A low and heavy breath left Adam's lips as he stood amidst the scattered blood.
Steam curled off his freshly reborn skin, swirling around his ankles like a crimson mist.
His hair, soaked in blood, clung to his forehead. His chest rose and fell, each breath slow and deliberate.
He didn't speak.
Slowly, he tilted his head upwards, dark eyes locking onto Celestia.
His gaze was void of emotion.
Yet within that void burned something darker than rage, colder than hatred.
Celestia froze mid-step, her eyes narrowing as a small smile flickered across her lips.
"…You're persistent, aren't you?"
She raised a bloodstained hand before swiping it forward.
In an instant, the space between them folded as her arm reached out, aiming straight for his neck.
But before her fingers could touch his skin—
Schlunk!
Bloody spikes erupted from the ground, stabbing through her extended arm and pinning it mid-air.
A small flicker of surprise crossed her calm face.
At the same time—
