Damian wasn’t one to back down, not even when the odds were stacked against him. Not when he'd just gotten stabbed in the stomach by a knife with poison on it, and not when the poison coursing through his veins threatened to bring him to his knees. His stomach burned from the wound, a deep, searing pain that radiated outward with each shallow breath he took. The Talon before him didn’t need to speak, his presence alone was enough of a threat. But right now, Damian had more pressing concerns.

Focus, Damian. Focus.

The poison was spreading too quickly, making his movements sluggish. His hand trembled slightly, but he hid it behind a mask of contempt. He was getting slower. Weaker. The Talon dodged effortlessly, his steps light, too light, like a predator circling his prey.

Then...Damian felt a strange dizziness creep in, his vision swimming. He blinked rapidly, trying to clear the fog, but it only got worse. His muscles screamed in protest as his knees buckled. The world tilted, then spun.

No. Not now.

But before he could brace himself, his foot slipped on the rocky surface, and he felt himself plummeting into the dark, cold water below.

A rush of freezing seawater engulfed him, the shock of it almost knocking the wind out of his lungs. He instinctively kicked, flailing his arms to stay afloat, but the poison had already started to rob him of his strength. His movements were clumsy, his strokes weaker by the second. The waves were unforgiving, battering his body with relentless force. Every time he gasped for air, it felt as though the world was closing in on him..that's when he felt someone jump in and hold him.