Born five hundred million years ago

"Dammit!" Cain inwardly cursed. There was no time to evade the sword strike aimed at his neck. At the last possible moment, he twisted his head, angling his jaw to block the blade and prevent decapitation.

"BOOOOM!"

A burst of black starlight erupted from the point of impact, flinging Cain backward. He tumbled across the cracked earth, feeling fire race through his nerves. A deep gash scored his face—so deep the bone was visible beneath shredded flesh. Even so, Cain managed to wrench himself upright almost immediately. The pain burned through his skull, yet his battle instincts remained razor-sharp.