A mile away from the cave.
"Argh… I got dirty," the woman complained, frowning down at her tank top and sweatpants, clicking her tongue at the mud staining the fabric. It was already late, and she had really hoped to avoid exactly this. A hassle of a shower when she got back. "And what's with her? Isn't she still a grade-zero Awakened Supernal?
"I know she's a Supernal of Athena and has two Divine Locks, but still."
Just then, her eyes caught a flicker of movement—the bushes to the left swayed.
A figure exploded from the undergrowth and shot toward her like a bullet.
Clang—!
She ducked in time, avoiding a golden shield being swung at her face, and kicked away to get as much distance as possible. Once she came to a stop, she raised her gaze—and saw Matilda pulling out the shield from the bark with brute strength.
For her to be able to embed the sharp edge of the shield that deep spoke of her strength.
A physique that couldn't be underestimated.
