The city drowned in gold.
The Dragon King moved first. His hands spread, and light crushed downward like mountains falling from the sky.
Lucian folded space, dragging Lucy aside, but the pressure hit him anyway. His cloak ripped apart, blood gushed from his mouth. He slammed into the cobblestones, body skidding until stone broke beneath him.
Lucy planted her blade in the ground, black fire rushing up to meet the wave. It split for a breath, but the gold swallowed it, broke it, sent her crashing back into rubble. Her ribs cracked, breath torn out of her chest.
Karl roared. He didn't dodge. He surged straight into the flood, wings flaring, scales blazing. His claws tore through the golden wave, flames bursting wider, his aura cracking against his father's. For a heartbeat, he pushed through, standing in the storm.
Then the Dragon King appeared in front of him. One palm to his chest.
