[ While Carolina's expression is calm and focused, Maine's is anything but. It's not a mask of rage or hatred: it's pure animal aggression. There's something distinctly off about it. Something lacking. Something inhuman. Whatever makes him Maine is missing, swallowed up by the power driving him to relentlessly attack one of his best friends.
What isn't missing is Maine's brutality. His blows are clearly not meant to incapacitate: they're meant to kill. He aims full-force punches at Carolina's head; he tries to slam his boot down on her chest when she falls; he grabs for her neck as though hoping to strangle her. The blows Carolina lands cause him to stumble, but he never backs off. He never retreats. He never switches from offense to defense.
Finally, Carolina kicks Maine in the chest so hard that he staggers backward, gasping for air. Her shield appears an instant later — but unlike before, Maine doesn't freeze. The shield is no longer an unknown element; his mind doesn't have to decide between fight or flight. His shoulders curl in almost like he's trying to protect himself. However, the moment Carolina finishes speaking, Maine's intention becomes clear: he braces his feet and rams the shield with his shoulder.
One blow. Two. The shield drops, and Carolina hits him again. Sends him stumbling past her as she slips out of the way. Maine growls with something not quite fury and spins to pursue. Another shield stands in his path: he lowers his shoulder and rams it again and again. The shield drops just as Maine starts forward, and his momentum carries him past as Carolina darts out of the way.
He can't get his hands on her. Can't land a killing blow.
If he were in his right mind, Maine would analyze the situation and figure out a new tactic. But Maine isn't in his right mind. Far from it. So he rounds on Carolina again, breathing hard but not slowing down in the slightest, and he lunges once more. ]
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What isn't missing is Maine's brutality. His blows are clearly not meant to incapacitate: they're meant to kill. He aims full-force punches at Carolina's head; he tries to slam his boot down on her chest when she falls; he grabs for her neck as though hoping to strangle her. The blows Carolina lands cause him to stumble, but he never backs off. He never retreats. He never switches from offense to defense.
Finally, Carolina kicks Maine in the chest so hard that he staggers backward, gasping for air. Her shield appears an instant later — but unlike before, Maine doesn't freeze. The shield is no longer an unknown element; his mind doesn't have to decide between fight or flight. His shoulders curl in almost like he's trying to protect himself. However, the moment Carolina finishes speaking, Maine's intention becomes clear: he braces his feet and rams the shield with his shoulder.
One blow. Two. The shield drops, and Carolina hits him again. Sends him stumbling past her as she slips out of the way. Maine growls with something not quite fury and spins to pursue. Another shield stands in his path: he lowers his shoulder and rams it again and again. The shield drops just as Maine starts forward, and his momentum carries him past as Carolina darts out of the way.
He can't get his hands on her. Can't land a killing blow.
If he were in his right mind, Maine would analyze the situation and figure out a new tactic. But Maine isn't in his right mind. Far from it. So he rounds on Carolina again, breathing hard but not slowing down in the slightest, and he lunges once more. ]