... in retrospect, even without the Resonant, he should have seen that coming, and not been left reeling from the first strike or stumbling under the second. Which elevates this to a worthwhile distraction, at least, so thank you, strange irritating unknown man, for the reminder not to underestimate anyone here.

Once is forgivable - clearly, the lack of sport is starting to tell - but he cannot afford to be caught out again. So Zenos spits blood, grins with hunger rather than wry dismissal, and lashes out himself, bringing the haft of the scythe back to catch Wrathion square in the flank as he reaches to try and trip him (the comparative ease with which he avoids that making the first blow all the more shameful, but so it goes).