Arthur didn't linger to relish in the small victory of escaping death. The knight's momentary setback was just that—momentary—and he knew with grim certainty that the armored horror would resume its attack within seconds. Every heartbeat was precious now.
He scrambled across the stone floor toward Aziel, his boots slipping on ancient dust as he closed the distance between them..
Aziel remained propped against the wall, his chest heaving with exertion. Despite the dire circumstances, an almost delirious grin stretched across his dirt-streaked face, eyes bright with the peculiar euphoria that sometimes follows a brush with death.
"You see that shit?" Aziel wheezed, pride evident in his strained voice as Arthur reached him.
Arthur ignored his companion's ill-timed celebration, grabbing Aziel's arm and pulling it around his shoulders in one swift motion. He winced as his weight shifted onto his injured leg but didn't resist Arthur's assistance.
