“Help me up,” Rin whispered. “I almost did it, I can try again—” “You can’t. You’re too weak.” Nezha spoke without inflection or spite. It wasn’t an insult, it was simple fact. As he watched the dark form moving beneath the surface toward the city, his scarred face set in resolve. He dropped the water barrier—it was hardly necessary now—and began striding toward the Dragon. Rin reached instinctively for his hand, then drew back, confused by herself. “What are you—” “Keep down,” he said. “And when you get the chance, run.” She was too stunned to do anything but nod. She couldn’t get past how
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