Selphira screamed, but not only from pain. Her connection to her beast and ice control was abruptly interrupted.
Julius also collapsed, the effort of maintaining so many mineral formations had drained his mana to the limit. His fusion was canceled, his body trembled as he tried to stand, but his legs refused to respond.
Below, Ren rose free. The tendrils of corrupted energy moved around him like hungry serpents, and his violet eyes fixed once more on the two defenseless figures on the wall.
But there was something different now. The predatory calculation was still there, but underneath it, something else flickered. Pain? Recognition? It was impossible to tell.
He raised his hand again, power gathering around his fingers like dark lightning preparing to strike.
