#theyll likely maul the training dummy instead in that case

[lycianlynx]

A bright red flash thunders through the gate like sunset over wildfire, like blood on snow, like a glimpse at Hell. Pupils constrict, then dilate in the sudden absence of light that follows, a sudden hollowness following even that— Feet freeze in place, rigid, a startled gaze unseeing.

Until the burn begins. Spreads from the throat, directly into the eyes, the arms, the chest, the heart— Seized with a manic pain that forces itself into the fingers like a high-grade fever, makes them tremble, makes sweat bead on their brow as they double over to claw at their collar, silently choking on— On what?

The smell of blood and dirt and leather and fire and smoke fills their nostrils. Blood on sky blood on meadow blood on violet and lavender and snow. A ragged breath. Their head snaps up for reprieve, only to be met with red again.

Red again, again, again. Blood on lance blood on hands blood on dirt and upturned roots. Phantom jeers fill their ears. Their vision, already blurred, stings red-hot.

"You," comes as a snarl, "all of you," feet push into a run, jerkily, hands pushing off from the ground where they stumble, making the charge almost animal, "I'll kill all of you—!!"

But clumsy all the same, twisted up as they are in blind rage—

TIP: I am so fucking mad

(Chad & Ewan, Anniversary 2024 Faith+)