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Before he even hit the ground, he had Garovel covered in iron. Geoffrey’s red blade dug in, but only just, and Hector ran toward them, trying to cover Geoffrey as well.

Metal and shadow competed. Red slashed through gray, both contracting and expanding on top of one another, wrestling for dominance over Geoffrey. The shadow won out just as Hector drew close and stopped his punch cold.

“So your name is Hector, is it?” Geoffrey cut into Hector’s body at multiple points. “I didn’t think we would meet again so soon.”

Hector ripped the red spears out each time they pierced him. He coated his own legs and feet in metal to maintain his foothold and pushed through.

But it was simple for Geoffrey to keep his distance. The shadow couldn’t stop Hector, but it slowed him down enough that Geoffrey could just back away.

And then Desmond was there. “Allow me.” He left an arm clutching the iron that protected Garovel. He pulled Geoffrey away as it darkened.

Hector tore through the remaining crimson and grabbed the arm. There wasn’t time to throw it.

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Geoffrey watched the explosion leave a crater in the street. He used his shadow to fan the cloud of dust away. Body parts littered the lawns on either side of the road, but Hector’s metal head remained in the crater. “Aww, are they dead?”

“Don’t think so,” Desmond said as they approached. “Yeah, see? The reaper’s barely alive, still. Kid got in the way.”

The sound of a vehicle drew their attention, and they saw the truck returning in reverse. Roman and Lynnette stood together. She glared at them with her one eye.

“They’re actually coming back for him?” said Geoffrey.

Desmond dug into his chest. “I’ll handle--”

A sword flew into his face.