Ashok finally tore his gaze away from Gideon and looked ahead toward the one figure that still remained in front—Leon.
The Hero of Light, the Saintess' favored child, was still running.
Still holding first place.
Though Leon's lead was nothing like it had been in the beginning.
Once a distant figure dashing far ahead with effortless grace, now he was only five to eight steps beyond Ashok and the others.
His form had dulled, his pace slowed, and though his head remained high, the strain in his movements was undeniable. And yet… none of them could catch up.
Neither Ashok, nor Gideon or Zog—could bridge that short gap between second and first. The strength to do so simply wasn't there.
Not anymore.
They were all operating at their limits.
'Still…' Ashok mused, his eyes narrowing on Leon's back, 'I've already gotten far more than I expected from this garbage heap of a body.'
