"Bzzzt—!"
A low, dangerous, high-frequency hum suddenly broke the brief stalemate.
The Thermal Blades mounted on the forearms of twenty Holy Grail Combat Robots activated simultaneously!
The cold, dull alloy blades flared with dazzling orange-red light at their hilts. Intense heat raced along the patterns in the metal, and in an instant, every blade glowed like a steel billet fresh from a furnace, radiating scorching waves of heat.
The air around the blades warped and shimmered violently under the heat, refracting the light in strange ways.
"Bang!"
The first Holy Grail Combat Robot attacked!
Its heavy metal foot shattered the floor. Its massive body surged forward with speed that belied its size, raising its incandescent energy blade and bringing it down toward Mary's head in a simple, efficient, lethal arc as she stood encircled!
Before the blade reached her, a searing blast of air struck her face!
For the first time, a trace of gravity flashed through Mary's utterly tranquil eyes.
She did not hesitate. The instant the Thermal Blade descended, she darted backward with a weightless grace and speed that defied the laws of physics!
She keenly sensed that the energy weapons these robots wielded were unusual. These were no ordinary physical strikes; even the slightest contact could spell trouble.
For now, she had no intention of tangling with these steel constructs.
"Lorgar Aurelian." Her voice finally rang out, cool and steady, carrying the weight of long ages. It reached him clearly through the clashes of metal and the hum of energy.
"I bring secret orders."
"Next time you request an audience," Lorgar said calmly, "remember to say 'please' and use an honorific, intruder."
Even as he spoke, he showed no intention of ordering the Grail robots to stop.
The circle continued to tighten. A second and third robot