The high winds of Caelum roared as Strax hovered in the air, his black wings spread like curtains of shadow silhouetted against the orange sky. The energy emanating from him was sharp, almost physical, and the embers around his body stirred as if the world itself was reacting to his presence.
Scarlet, Ouroboros, and Tiamat followed him—each shrouded in their own manifestation of power. Scarlet floated lightly, enveloped in a cloak of smoke and magic. Ouroboros glided through the air currents as if the sky were his natural home. Tiamat flew with the fierce grace of a rising goddess, her eyes shining like golden stars.
But before they could completely leave the ruins of the ancient hall of elders, a cry cut through the wind:
"Strax! Wait!"
It was Elyssar.
She ran across the broken stones, her advisor's robe torn, her boots covered in soot, but her eyes determined. She ran to the edge of the cliff, the wind whipping her silver hair, and shouted again, trying to make herself heard.
