Clang! Clang! Clang!
Ryan retreated, barely managing to parry Shepherd Pierre Berry's relentless onslaught.
Pierre Berry's eyes were bloodshot, the gentleness gone, replaced by a ferocious rage.
As sinister arms, either pitch-black or ghostly white, reached from the shadows to ensnare Ryan, Pierre Berry swung his axe at Ryan's head.
This time, Ryan didn't parry or retreat. He didn't even raise the Sword of Dawn.
Instead, he twisted his body, allowing the eerie arms to grasp his legs and Pierre Berry's axe to strike his shoulder.
Clang!
Spiderweb-like cracks spread across the silver pauldron, light flaking off and dissipating.
Grimacing in pain, Ryan genuflected, plunging the Sword of Dawn into the floor.
He knew he'd been separated from his allies for too long. He needed to regroup at any cost.
The strength of a team surpassed that of any individual!
