"But if these demons you call ants troubled you, I wonder how you'll fare against me."
Almost as fast as Bahamut's breath, Shihan's fingers pinched the black feathers of three arrows. In the same graceful motions, she nocked them and pulled the shadowy string of her bow to her cheek, her jaw clenched, belying the icy fury that stormed within her heart.
All the meticulous plans they had worked on had turned for the worse. Her children had nearly been buried alive. Her husband had come close to dying with his friends in their foolishness. And yet, the corners of her lips rose, and her chest swelled with pride.
"Foolishness or bravery—the line is thinner than a cicada's wing." She let the string loose, the twang's blast hurling her green hair up, brushing at her fox's ears, and sending her nine tails and war gown billowing. "To me, you're all precious, brave fools. I won't waste your efforts. I vow it on the lord's name."
