Naomi shot him a quick look— half surprise, half approval— before returning to her whirlwind rhythm.
Another bandit broke through on the far right. Shunya bolted toward him, faster than he thought possible. His sword slammed against the bandit's weapon, sparks flying. He pushed, teeth grit, until the man staggered. Shunya followed with a wild kick, knocking him into the dirt.
He barely had time to breathe before another came. And another.
The courtyard was no longer a battlefield. It was a flood, and they were stones in the river.
"Shunya!" Vikoria's voice cut through the chaos. She hurled a talisman toward him. He caught it on reflex.
"What do I—"
"Break it!"
He snapped it in half, and a wave of blue fire erupted in front of him, forcing three attackers back. His ears rang, but his chest loosened with relief.
"Nice," he gasped, flashing her a shaky grin.
Vikoria's lips curved, though her eyes stayed tense. "Do not waste the next one."
