The black crown above Nox'Vareth pulsed once, then shattered like glass, sending fragments of night sky across the square. Each shard hissed where it landed, eating holes into the stones. The demon straightened, wings unfurling to their full torn span. Cracks of red light raced over his skin, and the ground trembled.
["Phase two…"] Yuki's wind carried the warning, low and taut. ["Everyone brace yourselves."]
["His corruption is doubling,"] Sylas added, frost dripping from his hands. ["It's eating my barriers."]
["I'll reinforce,"] Orielle's flames flickered bright within the brackets. ["Stay close to me."]
Orryn lowered his antlers. ["Here we go again."]
Shellia raised her staff high. Lunar light poured from the crescent head, wrapping around the party like a silver curtain. Her dark hair whipped in the tainted wind, blue eyes shining. "We hold this line," she said firmly. "If we fall back, the capital falls next."
