Fearing the swelling would spread to his upper arm, Ozai didn't hesitate. In one brutal motion, he swung his remaining blade down...
SLASH!
Blood sprayed in a hot arc as his severed upper arm fell to the cave floor.
"ARGHHHHH!!!"
The sound tore out of him, raw and animal. He grit his teeth, a strangled groan escaping as agony rippled through his body. The pain was blinding, his vision flickering red as his pulse thundered in his ears. It was too much, the pain was unbearable, but Ozai's didn't regret his decision.
Bruce blinked, genuinely surprised. Then, a slow smile crept across his lips.
"Smart," he said softly, almost approvingly.
Ozai's breath came in harsh, trembling bursts. His legs quivered as he stumbled backward, eyes wide and bloodshot, face drained of color.
Bruce tilted his head slightly, speaking in that same unnerving calm tone that made every word worse.
