Oliver's irritation continued to grow. He forced himself to move faster, and stronger, for all the good he did him. He did not feel himself tiring. His fire only grew. And yet, that seemed to be the very thing that was making Gar stronger as well. Gar's blow fell on Oliver even more heavily. They were strikes that Oliver felt in every bone of his body, even when deflected it.
The wounds he dealt to Oliver's body were one thing, but there were wounds of the heart that Gar seemed to inflict as well. When one's predictions as to what might happen next, and one's own version of reality, was continually defeated, it was only natural that one's mind might begin to waver.
