Alexander slowly straightened his posture, pushing Xhan's fist back with casual force.
Then a wave of mana pressure exploded from him, flattening the ground and sending both Xhan and Zuran skidding across the broken stone.
The echoes of impact rumbled in the distance, stone fracturing, a low thrumming hum like the world itself bracing for something worse.
I was too caught up in the fight unfolding across the ruins to notice Reya until she was already beside me. A part of me, broken ribs and all, still wanted to see it, three beings at that level clashing without restraint.
"You're still alive," she said, her voice a bit relieved. "Well done." Almost like she had been wondering if I would be.
"Yeah, took a bit though. Can't lie," I muttered, wiping dust from my face.
Her sharp blue eyes lingered on me for a second.
"One of your hair strands turned white," she said. "Was the mission that stressful?"
