He'd missed just by a hair, and it cost him: all of a sudden, pain splintered across his face like cracked glass, and the world spiraled. His only saving grace was his ability to position, even in a dire circumstance--even when he was knocked so entirely and unexpectedly off-balance. Like a diving ballerina, Kaldov twisted desperately with his one foot and body, tumbling onto the ground and landing on his knees and forearms. Sand splashed like water around him as air rushed by overhead in an incredible hurry. One desperate exhale later, and he felt himself again as the world was set right. Head hanging down, his vermilion eyes darted forward. “Oh, folks, looks like he’s not quite done! But Vauruk’s blistering back around now, and Golalud’s still on the ground--his time might be fast approaching.” Kaldov’s vision was clearing. It was hardly a good angle, but even as just a blur of wind and sound and fury, he knew: Vauruk was coming in flight. The momentum was too good. Vauruk wouldn’t want to lose it--to lose the chance to nail him again. He wanted Kaldov to get up and get knocked back down, maybe with a fierce uppercut this time. *That’s what the damned bat was like.* He huffed, cold sweat manifesting as his body worked to restore itself. He knew what he needed to do. “The warrior bat’s whistling through the air at breakneck speeds--and Golalud’s not even at his feet! And Vauruk--whoa! Up he goes, up and spiraling! Golalud’s back to his feet, a knee having rammed into the warrior bat’s skull out of nowhere! The tables have turned, but the warrior bat’s out of reach; how long will the reprieve last?” Quickly Kaldov wiped the dribble of blood from his cheek and scoffed. *What the hell?* ***Reprieve?*** *That hit was just as clean as Vauruk’s; give a man some credit!* ----- **Author's Note**: This is a page from a comic that [Vauruk](https://inkblot.art/profile/Vauruk) and I did for ArtFight 2023. It stars our boys, Kaldov Golalud (by me) and Vauruk the Formidable (by [Vauruk](https://inkblot.art/profile/Vauruk)). We intend to upload the pages of this series cooperatively, alongside the accompanying writing, over the next few days. The content will include violence and mild gore, and pages containing the latter will be tagged as such when warranted. Thanks for following along, and I hope you enjoy this! [|< First](https://inkblotapp.page.link/L5N6TCGxgqLkePyM6) | [<< Prev](https://inkblotapp.page.link/9fPCwpfgUKaDpGZf6) | Page 03 | [>> Next](https://inkblotapp.page.link/ALLEBwTc5LHA18ts8)