Well, They don't call you Ulric the Strong without reason.

Suddenly, through the haze of an air-starved mind, a single thought shines brightly.

I will not lose!

Your eyes snap open, and straining your neck muscles, you manage to take in a single, shuddering breath.

You **** your legs back under you, and, straining for all you are worth, you begin to stand.

You see Cassandra's eyes turn from smug satisfaction to abject terror as she realizes just how strong you truly are.

Once you stand at full height, you throw your weight into a spin, slamming Cassandra into the adjacent wall.

The impact seems to stun her, and her legs lose their tight grip on your throat.

You pull in another breath before twisting your no-longer torqued right hand back into a useful position: Wrapped around her neck.

Then, with rage further increasing your great strength, you fling her to the ground. She lands two yards away, and doesn't rise.

Seeing your defeated enemy lying before you awakens something primal in you, and you let out a furious roar, shouting your triumph for all to hear.

A startled yelp from across the room reminds you that you are not alone. You turn your gaze to the mage and find her shocked eyes trained on yours. The eye contact does not last long, however, as a moment later she is pummeled into the ground by a blur of black hair and porcelain skin.

Kyra stands, looking battered but intact, and gives the mage one final kick before turning to you.

"So," She begins, a smile creeping across her face. "Do we keep them?"