His blade tore through another beast's throat, black blood spraying across the broken stone.
His arms shook.
His legs threatened to give out.
But the monsters kept coming.
They moved like shadows—dozens of them. Fangs flashing. Claws shrieking across the floor. And Caspian stood at the center of it all, soaked in blood, vision doubled, teeth clenched in exhaustion.
Bloodmoon's voice echoed in his mind.
"We're outnumbered! Cut the left—go now!"
"I know!" Caspian snapped aloud, lunging sideways to avoid the swipe of a beast the size of a warhorse. His sword met its ribs with a sickening crunch, and the monster shrieked before toppling.
His breath was ragged.
The summons had almost all vanished. Their energy had faded—burned out by the sheer number of enemies. He had only a few left, scattered around him, trying to hold the line.
"You'll die if you stay, Caspian. You're pushing beyond your limit!"
"I just need more time!"
But he knew it wasn't true.
