The scythe clipped stone as it passed. A low hiss followed, like the air itself was trying to get out of the way too late.
Lucen ducked behind the half-broken pillar and barely caught his breath before the Reaper tilted again.
Silent. Still.
Then it vanished.
Lucen's stomach dropped.
"Nope," he muttered.
He spun to the side just as the Reaper reappeared three meters away. Not stepping. Just… there. Like it had forgotten how to obey space.
Callen crashed into it with a roar, shield raised. The Reaper's scythe met it with a hollow clang that shook the stone under Lucen's feet.
Callen grunted and staggered, boots sliding.
Lucen scrambled back, hand glowing faintly with mana.
'Okay. Think. Think. No time for flashy. Just delay it. Distract it. Something.'
He lifted his hand and slammed a point into the floor near the Reaper's feet.
[Tension Mark – Active]
The glyph snapped open—tight lines, anchored fast.
The Reaper didn't react.
Then it moved.
