The spinning blades whirred faster, going beyond Mach 10, their edges now dripping with the ether that was sprayed by the clouds. The pillars shifted unpredictably, herding the eight toward the deadly central glyph.
Now, even more threats had emerged: tendrils of the same shadow energy erupted from the floor, acting like serpents, while platforms collapsed beneath their feet, revealing pits that glowed with an ominous red.
Nova clung to the cracked boulder, blood dripping from the fresh gash on his back, his leg wound aching with every move. "We're not dying here!" he shouted, voice raw but filled with resolve.
His eyes flicked to the team: Elesch, gasping through bruised ribs; Adam, cradling his fractured arm; Zane, chest bleeding; Michael, limping on his torn thigh; Emma, bow trembling in her grip; Col, axe chipped from smashing pillars; Galileo, staff flickering as his energy waned. They were battered, but their faces held the spark of fire that Nova unleashed upon them.
