Flames and smoke billowed into the sky over the Lynx camp as hordes of insects flooded in. Just then, several deep, booming explosions echoed out—explosives that had been planted outside were detonated.
The ritual's leader felt a roar fill his head as he ran, and he staggered a few steps. It took him a moment to come to his senses. He stumbled into a tent, where his legs gave out and he collapsed before a statue covered in cloth. After catching his breath, he got up, stepped forward, and carefully cradled the statue in his arms before slowly heading back out.
Although he was small and frail and the statue looked heavy, he refused any offers of help. Grunting with effort, he carried it alone in fits and starts. After nearly ten minutes, he finally reached the ritual site and personally placed the statue in the very center. He made a few minute adjustments, then set a jar down in front of it.
