A few hours ago Elizabeth would have readily joined in on the taunting.  Anything that might pierce that armor that Flayer had so thoroughly built up around himself.  That, and a little playful banter always made fighting vastly more entertaining.  But while Rae had the luxury of stamina, she was far too tired to come up with anything beyond the typical roaring of combat or grunts of effort.  She was thankful to have happened upon one of the few honorable, sane prisoners left in the Slam, rather than someone eager to slit their throat.  If she didn't know any better, she almost believed Rae was preparing to sacrifice herself if it came to that.  As far as Elizabeth was concerned, it wouldn't.  She didn't enjoy owing favors, even to the dead.<br/><br/>Only one foot hit the ladder as she ascended, a surprising feat for someone so thoroughly winded.  It was like she could concentrate all her power into a single limb at a time: total control of the body.  As soon as she touched upon the next floor Elizabeth swiped her blade towards Rae's hamstrings, then immediately swung both her legs upwards in a two-pronged kick should the initial slice hopefully fail.<br/><br/>At their ascent Flayer remained silent.  Hands still firmly behind his back, he stepped straight up the ladder in front of him in a display of balance that any acrobat would be jealous of.  No physical response to the taunts.  Just the same shallow breathing, the same penetrating gaze.