Ethan was breathing heavily, trapped in the ebb and flow of Rashaad's attacks. With a quick defensive move, he backed away a few meters, catching his breath and taking a brief respite as his enemy looked at him with a mocking smile, eager to continue his offensive. From a distance, Neith watched him with growing desperation; seeing Ethan stagger, wounded and on the path to a clear defeat, made her whole body tense, ready to intervene. However, she had barely taken a step forward when she heard laughter behind her.
Neith turned, confused, and found Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite watching the fight between Ethan and Rashaad with amused smiles on their faces. Neith's blood boiled with frustration; she could barely comprehend how they could laugh in such a desperate situation.
"What are you laughing at?" she asked, throwing them an angry glare.
Aphrodite was the first to respond, still smiling.
