We Need To Talk
And then it hit him — the exhaustion. His body, once coursing with energy, suddenly felt like lead.
Kai staggered backward, barely managing to regain his balance. He gasped for breath, his lungs burning as the last remnants of lightning that had surged through his veins slowly began to fade.
The rush of power, the crackling force that had been within him, was now gone. And with its departure, the strain set in.
His muscles screamed, his mind fogged. He had overextended himself.
He turned toward Kiara, his vision swimming in and out of focus. Her expression was a mix of surprise and concern.
She was already moving toward him, her steps quick and purposeful. She sheathed her sword with a fluid motion, not pausing even for a second.
"Kai!" Her voice broke through the haze, filled with urgency.
But Kai's body had already reached its limit. His legs buckled beneath him, and before he could brace himself, everything went black.