Face-to-Face

Face-to-Face

Cherry blossoms flutter across my vision, then disappear.

"Ah...!"

The breath I exhale beneath my face guard is hot. Strength drains from my body, and I drop to my hands and knees.

The bow in my left hand has somehow reverted to my usual staff. The color of my Spirit Armament is back to normal, too.

I unconsciously touch my neck with my right hand. My hair is its usual length. Just before I loosed the arrow, my head had felt strangely heavy, but...

No, that doesn't matter now. I grit my teeth and force down the lethargy clinging to me, fold my right leg under me, and plant my foot firmly on the concrete.

I put a hand on my knee and stand. Just that simple motion makes my vision sway.

My body can't keep up with the sudden mana expenditure. I haven't run out of mana, but it feels close. I need to rest a little...

Sweat trickles from beneath my brow guard. The instant it gets in my eye, I hear the door behind me being forced open...