Eli stood, gripping his staff with deceptive casualness. He studied the acclaimed Sage, emotions warring across his features like storm clouds.
Was he truly a Sage? Was he lying? A Paragon in disguise? How could he read the speed of that attack? How did he deflect a Paragon's power so effortlessly? A Sage? A Sage???
Questions cascaded through his mind like an avalanche—he was devastatingly confused.
Northern lowered his sword until the tip nearly kissed the ground.
"So… my turn?"
Eli's eyes narrowed to slits as he braced himself. Of course, he didn't know that nothing—absolutely nothing—could prepare him for what was about to unfold.
Northern drew a deep breath… then exhaled. And vanished. Literally.
Nahia's eyes went wide as saucers.
'What tri—'
Before her thoughts could form, another impact thundered across the battlefield. She couldn't grasp what had transpired—everything had moved faster than her eyes could track.
