It took Izzy a short moment to register exactly what Theurge had said. Had he really just told her he thought she, a scrawny twig in comparison to his bulk, could actually oust him from his leadership position? All he had to do was fall on her, and she would be a pancake.
	But she could not afford to think like that. Her brothers had never won a match by doubting themselves, and that was simply for the fun of it. This was a matter of life or death.
	She [i]would[/i] beat Theurge. She [i]would[/i] win. And she [i]would[/i] retrieve Cerasus’ left arm. The man-child had enough confidence in that. And if [i]Theurge[/i] thought she could be that powerful, it was now she needed to prove it, to both the hulking monster before her and herself.
	Izzy inhaled, a look of stiff determination on her face as he spoke to her the second time. Fearing she would lose what bit of courage she had if she opened her mouth, she nodded in answer.
	She sized him up. She knew his bulk did not hinder his speed, and she still did not trust his apparent lack of weapons. Just because he was not holding his sword did not mean he did not have something else hidden on his person. But everyone had a weak spot, and perhaps she could use his weight and momentum against him, somehow get his legs out from under him, even if they were thick enough to make tree trunks jealous. After all, she could punch through brick walls now.
	She exhaled through her nose, then charged toward Theurge, keeping low and ready to dodge his massive arms, watching for any weaknesses or an opening to try bringing him to his knees.