The moment the armored cultist's boots hit the cracked stone, the battle exploded into motion.
His glaive swung in a vicious arc toward Seraphina's flank—no words, no delay, only killing intent. But she was already moving, silver sigils flaring around her.
Her serpent dove from the sky with a cry like shattering crystal, intercepting the blade in a luminous coil. Sparks and aether clashed as metal met radiant flesh.
Bennett struck next, golden aether roaring from him like a tidal wave. "Strike, Aureval!" he commanded.
With a howl that split the heavens, Aureval streaked forward—a blur of stormlight and claw. The massive wind-lupine slammed into a cultist charging for the center, claws extended. Wind-forged talons ripped through armor, sending the attacker airborne in a spray of broken stone.
Aureval turned, his limbs kicking up cyclones as he dashed toward another target, slicing through rubble and attacking the other cultists.
With every bound, the storm deepened.
