Luka dodged another rumbling stomp, the shockwave almost knocking him off balance.
Still no help from his teacher.
Still no words.
But she hadn't turned away either.
That was something.
And so, Luka kept hoping that somewhere behind those crimson eyes, something inside her shifted, even just a little.
He stumbled, nearly falling, as his foot landed awkwardly on a broken edge.
"Shit!"
His arms flailed as he tried to balance himself, biting down on his lip.
Then, another slip—his body pitched forward—but he managed to catch himself just in time.
It didn't stop.
The ground kept falling away.
Luka kept jumping, dodging, weaving between the Ancient Golems' crushing blows.
No hits landed.
Time passed in blurs.
Luka's breath came in sharp gasps.
His legs burned.
His heart pounded in his ears.
Still no damage to the Ancient Golems.
Still no help from his teacher.
And yet—Luka didn't stop.
