The first assassin lunged. He swung a curved blade aimed right at Leo's neck.
Leo brought his sword up to parry.
CLANG.
But the impact was monstrous that the force travelled down his sword, jarring his wrists and sending a shockwave of pain up into his shoulders. His knees buckled under the pressure instantly, hitting the wooden dais with a heavy, splintering thud.
The assassin pressed down. The man was incredibly strong. The razor-sharp edge of the curved blade inched closer and closer to Leo's face, the metal groaning under the sheer pressure.
Leo gritted his teeth, as his eyes glowed fiercely in the dim light. He pushed back with everything he had, but it wasn't enough. The man in the Devil's Mask was physically crushing him. He was completely outmatched in a straight contest of strength.
The second assassin stepped up, casually raising his sword to take Leo's head off while he was pinned.
