The crossbow's string snapped outward violently, sending the bolt hurtling toward the Beast at breakneck speed.
BOOM!
A massive explosion tore through the tunnel, sending a cloud of rock and snow billowing outward. The sudden flash of light brightened the neighborhood for a scant moment before it faded back to darkness.
Song's arm trembled violently before giving out under her own weight. The girl collapsed weakly onto my back.
Dropping my crossbow, I used a hand to support her before shifting her off my back and carefully lowering her to the ground.
"Hey, are you all right?"
No response. I flicked on a flashlight to get a proper view of her.
The girl kept shivering, her eyes staying open yet completely unresponsive. Even her skin had taken on a rather deathly pallor.
It certainly wasn't due to her burden. She'd taken her last shot about an hour ago. There was only one possibility that came to mind besides that.
'Essence exhaustion.'
