*Kisara*
I barely had time to raise my whip in defense. His foot was going to crush me. I grunted, pain flaring through my side as I tried to form a barrier around me. If anything, this was counter-productive.
Bylet's laughter echoed through the chamber, a triumphant, cruel sound. "Did you really think it would be that easy, Kisara?" he gloated, his eyes gleaming with malicious glee as he stomped on my stone barrier.
I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to rise despite the pain. I couldn't afford to stay down, not when Bylet was on the offensive. I had been caught off guard once. I wouldn't let it happen again. But, first I had to get out from under this barrier without getting crushed.
"Major Kisara!" a voice yelled. The force on my stone barrier had subsided, although Bylet's foot remained over it.
