Peyton had enough to realize what he was doing, to try to brace for it, but the trainee hit was enough force to send the small Sun off her feet entirely to roll across the patchy earth. She heard it as she hit, the telltale crack and shatter of her shield. Or maybe simply felt it. Regardless, he'd effectively demolished her shield, and she'd put up a very sorry defense, and an even sorry offense.
<It is only one fight, and you know how vicious a combatant he can be.> Warrick tried to be comforting, and of course the demon made sense, but that didn't make it any less of a disappointment.
With a pained grunt Peyton pushed herself up into a sitting position, small hand rubbing at the back of her neck and shoulder where she'd hit. Pale eyes lifting to Horace. "You're going to be scary as hell when you reach your full potential." I'm sorry. I should have done better.
the semblance of unity
