The backlash hit Rue like a physical blow. She staggered, clutching her head, blood pouring from her nose, her golden eyes going wide with shock and pain.
The man's two remaining hands crashed down toward Kael.
A flash of light.
Aria moved.
Her dark blade swept once—clean and merciless. The man's head left his shoulders with a wet crunch, spinning through the air, trailing blood in a graceful arc.
It hit the ground and rolled twice before coming to rest against a chunk of rubble.
His body collapsed as silence fell over the battlefield.
Then exhaustion hit them all.
They breathed hard. The fight had taken everything they had. Every reserve depleted with every muscle screaming.
Kael dropped to his knees.
