The pained expression on Anise's face was surprisingly clear from where Guy was positioned, and it only added to the adrenaline coursing through him. He had to do this, he had to save Anise and relieve the agony that she was going through. And more than that, he had to think about himself, about how his body was going to give in before long. His time was running dangerously short.

But continuing to add pressure to the hilt of his sword as he pushed against the bars caused the gap to widen even further. That had to be large enough for Anise's head to fit through, didn't it? And if her head could clear it, then she would probably be able to squeeze the rest of her body through too. Her small frame was really going to work in their favor this time.

Dropping the sword to his side, Guy pulled himself closer to the gap and then stretched his free arm through it, reaching out for her. And at that moment, his phobia wasn't even a part of his thought process. He just needed to get her out and back up to the surface of the lake before his strength left him completely.