"Cough, cough..." After several violent coughs, Gerard staggered to his feet. After the torment Achill had inflicted on him during Hollowfication, he was covered in blood. Even so, through sheer force of will, he still managed to stand!
"Hah... hah..." Nearby, Achill was hardly any better off than Gerard. Although he had not suffered the same severe blood loss, he had exhausted his strength. Now, even moving a finger sent aches through his entire body! If not for the stubborn resolve bottled up in his chest, he might have collapsed long ago.
"I... I can't lose. I... cough, cough... I still have my ideals! I still have to..." His face as white as paper, Gerard bit down hard on his lip and staggered toward Achill one step at a time, unconsciously muttering, "I... I still have to enjoy... freedom! Together with... the great... god... Zeref... I have to... create... a... a kingdom where I can... relax... completely relax my mind... a truly... free kingdom! I... have to gain... freedom... true..." Finally stumbling up to Achill, Gerard raised his fist high and roared in furious defiance—
"Freedom!!!" He swung his fist hard at Achill's face!
"Don't make me laugh!!" Rather than retreat, Achill stepped forward to meet him without dodging, driving a vicious punch into Gerard's chin as he roared, "Someone like you doesn't deserve freedom!!!"
Thud—
Pfft!
The two sounds of fists striking flesh rang out almost simultaneously, and both Achill's and Gerard's heads snapped back! The difference was that Gerard's punch merely left Achill reeling, while Achill's made Gerard spit up a mouthful of blood!
"Damn you!"
"Bastard!!"
When one blow failed to settle it, both summoned their strength and drove another savage punch at their opponent!!
"Let your life become a sacrifice on my road to freedom!!!"
**"Let