Serian brought her own sword up, barely blocking the strike. The force of the blow was immense, so much stronger than before. It sent her skidding backward across the alley, her boots scraping hard on the ground. Her arm shook from the impact.
Rura appeared beside her, her form solidifying from a pink mist. "My turn!" she chirped, and swung a fist.
Serian tried to dodge, but she was too slow. The punch connected squarely with her ribs, and a sharp pain shot through her side. She gasped, stumbling away from both of them, trying to create some space.
'They're so much faster now,' she thought, her mind racing. 'So this is their real strength.'
"Your little plant tricks were a nice surprise," Leila admitted, walking toward her slowly. "But what else can you do?"
Serian gritted her teeth, ignoring the throbbing in her side. She slammed her hand on the ground, and dozens of thick, thorny vines erupted from the alley floor. They shot towards Leila and Rura, a writhing wall of thorns.
