Soren's vision narrowed to pinpricks of light swimming in darkness. His lungs burned for air he couldn't seem to find. Yet still he remained upright, still the flame failed to consume him entirely.
Gasps rippled through the chamber. A cleric in the front row half-rose from his seat, face pale with shock. Two knights exchanged glances heavy with unspoken questions.
"The corruption interferes with the sacred flame!" the lead Inquisitor declared, voice sharp with what might have been alarm. "See how it resists Solmir's purifying light!"
But the whispers had already begun, spreading through the assembled crowd like fire through dry timber.
"—should have burned instantly—"
"—something's wrong—"
"—the flame falters—"
