Scarlett's answer didn't come right away.
Every breath felt like dragging air through solid rock. The crushing pressure refused to ease even for a moment. Her knees had already sunk into the cracked ground, and her broadsword kept sinking deeper into the earth as it held up most of her weight.
Her arms trembled violently. Sweat rolled down her face and hit the dust below. The ground around her kept cracking in wider circles under the terrifying force.
Yet despite everything…
She didn't bow her head.
Kiara watched quietly from atop Bolt's back. She didn't follow up with another attack and instead waited.
The wyvern stayed still, occasionally growling as lightning still crawled across its wounded body.
The severed tail had stopped bleeding, though healing would take time. Around them, the Leon soldiers stared in disbelief and fear. Their undefeated princess was being forced to one knee without her opponent even stepping forward.
