The spiral carvings beneath Sylas's palm blazed to life, their blue-green glow intensifying until the entire chamber pulsed with ancient power.
The light crawled up the walls in geometric patterns, forming sigils Soren had never seen, yet somehow recognized deep in his bones.
"Brace yourself," Sylas commanded, his voice cutting through the approaching thunder of armored footsteps.
The pursuing Inquisitors burst into the chamber's entrance, black robes billowing like storm clouds. Behind them came Calvian, golden and terrible in his fury, Solbrand's fire painting his perfect features in stark relief.
"Heretic!" The knight's voice shook dust from the ceiling. "Your corruption ends here!"
But as the first Inquisitor crossed the threshold, the spiral's light flared violently. A shimmering barrier materialized, rippling like water yet solid as stone.
The black-robed figure slammed into it with bone-jarring force, thrown backward as if struck by an invisible fist.
