The metallic taste of blood filled Arthur's mouth as he bit down on his tongue, the sharp pain serving as a reminder that he was still alive in this nightmare of endless combat. Sweat stung his eyes despite the cool night air, and his breathing had become labored as the relentless battle continued to drain his stamina. The shadow cloak that normally felt like a second skin now seemed to weigh him down, each movement requiring more effort than the last.
"On your left!" Cara's voice cut through the chaos, her warning coming just in time for Arthur to pivot and bring his odachi up in a defensive arc. The blade caught a creature mid-lunge, its blackened nails mere inches from his throat. The impact sent vibrations up through his arms, and he gritted his teeth as he forced the blade upward, slicing through the creature's jaw and into its brain cavity.
