[Ace's POV]
The afternoon sun bore down, baking the golden wheat fields into shimmering waves of heat. Sweat trickled down my temple as I watched Ray—now a massive, furred silhouette against the swaying grain—carefully repacking scattered apples into the crate. The sweet, cloying scent of bruised fruit mixed with the dry earthiness of upturned soil. It should have been comforting. My muscles stayed coiled.
"What are you gawking at? Focus on the fight!" Aldrin's snarl ripped through the air, his voice rough as gravel.
The black magic chain in his hand became a black blur as it sliced toward my head. I barely ducked in time, the displaced air ruffling my hair as the chain passed close enough to feel. Before I could recover, he followed with a powerful kick aimed at my chest. I met it with my sword, the impact jarring my arms, a shockwave traveling up to my shoulders. I staggered back several steps, the metallic taste of blood flooding my tongue.
