I crouched, my hand pressed to the concrete in a punch-ready stance, my chest heaving with ragged breaths. *Huff. Huff.*
Sweat dripped from my long hair, sliding down my face despite the cold air, my black t-shirt clinging to my skin, my tired, angry glare cutting through the dimness. Raya and Kalina stood against the stone pillar, their eyes wide, their earlier sly confidence replaced by stunned awe, their faces lit by the flickering light.
I stood slowly, my muscles aching, my breath steadying as I brushed my hair from my eyes, my gaze hard and unreadable.
Raya's red dress was crumpled, her hair a mess, while Kalina's silver one-piece glinted faintly, her hands fidgeting nervously. They stared at me, their mouths slightly open, like they'd just seen a ghost pull off a miracle.
"Damn…" Raya said, her voice hesitant, almost a whisper. "Y-you're really so strong." Her eyes flicked to the unconscious goons, then back to me, a mix of admiration and nerves in her expression.
