Arty was still pinned beneath Renard's fists. His punches drove her deeper into the ground, each impact ringing through her skull.
Her mind dangled on the edge of the abyss, pulled further and further into that grotesque illusion of rot and decay.
She couldn't see the real world anymore and could only see madness.
Renard didn't care. He didn't notice. His laughter was manic like a beast's howl wrapped in human throat.
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
His bloodshot eyes bulged, spit and blood spraying with every crazed laugh. His fists rose and fell like hammers without care of the broken body beneath him.
But then suddenly a shadow cut through the chaos.
Jan appeared behind Renard as if he'd stepped out of the air itself. His hand snapped around Renard's neck in a vice grip, veins bulging in his arm as he yanked the madman backward.
With a twist of his body Jan hurled him away like a sack of meat.
Renard crashed through dirt and stone, rolling violently before skidding to a halt.
