Simon dragged air into his lungs in harsh, uneven breaths.
His arms shook. Sweat ran from his chin, and the giant around him trembled until its sword began losing its shape.
He could not hold it any longer.
The silver cross dimmed as his third eye closed. The manifestation's fingers broke into black motes. Its wings followed, then its shoulders and chest, leaving Simon falling through the light that had supported him.
He summoned wind beneath his body.
It slowed him enough to land on one knee rather than his face. However, the impact still jarred his wounds, and he remained crouched, panting over the Chaos Blade.
Above him, the severed eyes were coming apart.
Violet fragments loosened along the edges of his cut. The divided faces below them faded, their open mouths losing their outlines.
But Simon did not lower his guard.
