The two lunatics met the Arch Priestess at the same time from opposite angles, and for a brief, violent stretch of seconds, the cathedral steps became a place where miracles collided.
Black Fang reached her first.
The katana came in low, a sweeping cut aimed at the priestess's leading knee. Velara saw it coming. Her staff moved to intercept, golden light already gathering at the gemstone.
She was too slow.
The violet blade passed through both legs below the knee with the ease of a razor through parchment. The cut was so clean that Velara's body didn't register it immediately. Her mouth opened to form a spell. Her weight shifted forward onto legs that were no longer connected to her feet.
Then Black Fang reversed the blade and drove it upward toward her throat.
"[Sacred Ward]!"
