Zhao Si's arms were numb. Drops of blood fell from his body onto the sand as he pressed himself against the ground like a predator waiting to strike.
Deflecting every last "meteor arrow" had still been too much of a strain. Coming out completely unscathed had been impossible. Zhao Si had gained several grazes, but even those had torn his skin open and left him bleeding.
The iron greatarrows in particular had been cast in one piece, with absolutely no consideration for shock absorption. They were practically made to tear the webbing between thumb and forefinger. And the webbing on his right hand had indeed split open and was seeping blood.
Concealing himself in the dust, he recalled Blaidd's movements: a wolf's speed, a ghostlike figure. They seemed well suited to his current situation. He knew full well that he could not keep dragging this out with Ogha, or he would certainly be the first to run out of stamina.
His left hand clawed deep into the sand, while the iron greatarrow in his right stabbed into the ground. He arched his back and tucked his legs beneath him, feet braced against the earth. Power built in his muscles, ready to erupt at any moment. He would shoot straight out like a wild beast, close in faster than Ogha could see, and kill!
Just as the dust was about to clear, Zhao Si drew a deep breath of dust-laden air and held it in his lungs. As he let out a little of it, all four limbs drove forward together. It was practically a catapult launch, far faster than running on his legs alone.
Zhao Si was almost flying along the ground now, but Ogha was not about to sit there and wait for death.
Ogha aimed at the ground