Vernon scoffed.
"Fine. Show me what this power of yours really is."
He surged forward.
A punch like a meteor coming straight for her skull.
But this time—
Amy didn't dodge.
She moved into the blow, palms forward.
WHUUUUUMMMM—!!
The force hit her but spun around her body like she was the eye of a hurricane. Her spiral core flickered with light. She twisted, redirected the stored momentum into her leg, and
…
BAMMMM!!
A kick caught Vernon right in the ribs.
He flew back, gasping. For the second time, he bled from the mouth.
"Impossible." Vernon coughed. "You're Tier 1. You shouldn't be able to do that."
Amy's legs shook. Her eyes were wild. She was breathing too fast—but her voice remained steady.
"You made one mistake."
"You forgot I wasn't fighting you. I'm fighting for him."
She looked at Leo—half-broken, panting.
His eyes locked with hers.
(She's… holding him back. A Tier-1… standing against Vernon Slade… because of me.)
