A Fight on the Edge of Victory

The tail whistled through the air with a sharp sound as it tore through the wind, slamming straight toward Ryan. In that instant, the air seemed to rip apart, and all sound around him vanished, leaving only that deadly pressure.

Ryan was trapped between the Squadron Leader's limbs, almost unable to move. His back was pressed tightly against the hard carapace, while the pressure before him made his breathing quicken. Every wound on his body protested, and the pain in his chest caused his vision to black out intermittently. Yet his eyes remained fixed on the tail above. He knew this was a strike that would decide life or death.

If I give up now, it really will be over. He reminded himself in a low voice.

Aura surged rapidly through his body. It was already nearly exhausted, yet he forcibly drew it into both arms. He gripped his twin blades tightly, their edges gleaming with cold light. Just as the tail was about to crash down, he suddenly compressed his body, nearly flattening himself against the ground, and crossed both blades overhead.

A deafening boom rang out.

The tail crashed heavily against the blades, its impact like a mountain bearing down on him. Ryan's arms were nearly dislocated by the shock, and the wound at his shoulder tore open, spraying blood down his arm. The muddy ground beneath his feet split apart, sending gravel flying as his entire body was crushed against the earth.

Yet in the instant the tail and blades locked together, he suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood. His body rolled with the force, and his blade slashed diagonally, forcibly cutting through the joint at the tail's base. Green fluid gushed out. The tail spasmed, its movement abruptly freezing.

An opening had appeared.

"Now!" the