Stanley was covered in blood.
His breathing was ragged, shallow, and uneven, each inhale scraping painfully through his lungs.
His armor had been torn apart, metal plates bent and cracked as if they had been struck by a giant hammer.
Across his chest was a deep gash, so wide and severe that the torn flesh beneath was clearly visible.
Blood gushed out continuously, soaking his armor and dripping onto the ground in thick, dark splashes.
His legs trembled violently, threatening to give out at any moment. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest as he forced himself to remain standing.
A few feet away from him stood the Redmane Ape.
The beast was equally injured.
Its massive body was covered in sword wounds, deep slashes crisscrossing its thick hide. Its once-glorious crimson fur had been dyed a darker red by its own blood.
Several deep gashes marred its sturdy arms and broad chest, some so severe that muscle fibers were exposed beneath the fur.
