Damien who'd been drifting into unconscious quickly snapped his eyes open. He stumbled as he rose to his feet, his body protesting every movement after the grueling fight.
He nearly fell again but caught himself, leaning heavily against Cerbe, who stood at his side like a steadfast guardian. His vision swam for a moment, and he blinked rapidly, willing himself to stay conscious.
As he steadied himself, he heard the sound of footsteps and chanting. He turned his head and saw a group of townsfolk cautiously approaching.
Their attire was simple—commoners, not fighters—and their expressions held a mix of awe and fear. Damien immediately dismissed them from his mind. There was no time to entertain them; the battle was far from over.
