Jasper's body was marked and bruised, sword wounds painting his skin like streaks of battle fury.
Each breath was heavy with effort, and with every movement, the pain hinted at his limits. Under these conditions, evading Ethan's razor-sharp sword was impossible.
"Is he going to kill me?!" Jasper's pupils trembled with primal fear, his survival instincts screaming.
"NO!" Seraphina's shout shattered the tense air, a desperate plea.
Yet the long sword in Ethan's hand did not falter. The sword force burst forth, striking with devastating precision, flowing vertically and horizontally from Ethan's poised form.
Jasper closed his eyes, bracing to embrace death—a warrior facing inevitable demise.
"Damn it… I only intended to protect Seraphina, to exhaust Ethan's energy, to test his strength. I never expected to lose my life here," Jasper muttered, bitterness laced in his fading breath.
"But even if he kills me, the Empress will not permit his impunity."
"Probably… not, right?"