Collapsing The Rear Lines

Amidst the scent of blood, steel, and saltwater, unnecessary thought fled from Lucian's mind as his body relaxed and he slid into a tranquil state.

Like watching the actions of someone else, he calmy observed the surroundings as his right hand gripped the helmet of a nearby soldier and made a fist. The cacophony of noise on the battlefield quieted as distinct sounds made themselves known to him.

The sound of blades cutting the air.

The sound of steel boots retreating, of others advancing.

The sensation of qi and other energies exploding forth, especially around the nearby experts that revealed themselves.

His wordless thoughts flickered between each of these, calmly, but at a speed so great it was almost as if he were focusing on them all at the same time. His left hand slid along the inside of an opponent's polearm as he ducked its spearhead and maneuvered out of the way of another weapon.