Sweat beaded at Nova's forehead. Her chest heaved from fighting this giant. And for a moment, a hush fell over the jungle. Amber eyes were locked with hers.
"Yield," Nova commanded, her voice strong and not like she might wheeze and fall over at any second.
Veyra tried to move, searching for a way out of this.
"Yield!" Nova repeated, pressing the blade into her skin more, not enough to cut her but to remind her of the weapon that could easily slice skin.
All tension in Veyra's body sapped out. Any anger that had been directed at Nova from the beginning instantly fell away.
"I yield." A grin spread across Veyra's lips, and the crowd exploded in an uproar. They chanted Nova's name, and she was pretty certain Atia was the one who started that up.
She looked around, surprise flashing across her features at the change in atmosphere and the way Veyra was now looking at her. Nova backed away, sheathing First Mark by her waist, her limbs trembling from the exertion.
