The Edge of Luck

Luke barely had time to think.

Commander Valerie was relentless. She did not ease up or slow down—her blade never lost its hunger.

She had pushed him back again, back toward the spectators. He had already escaped once. And now, he was back where he started.

The first slip was luck. To do it again? Maybe luck wouldn't be on his side this time.

But what else could he do?

He had no weapon. No armour thick enough to endure her blade. No magic. This was his only option.

So, he gambled it.

The moment her blade came in for a downward slash, he took the chance. He dashed, twisting past her, hoping for that same moment of escape—

But he didn't know. He didn't realize. Commander Valerie had faked the strike.

The second she saw him slip past, she halted her swing midway, shifting the trajectory in a flash—

And then, steel met flesh.