The shadow-wrapped blade of his longsword started traveling down in a lethal arc, poised to cleave Lily's head from her shoulders as she lay helpless on the ground…
—THWAACK!!
But the blade was halted mid-descent as Michael turned and jerked the flat of his sword up to shield himself from a knee that came barreling at his face.
CLANG—!!
A metallic groan rang out, and Michael was forced exactly two steps back.
The entire left side of Ray's torso still bore ugly third-degree burns. His flesh was charred and deformed.
If he hadn't concentrated nearly all of his Essence on that spot at the last possible second to brace against Michael's previous attack, half his body would have been blown to smithereens.
It was a mystery how he was still conscious.
It was an even bigger mystery how he had recovered so quickly.
Regardless, as soon as he forced himself to get back up, he went after Lily, who had gone in alone to help Vince.
