they fought back , fighting as one ; their movements skilled and synchronised , the air around them becoming thick with sand as they struck down their enemies , the mass of warriors deteriorating steadily beneath their swords ; the bodies falling to the ground and rising no more until with a final swing of their swords the last two warriors fell and the air grew still and quiet , punctuated only by their heavy breathing , as they doubled over , the sweat pouring down their faces , as they tried to slow their racing hearts .