Impossible.
The strongest among them had fallen.
Layla barely managed to push herself up from the crater she had made in the frozen ground. One hand pressed against the ice while the other clutched her side, her breathing ragged as blood escaped the corner of her mouth. A single casual swat from Saladis had been enough to break through her defense and send her crashing down, and now even her attempt to stand seemed to take effort.
Saladis remained suspended above them, the black flames still licking across his purple armor as though they had become part of him. His gaze swept over the battered party, taking in their exhaustion and the fear that had slowly replaced their confidence.
"Valiant effort, all of you. Yet it wasn't enough."
Anthierin tightened both hands around her hammer, her arms trembling from the pressure radiating through the battlefield.
"Is this it?"
Saladis looked down at her.
"Don't be ridiculous, I haven't gone all out yet."
