The stance Hikaru had assumed was definitely a solid one – but her actions betrayed its intended use. Chudan allowed for one to be in control of the distance and quickly counter when the opportunity comes, meaning that it was for those patient and vigilant, striking only in retaliation and preferring for their opponent to be the one exposing themselves with an attack instead. 

Vos knew this, so he was least expecting her to let him as close as she did and had not even considered it as a possibility that she would lash out when her own sword was resting on the edge of his dagger. With slight suspicion, he was about to try and breach her defense, when Hikaru stepped to away, thrusting the katana at his chest. In a situation like this, where Vos was confronted by something completely unexpected, it were the basics that saved him; his guard was raised, so when the attack came in, he parried, displacing the stab to his left by twisting his elbow outwards and pushing down on the blade’s spine with the back of his wrist. 

He wouldn’t stop there however.

The katana would be at his waist level, when the parry would transform into a lock, as he would slip his forearm underneath and push it up into his armpit, where it would be caught between his bicep and ribs, while the back of his would apply counter-clockwise torque, increasing the friction tenfold. It would now be easier to pull Vos together with the weapon than to wrench it out of his grasp, leaving Hikaru open to a finishing blow.
As he secured the lock, Vos would aim a quick, horizontal chop at her neck with his broadsword, almost nonchalant as he slowly extended his arm and flicked his wrist, sending the tip flying in an elegant arc. Though unnoticeable under his mask, the mage would smirk, as he spoke, having finally realized what had just happened.

“Please, don’t do that. Show me your best instead of simply trying to take me by surprise” – he would say, with a confident, unshaken demeanor.