Nathan lay at the bottom of the crater without moving.
The impact of the Kijin's strike had driven him deep into the earth. Broken stone surrounded him. Dirt covered his clothes, his hair, and the blood on his face. Above him, the afternoon sky had become a narrow, dark shape framed by the edges of the crater.
Every part of his body hurt.
It felt as though every bone had been crushed beneath the Kijin's claw.
Nathan coughed once.
Blood spilled from his mouth.
His lungs burned when he tried to breathe, and the pain in his chest made it difficult to pull in even a shallow breath. His left arm lay numb at his side. His ribs ached with every movement. His vision blurred in and out as the darkness around him threatened to pull him under.
He had fought many enemies.
He had faced men stronger than him.
