An explosion ripped through the air as Atticus' katana burst out from the back of the man's skull, splitting the massive floating island into two.
Atticus watched the man's eyes flare, the purple will around him churning violently.
His entire body tensed, but the light dimmed the next instant, and the glow in his eyes faded away.
The man slumped to the ground, lifeless.
Atticus dropped heavily to the ground, releasing long, ragged breaths.
"Haa… haa…"
His body felt unbearably heavy, as though he was dragging the weight of the world with every movement.
Pain flooded his senses. He could feel a wet, sticky liquid trailing down from his eyes, ears, and nose. He didn't need to touch it to know it was blood.
Leaning back, Atticus let his body rest against the ground, his gaze fixed on the golden sky above. He was tired. Completely drained. But… he had survived.
'Kuu!'
'Heh… figures. Stick with me long enough, you were bound to pick up some of my greatness.'
