From the time that the signs of a lightning bolt first appeared in clouds above the group, only a second had passed. Toz had just enough time to throw his improvised lightning-catching trinket before the lightning would strike.
And while Toz could perceive that the chain snapped and the lightning would continue straight down and strike at, or close to, the dome of darkness shielding Mindle, he couldn't stop it in time.
Lucy and Nil also saw the lightning reaching down toward where Mindle was as the world slowed down.
The lightning crawled through the air, and Toz felt like he was moving through mud as he tried to redirect the bolt using his sword, despite knowing in his heart he wouldn't make it in time.
They could only hope that Mindle pushes through and won't get too seriously injured when her breakthrough ends up failing.
However, the moment before the lightning bolt hit the dome, it was redirected and flew off into the distance before striking the ground.
