Chapter 73: Darrow: The Breath of Stone

Summary

• Protagonist Darrow is fighting monstrous, faction-rival Fá, heavily relying on antidotes to counteract the poison from Fá's spikes.
• Darrow is cautious of Fá's attacks, realizing that what seem like openings are traps set by Fá, influenced by his mentor, Atlas.
• During a fierce melee, Fá's confidence in his armor exposes a false sense of invulnerability, as Darrow meticulously studies Fá's fighting style and armor weaknesses.
• Darrow's tactics evolve—instead of meeting attacks head-on, he becomes more evasive and rhythmical.
• By staying elusive, Darrow frustrates Fá, baiting him to expend his energy while Darrow chips away at his armor, spike by spike.
• As the duel continues, Darrow increasingly connects with his warrior instincts and heritage, which brings him to an almost transcendental state.
• Distractions arise as mysterious figures intrude, but Darrow cleverly dispatches them, maintaining focus on the duel with Fá.
• Even as his old mentor Cassius urges him to finish the fight, Darrow takes a moment to comprehend the truths of his fighting technique and identity.
• Darrow presses his advantage, inflicting significant damage to Fá, breaking through his armor, and reducing his capacity to fight effectively.
• Alliances reveal tensions, with some of Fá's followers hesitating to interfere due to Darrow's accusations linking Fá to Atlas.
• Fá's desperation becomes evident as he orders a failed attack on Darrow and watches as his inner circle diminishes and loyalists turn against him.
• With Fá retreating and his forces in disarray, Darrow challenges the onlooking Ascomanni to come forward after witnessing their king's vulnerability.
• The battle ends with Fá escaping in his gravBoots, as Darrow, along with Cassius and Sevro, pursue him, since Fá poses a nuclear threat to the island.