Chapter 45: Are We Enemies? (2)
Cold sweat dripped from Hope's face, his breath coming in ragged grunts.
Each contact was a massive pressure as he gripped his shield, his bones feeling like they were on the verge of breaking. But just a little longer Hope thought. Even his shield felt like it had strengthened, matching Hope's determination.
Ignoring his body's protests, he fixated his eyes on the blade's reflection, the angle of the Awakened's chest and shoulders, as well as the vines slipping away-
Huh?
The vines...did slip away. But almost mimicking how Lady Mave commanded nature to her will-
Kwaang!
The last hit had both Hope and the Awakened rear back. Of course, Hope was more exhausted than he was, if not the only one. Tremors coursed through his arms; hands numbed; cold breath breathed through his nose as hot breath past his lips with each pant. He supposed all that training with his commanding officer before was worth spent after all. But a Master against a mundane human at that time was beyond brutal.
Hope quickly shook his head from the invasive memory. Obviously, not the right time. Not that he could control it much anyways...
But this damn Awakened wasn't going to let him go, was he?
As he and the stubborn Awakened stepped forward to start engaging in another fight, a sound echoed off to the side.
Qrrr- Qrrr- Qrrrr....