The sun had reached its oppressive zenith, beating down on the churned earth of the field where the scent of bruised vegetation mingled with the sharp, metallic tang of sweat and blood. Fuyu stood his ground, his breathing deliberate and shallow, his eyes never leaving Rayn. Beside him, the air was still vibrating from Manu's boisterous, mocking laughter—a sound that seemed to grate against Rayn's nerves like a rusted blade.
"Kaun, what the hell are you doing? Can't even hold a mere kid like him, you stupid bastard!" Rayn roared, his face a mottled purple. His massive chest heaved with a mixture of exertion and escalating fury. He felt the eyes of the remaining boys on him, and the sting of humiliation was becoming unbearable.
