[ Lockwood liked to think positive. At least externally, internally he could be just as much a pessimist as the next man, but outwardly he would always project the air of indomitable will. Of course they could hold out indefinitely! Why couldn't they?? Never mind that they were mortal -at least Lockwood was mortal- and that eventually the overwhelming number of dead would overcome mortal muscle and bone.

But Lockwood had learned over the years, that dwelling on the idea of limits, was limiting and so he focused on the fights as they came to him. He felt Lan Wangji post up at his back and instinctively stepped to help close their flank so they were both well covered. He kept his own blade arm clear, as well as kept himself clear of Lan Wangji's blade so the older man had full freedom of movement.

It was a trained action, made smooth through experience. Further proof that the boy has train and fought for quite some time. ]

You mean they've been in other places? Not just here? [ Look. There is no reason not to have a civilized conversation, just because they were slashing and hacking apart decomposing corpses.

Speaking of which. When he feels Lan Wangji move, Lockwood spins with him. Instead of leading with the blade and risking it getting caught in the rib cage, the youth neatly flips the weapon around and uses the hilt to punch through the rotting sternum. An upper cut motion slides the edge of the blade from lower rib cage to shoulder, neatly slashing the torso in half on the diagonal. ]

You think they have an over reaching influence? Then we should gather as many as we can find.