Dark purple energy pulsed from the tip, and a wave of shadow shot forward, coiling around the Gnarlbeast's legs like spectral chains.
The beast tried to charge—this time at Narg—but its speed was off.
Way off.
It wasn't slow exactly… just normal.
Compared to the blur it had been before, this felt like someone had hit the brakes. Its earlier movement had been unnaturally fast—supernatural, even. Now, it moved like a regular animal. Still dangerous, but predictable.
Only one explanation made sense.
A debuff.
Narg had hit it with a hex.
A really good one.
And he wasn't done.
He raised his staff again and chanted something else—shorter this time, but no less intense.
Suddenly, Dribb, Gobbo, Thok, and Zonk began to glow faintly. Not blinding, but enough to notice. Their muscles tensed. Their stances firmed up.
They looked stronger.
A buff spell. I let out a quiet breath.
Once again, Narg had me impressed.
