Elizabeth lashed out, scoring deep gashes across Tabitha’s abdomen. She struck again, and, again, scored a hit. Strike after strike, she was suddenly hitting Tabitha with each attack.

“I’ll take you apart piece by piece, if I have to,” she gloated.

“I already am!” Tabitha shot back.

Elizabeth’s internal combat computer switched from attack to defense mode and ran an instant diagnostic of all systems. Sure enough, Tabitha had, indeed, scored hits on her. For every attack of Elizabeth’s that drew blood, Tabitha answered with a damaging blow of her own.

No! Elizabeth thought. I will not be beaten by a mortal. A mere human!

Elizabeth was done playing. She lunged forward, intending to tear Tabitha’s heart from her chest. They met half way. Faces only inches apart, Tabitha kissed her mother’s cheek. “Good bye, mother.”

Elizabeth’s eyes grew wide, she looked down to see Tabitha’s swords, glowing with the energy she poured into them, piercing her chest. Her scream was cut short as Tabitha cut her in two.