Blake hit the floor of his room with a heavy thud, the impact ripping a sharp groan straight out of his chest as his body skidded slightly against the ground.
For a second, he didn't move. He just stayed there, one arm curled slightly inward, the other pressed against the floor as if making sure it was real.
"...hah…"
A dry, disbelieving scoff escaped him, half-laugh, half-breath, completely drained.
His entire body pulsed with pain.
As he tried to get up, a deep, bruised ache settled into his muscles and his bones. The defense buff had done its job, it had kept him from breaking, from bleeding out, from collapsing back there, but it hadn't spared him from feeling it.
Not even close.
Blake shifted slightly, immediately regretting it as a dull spike shot through his shoulder.
"Fuck…"
