At the last second Alex turned the blade away, cutting a deep gash in Z's side instead of killing him. Then he dropped the knife and as it turned to ash brought his hand up again and jabbed him in the same spot. Then he started beating him to the ground, delivering a series of powerful blows to various vital points. Finally he stopped with a kick to his face, and leaned down so he could talk. "I'm letting you go for now with just this, but if you touch her again I swear to any god that will listen that I will kill you. If you run, I will chase you down and I will catch you. You had better thank whoever you pray to at night that Nyx is standing there, or you wouldn't be getting this." He took his foot off of the man's chest and walked away, back toward Nyx. As he walked, the ice wall he had made started to his and sputter, and dissolved into steam. "Let's get out of here, Nyx. Please."