide, pulsing energy barrier formed around him, catching all six blades in mid-flight. Sparks flew as metal clashed against energy.
For a brief moment, the world held its breath.
Then both of them returned to their starting positions. The governor stood tall and solid, shield at the ready. Cleo landed in a low stance, her swords circling behind her once again like orbiting moons.
