Taren shoved Leo off him and stood up, his porcelain arm venting a thick cloud of steam. He looked exhausted, his organic side heaving with effort, but his eyes were still focused. He looked at Yariel, then at the unconscious Mirage, then finally at Leo.
"Holy Gehenna, she's gotten serious," Taren muttered, his voice strained.
Leo stood up slowly, his legs shaking. He was the last one left in Yariel's way. He looked at his wooden sword, it was cracked down the middle, held together by nothing but stubbornness and luck.
"You're not done yet, Taren," Leo said.
"I am," Taren replied, looking at his porcelain limb. The blue light was flickering. "If I push any harder, this will break. I'm out, Leo. It's just you."
Taren walked over to Mirage, picking her up and moving her to the edge of the clearing. He sat down heavily against a tree, his role in the spar finished.
