Marina shot upward through the new hole Benjamin had created, ascending through the village's canopy to meet him in the open sky where their battle could truly unfold without restraint.
Deva was left standing alone in her ruined workshop, surrounded by the wreckage of her work, her finger absently finding its way to her mouth as she stared at the devastation in bewilderment.
"Please... both of you," she whispered to no one in particular, her voice sounding a note of weary resignation, "please don't completely destroy the village because of your rough play. We simply don't have the magical energy or materials to rebuild everything in a short amount of time."
Particularly because she didn't want the entire village reduced to splintered rubble and terrified civilians, Marina had made a calculated decision during their clash:
