The attack came in fast. Bertha lifted her shield to block, but the attack was too powerful and from too many angles. It slammed into her hard. She was thrown back, coughing blood as she crashed into the group, skidding across the floor until she hit a pillar and stopped.
The fight was basically over, but Elton had made no mention of how it would officially end. She had only said that none of them would die, meaning the fight could continue until one person submitted, was knocked out, or was pushed close to death, any one of those conditions.
Athena hoped Bertha would stay down and not continue fighting.
But Bertha, burning with a warrior's spirit, groaned and pushed herself off the ground despite the heavy damage. She coughed up even more blood, gripping her mace and shield tighter as she locked eyes with Athena.
"You've got some real spunk," Bertha said, a smile forming on her bloodstained face, her eyes burning even brighter. "But that doesn't mean I'll lose."
