Ciona was unaware that the entire sequence—from her leap, the moment the knife penetrated the Alpha's eye, to the twist of the knife and her subsequent jump—had lasted only two seconds due to adrenaline and her mental state.
*Rooaaaaarrr* *Roaaaaarrr*
The Alpha released Kizaer and began to scream, thrashing and spinning. Another excruciating pain joined the heap of suffering the creature endured. This pain, however, robbed it of the last remaining form of perception—the sole eye it had left.
Kizaer's back hit the ground, and he clenched his teeth so hard that his gums nearly bled. Still, he didn't scream. Ciona had just landed after her leap, shouting, "JOANE!" as she ran toward Kizaer.
Joane swiftly emerged from the root entrance and reached Kizaer first. She grabbed him by the arms and began dragging him. Ciona arrived right behind, holding Kizaer's other arm, assisting Joane in moving their friend.
