Chapter 48: I'll Protect You

I took a breath and tightened my grip around my sword as time appeared to slow down in my mind. I had only one chance, and the pressure was getting to me as my heart pounded in my chest. I locked eyes with the chimera as I walked out of the forest.

I glanced to my right, where everyone was on the opposite end of the raging forest fire we had caused. I felt terrible having caused so much damage to this floor, but it was coming to an end, and as I exhaled, time started to turn normally.

I lifted my sword into the air, feeling the fire the chimera caused resonate with my blade. The fire began to simmer down in the corner of my eye until nothing was left but smoke and ash, and I felt an overwhelming sense of power rush into me.

I absorbed the chimera fire into my body. I felt my body reject every ounce of it. It felt like something was crawling under my skin, ready to burst open, but I calmed its rage as I cleared my head.