[Unfortunately, this is all pretty exhausting. It isn't just the prolonged physical stress, but the fact that she's outmatched. Blocking isn't an ideal response to his attacks which forces her to focus more on evading, but against an opponent possessing supernatural aptitudes, she's forced to predict how he'll attack and dodge well in advance of his actual attacks. The sheer concentration required for it is difficult enough, along with forcing her body to ignore its instincts considering dodging attacks normally would lead to her not moving fast enough in response. She has the mental capacity of someone far more experienced and powerful than she is, but she lacks the body to match. The situation is dire and she knows she can't keep this up for much longer.
So as they continue to trade blows and are both drawn further in the direction she's leading Thanatos towards, the woods become denser. It's gradual, but it becomes harder to swing a sword without the tree trunks, branches and foliage getting in the way, making close combat more of a chore...that is, the larger you are, or the wider the swings you take.
But even then, it wasn't her goal just to make the environment more obtrusive for her opponent when it comes to fighting back. Her main goal was to find a spot where it appears as if she's been cornered. The trees directly behind her are seemingly packed together, enough to prevent further retreat, potentially cutting her off from any kind of escape or maneuvering. It wouldn't be too difficult for the relentless way he attacks to cut her down as she is.
However, lowering her stance all of a sudden, she backs up and squeezes through an unseen gap in the trees behind her, swift enough that if he continues attacking, it's the trees themselves that take the brunt of the attack, not her.
From here, there're a few ways it could go.
If he's strong enough to actually cut through the trees, he'll find they'll come toppling forwards in his direction. She isn't sure if he'd be strong enough to free himself from being crushed beneath the trunks as they fall, but even if it's just a distraction, it'll make an opening for her she'll gladly try to take advantage of.
Alternatively if they stay standing, maybe his approach is so singleminded he may simply try to force his way through the same gap she'd squeezed through, but owing to his larger size this would be far more difficult for him than her, and during that moment is another opportunity for her to take advantage of.
How it all goes depends on him, though. She planned out either of these scenarios in her head while she was on the retreat, but she can't say for sure which one will happen. After all, she doesn't understand the mindset of whatever she's fighting, so it makes it a lot harder to predict how it'll react. It might even do something else altogether and ruin her plan.
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So as they continue to trade blows and are both drawn further in the direction she's leading Thanatos towards, the woods become denser. It's gradual, but it becomes harder to swing a sword without the tree trunks, branches and foliage getting in the way, making close combat more of a chore...that is, the larger you are, or the wider the swings you take.
But even then, it wasn't her goal just to make the environment more obtrusive for her opponent when it comes to fighting back. Her main goal was to find a spot where it appears as if she's been cornered. The trees directly behind her are seemingly packed together, enough to prevent further retreat, potentially cutting her off from any kind of escape or maneuvering. It wouldn't be too difficult for the relentless way he attacks to cut her down as she is.
However, lowering her stance all of a sudden, she backs up and squeezes through an unseen gap in the trees behind her, swift enough that if he continues attacking, it's the trees themselves that take the brunt of the attack, not her.
From here, there're a few ways it could go.
If he's strong enough to actually cut through the trees, he'll find they'll come toppling forwards in his direction. She isn't sure if he'd be strong enough to free himself from being crushed beneath the trunks as they fall, but even if it's just a distraction, it'll make an opening for her she'll gladly try to take advantage of.
Alternatively if they stay standing, maybe his approach is so singleminded he may simply try to force his way through the same gap she'd squeezed through, but owing to his larger size this would be far more difficult for him than her, and during that moment is another opportunity for her to take advantage of.
How it all goes depends on him, though. She planned out either of these scenarios in her head while she was on the retreat, but she can't say for sure which one will happen. After all, she doesn't understand the mindset of whatever she's fighting, so it makes it a lot harder to predict how it'll react. It might even do something else altogether and ruin her plan.
Only time will tell.]