The boss advanced.
As Arthur groaned.
Pain screamed. His body protested. But somewhere beneath it all, intent burned stubborn and furious.
He pushed himself up.
Slowly.
Blood dripped from his chin as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and laughed, breathless and rough.
"Don't you dare," he shouted, voice cutting through the chaos. "Not yet."
The awakeners froze.
Arthur straightened, blade dragging against the stone as he rose fully to his feet. His stance was unsteady, shoulders heaving, but his eyes were alive, sharp and unbroken.
"We're not done," he said. "Not even close."
Something shifted.
Not in the dungeon. But in them.
Resolve flared again, shaky but real.
Shields came back up. Spells reignited. Cries of defiance replaced panic.
Arthur faced the boss, breathing hard.
"One more round," he muttered.
The fight wasn't over.
Not yet.
Arthur stood there longer than he should have.
