Cassius' POV
The rusted steel tore through my chest, shredding flesh and scraping against bone. Searing agony exploded through me. I staggered back, my mind reeling. After everything - the battles won, the foes vanquished - to fall to an unknown enemy on this desolate field.
Time seemed to slow as I collapsed to my knees. Each ragged breath was a fresh torment, the cruel steel impaling me with every rise and fall of my chest. My foe loomed above, radiating twisted delight from behind that impassive mask.
My vision tunneled, the world reduced to that featureless visage and the agony radiating from the wound. Distantly, screams and ringing steel continued the dance of battle unabated. I tasted blood, smelled smoke and charred meat. None of it mattered anymore.
I met the eyeless slits of my tormentor's mask, snarling defiance through crimson-stained teeth. "Do it then, coward. If you mean to kill me, be done with it."
