“Don’t worry, I won’t let them get anywhere near you!” she declared, then leaped over the outstretched claws of another monster slinking across the ground. “Whoops! Sorry, you can’t catch me all sneaky like that, I have God looking over me!”

With Angie keeping the shield up in front of Kaede, she had enough confidence to pour her energy into the spell, even with its lengthy incantation that left her defenseless individually.

It was worth it though. As the final words left her mouth, it dealt massive damage in a wide radius around her. The remaining monsters dissipated into shadows, melting into nothing but wisps on the wind as the energy left them. Kaede heaved a sigh, bracing her hands on her knees as she caught her breath. That always took so much out of her--she could never use it multiple times without rest in between.

Angie, however, collapsed on the ground, panting. Kaede straightened up in alarm, quickly making her way to where her partner had fallen.

She raised her head as Kaede approached. For the first time, the smile she gave was strained. “No need to worry! I’m perfectly fine!” she said, although her heavy breaths told a different story. “I just want... a piggy back ride! Yes, yes! I demand it!”

Angie raised her arms up to Kaede, even though they trembled from her exertion. It was no wonder, with the barrier she maintained all while continuing the fight as Kaede prepared her spell. She smiled softly, intensely fond of Angie, especially after all she’d done to help Kaede, and still she brushed it off.

Kaede knelt down, offering her back to Angie for her to climb on.

“Sure, no problem. Get on, it’s a long way back to town.”