Unable to summon his artifact to use as a weapon against Hinata, Leo was forced to take the brunt of her monstrous attack head-on. He raised his arm to block her long nails that had curved slightly onward; a second later, he could feel them digging into his flesh and leaving a deep gash on his arm.
A pained groan exited Leo in that instant. Before he could think, however, he was sent flying backward several feet by a strong blow to the chest. He groaned again, practically feeling his ribs shatter at the impact.
The moment his feet touched the ground, he could see her darting forward. Her face contorting and becoming a horrid mix of pleasure and fury. Leo had always been someone who preferred efficiency in all of his battles; he had only lacked the tools back then. And now he did not have the breathing room to summon a weapon, even if he could—would it be useful?
